Isabelle threw herself into William's arms and he held her close.
"You shouldn't be here," he said quietly.
"I…come to beg you to confess all and swear allegiance to the king, that he might show you mercy," whispered Isabelle as she clung to him.
"Do not ask that of me," William said gently. "If I swear to him, then everything I am is dead already."
"You will die and it will be awful." Tears fell down Isabelle's smooth cheeks. "And our baby…our baby will have no father."
William smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Every man dies. Not every man really lives. Our child will grow strong and good with his mother there to watch over him."
Isabelle tipped her head up to look at him. "Kiss me one last time."
William kissed her fiercely and then let go of her.
She looked at him for a long moment. "I shall never know another brave man like you. even if I should live to the end of the earth."
"You must be brave for me tomorrow."
Isabelle nodded. "Know that I love you."
"I know it. And know…know that at last, I learned to love another. You."
Isabelle looked at Katie who was standing in the shadows, waiting. "Then I will leave you two. Take as long as you need." She knocked on the door and it opened and then shut behind her.
William stared at the shadow. "What…"
Katie stepped forward. "I will not ask you to confess."
"What are you doing here?" demanded William. "It's too dangerous."
"I had to see you again." Katie ran forward and buried her face in his chest. "You cannot leave me here all alone."
Slowly William's arms went around her and he held her close for what he knew would be the last time. "You must not try to rescue me, Katie. Do not risk your life."
"Hamish and Stephen…they are here. They…"
"Tell them no. Tell them to go home and find women of their own. Have children and raise them to believe in freedom."
"I am carrying Robert the Bruce's child."
"Raise him well."
"I shall always tell him of his uncle who fought till the end for freedom."
William at last let go of her. He kissed her forehead. "You must go. The air down here…it cannot be good for you."
Tears filled Katie's eyes. "Oh William…tomorrow…the things they will do to you…"
"You must be strong," said William. "You must be brave, like I know you are."
"I will be there tomorrow for you. I will be there."
"No."
"I will be. And you must promise me something. When you see me, I want to hear you shout 'freedom.' One last time."
William nodded. "Aye. I will do it."
Katie stood there for a long moment then she stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. She stayed there for a moment, then stepped back. She pressed something into his hand then she turned and left the room without a backward glance.
When the door had shut, William opened his hand. In it was the cloth that Marion had made for him. The white homespun handkerchief embroidered with the purple thistles.
Edward looked up as the door opened and Isabelle and her lady in waiting entered into the room. The lady in waiting quietly shut the door.
Isabelle went straight to Longshanks' bedside. The old man's body was racked with consumption. Isabelle looked at him for a long moment, then at Edward. "I have come to beg for the life of William Wallace."
"You fancy him?"
"I respect him. at worst he was a worthy enemy." Isabelle looked at Longshanks. "Show mercy…oh thou great king…and win the respect of your own people."
Longshanks shook his head.
"Even now, you are incapable of mercy?" Isabelle looked at her husband. "Nor you," she said sadly. "To you that word is as unfamiliar as love."
"Before he lost his voice, he told me his one comfort was that he would live to know William Wallace was dead," said Edward.
Isabelle leaned down and put her lips next to Longshanks' ear. Edward frowned and leaned forward. Tears fell down Isabelle's face. "You see? Death comes to us all. And it comes to William Wallace. But before death comes to you, know this: your blood dies with you. A child who is not of your line grows in my belly. And William Wallace, in the end, will sit and rule over your country." She stood to her feet and backed away from the bed, holding the old king's eyes.
Katie stepped forward into the light. She looked magnificent. She had changed into a warmer dress. It was bright green and white. Her hair shone in the light and her eyes where burning with fire.
Edward stood to his feet.
Longshanks' eyes grew large.
"I am Katie Wallace and I have come to bring to the both of you the times of your death." Her blue eyes landed on Longshanks. "Yours is more uncertain than your son's. If you are not dead by the time William Wallace dies tomorrow, than know that you will be dead by nightfall." She looked at Edward. "And you…you will be dead by nightfall as well. Nothing in this world will stop me from killing the both of you. My brother…my brother will not die in vain. And he will die a free man."
Katie entered her room and fell to her knees. "Oh God," she whispered. "Give me the strength I need tomorrow as I watch my brother die. Oh God, please, do not let me fail. Give me the courage that I need."
Hands wrapped around her arms and lifted her gently and Robert kissed her tear washed face gently. "God has heard your pray, my love. You and your brother are bravehearts. And tomorrow…tomorrow you shall have the courage you need. And the day after that…you will have the courage and bravery to free Scotland once and for all."
Katie stared at him. "What…"
"I give my word of honor…that your brother will not die in vain."