Highland Queen

Chapter 47

Madelaine stared wide-eyed as we made our way through the ancient city. I led her up the stairs of the temple. When we reached the top, she stopped and looked out over the city.

“I know this place,” she whispered.

“This is the realm of the Wyrds.”

“But I know this place.”

“Once, long ago, we were all here together. In an ancient life, a forgotten life.”

Madelaine turned and looked at me. She eyed my clothes then looked down at her own hands. “Corbie.”

“Come,” I said, leading her into the temple.

She walked slowly, gazing at the broken statue of the Goddess, past the eternal flame, then to the cauldron terrace.

Guiding Madelaine, I led her to my chamber. There, Banquo slept, his arm around Aelith who was curled up at his side. Nimue rose when we entered.

“Nimue. How is he?” I asked.

She nodded. “He is well. Aching but well. Your little one just fell asleep.”

“What happened?” Madelaine asked.

“Macbeth came to Lochaber. He tried to kill Aelith, but Banquo saved her. He was injured,” I said, eyeing Nimue. We needed to say no more.

“Aelith,” Madelaine said softly. “Oh, Corbie. How beautiful she is.”

“Nimue, this is—”

“Elaine. Yes, I know. Welcome, sister. I am Nimue.”

Madelaine gave Nimue a weary smile then turned and looked at me. “Corbie, there were dispatches before the attack. Macbeth sent a rider to Lulach. I don’t know if word reached him in time.”

“I will look,” I said.

“And Macbeth?” Madelaine asked.

“He has paid for his treachery.”

Madelanie breathed a sigh of relief then nodded.

“Come with me, Elaine,” Nimue told my aunt. “There is water and fresh linens here.”

Madelaine turned and left with Nimue.

I gazed down at Banquo and Aelith.

Macbeth was gone.

Finally, we were free.

But now what? And at what cost?

I went to the cauldron terrace. When I arrived, however, I found I was not alone.

The red-robed Morrigu waited for me.

We stared at one another.

“Come,” she said. “Come and see.” Her hand danced over the cauldron.

Reluctantly, I came and stood beside her. I looked into the cauldron then watched events unfold at great speed. I saw Lulach and Fleance on the field, overtaking Siward’s army. The Northumbrian forces retreated after the attack on Dunsinane. Lulach and Fleance won the day, repelling the invaders once more.

I saw Macbeth laid to rest on the Isle of Iona.

Gripping the side of the cauldron, I watched Lulach go to Scone, the ancient crown of Moray placed on his head as he sat on the stone of destiny and was declared King of Scotland.

The Morrigu waved her hand over the surface of the cauldron. I saw the coven. There, under the limbs of a tall oak, I saw Fleance lean in and place a soft kiss on Crearwy’s lips. Blood dripped from their entwined hands where they had made their handfasting cuts.

Again, the Red Lady touched the surface of the cauldron. I saw Lulach at Dunsinane, but shadows surrounded him. Dark, evil things whispered in the corners. In the hallways, in the stairwells, I saw men talk behind my son. I saw coin change hand. Men rode away from Dunsinane to Northumbria where a fair-haired man who looked much like my father stared out the window, his angry blue eyes bent on the north.

“Prince Malcolm,” one of the shadowy men whispered. “It is arranged.”

The Morrigu touched the surface of the cauldron, and the images disappeared. “You once told me that Lulach was not beholden to me or anyone else. That his fate was his own. But is it? Has Lulach carved out his own destiny as he willed it, as he wishes?” the Morrigu aked.

I glared at her. “Of course he has.”

She touched the surface of the cauldron once more, revealing Lulach. He was alone in Birnam Wood. He had come to a ring of standing stones. He wove through them, touching each stone as he passed.

“A different world. A different life. I would give it all away in service of you.”

I covered my hand with my mouth.

“Lulach,” I whispered, reaching out to touch his reflection.

He paused. “Mother?”

I looked at the Morrigu.

With a wave of her hand, the boundaries between the words faded. I saw Lulach before me, standing between the stones. He stared at the Morrigu and me.

“My lady,” he said, inclining his head to her. He looked at me. “Mother…are you alive?”

“Yes, my son.”

“I am king now.”

I could feel the Morrigu turn and look at me. I didn’t give her the satisfaction of returning her gaze.

“Lulach, you are in great danger,” I told him.

He nodded. “I know. They will try to murder me. But isn’t it a beautiful day?” he said, motioning to the forest around him.

“Lulach…”

My heart beat hard in my chest. I could hear Lulach’s thoughts, I could read his heart. He didn’t want any of this. He didn’t want to be king. He wanted a life of service; he wanted a life with the gods. I had guided his fate. I had led him down a path of my choosing. I had picked Lulach to be king. I had not hidden him as I had Crearwy. I had forced this gentle soul into the world of men. I had seen to it that there was a crown placed on his head. For what? I had sacrificed everything; I had given up everything to secure a destiny for Lulach that he didn’t want.

I turned to the Morrigu.

“It is not an easy thing to guide people to their fate,” she told me. “But you will learn,” she said. Much to my surprise, she handed me the crown of Moray.

Taking the crown, I stepped through the gateway into the world.

The warm summer sun shone down on my face. I heard the birds call, and a soft wind swept across the forest, carrying with it the perfume of flowers, ferns, and leaves.

I closed my eyes. “I need you now,” I whispered.

The wind blew, the leaves of the trees rustling. I could hear soft whispers on the breeze.

Taking Lulach’s hand in mine, I led him to the center of the ring where there was an ancient stone altar. Moss and lichen grew on the sacred stone, nearly covering the faces that had been carved thereon. I handed the crown of Moray to Lulach.

“From this day forth, you shall be the master of your own fate. Choose, my son. Choose what life you will. You are free.”

“But…but how?”

“Walk away,” I said. “Listen to the trees, if that is your wish. Listen, and you will find the way.

Lulach looked at the crown. “If I leave, I have failed Scotland.”

“That is what I told myself too. But there are other ways to serve.”

Lulach set the crown of Moray on the altar stone.

“Mother, what about you? What will you do?”

“I am for the Wyrds, as was always intended. And Banquo is with me.”

“The Thane of Lochaber lives?”

“He does.”

“I must tell Fleance.”

“Please do,” I said then slipped off the raven torcs on my wrists. “And give these to Crearwy. Tell her they are a bridal gift from her mother,” I said, handing them to Lulach. “Tell her and Fleance to follow their hearts. That they are beholden only to one another. I free her from any obligation I ever laid upon her. I love her, and I set her free.”

Lulach flexed his brow, a move he had made a thousand times since he was born, then he nodded. “And Aelith?”

“You will see her soon.”

Lulach nodded. “Thank you, Mother.”

A horse whinnied. Lulach and I turned to see Arden, the priestess from Birnam grove, there.

“Go, my son. The green calls you.”

Lulach looked at Arden, a curious expression on his face. He turned back to me. “I love you, Mother.”

“I love you too,” I whispered, then closed my eyes and willed my spirit onward.

A moment later, I found myself standing beside a brook. Water fell gently into a pool at its base. The surface of the water rippled as a fey thing bobbed on the frothy waves. Grinning mischievously, Sid splashed water at me. She laughed when the droplets passed through me.

“Well, finally did it, eh?” she said.

“Did what?”

“Became the raven.”

“Yes.”

She nodded then dunked under the water. After a moment, she broke the surface once more, gasping for breath. She pushed her hair away from her face. “I hate that city of yours. It’s too dark,” she said with a frown. “But I suppose I’ll come anyway.”

“Good. Otherwise, I’d have to force you there. But, Sid, I need your help. I must bring—”

“Mad Elaine. I know. We’ve been waiting for her. Our ninth will return to us once more but this time as the crone. Tell her to come when she is ready.”

“I will. I don’t know yet what we will do about Aelith.”

Sid shrugged. “The answer will come to you in time, raven beak.”

“Sid,” I said with a shake of my head. She could make light of the most serious matters.

She grinned wickedly at me. “Now go away, and no spying on me through that cauldron of yours.”

I laughed. “I love you, Sid.”

“I love you too. Now, go run away with Banquo,” Sid called then disappeared under the water once more.

Laughing, I closed my eyes.

My body swooned, and once again, I found myself standing at the cauldron terrace. I breathed in the heavy scent of wisteria. A strange sense of peace came over me.

“Cerridwen?” Banquo called.

“Coming. I’m coming,” I said then turned and left it all behind.