Chapter Ten
“Beware the heady power of the moonlight. Her radiance will shelter any who walk in her glow.”
Entering the kitchens, Ailsa halted and inhaled the aroma of fresh baked bread. She took in the scene with all the women present. Fiona and Brigid were kneading dough. Aileen stood on a stool in an attempt to hang herbs for drying, and Deirdre was chopping vegetables and waving a knife about as she spoke. Their cook Delia clucked her tongue in displeasure as she surveyed the women, and then turned her attention to a pot over the fire.
“Be careful, Aileen,” chided Deirdre. “Stephen won’t be pleased if he hears you’ve fallen off again.”
Aileen gave her a warning. “Just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean I’m fragile. If you utter one word, I’ll slice out your tongue with the knife you’re wielding.”
Deirdre laughed. “You can try, but we all know I’m more accomplished with blades.”
“You’re wicked. It’s only a small stool. Do you want to hang the herbs?”
“I told you I would, so get down from there.” She tossed a mushroom into her mouth.
“Let me hang them,” suggested Ailsa walking fully inside the cozy kitchen.
All movement ceased. The only sound was the snap of flames from the fire.
“You are a guest, Lady Ailsa,” stated Fiona, wiping her hands on her smock.
Her shoulders slumped. “Please give me something to do. I believe I have rested enough. I can move more freely. Moreover, I believe Brigid has told ye that we have spoken about where ye have traveled from, so ye can speak more freely around me.”
Aileen smiled at her and stepped down from the stool. “Only if you promise to rest before the evening meal. You might think you’re healed, but trust me, your body will be aching for rest by the end of the day.”
Ailsa waved the woman off. “A walk within the grounds will not tire me.”
“No, but if we put you to work in the kitchens, you will be.”
Ailsa grimaced in good humor. “Then I give ye my promise to retire to my chamber when I am done here.”
The woman winked at her and handed her the herbs. “If you would be so kind, I need all these placed on the pegs.” Aileen then pointed to the stack neatly tied together in bundles on the wooden table.
“I will not require the stool,” confessed Ailsa.
“Didn’t think you would, since you’re taller than all of the women here,” teased Aileen who moved past her to pick up the baskets on the floor.
“There’s more vegetables to be chopped,” suggested Deirdre, giving her a smile. Walking over to her, she draped a smock over her head and tied the sides for Ailsa.
“Thank ye.” Ailsa gathered the bundles and proceeded to hang the fragrant herbs. “The bread smells delicious.”
“Oh, my,” uttered Brigid. “Did you not break your fast earlier? I thought to send a tray up to your chamber, but assumed you would like to eat in the Great Hall.”
Turning around, Ailsa smiled warmly at the woman. “Aye. Tam made sure I ate fully before I ventured out with my father this morn. I have never eaten such grand fare before.”
Brigid punched the dough down. “Our men have hearty appetites.”
“For everything, and I don’t mean food,” added Fiona and snickered.
“Face is flushed, Fiona. We can always tell when you and Alastair—”
“Hush, Deirdre!” she hissed out. “We have a guest.”
Ailsa rolled her eyes. “Dinnae worry thus with me. I work alongside the women on our isle. In the kitchens, training, and in the fields. Although there are times when I have ventured out onto the sea with my father and a few of his men to catch fish for our people.” She sighed and leaned against the table. “’Tis a glorious sight to be on the ocean. Ye can almost catch a sense of freedom while on the water.”
“Your island sounds wonderful,” stated Fiona. “Desmond is the only one in our family with a love for the sea. My other brothers and I prefer to keep our feet on solid ground.”
“Ye have other brothers?” asked Ailsa hanging up the rest of the bundles.
Fiona dusted her hands off. Striding over to the other side of the table, she sliced into a loaf of bread Delia had removed from the oven. Taking another knife, she smeared honey over the top and held it out to her. “I have two other brothers—Niall, our leader, and Brian.”
“What are they like?” asked Ailsa, taking the offered food.
A thoughtful smile curved her lips. “In comparison to Desmond?”
Ailsa concentrated on eating the warm, delectable bread. “Aye.”
“Niall is a great leader. Strong, dependable, fair, and loving. The people have a great amount of respect for him. Brian is…” she paused and tapped her foot. “He is a true mediator—with men and women. However, Desmond is the quiet one. He loves the sea, horses, and has a restless spirit.”
Ailsa glanced up. “Why?” she asked softly, wanting to understand him more.
Sighing, Fiona stepped closer. “I am getting to know my brother. After a battle was fought in our village—one where our parents died, I was taken away for my safety. I was dreadfully young. We were not reunited until a few years ago.”
She wanted to ask more questions, but realized it would merely draw attention to her. Aye, she was curious about the man, but thought it best to end this particular conversation. “I am sorry for the loss of your parents.”
Fiona placed a protective hand over her abdomen. “As am I. However, my journey has led me to the man I was destined to be with. Therefore, through all the pain and loss, I had to find Alastair. In addition, I found my brothers again.”
“Ye are a strong woman, Lady Fiona,” she uttered softly.
The woman touched her arm. “Please, call me Fiona.”
Smiling, Ailsa nodded. Licking the stickiness of the honey from her fingers, she was unprepared for the assault of two children as they came running into the kitchens with one holding a wooden sword.
“Give it back ye thief!” shouted the young lad.
The lass taunted the boy. “Nae. My turn.”
“Now!” he demanded, his eyes turning colors right before Ailsa.
Ailsa watched the scene unfold as the two apparent twins, though one dark and the other fair-haired, battled over a sword.
He lunged for his sister, causing them both to tumble onto the floor.
“For the love of the Goddess, stop!” ordered Aileen, wiping her hands off and storming over to the fighting children.
“Must be the oncoming power of the full moon madness,” announced Brigid, as she placed her bread into a bowl.
“Won’t be full for several more days,” corrected Aileen.
Removing the sword from the lass, she pulled the two children apart. Tossing it onto the table, she brought them over to a bench. “Why did you take Aidan’s sword, Margaret?”
The lass lifted her head. “’Tis my turn, Mama.”
Aileen gave her a piercing look. “But it’s not your sword. Did not Uncle Alastair make one for you?”
Her lip trembled, but her gaze never wavered. “I lost it,” she whispered.
Aileen wiped a stray curl aside. “How?”
The girl pointed to the boy. “Ask Aidan.”
The lad giggled. “In the water.”
Frowning, Aileen asked, “Please tell me you did not wander down to the loch?”
Aidan lowered his head, his golden locks falling forward. “Nae, Mama.”
“He made the water come to him,” whispered Margaret. “Then it took my sword away.”
The lad glanced sharply at his sister, but kept silent.
“Sweet Mother Danu,” uttered Aileen softly. She cupped her son’s face, forcing him to meet her eyes. “Do you understand what you did was wrong, Aidan?”
Shrugging, he replied, “But it called to me.”
“Nevertheless, it was wrong. Your father has spoken to you before, Aidan. I can see you did not listen, or did not understand his words.”
The lad raised his head. “Are ye going to punish me?”
“Your father will consider what is best.”
His eyes grew wide. “I promise never to call the water again.”
“That is not why I am upset, Aidan. You used it for the wrong reason.” Standing, she held out her hand to him. “Let us go seek out your father.”
“Aye, Mama,” he grumbled, taking her hand.
Aileen turned toward Margaret. “And just because your brother rid you of your sword does not mean you can take his.”
Margaret nodded and reached for the sword off the table. “I am sorry, Aidan. Here.”
Snatching the sword from her daughter’s hand, she placed it back on the table. “It shall remain here until after Aidan speaks with your father.”
“Then I will watch over it for him,” she pronounced.
Aileen rolled her eyes and turned toward Ailsa. “Forgive my children. As you may have heard, this is Aidan and Margaret.” She turned to the children, “Lady Ailsa is our guest at Urquhart for the Midwinter season, so let us show her our manners.”
Aidan made a bow. “Greetings, Lady Ailsa.”
Margaret hopped off the bench. “Ye are pretty, Lady Ailsa.”
“Yes, she is pretty,” agreed Aileen and added, “But that is not how we greet a guest.”
The lass made a short curtsy. “Greetings, Lady Ailsa.”
Trying her best not to burst out in laughter, she smiled fully. Crouching down next to them, she took each of their hands into hers. “I thank ye for the welcome. Please call me Ailsa.”
Margaret looked up at her mother. “She is pretty and nice.”
Aileen smiled and softly replied, “Yes, she is.”
All heads turned as loud shouting erupted from outside the kitchens. Instantly, Desmond darted inside with a laughing child within his arms and a wolfhound trailing behind them.
“And the hero, Cuchulainn unleashed the hounds on his enemy, forcing his foe to remain standing on the hill,” Desmond uttered in a firm voice, swinging the young child high in the air.
“Hells bells,” muttered Brigid smiling.
Ailsa stood slowly. This man was a different person. His hair fell across his forehead, giving him a younger and untroubled look. The boy patted his uncle’s cheeks tenderly. Desmond caught her gaze and gave her a lopsided smile. Suppressing her own merriment, she cupped a hand over her mouth.
“Goodness, Desmond. Must you tell him fighting stories? The babe is barely sixteen months,” his sister chided.
Handing the squirming babe to Fiona, he shrugged. “Ye ken he likes my tales. Helps to soothe the beast within. Yet, he favors the ones with animals, too.”
“He appears older,” observed Ailsa. Reaching outward, she tousled the child’s dark curly locks.
“All the children look older than their years,” replied Fiona. “They walk at an early age, talk, and show signs of their powers.” She nodded toward Aidan. “As you witnessed with the twins.”
“A marvel,” murmured Ailsa.
“You wouldn’t think so when they’re throwing a fit.” She placed a kiss on her son’s cheek. “This one has been known to rattle a room with his power of the land.”
“And don’t forget when we found him in the Great Hall with all the horses,” added Deirdre.
“Truly?” asked Ailsa.
Fiona laughed. “Yes. He can speak with all animals. His gift is more enhanced, since I carry the gift, too.” She pointed a finger at Deirdre. “But her son, Alexander, has the power of fire and has singed a few of us in a fit of anger.”
“It will take prayers and patience to keep Urquhart from crashing or burning to the ground while trying to raise these Dragon Knights,” uttered Deirdre. “At least we have no worries with Margaret, our wee healer in training. Or the older ones—Nell and Finn who are Brigid and Duncan’s children. They show no signs of creating havoc.”
“Would you like to hold Hugh? I want to finish my bread,” asked Fiona.
Smiling, Ailsa nodded and reached for the babe. Instantly, he grabbed one of her braids and started to play.
“No, Hugh. Do not pull so hard,” ordered Fiona and placed a reassuring hand over his chubby one.
“’Tis fine. He is happy,” said Ailsa. Staring into his green eyes, she made a face. The babe let out a chuckle and promptly shoved her braid into his mouth.
Desmond roared with laughter and pulled the end free. “Ye will find nae pleasure in eating her hair, wee Hugh.”
“Mama, can I fetch his toy to chew on?” asked Margaret.
“Yes, dearest,” replied Aileen, making her way out of the kitchens.
Ailsa chuckled and moved to the bench away from the others. “He is charming.”
“Aye, when he is in a good mood.” Desmond leaned back against the table.
She cast him a sideways glance. “Are ye saying ye fear the babe?”
“Nae,” he uttered softly, placing a gentle hand on Hugh’s back. “I only fear the battle ahead he faces with his own beast that dwells inside.”
“He has strong kin here. They will assist him.” Ailsa bounced the babe on her knee.
Desmond bent and placed a kiss on Hugh’s head. “Aye, along with the O’Quinlan clan. He has calmed being in your arms. Do ye like children?”
Ailsa’s face heated as she gazed into Desmond’s eyes. She had never shared her longing to have children. Not even with her mother. How could one profess wanting children, but find it difficult in finding the right man? Sadness filled her, recalling her father’s vow to see her married upon their return. She sighed. “Aye. I like them.”
Smiling, he rose from the bench. “Ye will make a good mother one day, Ailsa.”
Her heart pounded as she watched Desmond walk out of the kitchens. She could not fathom the ache within her, but in her heart, Ailsa would not settle for anyone. It was all for love or naught. She would fight her father until her last breath.
Fiona wandered over and placed an arm on her shoulder. “I have found my brother is quite fond of children. Our brother Brian boasted that once Desmond stated he wished to have as many as ten bairns.”
Ailsa gaped at the women. Did she not profess the same under a full moon when she was young? She snapped her gaze back at the entrance to the kitchens. “Goddess help the woman he marries. Especially if they are all girls.”
“Most definitely, since they will have him tied in knots with constant worry.”
Both women burst out in laughter.