Page 19 of Highland Queen

Chapter 7

The next day, we rose at sunrise and set off on the road once more. Unlike Duncan, we would not call all the lords and ladies from far and wide to come and lick our boots. They could come or not. It was up to them. Macbeth would be crowned, I alongside him, because we had won the battle. The rest would be settled one of three ways: by words, coin, or steel.

I had expected Scone to be silent as we rode toward the abbey. What met us, however, was far different.

The first sound was that of the pipers. The music caught me off guard. The blood bay twitched his ears, straining to listen. First, I heard the pipes, then drums, then horns. As we rode over a rise, a crowd greeted us. The joyful sound of the bagpipes filled the air. The people lined the streets to welcome us. Cheering, they threw flowers in our path and called our names.

“Lady Gruoch…Lord Macbeth…Look, there’s the Lady of Moray…Lord Banquo…Queen Gruoch…King Macbeth.”

King Macbeth.

Queen Gruoch.

Duncan had not been a popular ruler. He hadn’t shown much interest in his people other than collecting taxes from them and sending them to war when it pleased him. Duncan’s costly and unsuccessful wars against his cousins in the north had hurt the southern provinces. Perhaps I had underestimated how much.

Leaving the army encamped around the city, we rode on with a large contingent to the abbey. There, we were met by the sentinel who spoke to Banquo at length.

Macbeth reined his horse in beside me but did not speak.

After a few moments, Banquo joined us. “You were expected. They’re ready for you and whatever lords and ladies will be in attendance. There are people waiting to see you both already.”

Macbeth turned to me. “We must arrange a workroom.”

“Arrange yourself as you will,” I said then dismounted. I patted the blood bay’s neck then passed his reins to a waiting groom.

“My lady, we have prepared chambers for you, your maids, and Lord Lulach,” a footman told me, straining to look, presumably, for Lulach.

“Tira, Rhona, please see to the chambers, and get some rest,” I told my maids.

“Yes, my lady,” Rhona said.

“Yes, my lady,” Tira agreed.

I turned back to the attendant. “I need my own, private meeting space. I’ll need to have an audience with any messengers who’ve come to see me.”

“Oh. Yes, my lady,” the man said, looking surprised. He turned to a page beside him. He said something in a low tone to the boy who sprinted off like his trousers were on fire.

“My lord,” another attendant said, motioning for Macbeth to follow him. “If you will come with me, I will show you to your council chambers.”

Macbeth signaled to the man to wait a moment. Dismounting, he stepped toward me as if he wanted to say something in private. I recoiled at the thought of having him so close to me. Involuntarily, I stepped back.

Noticing the gesture, Macbeth froze. I saw him master whatever emotion briefly crossed his face, and then he said, “It will be better if we share a counsel chamber.”

“When necessary,” I replied. “Only when necessary.”

Macbeth clenched his jaw. “Fine,” he spat. His temper making his cheeks turn red, he turned and stalked away.

I caught Banquo’s eye. He frowned. “Lady Gruoch, I must see to the men. Do you need anything else here?” Banquo asked.

“No, Thane. I seem to be in good hands.”

Banquo smiled at me. “Then I will see to you soon. The Moray guard will stay with you.”

I nodded to Banquo who mounted his horse.

I turned back to the attendant.

“Lady Gruoch, if you will come this way,” the man said, gesturing.

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