A Hardened Warrior

by McQueen, Hildie

  Her mother neared to inspect how things were set up. “Ensure there are another set of blankets for ye to lay upon to rest.” She nodded, satisfied when a maid hurried up with a neatly folded set of bedding.

  Out of the corners of her eyes, she caught sight of Tristan pacing back and forth. She refused to allow him to make her hurry. If anything, she’d make doubly sure everything was just right before announcing she was ready to travel.

  “Where is Duin?” she asked, looking for her horse.

  The Ross guards exchanged looks. “He will not allow anyone near him.”

  Her lips twitched at Duin’s defiance, matching her own. “I will go see about him.”

  “Nay, we do not have time,” Tristan said as he approached her. “He can remain behind.”

  When she turned to him, he must have seen something in her expression because his eyebrows rose just a bit.

  “Duin does not allow my own clansmen near him either. He comes with me.” She spoke each word clearly, not leaving any room for misinterpretation.

  The muscles at his jawline moved. He was having a hard time keeping his temper in check. Good. So was she.

  “Very well. But do not take too long. We must leave and travel as far as possible before sundown.”

  With a guard and Paige alongside her, Merida made her way to the corrals. “Tis ridiculous to leave so late in the day. If we left at dawn, we could possibly arrive the same day. But nay, the man wants to do things his way and put everyone at risk to show his power…”

  The guard cleared his throat, making her wonder if he was hiding a chuckle. Paige gasped. “Merida, do not be so bold. Ye have to obey yer husband.”

  “I am allowed an opinion, am I not?” she snapped, but then softened. “Paige, ye are fortunate to have married someone ye chose. My brother gives ye heed to speak yer mind and I am sure for a decision such as this, he would ensure to seek yer opinion.”

  Paige shook her head. “Not always.”

  Duin was not of good temperament. He made harsh noises to announce his displeasure at being taken away from where he’d found a crop of tasty grasses to munch.

  Once he was saddled, she guided the now calmer horse forward to where the party had been joined by her father and Lady Mackenzie. Merida fortified herself and lifted her chin. Upon meeting her father’s gaze, she found strength and a silent message that he expected nothing less than absolute fortitude from her.

  Handing Duin’s reins to the guard, she neared her parents, first hugging her mother who whispered well wishes and promises to visit soon and then Paige who joined in wishing her Godspeed.

  Lady Mackenzie was warm and obviously thinking the trip was to be a great adventure by handing her a leather-bound book. “To see ye past the long travel.”

  “Thank ye.” Merida gave the woman a wan smile.

  When she faced her father, his gaze slid toward where Tristan was. “He has promised to keep ye safe. I know ye are more than capable, Merida, and I do not expect that ye will allow mistreatment. However, know that ye can return home at any time.”

  She wanted to laugh knowing Tristan overheard every word. Instead, she leaned forward and kissed her father’s bearded cheek. “I will never stop being a McLeod first.”

  His eyes twinkled when she straightened.

  Upon turning to face her husband, he motioned to the wagon. “Shall we go?” By the tone of his voice, he was resigned to the fact that she’d not be hurried.

  Merida turned in the opposite direction and mounted Duin. “Aye, let us go,” she called out.

  The front gates remained open and, yet, as they crossed out toward the open lands, it felt as if they closed behind her. She didn’t look back, afraid to catch a glimpse of her mother crying. Seeing it would break her resolve to remain strong and not allow the dismay and doubt she felt inwardly to show.

  Tristan came alongside her. “We will ride all day. Ye may grow exhausted upon yer horse.”

  Sliding a glance to him, she wanted to roll her eyes. Instead, she lifted a brow. “I rode all the way here, tis the same distance to yer home.”

  “It will be yer home now. And no, it is a bit further.”

  She pressed her lips together. It was doubtful anything on another clan’s lands would ever feel like home. “What is yer keep called?”

  “Dun Airgid,” he replied, pride evident in the tone. “Tis a large keep, about the same size as the Mackenzie’s, with walls on three side and steep fall behind.”

  “How many people have thrown themselves to their deaths?”

  “Why? Are ye considering it?” he teased and she couldn’t help but chuckle.

  “Nay, I would rather fight than kill myself.” She redirected the question. “Silver Fortress, why that name?”

  Tristan met her gaze. “It seems to shimmer at sunrise and sunset. It was named that by the villagers.”

  A flock of birds flew overhead, their loud caws fading as they went. She looked up and let out a sigh. “Why do ye insist on leaving now? Ye did not say anything about it to me last night.”

  She shifted in her seat, realizing now that perhaps riding after her first time with a man was probably not the best of ideas.

  If he noticed, Tristan did not say anything about it. “I have many duties that have been neglected overly long by my spending so much time away.”

  “Duties that could not wait one more day?”

  Just then, a guard motioned to get his attention and Tristan rode ahead.

  “What is happening?” Tristan said to the guard, who looked up to the trees.

  “The birds have become silent.”

  Tristan followed the man’s line of sight. They’d only been on the road for but a few moments. “Let us pick up the pace and ride faster for a while.”

  The guard nodded and they began traveling faster. Dispatching two guards ahead and flanked by four on each side, the party was relatively safe. Tristan himself rode in a pattern, moving from the front to the back and, on occasion, alongside the party.

  When he rode next to his uncle, the older man glanced over his shoulder and then met his gaze. “Have ye considered that yer wife could be uncomfortable after last night?”

  His eyes widened and he turned to study the beauty that sat straight as an arrow upon her mount. She kept her shoulders straight and her gaze forward. If one did not pay attention, she seemed serene without discomfort, but he noted the slight pinch of her brow and almost invisible lines of tension at the sides of her lips.

  “Why would she insist on riding that blasted beast?”

  His uncle shrugged. “To show strength. Merida is leaving everything she’s ever known behind.”

  “Ian thinks we may be followed,” Tristan said, changing the subject. “The quieting of the birds could be our presence, but he does not think so.”

  When his uncle nodded, the way he tilted his head reminded him so much of his own father that Tristan’s throat tightened. “I have been thinking the same. Look forward and to the left. Do ye notice the shifting?”

  When Tristan looked, there was a definite change in the lower brush as if the plants had been jostled just recently and were resettling. “Someone alone?”

  “That is what I think,” Gregor replied. “A scout perhaps.”

  Tristan considered whether he should send guards to confront the person or wait to see if, perhaps, he would go away. However, if he was keeping up with them while waiting for others, it could prove disastrous.

  “How far to McLeod lands from here?”

  “Closer than to our own. It must be a McLeod. We travel in between, using the narrow stretch between McLeod and Mackenzie lands.”

  Tristan nodded. Upon mapping the route, both to there and back, they had remained away from the McLeod border, ensuring to remain on small clan lands or their own.

  “If he is a scout, it could be he belongs to a local clan.”

  They continued on, deciding the smaller clan who claimed the lands was tiny and they would not pose
a threat to the party.

  The sun was falling when they finally stopped to rest the horses and set up camp. The air had become crisper, however, the day remained pleasant. As much as Tristan hated stopping, his mind kept returning to Merida’s condition. He’d not considered that she would be tender after their wedding night.

  Nearing his wife who looked after her mount, he placed a hand on her shoulder. “How are ye feeling?”

  She didn’t reply right away. Her gaze moved down his face to focus on the center of his chest. “I am tired.”

  “I had not considered that after last night, ye would need a day of rest. Perhaps ye should ride on the wagon tomorrow.”

  A light blush crept up from her neck. “I will admit to not being comfortable, however, I prefer my horse to a wagon.”

  He nodded, admiring her candor. “Ye must rest well tonight. I will see about yer mount.”

  Before she could protest, he took the saddle from the animal and guided it to the water’s edge. The beast should have been tired after the long day of riding, but Tristan was surprised when it pranced at the water’s edge before walking into it to drink. It kicked in the water, seeming to enjoy the feel of it around its legs. The beast reminded him of his wife. Not one to be judged on appearance alone.

  While the horse remained in the shallow edge of the creek, Tristan rinsed his own face, arms and neck. His own mount drank greedily and then meandered to graze, not paying any heed to how far it went.

  He eyed Merida’s horse and looked to where his was. When Tristan whistled, his horse looked toward him and then reluctantly came closer.

  “Duin, come here,” Merida stood at the water’s edge, hands on her hips. “Get out of the water.”

  The horse’s ears twitched, but it didn’t move. Tristan looked from the stubborn horse to its beautiful owner. “Duin,” she repeated. This time, the horse took a couple steps deeper into the water until it lapped his knees.

  “Should I not have released him?”

  Merida dragged her frown from the horse to Tristan. “Nay, he does this to me all the time. He likes water. But if left to his own devices, he will wander away.”

  At the words, Tristan looked to where his own horse was and it had also gone further away, once again grazing, its tail switching back and forth. “Mine does the same.”

  Leaving Merida to see about her horse, he stalked to fetch his own.

  *

  Merida had finally succeeded in convincing her stubborn horse out of the water with a carrot and tethered it to a tree nearby.

  A hearty bonfire was lit to dispel the chill in the air and everyone sat near it. Hollowed out bread filled with meat and thick broth that had been sent by the Mackenzie’s was shared.

  Although a bit colder now that the sun had fallen, Tristan sat close to her, his large body a shield from the cold breeze. Too hungry to speak much, Merida ate every bit of her food. The next day, they’d travel straight to the Ross keep and would, in all probability, eat as they went.

  She sneaked a glance to her husband, noticing that although he ate and seemed at ease, his gaze moved constantly to the surrounding trees. He was alert and watchful. Four guards patrolled to ensure no one was about, while another six remained with them, but spread out in a calculated circle.

  “Ye find something interesting?” Tristan asked.

  “I’ve noticed how the guards are posted and that ye have not stopped keeping watch. Is there something amiss?”

  She was surprised when he replied. “Aye, we are being followed. I am not sure if he belongs to yer clan or the clan these lands belong to.”

  “Have ye sought to seek him out?”

  “Aye, but he evaded my guards.”

  A shiver of apprehension traveled down her spine. Yet despite the troubling occurrence, she was glad he’d trusted her enough to inform her.

  “My old bones require that I sleep now.” Gregor Ross stood from where he sat just a short distance away.

  Tristan watched his uncle go to where he planned to sleep, blankets already rolled out.

  “I have met yer uncle before. He came to my home several times,” Merida said.

  Tristan looked to her. “My uncle is like a father to me. Always has been. Although I cared for my father greatly, there was always a tight bond between me and Uncle Gregor.”

  “I am sorry about yer father,” Merida said, trying to come to grips with why Ethan, her impulsive brother, did what he did. “I wish he remained alive.”

  Silence stretched and Merida wondered if she should not have said anything. Finally, Tristan stood and held a hand down to her. “Do ye need to relieve yerself before settling for the night?”

  She allowed him to help her up and then they walked in silence away from the others so they would have privacy. Tristan stopped and she continued forward to where she could ensure to empty her bladder. After she was done, she found him leaning on a tree, seeming deep in thought.

  When she approached, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against him. The solidness of his frame along with the trickles of awareness that traveled down her body made Merida lift her arms up and around his neck, pulling him down until their lips met. Tristan needed little encouragement, his mouth covering hers and his tongue delving past her lips. She pressed harder into him, needing to feel his body against hers.

  Tristan’s large hand slid down her backside until cupping her from behind and lifting her until their sexes aligned. Merida moaned at the friction that was brought on by the presence of their clothing.

  “Allow me to make love to ye,” Tristan said, his voice ragged, hot breaths against her ear. “I need to.”

  The need was mutual and she clung to him, wrapping her legs around his waist as he maneuvered to free his erection.

  She wasn’t sure how, but her skirts were moved aside and his staff penetrated in one strong thrust. Thankfully, he muffled her cry with his mouth and continued to cover her mouth as she moaned when a myriad of sensations took over her entire being.

  Hard and thick, his manhood filled her to capacity, the walls of her sex stretching to allow the wonderful invasion.

  While holding her up against a tree, Tristan was free to move and he pushed into her, sending waves through her body as she did her best to keep from crying out. They didn’t have much time, so his movements became frantic, sliding out and delving back in as both sought to find their releases.

  Merida’s body went rigid as a climax hit so hard, lights flashed before her. Soon after, Tristan groaned and his body shuddered.

  They remained entwined, with Merida clinging to him as she waited for her breathing to regulate. As much as she wanted to remain angry at him for dragging her away from her family so soon, tenderness enveloped her when he helped her to stand, taking time to arrange her skirts. He straightened and looked at her hair, then clumsily patted it as if trying to tame the mass of curls.

  Merida chuckled. “There is not much that can be done to tame my hair.”

  “I believe the same goes for my beautiful wife.” His eyes seemed to sparkle in the moonlight and Merida wondered how often he would be like this. Allowing his guard down and giving her an insight to the less hardened man.

  “We should go back,” he said, looking toward the camp. “Come.” He placed a hand at the small of her back and guided her toward where the wagon was.

  Once at the wagon, he assisted her to join a sleepy Elsa, who sat in waiting. “Would ye like me to brush yer hair, Lady Merida?”

  “Nay, we will do it in the morning. I am too exhausted to think about such things and I know ye are as well.” They settled into the nest of blankets that had been thoughtfully provided by Lady Mackenzie and her mother. Merida barely noticing where Tristan went.

  Tristan went to where Ruari sat staring into the fire. “What do ye think? Is the person still following us?”

  “Nay, not now. Which is more worrisome.”

  Tristan nodded. “He could be gone to let others know where
we are.”

  “Sleep now. I will wake someone up to take my place.”

  “Wake me,” Tristan said, unwrapping his tartan and settling onto the ground not too far from the fire.

  At daybreak, the party didn’t waste time preparing for the day ahead. With luck, they would make it to Dun Airgid before sunset.

  The horses were prepared for riding; two were hitched to the wagon. Once again, Merida mounted her unruly beast of a horse, looking to be more at ease.

  Tristan neared and leaned closer. “Are ye not too tender to ride?”

  Although there was a slight coloring on her cheeks, she met his gaze directly. “I will not ride in the wagon, Husband.”

  They rode off at a steady pace. The thought that perhaps whoever had been watching them had gone off to fetch more men was heavy on their minds. Soon, however, they reached the outskirts of Ross lands.

  The road became narrow, forcing them ride in lines of two. An uneasiness stretched as they realized that by doing so, being further apart meant they made an easier target. Although near Ross lands, the area was adjacent to McLeod territory.

  Tristan went to ride alongside Merida and instructed a guard to pull Elsa to ride with him.

  The air was thick, the silence in the trees ominous.

  “What is going on?” Merida asked, noticing how the guards moved to flanks of two, their swords at the ready.

  “Just a precaution since we travel along McLeod lands for the next while.” Tristan scanned the trees, not seeing anything of interest. It was best to err on the side of caution he conceded. However, the sense of dread did not lift.

  The first arrow whizzed right past his head and just as Tristan called out in alarm, a second one hit, lodging into his upper left arm.

  He swung his horse around and pulled out his own bow, loading it with an arrow and loosing it to the treetops from where the arrows came.

  One of the Ross guardsmen fell to the ground, hitting so hard the air was knocked from him.

  A second man fell.

  Uncle Gregor.