Dunluce by Lori Imdad (readict txt) 📕

Her marriage to Colla had begun as a compromise. Her father could see no other way to save the Castle they all called home. The MacDonnells had usurped the title and Castle after they had defeated the MacQuillens in a battle and they had arrived shortly thereafter ready to move in. The Queen had not been pleased by the events, but her efforts to oust them had failed. Finally, the MacDonnell Clan submitted to the Queen’s authority and were confirmed. Castle Dunluce had been built by her family’s norman ancestor’s and they had lived there ever since. So, Lady Evelyn’s father was relieved when the MacDonnells accepted his proposal that she and Colla be married. His tensions were also somewhat relieved, as this union would bring peace to the MacQuillen clan that resided in the region.

Lady Evelyn was filled with uncertainty when she was told her of her upcoming marriage. It was her duty to her father and, to be honest she had expected it to be only that, a marriage of duty. Colla, however, wanted a marriage that was full of laughter and love. From the moment the marriage was announced, he began courting her.  He would come to take her riding and for picnics in the lower yard’s vast fields and always with a flower or bouquet of them in his hand. He loved looking at her, would play with her braided hair telling her she looked like a maiden lass, not a betrothed women. Then his eyes would sparkle with devilishness. She could still hear him whisper, “Come here my maiden lass”, laughing into her eyes, just as if he was right beside her. It took her breath away and shook her to her soul.

He came one evening and sat below her window and began crooning lovely melodies. It created quite a stir among the villagers and the men-at-arms of the castle. She looked down, unable to stop herself, listening until he had finished. He explained to her later that this was a custom from his country, Scotland.

Sometimes they just walked through the fields talking, joking and laughing. Colla would pick flowers as they walked, weaving them into a crown for her to wear. Other days they would venture intovillage and visit some of merchants there. Colla loved life and he wanted her to love it with him. By the time her wedding day arrived she was in love with him. It no longer felt like a marriage of duty, but one of love. She walked down the aisle of St. Cuthbert’s towards Colla. Her blue eyes directly met his grey ones without breaking until she had reached his side. He was a large man, but that had never frightened her. Their similar appearance made everyone whisper that they were made for each other and they made a striking couple. His blond hair and piercing steel grey eyes made all the ladies wish he would choose them, but he only had eyes for Lady Evelyn. Even though it was common for men to keep mistresses, Colla would have none. After the ceremony, they all sat down at the celebratory meal he turned to her quietly and breathed into her ear, “At last, you are mine, fair Evelyn.” She turned to look at him and saw his eyes shimmering. She knew in that moment that she was going to be his forever and would be hers, too.

The merriment was still going on when he quietly escorted her to their bedroom. He must have noticed that she was beginning to tire, though thoroughly enjoying the merriment of the villagers at their reception dinner. When they reached his bedroom door she was surprised for a moment, but then realized this would now be her bedroom as well as the Mistress of the castle. He lifted her into his arms so quickly you would think she was a feather, and then carried her into the room and sat her down on the bed. He then secured the door and returned to sit beside her.

She turned and looked at him and found him watching her and felt butterflies dancing her stomach. He lifted his hand to trace the line of her face and then leaned in to kiss her forehead. She closed her eyes though her heart was racing and her hand shaking with her nervousness. His eyes scanned her face and he sensed she was a bit fearful. “Ma bonnie lassie,” he chuckled. “Ye’re looking mighty peely-wally. Ah’s not going to bite ye!” Then he broke into his booming laughter and before she knew it she was laughing, too!” Then she realized that things would be fine and set about changing into her nightwear that had been laid on the bed for her behind the screen. Colla sat and watched her, mesmerized once again by his beautiful wife. Once she was changed and had emerged again, they sat together near the burning fire. Colla ran his hands through her shining hair and then twisted it into a roll and let fall down her shoulder. He began dusting her neck and shoulders with light kisses that just made her body hum. At the same time his hand was rubbing her arms and back. She still was very nervous, but what he was doing was distracting her thoughts. Slowly he pulled her onto his lap and turned her to face him. It was then that he truly kissed her and her world spun. She had never been with a man or kissed before on the mouth and the sensations were amazing to her. She began to return his kisses and Colla nearly lost himself, so he put her back down into the chair while he stepped behind the changing screen to remove some of his clothing, too.

Colla believed that felt running the castle and safeguarding it should be everyone’s responsibility, including his wife. He knew that Lady Evelyn would be a great asset to him in this responsibility because Dunluce had belonged to her family for generations before it had come to him and his family. Her father also helped him from time to time. Colla did his best to share everything with her and frequently sought her counsel about managing the Castle including his security plan. She also shared her knowledge of the Castle with him. One night, he rolled with laughter when she told him about the ghost in the North East Tower, but a few nights later when he heard the ghostly cries he was startled. On that night shared with him the story of her great, great Aunt Moira – the ghost. “Now many years ago my father’s Great Aunt Moira fell in love with one of the knights”, she began. “Aunt Moira and the knight planned to marry. He was her first and only love. When her father came to know about the affair, he forbade her to see the Knight again. Later on, he sent the Knight to another castle in exchange for another Knight to ensure they never met again. He had wanted a better match for his daughter, but Great Aunt Moira was heartbroken. My father told me that she never recovered from her broken heart and even refused to marry any of the suitors who father brought and it is her spirit that haunts the tower still.” He seemed less disturbed after knowing the story and never spoke of it again.

He encouraged her to attend the training of their men and later wanted her to train as well. He wanted her to know everything he did and how to fight should she ever need to defend herself or the castle.  She was glad he had insisted, especially now that he was gone.

After they had been training with the men for some time, Colla decided a short trip for field training would be good for the newer recruits and he decided to accompany them. During the trip they were ambushed by a neighboring clan. An arrow pierced him and he begun to bleed profusely. He tried to turn to see from where the attack came from and was struck in the leg by another arrow and then one assailant stabbed him with his sword, before his men retaliated and emerged victorious he was on the ground weakening as each second passed. He was wearing his chain mail and breast plate, but hadn’t worn his full armor as this was mere a training excursion. Afterwards his men rushed to his aid and bandaged some of the wounds as best they could.

They headed back to the castle and Lady Evelyn. A rider rode ahead and informed the Castle that Lord Colla had been injured, so the Castle physician was awaiting their return and immediately began treating Lord Colla. Lady Evelyn sat nearby watching and listening. Lord Colla had lost a lot of blood and some of the wounds were already infected. The physician made a salve for his wounds and advised fluids.

Lady Evelyn could tell that the physician was worried, but he said nothing more. She stayed with him as much as possible leaving him only to check that other areas of the Castle were running smoothly and to meet with unexpected visitors in Colla’s place. She hated leaving his side even for a minute and felt guilty knowing he needed her.

In addition to being by his side and caring for all of his injuries, she prayed fervently for his recovery. As each day passed she could see he wasn’t improving. She finally confronted the physician about Colla’s wounds. He looked away at first, hating to tell his mistress who was so in love with her Lord, that his injuries were severe and chances were high that he would never recover. Finally, she pleaded with the physician to tell her what to do to help Lord Colla. The physician sighed and looked at her. Seeing the desperation in her eyes, he shook his head and told her that in his experience there was nothing more they could do. Lady Evelyn broke down and began to sob. Trembling as she cried, she turned away walking towards the Chapel. She must have been there for almost 30 minutes praying and crying before she pulled herself together. She returned to her quarters to wash her face before she returned to her husband’s side.

Each day she would send an aid to the village to bring healers. Each would assess Lord Colla’s wounds as grave and could not offer more than words of comfort.

She pleaded with Lord Colla to fight to live and she could see he was trying, but also that he was losing the battle even then. He would nod and whisper words of comfort to her. “Aye there, lassie, Colla will be with you forever, don’t worry.” or “Tsk, tsk you’ve gotten dark circles ‘neath your blue eyes, go take rest”, she couldn’t leave his side and wouldn't not even for a moment. Each day he grew weaker and frailer. She called the village doctors and they had given him brewed herbal remedies and applied poultices, but none of these had helped. One day he didn’t awaken and his breathing became raspy, she knew then that he