Highlander's Rightful Claim (Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance)

by Kenna Kendrick

  And how difficult that will be,” Nairne looked on sadly.

  Despite her acceptance of Andrew’s true self, the thought that he was a Cameron had caused her dreams of what their life together to change. No longer could she picture her and her mother fleeing into the woods, escaping the harsh life of the castle for the simple pace of forest living, dwelling amongst the crofters, she and Andrew married and living happily together.

  Would their life together be like this? Snatched moments of escape and fleeting meetings by the poolside, only for them to return to their homes, never allowed to express the love each felt for the other.

  Andrew turned and placed his arm around her shoulder.

  “It will be alright, Nairne, the Cameron’s are planning tae attack the castle, Murdoch’s Lairdship will soon come tae an end, and he will be vanquished. I am tae lead the attack, and I will rescue ye and yer mother and bring ye tae safety.” At this, she laughed.

  “Ye have some remarkable ideas, Andrew Mac … Cameron, but I assure ye my father will not give in that easily. He has brooded over his hatred for ye and for yer clan these many years past. The attack the other day was only a taster of what he might unleash upon ye. Dinnae underestimate my father, he is a cruel and wicked man and his desire for vengeance has not ceased, despite the passing of the years.”

  “I must see ye again very soon, I promise that it will not be long until we can be together, Nairne, I promise ye.”

  “I must go now, Andrew, come with me as far as the pool lest I lose my way.” Nairne cast a final look towards her uncle and Rhona, before leaving with Andrew following close behind her through the forest.

  * * *

  As they arrived at the pool, they stopped to catch their breath, and Andrew looked lovingly at Nairne, sorrowful that they must now depart from one another.

  “When will I see ye again, Nairne?”

  “In three days? Here again by the pool?” and Andrew took her in his arms and kissed her.

  “And ye promise me that I have not spoiled our love by telling ye the truth?”

  “No, Andrew, ye have not, I am just glad that I finally know the truth of who ye are, I did find it somewhat mysterious that ye were a forest dweller, they are strange folk and ye did not seem like the ones I have met before, but I took ye at yer word. Now we both know the truth about each other, and there will be no more secrets, ye promise?”

  “Aye, I promise ye that, no more secrets,” Andrew kissed her, and watched as she ran off into the woods, standing for as long as possible by the pool.

  Just before rounding the corner out of sight, she turned and waved to him, and Andrew’s heart was flooded with tender feelings for the lassie who so enchanted him. How grateful he was to her for her understanding and how he delighted in all that they had shared. Now, as he returned again to the crofts, his heart felt lighter, but the mood was about to change and the perfect moments he had enjoyed with Nairne were soon to be replaced with the grim reality of his destiny.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  ‘The Duty of a Laddie’

  The sky was darkening above the crofts, and as Andrew emerged from the trees, his uncle called him over immediately.

  “Ye are wanted here, laddie, no more running off intae the trees, there is serious work tae do.”

  “What is going on?” Andrew asked, as his stepfather appeared at the door of the croft.

  “Ye shall see, come now,” Duncan replied.

  Inside the croft, several of the clansmen were awaiting them and Rhona stood to one side, a worried expression upon her face.

  “There ye are, Andrew, once again we were beginning tae worry for ye, is all well at yer Godmother’s?”.

  “Aye, all is well, but what is going on, mother?”

  Rhona ignored this final comment and pointed towards the empty chair at the table, and Andrew reluctantly took his place. Across the table, his stepfather looked grave, and he paused a moment before speaking.

  “Andrew, the time has come, the time for ye tae lead this clan intae battle against Murdoch and his men, we cannae delay any longer,” Stewart spoke with a firmness o his voice. “There is rumor in the glen and on the mountainside that Murdoch is planning tae attack us once more and that this time he will spare no one, the time for action is upon us, and we must be the ones tae strike if we are tae have any hope of seeing him defeated, do ye hear me?”

  Andrew looked confused and cast his eyes down towards his hands, which he clutched together nervously.

  “Are ye are ready, laddie, ready tae lead this clan intae battle and see Murdoch defeated once and for all. Do ye not want that?”

  Andrew was silent, he wanted a quiet life, and had never known actual battle before. The thought of leading the Cameron’s against Murdoch and his men was terrifying. And then there was Nairne. What if she were caught up in the fighting? He could never forgive himself if something happened to her or to her mother. Murdoch was ruthless, and there was no telling what he might do if he were pushed, and what of the Mackintosh clan? They would not sit idly by and allow their Laird to be defeated. Andrew was scared, yet he dared not show it, and as his family looked on, he found himself nodding his head.

  “Aye, but … I dinnae want harm tae come to the women and children. If we must fight it is only tae be against the men and those who have done us wrong,” and he raised his eyes to his stepfather and uncle.

  “We Cameron’s are honorable folk; the women and children will not be harmed, but now is the time tae face Murdoch and his men. After all these years of being on the defensive, of hiding ourselves away, it is time tae rally around the Cameron banner and see Murdoch ousted from the castle. Ye are of age now, laddie and the time is right,” Stewart nodded in approval at his stepson.

  “When … when are we to attack?” Andrew asked, as his uncle and stepfather prepared to return to their training.

  “Just as soon as we are ready, three days from now. Men are coming from across the glen, as far away as Corkeith and the glens of Loch Beira. These men are loyal tae ye, but they have long lay in the shadows, awaiting the rightful heir to come of age. It is tae your banner that they rally, laddie,” Duncan added, “and soon victory will be ours.”

  The men left the croft, leaving Andrew alone with Rhona who sat quietly to one side, deep in thought.

  “Ye are ready, Andrew,” she whispered at last, “though I fear for ye and for all the men who face that monster.”

  “I dinnae feel ready,” Andrew replied, honest before his mother if no one else.

  “Think of yer father, Andrew, he was a great warrior and a man worthy of songs. If yer bravery falters then think of him and the good cause for which ye fight.”

  “But I have never known any different life tae this, mother. The castle is not my home, and the life of a Laird is not mine either, I am just Andrew Cameron, a simple crofter, yet now I am expected tae be a warrior tae.”

  “And a warrior ye shall be, son, of that I am certain,” and rising, she placed her hand upon his shoulders and sighed.

  “I dinnae want tae see any of ye go off tae fight but if that is yer destiny then so be it, ye must follow it, and dinnae forget that sometimes the smallest of folk do the bravest of things. Ye might be a simple crofter, Andrew, but ye are also the son of a great Laird, and that is yer destiny. Always remember that, son, and be brave.”

  Andrew sat a little while longer at the table, mulling over what had just transpired. He had always known that it was his duty to lead the clan into battle, a duty which hung heavily upon him. But until now, it had seemed a distant and unreal thing, as though the day would never truly come when he was forced to lead men into battle. He sighed and rose from the table, taking leave of his mother, who now busied herself in preparing dinner for the hungry men who were still at their sword practice outside.

  Andrew stepped out from the croft and watched as his uncle and stepfather sparred with one another and others too made parley with their weapons. Could these men really
defeat Murdoch Mackintosh and his men? Could they storm the castle and retake what was rightfully theirs? Andrew was uncertain and was even more uncertain of his ability to lead them.

  He looked out across the moorlands and down towards the forests below. The sun was sinking below the far-off mountains, and wisps of mist were hanging in the air, as though the landscape were about to rest before the bloodshed of the coming days. He thought of Nairne in the castle, and despite his stepfather’s promises, he worried that she may be caught up in the fighting, or that worse Murdoch would spirit her away so that the two of them would never see one another again.

  He imagined his mother’s words if he raised the subject of them meeting once again or worse still, suggested that he warn her of the impending threat. That would be treason, but his only thought was to see her safe, he loved her and longed only to be with her. There was much separation between them, that of the glen and the forest, that of their families and that of their situation. Andrew longed for a simple life, a life spent with Nairne, but he knew that duty called and reluctantly he returned to the croft and the plans for the attack, one which would surely see much suffering and heartache, for both sides.

  * * *

  The next morning Andrew awoke to find his uncle standing over him, holding a sword in its hilt.

  “Come now, laddie, get up, it is time for ye tae practice. Men are arriving already, and they want tae see their Laird setting an example,” Duncan pulled the boy up by his shoulders.

  “I am not Laird yet,” Andrew replied, pulling on his tunic as Duncan placed the sword on his bed.

  “Ye are Laird in all but place, and once the castle is our home, then ye shall make the whole glen yer dominion.”

  Andrew made no reply, he was already tired of hearing such things, and as he stepped out into the cold morning air of the mountainside, he was surprised when several of the newcomers cheered him, running over and congratulating him. As though the victory had already been proclaimed.

  “Soon we shall see that man ousted from the castle and our banner upon its battlements again, Laird,” one of them said.

  “I remember ye when ye were but a bairn, but now ye are a warrior, a fine-looking laddie,” another said.

  But Andrew had no time for their words, and he was about to return inside, away from the men who placed him upon such a pedestal when he saw his Godmother approaching over the heathers. Her presence had been unusual the other day but to see her there again was almost unheard of, and he crossed over the rocky outcrop upon which the crofts lay and ran to meet her.

  “Cairstine, what are ye doing here?” he embraced his Godmother who smiled.

  “I bring word, the forest is alive with talk about a Cameron attack, the good folk of the forest will support ye Andrew, they will rally tae yer banner,” and looking at him, he hung his head.

  “Everyone thinks I am a warrior, but I am no warrior, just a laddie into whose hand they put a sword.”

  “And sometimes that is enough for a leader, ye must inspire the men, they look tae ye and seek yer leadership.”

  “And then there is Nairne,” Andrew looked around lest any of the Cameron’s should be within earshot.

  “What of her?”

  “I wish no harm tae come to her, or tae her mother, what if Murdoch spirits her away from me? I may never see her again, I … I want tae warn her about what is going tae happen, but I am scared in case anyone finds out,” his voice dropped to a whisper.

  “Ye are a good and kind laddie,” Cairstine smiled at him and took hold of his hand, “but dinnae let yer uncle or stepfather hear ye speak like that, the Laird cannot warn the lassie of an attack, that would be treason, whether he loves her or not, do ye hear me?”

  “Aye, I just thought that if I could warn her, she could at least hide and wait until the attack is over,, but …”

  “But nothing, ye cannot though perhaps there is another way,” Cairstine sighed, “I am tae good tae ye, Andrew Cameron, and it will be the death of me,” then she laughed.

  “What?” he looked puzzled.

  “I will warn the lassie, I sometimes go intae the village tae sell my herbs and it would not look suspicious if I were tae enter the castle on a market day as many do. I can tell her, and I can tell her tae meet ye again if ye wish.”

  “Ye would do that? Oh, thank ye, Cairstine, thank ye a thousand times over. I shall not forget it.”

  “Come now, I must see yer mother for a moment and be sure tae tell yer uncle and stepfather of the news I have brought. With the forest folk at yer side, yer forces will far outnumber those of Murdoch.”

  “Does he not have many men tae rally tae his cause?”

  “Murdoch? No, he likes tae think he does, but any men loyal tae him are only so out of fear. The man is despised, not only by his enemies but also by many he thinks are friends. It would not surprise me if he found himself with few to rally to his banner on the day of the attack,” and stepping forward; she crossed the heathers, followed by Andrew, who could not believe the kindness of his Godmother, his heart lifted by the thought that his dear Nairne would be safe.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  ‘The Message in the Herbs’

  “Mother, do ye wish for anything tae be brought from the market for ye? More herbs for ye, perhaps?” Nairne asked as she and Una sat at their breakfast in the Great Hall.

  “I am quite better I think,” Una replied, smiling at Nairne who smirked as Murdoch entered the room.

  “Where are ye going, lassie?” and taking up a bowl of porridge, he sat between his daughter and his wife.

  “Just tae the market, father, they will be selling the spoils of the hunt, will they not?” Nairne replied, playing to her father’s mood.

  “Aye, it was a glorious hunt and make no mistake about that, the stags were amongst the biggest I have seen.”

  “Ye say that every year, father.”

  “Then, it is true every year.”

  They passed breakfast together in reasonable toleration. The Laird, it seemed, was in a good mood, the spoils of his hunt having pleased him and the adulation of those who had accompanied him enough to make him feel as though he had much support amongst the nobles of the glen.

  Nairne stepped out of the castle gates as the sun rose over the treetops of the forest beyond. She thought of Andrew and hoped it would not be long before she saw him again. But she had no desire to spoil her father’s mood and besides, her presence there would be unwelcome. She knew that he would send word and ensure that the two of them were together again very soon.

  Her feelings for him had deepened with every passing day, and he was her first thought upon waking and her last thought at night. Nairne had not experienced love before, not in the romantic sense at least, and the only person she truly cared for was her mother. Andrew was quite different, and she could not help but find herself dwelling upon him as she wandered through the market that morning.

  The village was busy that day, forest folk and locals mixing with the castle’s residents and travelers passing through the glen. All manner of goods were for sale, and the spoils of the hunt were displayed for all to see, a great stags head, its antlers long and proud laid out as though defeated. There were herb sellers and a man selling mutton pies and bread.

  “Any herbs, mistress,” a woman’s voice called at her side.

  Turning Nairne found herself face to face with an elderly woman, her keen eyes and smiling face appearing from beneath the hooded cloak as she held up a bunch of dried herbs to Nairne.

  “No, thank ye, I have all the herbs I need,” Nairne smiled at the woman and prepared to turn away.

  “They are from Andrew, Nairne,” the woman said, causing Nairne to startle.

  She turned and stepped towards the woman who smiled and beckoned her over.

  “My name is Cairstine, ye may have heard of me I think, listen tae me now, I have a message from Andrew for ye, but ye must keep it only tae yerself and yer mother, ye hear me.”


  Nairne nodded, astonished by the woman’s words and leant in further to hear her speak, pretending to examine the herbs laid out upon the ground.

  “An attack is planned upon the castle in two days. The Cameron’s have the support of the forest folk, and yer father will find himself ousted from the castle and defeated. Andrew is tae lead the clan, and he wanted tae warn ye so that ye and yer mother can be safe, do ye understand, Nairne?”

  “Aye, but …” Nairne stammered, wondering just what this could mean for Andrew, “is he … is he ready? Is he ready tae lead the Cameron’s like this?”