Page 144 of Bound By Honor
Heads nodded at the mention of the two bishops returning to Scotland as they were loyal to the king. Meanwhile, Angus was pleased for the new lands. That two of the descendants of Somerled were to share in the lands of the third, now forfeited, was an irony not lost on him. But there was one favor he would ask. “My lord, might Glen Coe be included in my portion?”
“You may certainly have Glen Coe, Angus, but why would you ask for that?”
“For my natural son, Iain, as his inheritance. ’Tis the place of his birth, the land of his mother’s people.”
“Ah. I understand. One of my natural sons fights in my army. You will not be surprised to know he is called Sir Robert Bruce.”
Angus chuckled, remembering what his father had once told him about the Bruces and the name Robert. For a nobleman to have offspring that were not legitimate was more common than openly admitted, thus, he was unsurprised by this news of the king’s having natural sons. For himself, Angus was pleased he could offer Glen Coe to the lad called Iain MacDonald.
“In addition to a castle for Douglas and lands for you, Angus, I would knight you both.” The king rose. “Kneel.”
Surprised at the king’s magnificent gesture, Angus kneeled beside Jamie Douglas. The king unsheathed his sword and touched each of their shoulders. “I, King Robert Bruce, do hereby dub thee Sir Angus Og Macdonald. May your courage and devotion continue to be an example to my subjects in Scotland.”
When the king had finished knighting Angus, he moved on to Douglas and with gracious words, acknowledged the loyalty and strength of Douglas’ courage.
The two rose to receive the congratulations of all present.
“I am humbled by this honor,” said Angus. His father had been knighted as Sir Angus Mor Macdonald. Angus had never sought the honor but because this knighthood was conveyed by his friend, the king, it meant much to him.
With the onset of winter, Angus asked Rob for leave to return to the Isles. “You have an army now to take Perth and those remaining castles. Sir Edward and Sir James certainly have great enthusiasm for the battles required. It is time I see to my Isles.” Then, gesturing to his chiefs gathered around, he said, “The lordship’s chiefs have been long from their lands.”
The king nodded. “You and your chiefs have earned this respite, my loyal friend. As for you, it is right that you should return to that beautiful wife of yours. I cannot yet return to mine, but if Lady Áine’s prayers are answered, I will one day.”
Angus said, “I have no doubt you will, my king. I am mindful that the English are still to be faced. You have but to send for me, and I will come with a great fleet and many warriors—all in the Isles if need be.”
“I will remember,” said the king. “By the bye, I am thinking of holding my first parliament in the spring at St. Andrews. Will you attend?”
“Aye, if I can,” replied Angus. “If I am not able, might I send my cousin, Duncan MacAlasdair?” He glanced at Duncan, who sat silently observing. “He is like a brother to me and has faithfully fought for you and Sir Edward. It would mean much to him to attend your parliament as my representative.”
The king smiled and turned his attention to Duncan. “By all means, send the cheerful Duncan. I suspect with the gloomy face of Alexander MacDougall attending—whether he wishes to or not—Duncan will be a welcome addition.”
The next day, Angus and the king embraced on the shore at Dunstaffnage before Angus sailed with his fleet and the men who had fought so valiantly and lived to speak of it. Duncan and Brian stood with Angus in his galley, their smiles telling him they were happy to be going home.
Hinting of the winter to come, the weather turned cold and windy as they departed. Sailing from Loch Linnhe, Angus headed south along with the Macduffies, into white-capped waters, while Christina MacRuairi turned north toward Moidart and Castle Tioram. Malcolm Maclean sailed toward Mull and Castle Duart. The Macleods of Skye had farther to go and turned north. Other chiefs broke from the fleet as the isles they called home came into view. By the time Angus reached Islay, he had only his own galleys to beach at Lagavulin Bay.
Angus’ heart swelled as he spotted Dunyvaig Castle. Too long had he been on land not surrounded by the sea. He had been gone long enough for the youngest of his children to have forgotten what he looked like. Would his daughters remember him? He thought of his chiefs, who had gone with him, who would be wondering the same of their own children.
On the battlements of Dunyvaig Castle flew the Galley of the Isles pennon pronouncing it as the seat of the Lord of the Isles. Once he drove the English from Kintyre, he would again have Dunaverty Castle but, for now, this isle and this castle were home.
Dunyvaig Castle, Isle of Islay, November 1308
ÁINE PAUSED BEFORE the window in the great hall to glance northeast, as she did each day. She did not look for the occasional merchant ship or the galley of a chief come to call upon Angus’ brother. She was looking for the white sails of a fleet. But all she saw was a flock of hooper swans in the far distance skimming over the water. The huge birds with seven-foot wingspans had come to winter on Islay. Áine frequently marveled at their pageantry of white gliding over the blue water.
It had been months since John had come to Islay with a galley full of wounded men and a letter from Angus. His words had given her hope that he and Brian would return to her with Duncan, strong and in good health. But with every day that passed, she worried.
It was the plight of women who stayed behind, tending the home fires, to pray and wonder at the fate of their men. She had kept busy, assisting John with the business of the lordship and seeing to the needs of the women whose husbands had gone to war. Each morning, she prayed for Angus, King Robert and the men who fought with them.
She was just turning back to Nessa and the task they were pursuing of overseeing the hanging of new tapestries, when her mind questioned something she had seen. The swans had been moving more slowly than usual. Walking back to the window, she stared at the emerging patches of white. As she watched, they grew larger, causing her to smile.Not swans. Sails!
A lump rose in her throat. “Nessa! ’Tis Angus and the fleet. It must be!”
“And Conall!” said her handmaiden, joining Áine at the window. “’Tis about time. Won’t he be surprised to know he has a son?”
“A beautiful boy is your Cináed,” said Áine.
“Do you think he will be pleased I named the babe for an ancient King of Scots and Picts?”
“Knowing Conall, he will be proud of the name you have chosen. Come, let us meet the galleys.”
