by Leela Ash
"Helena was jealous of the love her brother had for you. Her brother is all she has and she was determined to destroy you. When she knew you were carrying his child her one thought was to kill you. She had tried many times and Andra had faced death several times in her young lifetime. As a young girl Andra had originally come over to Iona from the mainland to be taught by the nuns. All her family were killed in the great siege of the Highlands and Alex became her guardian, yet as she turned into a beautiful young woman he fell in love with her and their romance blossomed. Helena was so jealous she tried to poison the girl on many occasions. Through the power of the ancients and your families strong blood line, you, your grandmother and others in the female line have stepped in to save her, to save yourselves and protect the ancient powers from falling into evil hands."
"But how, and why us?"
"The powers of the ancients are the oldest known to man. It is said that the great Gods themselves forged the rune stones. Several keepers, daughters of the stones, were elected and that responsibility has been passed on from generation to generation, mother to daughter, or in your case from grandmother to granddaughter; only the chosen ones could take on the responsibility.
One of the stones was placed in the safe keeping of the ancient MacDonald clan, the other to the ancestors of Andra, your people. The ancient writings foretell a time when the stones will be re-united. Andra had a rune, Helena the other and ambitions to claim both. When the girl would not relinquish the stone, Helena attempted to kill her. Ending her life would serve two purposes, bringing the runes together and bringing her brother back to her and her alone. The runes transported you and your ancestors back in time, to the exact point of Andra's certain death, to breath your life back into her, to allow the continuation of life; death and birth, the continuation of life. Some religions call it re-incarnation."
Andrea was staring at Geraldine.
It was a crazy story that she could barely believe, yet she could remember, she had been there, and as ridiculous as it sounded she knew these people, these places. She was Andra in another time.
Still it didn't make sense. The whole concept was ridiculous! Andrea furrowed her brow,
“But how is it possible that I can save my ancestor from the past? Surely if Andra died then I wouldn't even have been born?"
Geraldine smiled gently and brushed back a stray wisp of grey hair that had fallen loose from her neatly clipped hair.
"Time is not linear Andrea, and the powers and laws of the Universe are little understood by modern man. I am but a guide to help you through that transition and to protect you."
Andrea looked into the kindly face. There had always been something familiar about the face but she could not place it.
"You don't remember me do you? I may look a little different, a little older perhaps?"
The twinkling eyes shone in her memory. Back to a much younger face - the young nun who had cared for her on Iona - of course, Andrea’s eyes lit with recognition.
"That's right. Of course I am much younger back there. When we travel we embody the closest of our familiar line and that can be any age."
Closing her eyes the memories came flooding back to Andrea. The past so real she could almost touch it.
"But you are in grave danger my dear. Helena is after the rune and she will not stop until she has it. Alex MacDonald has been mortally wounded and lies dying. His only hope of salvation is to travel to the future, to live once again. Helena needs two runes to bring herself and Alex forward to this time and have total power. Helen is a direct descendant and will travel back with the two stones unless we can stop her."
"But how can we?"
"You must hand over your rune to me and I will take it back to Iona today. You must discharge yourself and follow me. We must travel separately to be safe but you must return to Iona as soon as possible. Andra is still dying, from the same moment you were transported back to the future. Time is continuous, like a permanent loop that we travel in. It will be safer for the child that way."
Andrea’s hands immediately swept to her stomach. "Child?"
"You are carrying Alexhander’s child and it must be born in its own time; a daughter to carry on the line, one that will reunite the two runes and the powers of the ancients will be restored."
The pregnancy; she had been right all along about the dates, had known deep inside that the child could not be Steve’s.
"But what about Alex, you said he was dying?"
'That is in the future, or more accurately in your past. You must travel back and live out many years with Alex and then what has been foretold will be."
"But surely if all of this has been foretold we don't have to worry; everything will turn out alright in the end?"
For the first time Geraldine's blue eyes looked serious."Nothing is written in tablets of stone Andrea. The Universe has a way of righting wrongs, but that can take centuries and a lot of damage and suffering can happen in between. I have seen two versions of the future and one of them you would not wish upon this old, tired world. We must not fail. Now tell me, where is the stone?"
The whereabouts of the old teddy bear were soon given to Geraldine. The old woman assured her that breaking into the flat to obtain the rune would be the least of her problems.
"Helen will soon sense that I am here and will do everything she can to stop me. I am hoping by then it will be too late and I will be flying back to England. I do possess a small amount of power myself but I can only hold Helen at bay for a short time. That is why you must discharge yourself as soon as possible. Don't worry, I will help you there also, the matron won't be a problem. I have a travel ticket already booked for you on the 16:00 flight today. Soon after that Helen will be on our path and she will certainly pursue you back in time."
"Can we not travel together?"
"It's safer this way, just in case something happens."
Leaving a small envelope on the bedside table, Geraldine bent forward and kissed her forehead before smiling and leaving the room.
Alone once again Andrea laid her head back on the pillow and closed her eyes. It was like a strange dream, maybe it was the medication and Geraldine was a mere figment of her imagination? Opening her eyes she glanced at the bedside table. The white envelope was still there; that was definitely real.
6. The flight back to London had been trouble-free yet Andrea could not settle and stayed awake the whole flight, afraid that something might happen; forever looking over her shoulder for Helen.
Geraldine had been right about the hospital. It had been easy to discharge herself, as if some kind of spell had been cast over the entire hospital staff. She had rushed home to pack a few things. Steve was nowhere in sight and had obviously not slept there, he had been with Helen no doubt. The bear had vanished. Geraldine had obviously been successful in her mission. All had gone well so far yet a nagging fear hung over her.
It was with some relief when the plane set down at Heathrow airport and she was soon on a train heading North for Scotland.
When she switched on her mobile there were countless missed calls, all from Steve. Eventually he had given up and left a message. Listening to his words she gazed out of the window as the English countryside rushed past on her journey northward.
"Andrea, where the hell are you?" his voice was angry and shouting at first but then there was a pause and a deep breath before he resumed with a softer, gentler voice.
"Andrea where are you. I'm really worried about you? I called at the hospital this morning and they told me that you’d discharged yourself; why on earth...?”
The sound of cars passing in the street blocked out his voice for a moment.
"Look Andrea, please get in touch. I don't know where you’ve gone to, or why?
He was almost pleading.
"I noticed your travel bag has gone too."
Another pause and the sound of a few more deep breaths followed.
"Why didn't you tell me about the baby? I'm worried about you Andrea. Pho
ne me, whatever is wrong we can sort it out. You should be back in hospital, you're not well. Helen agrees with me..."
At the mention of the woman's name she pressed the end call key. She didn't want to hear anything else he had to say and she certainly wasn't going to call him back. It was all too late.
***
It was late when she crossed over from the mainland of Mull to the little Island of Iona on the last MacBrayne ferry of the evening. It was funny but she felt as if she were going home. As she stepped onto dry land, a small dark figure was waiting to greet her. It was Geraldine. She hugged the young woman eagerly.
"Come along my dear. I expect you are hungry and tired. I have booked you a room for tonight in the St Columba hotel. Tomorrow you will sleep elsewhere."
After they had eaten Andrea retired to her room, although she could not sleep. Geraldine had placed the rune back safely into her hands and she placed it under her pillow for safe keeping. Tomorrow morning at dawn she would return to the small graveyard of St Oran, return back in time to her true love Alex MacDonald. The nearer she had travelled the more she had thought about Alex, her heart beating at the thought of him, the thought of his touch. The memories had flooded back; the first night he had made love to her. It had been so different to Steve's love making, so tender and passionate. It all seemed such a long time ago, not just a few short weeks, and Andrea smiled as she reminded herself; it was in fact centuries ago.
Over dinner Geraldine had explained it all again, it had all made perfect sense then. The child, her and Alex's child, would be born back in it’s own time to balance the order of things. She would be guided when the time was right on what action she should take. It all sounded so easy yet at the same time she was in danger. Helen would be hot on her heels, eager to capture the second rune. There was nothing she wouldn't do, no lengths she wouldn’t go to, to get that stone in her own hands. Geraldine had assured her that all would be well, that she would be protected, but now, on her own in the middle of the night, she didn’t feel so certain. It was only the thought of her unborn child and Alex that helped and held her courage.
She woke with a start. It was still dark as she felt across to the small bedside table to retrieve her watch. It was 6am. Soon it would be dawn and time to leave. Her heart beat quickly as she dressed, looking at her outline in the mirror. Her stomach had started to swell slightly and she delicately touched the soft skin of her belly. It was hard to imagine a new life growing inside of her.
Pulling on a jumper and grabbing her coat she walked down to the breakfast room. Geraldine was already waiting for her and had persuaded the waiting staff to cook her an early breakfast. Andrea didn't feel hungry but agreed to a slice of toast and honey washed down with a strong coffee. She needed something to get her through the morning.
"Do you have the stone?" Geraldine was wide awake and had polished off her full English with gusto, her eyes shining eagerly.
Andrea opened a shaking hand. The whole thing seemed more of a nightmare than an adventure and she trembled inwardly.
"Don't worry my dear, I will help you. Now we must be going. Helen is hot on your trail and will be here within the hour, we need to be moving."
The two women set off in the early morning. The grey light of dawn was visible on the skyline as they entered the gate by the old chapel.
***
Andrea shivered as she entered the small cemetery. What was the old saying? It was as if someone had stepped over her grave. As they approached the stone marking the final resting place of Alex MacDonald she thought of both Alex and Andra; dead for hundreds of years and rotted back into the earth. Yet here she stood with a child inside of her; a life that connected them all.
The first rays from a weak and pale sun formed a contrasting band above the dark horizon. The day was breaking and it was time for the journey. Andrea knelt beside the grave, the stone held firmly in her hand. All was still for a moment as she looked into the kind, blue eyes of Geraldine. A wind started blowing as the old bell tower started to chime the hour. The old gate creaked and Andrea looked up to see a familiar, cloaked figure approaching. It was Helen, but she had arrived a moment too late.
7.
"Andra, I thought I had lost you my love."
Two strong arms wrapped around her body as the familiar smell of lavender and basil filled her nostrils. Her whole body ached; it was as if she had just run a marathon and she struggled to open her eyes. The blurred images finally came into focus as she looked up into the face of the man she loved, it was Alex MacDonald. It was as if her heart melted and the liquid centre poured forth in a sea of emotion that became tears of joy. Andrea had never felt so whole, so loved, and now she was back to where she belonged and in the arms of her soul mate.
"The doctor has said that our unborn child is not harmed. The nun here will help nurse you back to strength."
A small figure stepped towards the bed. A young nun clothed in black with twinkling blue eyes smiled and nodded before stepping back into the shadows. It was Geraldine.
"She's taken a vow of silence but she is kind and loyal, she will see that no harm comes to you."
"Where is Helen?" An image of the woman pursuing her came sharply into her mind.
"Helena? She has been banished for the wrong she has done to you and I. You will not be seeing her again. I have promised to kill her if she steps upon these shores once more. But now you must rest my love. You must regain your strength for the sake of yourself and our unborn child." Kissing her on the forehead he left the room.
"Geraldine?" Andrea called out to the young nun who stood back in the shadows. The kindly eyes were once again upon her as she smiled and held a finger up to her lips before leaving to fetch a cup of warming broth.
As winter fled and spring returned once more Andrea regained her strength with the love of Alex and the support of Geraldine, although the little nun refused to talk and merely smiled at her questions. Helena was not heard of and the days were filled with laughter and love. Soon it was time for the child to be born and Andrea gave birth to a healthy baby girl who they named Elizabeth, after her Grandmother.
***
As the years passed, the little girl grew up quickly and promised to be quite a beauty. Andrea relaxed into the slow pace of life on the Island. Alex built them a house on the site of the Columba Hotel and they lived peacefully and happily for many years. The memories of Steve and New York seemed to be but a dream; even thoughts of Helena were almost forgotten. Life was idyllic but not destined to last.
In the year of Elizabeth's 10th birthday, unrest started in the highlands. The Campbell Clan and some of the others had started to disagree on territory and small skirmishes and unrest had started to break out. Alasdair Macolla MacDonald had started to gather his men to squash any uprising that would lead to war and Alex was called for.
On the night before he was due to leave to join his men Andrea and Alex embraced, lying together as they had done every night since her return. Their love had never diminished over the years; in fact time had only strengthened their bond. It was as if their two lives were entwined, had always meant to be. His body was still strong and firm against hers as he stroked her naked shoulders, his fingers lightly skirting across her nape as he slowly moved to caress her breasts. She still quivered at his touch, still wanted him and needed his physical love as well as his heart. His thigh pressed against hers, opening her up to him. They had never grown bored of their love making and Alex took the same care as he had on their first night together. Gently he fingered the soft skin of her thighs as his face reached down to kiss her belly. It was not the same flat and taut firm flesh of 10 years ago, but he loved the softness and roundness of the mother of his child and gently kissed the marks of childbirth. He could smell her musky scent as his face lowered onto her soft mound and he buried his face into her sweetness. The soft wet flesh tasted good as he licked at her fleshy folds, finding the swollen clitoris and licking it lightly until she cried out with pleasure.
The sound of her mounting excitement turned him on and his cock was stiff and hard against her. She could feel the heat as he pushed himself against her, his hot member throbbing and twitching.
Unable to hold back he parted her legs and she wrapped him inside her thighs, lifting her buttocks slightly so he could slide his cock straight inside her. It wasn't difficult; she could feel her own wetness and ached for him to be inside her. With one deep thrust he entered her, his cock squeezing against her soft walls and causing her to shudder with both pleasure and pain. Alex lay unmoving for a moment, enjoying the feeling of being buried in her sweet cunt. There was no feeling like it and he wanted the moment to last. He looked down at her as she lay, eyes closed, against the pillow. She had not aged in 10 years, her face was still as beautiful as the day he had first beheld her, if not more so. He stroked her brow and whispered her name and the blue eyes opened and looked into his.
"I love you so much my darling, if anything should happen to me in battle, I ...."
His voice trailed off and caught in his throat. Andrea brought a finger to his mouth to silence him. She trusted in their fate, all would be well.
Grasping her head in both hands he kissed her passionately as the tears stated to fall. He needed release and pulling himself slightly away from her he thrust once again with an urgent force.
"Oh god, Andrea." his words were lost as he thrust furiously inside her, his face a mixture of pleasure and pain as he finally came, releasing his passion into her with a final thrust. His body flopped against hers, spent and weary and she sent out a small prayer for him to come home safely as he slept in her arms.
She slept well and stirred as the morning light crept through the window coverings. Once again she was alone, Alex had set off early without saying goodbye and there was a gap in her heart; she felt empty without him.
***
In the weeks that followed they heard very little. Stories of battles won and battles lost made their way down from the hills but no-one really knew the truth. The words had passed many lips on the journey and the truth lost along the way. Andrea kept a brave face during the day time, if only for Elizabeth who missed her father, but the nights were long and weary and she often woke with red eyes.
