Page 137 of The Empire and the Wolf King

His name in the Highlands will echo so far,

A legend reborn, under Scottish star.

High upon Highlands and low upon Tay,

The Wolf King Archibald rode out on a day.

Saddled and bridled, so bonny rode he,

Home cam’ his good horse, but never cam’ he.

High upon Highlands and low upon Tay,

The Wolf King Archibald rode out on a day.

His spirit still wanders where once he did roam,

In tales and in hearts, he will never be gone.

We applauded and cheered, as Lady Mairead returned and sank into her chair. Wilfrey put his arm around her and gave her a hug.

The men returned to their seats. Magnus asked, “Lady Mairead, tis the story of Archibald,ourArchibald?”

“Aye,” she dabbed at her eyes with a napkin. “I ought tae hae known he would pass centuries before now, but I dinna want tae look.”

Lochinvar said, “We must look on the bright side, he gained an epic poem that is sung through the ages.”

Fraoch raised his glass. “Aye, and daena stop me, Og Maggy, tis my turn tae ramble on makin’ a toast… Tae Archibald, who came tae be known as the Wolf King, and saved us from some fate that we canna know because we hae been kept from the grief, we sing a song tae him tae tell of his story: High upon Highlands and low upon Tay, the Wolf King Archibald rode out on a day… his spirit still wanders where once he did roam, in tales and in hearts, he will never be gone.”

We all raised our glasses and Magnus said, “Slàinte!” And we all drank.

Then Lady Mairead stood, her head high. “Thank ye, children, for yer witnessing of our wedding, it means a great deal tae me. We will retire tae our room now.”

Wilfrey put out his arm and she took it and they walked from the room, her head held high and stately, but there had been a tremor to her voice, belying her grief underneath.

CHAPTER 63 - ARCHIE

BALLOCH CASTLE - JUNE 1, 1710

It was night and the cousins and Ben and I had headlamps on and we were racing through the upper halls, tryin’ tae catch up tae my cousin, when I passed Lady Mairead walking to her chamber with her new husband. He stepped aside and she cleared her throat as if expecting me to stop.

I called to Ben, “Go ahead!” and leaned over to catch my breath.

“Good evening, Grandson, how are ye?” She put up her hand to block my light. “Turn off your lamp, please.”

“Sorry.” I clicked it off. “I’m fine, Grandmother, racing the cousins and Ben.”

“Good, ye hae a fine spirit.”

I straightened up and said, “You got married?”

“Aye, Wilfrey is a wonderful man. And I daena ken if ye hae been told, but I married him because ye told me tae.”

“I did? Weird.”

“Aye, tis verra weird. As has been explained, I met ye when ye were aulder, ye were verra heroic and sacrificed yerself tae save yer family.”

I grinned and joked, “It’s what I do.”

---