The knight´s bride (Closed)

[PredatorX]

The promise

Near Stirling, Scottland in the year of 1314

Alan of Strode made a grimace at the suffocating sweet smell of death and corruption. The fever was ravishing. Tavish would be lucky to live until dawn. Alans own wound was small in comparison and it ached in sympathy.

"Four days, five at most. Then your lovely lady will take care of you. We will make it Tav."

He forced himself to sound cheerful. Trying not to listen to Tavish´s whimpering Alan occupied himself by going through one of the english packs he had taken after the battle. He unwrapped a red under coat with a yellow stripe. Fine stuff he thought and rubbed the fabric between his fingers.

In another pack he found an ornamented silver pitcher, that he filled with good scottish liquor.

"See how much of this you can drink Tav. It will still hurt, but you won´t care as much."

Tavish pushed the pitcher away.

"It will only numb me from the chin and up." He said with a weak voice.
"Do you have a feather pen?" His voice, broken with pain. Alan looked in his leather pouch. "Yes, and i have some ink and parchment to." He tried to keep his voice as merry as he could. "Are you fit to write?

Tavish gave a weak nod. "Help me sit up." He whispered.

An half hour later he finished the letter and let the feather pen slip from his hand. "There." For a while he closed his tired eyes before he opened them and met Alans steady gaze.

"See if you agree." He quietly says to Alan.
"This?" Alan asks while biting his lower lip. He touched the parchment with leaning signs that had no meaning to him.

"It is commands to my wife." Tavish explained with a tormented look in his eyes. His hands clenched around the blanket he lay on, so his knuckles whitened. His breathing became shallow and unregular.

"Good thinking, don´t you think?" Tavish said with an attempted smile. Alan let his eyes follow the figures on the parchment. "Well written Tav." He touched the parchment with his knuckle and smiled. "It is very good advices, and she will obey them if i have my say."

His friends peace of mind justified Alans little lie. And the noble lady would find comfort in her husbands dying wish, whatever it was.

Despite that he could see the roof of Saint Ninian from here, Alan knew that his friends death would come quicker if he tried to move him. It wasn´t fun to be forced to tell the noble lady that her husband had breathed his last breath under an old oak at the edge of the battleground. But no lies would make the truth any better.

Death was death and if there was a soul that could get to heaven without the last salvation, it was Tavish Ellerby´s. Everything south of Stirling lay in ashes. He prayed that Tavish´s home was outside of the armies movements.

What the english hadn´t ravaged during the past weeks, Robert Bruce himself had taken care of to keep the enemy going hungry and without roof over their heads. Now many scotts would suffer, even after they had won the battle.

Tavish reached out to Alan with his hand, gripping his arm.

"You will bring me home? And lay my body to rest down by the river? Don´t let Honor see me. Not like this. Promise me."

"Yes, i promise. I have your leg and bring that to. I promise in the name of god." Weak laughter followed his words.

"You plan of putting me back together?" Tavish´s eyes closed and the weakened body quivered.

"Alan, tell my Honor that my death are for the best. Tell her how much i loved her."

"She knows that Tav. I will sing it like a troubadur to her. I swear on it. Sweet memories she will cry over long after she becoming old and... Tav? Tavish?

Alan took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. Burning tears rolled down his cheeks.

"Oh, Tav. think if your Honor could have seen you smile like that."

He watched the empty blue eyes for a long time. Before he finally reached down and closed them.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Honor's secret

The cool air slipped through the window of her bedroom. Honor Ellerby stared out into the night. Her arms wrapped around her stomach. She’d not heard anything from Tavish in weeks, months really. She refused to believe what everyone else was saying. They all would look at her, their hands would come up, and hide the secret words of death. They would smile and nod at her if she caught their stares.

She’d been sleeping quietly until the dream began. She’d seen a field of green, the Scottish moors thick with the emerald color. Inside the green was a man. He looked at her, she returned his stare, and then he reached out to her. She wanted to take his hand, to pull him to her, but she couldn’t. Their fingers barely grazed when the man in her dream was taken from her. Her whole body seemed to burn from the inside out and she cried out in pain. She woke up and shivered violently. What did it mean? Her dreams always meant something... what was this one going to mean for her?

She brought the thick braid to the front of her chest and releases the loose weave. Her fingers comb through the long, wheat locks, and she winced when they become tangled in the evenings knots. A shiver runs through her as she feels the cold wind slip over her bare arms. She leaves the window and picks up the long thick robe. After slipping it on as well as the slippers that match it, she makes her way down to her parlor. The night guard hears her steps, sees the glow of her candle, and opens the door to her study. “Thank you,” she whispers to him. He nods his head to her in recognition and closes the door quietly behind her.

Honor’s steps carry her to the desk that Tavish told her his mother had used when she lived at the manor. He’d opened these series of rooms for her when they agreed to wed. Her fingers hovered over the drawer that held her private documents. She chewed on her bottom lip, she wasn’t sure why she was doing this now... she’d not looked at these papers since she presented them to Tavish and he’d had embraced her and gave them back. Her fingers went to the thin chain on her neck and she fingered the small key. Lifting it from her head and pulling it free from her hair she took the small brass key and inserted it into the lock. The click echoed through the room and she slid the drawer open.

Her long nimble fingers shuffled a few papers off to the side and she pulled the envelope from the back. A heavy sigh escaped her as she opened it up and looked at the document that sealed her fate. She’d been ordered by her father to marry Count Trouville. She’d refused, but her words fell on empty ears. Though she was 21 that held no weight in the world of polictics and betrothals. Honor did what any strong willed woman would do she ran away. She went to a friend’s home in the Scottish Highlands and met Tavish. She liked him and knew that if she were married then her father would have no say in her life. So she had gone to the Priest and with the diamonds that her father had given her on her sixteenth birthday purchased the papers granting her permission to wed Tavish Elloby.

They’d been married two months when he came to her and told her he was leaving to fight the English. She’d been stunned. How was she to survive here in this land without him by her side? She’d not been welcomed by his staff or his men, but they’d obey his word. He was their Lord and his word was law. Now four months have passed and she was suddenly drawn into the past. She looked at the parchment and wondered why she was here in this study looking at this paper. No answers came to her, so she silently folded the paper up and placed it back in the envelope. “Burn it,” her mind told her. She’d considered doing that before, but once again, something stopped her, what she didn’t know. The envelope found its home inside her desk and she closed it.

Honor rose up and moved to the doors that led to her gardens. “Come home Tavish. It is time to start our life together. I’m ready to love you now.” She closed her eyes and remembered the awkwardness of their first night together. As she did the night moved forward as did her memories.

 

[PredatorX]

Burial ground

The river close to Byelough keep

Alan had brought Tavish home. The big stone looked like it had always been there. Alan loosened the rope between the rope and his horse and tied the horse at a tree near by. The blood sipped through the badly made bandage around his right shoulder. Damn it! The stitches had opened up again. He swore despite the knowledge that the fresh blood could save him from the same fate that took Tavish life. Hopefully all the poisons would sip out with the blood and the sweat.

With a piece of cloth he wiped his arm clean and hoped he hadn´t lost his needle. After casting a longing glance at the cold rushing water in the river he sat down beside the smooth, rounded stone and started to carve in it. With the help of a fist sized stone and Tavish´s broken broadsword he hammered in an image in the big stone.

Poor Tav, he thought while he worked. Had everything in life a man could wish for. A nice home, a beautiful wife and some money stashed away. Alan suspected that he would never experience something like that himself. Given the thought maybe Tavish was the lucky man after all. During two months he had lived every mans dream.

"At least most men dream of it, not me of course." Alan muttered and kept on hammering. "You had everything, old friend, but you lost it to early."

When Alan was finished, the image of the shield was leaning towards one side and the wolfs head was looking like an bitten apple he thought. But Lady Honor could remake it if she liked. Right now it marked out the place. He sighed at his clumpsy attempt and stapled up some small stones.

Then he stood up in his full length and stretched his legs. He drove down the broken broadswords edge in the ground. Doing so creating a cross, marking the burial ground.

"Good bless you Tavish Mac Ellerby." He whispered with bowed head. He thought of saying some more to farewell, but suddenly the ground under his feets shook with hoove beats that where closing in.

Alan turned towards the riders, drawing his broadsword and got in a better fighting position. At that moment he recognised the colors of the man in front. A golden lion on a red field. Bruce.

The riders surrounded him in a whirlwind of rattling armour and stamping hooves. Alan went down on one knee and smiled up to the man on the grey horse.

"We could have been Edwards men, Strode. Why didn´t you run and hide?" Bruce wondered.

Alan threw his head back and laughed. "If there is an englishman still on this side of London i will kiss the ass of your horse and call it my sweetheart!"

Bruce dismounted and reached out his arm for a greeting hug. When he saw Alans wound he tensed a little.

"We are gathering Douglas men a bit south of here and then continue to York. My brother told me he gave you leave of abscense after the victory and now i know why." Bruce wrinkled his nose at the blood that slowly sipped down Alans arm.

"Look after that wound, or else we have to bury you. You can loose the arm." Alan nodded and looked away. "It will heal, i may join you later."

"Are you going to meet your father first?" Bruce asked with a warning in his voice.

"I never go to Rowicsburg." Alan responded. "I don´t go north either. I am finished with uncle Angus as well. Neil Broglan are his protege now and he will be a good lord. I have no ties to either part of my family." He leaned his head towards the new grave. "I am here because Tavish Ellerby sent with me commands to his wife. And the news of his death."

After this mission he had nowhere to go. His english father had sent him to the highlands, to his mothers peaple. When he was just a boy. The uncle that had raised him had choosed another nephew. A full blooded scottsman, as next lord in the MacGill clan. It was just as it should be in Alans oppinion.

Life as a soldier fitted him well. But right now he could only be good with stubborness and one healthy arm. Obviously his king had no use of either. "I believe you. It is common knowledge that you love the truth." Several in Bruce´s party nods at that statement. "Some say that you overdo it." More of the soldiers nod at that and exchange looks.

Alan knew why. He never told peaple what they liked to know if it wasn´t true. Not even when it served him better to lie than tell the truth. That was something his surrounding counted on. Alan was very proud of this trait. He was an honest man.

Bruce let his eyes go between the clumpsy carved image in the stone and Alan. "Send my best wishes to the lady. I heard he fought well. Have he made plans for the lady and the property?"

"They are written and sealed sir. Between him and her i believe." Alan answered.

"Let me see Alan."

"I don´t think so. It is private words from death bed to his beloved."

Bruce turned away and went back and forth before he returned to Alan and looked up at him, as he was a head short.

"Give me the letter Strode, i command you."

Allan stiffened and his left hand gripped the hilt of his broadsword.

"But you have only a hand full men with you sir!" He remarked.

Bruce gritted his teeths. During a whole second it looked like his eyes would pop out of it´s sockets before he burst out in laughter. Alan waited with an angelic smile on his lips. After a moment of silence Bruce sobered up and lay an arm friendly over Alans shoulder.

"Listen now Strode. Byelough keep is important because of it´s protected location. The hidden caves close to it can cover an whole army. I ´will not alow it to fall in enemy hands just because of a dead mans wishes. Therefore we could kill you and take the letter. I suspect that we would have no choice in the matter. Even if you outclassed my pitiful group and escaped to Byelough. I would simply follow you and demand it from the widow. Your choice."

Alan thought of Tavish´s wifes reaction. She would be upset enough as it was and a visit from Bruce wouldn´t be an improvement of that. Especially in the mood the king was in.

"Take it then." Alan reached his hand under his wide leather belt and drew out the letter and handed it to Bruce. "But i don´t like it."

Bruce broke the seal as he said. "And i don´t like you sometimes Strode. Maybe i should kill you for your nerve."

It was silent while Bruce read the letter. A calculating smile formed on his lips as he finished the reading and folded the parchment. Then the smile vanished.

"Down on your knees." He ordered Alan with a sharp voice. Alan kneeled down as Bruce drew his sword. Alan steeled himself when Bruce raised the blade to the level of Aland neck. He didn´t want to believe that Bruce would kill him, but couldn´t see it in any other way. He stood on his knees with the other mans blade at his neck. It seemed cowardly to protest and meaningless if Bruce was serious.

"Can i speak with a priest?" Alan asked while looking the king in the eyes.

"You would scare the clothes of the poor man and i have enough problems with the church." Bruce announced.

"Very well. Continue what you are doing then." He hoped that Bruce only wanted to scare him a little. Death was not very appealing to him, and dying here just seemed so pointless. He wasn´t afraid of death but had always thought he would face it on the battlefield. Determined to not be a coward he looks up at the king and says.

"You will regret this."

"Probably." Bruce chuckled before pressing the blade against Alans neck. Then the sound of the kings loud voice.

"I knight you to Sir Alan of Strode." The blade gently touches first Alans right shoulder and then his left. "Serve God and the king, protect the weak and fight for the right cause." He then held out the hilt for Alan to kiss.

The taste of metal against the lips. It was cool, lightly salt of sweat. He welcomed it as a lovers kiss in the morning. Kiss of life he thought relieved.

"Are you ready for the fist in your face?" Bruce asked, clearly amused by the whole thing. Alan stood up on shaky legs and nodded.

The kings fist landed right where it should and Alan fell to the ground. He just lay there dizzy for a moment as the king and the men laughed heartily.

"Stand up sir and do great deeds for Skottland. And pleace correct your kilt. Your own great deed are visible for the wind."

As fast as he could Alan stood up and bowed to his king. He had been knighted. By all his heart he wished that Tav had been here and witnessed this parody.

"Clean yourself up before you meet the lady Ellerby. You look like you have been drawn through a bloody swamp." Bruce smiled to Alan. "And tell her i agree to everything that is in the letter. I expect her to fulfill it exactly as it says."

With a final laugh the king mounts up and leads his men away.

Alan look long after them before he washes himself in the river and change clothes. When he feels ready he starts the short journey to the keep.

Reaching the gates he says to the guard there.

"I have news for Lady Honor Ellerby."

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

A stranger visits

The morning had been more of the usual. Honor had made it back to her bed after her short visit to her private study. She’d taken each step, the guard watching her every move. She trusted him. He had been there the day she and Tavis had married. He was also always there at night when she would awaken from her dreams and go to the kitchens for a small glass of warm milk to help ease her back into peaceful slumber. He never spoke to her, unless she spoke to him. He was a silent companion to an otherwise lonely woman.

The rest of her night had gone on uneventful. She never dreamed twice. If she did she didn’t remember them, didn’t feel as if they were important to her. She pulled the rope for her maid to come in and the woman appeared moments later. “Good mornin’ Miss.”

“Good morning Becca,” she said. “I think I’ll wear the green skirt and jacket this morning. I will go riding after I break my fast.” The young maid nodded and pulled the necessary clothing from the wardrobe. Becca liked working for the Misses and she hoped that the rumors of her husband’s demise were false. Once she had the clothes laid out she waited for her Lady to slip into them. Becca hooked the loop over the buttons at the back of the skirt while Honor hooked up the front of the small sleeveless bodice and then she slipped on the matching jacket that covered her arms.

Honor took a seat at her dressing table and Becca brushed out the long, gold locks. She shivered as the knots were tugged out of her hair and for a minute she considered cutting it. It was rather long. It hung past the rounded cheeks of her rear and she often found it to be more of a nuisance then a luxury. She sighed and just had Becca braid it... again. Tavish liked her hair, thought it was one of her loveliest features, so she kept it long for him, though he was not here.

She clipped a simple pair of pearls to her ears, the metal clasps pinched slightly, but she knew she’d get used to the bite after a few moments. Becca closed the clasp on the string of pearls that hugged Honor’s neck. Standing Honor reached for the matching cap that would rest smartly on her head as she rode. She knew there was no reason to look the lady when there was never anyone to entertain, but it was the only thing she had that kept her in control of the house. She would have loved to toss caution to the wind and slip on a simple dress, shoes, and walk as if she were nothing more than another person in the keep, but she couldn’t. She knew the staff and the men were just waiting for her to let her guard down so they could step in and run her house. Honor was a Lady. She’d been trained to run Kingdom if she’d been wedded to a King... so there was no way she was about to let the staff that cared nothing for the Englishwoman overpower her.

The breads, fruits, eggs, and meats were laid out on the board and she walked over and placed her selections on the plate that was left on the side of the board. She sat down and one of the house servants poured her customary mug of milk. She smiled and thanked the young child and proceed to enjoy your breakfast. It wasn’t but a minute or two later that the morning guard came to her and leaned to speak to her. “There is a man here to see you Miss.”

Honor was stunned, but she refused to show it. She was the keeper of the manor and would not show her shock at actually having to play the part in front of someone. She’d not had a visitor since the hurried wedding that had taken place between her and Tav six months ago. Her fingers gripped the small cloth that served as her napkin and she dabbed at her lips. “I’ll see him in my study.”

She rose from the table and left her food to be cleaned away. Honor made her way to her study, while her guard walked back to the foyer where the guest would have been left to wait. Though it would look as if he were alone, Honor knew that there was always someone hidden on the rafters with an arrow aimed at the visitor’s heart. She hated the idea of having someone perched above the entrance of the keep, but she had obeyed her husband’s laws since he knew the dangers of war, and knew that the enemy would not hesitate in entering the keep in disguise.

Her cap rested on her desk and she sighed. She’d been looking forward to a morning ride, but now that would have to wait. She rested her hands on her lap. When the guard knocked and she told him to enter, she was surprised to see a man that looked quite worn and weary enter the room. Her eyes moved to the wounded arm and she immediately stood. Her fingers grasped the rope and when the young girl appeared Honor ordered her to bring her sewing kit and to be quick. She then turned her attention to the gentleman. “Please sit and we’ll discuss your reason for being here and why you felt it necessary to bleed all over my floors.” She waited for the man to take a seat, knowing she was safe from the stranger; her guard stood ready to strike him down if the need arose.

 

[PredatorX]

The messenger

Alan stood and waited at the foyer while the guard went to inform the lady of his arrival. His right shoulder ached after the short ride. He had not slept in two days and was exhausted. Whenever he had been trying to rest, the pain had kept him awake. What he needed now was a hot meal and maybe a warm bed. The last time he slept in a bed must have been three years ago.

He checked the bandage around the shoulder. Gritting his teeths against the pain he noticed that he was not bleeding anymore. The bad thing was that the bandage was sticking to the drying blood. Sighing wearily he decided to leave it be, to not get the blood flowing again.

After he had waited for about fifteen minutes the guard comes back with the words. "the lady will see you now. Follow me." Alan followed the guard to the main building in the keep. He looked around and was quite impressed of what he saw. All buildings and the yard seemed to be in good shape. Even without Tavish here to maintain it.

"She waits you in her study." The guard says as he leads Alan down a hallway. Finally stops by a door at the end of the hallway. The guard knocks on the door. The knock is followed by a low "Enter" from inside. The voice was clearly feminine. The guard opens the door and let´s Alan enter and then comes in after him.

Alan eyed the young woman in front of him. She was stunningly beautiful and his breath was caught in his throat. Tavish was a lucky bastard he thought to himself. That thought was immediately followed by the pain of having to tell the lady of his death. She looked at the blood on his arm and stood up, directly ordering a young maid to bring the sewing kit and be quick about it. He was quite impressed by this young woman by now. After turning her attention back to Alan she said. “Please sit and we’ll discuss your reason for being here and why you felt it necessary to bleed all over my floors.” Almost smiling at her words Alan looked at the guard before he sat down in the chair offered to him.

Giving Lady Honor all his attention he braced himself to tell her of her husbands fate. "Lady Ellerby, my name is Alan of Strode and the reason i am here is to give you the sad news of your husbands death. He died valiantly of a war wound after the defence of Stirling against the english. He wrote a letter with some directions for you. It was the last thing he did in this life." Alan placed the envelope in front of her on the desk. "Sorry about the seal. Robert Bruce insisted on reading it. His words to me was that he expect you to do exactly as is written."

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Sewing class

Honor drew in her breath and watched the man lay the letter on her desk; she stared at it. “Bruce will do what Bruce wishes. I do not hold you responsible.“ She turned back and bit her bottom lip, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. “I will read it in a moment, then I'll decide if I will do as it says or not.“

She opened her eyes and the false smile was one that graced her features instead of the genuine one she'd offered him when he came in. The maid entered with her kit and set it down, she was followed by one of the kitchen lads who carried a bowl of steaming water. She thanked them both, had the maid stay to assist her. The guard was asked to step outside the room, but to be ready if she had need of him. “I'll care for your arm and find you a place to rest. I'm sure the letter is one of sadness so I wish not to embarrass myself or cause you the discomfort of seeing a female weap when you are the barer of the news you bring.“

Her lip trembled, yet she refused to cry though the tears were there. “This will hurt and I apologize now for causing you pain... it isn't intentional.“ She began to cut away the material of both his shirt as well as the binding he'd placed over the wound. It was thickly, caked with dried blood and flecks fell on his lap as well as hers. She said nothing though, just silently worked on removing the offensive material, which the made gathered up. Blood did seap from under the disturbed scabs and she frowned. Carefully she lay several paths of warm water over the blood, moistening it. Thus making it easier to remove and clear away from him.

Once the caked-dried fluid had been removed the blood seaped freely. She cursed, blushed, and then apologized for her language. “Hand me Tav's brandy sifter,” she told the maid. “I won't tell you this will sting... you know it will.“ She took the crystal bottle popped the top and quickly poured it over the wound. The reaction she recieved surprised her and she smiled at his bravery. “Very tough of you,” she said, a brief smile lit her lips. She dipped the needle and the strings into a goblet of the brandy that the maid had poured and went to work sewing at the cut.

“I'm sure this type of care seems odd to you. Most would wash you and patch you up with, hopefully, clean water. But my mother had a wonderful physician and he would allow me to listen to him as he cared for my mother's wounds. She recieved many...“ Honor shivered and stopped thinking of her mother and returned to the warm flesh beneath her fingers.

As she finished sewing him up, she wondered where her husband was, his body that is. She sat back admired her work and looked up into his eyes. “There will be a scar, though it will be thin. I'm sure your wife will not enjoy the story, but will find it rather appealing to touch after the initial shock wears off. And your children will find you fascinating.“

She stood and wrapped clean linen strips over the wound, knotted the ends, and had the maid clear away what remained. “I'll have the maid show you to your room when she returns.“ Honor moved back to her desk and sat down. ”Alan of Strode,“ she finally addressed him by his name. ”You are more then welcome to stay until you are ready to travel back to the fields or to your family. In the meantime you are my guest here.“

The maid returned and Honor asked her to show the young man to one of the guest rooms which were on an opposite wing then her and her husband's rooms. “Before you go... have you read the letter?” she asked. Her fingers held the parchment in her hands and she knew her hand was shaking. She placed it under her palm and stilled her hand by placing the other over it.

 

[PredatorX]

Exhaustion

Alan had taken all she did in. He thought of asking her to read the letter before she worked on his wound, but he didn’t. He’d bitten back the words, telling her that no matter what she wanted she would still have to do what Robert Bruce wanted. She had no choice, she would have to obey her husband’s final command. With Bruce’s command it only reinforced the situation. Once the wound was stitched and bandaged, still stinging from the brandy Honor had poured over it he had gotten up to follow the maid to his rooms. Now he stood before her. Did he tell her he’d read the letter? Or did he admit he hadn’t. Alan decided to be honest. “No, I have not read the letter. Only Tavish, Bruce and soon you... know what it says. Please if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask and if you need anything... let me know.”

She nodded her head and he took it as his dismissal. He bowed his head to her before following the maid. He quietly followed her down the hallway. He took his time looking at the paintings on the walls. The keep was well maintained. It did not look as wealthy as some of the high nobles estates but he liked it never the less. He could see Tavish´s hand in everything. Tavish was a simple man. Not simple as a commoner, but he had no really need for luxary. He was a practical man. That was one of the reasons he and Alan got along so well.

He realised that he had stopped in front of a painting of Tavish. The picture was of a very young Tavish. He couldn´t have been older than 20 years old at the time the painting was drawn. A polite cough from the maid awoke him from the daydreaming. "Are you alright sir?" Smiling to her he just nodded. "Lead on miss." Smiling back to him she continued the walk. Soon they stood outside the door of his new quarters. "this are where my mistress wishes for you to stay sir." Bowing his head politely Alan says. "Thank you miss, if i am not to bold for asking you this." Hesitating slightly. "I am dirty and believe i do not smell very pleasantly. Can i have brought some water to the room?." The maid nods and says it will be brought up shortly.

Alan opens the door to the room and enters it. It is very fresh, with a fire already burning in the fire place. They must have known he would be invited to stay as a guest. He takes his shirt of with some effort. Sighing at his immobility in his right arm he throws the shirt on the floor and then sits down on the bed to wait for his bath.

He must have fallen into a light sleep as next he opens his eyes someone had placed a wooden tub filled with water on the floor. Smiling to himself he takes his kilt of and drops it next to his shirt. Shortly followed by his boots.

Nude he lifts his left leg into the tub. The water is of perfect temperature which meant it hadn´t been in his room very long. He lifts his other leg in before he slowly sits down. His aching body screams of pleasure as the warm water surrounds him to, right above his waist.

Completely relaxed he let´s his thoughts drift to Lady Honor. He was impressed by her way to take the news he brought her. To himself he admitted that he had fallen slightly in love with the woman. Or maybe it was the image of her. planted in his head by Tavish. God knows that Tavish had bragged about her. All her qualities, as well as her purity. Now that Alan had met her in person he could not say that he was dissapointed. Completely exhausted he drifts into a deep sleep, still with Honor in his mind.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

The Letter

Honor held the letter in her hand. She’d read it once, twice and was now reading it once again.

Dear wife,

How I regret having to write this, but it is necessary for me to secure your future. Now that I am dead there will be many wolves fighting for you and the land. The messenger I sent you is a good and strong man that I have known for many years. He will protect what is his at all cost. That means he will die for you if it comes to that. He is an honorable man and it is my dying wish for you and him to marry. This is my last request for you and I wish for you a happy life. You will always have my undying love.

Tavish Ellerby

Her hand shook and for a moment she thought of destroying the letter, claiming she’d stumbled, it feel in the fire and burned before she got a chance to read it. She knew though that she couldn’t. Even if Alan hadn’t read the letter The Bruce had and she couldn’t very well make him be quiet. She placed the letter face down, unwilling to look at it any longer. Her fingers massaged her temples and she tried to think.

Several minutes went by, her maid came, informed her that their house guest – her fiancé – was upstairs in his rooms bathing. Honor had acknowledge the woman with a wave of her hand, dismissing her rather quickly so she could think of what to do. She couldn’t marry this stranger. She knew nothing about him. All she had was her dead husband’s words... and even then... she was being asked to trust the words of a man she’d only been married to for six months and even then the last four were spent separated. He’d only written her twice both times telling her about how much he loved her.

Honor pushed both hands up into her hair and soon hand released the massive braid, hoping it would help to ease the headache that was growing. She knew that if she told the man what was in the letter that he’d follow it and wed her. She knew he’d honor not only Tavish’s wish, but with the Bruce having said she was to follow it also, there was no doubt as to what Alan would do.

She stood up from her desk, placed the letter in her drawer with her other legal documents, and locked it. Honor then proceeded out into the gardens. She sat down, toyed with a few creeping ivy and began to run thoughts and questions through her head. What if she married him? She’d keep her lands... she’d be legally married too... this wasn’t appealing, though in a way it was peace settling. She’d always had that threat looming over her that she’d not been legally wed to Tavish... but then if it was discovered she’d not be legally wed... she’d lose her home and would be forced to move to Alan’s.

Another thought crossed her mind. What if Alan of Strode wanted to leave Ellerby lands? She’d have to relearn names of staff, village folk, and she already was disliked enough for being English, but the staff knew her here. What if she didn’t tell him? What if she just told him it was a love letter and a request to give the messenger some land to live on because he had none? She could do that. She could tell Alan of Strode that the letter was an order for her to sign over lands to Alan as a sign of thanks and friendship.

That idea was dashed quickly. She had no rights to this land. Not really. She rose up and went back to the study and pulled the rope to summon her maid. When the young girl arrived she told her, “Go put Blaze back into the fields. I’ll not be riding today. Inform the stable master the guest will be staying for the time being and to care for his horse accordingly. Then,” she sighed. “Then... bring me some headache powder and see if our guest is ready to present himself. I’ll be in my parlor. This study is to formal a place to discuss what I must with him.”

Honor watched the maid leave, gathered her skirts in one hand, the letter in the other, and retired to her study.

 

[PredatorX]

The summoning

Suddenly stirring in the sleep, Alan opens his eyes and wonders where he are. Just as it knocks on the door he recalls that he are at Tavish and Honor´s home. Still sitting in the bathing tub he turns his head to the door and tells whoever are on the other side to enter. The maid who showed him the way earlier opens the door and sticks in her head. "Sir, Milady Ellerby require your presence at her parlor." Alan tell her that he will be ready shortly and if she can wait outside until he are ready. Smilingly the young girl nods and closes the door again. Alan stands up from the now cold water and reaches for a small towel, next to the tub. The bandage on his right shoulder are still dry he notices.

After he had carefully wiped his body with his towel, without using his right arm very much. He are soon as dry as he gonna get. Alan goes over to his clothes and shrugs at the condition they are in. He would rather not put them any close to his body. Certainly not wearing them. Sighing he moves over to the door and opens it just a little. "Miss, if it is not much to ask. I rather do not put my dirty clothes back on. If there are any other clothes i can borrow i will be most appretiative." The maid just nods and says she will do what she can to help. Alan closes the door and goes back to sit on the bed.

Sitting alone his thoughts drifts to Robert Bruce and the letter. The smile on Bruce´s lips after reading the letter. Alan knew that Bruce was fond of intrigues and pranks on his mens behalf. The smile was very unsettling and even how he had knighted Alan was very strange. Sometimes Bruce acted very rashly and Alan was sure he would loose his head. Bruce had a very short temper and had killed men in the past in his sudden rage. Only to regret it later, but to late for the man he just had killed.

After he had waited for about 15 minutes he the maid returns and knocks on the door. Alan goes up and takes the cloth package from her. She told him it belonged to one of Lady Honor´s servants who was about the same size as Alan. The servant did not mind if Alan borrowed the clothes. With a smile the maid stands to wait outside the door again.

Alan takes on the clothes as fast he can with only one fully operational arm. After he are done he are quite pleased at the outcome. The brown shirt fits his body perfect and the brown pants that are not as comfortable as his kilt, but are not to bad. Only slightly to tight at the thighs for his taste. After he had put on his boots he feel ready to leave the room. He leaves and let´s the maid lead the way through the keep. They take a slightly different route this time and Alan still thought of how lucky Tav had been to have such a place to call home. After the short tour they stop outside a closed door and the maid knocks on it. After Honor had told him to enter the maid flashes him a last smile before leaving. Slightly hesitant Alan enters the room and locks his eyes at Honor. "Milady? You wished to see me?" He asks as he closes the door behind him.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

A proposal

Honor looked at the man walking toward her. This time she studied him. She didn’t study him as a guest in her home, she studied him as a provider for her future. She could tolerate bedding him. There had been no passion with Tavis, but there was a pleasantness that she enjoyed. The gentleman walking toward her now she assumed would be wanting to bed her so she would allow that to happen if he insisted. That however was not what she truly cared to do, what she wanted to know was how much he knew about running such a place as this. He obviously was a good warrior, skilled enough to protect her, as well as choose men to replace those that had not returned from the wars.

“Please have a seat,” she told him. He did and she took a deep breath. The letter rested on her lap, having been taken from the locked drawer just before she’d left her study. Another maid brought them drinks and small sandwiches. Neither did Honor touch. She’d not drink in front of this man. She’d learned long ago she could not hold her liquor. Two glasses of wine went to her head and three she was barely able to stand. However there was tea as well and that she poured instead of the brandy. She poured both a glass of tea for the man as well as shot of the liquor.

“I don’t know you very well... and these questions I need to ask you before I share with you what this letter says,” she told him.

Honor could tell he was curious so she took a deep breath and exhaled. “Alan of Strode. Would you tell me about yourself. I know you are Tavis’ friend, but,” she sighed. How could she ask him all these personal questions without telling him why.

Her fingers started to shake and she closed her eyes. “This is so hard,” she muttered. Again she sighed. She could tell he was growing impatient so she finally took the steps that would seal her fate.

“Alan of Strode, this letter you bring me states. That you are to marry me. Tavis’ lands are to become yours and I am to be your wife. It says you’ll protect me and keep me and the lands safe.”

She did it. She told him the truth, now she had to wait. Honor clutched the letter tightly and then tossed it to the table in front of her. “There it is if you don’t believe me. Every word. I’m to be your wife.”

Honor bit on her bottom lip and added. “I’ll not hold you to this and we can have a marriage in name only, in case you have another you wish to wed, but find yourself honor bound to fulfill his wishes. It wasn’t fair for him to ask this on his death bed, I’m very sorry. I can destroy it you’d like.” She realized she was rambling, so she suddenly hushed and allowed him to soak it all in.

 

[PredatorX]

A surprising turn

Alan sat down at her request and started to eat a sandwich. He looked curiously at her, wondering in his mind why she had summoned him so soon. He sipped the wine and kept his eyes on her as she spoke. He was just about to swallow a mouthful of wine before telling her his life story. He had nothing to be ashamed of. He almost spit out the wine in his mouth over the table when she told him what the letter said.

He managed to swallow the wine and placed the remains of his sandwich on the table. Wiping his mouth with his hand he fought down the brief panic he felt at the thought of marriage. The room suddenly felt very cold and his hands grew sweaty. He remained silent as he tried to get the panic attack under control. The food felt very heavy in his stomach. He tried hard to focus on Honor again.

Alan knew he desired her. He was almost certain he had done that even before he met her. He had kept those feelings hidden deep inside. No one knew of those feelings. Alan took pride in his honor and would never take another mans wife. The guilt of lying to Tavish suddenly flared to life. The first lie in his adult life even if it was to comfort Tav, and this was the result.

When he started to speak, his words sounded forced. Even to him.
"There is no way to destroy the letter. Bruce know what it say." He takes a deep breath and looks at the letter on the table before looking to Honor again. "And i am not betrothed to anyone so there is no hindrance of the marriage on that part." Sighing softly he says quietly. "I had no plans of marriage but i am sure my father will be very happy."

He forces a smile across the table. "As i will be your husband you have the right to know me. My father William Strode of Rowicsburg, an english earl sent me to Scottland when i was 8 years old. I was raised by my mothers older brother Angus who are the lord of the MacGill clan. I am 32 years old and have spent the last 4 years fighting the english intruders." Smiling slightly ironic he adds. "I have no home and i do not know why Tavish wished me to marry you. I have nothing to give into a marriage, except myself." He takes a sip of the wine and looks Honor in her eyes. "But he asked it of me and i am not one to fail a friend. You have a priest in the keep?"

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Proposal number 2

Honor stared at him while he rattled off about his family and their place in History. She couldn’t tell him that her father wanted her wed to another, she forged papers giving her permission from her father to marry Tavish, or how she’d used her mother’s pearls to bribe the priest, nor how she was a liar and in all rights to the crown a thief. She was about to marry a man who was landless in exchange she was giving him land that wasn’t hers, this was a mess... a big mess that she couldn’t see a way out of.

His last statement brought her up short. “A Priest? Yes we have a Priest.” She stared hard at him. Surely he didn’t expect this farce of a marriage to take place now. They just met. Surely he didn’t expect her to bed him this evening. Her husband had just died.

She stood up and increased the distance between them. “Sir Strode... are you suggesting we wed this night?” she asked him.

“Sir... I do not love you. Don’t know you. I’ll marry you if you wish to do it now, but it will be in name only.”

Honor held her hands together, twisting the small lace handkerchief she held in her palms. Her knuckles were white. “I just buried my husband... well you did, but I’ll not lay down with you. A marriage of convienence is all this will be.”

Her eyes moved over his figure. He was an opposing man, one that few would fight, and if they did she knew few would leave unharmed if they left at all. She however was Honor, an Englishwoman on Scottish soil, and she had bared the last four months without a man in her bed, she didn’t need one now, no matter how attractive he was.

 

[PredatorX]

Decision of marriage

Alan listened to what she said and finished the wine in his glass. The taste of the wine had lost it´s appeal to him. He kept quiet as she stated she did not love him. He smiles without humour and says quietly. "Love have nothing to do with this and i don´t expect you to bed me. You do not need to concern yourself with that thought. I will never force a woman to my bed." He rubs his forehead and closes his eyes against the sudden headache.

He only knew 3 things at this moment. Firstly, this marriage had to take place as soon as possible. Secondly, he desired Honor. Thirdly, He would not bed her. She had loved Tavish and Alan would not interfere with that love and her memory of him. She was to beautiful for Alan anyway. He was afraid that if he bedded her his war torn past would rub on to her. He had lost his gentleness somewhere along the way. He had killed to many peaple. Not that he was ashamed of that. It was war afterall. But he felt that he was not worthy to be loved by a woman like Honor. Tavish on the other hand had not lost any of his gentle and kind personality.

Alan opens his eyes and looks at her. "I will do as the letter states. I will marry you and i will protect you and the keep. You have my word that i will not force you to bed me, now and never." As he says that he wonders how he would manage the years to come without a womans touch. his honor demanded him to stay faithful and his honor was all he had. This damn letter had forced unwanted celibacy on him and he cursed his lie once again. He had really caused it to himself, but that thought did not improve his mood.

"We will have this marriage as soon as possible and we will make the best of it. There is nothing we can do to change anything. Get the priest and spread the happy news to your peaple." The last part he said with a somewhat ironic tune in his voice.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

*sigh* Acceptance...

She blew the hair from her eyes and stared at her soon to be husband. She couldn’t believe her fate. Married to one man that she could have grown to love, widowed, and now about to be married to a stranger. Her fingers curled into fists and she nodded her head. “Tomorrow morning,” she told him. “Our Priest will not perform this until he sees the letter and he is not here today. He is at the Abbey presiding over the death of one of the sisters there.”

Honor walked over and pulled the rope. A maid soon arrived. “Yes, Miss.” she curtsied.

Taking a deep breath she sighed. “Have cook prepare a feast for this evening to welcome our guest. It will be one that is rushed I know, but it seems Sir Alan of Strode is to be the new Lord of the keep.” She saw the girl’s shock and wondered if it mirrored her own. “Also, have two servants clean out all of Tavish’s belongings and have them taken to the parish... oh wait,” she turned back to Alan. “Leave them,” she said. “Sir Strode will however need the services of our seamstress sometime soon, but for now Tavis’ clothes will have to do.”

The maid stood silently awaiting the rest of her instructions. “Another feast in the morning, followed by the wedding,” she sneered at the word, noting the mockery of the farce was evident in her voice. “After the wedding another lavish meal.” She dismissed the maid and turned back to Alan.

“I will show you the grounds if you like. I am curious though. How much of my control will I lose?” She had fought hard the last four months to gain some respect from the bookkeeper, the field hands, the house staff. The idea of losing all of that because there would be a man by her side stung a little.

 

[PredatorX]

Sympathy

Alan headache was increasing as he thought of what was decided. They really had no choice but to go along with this madness. He was sure that Robert Bruce would come on one of his surprise visits eventually. Alan kept quiet as Honor told the maid to prepare the feast and told her the news. He rubbed his temples and closed his eyes.

Honor´s fear of losing control over the keep and the daily affairs became apparent to him when she asked him how much control she would loose. Alan´s sympathy for her grew as he understood how hard it was for a woman to be in the position she was in.

He had no intention to make her suffering worse. Loosing a husband and to make things worse. Being forced to marry a stranger. He decided there and then that he would do his outmost to make her life as good and painless as he could. Even as they would not be lovers he would do his best to be her friend. Hopefully they would learn to accept eachother. He knew how he felt about her but, keeping that to himself would make things easier for her.

Opening his eyes and lovering his hands he looks her in her eyes and smiles slightly. "I would much like to see the grounds." Sighing softly he says with sincerity. "I have no intention to take the control away from you. Neither of us expected this and the love i had for Tavish insists that i marry you." The smile he flashes at her are the first genuine since she told him of the letter. "I have no lands and have never intended to get any. Just consider me as your partner. I won´t make any decisions without consulting you."

Putting his hand against his stomach his smile widens. "What comes first, the guiding of the grounds or the meal?" Rubbing his stomach he says with the smile still on his lips. "I am really starving."

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Alan meets Betsy

She blew the hair from her brow and sighed. “I’m sorry, the small sandwiches would never have fed Tavis either. It has been a long time since I have had to ask the staff to create a real meal. When Tavis was here... those two months,” she paused and tilted her head to one side. “Did you know we only knew each other two months as man and wife before he left.”

She sighed and looked at the portrait hanging above the fireplace. “He commissioned that the following day after the wedding. It took hours of standing, but in between the painter allowed one of the guards to wear Tavis clothes and a maid to wear mine. Then when it was time for the faces it went much faster,” she stared at the painting for a while and then shook her head. “I’m sorry... that isn’t going to get you fed any faster. Is it?”

“I’ll give you a tour of the house first, that way you’ll know where the kitchens are we can perhaps see if Cook has prepared something for this evenings meal that is done ahead of time. She’s an excellent cook and very warm to the Scots around here,” Honor said nothing about the English, she knew the woman’s feelings. The pepper in her meals and the abundant layers of salt were often why the young woman was hungry throughout the day.

She walked beside Alan as she showed him through the lower rooms of the house on their way to the kitchens. “Hello Mistress Betsy,” Honor greeted the cook warmly.

The cook’s back was turned and she did not see the Scot that was beside the Mistress of the manor. “Aye English whore, what are you doing in my kitchen?”

Honor’s back stiffened and she gritted her teeth. “Not all the staff has warmed up to me,” she whispered against Alan’s ear. Her breath stirred the hairs on his neck and for a moment a flutter was felt in the pit of her stomach as she inhaled his scent.

“We have a guest Betsy,” Honor said, the cook still refusing to turn around.

“Aye we do now... probably another English pig to feed,” the cook turned around and grinned wide. “Well I’ll be drowned in the river come morning. Seems you have yourself a Scot there woman and a fine one at that. She’ll be spreading her legs for you soon I bettcha... after all that was how she got the Master.”

The old cook laughed hard as she wiped her hands on her apron and her crooked teeth were lifted in a grin that showed all she held no respect for the English woman.

 

[PredatorX]

Temper flaring

The difference between the warm voice of Honor and the venomous words of Betsy became apparent as Alan listened in disbelief. He could not believe the disrespect the cook showed towards the mistress of Byelough keep, from someone who should owe her loyality and obedience. His eyes burnt a hole in Betsys back as Honor whispered in his ear. He ignored the feeling her breath against his neck caused and instead concentrated on this old hag in front of them.

The expression on Alan´s face grew darker with anger as Betsy turned towards them with more of her words of hatred. Honor´s stoic acceptance of the treatment she was receiving angered him even more. If Betsy had been a man she would have recognised the danger she might find herself in. Alan had never hurt a woman in his life, but he had never been as tempted as he was now.

He took Honor´s small hand in his big and gave it a reassuring squeeze and looked her in the eyes before turning back to Betsy. "Shut your trap old woman." The words came out as a snarl and effectively silenced the hag. Not used of anyone using such words or tone against her Betsy looked stunned. Alan kept hold of Honor´s hand in his as he glared at the old cook. "I do not know if you treated Lady Ellerby like this when Tavish was home." With a frown he looks at Betsy. "As of now it will stop however. If you do not stop talking down on the lady immediately you will find yourself without a home and employment very quick." Keeping his voice low and cold. "I will give you one chance to redeem yourself but make no misstake. It is one chance only. I will not have a problem replacing you." Smiling coldly to her his next words come as a shock to her.

"Now, you must wonder who i am to talk to you like this. My name is Sir Alan of Strode and i will be your master as of tomorrow. My advice to you is that you keep both me and the lady pleased. If you are concerned of keeping your place here that is." With that he turns and walks towards the doorway, still holding Honor´s hand so she have no choice but following him. At the door he turns to Betsy one last time before leaving. "Prepare us a meal we can enjoy shortly." Before he sees Betsy´s reaction he and Honor are out the doorway.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

A bit of History

Her hand seemed to be enveloped in the much larger one of Alan Strode, however this is lost on her. She only sees and hears the words he delivered to the cook as well as the look of shock and disbelief that crossed the old woman’s face. She follows Alan out almost as if in a trance, almost as if he pulled her with him.

They head immediately for the stables and she finds herself lost in the warmth of his words. They weren’t kind ones by any means, nor were they loving. They were words full of something more powerful. They were words that showed he would respect her and demand respect for her. Before they reached the stables she stopped walking and Alan had no choice but to either continue on his own, stop, or drag her.

She saw his eyes staring down at her and she whispered, “Thank you.” She recalled the look he’d given her when he mentioned Tavis and the staff and she felt as if she needed to explain how things had gotten so bad, as well as what else he could expect of the others.

“There are only a few here you will find like me. One is the night guard his name is Lucas, but he doesn’t talk much. He does however treat me kindly. If he does it because he wishes to or because inside he just hides his distaste of me... I don’t know. But he is always on guard downstairs and when I wake up from my dreams and need to read, he is always there to light my way. The other is my maid Sally. She helps me quite often. You have not yet met her. She is similar to me in stature and she also has my hair coloring. Tavis would joke we were twins. She is visiting her family, there was a death and I told her to come home when she was ready.”

She took a deep breath and thought she heard his stomach growl. “Oh dear,” she dropped his hand, picked up her skirts and quickly hurried back to the kitchens. Betsy said nothing to her and she plucked an apple from the barrel. She returned to Alan’s side and tossed it to him. “Quiet that monster inside you,” she laughed.

They continued the walk and she added more details as they went. “The stableman has his good days and bad, I believe it depends on what his wife cook’s him before he begins his daily chore. Betsy is his wife,” she winked. “The various lads you see working about are extremely kind... almost to kind. I have caught several peering at me when I wish to swim in the lake, but usually Sally is there to run them off.”

“Tavis didn’t know the vile words from the staff was poured on me when he was not present. They were more subtle than. He heard those... the little comments said under their breaths. He ignored it, telling me that I was English and they just needed time to adjust. Once he left... the adjustment became something I did.”

There were so many things to tell him, but she was worried she’d talked to much already. “I will be quiet now... It has been so long since there was someone to talk to, I find myself wanting to speak forever.” She blushed over her silliness and they entered the stables together.

 

[PredatorX]

Still holding Honor´s hand he led her to the stables where she halted. Alan had to stop walking if he did not wan´t to drag her against her will. He turns and looks at her, her expression seems strange to him. When she start to ramble about how her staff was treating her he just stayed quiet and listened to her. Seems he had a habit doing that he almost smiled to himself.

He took a bite of the apple she had brought him and savoured the sweet taste. It was a very good apple and he chewed it carefully. He kept on listening to her and felt the sympathy for the young woman, stranded in a country that where not very kind to the likes of her. With a husband fighting a war against those she had been brought up with. Alan had nothing but respect for this woman. It must have been hard to live under those conditions when Tavish was away.

When she stopped talking and blushed with embaressment of talking to much he had a smile on his lips. "I do not know much about being a husband, but i think a part of it is to listen to what his wife are saying." Before knowing what he is doing he reaches up and touches her cheek with his hand. "And i will do my best to protect you. that include against your own peaple if need arises as well." He lowers the hand to his side again. "You will not have to suffer from disrespect when i am here." He takes another bite of the apple. "I hope you will tell me if anyone treats you as Betsy did." Smiling to her he hopes she understands the sincerity in his words. He would do whatever it took to spare her from pain and suffering. He owed that to Tavish. He did even suspect he was more than a little in love with this woman. But that he would never reveal to her. He supposed he had to suffer in silence. She had been through enough already and did not need a love thirsty highlander on her tail.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Miles and Duncan...

Honor smiled at his words. She couldn’t tell him of how much she appreciated it. Tavish was a companion more than a husband. He was a nice man, for the most part, just at times, he didn’t want to bother with conflict. She found herself curious as to how the Tavish on the battlefield was compared to the Tavis at home. She would ask Alan that later, for now she would be thankful that it looked she had a stronger companion to help her. A weight seemed to lift from her shoulders.

When he touched her face a different kind of weight settled over her. She found herself wanting to lean into it, but she refused. The young man had agreed readily that he was happy with a marriage in name only, she wouldn’t force him to suddenly consider something else, nor would she allow herself to either. After his hand left her skin, she felt a bit disconnected from him. She was surprised at that, when Tavish left she’d felt lonely, but not disconnected. Alan of Strode stood right there in front of her, hardly unapproachable.

She pocketed away her decision to ignore the touch and instead focused on the layout of the keep. The stables were clean and well kept, it was one thing she insisted on, it wasn’t hard to find the stable master. “Mr. Miles O’Grady... Betsy’s husband,” she said as she made the introductions. She allowed the two men to make acquaintance and she took a moment to move to one of the stalls.

Her eyes rested on buttermilk colored mare. She’d been a gift to her from Tavish and she rode her most mornings, this morning however she was with Alan so her morning ride would wait. She turned and saw that Miles was showing Alan where his horse had been stabled and she heard him explain that the stallion was now residing in the meadow enjoying his fill of greens along with the other horses.

She returned to their side and was about to ask Alan if he wanted to return for a meal and then a ride around the grounds when she heard the unmistakable sound of horses gathering outside. She thought of who would be visiting and she cringed. “MacMurray,” she muttered. Her eyes went to Alan’s and she sighed. “A neighbor,” she informed him. She would have told him more, explained to him how since Tavish had left, every month Duncan MacMurray made it a point to visit her, many times telling her how when her husband died, he’d be there to marry her and take care of her lands.

Honor didn’t have time to tell Alan that though. The large man, the size of huge tree, his hair long, thick and red, hung over his shoulders. His frame filled the space of the door and his lecherous grin filled his face as he roved his eyes over Honor’s form. “The lad outside says your man died Mistress Ellerby... I’m here to claim you now.”

 

[PredatorX]

Confrontation

Alan had quite a nice conversation with the stable master. He could not calculate in his head that the man was married to Betsy. He was to nice, almost to nice. Their talk was mostly about horses and that suited Alan fine. He loved horses and his grey stallion was of great breeding. He was glad that the horse was so well taken care of. It surely deserved the rest and the good grain and greens. It did not look like Alan would leave to join Bruce any time soon.

He turned to Honor with a smile as she approached them. She was just about to say something when the sound of horses gathering outside interrupted her. Her expression and tone of voice when she muttered about a neighbour named MacMurray told him that whoever the man was, she did not like him there.

Before she had the chance of telling him more the doorway was blocked by a giant of a man. Alan was quite big himself but this man was at least a head and a half higher and was built like an ox. Alan did not like MacMurray´s grin as his eyes drank in Honor´s body. Then his words of claiming her as a wife made Alan frown deeply.

Tavish had told him of the MacMurray clan. They were known as brutes who abused their servants and the poor women that married them. The MacMurray´s was very poor and Alan knew that this man was after Honor´s land. Her body was just a plus to him. At that point Alan could not tell if the lust in his eyes was because he thought of her land or her nude body underneath him. None of that was about to happen if Alan could do anything about it.

He had to think fast to get the giant out of balance. To gain some time he looks the man straight in the eyes and asks very calmly. "Who are you?" MacMurray reluctantly takes his eyes from Honor and turns his head towards Alan and spits some brown unidentified goo on the stable floor. "Duncan MacMurray, and i am here to claim my wife" His smile shows of a big gap in his front teeths. The Smile fades somewhat when Alan lays his arm around Honor´s waist and drags her body close to his own. The smile on Duncans lips don´t reach his eyes as he watches them standing together. "Why are you groping my woman?" Duncan almost snarls.

Almost smiling Alan is pleased that the man shows his temper so soon. He keeps looking the other man in the eyes as he says. "Because it is my woman to grope and not yours, and as it seems you are missinformed about the facts i will not hold the intrusion of this land against you. The fact is that Lady Ellerby is my fiancee. We are to wed tomorrow with the blessing of her late husband and Robert Bruce." He saw the anger and the failure of understanding of what was happening in Duncan´s eyes.

Alan wished he had his armour and broadword. Duncan was clad in the typical scottish outfit. The thing that scared Alan was that Duncan had a big broadsword over his back. At that moment he knew that the highlander would not accept any facts that was layed out in front of him. Duncan stared at Honor. "Come to me you wench, you do not belong to a weakling. You belong to me." He barked at her. His face was flushing red of anger and frustration. He was feeling that the situation was to much for him to handle. He was thinking of murder.

Alan hoped this would work or he knew he had to fight this man. Duncan was clearly bigger and stronger than himself. The wounded shoulder did not add in Alan´s favor either. "Honor is mine to do with as i wish." As to prove his point he turns Honor towards him and leans in to her. Kissing her cheek softly as he whisper so only she hears him. "Trust me" He then places his arms around her and draws her in for a kiss on her mouth.

.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

The kiss...

When Duncan announced his intentions toward Honor she cringed. When she heard Alan once more proclaim himself as the “soon to be” Lord of the keep she felt a smile creep across her face. Tavish had not shown the strength that this man seemed to possess. She couldn’t understand how the two men could have ever been friends, she found herself growing more curious of their relationship, but instead of Tavish she wanted to hear about Alan.

Several words were exchanged and before long Honor found her intended’s hands on her waist. Her eyes blinked rapidly as he tucked her to his side. A blush ran over her and the flutter in her stomach rolled swiftly become a large wave of nervous jitters. As she was busy absorbing and analyzing these feelings she was swept into another whirlwind of feelings.

The kiss marked her. It poured a flame of heat over her that was so thick she felt consumed by it. The shock that ran through her settled around her. Her fingers grabbed his arms and she yielded to the pressure of his mouth against her lips. She felt his tongue move to taste her lips and she shook with want. She returned the touch and when she heard the hiss of metal leaving its sheath, she felt Alan abandon her mouth.

She never got a chance to see his expression, he’d turn and shoved her behind him. Honor watched in horror as Duncan took a few steps to close the distance.

She held onto her fiance’s shirt and peaked out from behind his shoulder. “Duncan please go. I’m marrying Alan. You should leave here now. The wedding is tomorrow just like he said and The Bruce approves it. Please... go,” she pleaded with him.

 

[PredatorX]

The fight

He put every effort into the kiss. He needed it to look like it was something he and Honor had done before and not just now. The fear that she would cringe or move back from it was evident until he felt the response she gave into it. A good performance of her part he thought. The sound of a sword drawn took his attention away from Honor. Alan turned to Duncan and shoved Honor behind him.

The expression of Duncan showed of anger and murder as he advanced some steps toward them. Honors pleading did have no effect on the enraged highlander. "Who are you?" Duncan barked at Alan. Suddenly Miles stood at Alans side, with Alans broadsword in his hands. He must have ran to get the weapon as soon as he understood there might be a fight. Alan smiled his thanks and collected his much needed weapon. He turned back to Duncan. "I am Alan of Strode and if you wish this farce to continue, i am now ready." A cruel smile forms on Duncans lips as he recognises the name. "So i get to kill The Truthsayer."

Ignoring the remark Alan unsheathes his sword and throws the sheath to the side. Better get this over with. "When i am done with you i wll have my prize." With that Duncan rushes Alan with a overhead swing of his sword. Taken by surprise Alan is just barely able to avoid the blow. He stumbles to the side as the big blade swishes through where he just stood. Alan manages to raise his weapon to block another blow from the highlander. The clash of the swords feel all the way up to his right shoulder. The two men circle eachother. Looking a way through the others defence. Both are big and both are skilled.

The ache in Alans shoulder increases after each block. He feels the blood sipping through the bandage and knows that he will be tiring sooner than his adversary. Fighting both the enemy and his own pain he launches a sideway swing towards Duncans throat but the big man moves to the side and blocks the attempt with ease.

After several minutes the both men are sweaty and bloody from several minor cuts on their bodies. The strain on Alans right shoulder after the many blocks and attacks he have managed leave the arm numb. Not feeling the pain anymore is both a blessing and a curse. Duncan swings at Alans head. Alan stumbles back and parries but suddenly his feet are not connected to the ground anymore. As he falls on his back he sees Duncan approach with a grin on his face.

Alan breathes hard at the point of exhaustion and his sword have left his hands. Unable to hold on to it while he fell. He looks up to the triumphant highlander with defiance. Duncan raises his sword over his head. "To easy." He snarls just before the sword clashes down towards Alan. If it had hit him he would have been split in two. The sword hits the ground where Alan had been lying just a second earlier. Duncan growls in dissapointment just before Alans boot clad foot connects with his knee.

Having rolled to the side, avoiding the killing blow Alan had kicked out perfectly at Duncans knee. The force was enough for doing the damage needed. Crying out with pain Duncan falls forward just in front of Alan. Lashing out with his elbow against Duncan´s face Alan is rewarded with the sound of a broken nose.

The blow sends the highlander to his back, where he lays unmoving. Alan eases down on the ground and closes his eyes. His body hurts from the exersise. The only part of his body that ain´t hurting is his right shoulder and arm.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Aftermath

Honor wasn't sure what to do as the two men fought. The clanging of metal slamming against metal filled the stables and she cringed each time the two men clashed. Her eyes were riveted to Alan as he fought off the larger man. Both were skilled, but it was apparent that the wound was causing Alan more grief and it would not be long before he succumbed to Duncan's blade. Just as she thought this, it happened. Alan stumbled and Duncan could have ended his life at that moment, but Alan has quickly dispensed the Scot of the idea by catching his legs and forcing the man to the ground. In a flash that Honor can only describe as a blur Duncan lay on the ground, unconscious and Alan lay looking spent and worn out. Her eyes blinked rapidly as Miles took charge and order the MacMurray men to get their filth off of Stode's lands and to not come back unless it was to apologize to the Lady of the keep. He followed them out, leaving Honor alone with Alan.

She shook herself out of the shock of the events transpiring so quickly and rushed to Alan's side. She knelt down and cursed under her breath. She blushed at the words that spilled from her lips and she realized she'd picked up some vile habits of Miles and some of the young lads that tended the fields. She bit her lower lip and began took a small dagger from the pocket of her gown. She saw his look of questioning cross his face, but she said nothing as to why she walked around with a jeweled blade buried in her pockets. Surely he would come to his own conclusion. Duncan was an obvious reason if a woman ever needed one.

"Be still," she whispered to him. She tried to ignore the scent of him, but it seemed to envelope her. She gnawed on her lower lip as she went to work cutting away his shirt so he would not have to lift his arm to remove it. "At this rate Sir Strode you'll be left wearing my gowns. For you'll have all of Tavis' shirts cut to ribbons." She smiled down at him.

Soon the shirt lay in tatters similar to the ones that he'd come to her in. She eyed the wounds and declared them hairline and unworthy of stitches and scars. They were not deep, but she knew they were uncomfortable. What did upset her was the stretching of the stitches she'd placed just hours ago. The thread held but it did have gaps that were slowly oozing of blood. Honor sighed and stood up she lifted her skirt and ripped a clean strip of linen from her petticoat. She realized to late that she'd shown the man more thigh than she'd shown anyone besides her maid, seamstress, and her late husband. She dropped the skirt and found the blush on her cheeks once more rising to greet him.

"I'm not wanting to see you bleed to death Alan of Strode, the sooner this wedding takes place the better. MacMurray will be back." She pressed the cloth to his skin and felt the heat of his flesh beneath her fingers. "Thank you," she told him. Suddenly Honor felt uncomfortable being alone with him, what would people think, already Miles could have formed an opinion of her as the English whore his wife accused him of being.

She stood up and saw had in fact returned to the stables and Honor found herself wondering he he'd seen her lifting her skirts in front of her fiance. She cleared her throat. "Miles if you'll help his Lord into the manor I'll see to his meal." She hurried out wanting to find some cool water to calm her raging flush.

 

[PredatorX]

Thoughts of Honor

With the help of the stable master Alan was soon back at the room he was assigned in the manor. They had been quiet during the walk there. Alan had no need to speak and it seemed like Miles felt the same. The maid Alan had met earlier gave a shocked outburst when she saw his appearance. Miles gave her some quick orders to fetch some new clothes. The maid quickly obeyed as if she wanted to leave the scene. Alan could not really blame her. She had probably never seen a half naked man in his condition.

With a bow Miles left Alan alone, sitting on the bed. The feeling in his shoulder was coming back and he almost wished it hadn´t. It did not hurt as much as it did when he received it but he hoped Honor wasn´t right when she said that Duncan would be back soon. Hopefully not until he had recovered some more. The fight with the highlander had been tough and he did not wish to repeat it anytime soon.

Against his will he suddenly saw Honor´s face in his mind, followed by the image of her thigh. The arousal he experienced at the pictures in his head brought up the kiss they had shared. During that kiss he had managed to keep his body under control, barely. It was only the threat they where under that stopped him from being fooloish. That and that Honor was a good actress. He was glad that she had not turned away. Instead she had pretended to like it and her response had surely fooled Duncan.

Cursing softly he wondered how he got mixed up in this mess. A fiance he desired but couldn´t have. The prospect of celibacy was mind blowing to him. He could take care of his needs himself but that was not as entertaining as to be with a woman. He had to be a friend and protector and had to settle for that. He liked her company even as it tortured him. He layed back on the bed with a deep sigh while waiting for the maid bringing him some clothes.