Page 78 of The Mad Highlander
The Flowers of the Forest are a’' wede away.”
The words filled the room, flowing through hearts, rousing spirits through sorrow for those who had been lost to protect what they all had. Iris felt she was floating above the earthenfloor as everyone joined hands to sing together, and a part of her hoped the men fighting above could hear the singing, too. That it invaded their hearts and minds and inspired them as much as they were inspired.
“Dool and wae for the order, sent our lads to the Border!
The English, for ance, by guile wan the day;
The Flowers of the Forest, that fought aye the foremost,
The prime of our land are cauld in the clay.
We’ll hear nae mair lilting, at the yowe-milking,
Women and bairns are heartless and wae;
Sighing and moaning, on ilka green loaning,
The Flowers of the Forest are a’ wede away.”
The room fell silent, but it was not empty anymore. Each woman and child wore an aura around them that warmed them. Iris wrapped her arms around Astrid, and she replied with the same.
“Have hope,” Astrid whispered. “Always have hope. Healin’ doesnae always happen in the healin’ hut.” She tapped Iris’ chest. “It happens in here, too.” She tapped her own chest. “And here.”
“Thank ye for joinin’ me,” Iris said. “And thank ye for takin’ care of me brother on his return here. Ye have helped me far more than ye will ever ken.”
“And ye have helped me,” Astrid said.
“Was that nae braw!” Margot announced, finding some vigor and standing up from her chair. “I dinnae think I have heard a better group of lasses and bairns. This is what we will do until our men get back. We will sing songs and tell stories. Anyone can tell one, and the more songs we have, the better. So, think of yer very best songs and stories, and we will all come together.”
“I feel better,” Iris said to Astrid.
“Ye made this happen.” Astrid took Iris’ hand again.
“I wish me brother were here with us. He always told guid stories. Do ye ken where in the castle they took him?”
“I thought ye kenned,” Astrid said.
Iris’ blood ran cold, and the chill in the room returned, penetrating her. “Kenned what?” She knew the answer already but had to ask the question.
“He wanted to fight,” Astrid said.
Iris stumbled back until she hit the cold stone. She slumped down the wall, her dress dragging on the rough stone. She hit the ground and brought her knees up to her chest.
He’s only seventeen! Seventeen and fightin’ against men. I cannae lose them both.
32
“There’s still time to return to the castle and nay one would blame ye.” The Laird stood atop the hill and looked toward the approaching soldiers.
“Nay,” Ashton replied. “Me cousin did this to us, and it’s time for me to step up. Ye saved me, and I owe ye me life. If I’m to become laird when Tristan dies, then I need to prove I’m worthy of the title.”
“I admire yer courage, Ashton.”
Ashton looked out toward the approaching men with the Laird. Cayden glanced over his shoulder a couple of times, and the weighty feeling in his chest only grew. He looked to his men, including the ones who were far too old to be fighting, and back at Murdoch and McCabe’s men. They were outnumbered by at least three to one.
“Will he come?” Ashton asked.
“Aye,” Cayden replied. He looked again to the west, willing Hunter to appear, even if he was alone. The few men who had made it back from the initial attack had joined them, but they were without their true leader. They would fight but not as heartily.
