Branded by a Warrior (22 page)

Broderick awoke the next morning to find his wife missing from their bed, aggravated at finding her and his dogs missing, he swung out of bed in search of her. Dressing and arming himself with his weapons for the day, he opened his door and crossed the hall to her solar.

Throwing the door wide he saw his stunning wife dressed in a
modified gown, her MacMillan plaid draped over her chest
with his great black sable
fur
chained across her shoulders. Her w
eapons attached to her hip,
she plaited her hair with her back to the door.

Crossing his arms and leaning against the door, his dogs spotted him and ran over to his side, “Good morning wife
, I think you forgot to wake me
.
”

Spinning around to greet her handsome husband, she smiled as she crossed the room and wound her arms around his strong neck and pulled him down towards her, “Good morning husband, I was coming back to get you momentarily. I would never forget you my love,” kissing him she felt his strong arms wrap around her waist and bring her body up against his has his tongue dipped into her warm mouth.

Sitting
her back on her feet, “
Lets run to the kitchens and get some food before we go outside, usually Rhona has something waiting for me,” smiling at his wife, laced up in her new leather braces. The two linked hands and went down to the kitchens, and eventually out into the bailey where they found Kendrix and his men starting to gather for their morning
drills.

Broderick watched as
Elisabeth kept up with the men with graceful ease; she focused on her drills with lethal precision. The cold and snow did not slow her at all, her sword arm was affected little by her wound from her family’s massacre.

Throughout the morning Broderick removed himself from her side, keeping his trained eye on her form, her movement and most importantly, her safety.

Kendrix took the warriors through hours of drills and hand-to-hand maneuvers, all things Elisabeth was familiar and comfortable with. Broderick had yet to see any weakness in anything she did. Her form was perfect, where she lacked in male strength she made up for in quickness and unique blows to weaken her larger opponents.
All who watched were impressed with her demeanor and
talent;
she was truly their Warrior Q
ueen. Her reputation was well founded.

All who entered the bailey this morning had taken time to watch the L
aird’s wife train with the warriors.
Bakers and blacksmiths, launders and
women
alike watched in delight as Elisabeth worked with flawlessly with the kilted warriors.
 

By the stables Broderick noticed his blonde niece watching Elisabeth all m
orning. Isobel carried the wooden
sword he had given her
for her fifth birthday; he had made it himself, Broderick watched as Isobel
emulated Elisabeth’s movements.
Abandoning his post next to Kendrix, he walked over to his beautiful little niece and knelt down beside her, “Good morrow my little sword fighter, are you watching your Aunt Elisabeth?” he asked as she continued to watch Elisabeth in the bailey.

Stopping to catch her breath, she looked over at her Uncle, “Aye Uncle Broderick, I want to be just like her when I grow up. She’s amazing!” her face glowing with youthful excitement.

Nodding and looking back over to his wife, “Aye, she
is
amazing isn’t s
he? You should ask your pretty a
unt to teach you to shoot bow lass, she’s spectacular, and a sword
like hers
will take you time to grow into. However, a
bow you could learn now my love
.
”

Gasping with excitement, “Do you think she’d teach me Uncle Broderick? Oh I would love that! Where would I find a bow f
or me? I’m far too little still
.
”

“I’ll make ye one lass, but first we’ll have to as
k
your Da, deal?” he asked as he stood back up and ruffled her shiny long hair. Nodding, she picked her wooden sword back up and looked over at her Aunt, once again swinging and mimicking Elisabeth.

Shaking his head he walked back over to the warriors in the bailey and rejoined Kendrix until their morning session was over.

After the warriors were dismissed, Broderick reappeared at his wife’s side; much of her dark red hair had escaped her braid framing her glowing face. Her green eyes were dazzling as she
linked hands with him.
Her skin was flushed from the workout; she looked like she had just conquered a foe.
From the stables they both heard Isobel’s sweet little voice call out, “Aunt Elisabeth, wait for me!”

Stopping, Elisabeth and Broderick turned around to see little Isobel dashing across the
snow-covered
courtyard
,
waving her wooden sword in the air as she ran towards her beloved Aunt and Uncle.

Kneeling down, Elisabeth caught Isobel in her arms and swung her up to her hip and plucked the wooden sword out of the lass’s grubby hands, “My love, we must
never
run with our blade as so, we must carry it like this as we run so we do not injure ourselves,” showing Isobel how to hold her sword pro
perly she handed it back to her and kissed her temple before sitting her back down.

Nestling betw
een Broderick and Elisabeth, Isobel
slipped her wooden sword into her belt and grabbed both of their hands as Kendrix walked towards them.

Feeling Isobel squeezed her hand, Elisabeth looked down at the rosy-cheeked lass, “Yes my dear?” she asked.

“Uncle Broderick said that maybe you would teach me the bow, that you were…,” looking back at her tall Uncle, “what was the word Uncle?” she asked, trying to remember.

Winking at Elisabeth, Broderick lowered his
gaze at his little niece, “I said she was
spectacular
at shooting the long bow my love, but your
Da had to agree to the lessons
.
”

“Begorra
, I forgot
to ask Da
. Hold on,” dropping their hands she turned around and ran towards her father, jumping up into his arms and whispering into his ear.

From a distance both Broderick and Elisabeth watched in
delight
as little Isobel asked permission to be taught t
he
bow
. Feeling Broderick’s hand slip over her hip and pull her closer
,
she gently elbowed him and looked up into his emerald green eyes, “Spectacular eh? My husband compliments me highly. I am pleased,” smiling up at her warrior.

“You are very deserving of my praise, your skill is flawless Elisabeth. Duncan trained you perfectly. I can find no flaw in your movements or technique. Your modified motions to avoid stronger opponent
’
s powerful blows is quite impressive my love, and we are all aware there is no archer here who can best your skill,” kissing the top of her head and watching Kendrix and Isobel walk up, he whispered into her ear so only she could year, “You can start by teaching my niece, a
nd then eventually our children.
”

Elisabeth’s heart did a flip.
Children
, s
he hadn’t thought of having children in years. The thought tore at her heart.
She froze, and worse of all, Broderick noticed.

Before her
, she heard Kendrix speak, his voice drew her back to reality.

“Isobel is asking for permission to learn the bow, seems like she’s been watching Aunt Elisabeth and Uncle Broderick said he’d make her a bow, what is a father to do?”

“Da, you know Aunt Elisabeth
is
the best, and Uncle Broderick makes
the best
longbows,” she said as she rolled her eyes and put her hand on her hip. Broderick had to pretend to cough in order to cover his
laughte
r.

Elisabeth
quickly
cleared the chaos in her heart, she smiled
at
Isobel
,
“How about we go find Old Rhona in the kitchens and go in search of some lunch my love, your Da and Uncle Broderick can join us and we can discuss it further
.
”
Taking Isobel’s small hand, she let Broderick’s comment about children go
, the thought simply broke her heart
.
Allowing herself to become distracted by the bustling five year old beside her, she turned her attention fully to Isobel, leaving the men behind.

Watching Elisabeth skip hand in hand with Isobel, Broderick looked over at his brother and shook his head, “I dinnae understand it Kendrix, s
he’s a flawless warrior,
a
cts like
mother to Isobel, y
et when I just mentioned her having our own children
the woman about fainted
.
”
Confusing wrought amongst his face.

Raising a
brow Kendrix replied
in a humorous tone
, “and that confuses you?”

Walking towards the castle
Broderick nodded, “Aye Brother
.
”

Slapping Broderick on the shoulder and bringing him closer, “
Think about it Brother, i
f she’s with chi
ld she
cann
a
e fight against Kincaid
. A
ll these weeks she’s been focused on revenge for her family, on healing and seeing justice dealt to Kincaid and his men. If she finds herself carrying your child,
she’ll be forced to stay behind
.
”

Closing his eyes he tilted his head back, now he understood, it was probably one of the reasons why she never pursued a marriage in the
past, “She’s never mentioned it
, nor have we been preventing making a child, very much the opposite.
”

Taking the stone stairs two at a time the brothers entered the warm hall
as Kendrix offered
, “I’m guessing that conversation will come up soon, seems to me she migh
t have just realized it herself. Give her time to sort out her emotions
Brother;
I don’t think she’s the type of woman to choose h
er sword over babes in her arms
.
”

The brothers entered the kitchen to find Isobel and Elisabeth washing their hands as Rhona floated around the kitchen setting out plates for them to eat, they preferred the small kitchen over the large hall for small family meals.
The smell of savory foods filled the air, their stomachs were empty and there was nothing better than a warm meal prepared by Rhona.
The group sat down and asked Rhona to join them, the five of them sat in the warm kitchen and Isobel told Rhona all about what had happened today.

After an entertaining lunch, it had been decided that
Elisabeth would indeed teach Isobel
, and Broderick would make Isobel’
s new bow as soon as possible.

Watching her throughout lunch, he could tell she was still shaken up from earlier, whispering
into his wife’s ear
after they finished lunch
, “Woul
d you like to go for a ride lass
?”
Under the table he ran his hand up her thigh as he gave her ear a soft kiss.

Nodding, “Oh I’d love that Broderick,”
she whispered.

Broderick
excused them as he linked hands with his wife. Waving goodbye, they walked out of the kitchens, in search of the stables.
Broderick and Elisabeth walked through the warm castle and back out the door towards the stable; he thought it best to keep his mouth shut as he could tell his wife’s mind was racing.
He learned long ago from his father, to wait until the lady told you what was on her mind versus trying to guess.
Arriving at the busy stables, both of their stallions were saddled and waiting for them. Tossing her up into her saddle he walked over to his tall horse and easily pulled himself up, “Where would you like to go my love?”

Adjusting the
black sable fur over her shoulders she looked over at Broderick, “Surprise me, I’ve only been out of these walls twice. A nice brisk ride will
do me good, I feel out of sorts
.
”

Nodding, they walked their horses to the drawbridge, which lowered q
uickly as the guards saw their L
aird approaching.
Behind them
,
as always the wolfhounds followed. Once the drawbridge was down, both Broderick and Elisabeth spurred their horses into a gallop and flew into the frozen forest that surrounded the castle. They rode for over an hour before Broderick finally slowed his mount and eventually brought his horse to a stop, turning to his wife, “Tell me what is wrong Elisabeth, I know you well enough to kn
ow something is upsetting you
.
”