Highland Portrait by Shelagh Mercedes

Author:Shelagh Mercedes
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2014-09-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“Hail, MacDougall!” Robbie nodded at the greeting and repeated it, waiting for the gates to open for him and Stella. He had been gone too long and was glad to be home again. His mission had been difficult and only moderately successful but being here with her would remove whatever sting might remain from the English ambassadors. She had gifted him with her spirit, her trust and the scales are tipped in his favor in receiving that richness. He was overwhelmed with her generosity and marveled that she found him worthy to possess it. She was now the salve to his injuries and he would apply her liberally and with abandon to every slight and disappointment he had suffered as a political messenger boy. He was anxious to introduce his hand fasted bride to his family, anxious for her to find comfort and ease here and anxious that the bond that had blossomed between them grow stronger.

Dunollie Caste sat on a rise above a beautiful bay, the water sparkling with the suns reflection, small boats on the horizon. Stella was struck with the great beauty of it, the strength of the towering keep and the stone walls. He turned to her and winked. “We are home, love, do not fret, I am here with ye and will guard ye well.” The portcullis raised, they crossed over the wooden drawbridge, the sound of the horses hooves beating a warlike tattoo in her heart.

They entered the bailey, a crowded busy space filled with villagers, vendors, and soldiers, all of whom greeted Robbie with cheer and looked at Stella with wide eyed wonder. Her beauty set her apart, but her demeanor, her bearing, her eyes branded her as royalty. Only her odd clothes seemed out of place. She had on trews with a rough peasants dress over them and strange boots that were embroidered and wonderful to look at. She carried a curious pack riding on her shoulders and her curly short hair was covered in a strange hat with drying white heather in the head band. A young boy, not more than ten reached up to touch her boots. She looked down at him and smiled reaching toward him, offering him her hand. He pulled back his hand from her boot frightened that she might be angry, but upon seeing her smile, he reached toward her and lightly touched her fingers, awed that this princess would touch him. He was smitten at once.

“What is your name, child?” asked Stella

“Thomas, yer highness, I am called Thomas.” He bowed a grand courtly bow looking for her approbation, hoping that she might remember him again.

“It is good to meet you Thomas. I am called Stella.” She bowed her head and spoke softly. Thomas nodded his head in return as if this introduction was a secret just between the two of them.

Robbie dismounted giving the reins to a young stable boy and grabbed Arwen’s halter. A small crowd was gathering around them and he could see that Stella was apprehensive and more than a little nervous.

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