Chapter Five
-ASTRID-
After staring at the clothing I was to wear today for King Alexander’s arrival for longer than I should have, I slipped into the bath that had been prepared for me, not surprised when several servants came in to help me get ready.
I was to be presented as the chieftain’s bride-to-be, so I should look the part.
Yet I couldn’t help but stare longingly at my trunk in the corner. Could not help envisioning the shield and blade my parents had presented to me in my youth, nor forget the battles I fought alongside my tribe and sisters, Tove and Freya.
When Lachlann's servants replaced my white bear fur cloak with the blue and green Mackay tartan wrapped over my shoulder, tucked here and there in my lovely blue linen dress, I felt my past and the people in it slipping away.
My long, honey blond locks were no longer intricately braided but loose and flowing around my shoulders, and I felt separated from all I knew in a way I hadn’t up to this moment.
Yet at the same time, I felt part of something I was growing to love just as much, having known these Scots for over a year now, and a sense of belonging most of them had long tried to make me feel. But I hadn’t until now.
By the time I made my way belowstairs, the king was arriving, so I headed outside. Despite having been here for a while now, I had yet to meet the Scottish king and found myself eager when most in my position would be fearful.
Not I, though.
Despite my heart hammering into my throat, I felt no fear when my talisman warmed against my chest. Nor did I feel any fear when Lachlann and Declan fell in on either side of me in the courtyard, as a retinue of men rode into a courtyard of admiring clans folk.
Regardless of my anticipation, I didn’t miss how Declan’s gaze lingered on me for a moment in admiration before he seemed to tear his gaze away and focus on the here and now. Tear his gaze away, despite how much I found disquieting comfort in it when I should not.
My attention went first to Gustav, who had become a friend when last in this area, only to find his gaze on me as well.
While not as handsome as Declan, he was pleasing enough to look upon with his bluish-green eyes and longish ebony hair.
Then, to be expected, I was drawn to who could only be King Alexander as he swung down from his horse, clearly every inch a warrior despite his esteemed status.
With a shock of reddish blond hair and astute, dark brown eyes, he was younger than I expected, perhaps five years my junior, with even features.
His gaze swept over the area before homing in on Lachlann.
While I suspected it was something he rarely did, he smiled warmly and embraced the Mackay chieftain as if greeting a long-lost friend.
“’Tis bloody good to see you, my friend,” Lachlann exclaimed before holding the King of Scotland at arm’s length and looking him over fondly. “It has been too long. You have been sorely missed in these parts.”
It became clear to me in that moment just how far Lachlann had gone in allowing Soren under his roof.
How much of a risk he’d taken allowing me to heal my kin and Alexander’s enemy, then kept it from him.
More than that, I realized just how much danger I was truly in, yet saw it flicker in Declan’s gaze after the king greeted him in kind, and then Alexander was introduced to me.
“I have heard of you, Astrid Helvig,” Alexander said, his expression hard to read as he nodded hello and took in my appearance. “You are younger and more beautiful than I expected, given your start in life.”
While I knew I should greet him more meekly, I found a bit of the woman my parents first raised me to be surface and answered in kind, albeit graciously enough for Lachlann’s sake. “And you are younger than I expected, yet just as noble in bearing as I have heard.”
I knew he had become king at the tender age of seven and held his own one way or another since then, so my words should ring true.
Or so I assumed when he offered me a warm enough smile and took in my attire.
“Thank you, lass.” He glanced from Declan to me.
“So should I assume you are a Mackay now?” His voice took on a slightly strained octave.
“That my good friend Declan, who is like a brother to me, took himself a Norwegian bride without my even being invited to the ceremony?”
“I didnae, my liege,” Declan answered in kind. “Astrid is to marry my father and would favor your blessing whilst you visit.”
Alexander looked at Lachlann in surprise. “Truly, then? You mean to finally remarry and to a Norsewoman, no less?” He glanced from me back to Lachlann, curious if not amused. “One half your age, at that.”
“I do,” Lachlann said quite seriously, slipping his hand into mine affectionately.
“I have been alone for far too long and in need of company. Astrid has become a much-welcome part of the Mackay clan and a good friend, so aye, we shall marry with your blessing, I hope, my king.” Lachlann squeezed my hand, lending me not just comfort but much-needed strength. “’Twould mean a great deal to us both.”
Alexander seemed to weigh Lachlann’s every word and interaction with me, speaking to a man wiser than his years and just as wary, before glancing at Gustav when he joined us.
“This is her, aye? The Astrid Helvig you speak so highly of? Daughter of Earl Bj?rn Helvig and fierce shield-maiden of the north?” He took in my lack of weapons.
“Better still, she who laid down her shield and blade so that she might bring peace betwixt the Norse and our countrymen in these parts?”
There was no need to glance at Declan to feel him tense at my side.
“Aye.” Gustav glanced from Lachlann to me with a warm enough smile despite the confusion flickering in his gaze at this turn of events. “’Tis verra much her and none are kinder, or more talented at healing, my liege. She is just what you seek, if Laird Mackay allows it, of course.”
“Allows what?” Declan said, clearly speaking out of turn, given the look Lachlann shot him.
Alexander perked his eyebrows and looked from Declan to Lachlann curiously, but didn’t comment on Declan’s outburst. Instead, he took in the darkening storm clouds in the distance before his gaze returned to Lachlann, and he gestured at Mackay Castle.
“Let us speak of it and more over a wee dram in your warm castle, aye?
‘Twould do my men and me good to enjoy an eve of fine whisky and good food with friends and fellow countrymen.”
“Aye, my king, by all means.” Lachlann urged Alexander and Gustav to join us as we made our way up the front stairs. “A fine fare has already been prepared for your arrival.”
“Verra good,” Alexander said. “First, though, mayhap a wee dram or two alone in your study so that we might talk, just you and me, along with Gustav and Declan?” His eyes met mine. “And without doubt, you, Astrid, as you are crucial to this discussion, indeed.”
I did my best to smile warmly and nod despite the chills racing up my spine at his rather stern look. How much did he know? Based on the rapid heating of my talisman, I feared too much, but what choice did I have but to agree?
What choice did any of us have?
Yet as we made our way to Lachlann’s study off the main hall, my fear wasn’t for myself but very much for Lachlann and Declan. Neither deserved the king’s wrath nor to be branded traitors, even though some might say they were, however minor the infraction, in my opinion.
Either way, we proceeded on cordially enough, the king greeting many along the way, looking forward to dining with them soon, and we gathered in Lachlann’s study shortly thereafter.
Having been prepared ahead of time for just such a possibility, considering this was a royal visit and they might very likely speak politics in private, a fire crackled on the hearth, and whisky was available along with tasty bits to snack upon.
Lachlann’s study was a pleasant, warm room, furnished with well-worn brown leather and adorned with age-old portraits of his and Declan’s ancestors, wearing their clan colors, speaking to a long, proud lineage on Scotland’s western shores.
Rather than sit, the king stood with his back to the fire and accepted a cup of whisky from a servant along with the rest of us before waiting until we were alone and speaking.
Moreover, he shared things that made me even more tense.
“Rumor has it, Norway’s King Hákon has settled in the Orkneys and mayhap intends to overwinter there before trying to breach our shores again.
” Alexander’s gaze settled on me, where I sat on the sofa.
Lachlann sat to my right, and Declan leaned against his father’s sizeable desk to my left.
“Rumor also has it you grew up around your king and might have some insight into his next move.”
“I met him twice in my youth, King Alexander,” I corrected. “And ‘twas many years ago, so I fear I cannot be of much help.”
Alexander eyed me for a moment, again striking me as older than his years, before he got to the crux of why he was really here.
“Be that as it may, it has also come to my attention that you are much favored in these parts by Scots and Norse alike.” His gaze dropped to the cross I wore like armor before glancing from Lachlann to me.
“That you have shunned your heathen ways and welcomed God into your heart. Now, a Scottish chieftain and good friend wishes to marry you, so I cannae help but wonder if word of you is true.” He paused and considered me for another moment, going on before I could assure him it was, whether entirely true or not.
“Or, you are a traitor amid us, biding your time in some heathen way that your bonnie face and gentle ways mask to my countrymen.”