Chapter 36

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

" M acLeod. I thought ye'd turn up sooner or later," said a tall, stocky, dark-haired man in a mocking tone, staring menacingly at Arne from a few yards away. The Laird of Barra appeared hard-faced, powerful, and determined. His harsh voice rose above the crash of the waves and the din of fighting coming from somewhere further away. He had his sword out, and so did the four or five men behind him.

"'Tis kind of ye tae bring a welcomin' party," Arne replied, waving the girls back with one arm whilst unsheathing his own weapon with the other. "I dinnae think we're acquainted. Would ye mind introducin' yersel', just so I can be sure who I'm speakin' tae."

The man's eyes darkened. "I'm Struan MacDonald, and ye're on me lands, uninvited. And I see ye have somethin' that belongs tae me," He glanced behind Arne's shoulder meaningfully, obviously looking at Raven.

"Ach, I've heard yer name. Ye're the man that likes tae beat up defenseless women, are ye nae?"

MacDonald's dark brow knitted, and Arne could clearly see he did not like the question.

"If ye're referrin' tae me useless wife, the wee whore deserves everythin' she gets," MacDonald sneered.

Arne felt a powerful urge to tear the man limb from limb with his bare hands, but he held his peace, waiting for his moment. He had vowed to kill MacDonald, and he did not want to miss his chance by being rash.

"Is that so? And what d'ye think a man who beats women and threatens the life of bairns deserves?" He did not wait for, nor expect, an answer but carried on, "Because in me book, a man like that is nae a man at all, but a cowardly dog that needs a good beatin' before he's strung up. Killin' him with sword seems almost too good fer scum like that."

He kept his eyes on McDonald, watching as his cheeks turned red with fury. "Dinnae fear, Raven," Arne called behind him. "I'll have ye out of here in a wee minute, once I've dealt with this… individual." He spat in the sand, making sure the gobbet of saliva landed on MacDonald's boot, and glared at him with all the hate he had stored up for him in his heart.

MacDonald took a step closer to him and snarled, "Ye bastard, ye think ye're better than me, dae ye, because ye're soft on that wee bitch and gave her a bairn?"

"That's one more bairn than ye've given her in six years," Arne pointed out, intending to provoke the man beyond reason. That way, he would make mistakes. So, he carried on insulting him. "Och, sorry, I got me calculations wrong there. She left ye fer two years, did she nae, because she couldnae stand ye?

"And that was just the first time, before ye hunted her down and dragged her back tae this dump again. Still, four years should be enough fer any man with some decent seed in him tae give a lassie a bairn."

The men behind MacDonald were growing restive, clearly wanting to be unleashed upon Arne to defend their master's honor. Surprisingly, MacDonald waved them back.

"Och, I see ye have some pride at least," Arne added provokingly. "I had ye pegged as the type who would get another man tae dae his fightin' and his dyin' fer him."

"Ye think ye can kill me, MacLeod?" MacDonald shouted, growing visibly more furious by the moment.

"Well, now that ye mention it, it had crossed me mind. And when I saw the two blackeyes ye've given' Raven, I pretty much decided I'd take on the job on her behalf. But now I've met ye, I'll be honest, I'll be doin' it fer mesel', just out of the sheer enjoyment of runnin' ye through."

"Then come on, ye bastard!" MacDonald ground out, charging at Arne with his sword held high, the better to stab downward.

"With pleasure," Arne shouted, going to meet him. They clashed with a mighty roar, their blades ringing as they met and engaged in a deadly dance across the sand, thrusting with their swords, then parrying each other's blows. Arne had to admit MacDonald was a tough and seasoned fighter and certainly no push over.

Arne turned things up a notch, allowing the energy from his love for Raven and hatred for MacDonald to flow through him, giving him strength and speed.

He fought ferociously, deflecting his enemy's sword blows deftly with his own and raining down blows upon MacDonald, making him work, tiring him out, seeking that momentary lapse in concentration that would mean his foe's death.

But just as he began to see the signs that he was gaining the upper hand, MacDonald shouted to his men, "Get the woman!"

Dread filled Arne as two of the men ran in a wide circle around him and MacDonald and up the rocky hillside where the two women were hiding, no doubt terrified.

Sensing his foe's intention, he stepped up his assault on MacDonald, more determined to defeat the man. Then suddenly, a piercing scream ripped through the night, and into Arne's soul. His blood ran cold because he knew the scream had come from Raven.

The next moment she appeared on the beach, being dragged by the two soldiers. The sight of her seemed to invigorate MacDonald, who stepped up his attack on Arne to prevent him from reaching Raven. But even as he bore down hard upon his foe, the men thrust Raven at their laird, who darted backwards and grabbed her by the neck. In seconds he was holding his blade to her throat.

"Give up, or I'll slit her throat from ear tae ear," MacDonald yelled, an evil grin of triumph appearing on his face. He lifted Raven up by the throat, so her feet kicked helplessly in midair.

"Let me go, ye bastard!" she screamed at him, wild-eyed with terror, kicking and biting and tearing at his flesh with her fingernails. But her efforts were in vain, for MacDonald was much stronger than her and easily controlled her. He cruelly squeezed her neck with his arm, cutting off her air and choking her

"Ye thought ye could outwit me, did ye, ye wee whore?" he screamed in her ear, spittle flying, glaring maniacally at Arne over Raven's shoulder. "Ye'll both die here on this island, and neither of ye will see that wee brat of yers again!"

"All right, MacDonald, let her go unharmed, and I'll surrender," Arne offered, though he had no intention of doing any such thing. He was even more determined now to save Raven and destroy MacDonald, even if it cost him his life. But with Raven in immediate danger, he knew he had to buy some time by appearing to give up. He planned to lull MacDonald into a false sense of security and then strike.

All this time, he did not take his eyes off Raven's, trying to tell her silently that he would save her. But she was going blue and gasping for breath, and he was unsure if she could even see him.

At that moment, the sound of men fighting grew to a roar, and from the corner of his eye, Arne saw men pouring over the rocks to his right. They were engaged in furious fighting, filling the air with the clash of swords, panting and grunting, as they poured down onto the beach. Soon, they were everywhere. The men with MacDonald joined the fray, and Arne and Raven and MacDonald were quickly surrounded by a turbulent sea of fighting.

"Surrender, MacLeod!" MacDonald yelled at him, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "Ye're outnumbered."

"All right, all right, just let her go, and I'll give mesel' up," Arne shouted back, watching, always watching for his chance. It came a few moments later, when he saw MacDonald's eyes flick away from him to the fight going on around them, clearly believing he had won.

Seeing his opportunity, Arne threw himself forward, closing the short gap between them, and with deadly accuracy, putting all his body weight behind it, he rammed his blade full force into MacDonald's temple and then pulled it out.

Raven screamed as a fountain of blood erupted from the hole in MacDonald's skull, showering her and Arne and anyone else within a few feet with crimson rain. Arne watched as the man remained on his feet for a few seconds, an expression of surprise on his face, before his arm fell limply away from Raven's throat, and his sword fell harmlessly to the sand.

His body tipped forward, collapsing onto Raven, who squealed in horror and wriggled desperately out from under him, scrambling into Arne's arms. She fell against his chest, coughing and gasping, trying to pull air into her lungs.

Arne leaned over MacDonald, whose mouth was working like a fish's, but no words came out, only a horrible choking gurgle. "I came here tae kill ye, ye evil scum, and I consider it a service tae humanity tae rid the world of a bastard like ye!" He saw the light go out in McDonald's eyes with a feeling of great satisfaction.

"Is he dead?" Raven cried hoarsely. "Tell me he's dead!"

"Aye, he is now. 'Tis all over, Raven," he told her gently, his arms wrapping around her protectively as he pulled her further down the beach, away from the fighting going on all around them. "Ye need never fear him again. He cannae hurt ye anymore."

"I truly thought he was gonnae kill me this time," she sobbed, hugging him tightly as if afraid to let go. "I cannae believe he's gone, that I'm free at last. Thank ye, thank ye, Arne, from the bottom of me heart!"

"Ye dinnae have tae thank me, bonny lass, the pleasure was all mine," he told her, kissing her blood-spattered hair tenderly, relieved to have her safe in his arms again, for the moment at least.

"Come on, we need tae get ye and yer friend out of here tae safety," he told her, taking her by the hand and running to the shelter of the bushes by the path.

"Where are Everard and Max," she asked anxiously as they ran.

"Fightin' somewhere."

"Look, there's Ava. Och, she's all right!" Raven cried, rushing to her friend, who was crouching behind a bush, tears running down her face. The two women embraced and sobbed against each other's shoulders.

"He's d-dead, Ava, Arne killed him. I'm f-free," Raven stuttered.

"I saw, melady, 'Tis a miracle. I'm so happy fer ye," Ava replied tearfully.

"Stay down low and wait here until I come and get ye," Arne told them.

"Be careful, Arne, please!" Raven said, her eyes beseeching him to stay safe.

"I will," he replied before running back to rejoin the fray. He soon saw that the death of their leader had taken the heart out of the MacDonald fighters. Many were dead or dying on the sand, while others were retreating over the rocks, clearly making for the relative safety of the castle. The fighting was thinning out, and he could now see Maxwell and Everard and their few men putting up a valiant defense while they fought their way down to the sea's edge.

Something caught his eye out on the water. To his astonishment, the birlinn was bobbing out there on the waves a stone's throw from the beach, with two men already aboard, watching the battle. He guessed the brothers had given orders for the boat to be readied for their escape from the island, and he was thankful for their foresight.

He watched as Everard dealt a death blow to his opponent, and Arne ran towards him, hailing him. Everard wiped the blood and bone and sweat from his brow as Arne reached him.

"Have ye got Raven?" he shouted, panting.

"Aye, she's waiting just back there on the path with her maid," Arne told him. "She's all right, and McDonald's dead."

"Good. Let's finish this. Get the lassies on the boat. Once Maxell's done, we're leavin'."

As Arne ran back to fetch Raven and Ava, he heard Everard shouting orders to his men to make for the boat and then saw him running up the sand to aid his brother.

"Come on, we need tae get on the boat!" Arne held out his hand to Raven, who in turn, held onto Ava's as they sprinted down the sand and waded into the surf towards the boat.

"I'll be back shortly," he assured them before turning back towards the beach to help the brothers mop up. But just as he stepped onto the sand, he saw them racing towards the boat behind several of their men, all of them bloody, some nursing injuries. The men plunged into the surf and threw themselves aboard the birlinn. Arne jumped in after them, shouting, "Row, ye bastards, row fer yer lives!"

Later that night, exhausted, with some of the men weak from their wounds, the birlinn reached a fishing village on the coast about ten miles from Tarbert.

"There's an inn just up there," Everard told them, pointing up to where a faint orange glow could be seen, a welcoming sight in the surrounding darkness. "We can stay there fer the night and get any injuries treated before we head home."

The inn was quiet when they entered, but when the landlord, who was cleaning the bar, saw them, he rushed to their assistance, summoning his wife and their servants to help. A healer was sent for, and soon arrived to treat the injured. Hot food, ale, and whisky were provided for those who wanted it.

Rooms were duly assigned and occupied. Raven and Ava had a room to themselves. Arne turned toward her as soon as they shut the door behind them. He felt absurdly happy.

They sat down next to each other on the bed and she turned and looked into his eyes.

"Thank ye from the bottom of me heart fer coming tae help me, Arne," she told him earnestly. "I never expected it, nae after how we had parted before. I thought ye'd have been on yer way home."

"I told ye, I found I couldnae leave ye," he replied, taking the flask of whisky they had brought up to the room with them and taking a long swig. The liquid slid down his throat easily, leaving a warm, comforting trail in its wake. He handed the flask back to her. She sipped it, being careful of her split lip. His heart went out to her.

She leaned forward and whispered in a conspiratorial tone, as if she felt guilty for what she was about to say, "I want tae thank ye especially for killin' Struan. I'm free now, and it feels wonderful. So, thank ye."

"I enjoyed it," he admitted with a wry smile.

"Arne?"

"Mmm?"

"Did ye read the letter I left fer ye?"

Dismayed that she should mention it, he shook his head. "'Tis still in me coat pocket. I told ye, I didnae want tae read it, nae after what was in the last one ye left me. Why would I want tae read that ye were leavin' me again?" e sked morosely.

She sighed. "Where's yer coat?"

"Over there, on the chair."

She got up and went over to it and searched methodically through his pockets until she drew out the crumpled envelope. She brought it back and sat down, handing it to him.

"Read it now, please."

He eyes it reluctantly. "Why?"

"Please, Arne, I'm beggin' ye, try tae trust me just once more and read it."

She seemed so insistent, he decided he had nothing to lose and would do as she asked. He opened it up and began reading.

Me darling Arne,

I ken ye'll be angry and upset tae find this letter from me, and ye'll think I'm running out on ye again. But I promise I'm nae, so please read what I have tae say and try tae understand. Two days ago, a strange man came up tae me in the marketplace at the village. He told me that Struan has Thorsten hostage and that he would kill him if I didnae go back tae him. He gave instructions to be at the old kirk at the far end of the village at midnight tonight if I wanted tae see Thorsten alive again. I have gone there tae give meself up tae Struan in exchange fer Thorsten.

I'm so sorry fer nae telling ye this, but I was fearful of what ye might dae. I could nae risk Thorsten's life in any way, and I ken ye would nae want that either.

Last time I had tae leave ye, I thought I had tae dae everything by meself, tae protect ye and our son from Struan. But this time, I'm doing things differently. So, when ye read this letter, I want ye to follow me tae the old kirk. This time, I want us to work together tae save our precious son, so that we can be free of me past and live happily as a family. I ken if I had told ye, ye'd nae have waited until the morrow, so writing ye a letter was me only chance tae buy mesel' some time with Struan and risk only me life, in case it is all a trap.

With all the love in me heart,

Yer Raven

When Arne finished reading, he had tears in his eyes.

"So, ye were nae leavin, me at all," he said, hearing his own voice cracking.

"Nay. I'd only just got ye back. The last thing I wanted tae dae was leave ye again. But ye see, I decided I couldnae risk Thorsten's life by refusin' tae believe Struan had him. I had nae choice but tae hand mesel' over tae him if there was the remotest chance it was true.

"I thought about tellin' ye, but every time I tried, I couldnae bring mesel' tae dae it. I kent it would destroy ye, and ye would go rushin' in tae try tae get him back. I was terrified ye'd be killed and that I might end up losin' both of ye. I was eaten up with guilt, because it seemed like it was all me fault fer endangerin' ye both by gettin' ye mixed up with that evil man.

"Also, I was certain that if I told ye about the meetin', ye'd stop me from goin'. I couldnae risk that either, fer Thorsten's sake. That's why I left ye the letter, askin' ye tae wait a while and then follow me, tae find out if Struan was lyin' about havin' Thorsten.

"He told me himself when we were back on Barra that it was all just a bluff, a cruel trick tae scare me intae givin mesel' up tae him. Thorsten was safe at home the whole time, thank God."

Arne groaned and rubbed his head. "I was a fool. I should have read the letter when ye asked me tae."

Raven laid a gentle hand on his arm. "I'm so sorry fer nae tellin' ye, Arne. I hated mesel' fer lyin' tae ye again, but I didnae ken what else tae dae. I never thought ye would nae read the letter, but I understand why ye didnae want tae."

Arne's heart was aching when he took her hand in his and raised it to his lips, pressing a small kiss on the delicate skin on the inside of her wrist. He looked into her eyes. "I'm sorry fer nae trustin' ye, Raven. Can ye forgive me?"

Her smile warmed him even more than the whisky. "There's naethin' fer me tae forgive. 'Tis me who must ask fer yer forgiveness once again. Can ye forgive me?"

In reply, he enfolded her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. "There's naethin' fer me tae forgive, now I understand why ye did what ye did. I think ye're the bravest, kindest, most beautiful woman I've ever met, and Thorsten and I are lucky tae have ye. I love ye, Raven, and I always will."

Beneath her bruises and swelling, her happiness shone out. She held him tight and hugged him. "I love ye too, Arne, and I always will." They hugged as if they would never let go of each other.

She felt so much lighter of heart now all the misunderstandings between them were cleared up and they were free to simply love each other and live together as a family with Thorsten. It was like a dream she could never let herself fully believe in before. Now, it was becoming real, and it was thrilling.

"Let's get intae bed," he told her, flipping back the covers invitingly. They climbed in and snuggled up together, perfectly content but both so exhausted by the night's events that within a very short time, they fell fast asleep wrapped in each other's arms.