"My Lord?"

Robert the Bruce, the 17th Earl of the long and strong line of Bruces, looked up from a map he was studying. "Yes?"

"There is a young lady here to see you."

Robert frowned. "A young lady?"

"Yes. She bears a letter that she says will explain her reason for being here. She wishes to speak with you."

Robert hesitated.

The servant prodded him. "She is a fine lady, my lord, and looks as though she's come straight from court."

Now Robert looked startled. "From court?"

"Yes. But she came on horseback with a trunk accompanying her."

"Very well. Put her trunk in one of our finest rooms. Tell her she is more than welcome to stay and if she wishes to freshen herself before we meet, she certainly may do so."

Katie took a deep breath. She had been thankful for a chance to repin her hair back and change out of her traveling clothes. "I'm ready now."

The same servant smiled and opened the door. "The Lady Catherine Wallace, my lord."

Robert stood instantly to his feet and came around his desk. "Lady Catherine, what a pleasure. You do me much honor."

Katie curtsied. "It is you who do me the honor of seeing me, for you know me not." She handed him the letter."

Robert took her hand and seated her. Then he opened the letter. He scanned it. "The Princess speaks most highly of you. I welcome you to my home."

Katie nodded regally. "I have come to speak to you of Scotland and the nobles, my Lord."

Robert sat down. "Ah, Scotland." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I see in your eyes that you are a strong woman, Lady Catherine…"

"It's Katie."

"Lady Katie, then. You are a strong woman. And determined to help your people. But you must understand, I am trying to gain the throne of Scotland."

"So I've heard."

"And I cannot do it without the support of the English."

"But do you see what they are doing to us?"

"Us?"

"Us. I am full blooded Scottish. These are my people. The English noblemen are not better than animals, raping women, burning our homes, and taking whatever they want."

"I need England."

Marion smiled as she reached under her pillow and pulled out the small piece of cloth William had given her on their first night of ridding. It was but a week ago but it seemed like forever. In it had been wrapped the thistle flower she had given him all those years ago when he had stood by his Father and brother's graveside. And here, he had kept it all these years. Only to give it back to her.

A shiver of excitement went through her. She rose and peeked out the window. There was no sign of him yet. But she knew he would come.

Robert glanced out his window and saw Katie walking on the walltops. She looked like a beautiful fiery ghost in her white silk dress with her hair down. He studied her for a long moment, then turned and left the room.

Marion started when she heard the pebbles bounce off her window. Hurriedly, she grabbed her cloak and wrapped it around her. She slid gracefully out the window.

William grinned and kissed her quickly. "Are you ready to go?"

"With you?" Marion kissed him again. "Always."

Marion's eyes where wide as she stared at old church that was hidden at the base of a large precipice, beside a loch. It was an ancient Gaelic place of worship that had been destroyed but yet it still looked devoutly holy, lit only by candles and moonlight.

The priest looked at them. "You have come to pledge, each to the other, before Almighty God."

William pulled out a strip of cloth that was woven in his family tartan. He tied Marion's wrist to his with the cloth. "I will love you my whole life. You and no other."

Marion pulled out her own small cloth, white embroider with the beautiful purple thistles just the like she had given him all those years ago, and tied it around their wrists as well. "And I you. You and no other. Forever."

The priest made the sign of a cross above them. "The Lord bless and keep thy love, now and forever."

"Katie."

Katie turned and found herself looking at the object of her thoughts. "You confuse me, Bruce," she said softly. "I have come to beg for your help and you tell me cannot help me. I should be upset with you…but all I can do is think about you."

Slowly Robert raised his hand and touched her cheek. It was the first time he had touched her since they had met. "If I try and save Scotland now, then all could be lost."

Katie studied his eyes. "Then you will fight against us?" she whispered.

Pain darkened Bruce's eyes. "If Edward calls me to," he whispered. "Then I must."

A sob welled up in Katie throat and she turned and ran back inside the castle.

With a heavy sigh, Bruce lowered his head. He leaned against the walltop. "Damn it," he muttered. Things hadn't seemed this complicated last month when he had made his decisions. But ever since Katie…Katie.

Bruce opened the door and stepped into Katie's room.

She was curled up on the window seat, her fiery head resting against the window. She turned. There where still faint tear traces evident on her face. "What do you want of me?"

"I would that you not cry anymore." Bruce came over and sat down. Slowly he took her hand and raised it to his lips. He kissed it then turned it over and kissed her palm. "I will have to fight against your people. But know it pains me greatly to do so. And one day…all this will be over. And Scotland will be free."

"Promise me that," whispered Katie.

Bruce looked at her. "Promise you that? Would you not rather me promise to never kill you? Or one you love?"

"We all die one day." Katie leaned forward until her face was quite close to his. "But promise me one day Scotland and her people will be free."

Robert kissed her. It wasn't a quick kiss but one Katie returned. He pulled back slightly. He touched her face and then ran his hand through her hair. His hands grasped her waist and he pulled her closer until she was pressed up against him. "Aye, I promise."