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Emmel rose and walked toward the laird, who had alighted from his horse.

“I’m Emmel Hoffstad, leader of this force. We hae just defeated Rune Dolph in battle and are now enjoying the spoils,” Emmel said.

“I was nae aware Rune Dolph haed any enemies. I was in the midst of discussing a treaty with him,” Laird Callan said.

“Then perhaps ye dinnae know him as well as ye thought. Rune was nae an honorable man. May I ask what yer agreement was for? As ye can see, the battle is over. If it was tae help him defend the settlement, ye are tae late, and I would nae suggest attacking us now.”

“I would nae want tae attack a fellow Scot,” Laird Callan said, his face twisting in indignation at the very notion of attacking one of his own. “I merely received word that a battle was taking place, and I wanted tae see if my clan would be in any danger. Rune did strike me as a man with rough edges. He is a Viking, after all.”

Emmel tried to hide a smile. “I should introduce myself properly. My name is Emmel Hoffstad,” he said. As soon as he mentioned his name, Laird Callan’s face paled, and he stammered to try and make up for his mistake. He laughed and said that of course, he didn’t mean all Vikings. Emmel stood there, amused, merely grateful that he didn’t have anything to fear from the laird.

“May I ask what yer quarrel with him was?” Laird Callan said.

“He kidnapped someone who is very important tae me,” Emmel replied.

Laird Callan stroked his chin and wore a sad look. “Much haes changed in the Highlands over recent years. I hae tried tae welcome our Viking neighbors, but I hae tae admit that some of their ways are difficult tae live with. I bear no ill will taewards yer family, of course.” He gestured to Emmel with a hand. “They hae proven themselves honorable and hae never threatened our way of life. I cannae say the same about other Vikings.”

“If ye mistrust them sae, then why were ye making a deal with Rune Dolph?” Emmel asked.

“I thought he was better as an ally than as a friend,” Laird Callan replied simply.

“And what was yer agreement for?”

“It was for him.” Laird Callan raised an arm and pointed past Emmel toward Andrew. Emmel let out a soft gasp. “I was gaeing tae betroth my daughter tae him, and our clans were gaeing tae be united. He was gaeing tae pay a hefty dowry. I suppose I hae lost out in all this tae.”

Emmel thought on the matter a moment and then went to fetch some of the gold he had stolen from Rune’s house. “I know how important it is tae get a good marriage. I’m afraid that yer daughter will nae be marrying this boy, but I can offer ye some gold as recompense.”

Laird Callan surveyed the situation, and it seemed to be clear that there was no point in trying to fight for the marriage. He nodded and took a pouch of gold and seemed satisfied with the weight of it.

“Perhaps another agreement could be made,” Laird Callan said. “It seems clear that as more Vikings come tae the Highlands, we are gaeing tae hae tae protect ourselves. I am proud of my clan, but I cannae deny the fact that we are small. Perhaps we could agree tae help defend each other if we are ever in trouble from Vikings. After all, I’m sure it would hae been easier for ye if ye could hae come tae me for aid.”

“Aye, it certainly would hae,” Emmel said, and nodded, clasping Laird Callan’s hand. “I will speak tae my kin, and we will send a representative tae discuss the matter further in the coming weeks.”

With that settled, Laird Callan took on some of the survivors and said that he would help with the efforts to clean up the dead. Emmel assumed that he would claim the settlement for himself, or at least raze it after taking everything of worth. With that settled, their matters in this part of Scotland were over, and there was nothing left to do but return home.

Emmel was relieved as they traveled back to their islands. He had managed to keep Andrew and Isla safe as he promised, and he had kept his own life intact in the bargain. He felt as though he had a better understanding of himself as a person as well, and he attributed much of this to Isla. He glanced across at her many times during their journey home, enjoying the way she was with Andrew and knowing that she was going to have a good future with her son.

But where did that leave Emmel? He still wasn’t entirely sure about Isla’s feelings toward him. There were moments when he thought that a certain feeling was being conjured between them, and then other times when he felt as though he didn’t really belong with them. Isla and Andrew had their own world, their own lives, and perhaps they didn’t need him complicating them further.

When they returned to the island, Emmel was welcomed as a hero. Everyone told the villagers of his deeds in killing Rune and leading the charge to the settlement. They all gathered around him and congratulated him, especially his sister Brenda, who had the highest praise of all.

“Now that ye are back and all this is over, would ye like tae speak about the leadership of the village?” she asked.

Emmel looked around at this prosperous place and already knew what his decision was. “I think ye hae been daeing well sae far, Sister. I see no reason why that should nae continue,” he said.

He celebrated with his family and his villagers in a great feast, and he was finally starting to feel better from the wounds he had endured. Ewan was there as well and thanked him dearly for bringing his family back to him. Everyone was in a joyous mood. After he had eaten, Emmel pulled Erik aside for a private word and told him about what Laird Callan had said to him.

Erik had a thoughtful look on his face. “I have to admit that more Vikings are coming over here than I thought. It’s funny, really. When I was younger, no Viking wanted to leave Norway. Ragnar was the only one who thought we might have a future here. If it weren’t for him, none of this would be happening, and now Vikings are coming in a steady stream. Laird Callan is right to be worried, though. Not all of them will have the same intentions as we did. They won’t all want to live peacefully, and if we’re not careful, this land might slowly be conquered by Vikings, not through blood and conquest, but simply through time.

“We shall have to be watchful, Emmel, but I know that you will protect these Highlands, just as the Hoffstads have done since we arrived here. I am proud of the way you conducted yourself. You have proven yourself a true hero and have won the admiration of the village, but I know there is something else that is on your mind. Have you decided what to do about Isla yet?”

Emmel grinned. There was no hiding anything from his father. “Sometimes I think I should tell her how I feel, and other times I know how hurt she’s been. I dinnae want tae put her through that again.”

“I understand how you feel. When I met your mother, she was still grieving. I didn’t know if she had it within herself to love another man, but we could not deny the feelings in our hearts. Life is a time to be happy, Emmel. It will be over before you know it if you’re not careful. A woman like Isla does not come around too often. The only advice I can give you is to listen to your heart. It will tell you what to do.”

Emmel thanked him for the kind words, but it did not help resolve the conflict within him. He returned to Isla, who was still with Andrew and Ewan. Andrew was enthusiastically telling Ewan about everything that happened. Despite being such a traumatic event for Emmel and Isla, Andrew treated it like a grand adventure. The mind of a child was a wonderful thing, and Emmel enjoyed hearing it from his perspective as it seemed far grander than what he had been through.

Despite it being fairly late, Isla expressed a wish to be at home. They left the feast early and returned to Isla’s village. Emmel escorted them to make sure that they returned home safely. When they arrived, Ewan invited him in. Isla sat down at a table with Andrew, and they relaxed together. Emmel was in the doorway, looking at them. To see them there was to see the picture of a happy family. They had been through much together, and Emmel wasn’t sure if he belonged here. Isla had already confessed to him how much Rune had hurt her. She had sworn off men for ten years already. He had promised to rescue her and Andrew, but he had never promised anything else. She deserved to live the peaceful life she wanted, and he decided that whatever he wanted to say to her could wait for another time. She needed to be with her family now.

He slipped out of the house quietly, leaving without a word.