My Highlander, My Love, Part Three:Forbidden Love, The Greatest Love Story Ever Told.

The stranger's eyes

It took nearly an hour of pulling the huge warrior all the way to the cabin. Thankfully the cabin door was unlocked and the inside of it was tidy. It was on Macalister land, and Valerie wondered what it was used for.

"Please, help me up!" The warrior said hoarsely, and startled Violet who was trying to think of a way to lift the unconscious warrior off the floor.

"Oh thanks be to God, you're awake!"

"Hold my hands and pull me to my knees, I think I can manage after that to lift myself on the bed!"

The young maiden removed her cloak and placed it on a wooden chair that was next to the bed, and then she did as she was told, "On the count of three, one....two.... three!"

The Warrior used what little strength was left in him and pulled himself on his knees, he then made his way to the bed that was but a short distance away and Valerie helped him climb on it. The clean linens were now full of the Warriors blood, but that was the least of there problems. Valerie noticed that the warrior was burning hot, soon he will be delirious, the fever will attack his immune system and he could die!

"What is your name?" She asked him, so she could report to his people to come To his aid.

"Nay, not my name!" He roared and closed his eyes.

"You are a very sick man, I will have to get your people to come and take you home, to what clan do you belong too?"

"Nay, I will not give you my name!" He roared once again, "do not tell anyone I am here, I command you!"

Valerie narrowed her eyes, he commands her? By what authority does this man command her on her clans land? She thought, as she looked around the cabin for a clean towel to clean his wounds. Thankfully the wash bin was full with water and she found a clean towel next to it. Dipping the cloth into the bin, she then twisted it to get all the excess water out and walked back to the bed. The warrior had passed out again, and Valerie quickly cleaned his wounds. It was a good thing he was unconscious, the pain would have been horrendous if he was awake and alert.

After cleaning the wounds very carefully, Valerie dipped the towel back into the wash bin and rinsed the towel clean, she then twisted it one more time to get rid of the water and placed the wet folded cloth on his burning forehead. Growing up at the Abby, Valerie learned many things. She followed the nuns around and learned to cook, clean, and to help the sick. Mother Helena was kind to her and took her under her wing. She taught Valerie how to recognize and pick healing herbs, and how to use them to help the sick. Many wounded warriors were brought to the Abby and the nuns healed each and everyone of them. The King of Scotland recognized the good work of the nuns and he rewarded them with supplies of food and clothing, and although the good nuns did not accept payment for their good deeds, the King delivered the supplies once a month outside the Abby's door step anonymously, but Mother Helena knew where the supplies came from and was thankful to the Lord.

The Druidess opened the door to the cabin and went nearby to some bushes and shrubs, and looked around for healing plants. To her good fortune she found what she was looking for and cut what she needed to make the healing salve. She grabbed a few rock's that were laying around and made her way back to the cabin,

Closing the door, Valerie went to work immediately. She crushed the healing leaves in a wooden bowl she had found by the sink and made a paste that was going to help the warrior. Returning to the bed, Valerie very carefully spread the healing salve on the Warriors wounded feet and then placed leaves over them. Tearing strips of material from an extra bed sheet that she found in an old trunk in the corner, the young maiden wrapped it around the Warriors feet.

Outside the cabin were two large wooden barrels full of water. Valerie dipped a huge tankard in the barrel and drew some water she would need to clean the mess in the cabin. When she had wiped all the blood off the wooden floors and rinsed out once again the dirty cloths, she hung them temporarily on a chair and decided that she needed to light the fire to bring warmth in the cabin.

It did not take more than an hour to collect the wood, and start a fire. Valerie stoked the logs and watched the orange flames lick the wood and crackle, bringing warmth to the log cabin. Lifting her self up, she walked over to the bed and looked down at the huge warrior who slept peacefully. His dark, thick hair framed around his handsome face. Thick, long eyes lashes, a chiseled nose, strong jaw and cheek bones, and sculpted lips, made him one of the handsomest man Valerie had ever set eyes on. Her eyes lowered to his broad shoulders, muscled arms, abs of steel, tapered waist, and his firm, and muscular thighs, his entire sun bronzed body was all iron clad muscle! He looked like a Greek God and that thought left her mystified and somewhat breathless. Without realizing it, she drew in a long breath and expelled it slowly.

Valerie eyes swept back up to his huge bulge underneath his kilt, and her face turned crimson red with shame, taring her gaze away from the warrior, she walked over to the wash bin and dipped her hands in the cool clean water and washed them. Soon, she thought, he will wake up and he will be thirsty and hungry.

Pulling her cloak off the chair, Valerie draped it over her shoulders and left the cabin. She needed to get back to Sterlingshire, pretend that nothing was wrong, wait till the sun goes down and come back to the cabin with food and drink. She must feed him, and check his wounds again before night settles, she thought, as she ran all the way home.

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Prince William swore under his breath as he turned to his side. Pain surged through his legs and he opened his eyes and scanned the room. Where was he, he thought, alarmed to find himself alone in a strange dark room. Where was he and how did he get here, he wondered, as he tried to sit up, but failed miserably.

"Son of a bitch!" He cursed again.

Where were his men, why had they abandon him? The crown prince of Scotland reached for his sword but it wasn't there, he was disarmed! Pressuring himself to think back on what could have happened to him, the prince lost consciousness again and fell into deep sleep.

**********

Holding the lighted rune in her right hand to see where she was going, and the bag of food, ale, and clothing in her other hand, Valerie made her way back to the cabin. She had eaten dinner with her family, and then snuck in the kitchen and stole some meat, cheese and bread. Cook was very tired and would not notice the missing food, Valerie thought, but Michael would surly notice the bottle of whiskey she stole from the library, but he would never think to pin it on her.

Careful not to trip over any rocks or debri on her path, Valerie finally reached the cabin in records time. Opening the door, she walked inside and dropped everything she held on the wooden table. Walking back, she placed the wooded bar on the door and returned to the fireplace where she dropped more logs and stoked the weak fire.

The prince awoke and cast a sideways glance beneath his hooded lids, "It you!" His voice was deep and masculine.

Valerie whirled around and ran to his side.

"You're awake." She stammered in a low, gentle voice, both surprised and delighted that he was finally awake, and she blessed him with a smile.

The prince was at a loss for words, as he watched her remove the hooded cloak and toss it on the chair. Her blonde hair tumbled over her shoulders, and she fluttered her lashes innocently at him. Her cheeks were flushed and her vivid blue eyes sparkled with excitement. Her beauty claimed him.

"How are you feeling?" She asked, and drew closer to him.

"I've had better days." He said, and was rewarded with a smile.

"Are you hungry, I've brought you food and drink!"

The prince arched an eye brow, "Drink?" He asked, and his lips curled in amusement.

"Aye, a bottle of whiskey, I think it will help with the pain!" She said, doing everything she could to avoid looking into his silvery, blue grey eyes.

note: I'm falling asleep as I write this, I know I'm stopping the chapter in the middle of their conversation but I am falling asleep on the table!!! It is 1:44 a.m. Here in Chicago il.

Good night and God bless, I'll try and write more tomorrow. Xoxoxxoxoxoxxo