Branded by a Warrior

by Andrea Thorne

  Nodding, not trusting herself to talk any longer, she turned and walked with her husband to the stables where his men awaited their Laird.

  Twenty warriors were preparing their mounts in the early brisk morning, Kendrix was helping them get ready as Broderick and Elisabeth entered the stables. Kendrix had doubled his brother’s guards after a lengthy discussion; neither she nor Kendrix believed ten warriors would be enough. Broderick agreed to take twenty after seeing how adamant both his brother and wife were on the issue. Elisabeth was please when her husband easily agreed to take more guards. She knew Douglas warriors could very well be waiting on their path to Inverness. Although the MacMillan warriors were trained and ready, having more men travel with her husband gave her peace of mind.

  Squeezing Broderick’s hand one last time she let go, watching him check his saddle upon his large stallion. Around her the men talked to each other but she only had eyes for her husband. She watched him slowly transform from her husband into a warrior before her eyes. It didn’t take long before the group was ready to depart, standing off to the side Elisabeth saw Broderick walk away from the group, directly to her. Tears welled in her eyes as she stood in the large stable; clenching her jaw she watched Broderick’s face soften as he approached her. Seeing her upset bothered him, she knew that, yet she couldn’t contain her emotions. She did not give a damn if his men saw her cry; she refused to dampen her love for this man in public. Warrior or not, she was a woman in love, she had every right to be emotional with his departure.

  “Oh Elisabeth, please dinnae cry lass.” He whispered as he pulled her close into a warm hug.

  “I’ll miss you terribly, please return with all do haste my love.”

  “Nothing shall delay my return Lis. I must go, I love you.”

  “And I love you Broderick,” reaching up, she kissed him softly, uncaring of who saw. Those moments she kissed him with every bit of emotion she had. In this volatile world, one could never be sure of living until the next day. Dread surrounded her.

  Slowly pulling away, Broderick kissed her forehead one last time before turning to mount his stallion. Hugging herself, Elisabeth walked over to Kendrix and followed the warriors out of the stable. Ahead of them, the groaning of the massive drawbridge could be heard.

  Rare sunshine lit up the bailey as sun peeked over the mountains, Elisabeth watched as the warriors began to exit the castle; Broderick was the last one to leave. Looking back over his shoulder, he saluted his brother and wife one last time as he crossed the drawbridge.

  Elisabeth waved to her beloved husband as she watched him disappear into the white forest. Once the warriors could no longer be seen, Kendrix ordered the drawbridge closed. Securing the castle closed once again. With tears flowing down her cheeks she reached up to brush them away, turning to look at Kendrix beside her.

  “Come Sister, lets find little Isobel and break our fast, I think you could use some of Old Rhona’s tea.”

  Nodding, she walked beside Kendrix back to the castle in search of Isobel, and a warm meal. She felt empty, the thought of the following weeks without Broderick made her feel depressed and hollow. She could tell Kendrix was upset with his brother leaving without him; this would be the first time since they were young boys they would be separated from each other.

  Walking through the large doors of the castle, Elisabeth’s attention immediately was captured as she heard Siobhan yelling. Looking up, she stopped inside the door as she saw Siobhan raise her hand in anger at Isobel, “You little bitch! You tore my gown!”

  Before Kendrix could react, Elisabeth drew her dagger out of her belt and threw it at Siobhan, catching her long sleeve, sending her flying back against the wall, her raised arm pinned against the wooden doorframe.

  Siobhan’s jaw dropped as she turned her head to see Elisabeth and Kendrix rushing towards her.

  “How dare you raise your hand to my daughter Siobhan, she is but a child!”

  Kendrix walked over to Siobhan, his anger was palpable.

  “I…I…I wasn’t going to hit her!” she swore, trying to dislodge the dagger holding her sleeve. She nervously eyed Kendrix as he stormed towards her.

  Elisabeth rushed over to Isobel and swept her up into her arms and cradled the child’s head in the crook of her neck as she spoke quietly into her ear, calming the child’s fear. Shielding Isobel’s eyes from her father and Siobhan, Elisabeth watched as Kendrix pulled the dagger out easily out of the stone and held it to Siobhan’s face, “If I ever see you raise a hand to my daughter I will kill you myself Siobhan, understood?” His tone was menacing and cold, his threat was very real, all of them understood that. People from the castle had appeared at the sound of the commotion, all eyes were upon them. Elisabeth stood back and allowed Kendrix handle the situation at hand; it was his daughter after all.

  “Understood,” with that, Siobhan spun on her heel and ran from the keep. Kendrix spun around and looked at his daughter who was nestled snugly in Elisabeth’s strong arms.

  Seeing the anger in Kendrix’s eyes, she quickly attempted to divert his attention, “Let us go find some food Kendrix, surely we all still need to break our fast.” She offered, trying to get him to calm down. With Siobhan gone, she turned towards the kitchen still carrying little Isobel in her arms, Kendrix simply nodded and followed them. Walking down into the kitchens Elisabeth allowed this to distract her from thinking of Broderick, “Shall we see if Rhona has some cakes for us Isobel? Maybe she’ll let us break our fast on those instead of warm porridge” she teased the child, trying to see a smile from her sad little face.

  “Oh that would be nice Aunt Elisabeth; Rhona’s cakes are the best!”

  From behind them, they heard Kendrix’s deep voice, “Aye, Rhona’s cake are the best my child, she made them for me when I was your age too, lets see if the old lady has them baked yet, shall we?” In those few words his anger dissipated.

  The afternoon had gone exceptionally fast for Elisabeth, after breakfast she drilled with the warriors, practiced bow with Isobel and then held a group class for her ever-growing crowd of castle children. She allowed the busy day to keep her mind off Broderick as he traveled south.

  Finding a moment of peace, Elisabeth snuck away to her solar to rest before the busy evening approached. Tonight she would meet with Kendrix and start planning their attack on the Douglas clan; she knew future days and evenings would be spent much like today. She knew the way to survive would be to stay busy, and so far she had done just that.

  The next week followed the same pattern; she would practice with Kendrix and the warriors early in the morning, teach bow lessons immediately afterward and then see to the castle the rest of the day. Her evenings were filled with dinners with Isobel, Kendrix and Rhona, followed by planning late into the evenings with Kendrix.

  She had become so busy; she had little time to dwell on Broderick’s absence during the daylight hours. Her heart ached for him, yet her busy schedule demanded her full attention. Only late at night when she curled up in their bed did she let her guard down, she had cried herself to sleep every night the first week he was gone. She eventually let the hounds sleep upon the bed; she found it hard to sleep without Broderick’s large presence beside her.

  Lying alone in bed at night, she thought over the past days. Isobel was fast becoming a sensation with her bow; Elisabeth was pleasantly surprised how skilled the child was for only five years old. All of her students were excelling under her tutelage. She had found it heartwarming to see all of their little faces daily; they brought her much needed happiness. The castle was running smoothly, Kendrix stepped in to handle things that Broderick would normally see to, leaving her to handle the daily goings on of castle life.

  She and Kendrix had started to make great strides on their plans for attacking the Douglas lands, together with the maps and knowledge they both possessed the two had started building a campaign that would not fail. She knew Broderick would be very pleased with how things were coming along. Kendrix’s
strategies and expertise were impressive, he reminding her so much of Duncan. She was very thankful for Kendrix being left behind; she now understood why Broderick had been so adamant about leaving him behind. Kendrix had embraced her as his sister the moment Broderick chose to make her his wife. He was loyal and light hearted, he was always close by if she needed something or had a question. Isobel and Kendrix had kept her busy and entertained throughout the week, something she was very thankful for. She didn’t feel alone.

  It had been a week since he left; she knew he had to be arriving at Inverness, the thought made her stomach roll. She prayed the King would be in the right state of mind, although she was his cousin, she knew best of any that Richard was prone to fits of rage, bordering on insanity at times.

  Chapter 14

  The journey to Inverness was brutal, the weather had only worsened the farther south Broderick and his men traveled, something Broderick had never seen before. Treacherous roads and bitter cold slowed them around every turn. It took Broderick eight days to reach the King’s castle nestled above the loch in Inverness, arriving in the middle of the night; Broderick and his men were given immediate access to the castle.

  Stabling their horses, the warriors were shown to their quarters by the King’s staff, as Broderick was taken into the castle, he was promptly shown to a well appointed room. Dead tired from the journey, his meeting with King Richard would wait until the morning; no one would dare wake the illustrious King at this hour of night. Absolutely exhausted and frozen solid from exposure he undressed. Crawling into the soft bed, he fell asleep almost instantly; the warmth of the roaring fire lulled him into the dream world where he dreamt of his beautiful wife.

  Broderick woke to the sound of knocking on his door soon after sunrise. “King Richard shall see you within the next hour downstairs in the hall, do not be late Laird MacMillan.” The male voice called beyond the thick wooden door.

  Gruffly answering back, “Aye, I’ll be there.” He swung his sore legs out of bed; he had an angry king to win over. It had been at least a year since his last meeting with King Richard, much had changed since then, praying the King still took favor with him he let out a deep breath and sat up. Standing up, he stretched his muscles and rubbed the sleep from his weary eyes. He was incredibly hungry, crossing the room he poured fresh water into the basin and splashed his face, “Wake up old boy, we’ve got a king to win over.” He muttered to his self, trying to shake off the exhaustion from riding so far in such horrid weather. Dressing and arming himself as usual, he descended the long stone stairs toward King Richard’s large hall. Entering the quiet hall, he saw the king, sitting at the end of the long table before the vast hearth that anchored the far wall. Completely alone, waiting for him.

  Bowing to his liege, he crossed the room and waited for the king to speak.

  “Laird MacMillan, we meet again, please, sit.” King Richard beckoned, motioning for Broderick to sit to his right. Richard was dressed in immaculate attire befitting a royal, as he always was. Only a few years older than Broderick, the smaller man commanded attention. The early morning sun crested the hills, sending dazzling light into the beautifully appointed hall of the royal castle. Taking a seat as instructed, Broderick tucked in and replied, “My King, I’m glad to see you are well during this bitter winter.”

  “I am told you did not bring Elisabeth as I instructed, would you care to explain why you disobeyed my orders Broderick?” Richard sneered, his attitude severely changing as he got to the heart of the matter.

  “She was not fit for travel my liege,” he answered. Determine to keep his composure. The last thing he wanted to do was provoke the king’s notorious temper.

  Richard sat back, crossing his arms his blue eyes ran over Broderick as he sat back and pondered Broderick’s answer. “Is she with child?” He asked, his agitation beginning to wan as his face softened after asking the blunt question.

  “I certainly hope so,” Broderick replied, smirking at his king with a knowing smile.

  With his arms still crossed, the king leaned forward and gravely asked, “Would you care to explain why you did not seek my permission to marry her?”

  Leaning forward to meet the king’s ice-cold gaze and posture, “I was not aware I required your permission to marry.” Broderick could feel the tension rise as the king slowly unwound his arms and placed them on the table, cocking his head to the right.

  “She did not tell you, did she?” Richard asked, his voice low and warning, a mysterious smile crept upon his face.

  “Before coming, my wife informed me she made a promise to you, a vow. A vow she could not tell me, she begged me to understand. She hoped that you would share the information as she was unable to disclose it to me. She sent me with a letter for you.” He admitted with arrogance, he knew Richard was searching for information. He saw the King of England soften when he mentioned the word wife. Richard’s reaction intrigued him, instead of sitting on the letter; Broderick let his hand be known. He was very curious as to what his little wife could say to sway such a notoriously hot headed ruler like Richard.

  “Where is it Broderick?” Richard asked, sitting up straighter.

  “She said I was to give it to you in the event our meeting turned sour, curious, isn’t it? What would my wife have to say to you, our king, that would ever sway your mind?” He speculated. He was determined to figure out the secret, come hell or high water.

  Sitting back, the king rubbed his hands as he looked at Broderick. “Let me read her letter, and I will tell you.” He countered; sitting back Richard extended his hand, waiting for the letter.

  Broderick handed the letter to his liege and watched him open it; the king’s eyes read the short note. Broderick noticed a smirk upon the king’s face as he finished the letter. It made him extremely curious to read what Elisabeth had wrote the most powerful ruler in the world.

  The king looked up from the parchment and continued to smile as he explained, “Your wife, the lovely Elisabeth is my cousin. She is the hidden heir to my throne. You married my heir Broderick; you married the potential future Queen of England. If I die before siring my own heir, my country and my throne are hers. The only other people who knew, perished when the Douglas clan attacked that night, Elisabeth and I are the only ones who know, save the Church records.”

  Broderick’s jaw dropped; never had he imagined such shocking news. He understood immediately. He understood the secrecy; he understood why his wife could not tell him. He understood so much.

  “She was sworn to secrecy of our blood connection her entire life, with Duncan dead, she is my sole heir. Years ago her father and I attempted to explain that her husband would be selected for her due to being a royal heir. Obviously, you know her, and her attitude; she would have none of it. King or not, she told me to kiss her arse. It has always been one of the reasons she is my favorite, I admire her spirit.”

  “She told me she won an archery bet with her father for the right to choose her husband, she never mentioned you.” Broderick offered, reeling at the information his liege had just shared.

  Nodding in agreement, “Aye she did, she won the bet from both of us, which was the second part of her secret she could not tell you. She challenged both her father and me to produce our best archers, and if we won, she would accept the husband we would choose for her.” The king leaned forward and handed the letter to Broderick so he could read it, adding, “She beat our archers easily, we were honor bound to allow her to choose her own husband on her own time. It appears she made a fine choice, I approve of your marriage to my beautiful cousin Broderick, as it appears she is in love with you. I could not be happier with her choice of a husband, or that the woman finally found love.”

  Grinning, Broderick took the letter from his liege and read the short missive.

  My most beloved King Richard,

  Before you is the man I have rightfully chosen as my husband.

  I beg you to honor our marriage and to approve of my husband, there is
no one more suited to be at my side than Broderick.

  I love him with everything that I am.

  In blood, forever

  Elisabeth Rosslyn MacMillan

  “She has chosen well Broderick, even without her letter I would have still approved of you. Knowing that she is happy makes me pleased. I will charge you with her protection and well being, should you fail, you will answer directly to me, is that understood?” the king asked.

  “Aye, but if you would have approved anyway, why did you call me to you in the middle of winter?”

  Clearing his throat, “I needed you to know of her connection to the crown, it is vital that you knew, something I could not send by messenger in the event the letter was stolen. I always knew she would never divulge that secret, she is far too loyal. Now that you are her husband, I knew I had to tell you. Also, I needed to see what you planned to do about Kincaid. Laird Douglas must be dealt with, I would rather my army stay out of it so I can appear impartial. Elisabeth’s mother was my Aunt; I want revenge for Elisabeth and her family.”

  Hearing the inflection of emotion in Richard’s voice, Broderick replied, “I left my brother and Elisabeth to plan our attack on the Douglas lands upon my return. We plan to leave as soon as the thaw gives way. The icy grip of winter has delayed taking my army south, but vengeance has always been at the forefront of our minds.” He answered honestly, around them servants began to deliver trays of fresh sweet breads and warm food fresh from the kitchen.

  “Eat Broderick, and let us talk. We have much to discuss you and I, for you are married to my little cousin, I have much to tell you.”

  The following days Broderick and the king talked over politics and the future of Scotland. Although Broderick wanted nothing more than to head home, he knew his time with the powerful ruler was important and vital to his future as well. He was intelligent enough to know not to rush his liege; he bid his time carefully as he shadowed the ruler during his time at Inverness. His wife was the potential future Queen of England; he needed to know everything King Richard had to share.