Page 5 of Highlander’s Viking Sin

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Andrew’s sullen mood hadn’t lasted more than a few hours. It was a few days after they had gathered supplies from Emmel’s village. Isla was putting together a pack to take with her during her travels, and she couldn’t wait to have a change of scenery. Whenever anyone came by, they spoke of the wedding. Isla couldn’t escape it at all. She hated to be a bitter person, but she was envious of others when they got to enjoy a wedding. All she had ever wanted was to be joined with a man she loved, pledging their lives to each other in front of all their loved ones. In many ways, it was such a simple thing, and yet it had proved to be elusive for Isla. Everyone’s life was like a river, and there was no telling what twists and turns it was going to take before they all reached the ocean of the afterlife, but Isla couldn’t imagine there being any more surprises in her life. All she could live for now was the hope that Andrew could find his happiness.

She was in her cottage when Ewan called out to her that she had a visitor. Isla looked confused as she couldn’t think of anyone who would pay her a visit like this. She only knew a handful of people on the collection of small islands that rested beside the Highlands, and she couldn’t imagine any of them standing on ceremony, announcing themselves as a guest when they could have easily walked into the cottage themselves.

She walked outside to the front of the cottage and saw Emmel standing there among the vibrant flowers and shrubs. He leaned against the wall and was inspecting some of the plants when Isla walked up to him. She was still annoyed at him for the way he had spoken to her, but his very nature was one that softened her.

“I did nae expect tae see ye here. I thought ye would be busy planning for the wedding.” She tried to hide the spite from her voice, but she wasn’t sure she was entirely successful.

“Brenda haes that well in hand,” he said. “There’s plenty of food that people are gathering. In truth, I think it’s a wee bit tae much. I thought ye might want a wee bit extra tae take with ye, if ye are still gaeing.”

He gestured to a basket he had brought that was filled with fruit and a loaf of bread. It was a nice gesture, but she couldn’t help but think a part of him was just checking up on her.

“Of course I’m still gaeing. It haes been a while since I hae seen Joan, and I want tae spend some time with her. It’ll be good for Andrew tae see the Lowlands as well. As much as he loves his home, I sometimes worry that this place is nae enough for him.”

Emmel nodded. “And there’s nothing I can dae tae change yer mind? Ye would nae even be willing tae put it off for a few days tae come tae the wedding?”

Isla closed her eyes as a flash of anger passed through her. “I hae already made plans, Emmel. They cannae be changed now. I’m sure my presence will nae be missed at the wedding,” she said.

Emmel had an uncertain look on his face.

“I could spare a couple of men tae gae along with ye as guards, just in case anything did happen.”

Isla’s cheeks flushed crimson, and she folded her arms tightly across her chest, glaring at him.

“I dinnae need guards!” she exclaimed, so loudly that the donkey nearby was startled, its ears pricking up as though it had just been alerted to a predator. “I dinnae know why ye are suddenly sae concerned for me. It’s nae as though I hae nae been tae the Lowlands before. It’s nae a long trip, and I will nae be in danger.”

“There could still be Vikings. As a… As a l-leader, I dinnae want tae see anything bad happen tae the people of these islands,” Emmel said, stammering over his words somewhat.

“If ye are that worried, then as I said before, ye can be the guard,” she said.

“I hae been thinking about it,” Emmel admitted with a heavy sigh, which took her by surprise as she hadn’t imagined it would actually be a possibility. “But I cannae leave, nae now. Nae with my sister’s wedding, and my da is…he’s getting older all the time. Ever since my uncle died, he haes never been the same. During the battle, I thought I haed seen a flicker of his old self shine through, but it didnae last. I’m worried that he’s nae gaeing tae be among us much longer. He keeps saying that he dreams of Valhalla, and I’m worried that one night he’s gaeing tae heed the call.”

Isla softened at this.

“I’m sorry, Emmel. I haed no idea,” she said.

Emmel smiled. “I’m sure I’m worrying over nothing. He’s always been strong, and he’s made it this far without succumbing tae death yet. I’m sure that he’ll last longer than I think he will… But still, I dinnae think I can leave him.”

“He’s sae stubborn I dinnae think he will ever die,” Isla said.

“Aye, he is stubborn. He’ll never accept help. It was hard enough tae convince him tae step down from his role as leader.”

“It must hae been the right time, though, and I hope that he sees the wisdom in his decision now.”

Emmel’s face twisted with uncertainty. “I’m nae sure. At the time, I took the role as I was the eldest, but I’m nae sure I was ready for it. When the Vikings came, I just… I thought it would be sae easy. I thought I could dae it all by myself, but in the end, I could nae. I needed Brenda’s help.”

“There’s no shame in that,” Isla said.

“Perhaps nae, but there is shame in the way I acted. When I became leader, Da warned me that it would change me, but I never believed him until I found myself telling my sister that she shouldn’t share her ideas.” He shook his head and looked pensive. “In truth, I hae been questioning if I’m really fit tae be leader at all.”

“Ye cannae say that, Emmel. Ye hae always done right by the villages and the islands. Ye hae kept us safe. Ye hae kept us fed. Ye hae lived up tae the example yer da set, and I hae never heard anyone say a bad word against ye.”

“I appreciate that,” Emmel said, smiling, “but somewhere along the way, I feel as though I hae forgotten who I am.”

“I know how ye feel,” Isla admitted.

“Ye dae?”

“Aye, I went through a similar thing when I haed Andrew. Suddenly it wasn’t just myself any longer. I haed this extra responsibility, and I could nae just think of myself as a girl; I was a mother. These things dae change ye, but ye should nae feel bad about making mistakes. I’ve always believed that life is about learning from yer mistakes.”

Emmel seemed relieved by her words. “Maybe ye are right. I will think on the matter more. I’m definitely gaeing tae listen tae Brenda more than I hae done before, though. She’s a wise lass. I should nae hae ignored her.”

“Nay, ye probably should nae hae. Us women are nae useless,” Isla replied with a kind smile.

“I know that for sure,” he said, looking at her with his kind eyes. For a moment, she wished that she could accept his invitation to the wedding or that he had been able to come with her on her travels. There was something about Emmel she found enticing. Sometimes she wished she could look into the echoes of time and see how things might be different if she had met Emmel before Rune Dolph. Maybe Emmel would have stayed around. Maybe Emmel would have made her happy.

As it was, things were different, and there was no changing the past. Emmel might have been struggling with his place in the world, but he had always been meant to be a leader, and Isla was certain he would find himself again. He was the son of the great Erik Hoffstad, after all; there was no limit on what he could achieve. She was also certain that he would find a woman who could bring out the best in him. The more she thought about it, the more she decided that’s what he was missing. All he needed was someone to stand by his side and remind him of his strength now and then, and he would never have to doubt again. She wondered what woman would end up winning his favor. It would have to be a remarkable woman, given how he had waited all this time. There was probably some beautiful young woman in the Highlands who was already being groomed to be presented to the Hoffstad family. Life on their small cluster of islands wasn’t as glamorous as on the mainland, but the lure of the Hoffstad name would still be powerful enough for any laird to want his daughter to join with their family.

Somewhere out there was a young woman who had no idea her husband was waiting for her. What it must be like for her to be so filled with hope and a sense of adventure. These were things that were absent from Isla’s life.

At least Emmel did not try and convince her not to travel again. Instead, they parted. He returned to his life, and she watched him walk away. She sighed heavily, wishing that things could be different, but things were as they were, and there was no sense in spending too much time thinking about these matters. It was all a waste of energy. At least soon, she would be away from here. Joan would be able to take her mind off things. When Isla returned, she would be refreshed, rejuvenated, and she would feel like a new person.