‘Aye, she was the best helper I have had,’ Arabella said, wanting to reach out and hug the girl. But these people were strangers and she was...she was...not one of them.
‘Mama, her hair is long enough to touch the ground!’ Fia exclaimed.
‘But ye kept it off the ground?’
‘Oh, aye,’ the girl said brightly. ‘I could not let it get dirty all over again.’
Out of habit, Arabella reached for the small purse she always wore on her belt, to give the girl a small coin in thanks for her help. She ran her hands down her gown, realising nothing here was hers.
‘I would give her something for her help, Bradana, but I fear I have nothing,’ she admitted.
‘Yer words of praise and thanks are enough for her, lady. She will be the centre of all the chatter for days to come.’ The girl scampered off to some friends who waited nearby.
‘And my thanks to you, as well,’ Arabella added. ‘For all your help, earlier and with the bath. I know it could not have been easy to stand against your people for me.’
‘Old hatreds run deep, my lady. Ye ken? But there comes a time when it just does not matter.’ She pointed to a stool there, outside the tent. ‘Here. Sit and I will braid yer hair. To keep it clean and from yer eyes.’
Arabella could not resist such an offer. Nothing soothed her more than having her hair brushed and braided. Such a small comfort but it meant so much. Though her own mother had died when she was but a wee lass, Arabella imagined that this was what it felt like to have her tend to her comforts.
* * *
‘Lady?’
A touch on her shoulder and a slight shaking brought her awake. She did not remember falling asleep. Sitting up, she found Bradana tying off the braid.
‘I did not mean to...’
‘Anyone with eyes can see ye are exhausted,’ Bradana replied, shaking her head. ‘Worry not over it.’ The woman stood and moved towards the small fire there. ‘Have ye eaten yet? Are ye hungry?’
More tired than hungry, she thought until her stomach grumbled loudly. Bradana chuckled and handed her a bowl of stew and a chunk of bread. ‘Rest a while and eat, then,’ she said.
‘And Fia?’ Arabella asked before taking the first spoonful.
‘The lass will come when she is hungry. Or she will eat with Glenna and her da.’
‘So this is like your village, then? You have a care for the others?’
Arabella glanced around. The fires cast shadows across the tents and shelters. Men and women finished up their tasks and would be seeking sleep soon. Certainly not cottages and crofts and not the orderly layout of the village next to Drumlui Keep, and yet here in the midst of it all, it did have the atmosphere of a village.
‘For now, lady. Once Brodie...weel, once this is all settled, we have a hope we can return home.’
‘And if things do not settle? If he remains an outlaw? Where will you go? What will you do?’
‘I have faith in him, lady. It will all work out.’ Bradana nodded and smiled. ‘He’s a good man. A good leader. He’ll see this to rights.’
Before she could ask another question, Bradana stood and patted her on the shoulder. ‘And he will see to yer safety as weel, my lady. Fear not.’
‘My thanks for this food. And for the bath,’ she said, standing and facing the woman. ‘I am not certain where I am supposed to go now.’
‘Why, right inside, my lady!’ Bradana said. ‘I have a pallet prepared for ye. Take yer rest and worry not over what ye cannot change.’
Arabella wanted to hug the woman who offered her such comfort and did not realise it. For so long, all she’d known were the duties she must perform and the people she must see to. No one saw to the small needs as this woman had. The simple offer of braiding her hair. The words spoken in her defence. And now this offer of a protected place to rest.
As if she’d made her request aloud, Bradana opened her arms and welcomed Arabella into them. She stepped close and allowed the embrace and all the comfort it offered. It should not matter as much as it did. But this kindness of strangers during a time of need eased so much of her pain. After a few moments, Bradana released her and held open the flap of the tent.
Whatever else came her way, she would remember this moment of peace among the chaos, the moment of kindness. She stepped inside, feeling lighter than she had in a long time. Mayhap Bradana was right? Mayhap Brodie would see things settled and this would work out for the best?
Unfortunately, her optimism lasted but one day and then the real mayhem began.
