Page 17 of Wendy Meets the Highlander Hamish (Scottish Highlander I Never Knew #5)
T he next morning unfolded with the arrival of six guardsmen, which woke Wendy from her slumber. She sat up in the bedroll to see them clattering about, setting up their own provisions for their extended stay. They were talking and going about their business without a concern for her.
In the midst of everything going on, Hamish approached Wendy with a rare vulnerability in his eyes. “Lass, may we speak?” he asked quietly.
Wendy looked at him for a moment and then nodded. “Where?”
He looked around, seeing the others were too close for them to have a private conversation, so he put his hand on the small of her back and guided her through the opening in the walls and away from the ruins, in the opposite direction of the loch.
She supposed he didn’t want to be distracted should the kelpie make an appearance.
Eventually, he stopped and said, “I’m sorry for being stubborn. I know you are trying to help, and I know you donnae want the kelpie hurt, but I was worried about you, and I feared the kelpie would take you from me. I took that fear out on you and I’m sorry, lass. I didnae mean to.”
Wendy smiled. As far as apologies went, it was a pretty respectable one.
“Thank you. I don’t think I was in any danger, at least not at that moment.
I had my dagger out, and the kelpie was aware of it, but I wasn’t brandishing it in a threatening manner.
I really think it was trying to answer my questions. ”
“Be that as it may, tis still dangerous, lass. I donnae want to lose you to the depths of the loch.” Hamish pulled her into an embrace and held her close.
Wendy felt the warmth of his body against hers and relaxed into his arms, returning his hug. It went a long way to repair the rift between them and she wished he’d go further and kiss her, but as they stood there wrapped in each other’s embrace, voices approached, and Hamish quickly let her go.
“You know it was never my intention to worry you, right?” Wendy said, meeting his gaze.
“I know, lass. I understand that you’re keen on speaking with the creature and I can admit that using the iron is probably not the right path to take. The question is how do we find a way to move forward and stop the kelpie from doing any more harm.”
That was something that she’d been concerned with herself. There was only one way that she could think of, but it meant admitting she wasn’t as knowledgeable as she wanted to be on the topic of formerly mythical creatures. Swallowing her pride, Wendy said, "There might be someone who can guide us.”
“Who?” Hamish’s brow furrowed. “Aine?”
Wendy hadn’t met her yet, but she knew someone else who might be better than the half-Fae woman. “Dub Sith, he's a Fae, and he might have insights into dealing with the kelpie. He brought me here for a reason, so we should seek his counsel."
Hamish seemed receptive to the idea, and asked, “How do we find Dub Sith?”
"He comes and goes as he pleases, but he's been seen at Fort Donald before. At least, that's what Catherine told me when I asked about him. We could go back to the fort and see if we can find a way to get him to visit."
Agreeing with a nod, Hamish replied, "Aye, let's go back home then. If anyone knows about dealing with creatures like the kelpie, it t’will be him or Aine."
The morning unfolded and as breakfast concluded, the camp prepared to embark on their mission of keeping the area safe for the passersby.
"Artair, Wendy and I are going to return to the fort. She’s had an idea that may help us with the beast. I’m leaving you in charge here.
Keep the area safe for the passersby, but donnae try and capture the kelpie.
Keep your distance from it, all of you,” Hamish said as Wendy rolled up her bedroll and began packing up her saddlebags.
“Aye, Hamish, when will you return?” Artair asked.
Hamish shared a look with Wendy. “In a day or two at most, I hope. It depends on if we can speak with the person we want or if we have to make another journey,” he said cryptically.
“Very well. If’n you donnae return in three days’ time, I will send one o’ the men to the fort for an update.”
Hamish agreed that was a good plan and as he and Wendy set off, the two of them waved to the men they were leaving behind to watch the area around loch.
As they rode, the heather-clad hills stretched endlessly, interrupted only by the occasional babbling brook or a copse of ancient trees. It was a beautiful sight to be hold, and one Wendy would never get used to.
“I can see why the kelpies chose this place. It's both enchanting and mysterious."
Hamish nodded in agreement. "Aye, these lands hold more than meets the eye. Islay is a place of legends and mysteries.”
After a while, Wendy, her eyes alive with curiosity, asked, "Do you think Dub Sith will have the answers we’re after? About the kelpie, I mean."
Hamish's gaze turned thoughtful. "Dub Sith is a creature of the Fae, and they know things we can only dream of. But dealing with them is like dancing with the wind—uncertain and unpredictable."
She smiled, captivated by both the landscape and the enigmatic man riding beside her. "Well, I'm ready for the dance. Let's see what the Fae have to say."