Elena: Highlanders of Silver Island

by Diana Knight

  “Sh-ship ahead! Ship ahead!”

  The words still caught in his throat, but as the fog cleared it was easy to see the bow of a ship approaching. Still too far to see who was aboard, Marren felt the goosebumps prickle across him. Impossible. His heart was racing as the clouds cleared in front of him. The sunlight casted a long ray across the ship showing the bright colors of the English flag. The red and white stripes sent a dagger into his chest. He heard his father Malcolm shouting to hurry with the wall. It is far too soon? The said not until late winter? He remembers the English captain’s commands. They had given them a summer and autumn season to take claim of the island. This could not be them. Not so soon. Not now. He was not ready for them to find out their defeat, nor was he ready to die. Elena. She appeared in his mind, her being drawn and quartered as a traitor to the English. All because of her Macleod family name. If this boat was coming for news about the attack, they are not going to like what they hear. The cold chill shook in his spine again as he watched to boat continue to float closer. The ship would arrive on land within a few days. That is all I have to live then. A short life.

  3

  Chapter Three

  The smell of dust stung her nose as she carefully walked to the Walsh house. I can’t tell them. Why did he tell me. Lena gripped her basket tightly, wishing she could curl into the wool blanket she’d woven for Mulla’s baby. Midday meal had been more eventful than expected, and Marren was stricken with fear. She had never seen a man look so frightened, whatever the English had done to them, he was not ready to relive it. It will be alright. She had tried to tell him, she had practically screamed it as he told her about the oncoming ship. My family, they can’t know. I can’t put fear in them again. Lena thought over her husbands request. They had just begun to settle back into Scottish life. Lena would not tell them, she would not believe the danger either. Her family’s clan on the island had saved most of Silver Port and the surrounding villages from the sight of war. Except the short battle on the edge of the island that was over by nightfall, they had not seen death the way the Walsh clan had. Lena remembers the small children talking of burning bodies and the sight of axes inside the heads of another. They were younger than her small sister, and they’d already seen enough horror for a lifetime.

  Lena gripped her basket tighter and pushed through the city. Silver Port was wild at this time of day. The closer she got to the dock, the more she could smell the fresh catch of the day. She had grown up in a village close by here, and her father made sure she knew all the trading men by name. As she approached the dock now she saw that she recognized each face, and they hers.

  “Afternoon Lady Walsh.” That was Don Crab, Lena could not remember his real name, but he had earned his reputation for trading crabs that the name stuck. He was an elderly man, a slight bit older than her father. Don was missing many of his teeth, but it did not keep him from giving her a big toothless grin whenever he saw her. She remembers him delivering fish and grab when she was just a little girl. He watched her grow up just like her own family did. Though he was often cold and smelly, and Lena never liked to talk with him and his horrid breath. He was always sweet to her, and fully devoted to her father.

  “Goodmorning Sir Crab.” Lena jested. If Don was anything, it definitely was not a sir of any kind.

  “You goin’ to see the traitors? Eh?” Don Crab said, he licked his lips as he spoke.

  “I’ve told you more than once I am married to them now. I cannot tolerate you calling my family traitors.” Lena said it nicely, she knows he’s just an old man with old ways.

  “They were workin’ for the English love. They’ll always be workin’ for the English.” He pursed his lips together before he gave her a small grin.

  “Well I hope I never have to say I told you so. Here, give me a crab or two for supper.” Lena said and tossed him a coin to the deck of his boat.

  If there was anything Don Crab loved more than Crabs, it was money. He scooped out the biggest and the plumpest grabs he could find and brought them dripping wet over to her. With a slice of his nice he stopped their pinching claws, it sent a small stab of guilt through her, but she shook it off.

  “Aye. I just worry for ya love. With your father gone and all.”

  “He will be back. You can count on it.” Lena said and took the crabs from him while she walked away.

  The rest of the way there she battled the smell of dead crab and fresh bread. The bakers had just finished their afternoon naps and were fired away cooking up bread again. When she made it to the cold white wooden door of the Walsh home she did not even have to knock. She heard the rushing footsteps coming down the stairs, Mulla was there pulling open the door with a baby on her breast and her hair wild.

  “Just in time. Hurry, there is a boat! A boat from the main island!” Mulla said her voice full of rich excitement.

  Lena dropped the basket beside her and felt her gut twist and roil. They know. Though she could not see why they were excited. Mulla started running back up the stairs, the red cheeked baby still trying to stay latched. The fact that an English ship was coming should have been horrible news. Lena thought back about what Don Crab said, but his words were far from true. They could not be. She was stuck inside this marriage until death, and she begged silently that it would be a long time before that would be her way out.

  “Look at the ship!” Mulla pulled her by the arm towards the God’s View Window.

  The Walsh house was large, three stories with a balcony. It was lavish in the furnishings and there were even paintings on the wall. Lena’s father had given them this house as another treaty deal. The Walsh clan met here, ate here, and many still lived here together. There were around fifteen people inside the large house and all the beds and rooms were full. Now most of the people were all on one side of the house, the God’s View Window was practically the same size as the wall, and could see the city below it and the docks in front of it. It was easy to see the slums in the street as well as the battle army on their way. Marren should have known he could not keep the English ship a secret. Especially from the God’s View. The window was just as dangerous as it was useful however. If someone pushed a little too hard or someone were to trip on a loose piece of flooring. They would go right out the window and fall to the ground. Being three stories up that could be a death sentence. All the women and wives were around them now, they were clapping and pointing out the window. Oh no. The doubt began to swarm in her mind. Her heart was dropping at the thought of them rejoicing in the English arrival. Her family was out fighting against the people they were now cheering for. The English must have had them for too long, they must have convinced them to turn on their own. What will happen to me? When the English ship does arrive, Lena knew there would only a few good outcomes for her.

  “Lena! Can you see it! They are coming home!” Mulla shouted from the window.

  Confusion flushed through her. This was her home, this was her family’s home, and there was no possible way that the English would ever call this their home. She shoved past the women until she was finally able to see what they commotion was about. There from the top of the God’s View Window, she could see the rooftops of Silver Port. The black stone and gray rocks were scattered across the tops, every other roof or so she could see the tops were layered with a dark green moss of Scotland. She swallowed hard as she let her vision go towards to docks. The port where Don Crab was selling his catch, and where she was walking just moments ago. After the docks she went looking into the see. She had never seen an English ship before. Her hands began to sweat.

  “Look at that.” Mary Walsh said smiling.

  Lena finally saw the ship. It’s dark brown wood blended into the water from in the distance. Her heart started pumping wildly as she saw the markings across the bow. That is no English ship. She swallowed hard and felt the tears sting in her eyes. There must have been something in her husbands eyes, because even from a long ways on land she could see that was her fathers ship. Her
family was on that boat, her family was going to be here soon. Her father, brothers, her mother, and younger sister. Even Marren’s sister was most likely on the boat in her cloak and leather armor. They were coming back. They were coming home to her and she would be wrapped in their arms soon. Mulla embraced her tightly.

  “The battle was a victory! Stirling Bridge is ours!” Mulla shouted, she was always passionate in the way of war.

  Lena let her heart continue to beat wildly. She could see the boat was coming rather fast towards them. She would see them tonight. She would be reunited with her family. Tonight.

  The docks were layered in candle light and torches. People were clapping and singing folk songs around the large campfire made by the docks. The Walsh clan brought out the pipes, and were performing a few hymnals from Scottish war songs. The boat was growing closer, she could see the lit torches from the top deck, and the people on the boat were shouting back.

  “Victory! Freedom! Victory!” They were shouting.

  The rest of the people on land joined in. Lena stood next to Mulla at the very edge of the dock. She wanted to be the first one to see her family. Her hands were still layered in sweat, she wiped them across on her dress and straightened her cloak around her back. Although it was midsummer, the night still brought a windy chill this close to the sea.

  “Where is he?” Mulla asked nudging Lena in the side.

  She looked around like she was curious as well, when in all honesty she had forgotten him. Marren was never one for large crowds or celebration. He was still recovering from the grip the English had on him, and he was terrified of her father. Everyone was terrified of her father in fact, including her. The tall thick burly beard of Laird William Macleod was something to be afraid of. It was thickly brown and braided. His Macleod slash of yellow and green could now be seen from the dock. Lena’s breath hitched as she saw the beautiful face of her mother. Her long dark auburn hair that went down below her waist, and the way her eyes were always observant. She was always protective of her family. The boat was pulled into the dock and the cheers and cries grew louder. Lena felt her cheeks were wet with tears, the wind blowing past her cooled the streaked tears on her face. She saw them, all of them. Her entire family walking from the ship, something that she had been doubting for some time. Her brothers Terryn, Baret, Neal, Segar and Nicolas. Their beards looked longer and their faces looked pale. They had clearly seen the depths of war, but seemed to have escaped with scrapes and bruises. Every time they returned from a battle they looked more and more like her father.

  “Lena lena!” The small voice cried.

  “Maria!” Lena fell to her knees as her kid sister came running from the ship plank onto land.

  Her auburn hair collided into her and Lena smelled the salt water on her clothes. She had grown since they left, it had been almost a year so it was expected. Her heart was finally full. With no letters, no words, and no news from the main island they were forced to hope and pray that no harm had come. Now Lena knew the truth, that her family was safe and finally home. Hopefully for good.

  Terryn, Beret, Neal, and Segar gave her kisses on the cheek as they embraced her. Then they began to disperse into the wild cheering crowd, happy to be recognized for their bravery. Lena’s mother Jehanne came down next. She wrapped her arms around Lena and the tears on her face were mixed with a smile.

  “I was so worried about you.” Her mother said and kissed her forehead.

  Of course she was. Her mother was the one on the island of war and was worried about her. Lena hugged her tightly again. The cheering stopped and suddenly silence filled the air. The torches and men holding them looked up to the top of the ship. The bagpipes halted but then began playing a song of victory. That was when William Macleod made his debut. He walked slowly from the ship, his head held high but his belly looked a little larger. His eyebrows were always furrowed and Lena does not remember when she had ever seen him smile. He had just been a part of one of the biggest victories in Scotland and his face still looked defeated. He walked towards her now, her heart started racing with what she might say. She missed him, but he did not care about those types of feelings.

  “Elena.” He said as he nodded and cleared his throat.

  “Where is your husband?” Was all he said. His voice deep and almost angry.

  Lena swallowed hard. If she said she did not know than it would bring tension right from the start of their welcome home. Lena looked around, she looked at Mulla who only had wide eyes. What do I say?

  “Um. He is”

  “Right here. Great Victory My Lord.” Marren cut through at the perfect time. He wrapped his arm around her waist and Lena tensed unconsciously at his touch.

  Her father nodded and pursed his lips, it was so hard to read whether or not he was pleased. Lena’s mother however wrapped her arms around the both of them and kissed them once more.

  “Now Mulla, let me see that baby.”

  Mulla and walked along with Lady Macleod into the torchlit center of Silver Port. Marren and Lena still stood there, his arm still wrapped around her. She felt the warmth of his touch and her heart started beating. His grip was soft and protective, she could feel the fluttering in her stomach go wild as he kept his hand at the side of her waist. For the first time she did not want him to let go. Though as the people began filing towards the town center he let his grasp go and started walking. He will never love me. Not if he has too. Lena bit at her lip and walked hastily past him almost pushing him as she walked. Tonight, there was going to be dancing. There was going to be music and celebration. Her family was back within arm’s reach and she could smell the warm cooked apple desserts from the ovens. Not even Marren could ruin tonight.

  4

  Chapter Four

  Her dancing around him sent fire in his veins. When the torchlight hit her just right as she danced, it was almost like she was on fire herself. She was smiling as Rollen spun her around, it was something he would never do. Marren did not take time for dancing, not when there was still an English ship not far from the island. He needed to talk to Lord Macleod, yet tonight would not be it. There was so much to discuss, yet it appeared everyone had taken a moment away from the war. Something he should do as well. His cousin Rollen passed Lena through the traditional dance and partners were exchanged. Lester was the next cousin to have a hand on his wife. Lester turned and winked at Marren as he took Lena by the hand. Marren felt a small twist in his stomach, as if he was jealous of Lester’s hand on her. While the people celebrated there was a war going on just beside them, he could not get it out of his head.

  “You will lose her to your cousins. You’d let that happen?” Mulla came over, her babe was hiding under her dress.

  “They are just celebrating. She would not be able to handle their drinking anyways.” Marren said to her, even though the thought crossed his mind too.

  “Go dance with her, spin her around. Ya ain’t even humped her yet have ya?” Mulla said, her foul language caught him off guard.

  “Stop talkin’ with the men Mulla, girls don’t talk like that.” Marren said letting out a small chuckle.

  Mulla rolled her eyes at him then started walking towards the dance floor, she was always such a free spirit, her dark almost black hair was wrapped in a Scottish braid above her head. It was the hair of mothers, and it was strange to see his younger sister in such a braid. Marren turned his eyes towards the dance floor and saw Lester had now passed Lena off with yet another cousin. Braden Walsh II was the most handsome of the Walsh family. He knew it as well, he had a chiseled chin and dark eyes. He was tall and thickly built in the arms while the sash across his chest rested across his muscles. He lifted Lena in the air and spun her around, he did not even look like he was straining to lift her. I could do that. Marren turned his look away towards the table of Macleod. He saw his father-in-law, the man was built like a steer and was as thick as one too. He was drinking ale by the pint and stared off at the dancers as they celebrated. Lena’s mother
was beautiful. Marren could see the beauty in his wife reflected in her mother. She danced with Maria the youngest sister, no more of seven summers and Marren could tell she would have the men in line when she came of age. Maria had the dark auburn hair like Lena, but Maria’s face was covered in the innocent freckles of childhood. Marren must have been staring for far too long, because soon he saw the green emerald eyes of Maria staring back at him. Her small hands extended out to him, Marren felt the rush of fear.