Branded by a Warrior

by Andrea Thorne

  Slipping on tall leather boots that Rhona had made for her, she walked over to Broderick’s wardrobe and opened the doors to find his beautiful black sable fur to throw over her shoulders.

  Taking one last look in the mirror she saw Broderick’s mark all over her, his dagger, his gifts, his tartan, she felt worthy of every piece of it. Smiling to herself she opened the door and floated down the circle stairs through the corridor and keep, smiling and greeting castle help and clans people along her way.

  Each person noticed the MacMillan plaid displayed across her chest with pride, many commented as she walked by.

  “Our colors look fine on you miss!”

  “Welcome to the clan my lady!”

  Nodding and thanking each as she passed them on her way to find Broderick, an elder warrior opened the main doors for her as she approached, “He’s outside training with the warriors lass.”

  Straightening her shoulders, she walked out into the fresh snow.

  In the bailey the men were training with swords when Kendrix saw the castle doors open, and before him Elisabeth appear donned in his brother’s tartan looking like a formidable queen. Beside him his brother had his back turned and hadn’t noticed her presence.

  One by one Broderick’s warriors stopped and directed their eyes to the front of the castle. Seeing his well-trained warriors divert their attention, Broderick followed their eyes to the front of the castle and saw her.

  Standing at the top of the castle stairs his redheaded future queen stood cloaked in his sable fur, draped in his personal tartan she looked like a royal queen, his royal queen. He watched as she slowly walked down the stairs with her eyes upon him the entire time, sheathing his broadsword he walked away from his men directly towards his beautiful betrothed.

  Ignoring his clan of warriors behind him, he met her halfway and eyed her from toe to crown with an approving gaze, “You look stunning lass, I think you’ve enchanted my entire army, and most assuredly their Laird,” bending down he kissed her in front of every person present in the courtyard. Entwining fingers with her, he smiled and turned to face his men, “Clan MacMillan, I take great pleasure announcing Elisabeth has agreed to become my wife!”

  His announcement was met with deafening applause and cheering, people came out of the huts and shops lining the courtyard to join in welcoming their new queen. Blushing, she waved to the people and warriors surrounding them in the light snowfall, and looked adoringly into his eyes.

  “Elisabeth!” Isobel ran from the stables directly across the courtyard to the couple with her arms outstretched, smiling at the announcement.

  Letting go of Broderick’s hand, she knelt down and opened her arms wide for the oncoming child, wrapping her arms around the wee lass she picked up five year old Isobel with ease and hugged her as Broderick and the clan watched.

  “You will be my Aunt?” she asked as she squeezed Elisabeth tightly.

  Nodding and setting the lass back on her feet, “Aye, Isobel. Uncle Broderick is keeping me after all,” smiling at the child and then back to the dark warrior standing by her side, she saw him kick up a smile.

  The next week had flown by for Elisabeth, she had stepped in and took up the reins in the castle and saw to duties typically reserved for the laird’s wife with ease. Day after day brought her work and new faces, she was overjoyed for both. She had never been a woman to sit down and watch others do, she wanted to help with everything. Once Broderick gave his approval for her to leave the room at her will, she was in the kitchens in the morning, and helping clean the castle throughout the day. The tedious work kept her mind busy, and allowed her to make friends with so many warm people. With the snow falling constantly, the castle prepared for the long winter ahead. She took up the duties that were to become hers quickly, she longed for a job within the clan. She wanted to earn her keep.

  Elisabeth’s nights were filled with making love to her betrothed, he had taught her so much in the past week. The two of them fought to keep their hands off each other when in public, however the moment they closed their door, they never quit. Each morning she would wake to Broderick sliding into her. Waking up in the morning was fast becoming her favorite time of day.

  Her shoulder was healing well; it pained her very little anymore unless she lifted heavy objects. The linens had been discarded days ago. Her scar was long and still very red as it ran from her shoulder between her breasts. Each night as Broderick undressed her he would place kisses down it, assuring her it didn’t mar her beauty. In fact, she was quite sure he loved all of her scars; he worshipped her body with his tender touch.

  She had brought up the conversation of starting to train with his warriors on several occasions this week, feeling her arm was finally well enough to do light work with a sword. Broderick had shot down each attempt by making love to her and getting her to forget; she had easily caught on to his tactics. Biding her time she pushed aside the continual dismissal, for now.

  Not everything had been going her way as she settled into her new home. Although some of the women were welcoming and warm, Siobhan and her cronies were a different matter all together. Over the week it was apparent that Siobhan wasn’t taking the news of the laird’s engagement to her well.

  She had caught Siobhan talking with Broderick several times; she had watched them from a distance where she wasn’t seen. Siobhan wasn’t giving up on the handsome warrior easily; Elisabeth could tell she was pleading with Broderick, trying to tempt him with her overly exposed body. Siobhan would find someway to isolate Broderick away, begging for another chance, pleading with him to uphold their original betrothal for the sake of their clan.

  Time after time, Broderick would remove her hands off of him and walk away; his dismissals were cold and consistent. She had yet to bring it up with Broderick, she saw no need since he handled the situation with cold rejection. She trusted Broderick entirely, if had wanted that woman he would have married her years ago. It appeared that Broderick saw through Siobhan’s attempts with ease, his words were strong and concise. Each time she witnessed her husband give Siobhan a blistering let down, she smiled, the woman was a thorn in her side.

  Siobhan went out of her way to snub her every chance she got; in fact, Elisabeth had yet to actually meet the woman. Every time she attempted to approach the black haired beauty, Siobhan would turn up her nose and promptly walk in the other direction. Refusing to let such a bitter woman ruin her mood, Elisabeth simply held her composure and smiled knowing Siobhan was scared of her on some level.

  This past week Rhona had given her advice on how to deal with such a jealous tart, all of it made her laugh. Rhona’s humor livened her mood during the day while inside the castle, her extensive tours of the entire castle kept Elisabeth busy and away from Siobhan. Rhona took her all over, from the towers and battlements, cellars and dungeon. Elisabeth quick learned the castle was far larger than she ever knew; it had been built into the castle. There were caves and secret tunnels, hidden cellars and caches of extra dry goods in the event they were robbed or ran out. The castle was awe-inspiring; she had never seen such ingenuity used in such an ancient castle.

  Over the week Elisabeth had memorized the entire layout, and started to remember an impressive amount of names, she was fast enjoying learning her new people. Isobel never left her side, from the moment Elisabeth appeared in the keep in the morning until the moment she went to bed, Isobel flourished in the company of Elisabeth.

  She had reassured Kendrix that little Isobel was a welcome addition to her day, for she truly enjoyed the joy the little girl brought back into her life. Her innocent questions and silly humor, and her sweet giggle made Elisabeth smile throughout her entire day. It was apparent to Elisabeth that Isobel needed a mother figure in her life, she easily stepped in and started teaching the wee lass things a young lady should know.

  Elisabeth and Broderick had not settled on a date to get married, neither was in a rush, and the castle was so busy with activity that it was hard to even see to
their normal chores and duties. She knew they wouldn’t be able to live in sin forever; the elders would want them married before spring.

  Waking up a bit too late, Elisabeth was saddened to see Broderick had already left their room for the morning. Taking her time she dressed for the day and walked down into the keep in search of Old Rhona and her lovely tarts. Elisabeth noticed the absence of Isobel who normally met her at the bottom of the stairs each morning. Scanning the keep she frowned as she worried about the little blonde girl.

  Wearing Broderick’s sable fur around her, she started walking to the kitchens when she saw Isobel slumped against the castle door crying.

  Worried, she quickly crossed the keep, “What is wrong lass?” kneeling beside her she moved Isobel’s hands away from her face.

  Sniffling, “I think I left my mother’s necklace by the creek, I cannot find it anywhere, I was there with Da the other day.”

  Rubbing Isobel’s back she hugged her and stood up, holding out a hand she asked, “Lets go find your Da, maybe he’ll let us ride outside of the castle to the creek my sweet.”

  Smiling up at Elisabeth, Isobel took her hand and they head out into the courtyard in search of Kendrix. The snow had fallen overnight, covering the castle grounds in glittering snow and ice, the sun attempted to peek through the thick clouds as they walked to the stables. The warriors had just finished their drills, the sound of the blacksmith’s hammer rung out as they walked past him. The bailey was alive with activity this fine morning, searching for Broderick and Kendrix; Elisabeth scanned the large bailey and found neither brother.

  Refusing to give up, she assured the sniffling lass beside her they’d find her father and continued on towards the stables.

  Hearing his voice, the two walked towards him at the end of the stables. Elisabeth hailed to him and quickly explained Isobel’s dilemma, “Can you ride us out there so we may look? She’s quite upset Kendrix.”

  Looking down at his blonde daughter’s swollen eyes, he looked up at Elisabeth, “Have you asked Broderick?” he asked, crossing his arms.

  “Nae, I haven’t seen him since I found Isobel. How far of a ride is it to the creek?” she questioned, she had yet to set foot outside the walls of the castle since she’d been brought here. The idea of riding a horse made her yearn for a good outing.

  Looking across the yard for his brother, he answered, as he scanned, “Quarter hour there, not far.”

  Kendrix signaled a nearby stable hand and ordered him, “Saddle my horse and Lady Elisabeth’s stallion please.”

  Running his hand through his hair, he looked over at Elisabeth, “I’ll go make a quick round to see if I can find him, go ahead and get ready.”

  With that he walked away and went in search of his absent brother. Elisabeth and Isobel prepared for their expedition outside of the highly protected walls of Castle MacMillan.

  Kendrix appeared empty handed a half hour later, “Can’t find the man anywhere, we’ll go, and I’ll notify the guards in case he finds us missing.”

  Mounting his horse, he signaled for Isobel to join him in his saddle. Elisabeth easily mounted her brother’s warhorse, and situated herself for the ride. The excitement of riding, and seeing outside the walls made her giddy. Never before had she been this restricted in all her life, yes, her injury was still very sore and painful but she wanted nothing more than to feel the wind in her hair once again.

  “Kendrix, do you have a spare sword? I dislike the idea of going out of the walls unarmed,” she asked as they walked their horses to the drawbridge.

  Ordering the drawbridge lowered, he looked over at her and asked knowingly, “Why hasn’t my brother seen you fitted for a sword Elisabeth?”

  Watching the massive wooden drawbridge lower, she heard Kendrix tell the tower guard where they were headed. Waking their tall horses across the lowered drawbridge she admitted in a hushed tone, “Because he doesn’t think I’m ready.”

  “Surely you can’t ask me to defy his wishes Elisabeth, even if I agree with you,” he chuckled as they cleared the bridge, signaling for the guards to lift the drawbridge back up. “You’ll convince him soon enough, I think he knows it’s only a matter of time before you order your own weapons forged.”

  “You can have my sword Aunt Elisabeth,” Isobel offered happily as she sat in her father’s saddle and listened to the conversation.

  Since the announcement of her impending marriage to Broderick, Isobel had insisted upon calling her Aunt Elisabeth. It warmed her heart to see how easily Isobel accepted her into the family. For five years, Isobel only knew her father and Broderick as her family; she had no mother, no grandmother. The only constant female in her life had been Old Rhona, and the elder loved the child as her own. It was a bittersweet reminder of how fragile life was, how quickly lives were taken from all of them.

  “Keep your sword my sweet, Uncle Broderick will get me a sword… eventually,” she smiled at the innocent child who happily rode with her father beside her. The sun broke from the clouds and rare sunlight warmed their faces as they galloped away from the mammoth castle behind them. It felt incredible to be back in the saddle; Duncan’s horse was now hers, a magnificent beast indeed.

  Smiling into the wind, the chilly Highland air whipped through her hair as she rode beside Kendrix and Isobel towards the creek in search of Isobel’s treasured locket.

  Broderick was walking up from the cellars when the loud noise of the drawbridge lowering and raising up again. It drew his attention; curious, he made his way out to the battlements. Increasing his pace, he walked out of the castle towards the drawbridge tower in search of answers, his wolfhounds by his side. Crossing the bailey he looked around for Kendrix as he came up to the front gate.

  Calling up to his guard in the tower, “Who left?” he questioned his senior guard.

  “Kendrix and Isobel with Lady Elisabeth bound for the creek. Miss Isobel left something there. Kendrix looked for you before they left,” the guard called back down.

  Nodding to his man, “Alert me when they return, I’ll be in the stables,” he ordered, the ride to the creek wasn’t far and Elisabeth’s health had never been better. Jealous he didn’t get to take his future wife on her first horseback ride, he marched back to the stables, debating if he should join them. He worried about her, she had no weapon, and they took no guards with them. Calling to the stable hands he ordered his horse brought around, fetching his own saddle he tried not to overreact to the situation.

  In the snowy woods, the two horses and their riders easily navigated the thin trails that led down to the creek at the base of the mountain, high in the air a bird sounded.

  Elisabeth and Kendrix’s attention was captured at the sound of the predatory bird soaring above them when an arrow flew right past Kendrix’s face landing in a tree to the right of him. Elisabeth watched in horror as three more arrows flew from the woods directly at them. She watched helplessly as Kendrix turned his horse to protect Isobel. An arrow buried deep in his shoulder, throwing him and Isobel from the saddle into the snow.

  Jumping off her horse she ran over to them as the enemy rode down fast towards them, “Get her out of here Elisabeth!” Kendrix ordered as he pulled the arrow from his own shoulder and pulled out his sword.

  Picking up the sobbing lass, she ran over to her stallion and placed Isobel on the saddle, “Look at me Isobel, Aunt Elisabeth needs your help, I need you to ride as fast as you can back to Uncle Broderick, go my pet! Go, do not stop for anything my child!” Slapping the horse’s rear she sent the small child off on the massive stallion bound for the castle.

  Watching her fly through the woods, Elisabeth quickly turned her attention back to Kendrix. Picking up her skirts she ran through the deep snow back to his side. He struggled to stand, kneeling beside him she watched at four warriors on chestnut horses nearly upon them. Quickly assessing the situation, she knew Kendrix’s wound was enough to disable him from fighting hand to hand combat with the oncoming men. Moving quickly she lean
ed over him and pulled his longbow off his shoulder along with his quiver full of arrows. Notching an arrow, Elisabeth focused as the Douglas warriors were advancing on them rapidly.

  “Elisabeth, it’s strung for a man lass, there is no way you’re strong enough to pull it back, get on my horse and go!” Kendrix ordered as he watched her take aim.

  “Don’t tell me what I can’t do Kendrix, stuff it!” she bit out as she focused.

  Inhaling a large breath she closed her eyes and pulled back the tightly strung longbow as the first rider approached, the pain in her shoulder raged through her as she let her first arrow loose, flying directly into the eye of the rider. Dropping him dead, instantly.

  Stringing a second arrow she took aim once again, survival outweighed her pain, behind her Kendrix’s shoulder poured blood as he struggled to stand.

  Letting her second arrow fly, it found its mark in the neck of the second warrior.

  The last two men were upon them in seconds, on the ground Kendrix and Elisabeth stood beside each other as the Douglas men came into view.

  “Look at that Ian, a redheaded lass who can use a bow! Looks like we found the missing Drummond wench after all,” the fat Douglas warrior sneered as he walked closer.

  With only her dagger, she held it behind her skirts. Kendrix held his broadsword out to the men and warned, “Get off MacMillan lands now or you will die!”

  “We’ll just be taking Laird Douglas’s betrothed with us and we’ll have no problems, will we?” the tall redheaded warrior said, the warning in his tone wasn’t lost upon Kendrix and Elisabeth.

  “We have no such betrothed on our lands, this is my wife! Be gone before my patience wears off,” Kendrix ordered as the men continued to gain ground.

  “If you won’t give her over, then we will just take her,” the fat warrior said as he rushed towards Kendrix. The other Douglas eyed Elisabeth, his sword pointed at her.

  Kendrix clashed swords with the plump Douglas warrior as the taller warrior approached her with caution.