The Will and the Way: Great Druids

Excerpt written in 2009

The smell of wood burning, food cooking and the hint of fear filled the air as the grey skies lightened as the day brightened. The sun would never touch the green hills today; it was hidden behind the heavy clouds and fog concealing the encampment.

Abigail groaned, holding her breath as her maid finished tightening her corset, as she finished dressing. Her dark green skirt was gathered around her as she sat still, letting the woman braid her hair tight. “Where is my husband?”

“He be out oiling his blade ma’am. Shall I tell him ye need him?” the maid inquired.

Abigail shook her head. “Nay. Go see if they need your help finishing breakfast.” With that the maid was dismissed. Abigail rose to her feet, fighting down the wave of nausea again and slid the sgian dhu inside her boot and belted her dagger on her waist before moving to the chest and pulling out her bow and arrows, quickly restringing the weapon before pulling the quiver with arrows over her chest and shoulder and putting the bow over her other shoulder. 

She stepped out from the darkness of the tent, squinting at the brightness of the day through the cloud cover. Her eyes searched for her husband, touching over each campfire till she found him. A smile lit her face as he ruffled a boy’s hair and chased him off. Her hand moved down her stomach before she moved towards her husband.

Michael heard the swish of skirts and looked up to see his wife moving towards him. Without hesitation, he put his sword aside, rising and walking towards her to meet her halfway. Strong arms encircled her, pulling her to him as he kissed her deeply, breathing in her scent. She smelled of heather and lilacs.

“Have you eaten yet Abby?” he asked softly, studying her face.

She smiled, shaking her head, “Not yet, but I will. I promise.”

He took a deep breath. “Abby, I’ve got a bad feeling about today. Is there anything I can say or do to convince ye to stay back here at the camp? Even if it’s on the edges? Ye have good aim and good distance with yer bow, there be no need for ye to be there with me.”

Her eyes moved up his body to meet his as her hand moved to his, then moved it towards her stomach. “I will nae be going with ye my love. Ye hae already given a reason for me to stay back.”

It was a few moments before his eyes registered what she said and his eyes widened. “Ye be with child Abby?” He kissed her soundly pulling her to his body. “How far along?”

Abby swallowed before answering. “Six ta eight weeks.”

He blinked. He wanted to be angry with her, but couldn’t. “Ye should be at home! Where it is safe, not here where there would be battle. Ye’ve known for that long?”

“I suspected just before we came here. I wasn’t positive until two weeks ago. And ye couldn’t make me stay behind. My place is here with ye.” She answered. “But I will not put you more at risk by being by your side this time. Ye knowing I carry your child and am fighting next to ye would distract ye.” 

Michael put an arm around her, moving her towards their tent and a fire there. “I will feel much safer with ye here in the camp. I fear it will be a bloody battle.”

“Most are,” she answered softly.

“I just hae a bad feeling about this Abby. We’re going tae win, but….” He shook his head, “something bad is going tae happen.”

Abby couldn’t help but smile, “Men do nae hae the sight Michael. Women do. Good, bad, ye will return to me. More so now." 

Michael grinned, “If it wasn’t nearing time tae move Abby, I’d tumble ye here in now and teach ye about now.” That brought a laugh out of her before she kissed him passionately.