Child of the Mist

I started reading CHILD OF THE MISTS, by Kathleen Morgan, the other day.

 

I have been enchanted by Scottish brogue and images of the beautiful landscape every since.

 

I mean, seriously, look at this place ...

 

It's right out of a fairy tale!

 

Ok, I admit my enchantment with Scotland is entirely romantic, as I have never been there, but I have been next-door in England, and across the waters in Ireland.  I have to say, that is some of the most beautiful country I've ever seen.

 

And with scenery like this, who wouldn't be inspired?

 

Well enough talking.  There's your prompt for the week.  Enjoy!

***All pictures stolen from Google Images: Scotland***

And one more, just for fun!

 

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My response:

"Well, it's a fine little lad!" the old woman crooned as Lady Anne's moaning came to an end.  "A lad to grow and take his Da's place one day!"

Silence dropped over the birthing room, from the serving girls standing ready to the Lady herself, lying prone on the bed.  Not a breath stirred the air.

Lady Anne's matronly sister, Erin, broke the silence.  "God grant he may."

Lady Anne reached up to Erin's elbow.  "Please, Erin, is there any news?"

Erin turned a grim face to Anne, wiped the sweat from her brow with a practiced sweep of her cloth, and sighed.  "I don't know what men fear more - having an army outside the castle walls or a woman in the birthing room.  We've not heard anything, but I will find out for you what I can."

Erin dropped her rag on the pillow by Anne's head and moved quickly across the room, slipping out the door.  She closed the heavy door behind her, then a chill ran down her back.  Lady Anne had gone into labor nearly a half a day ago, in the evening, when MacDuffle's army showed up outside the castle gates.  Since then, they hadn't had any news.  The men folk of the castle had better things to worry about.

Erin scanned up and down the hallway.  For all she knew, the walls had fallen, and McDuffle's men were already roaming the hallways, though if they were, their first stop would have been to find Lady Anne.  Lady Anne's husband, Gregor Cambell, had grown old and waited long for a wife to bear him a son.  His first two wives had died in childbirth, taking their small sons with them.  He had sworn off marriage until his steward warned him that having an heir was the only hope for a peaceful succession.  Lady Anne was too young for him by far, but their alliance joined two houses, and now, Gregor Cambell had a son.

Erin slipped noiselessly through the hallways and out the front door of the castle.  She expected to hear the sounds of battle, clanging metal, shouting, but only distant, muffled thudding came to her ears.  Men stood watch on the walls of the castle.  At least her first question was answered.  The MacDuffles had not breached the wall, at least.

Erin strode forward and climbed the stairs.  Gregor's brother, Roden, met her at the top.  His face was set in a frown, and he limped towards her like a bear towards a deer.  Even with the wound he took yesterday, Erin knew Roden would prefer to be on the field of battle.

Up on the top of the wall, Erin could hear the battle.  Still, it wasn't as loud as she'd expected.  The thick mists muffled the clang of steel on steel, and the men were too weary to continue their full throated battle cries.  Grunting and panting, they continued their struggle.

Roden stared into Erin's eyes.  "Well, Lass, what news have ye?  Tells us straight!"

Erin shivered in the cold.  She hadn't bothered to put on her cloak, and her velvet dress alone wasn't enough to ward off the Highland chill.  "It's a lad, Roden, a strong little lad."

The words were barely out of her mouth when Roden opened his.  A roar echoed above the wall and over the green hills.  "Hail, Gregor Cambell, and hail his new-born SON!"

The men around them on the wall picked up the cry, and it moved forward, into the battle, as each man repeated it in turn.  Roden's laughter followed it through the mists.  The news was like a potion, infusing each man with strength and vigor.  The fighting resumed, but even Erin could see the change that had taken place.  I didn't surprise her at all, two hours later, when Gregor Cambell himself came to the birthing room to announce their victory ... and to see his new son.