"Don't be so stubborn, Owen!" I yelled to him while he desperately tried to
get away from me. His arms flailed, his shabby blonde hair fluttering into
his face as he screamed for the agony of my ointments to stop.
"No! Your the devil! You'll never take me alive! Back, demon, back!" He wailed, and I put more alcohol on his deep cut centered on his right arm.
"You big baby. There, I'm done." He immediately threw his arm out of my grasp and sprang up from his chair. I roared with laughter at his childish behavior. Jeremy just walked up as Owen was leaving, and Owen whispered to him, "Be careful. She's pure evil and she'll cast a spell on you."
Jeremy turned his brown eyes on my and smiled. "I'm willing to take the chance." I could tell he was tired from practicing his sword arm due to the way he took a good long time to try and sit on the stool next to me. We were at the edge of a forest, with the army camp just a half mile away. Wallace, after walking us North for one whole long week, decided to give us a day of rest. Owen and Jeremy, being the hooligans they are, decided to go wreak havoc on the closest farm. After a quick dip in the river that entailed our route, I returned to find them savagely trying to start a fire, with a large chicken wrapped in tow. It had been days since we've had the taste of meat. Owen had cut himself trying to slay the feisty chick, and Jeremy had run off to get us a pitcher of water.
"The word is that the princess offered Wallace terms of peace from her mighty king." This was not new news to me, as every body in the whole lot had been talking about it for days, but I let Jeremy continue. "Of course, he refused any notion of compromise. They say he and the princess were quite taken with each other."
This WAS new, and I begged him to continue. "He was actually alone with her for a few minutes, but nobody knows what he said to her. But when he came out, Stephen said his eyes twinkled, something HE had never even seen Wallace do."
I smiled uncontrollably. "Love at first sight."
"Oh, now don't go all sappy on me claiming its love."
I countered. "But its true. I remember my ma telling me about it. How when you see someone for the first time, this tingly feeling takes over, something you've never felt before. She said that love changed a man, and the glow on his face would tell you all you need to know." After saying all this, I blushed, for I had never thought I'd discuss this with a man.
He said nothing, but his smile conveyed a sense of amusement.
I coughed. "Right. This bird looks about ready. Shall we?"
~~~
After our delicious meal, Owen, Jeremy and I decided to go back to our main camp stationed close by in the woods. it was on our way back that I noticed three riders approaching from behind, at a trot. Two were males, with English guard uniforms. The other was a well dressed woman, riding in front. I signaled to Jeremy and Owen to hide in the trees, but it was too late. The lady had seen me.
"Pardon, mademoiselle!" She shouted from about 40 feet away. I had no choice but to turn and start walking towards her. Jeremy caught my arm, shaking his head, but I told him through my eyes that it was okay. I noticed that she spoke French. Maybe she was a messenger from the princess!
The two guards halted as she rode her horse, a beautiful black stallion, up to me.
"Parlez vous francais?" She inquired. Luckily my dad was half French, and he spoke a little to me as a kid. I only knew simple sentences, so I told her I spoke a little.
She was in her twenties, and very pretty. I envied her long flowing blonde hair that looked like it could never get frizzy or dull. She smiled and told she had a message for Wallace. My instincts told me that this 'message' was not from the king of England, but from a certain girl he had visited. She then asked if he would be willing to listen to her. I nodded my head, already knowing that William would agree.
"Merci," she nodded her head. I took a moment to talk to Jeremy and Owen, who both were against this whole thing. I deliberated what to do, then finally decided to bring Sir Wallace to her, rather than take her to him. I told this to her, and after talking with the two guards, she agreed.
When I told Wallace the news that the princess Isabella's messenger was here to see him, I saw the look of delight on his face, and how fast he sprung up from his cot where I had disturbed his nap. I lead him to her, and asked if he needed me to translate. He then spoke in French that he could speak for himself, and I dismissed myself.
Back at camp, Jeremy, Owen, Pierce, and Douglas were all waiting for me. "Well? What's going on?" Owen inquired, breaking the silence. I just shrugged my shoulders. Sir Wallace returned twenty minutes later, a look of distress on his face. It was nearing dark, and most everybody was back together.
William addressed the crowd, and spoke in that same booming voice from which I first met him, declaring, "The English, French, and yes, even the Irish are assembling their forces against us as we speak. Long Shanks does not know we know this information, nor will he ever think we know. Pack up, we leave tonight." And with that, everyone got busy. Both hoots and groans rang throughout the crowd of Scotsmen, though my own feelings were mixed. Finally, I would get my chance to witness a real battle. But that thought also scared me beyond words...
Two days and two weary nights later, we arrived at the place the men were beginning to call 'Freedom's field'. The field of Falkirk was about the size of a lake, supposedly perfect for a battle. The air was fresh, and it smelled almost new. I knew that come tomorrow, whether we won or lost, the smell would soon change to blood. I had not really thought of battle since my departure into Wallace's army. I was too busy dealing with archery and sword practice, endless walks, healing broken ligaments and ailing fevers; that the concept from which my whole point of being here was forgotten. My goal was to slay as many Englishmen as I could, but from the four months I've been here I learned many things of revenge, evil, and death. My heart was still set on taking back my home, but the obsessive hatred I used to feel vanished, and all that lay behind was a healthy anger that longed not for blood, but for freedom and equality. I had come a long way.
I didn't share my thoughts of both nervousness and excitement with my friends, for they were dealing with their own feelings. The only person that talked about it was Owen; and he mainly made jokes to ease the tensions that were running through our minds. Douglas was the only one of us who had been in a battle before, yet he still didn't share what it was like. No one pushed it. I hated surprises, and not knowing what this battle may bring scared me. I finally figured that the only person I could talk to about this was Hudson.
As the sun began to set over the field, I found the old man deep in a discussion with William's second in command: a man named Hamish whose strength was known everywhere. On seeing me waiting nearby, Hudson departed from his friend and stood next to me. For a while we both said nothing, just gazed into the lowering sun. It was funny, usually Hudson was never the kind of person to speak up, but my silence lead him to take on that position.
"I take it its your first battle?" He asked, his eyes slightly turning to face me, but his head still facing the sun. he knew very well it was, but that's Hudson's idea of a conversation starter.
I said nothing, but gulped. "Its weird. I see the sun falling, and a sinking feeling inside tells me that’s the last time I'll get to see it. Am I right to think that, Hudson?"
He pondered my question, then sat down on the grass. I did likewise. "I think it goes through everyone's minds right before battle. Hell, lass, I've thought that same thing in all the battles I've been in. But I'm still here, aren't I?" His eyes twinkled, and it made me smile. I nodded. "Keep yer chin up, lass. Don't be afraid to admit that your scared about what happens tomorrow, or after that. Just know that what we're doing...what we're doing is something extraordinary, something our children's children will talk about. We have to live the moment, and for now, that moment is winning back our freedom. We may die tomorrow, yes. But a wise man once said that its better to be dead in heaven, then living in hell."
I laughed, and I understood where he was coming from. I now had to face my fear of death head on. "I'm glad I'm privileged enough to fight by you, Hudson." We then stopped all conversation, and waited for the sun to go down, and all hell to break loose.
At around midnight we assembled near the other end of the field, where our enemy would stand tomorrow morning. Wallace's plan was good, and everyone knew their assignments. We got to work quickly, and I helped Jeremy spread the oil in a huge circle, so that tomorrow the English would get a fiery surprise. Soon everything was complete, and we were sent to get what little sleep we could. That night I didn't speak to my friends, though Jeremy slept right next to me, and a few times during the night I noticed his arms were wrapped securely around me (though I didn't know if he knew what he was doing). I dreamt not of battles or war that night, but of my mother. Not the horrifying deed that was done to her by the English, but of times where she and I laughed while we cooked or cleaned. I did not know what to make of the dream, for most people told me that they had nightmares.
Morning came much too soon in my opinion, and a distant crow of a rooster woke me from my blissful sleep. Jeremy's arms were still wrapped around me, and his eyes were closed. I smiled at his innocence, his carefree laughter, his heart stopping smile. Suddenly his brown eyes awakened, and seeing his position on me, immediately flung his arms to the other side. He got up, totally embarrassed, and I played it off as if I was still sleeping. So he didn't mean to hold me last night...
Though it was considered dawn, the clouds were evidently not going to leave the sky, and the thought of a dreary day did not uplift my spirits. As I stretched my arms a new thought came into my head: This was it.
"No! Your the devil! You'll never take me alive! Back, demon, back!" He wailed, and I put more alcohol on his deep cut centered on his right arm.
"You big baby. There, I'm done." He immediately threw his arm out of my grasp and sprang up from his chair. I roared with laughter at his childish behavior. Jeremy just walked up as Owen was leaving, and Owen whispered to him, "Be careful. She's pure evil and she'll cast a spell on you."
Jeremy turned his brown eyes on my and smiled. "I'm willing to take the chance." I could tell he was tired from practicing his sword arm due to the way he took a good long time to try and sit on the stool next to me. We were at the edge of a forest, with the army camp just a half mile away. Wallace, after walking us North for one whole long week, decided to give us a day of rest. Owen and Jeremy, being the hooligans they are, decided to go wreak havoc on the closest farm. After a quick dip in the river that entailed our route, I returned to find them savagely trying to start a fire, with a large chicken wrapped in tow. It had been days since we've had the taste of meat. Owen had cut himself trying to slay the feisty chick, and Jeremy had run off to get us a pitcher of water.
"The word is that the princess offered Wallace terms of peace from her mighty king." This was not new news to me, as every body in the whole lot had been talking about it for days, but I let Jeremy continue. "Of course, he refused any notion of compromise. They say he and the princess were quite taken with each other."
This WAS new, and I begged him to continue. "He was actually alone with her for a few minutes, but nobody knows what he said to her. But when he came out, Stephen said his eyes twinkled, something HE had never even seen Wallace do."
I smiled uncontrollably. "Love at first sight."
"Oh, now don't go all sappy on me claiming its love."
I countered. "But its true. I remember my ma telling me about it. How when you see someone for the first time, this tingly feeling takes over, something you've never felt before. She said that love changed a man, and the glow on his face would tell you all you need to know." After saying all this, I blushed, for I had never thought I'd discuss this with a man.
He said nothing, but his smile conveyed a sense of amusement.
I coughed. "Right. This bird looks about ready. Shall we?"
~~~
After our delicious meal, Owen, Jeremy and I decided to go back to our main camp stationed close by in the woods. it was on our way back that I noticed three riders approaching from behind, at a trot. Two were males, with English guard uniforms. The other was a well dressed woman, riding in front. I signaled to Jeremy and Owen to hide in the trees, but it was too late. The lady had seen me.
"Pardon, mademoiselle!" She shouted from about 40 feet away. I had no choice but to turn and start walking towards her. Jeremy caught my arm, shaking his head, but I told him through my eyes that it was okay. I noticed that she spoke French. Maybe she was a messenger from the princess!
The two guards halted as she rode her horse, a beautiful black stallion, up to me.
"Parlez vous francais?" She inquired. Luckily my dad was half French, and he spoke a little to me as a kid. I only knew simple sentences, so I told her I spoke a little.
She was in her twenties, and very pretty. I envied her long flowing blonde hair that looked like it could never get frizzy or dull. She smiled and told she had a message for Wallace. My instincts told me that this 'message' was not from the king of England, but from a certain girl he had visited. She then asked if he would be willing to listen to her. I nodded my head, already knowing that William would agree.
"Merci," she nodded her head. I took a moment to talk to Jeremy and Owen, who both were against this whole thing. I deliberated what to do, then finally decided to bring Sir Wallace to her, rather than take her to him. I told this to her, and after talking with the two guards, she agreed.
When I told Wallace the news that the princess Isabella's messenger was here to see him, I saw the look of delight on his face, and how fast he sprung up from his cot where I had disturbed his nap. I lead him to her, and asked if he needed me to translate. He then spoke in French that he could speak for himself, and I dismissed myself.
Back at camp, Jeremy, Owen, Pierce, and Douglas were all waiting for me. "Well? What's going on?" Owen inquired, breaking the silence. I just shrugged my shoulders. Sir Wallace returned twenty minutes later, a look of distress on his face. It was nearing dark, and most everybody was back together.
William addressed the crowd, and spoke in that same booming voice from which I first met him, declaring, "The English, French, and yes, even the Irish are assembling their forces against us as we speak. Long Shanks does not know we know this information, nor will he ever think we know. Pack up, we leave tonight." And with that, everyone got busy. Both hoots and groans rang throughout the crowd of Scotsmen, though my own feelings were mixed. Finally, I would get my chance to witness a real battle. But that thought also scared me beyond words...
Two days and two weary nights later, we arrived at the place the men were beginning to call 'Freedom's field'. The field of Falkirk was about the size of a lake, supposedly perfect for a battle. The air was fresh, and it smelled almost new. I knew that come tomorrow, whether we won or lost, the smell would soon change to blood. I had not really thought of battle since my departure into Wallace's army. I was too busy dealing with archery and sword practice, endless walks, healing broken ligaments and ailing fevers; that the concept from which my whole point of being here was forgotten. My goal was to slay as many Englishmen as I could, but from the four months I've been here I learned many things of revenge, evil, and death. My heart was still set on taking back my home, but the obsessive hatred I used to feel vanished, and all that lay behind was a healthy anger that longed not for blood, but for freedom and equality. I had come a long way.
I didn't share my thoughts of both nervousness and excitement with my friends, for they were dealing with their own feelings. The only person that talked about it was Owen; and he mainly made jokes to ease the tensions that were running through our minds. Douglas was the only one of us who had been in a battle before, yet he still didn't share what it was like. No one pushed it. I hated surprises, and not knowing what this battle may bring scared me. I finally figured that the only person I could talk to about this was Hudson.
As the sun began to set over the field, I found the old man deep in a discussion with William's second in command: a man named Hamish whose strength was known everywhere. On seeing me waiting nearby, Hudson departed from his friend and stood next to me. For a while we both said nothing, just gazed into the lowering sun. It was funny, usually Hudson was never the kind of person to speak up, but my silence lead him to take on that position.
"I take it its your first battle?" He asked, his eyes slightly turning to face me, but his head still facing the sun. he knew very well it was, but that's Hudson's idea of a conversation starter.
I said nothing, but gulped. "Its weird. I see the sun falling, and a sinking feeling inside tells me that’s the last time I'll get to see it. Am I right to think that, Hudson?"
He pondered my question, then sat down on the grass. I did likewise. "I think it goes through everyone's minds right before battle. Hell, lass, I've thought that same thing in all the battles I've been in. But I'm still here, aren't I?" His eyes twinkled, and it made me smile. I nodded. "Keep yer chin up, lass. Don't be afraid to admit that your scared about what happens tomorrow, or after that. Just know that what we're doing...what we're doing is something extraordinary, something our children's children will talk about. We have to live the moment, and for now, that moment is winning back our freedom. We may die tomorrow, yes. But a wise man once said that its better to be dead in heaven, then living in hell."
I laughed, and I understood where he was coming from. I now had to face my fear of death head on. "I'm glad I'm privileged enough to fight by you, Hudson." We then stopped all conversation, and waited for the sun to go down, and all hell to break loose.
At around midnight we assembled near the other end of the field, where our enemy would stand tomorrow morning. Wallace's plan was good, and everyone knew their assignments. We got to work quickly, and I helped Jeremy spread the oil in a huge circle, so that tomorrow the English would get a fiery surprise. Soon everything was complete, and we were sent to get what little sleep we could. That night I didn't speak to my friends, though Jeremy slept right next to me, and a few times during the night I noticed his arms were wrapped securely around me (though I didn't know if he knew what he was doing). I dreamt not of battles or war that night, but of my mother. Not the horrifying deed that was done to her by the English, but of times where she and I laughed while we cooked or cleaned. I did not know what to make of the dream, for most people told me that they had nightmares.
Morning came much too soon in my opinion, and a distant crow of a rooster woke me from my blissful sleep. Jeremy's arms were still wrapped around me, and his eyes were closed. I smiled at his innocence, his carefree laughter, his heart stopping smile. Suddenly his brown eyes awakened, and seeing his position on me, immediately flung his arms to the other side. He got up, totally embarrassed, and I played it off as if I was still sleeping. So he didn't mean to hold me last night...
Though it was considered dawn, the clouds were evidently not going to leave the sky, and the thought of a dreary day did not uplift my spirits. As I stretched my arms a new thought came into my head: This was it.