The Empire and the Wolf King (Kaitlyn and the Highlander #21)

62. Chapter 62 - Kaitlyn

CHAPTER 62 - KAITLYN

I glanced over at Lady Mairead. Her face was ashen, staring at the four men as they launched into a song, accompanied by the musician, with their mugs of ale held up. Their other arms were around each other, swaying. The song went like this:

Frae the ancient line o’ kings, standin’ so tall,

With wolf’s heart and courage, he answered the call.

His eyes like the moon on a winter’s night,

His howl tae battle, fierce in the fight.

High upon Highlands and low upon Tay,

The Wolf King Archibald rode out on a day.

Fightin’ with Wallace, tae battle rode he,

Home cam’ his good horse, but never cam’ he.

Saddled and booted and bridled rode he,

The Wolf King Archibald, crossbow at his knee.

But home came his saddle, all bloody tae see,

Home cam’ his good horse, but never came he.

Lady Mairead joined them, standing between Magnus and Fraoch with her glass raised. She sang along.

Down came his family, learnin’ o’ his win,

Taegether they wept for the end o’ their kin.

His name in the Highlands will echo so far,

A legend reborn, under Scottish star.

High upon Highlands and low upon Tay,

The Wolf King Archibald rode out on a day.

Saddled and bridled, so bonny rode he,

Home cam’ his good horse, but never cam’ he.

High upon Highlands and low upon Tay,

The Wolf King Archibald rode out on a day.

His spirit still wanders where once he did roam,

In tales and in hearts, he will never be gone.

We applauded and cheered, as Lady Mairead returned and sank into her chair. Wilfrey put his arm around her and gave her a hug.

The men returned to their seats. Magnus asked, “Lady Mairead, tis the story of Archibald, our Archibald?”

“Aye,” she dabbed at her eyes with a napkin. “I ought tae hae known he would pass centuries before now, but I dinna want tae look.”

Lochinvar said, “We must look on the bright side, he gained an epic poem that is sung through the ages.”

Fraoch raised his glass. “Aye, and daena stop me, Og Maggy, tis my turn tae ramble on makin’ a toast… Tae Archibald, who came tae be known as the Wolf King, and saved us from some fate that we canna know because we hae been kept from the grief, we sing a song tae him tae tell of his story: High upon Highlands and low upon Tay, the Wolf King Archibald rode out on a day… his spirit still wanders where once he did roam, in tales and in hearts, he will never be gone.”

We all raised our glasses and Magnus said, “Slàinte!” And we all drank.

Then Lady Mairead stood, her head high. “Thank ye, children, for yer witnessing of our wedding, it means a great deal tae me. We will retire tae our room now.”

Wilfrey put out his arm and she took it and they walked from the room, her head held high and stately, but there had been a tremor to her voice, belying her grief underneath.