The Taking of the Moon Maiden Ch. 03

"She was a goodly woman and respected by most. She lived alone on the boundary between the McVörss and the Claire's. People would come to her for curing potions and such. Then the fields closest to her cottage began to fallow. The harvest began to shrink. Whispers from both clan of witchcraft started. Both Laird's tried to protect her, but fear does strange things to people. The fire began in the small barn and quickly spread to her cottage. One Laird risked his life to save the old woman, the other did not. When Laird McVörss and Laird Clair arrived the old woman had barely enough breath left to speak to the two men before she gave up her soul to heavens.

"'One of your clansmen did murder me, and one of your clansmen tried to save me. I know not which so I will leave it to the Lord to give the right clan my blessing.

He will find the Moon Maiden and take her as a harlot, but she will be an innocent.

He that takes her maidenhead shall be blessed with peace and happiness for him and his clansman.

He that possesses her shall be granted power and great riches to him and his clansman.

He that drives his seed into her womb shall be granted from his loins a warrior son, and his clansmen too shall have strong sons and fair daughters.

He shall put his mark about her neck, and the moon shall leave its blessings upon her womb.

She will be seen when the moon is full; wolves will sing for her; and dance around her feet.

All this shall she grant for six generations to the warrior and his clan that possess her.'

"Enough! Lomas, you have told this story the last time. All of you get to your mounts before I put my foot in your arse's." His glare was enough to quell them all. Laird Ronen McVörss was not a man to ignore.

He stood well above six feet and his frame was pure iron, his hair was dark and his eyes were cruel. His face along with his body had been scared and bore witness to the many battles he had fought and won. He quietly watched as his men scattered to their mounts. He did not grant them a smile or any show of emotion as they scurried to their mounts.

"Ronen, do not worry, we are far from the O'Donalds border." Ronen turned in his saddle to look at the man who alone dared to question him. It was Daniel of course. Only Daniel would have the courage to speak so to Ronen.

"Daniel we are close enough to the O'Donalds that we need everyman to be alert. Remember the O'Donalds had petitioned the King for marriage to the girl as well. It did not sit well with them that they did not get her hand. They will not go against the King to wed her, but they may use her to get to her younger sister. If they get her younger sister with child faster than I get the Lady Matilda with child, 'de la Humes' may petition the King to change our arrangements. Also do not forget we also ride with Stephen Douglas, and his mother was a Claire?"

"Surely you jest, Ronen? No one believes that old story." Daniel would have laughed had not Ronen looked so stern. Everyone knew that Ronen believed the blessing to be nothing but a children's bed time story.

"Ronen I have never known you to hold any measure with that old story of the Moon Maiden, why this knew concern?" This side to Ronen worried Daniel and he did not like to be worried.

"I may not hold to the story." Ronen replied. "But, it is well known that every Claire is raised to search for this so called 'Moon Maiden.' I do not think it is wise to have our thoughts on anything but retrieving the Lady Matilda. Every hand is needed to see us all to get me my bride and all of us to safer lands."

Daniel chose to ignore the sarcastic note in Ronen's voice when mentioning the 'the Moon Maiden,' and instead said "Lomas has told that story since we were but lads and you have never cut him so, perchance he is the one that deserves the explanation and not I."

Daniel was right of course, Daniel was always right. Ronen did not believe in the story and thought it nonsense, but Ronen knew the clan loved to hear the old tale.

Ronen spurred his horse up besides Lomas and slapped him on the back, "Old man if you keep up those tales, the lads will be so busy looking for wenches they may not see the O'Donald's." Ronen's words were like a soothing balm to the old man, Lomas knew that these words did not come easy to his Laird.

"If the lads not be able to tell a bonnie lass from a hairy Scotsman than perhaps they deserve your foot in their arse." It was Stephen Douglas remarks that set the men to laughing relieved to have the tense moment pass.

Daniel noted quietly that it was not the first time Stephen's quick wit had drawn such an obvious distinction between himself and the sternness that was Ronen. This was not the only time Daniel had noticed Ronen's clan looking to Stephen Douglas for his easy grace, and Daniel did not like the comparison in so many of Ronen's clans eyes.

Stephen with his slim frame, fair hair, and bright blue eyes seemed the direct opposite of Ronens dark looks.

Daniel rode silently beside Ronen. He had known Ronen all his life and only lately begun to worry. Ronen was a warrior, and although he was leader enough to want peace for his clan, ruling over peace was not easy for Ronen.

Ronen rode on unaware of Daniels furtive glances. Ronen had listened to Daniel and as always Ronen was glad to have followed Daniels advice. When Ronen had become Laird he had sworn to listen to those around him. Ronen would not be the Laird his father was, or his father's, father before him. He wanted his people to be at peace in the knowledge that he would care for them. Ronen was well known for his victories and he knew he could lead men into battle, but he also knew that men did not follow a man for battle alone. They followed a man that could lead them not only in battle but beyond as well.

Ronen would not make the mistakes of his line before him. He had enough lands and did not wish to keep his people forever in battle or worried over their Lairds demands. His father had been so filled with hate that he had no love for anyone, not his lands, not his people, not even his own son. He had watched his father cruelly handle his men, giving no quarter for mistakes, and no boon for good deeds. He had watched good men whither and fade. Ronen would not waste his people so. The only problem Ronen seemed to face was instilling his want for peace in his people. His way was not soft and he did not have the ability to make jokes, but he did want his people to be happy. If only he had the ability to reveal his desires to his clan. Instead they all seemed to fear him and live in constant strain that he would drag them off to battle for little reason.

Had this journey alone been proof of his wish for peace? He and a wedding group were traveling to collect his bride. He had negotiated with the king for marriage to a daughter of one of his neighbors, Laird James Earl de la Humes. His oldest unmarried daughter Lady Matilda, had been ruined when she was but fifteen. She had been found with child and had been sent off to live under the protection of some nuns.

Ronen had heard that she had become a goodly woman and lived a modest life helping the nuns with their lessons. His people had told him that she was pleasant to look upon which helped with his decision. By all concerned he would have been within his right to petition for marriage to the youngest daughter. She had been sent to a convent at a very early age, and her character was above reproach; she would be seventeen and well into a descent marriageable age. Rumor had it that when she left for the convent at the tender age of eleven she was already one of the fairest maids to ever bless a man's eyes. However, the Laird Earl de la Humes had decided to offer important lands for his oldest daughters hand in marriage. Ronen smiled to himself, the old Laird was smart. He had declared that the girl Matilda had to be with child before he would sign papers. The need to get her with child would ensure that someone did not marry the girl for her lands and then lock her up in a tower somewhere.

Apparently the old Laird was beginning to feel guilty about his treatment of his oldest daughter and was trying to make peace. Ronen needed these lands to help ensure more peaceful borders, Ronen also needed an heir. This arrangement with the laird for the Lady Matilda was the perfect solution. By taking Lady Matilda he would get the lands he wanted and since Lady Matilda had already proven herself to be a capable breeder, than he should easily get the heir her father wanted and Ronen needed.

Could his people not see he did this willingly so they would not have to worry about strife for their future from their neighbors? What man would knowingly make a whore for his wife if not for the future of his people? He rode in silence and discontent wondering if he and his people would ever find peace and true happiness. As the day wore on, the men became quiet and tense. Ronen lost in his thoughts did not realize how his demeanor set upon his clan.

He quietly mulled the thought that here he was one of the wealthiest lairds, with no pressing wars and still his people seemed unhappy. The pressure was beginning to weigh on him like a strong wind bending a tree.

"What about the wind?" Daniel asked. Ronen looked up from his thoughts and realized the day had passed without his notice. He and his group had been riding all day without break. The sun had begun to set and already the moon was looming in the horizon.

"We had best make encampment. The wind is getting strong." Ronen covered his mumbling with an explanation as best as he could muster. He rode off quietly by himself to review the perimeter while the men set about making camp. When he came back to camp he settled down on his plaid and noticed that a quiet mood had settled over the camp. Sandie played the pipes quietly and seemed to lull everyone into a light slumber.

"Ronen ." It was Grothaus that woke him. Ronen had sent Grothaus and Seamus out to find the cottage where the lass stayed and report her circumstances.

"Ronen, I have located the cottage where the women stay. It was just as described. " Ronen was on his feet in an instant. "How many lived there?" Grothaus smiled he knew his answer would please Ronen.

"It is still just the girl, her wee one, and the old one." Ronen sighed with great relief. His people had reported that the lass had become very modest and did not entertain men, but with a past that had left her unmarried and with a child, he could not help but wonder if she had moved a man into her cottage.

"Have you seen any O'Donald's?" Grothaus answer caused Ronen to tense.

"Yes, they are but two days ride away. We must get the girl and get her quickly." Then with a slow knowing smile Seamus added, "it seems you will have little time to woo the lass before you will need to get your seed in her belly."

Seamus words drove home to Ronen just what needed to be done. "It looks to be that it is not just going to be your horse that gets rode hard and fast on the way home." Seamus laughed at his own vulgar joke, while Grothaus snarled at him in disgust, "you vulgar bastard."

Before a fight broke out with the two Ronen put a halt to the argument. "Stop your bickerin, we must work quick to get this done. Rest for now and in the morning the lass will be mine." Both men grunted their understanding and left Ronen to lie back on his pallet.

He would stay up the rest of the night while plotting on how to best get the lass; keep her from the O'Donalds; get them all to safety; while trying to get her with child. Doing this all, using as little force as necessary.

Ronen did not like to hurt women and had never raped a woman. He had known of descent men that had raped women in the heat of battle and although he had never participated in such acts, he had understood the anger that had clouded their minds.

But he had never understood the raping of one's own wife, even though he had heard of it often enough. A wife had decided to bare her husband from their marriage bed for some reason and the husband had simply forced himself on his wife. Ronen shuddered, deep in his soul he did want to be one of those men who forced their wives. Hopefully the lass would understand that he must have her with child and quickly.

A thought made him smile, at least with her already having lovers he would not have to waste valuable time trying to break in a virgin. He had never had a virgin either. He had always preferred women of experience. His smile faded as he drifted off to sleep, surely marrying a woman who already had a child had some benefits.  

With a new relish on what the day held, Ronen sent the women, youngsters, and most of his men to move towards his lands. They would ride until evening and there they would make camp, waiting for Ronen and a few of his guard to return with their new mistress.

Ronen rode off with his chosen men riding hard in the saddle to get to the Lady Matilda before the O'Donald's.

"I noticed you sent Master Douglass with the women." Ronen smiled, he knew that Daniel would have something to say about that swift maneuver.

"Daniel, did you notice that Master Douglas seemed more than appreciative being left with the women? He likes to dally with the ladies more than he likes the saddle." Daniel laughed at Ronen's reply. Ronen was right, but Daniel knew that Ronen just wanted to ride in peace with his own clansmen.

"What plan you to do with the woman? Yours will not be a normal marriage and she might not want to be wed to you." Daniels question startled Ronen, his answer showing his surprise. "I will do what is required. I hope that the lass is willing to see reason in the situation."

"If the lass does not care about your reasons and refuses you?" Daniel continued question Ronen, as only Daniel could. "It will be easier on her if she adjust to me and my request, but if she doesn't it will be her that is hurt. I will have what I want and right now she is what I want." Daniel wondered if Ronen realized how much Ronen's answer revealed.

It was true that Ronen needed the land the girl's father had offered, but Daniel had long sensed that Ronen was tired of battles and wanted to settle down with a woman to warm his hearth and his nights.

The two rode on in silence with the rest of the group, years of battle had taught them to ride quietly in order to hear any approaching enemies when on raiding parties. This was indeed a raiding party, they were not raiding for horseflesh or monies; they were raiding for a wife, a wife for The McVörss, one who would become mistress of them all.

"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, you won't believe what I just saw?"

"Brian! Stop your blasphemen, or it will be the last thing you see before I knock your eyes out." Lomas quick answer would normally have shamed anyone into at least a blush, but not this time.

Brian didn't even hesitate before he breathlessly continued. "I just saw an angel, she is at the cottage where we ride." This caught all their attention. Brian had been sent ahead to scout the cottage and make sure the women had not left.

Ronen walked up to group, "I need you to report exactly what you saw." The look on Ronen's face quieted the group down while they listened to Brian. "I went to the cottage and waited to report everyone there, just like you said." He looked over to Grothaus who had sent him earlier before he continued. "I saw the wee lass and the old one. It looks like they are packing with haste. I was turning to leave when an angel appeared. She walked out and the wee one ran to her."

Brian's eyes got round as saucer when he faced Ronen. Brian had always been a nervous lad around Ronen but the image of the girl drove out anything but wonder. "The McVörss, I think she must be the lass's mother, the one you are coming for." Brian turned to the group of men and said, "she took my breath from my lungs." They all stood for a moment looking at the lad. Brian was normally a level headed young man, but he seemed to under some spell.

"If The McVörss is to have Brian's beauty for his wife, we had better quit gabbling like a bunch of women and fetch her before she is taken by the O'Donald's." Brian surprised them all into almost laughing at them when he whipped around at Grothaus remarks. "Oh no, she musn't become theirs. She's ours, I mean The McVörss's."

Ronen took pity on the tongue tied youth, "I ken what you mean lad and am proud that ye be so pleased with my lady and your new mistress." Ronen stressed the words 'my lady' and 'your new mistress' to make sure everyone understood that is exactly what she was going to be, his lady, and the clans new mistress.

***She*** "Quiet!" She softly said to Moira. She had heard someone in the thicket when she had went to get Moira. Hilda had heard it too. Their eyes met over the girl, they needed to leave and they needed to leave now.

Their respite from her father had came to an end. This morning she had caught Hilda looking as though the world would end. When Emmaline had questioned her, she realized that to an extent their world was ending, or at least changing.

"You are stoking dead coals," Emmalines had said, when she realized that Hilda realized had been sitting in front of a dead fire.

Hilda's response filled the small cottage with dread. "I have a message from your father." Hilda told Emmaline hating the look of fear that marred the young girls lovely features.

"You might as well tell me what it says. We both know you have already read its contents." Emmaline words might have been cold but the encouraging smile she gave was warm enough to help Hilda break the news.

"It would seem that your father has decided to make amends of his harsh treatment of Matilda. The lands that were Matilda's mother are to be given to Laird Ronen McVörss, as part of her dowry. He has given the Lady Matilda's hand in marriage to Laird McVörss, and the Laird must get her with child before first spring. Come spring both your father Laird James and brother Duncan will go to the Laird to give him the land grand and verify the pregnancy."

Hilda's words hit the room like a rain of stone. Emmaline had been living in fear that her father would find out that Matilda had died and seek his right to claim her daughter Moira.

What would happen now? What would her father do at first spring when he discovered that Matilda died, would he take Moira from Emmaline? What would the Laird do? If she told him she was not Matilda, he may turn her over to her father? If she did not then he would expect her to wed him and allow him to get her with child. What would happen when her father discovered her deceit and he may deny her husband lands. Would the Laird McVörss punish Emmaline for deceiving him? There were too many questions, and too little time to find answers.

"We must leave, now." Her hands seemed to be useless they had been trying to pack all morning when. She was having trouble doing the simplest of things. She grabbed some bags and was getting food when she heard Hilda yell. Emmaline grabbed Moira and ran out of the cottage.

Several large men were bearing down on them, riding even larger horses. They were all wearing kilts with little else except their swords, making it obvious they were a raiding party.

Emmaline reacted with the speed of a warrior. "Quick get on." Hilda looked at Emmaline not grasping, "Hilda hurry get on now."

Hilda fumbled as she tried to get up in the saddle until Emmaline exasperated, put her hands on Hilda's rump and gave a hard push. Hilda bounced into the saddle and had little time to right herself before Emmaline plopped Moira on the saddle in front of Hilda.

Emmaline looked up at the riders; they were closer, too close for anything else but for Emmaline to do what she did next.