Page 6

It was not even a full month later and Gwyn, along with a small band of MacLaren clansmen, were on their way in a northerly direction.

To keep up the pretense of her mother's illness, for this was paramount to their plan, neither her father nor her mother were able to accompany her for this most important event of her life thus far.

Gwyn would wed the Laird Errol of the Chattan without either of them present and upon this great laird's lands.

For the very first time in her short life, Gwyn found herself so entirely alone.

It was also in that moment of desperation she declared to herself she was more frightened then she would ever freely admit to anyone.

Even though the uncertainties were vast, she knew with conviction, her heart would remain true to the MacLaren.

The journey to her new home was long and it was rather difficult.

After well over a sennight of traveling, late on the afternoon of the eighth day, the small party found themselves upon a hill overlooking a massive keep.

Almost immediately, Gwyn felt a sense of gloom as an involuntary shudder passed through her body for what she suspected.

It was Kamden, one of the MacLaren warriors who approached her now stilled steed. In almost a hushed whisper, he spoke.

"We have reached our destination, my lady. 'Tis the Chattan lands under our feet and their holdings spread out before us."

The sight before her was rather shocking and if Gwyn had to be perfectly honest, quite foreboding.

The Chattan holdings were considerable in size but appeared dark and not very welcoming.

The massive keep sat buried into a hillside and near the top of a peak.

Little greenery was had as most everything was covered in rocks and stone even though the autumn had not yet descended and the green grasses were sprouting nearly everywhere beneath her steed's hooves.

After a lengthy time and as the sun began to move in the direction of the distant horizon, it was Kamden who spoke once again. It was obvious he understood the look of apprehension upon her face but would do nothing but carry out that which was his duty.

"Do not be bothered by its hardened exterior, my lady. While it is obvious these walls have seen many battles, it is evident they are strong and true and the holdings were built to protect its occupants. Of that, you can be certain."

Gwyn had not the desire to correct him in his assumptions. She was not afraid for her protection, instead it was the coldness and desolate appearance of the keep that sparked her fears. Nevertheless, she would not allow him or anyone to suspect the way of her heart.

"Ah, yes, Kamden. I thank you for your astute observations. You have a well trained eye for such things and you have settled my mind considerably."

When Gwyn remained stilled upon her steed, he spoke gently again.

"We must proceed, my lady, if we are to breach their holdings while there is still a small semblance of light. For once the night descends, the air will grow cool and they may not see us coming. We would not wish for them to think we approach with anything other than good intentions."

As Gwyn considered his words, her heart was already frozen.

She reasoned that it would not be the chill to her skin that mattered or if they treated her with hostility.

She sighed heavily understanding he spoke of reason even though she was more than content to stay in this position for all of eternity.

Conversely, she knew she must proceed and show to them all she was strong and resolved in her duty.

"You speak wisely once again, Kamden, and I thank you for that. Let us go now and meet my new laird."

Without further words, Gwyn pressed her heels firmly into the side of her steed who nearly bolted in his reaction.

The party of weary travelers moved quickly down the hill to gain the worn trail leading up to the vast drawbridge.

The darkened gateway was enormous with heavy chains and sizeable iron spikes marking its entry.

As Gwyn looked closer at the aged wooden planks they traveled, she could see grooves and deep marks that were a testament of its battle laden past. This appeared yet another sign of the strong hold and of their troubled history.

"We are of the MacLaren. I bring the Lady Gwyn as a bride to her new husband."

Kamden's words were loud and they were true and it was confirmation yet again, of her journey.

'Holy mother of God, give me strength!'

As the party of the MacLaren walked their steeds under the heavy gates, Gwyn looked up at numerous sentries who were posted high above on the walls.

Most upon the raised walkway were dark and even from this distance, Gwyn could see their hair was unkempt and their bodies dirty.

It was obvious they were severely hardened and stood poised and appeared untrusting of those who passed below, regardless that their arrival had been clearly announced.

Because of their need for secrecy, Gwyn understood the Laird Errol would only know of her impending arrival.

She knew he had also been apprised they must wed as soon as was all possible.

Since not even he knew the entirety of it, it was completely up to her to disclose the rest of her father's words in private to the laird. How she dreaded that time.

The Laird MacLaren had been very clear about exactly what to say and how much to disclose.

Her new husband would learn no more from her lips.

Her father had impressed upon her the Laird Errol of the Chattan was honorable.

If she understood nothing else about him, it was this and he would stand by his duty to the MacLaren.

As she and her small party arrived in the upper bailey, Gwyn admitted while it pleased her to embark upon her obligation to her father and her clan, she was absolutely terrified.

From the moment they passed under the gates, everything here seemed cold and unwelcoming.

Those feelings of trepidation did not diminish when she entered the area before the keep and perused the sights around her.

The area spreading out before her held nothing but dirt and horse droppings.

There was nary a blade of grass nor sprouting bush found anywhere.

Much like the hardened warriors upon the wall, several men in dark blue and green plaid kilts were about.

They were all armed and appeared foreboding with hardened bodies and ice in their stares.

Even the young stable boys who suddenly appeared looked cross.

Gwyn breathed in deeply attempting to quell her stomach as it churned and felt of the distinct pain as it rose within her breast.

"My lady, I am here to tend your beast."

As she sat upon her steed unmoving, it was in that moment of uncertainty when the heavy wooden doors at the top of the stone staircase opened.

As the creek of the hinge broke through the silence of the air, through the darkness came a lone Scottish Highlander.

He was not much different from any of the rest she had seen thus far but she suspected immediately it was the laird of the keep, himself.

There was no doubt witnessing the air to his stance and the subtle change in the activity of the men surrounding her.

"My lady?"

Gwyn felt the hands at her waist as she looked down into the eyes of Kamden as he reached for her. Slowly, he drew her down by his side to stand upon the ground.

"Thank you, Kamden, you have cared for me well on our journey."

As Gwyn gazed upwards towards the landing before the keep, she noticed the laird of the Chattan had lighter brown hair that hung limply to his shoulders with dark eyes and a round face.

While his body appeared somewhat large and round, she could tell there was still a strength to him, even for one of his advanced years.

Gwyn felt a slight twinge of sadness because she had hoped he would be at least a little pleasant to look upon and one maybe a bit nearer her own age. As she stared at him she was certain he was much closer to her father's own and most likely, much older.

While Gwyn stood stilled upon the ground gazing up towards the man who was to become her husband and laird, she noted a movement come from behind him. It was a swaying of dark skirts that surprised her as they and the lady they cloaked moved to stand next to the Laird Errol's side.

She was a lovely woman. As she moved confidently to stand very near the laird, Gwyn noticed she had a distinct manner about her.

She was as tall as any woman she had ever met, while she appeared to be very near her own mother's age.

Even still, she was beautiful. She had long and very dark hair that hung in heavy waves to her waist and a confident air about her.

The gown she wore had a dipping neckline exposing the heavy curve of her breasts and it accentuated the slimness of her waist. However, when Gwyn drew her gaze up to her face, there appeared to be a harshness within her eyes that was rather telling.

The heated glare she provided was very much like the cold winter snows as they pierced her very soul.

"You seem to have arrived unscathed. Come with me at once!"

The words were spoken ruthlessly and these were the only ones the laird said. His voice was loud and commanding and he said no more as he turned quickly upon his heel and moved himself back into his gathering hall with the unknown woman following closely behind.

It was obvious by his actions he expected her to obey without question. What saddened her most was there was no soft smile nor any welcoming words. It seemed an obvious sign this was nothing like her home back with the MacLaren nor was anywhere near placating her heart.

As she stood at the base of the stairs yet unmoving, Gwyn felt the pained looks from those whom she had shared the last eight days of her journey.

As she gazed at the strong warriors of the MacLaren, she realized most were looking at her with a sadness and what she perceived as pity.

Their stares pierced her very soul and she fought back with the dignity she had been raised to display.

She was determined they would see none of her fear nor the disappointment she felt so acutely inside.

She would not allow them to view anything but the pride she felt for this opportunity to carry out her duty.

"Please, follow me. The laird has invited us into his home and we must act with haste."

With her resolve building, Gwyn forced a smile upon her face as she began to ascend the stone stairs slowly.

Her words and her movements brought her own of the MacLaren to life as she heard the rest of her party begin to move behind her.

As they began to respectfully flank her sides and stand behind her, she could feel nothing but pride for those who were her own.

With determination, she walked up the intimidating and now vacant stairway that loomed before her.

As she placed one foot before the other and slowly ascended, Gwyn intentionally hardened both her resolve and her heart.

While she now knew she would desperately need the first to get through this stage in her life, she knew she must close the door upon the latter.

With this duty upon her, it was clear there was no time for her sentiments and it would only interfere with all that she needed to achieve.

If she did not harden her heart, she knew this new life of hers would prove to be her undoing. And Gwyn earnestly vowed to never allow that end.