Page 19 of Wendy Meets the Highlander Hamish (Scottish Highlander I Never Knew #5)

I n the crisp light of the Highland morning, the courtyard of the castle bustled with the activities of the day. Wendy and Hamish made their way to the stables and went to work readying their horses.

“Tis not far to the area of the loch we’ll need to go to find the boat that will take us to Aine’s home, lass,” Hamish said as they mounted their horses.

“I’m glad about that. That’s one thing I actually do miss. Traveling in a car was quite a bit faster than riding a horse, and a lot more comfortable.” Wendy giggled.

Hamish laughed as well. “You’ll get used to it after a while, lass, I promise you.”

They headed down the hill and onto the dirt road that headed north toward Ballygrant.

They were on it for a short while but as they were just about to turn off, to take the path that would lead to where the boat was docked on the loch, a figure appeared on the road—a tall, dark-haired man whose silhouette hinted at an air of enigma.

For a moment, anticipation hung in the air.

Wendy wondered, “Is that Dub Sith?” She couldn’t quite tell until they got closer, and she realized it wasn’t.

“Good morning,” Wendy called out.

Hamish kept quiet at her side, but Wendy noticed he nodded a greeting to the man.

“Good morn. What business brings you here to this path?” he questioned.

Wendy looked toward Hamish, who shrugged.

“We’re headed to see Aine on the isle in Loch Ballygrant.

We’ve been struggling with this kelpie at Loch Finlaggan that has been attacking and killing people.

I just want to figure out why and see if we can find a way to stop it hurting anyone else or the creature.

We thought Aine might have some answers for us,” Wendy explained.

The stranger's eyes widened in surprise as Wendy mentioned their quest involving the Kelpie. His curiosity seemed piqued. “You want to find a way to stop it without hurting the creature? But it’s killed humans. Are you sure that is wise?”

Wendy remained adamant. “There must be a way to resolve this situation without resorting to harm. I know trying to capture it with iron will hurt the kelpie and I don’t want to do that.

Plus I think doing so could bring curses down on the Donald Clan that will have longstanding repercussions.

That’s why we want to try and resolve this in a more peaceful way.

The creature is angry about something. Angry and sad,” she added, recalling the feeling she got from it. “I need to understand why and fix it.”

Hamish moved in his saddle and glanced from Wendy to the man. “Wendy is right. We have a need for a solution that will nae inadvertently unleash malevolence upon our own people.”

In response, the stranger nodded thoughtfully, acknowledging the gravity of their quest. “There is a delicate balance between the mystical and mortal realms. I will just caution you about the unpredictability of dealing with otherworldly beings. Many cannae be trusted.”

“I have heard that from another Fae,” Wendy said with a nod, “but in this case, seeing as we’re looking to help the Fae, perhaps trust can be forged between us. I’d rather that than try to put an iron bridle on it. That would be torture for the poor creature.”

"Long-term torture, aye. A cruel fate for such a creature," the stranger murmured, his voice carrying a hint of ancient wisdom.

"I cannae bring myself to see it as a just solution either. I donnae wish suffering for the beast. We need another way to handle the kelpie, one that doesnae involve condemning it to an eternity of suffering or death."

The stranger's gaze moved between Wendy and Hamish, as if measuring the sincerity in their voices. "The ways of the Fae are intricate, and their spirits are nae easily subdued. Iron may bind and kill, but it can also break the delicate threads that hold the balance between the two realms."

"That’s why we're seeking answers from Aine, the wise woman. I’m told she’s half-Fae. She might know of a solution that aligns with both our worlds, one that doesn't lead to a cycle of vengeance."

The stranger nodded appreciatively, acknowledging the significance of their quest. "Aine's knowledge is deep-rooted, but be cautious. The Fae tread lightly, and bargains with them often come with unforeseen consequences."

Wendy understood what he was saying. Even Aine might be touchy when it came to asking a favor.

"I’d advise you to return to Loch Finlaggan.

Wait patiently for the kelpie to appear to you.

Do not engage with it. Keep your distance, but follow it.

Something is driving the kelpie to these attacks, and if you can put a stop to why it’s behaving in such a way, you can end the kelpie’s rampage," he imparted, his voice carrying the weight of ages.

Wendy exchanged a glance with Hamish, the gravity of the stranger's words settling upon them. Loch Finlaggan, the very place where the kelpie had eluded their grasp, now beckoned them back for a second confrontation.

As the stranger turned to walk away, his figure slowly disappearing down the winding road, Wendy was filled with uncertainty. "What do you make of that?" she asked, starring after the man.

"There's wisdom in his words. Perhaps the kelpie's actions are driven by something deeper than mere malice, you’ve said as much before, havenae you, lass. We must be patient and observant when we return to the loch."

As she sat there pondering that encounter, Wendy couldn’t help but feel there was something odd about the man.

Something more than just being odd. There was something niggling in the back of her mind about his appearance, and she just couldn’t think of what it was.

Not until she looked over at Hamish again and then it struck her as the sun glinted off his hair.

Unable to contain her musings, Wendy shared her unusual thought with Hamish.

"I have a strange notion," she began, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Hamish replied, "We're in a land filled with strange notions, lass. What's on your mind?"

"I think that man was the kelpie. His hair was dripping wet, yet the rest of him was dry," Wendy voiced her suspicion. "After all, they are shapeshifters, are they not? And their hair is always wet, no matter what form they take, that’s how you know they’re kelpies."

Hamish, usually unflappable, looked at her, his features frozen in stunned disbelief.

Wendy knew the idea seemed preposterous, but in a land where legends lived and mysteries unfolded, nothing could be dismissed outright, could it?

Without uttering a word, Hamish spurred his horse into action, bolting in the direction the stranger had walked.

Wendy, her heart pounding, followed suit, urging her horse into a gallop.

The Scottish landscape blurred around them as they chased after the enigmatic figure, seeking answers that danced just out of reach.

"See him?" Wendy inquired when Hamish reined in his horse.

"No, lass. He's vanished," Hamish replied, his brow furrowed in consternation.

The mysterious stranger had slipped away like a wisp of Highland mist.