“Go take your walk, Aileen,” he said softly.
Chapter Forty-Five
“Solitude can bring forth the light, or call out the beast.”
He could not stay here another day. There was too much happiness being tossed around, and he didn’t want to be a part of it. Even the weather was warm, where he longed for storms and peace and quiet.
Stephen heard Nell screech with laughter, and he grimaced. She had sought him out daily, chattering non-stop and wanting him to visit her family before each meal. Last night she had thrown her arms around him and thanked him for coming with her. It was then Stephen made the decision to leave.
He did not want their love—any of it.
Shoving away from the wall, he went to seek out his brother. He had packed early in the morn, taking only a few items. After breaking his fast, he sought out Finn, telling him to prepare his horse. Yes, a few weeks alone would do him good. Away from the noise and especially the constant reminder of what he could never have each time he cast his eyes on Duncan and Brigid.
Stephen did not have to go far, when he saw him talking to the Murray. He had forgotten that their friend was leaving for his home.
Waving a hand in greeting, he stepped on over. “Taking your leave, Cormac?”
“Aye. I’ve stayed far too long.”
“Safe journey.”
Cormac mounted his horse, gathering the reins. “Be well, Stephen. Ye are welcome at Castle Creag anytime.”
“I may take ye up on your offer.”
With a wave of his hand to his men, they rode off.
Duncan eyed his brother skeptically. “What troubles ye?”
“I would like ye to take me to the island.”
Duncan stiffened. “Why?”
A shard of anguish flashed through his heart. “I cannot stay here another day. ’Tis
killing
me.”
Duncan placed a hand on his shoulder. “I shall have Finn ready the horses.”
“Nae. My horse is already ready. I had Finn prepare him early.”
“Food?”
“I have enough for a few weeks.”
“I will take ye over there in the boat.” Duncan moved to leave, but Stephen stopped him.
“Nae. I would like to return on my own time. I require only your help with supplies.”
Duncan’s jaw clenched. “Let me tell Brigid, and find Finn to fetch my horse.”
Stephen let out a sigh. “Thank ye, Duncan.” He did not want to fight with his brother and prayed he would understand.
Duncan grabbed both of his shoulders and looked into his eyes. “I want ye back here at Urquhart, do not forget that. I will not lose ye again. Dinnae forget I understand your grief.”
“Aye, but ’tis too soon.” His tone gruff.
****
Within an hour, they set out. The island was north of Urquhart, and the perfect place for some solitude. Their father had built a small cottage on the island in the early part of his marriage to their mother. It was their special retreat, and after they had lost them both, the brothers would often take a boat out to the island. Days would pass until Angus would herd them back into the boat and return to Urquhart.
A magical place, Stephen had once proclaimed.
Journeying around the bend in the road, he spotted it instantly. Inhaling deeply, a sense of calm descended over him. He had made the right decision in coming here.
Leading his horse down to where the two boats were tied together against a tree, Stephen dismounted. “I won’t be gone long, my friend,” he said while patting Grian.
Scanning the area, he had forgotten how beautiful the area was. Duncan had taken the boats to the water’s edge and loaded his bundle into one of the boats. Striding over, Stephen dumped his supplies into his.
There was a twinkle in Duncan’s eyes when he announced, “Race ye, brother?”
Never one to refuse a challenge, he didn’t even wait to acknowledge his brother and took off.
In no time, Stephen was across the loch and at the island. Catching his breath, he waited for his brother who arrived shortly.
“I will let ye have it this time,” Duncan mocked.
Hands on his hips, he waited for Duncan to toss out the rest of the supplies.
Rubbing a hand over his face, his brother made ready to leave. In two strides, he was at Stephen’s side. Hugging him fiercely, he growled, “If ye are not back by midsummer, I will come fetch ye myself.”
Stephen grunted. He watched Duncan take his leave in the boat. Of course, his brother did have to issue one last order.
“By the Gods, shave and cut your hair, too. Ye are beginning to look like a hermit,” he barked.
Stephen glared at him with his arms crossed over his chest. He kept his gaze on his brother until he reached land, then taking a deep sigh, picked up his belongings and trudged into the trees.
****
The first few days brought some solace. However, with each new dawn, he slipped further into the abyss of darkness. Dreams of Aileen haunted him, and he would awake feeling tormented by the loss. His soul was empty, void of any feeling but pain. The joy he had recently experienced with Aileen was now overshadowed by the events of the past month. All Stephen had left were the memories of the woman he loved. No tangible proof did he have that she existed, except in his heart.
“Is this my punishment, my cross to carry?” he yelled out one evening.
The sounds of the loch did not give him any answers, so he responded in his own way. Reaching down, he picked up a large stone and threw it out into the loch. A flock of geese startled by the noise flew off from their haven by the shore.
Storming off toward the cottage, he picked up his plaid. When he arrived, Stephen could only think of one thing. If he could not have Aileen in the flesh, he would draw her from his memories. Yet, each time he attempted to start, his hand shook. After several times of faltering, Stephen started with something simple.
Her pendant.
Soon the light faded and as he gathered his items, he prayed that tonight he would sleep without any dreams.
Chapter Forty-Six
“I am the light of all lights, the song of all songs, and there will never be another.”
Aileen stood by the water’s edge, gazing out at Loch Ness with the water gently lapping at her feet. She clutched the boxes that held the remains of her parents and waited. They would always be with her, but the thought of emptying them seemed so final. It was as if she was saying good-bye all over again.
A hawk caught her attention, making lazy circles high in the sky. Higher and higher it flew, until it disappeared over the treetops. “This place is perfect,” she whispered.
Liam quietly stepped forward. “Your father loved this place, more for its remoteness. He often said it was a place where time stood still.” He moved closer to the edge, his hands behind his back. “A place where one would never be able to distinguish what century they would be in.”
Aileen gave a nervous laugh. “It is hard for me to fathom how old my father was. To live that long…” She paused trying to comprehend.
Liam angled his head and smiled. “You see your father in terms of
human
. I see him as
fae
.”
“Of course,” she said softly, fingering the boxes’ clasps. Inhaling deeply, she placed both of them on a large stone slab. “Did he often sit here?”
“Aye, that he did.”
Inhaling and exhaling deeply, Aileen opened her mother’s box first. Next, came her father’s and she gasped. “Great Goddess.” Her father’s ashes resembled fine crystals. She cupped a hand over her mouth to stifle a cry. They were so beautiful.
When she looked up at Liam, his eyes flashed with the light of many colors. “
Fae
ashes are different from your own.”
As her eyes misted with tears, Aileen walked barefoot a few feet into the loch carrying the boxes. Carefully, she emptied them both at the same time into the water. Immediately, a great gust of wind blew by, swirling the ashes together in a brilliant display of colors.
“Mother Danu, bring home your warrior and his woman,” sang out Liam.
Aileen whipped her head around at the sound of bells, their chimes muted in the distance. Mists instantly descended around the loch. Stumbling back onto the land, her mouth gaped open at the sight before her. Men had started to emerge from the trees and were lining the loch as far as her vision could see. They were chanting in low tones, their right fist held over their heart.
“Liam, what’s happening?” demanded Aileen watching, as even he stood motionless.
“The Fenian Warriors are singing your mother and father home to
Tir na Og,
and paying their respects to you,” he responded, his voice but a whisper on the wind.
Aileen was in awe. There were so many, dressed from so many time periods, her head swam. “A tribute to them,” she murmured.
“It has never been done,” stated Liam.
“Thank you,” she mouthed, sending it out mentally as well. Warmth instantly cloaked her as they responded in kind. For the rest of her life, Aileen would never forget this day.
Time hung suspended and as they had come forth, they silently slipped back into the trees. As each one departed, the mists would lessen. When the last warrior left, the chanting ceased.
Looking out at the water, Aileen noticed all traces of her parent’s ashes had vanished. They were gone—forever into a land where one day she would join with them. Her heart may ache; however, her parents were together. Unlike herself...
A wave of dizziness passed through her, and she stumbled. Liam flew to her side, helping her to sit down on the slab.
“You’re suffering from the energy of so many,” said Liam, walking over and pulling out a bottle of water. “Here, drink some.”
Taking a few sips, she nodded. “I guess you’re right. I could use some food, though.”
Liam removed some sandwiches out of his backpack, offering one to Aileen, which she immediately took. Her hands shook, but she managed to take a few bites without dropping the entire meal.
Sitting in relative peace, she reflected on the past few months. Her life had twisted a number of times and it wasn’t any wonder she didn’t go crazy. She had learned magic had no boundaries. Her father was a warrior for the fae. She had stepped through a door to the past, and fell in love only to lose it all. Deep in the night when sleep eluded her, her mind tormented her with its questions. Did Stephen die? If he survived, did he find peace? Was there another woman in his life? It was becoming a familiar pattern each night.
Aileen stared out at the loch. “Liam?” She brushed the remnants of her sandwich onto the ground. “How far is the place where Margaret died?”
He eyed her skeptically. “Not far, closer than Urquhart. Why?”
“I want to see where it all began. It’s something I have to do.”
“It’s a sad place. The ghosts of the battle still echo there.”
She reached for his hand. “Please. It’s important.”
He flinched slightly from her touch. “We won’t reach Urquhart until after dark.”
Aileen shrugged. “Does it matter? Call it part of my healing process, or whatever, but I want to go there.”
“Are you ready, then?” he asked.
Standing, she smiled. “Yes. I’m feeling much better.”
Gathering her parent’s empty boxes, she took one last look out at the loch. “Goodbye, Dad and Mom,” she whispered.
It only took an hour before Liam veered the car off the main road and proceeded through a narrow dirt path, which dead ended at a large oak tree.
“We walk from here,” he stated.
As Aileen stepped out of the car, a chill breeze swept past her. Hugging her arms, she tried to warm herself. Walking around the tree, Liam held out his hand to help her up over the ridge. The trees were so dense they partially blocked out the sun. An eerie silence permeated the place almost as a warning to man and beast not to enter as they made their way to a place of death.
Liam stopped at the clearing, and she quietly stood next to him. Great sorrow filled her when she cast her gaze on the ring of stones. They stood as a testament to that horrific night, reminding her of ancient guardians.
Without thought, Aileen reached for her pendant and moved out a few feet into the clearing. Almost immediately, the dizziness returned. Her vision blurred and colors danced before her eyes. Rubbing her eyes, she glanced over her shoulder at Liam.
He was as still as the stones, his eyes filled with an emotion she could not detect.
“Don’t panic, Aileen. Keep moving toward the stones,” he said calmly.
The reality of his words burned in her mind and heart. “I can return?”
“I was not sure until this moment.”
“Oh Liam, but...” Panic seized her at the thought of traveling through time. Instinctively, she placed her hands over her abdomen.
He gave her a reassuring smile. “Your
child
will be protected. Now take hold of your pendant and keep your thoughts on Stephen. Trust me this one last time...
all
will be well.”
Aileen didn’t have time to be shocked at his knowledge of her child. Taking a firm hold of her pendant, she slowly walked forward.
“Give my regards to your husband,” she heard Liam say as the colors of light swept her away to oblivion.
Chapter Forty-Seven
“As surely as the sun will dawn and set each day, I will forever love you
—
evermore
.”
~Stephen’s vow to Aileen
“Breathe, Aileen, breathe...”
A strong arm held her around the waist, and she leaned against him. Within moments, her body jerked and turning away, Aileen heaved the entire contents of her stomach onto the ground.
Again, strong arms lifted her away from the mess she had created. He carried her for several minutes and gently placed her down. When she peeked open her eyes, she stared into the blazing ones of Rory MacGregor, dressed as a Highlander.
“Sweet Mother,” she whispered, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
Rory crouched down in front of her and held out a flask. “Here, drink. ’Tis only water.”
“You remembered,” she mumbled.
He chuckled softly.
Closing her eyes, she sipped the cool water. After a few moments, she reopened them. “How did you know I would be here?”