Highland Queen

Chapter 10

Having Thorfinn at court changed the tone of everything. Scone had felt stifling. Coupled with the gloom of not knowing what had happened to Tavis, I was glad Thorfinn had come. Madelaine smiled and treated all the visiting lords and ladies with utter kindness, but her eyes remained haunted. Add to that Injibjorg’s startling proclamation had my world feeling like it was spinning off its axis.

That night, the Northmen brought joy and laughter to the feasting hall. While I worried for Tavis and prayed to the Goddess for his safe return, I couldn’t help but be moved by the Northmen’s merriment. Was I really with child? Banquo’s child? It was almost too much to hope.

“I dare say,” Fife, who had been seated next to me, said, “that Jarl Thorfinn is a man much maligned by his own reputation. He’s quite the jolly chap.”

As kind as Fife’s words were, he too eyed the Northmen warily.

“So he is. Though I suspect he’s as fierce in battle as he is determined in mirth.”

“Which makes him all the more dangerous,” Fife said with a chuckle. His eyes drifted to Madelaine who was talking with Lady Lennox. Madelaine smiled, but her stare was vacant. “Has there been any word?” Fife whispered to me.

I shook my head. “We expect news at any time.”

“She paced all night long, half awake, half asleep. I am an old man, but I am not a blind man. Tavis has been a loyal companion to her. Do you think… Should I take her back to Fife?”

I shook my head. “She won’t go. I’ve already suggested it. She will stay here until there is news.”

Fife sighed. “I love your aunt dearly. I hate to see her in such a state.”

“That is very generous of you, sir. All things considered.”

Fife laughed then patted his over-round belly. “She has been very generous, all things considered. A fine woman, your aunt. She has told me, somewhat, of her life with Allister,” he said then coughed uncomfortably. “Malcolm should have taken better care of his sister.”

“Malcolm was not one to concern himself with the well-being of his siblings. Ask my father.”

Fife huffed a laugh. “No truer words spoken, Lady Gruoch,” he said then clinked his glass against mine.

“Fife, will you join us for hunting?” the Mormaer of Lennox called to him, taking his attention away.

I looked around the table. Macbeth was deep in conversation with Thorfinn and Injibjorg, the Northmen laughing and talking amongst themselves. I turned to Banquo who was sitting diagonally from me. His hand rested on his mouth, and he was studying me carefully. He had a thoughtful expression on his face.

I laughed lightly. “You look far too serious. Should I call for someone to refill your cup?”

He shook his head, his expression softening. “No.”

“Something troubling you?”

“Trouble is an interesting word.”

“You riddle, druid.”

“Yes,” he replied with a wink. He lifted his cup and took a drink.

“Banquo,” Thorfinn called to him. “You must sail back with me. We will go to Norway and help Magnus prepare to make war against Denmark. The Macbeths will keep Scotland quiet.”

“It’s been too long since I was in Lochaber,” Banquo said. “I shall leave the fighting to you.”

Thorfinn laughed. “Banquo’s bones are weary. You’ve worn him down, Macbeth.”

“Him? Nothing ever wears him down. No matter what, he is persistent in whatever course he chooses, to a fault,” Macbeth said, his voice hard.

“Aren’t we all,” Banquo replied, giving Macbeth a disinterested glance.

“Then bring Fleance in the spring,” Thorfinn told Banquo. “And Lady Gruoch will send Lulach. I’ll teach those boys the ways of the sea and shield.”

At that, Madelaine scoffed. “Do you think I’ll let my nephew run wild with you, Jarl Thorfinn?”

“Lady Madelaine,” Thorfinn said, eyeing my aunt over great intensity. Thorfinn stroked his long beard as he considered her. “I see that Lady Gruoch’s beauty is common in her family line.”

Madelaine grinned wickedly. “Not so. My brother Malcolm was quite hideous.”

At that, Thorfinn chuckled.

“Lulach will soon join Gruoch and me at court,” Macbeth said. “He was sent away for safekeeping until the war was over. But soon, I’ll have my son by my side again.”

At that, Madelaine stilled. She glanced at me.

I lifted my cup and drank, not daring to look at Macbeth. I wouldn’t fall for whatever traps he sought to set for me. He didn’t know where Lulach was, and he would not know. Not now. Not until I willed it.

The conversation around us faltered as everyone sensed the tension in the air.

For once, I had to thank the Lord, because it was at that moment that Bishop Lawrence cleared his throat to say, “My king, the processional is planned for eleven in the morning. Everything is ready, if that pleases you.”

“It does,” Macbeth said. He lifted his cup and reached down the table to clink it against that of the bishop. “It pleases me to no end. And you, Lady Gruoch,” Macbeth called. “Does it please you as well?”

I turned and looked at him.

Macbeth’s blue eyes were wide, a wild gleam therein. He grinned, and I could see the muscles under his eyes twitching.

“Of course she is pleased,” Thorfinn interjected on my behalf. “Who would not be pleased to be queen of this great land? A toast, to King Macbeth and Queen Gruoch,” Thorfinn called loudly, lifting his tankard.

“To King Macbeth and Queen Gruoch,” the crowd echoed.

“Long may they reign,” Thorfinn added then drank. But when he did so, his eyes met mine over the top of his tankard. He, too, had seen the mad sheen. Thorfinn’s eyes held a warning.

The dinner seemed to stretch on forever. While the Northmen, Thorfinn, and Macbeth were still celebrating, the rest of the company had disbanded. Banquo walked me back to my chamber.

“So, what had you looking so worried?” I asked Banquo.

He shook his head. “These days, I see visions, this time and the future overlapped. It’s hard to make meaning of it all.”

“Maybe I can help. What are you trying to make meaning of?”

Banquo smiled lightly. “Who can say for sure?”

“You remind me of someone.”

“Who?”

“An ancient thing who riddles like yourself.”

“The Wyrds.”

I nodded.

He shrugged. “Everything is too muddled. If I understood, I wouldn’t hesitate to tell you.”

What had he seen? Did he have an inkling of what Injibjorg told me? I wanted so desperately to tell him, but now was not the time. I wanted to tell Banquo when and where the moment could belong to us alone—as it should.

“Speaking of news. Anything about Tavis?” I asked.

Banquo shook his head. “No. No one’s returned yet.”

“And do you sense anything?”

“Not anything good.”

“As I feared. Tavis is like a father to me.”

“And dear to your aunt. I can only hope the gods, too, care for him.” Banquo flicked an eye behind us where my guard followed a safe distance away. “I like how dedicated your men are to your safety, but I can’t even steal a kiss with them around.”

I chuckled. “I’m sorry.”

“I believe that dark-haired guard of yours is in love with you,” he said, motioning with his chin to Killian who was standing just outside my chamber door.

“Are you jealous?”

“Of course.”

“Good.”

Banquo chuckled. “I won’t see you in the morning. Not until Moot Hill.”

I nodded.

“Cerridwen,” he said in a whisper. “I am so proud of you.”

I took his hand and squeezed it. “Thank you.”

He returned the gesture. “I will see you tomorrow, Queen Gruoch.”

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Sighing, I let Banquo go. Emotions washed over me—from frustration to joy to worry—but I was too tired to master any of them. More than anything else, I wanted to sleep.

Once I was in the chamber, Tira and Rhona helped me redress into my nightclothes. I was just settling in when there was a knock on the outer door.

“I’ll go see,” Rhona said.

A moment later, she returned with Madelaine.

“Rhona, Tira, will you give us a moment?” Madelaine asked.

The maids nodded then left us alone.

I moved to get up, but Madelaine motioned for me to stay in bed. “Rest. You look very weary, Gruoch.”

“That I am.”

“Gruoch, you must not let Lulach come into Macbeth’s reach again. At dinner, he said—”

“He lied. He doesn’t know where Lulach is. He will never come close to my boy again.”

“Thank the Great Mother. I saw that odd spark behind his eyes.”

“He is unwell, mad in fits and starts. He can’t be trusted.”

“Oh, my Corbie. What will you do?”

“When the coronation is done, I will return with you and Fife. I will see Crearwy and speak to Epona. Some things are not clear to me. I need her advice.”

“And then?”

“And then, I will see. I may have to join Macbeth in Glamis. I don’t know.” The truth was, if what Injibjorg said was true, then much was in upheaval.

“What about Banquo? Will he really return to Lochaber?”

“I don’t know.”

“All is uncertainty. There is no news on Tavis?”

“No. I’m sorry.”

Madelaine wrung her hands together. “I can’t stand it,” she whispered.

“If there is no news by the time the coronation is done, we will all ride to your keep together.”

She nodded. “I’m sure he’s fine,” she said, putting on a brave face, but I saw her chin tremor. “Now, you must rest, my dear. Tomorrow, we will see you crowned queen.”

“As the goddess wills.”

Madelaine rose, kissed my cheek, and then set a loving hand on my head, stroking my hair. “As the goddess wills. Goodnight, little raven.”

“Goodnight.”

She kissed my cheek once more then left me alone.

I closed my eyes. Under my blankets, I shifted my hands to my stomach. Was I with child again? I couldn’t remember when my courses had last come upon me. They hadn’t since Banquo’s return that I could remember. Was Injibjorg right?

“Andraste,” I whispered into the darkness. “What trouble are you stirring up?”

But there was no reply.

And a moment later, I was lost to dreams.