Page 69 of The Return of the Heir

Chapter Twenty-One

Never in her life had Gwendolyn been more excited to see the golden-brown stones of Dunvegan Castle and all the warriors in the courtyards and on the towers. It seemed as if men dotted the entire landscape. They were here to make certain what happened only a short time ago never happened again.

They hadn’t even made it inside the keep when Alastair commanded four men to barricade the sea gate with stone, making it impossible to use it as a way to enter the castle, at least temporarily, until a more permanent fix could be found. Another dozen men were sent to guard the breach in the curtain wall. Repairs would take months, but until they were complete, guards would be on rotation both day and night.

Somberly, Gwendolyn, Alastair, Marcus, and Tormod entered the castle and made their way to the great hall. At the sight of Mrs Morgan, sitting by the hearth, Gwendolyn’s heart filled with joy. “I am so happy to see you are well. I was so afraid. . .”

The chatelaine’s cheeks tinged pink. “Oh, deary, it would take more than a wound to my shoulder tae take this old Scottish curmudgeon out.”

“And Becks?” Gwendolyn moved to warm herself by the fire. She’d dried herself on the ship, but parts of her were still damp.

Mrs Morgan sent her a reassuring smile. “He had a few bruises that will take a while to heal, but otherwise he is as good as always.”

Arabella sat on one side of the chatelaine. Samuel sat on the other and greeted their sister with smiles. “We are happy to see that you are safe as well. We heard about what happened.”

“Garrick is dead. He won’t ever hurt any of us again.”

When Callum and Lottie joined them in the chamber, Gwendolyn frowned at the bandages around the young man’s head and shoulder. “Oh, Callum, not you too.”

He nodded, returning a shy grin. “My first real battle and I fared not so well. Lottie says the gash on my head will leave a scar.” He shrugged. “All warriors have them. I guess that makes me one of them now.”

“We will definitely be accelerating your battle training,” Alastair replied. “And yes, all warriors have scars. Some of them are visible, others are not.”

Gwendolyn frowned, wondering what he meant. Before she could ask him to explain, a familiar mist gathered beside the wall near the hearth as the Grey Lady took form. Orrick and Rowena entered the chamber at the same time, through the doorway.

If such a thing were possible, it appeared as if the tear upon her cheek had vanished. The Grey Lady moved from Alastair and Gwendolyn to Tormod, Orrick, Rowena, and Callum.

My children. All home at last. Are you safe and finally at peace?

“Garrick MacDonald is dead,” Alastair informed her as his gaze connected with Tormod’s. “What happened after I left the battle? You returned so quickly. Did you decide not to fight Alexander MacDonald?”

“We fought, briefly,” Tormod replied. “Within minutes I injured Alexander MacDonald, not fatally, but the wound in his thigh was deep enough that he will most likely have a permanent limp.”

“After their leader was injured, the others fled, knowing that our numbers and our weapons were no match for them,” Orrick added. Alastair’s lips pressed thin. “You both did well today. Now we must prepare the men for the usual retaliation that will come.”

“Perhaps this time will be different,” Orrick said. “We don’t know that the MacDonalds will strike back.”

“Three hundred years of our two clans warring with each other says that they will. It is only a matter of time.” The words had barely left his mouth when Alastair groaned. “Good God! I sound like my father.”

You are nothing like that man.The Grey Lady came close to her eldest son, until he was partially enveloped in her mist. That you want to keep those whom you love safe is an admirable trait. Your father would have been wise to listen to your counsel more often.

Alastair smiled. “Thank you for your confidence, Mother. But our battle today with the MacDonalds and killing Garrick leaves me in a tough situation. As a member of the isle council it is my duty to try and cultivate peace amongst our clans.” He sighed. “Peace was the last thing I wanted to maintain with the MacDonalds today. They have abused us too many times to let their attacks to go unpunished.”

“You did the right thing for our clan. As heir to the MacLeods your first obligation is to the safety and welfare of your people,” Orrick said.

Alastair nodded. “I shall take that obligation seriously, I promise you.”

“Just remember, you will always have our support.” Tormod’s gaze passed between Alastair and Orrick. “You did not come into this world alone. You will not walk through life that way either. Orrick and I can assist.”

“I can help as well,” Callum chimed in.

“I’d be glad of the help. Dunvegan Castle must undergo massive security enhancements,” Alastair noted, his gaze not on his brothers but on Gwendolyn.

She offered a shy smile. “Since you are making improvements, might I suggest you focus some of your attention to replacing the roof in the old keep. In case you hadn’t noticed, there are men everywhere. We will have to find places for all of them to shelter, and for their horses.”

“I would be more than happy to bring in the necessary supplies—wood, stone, whatever is needed—right to your shore,” Marcus offered.

Rowena left her brother’s side to stand beside Marcus. “That you are in the chamber with the rest of my brothers gives me great hope for our future. But where and how, might I ask, did you acquire a ship?”