In You
I searched the world to find a home for my lonely heart, but there was nowhere to rest my weary soul. I drank in the salty seas to quench my thirst for love, but I was left sick and ailing with no remedy for my melancholy. I invited lovers into my bed to feel something other than apathy and for a time I felt alive, but as the warmth of their bodies turned cold with the morning light, emptiness returned as my only companion.
You saw my brokenness and your graze held true, neither looking down nor casting your eyes away, you glared into the ugliness of my wounded soul and soothed the menacing beast within with words of love and forgiveness.
Your kisses sweet as honey, but poison to the dark vile thoughts of worthlessness that haunted my mind and stained my speech. Like a foul stream of toxic acidic waters the insidious thoughts of death and self hatred poured out of me; washed away by your love and acceptance.
In you I found my home, my sanctuary, my solace. In you I found a love that I had been searching for but had no right to want or desire. In you I found the strength to break the shackles of despair, the will to change the winds of fate and the courage to love again.
J.T. Hamilton
Hidden away in the dense Farigaig forest, camouflaged by the luscious green foliage stood a small hut with a thatch roof, wood and clay walls and a brick fireplace. The inside of the hut was large enough to house a sleeping pallet made of animal skins, furs and heather, a three legged wooden stool, a rug of woven stained straw in front of the fireplace, a small rectangle wooden table with two wooden chairs and a kettle and pot cast iron stand. Around the hut were plants and herbs hanging from the wooden rafters of the ceiling.
Outside the modest hut was a small trail leading to the door, made from small hand picked smooth, round river rocks. The door to the hut was a dark burnt orange color with large cast iron hinges and door handle. Where the path of river rocks ended, larger rocks created a small wall around the hut in a circular shape, each end meeting the sides of the path. The wall wasn't high, but it was there nonetheless as a barrier. Trees, bushes, wildflowers, herbs and grass covered the land. Birds and woodland creatures lived near and around the hut and often came close to find food or shelter or to hear the song of the woman that resided in the hut.
Not many would travel so far into the forest and even less would find their way close to the hut even though there was a river and waterfall nearby. The lonely inhabitant of the hut has spare visitors, only women in need of her skill and the rare, very rare occasion men in need of healing, if not during times of disputes,battles and feuding she was sought after more often. But the times of bloodshed, war and fighting had ceased long ago.
They call her bana-bhuidseach, witch, she had learned. She had learned their language, although she understood it more than she spoke it, but what little use did she have need of it, but to barter and communicate with her sparse visitors. Insomuch as she was a witch and a stranger to their lands, there were other reasons that only the few, only the desperate, only the brave ventured into the thick of the woods, long ago it was said that the forest was haunted In the past, many that brazenly dared to enter the lush land never returned but that was before the forest had found its mistress and a peace fell over the the land. Now only those that wish to harm the inhabitants of the forest or the forest itself are punished accordingly.
She was content in her world of greens, blues and browns, of woodland creatures, and spirits and mystical beings that shared their presence in the forest. She lived there for longer than she could remember, brought there, chattel traded for a debt, taken far from the lands she knew, the people she knew, the tongue she spoke. So long gone that she didn't remember her name or her age, yet she knew that she was a woman, but bore no children, but of a lover or husband, she no longer knew nor did it matter to her.
All she remembered was her magic, spells, potions, herbs, incantations and rituals. Those were the things that held value to her, those were the things she remembered. She was valued for her skills in healing, fertility, and the occasional love potion, but there was so much more to her magic, so much more to unleash, but she had no need of it. She was not threatened nor was she a threat to others.
She moved around the forest as a ghost or apparition in the mist to go and come as she pleased, long ago given her freedom and safe passage. This place of wolf clans people with strange gods, customs and ways, once so strange and different to her, was now her home, this forest was her dwelling and her sanctuary.
XX
When The MacDougall clan sought to claim more power the clan's chief, Argyll, took a wife for his eldest son, Connor, from the people of the Orkney Islands. A mixed people of Norse, Gaelic and Moore, which had forgone the traditions of individual clans and were a people united under one banner, one chief and ruling family. The family was a very distant relative of the MacDougall's, but they took the name Mikaelson.
This strategic move for power angered the other clans, especially Clan MacAskill-Lockwood, who lived on the neighboring lands and because they felt they were the oldest living Clan in the lands, they should have more power. Their assumptions were fueled by greed and envy for although they were one of the oldest clans known to the lands they were not as well respected or liked as the MacDougalls.
Argyll MacDougall was a wise and fair chieftain and thought for his clansmen and the overall prosperity of all the peoples and he knew that very soon they would all have to unite under one leader if they were to overcome the English that would eventually come to rule over and conquer them.
The MacAskill-Lockwoods rallied Clan MacGyver and Clan Maclvor as well as some other smaller clans against the MacDougalls. Argyll gathered Clan MacDonavan, Clan MacLeod and Clan Doyle, the three largest clans besides MacDougalls, and sent word for the Mikaelsons to come to their aid to combat the threat.
The Mikaelsons traveled by warships bringing horses, fine weapons and three thousand of their most skilled and lethal warriors along with three of the Mikaelson sons and trusted allies.
And thus the first War of the Clans, a bloody and fierce conflict was set into motion. But it was the first vicious attack, and unexpected and unprovoked ambush that began the war. It's first victim was Connor, Argyll's eldest son and father to Rebakah's unborn child. As Conor and a few of his men were coming back from a scouting expedition, bypassing Farigaig forest, taking the western path back to Loch Ness, they were besieged by hidden archers. Connor had been pierced in his neck, chest and leg.
He had been the only one left alive due to the heroic efforts of his loyal men, however he died from his wounds a few hours later with Rebekah by his side and his hand in hers.
XX
The forest trembled, the woodland creatures scurried away to hide due to the crashing sounds of swords, war cries being yelled, thunderous clamer of horses' hooves riding into battle hard and heavy, and the dying screams and shouts of the soldiers fighting that was symphony of chaos on the outskirts woods.
The forest inhabitants conspired with the witch and a mist covered the land, a cocoon to isolate the forest from the destruction.
On his horse Klaus sat tall and proud rallying his men, riding the length of them, back and forth as he spoke. "By blood may the wolf gods make known their will. May we bring honor to our fathers and shame to our enemies!"
The clashing of steel against steel sounded as if the gods themselves were warring in the heavens. Only the sound of shouts and cries could be heard over the metal clambering and clinking of metal as men were swiftly coming to their end. The sounds of war quieted all other noises and there was an eerie silence of nature and all natural things as if nature turned a blind eye and deaf ear to the horrendous display of violence. And as the battle raged on the smell of blood and death filled the air and the field that was once various shades of purple, yellow and green from the grass and wildflowers was now bright crimson.
Klaus had been thrown from his horse during the fight. He preferred hand to hand combat, during this fight he and most all of his men fought on two legs instead of shifting to their wolf form. This was a better way to fight a war using swords, axes and spears. Every enemy he came across suffered a savage end with his sword severing their heads off or stabbing or cutting them. Klaus was a master swordsman, as was all his brothers, taught by his father.
From afar off Klaus saw his brothers, Elijah and Kol, fighting, making his way to them killing anyone in his path, he saw Sheamus-Tyler stalking his way to him. Facing each other they lifted their swords. Sheamus-Tyler was good but against Klaus he was no true match, but for a short time he held his own.
Klaus allowed him to slightly gain a perceived upperhand. Sheamus-Tyler lunged out at Klaus inteading to pierce his heart, but Klaus turned bending slightly bringing his hand up to block the move as his foot moved in front of Shaemus', this move effectively knocked the sword out of his hand as he stumbled to the ground. As he was on the ground, klaus leaned close, lifting his sword, "This is for Connor." Sheamus-Tyler had a knife hidden in his boot, as klaus struck, the small blade unexpectedly pierced his right side.
The momentary feeling of pride faded into a look of shock as Sheamus-Tyler felt the blood flowing from his neck, lifting his hands to his neck only to slump down dead, eyes open, mouth agape and a cut across his neck from ear to ear almost decapitating him.
Klaus fell to his knees, Kol was by his side immediately helping him up while still fighting. Once Klaus was up he continued to fight all the while the pain in his side called to him to stop and his body grew tired and almost lethargic due to blood loss.
Killing Sheamus-Tyler effectively ended the battle after a full day and night of fighting. Once reports of his demise filtered through his camps it effectively cut off the head of the snake. There were many casualties on both sides but the majority from the MacAskill-Lockwood clan and their allies.
Argyll distributed their lands, horses and chattel among the allying clans then pushed the MacAskill-Lockwoods Clan out of the lands to the far east.
XX
It had been four days since he was brought back to his longhouse. He was not getting any better and they feared that death would take him.
"We should take him to the bana-bhuidseach, she can help him," Rebekah sobbed, sitting by his bed.
Elijah looked to Kol, Marcellus and Argyll. "What of this crone? I will not have my brother taken to some charlatan that will surely send him to the gods." Elijah said.
"She is no charlatan. Many go to her for remedies, but she lives in the forest and no one will venture for fear of the sprites, faeries and other creatures there." Argyll explained.
Rebekah turned her head to the men talking, "I have lost my beloved husband, I will not lose my beloved brother. I will go to her. Tis better for a woman to discuss womanly things and I have spoken to her before." She slowly stood up looking from her father in law to her brothers with a determined look.
"No, I will not allow it. You are in no condition. If the gods want him then it is their right to have him and he would have it no other way because there is no other greater honor than to die in battle. By blood may the gods make known their will" Elijah retorted.
Rebekah squared her shoulders, staring directly into her older brother's brown eyes, "You have no rule over me and I will do as I will. The gods cannot have Klaus, he is my brother and I will not lose him."
Rebekah would not back down and she dared him to deny her her will. For Klaus she would defy the gods and every demon in Hel, even the goddess Helheim.
Elijah was about to speak when Kol hurriedly sounded, "I will go with her on her journey." He looked at her and smiled.
Elijah knew he had lost the debate, rubbing his eyes, he said, "Fine but Marcellus goes with also and a few men."
Rebekah shook her head, "No, it is better for just us three."
"I agree. Better not to offend." Offered Argyll. He had known that his daughter in law would get her way, she always did.
XX
The bana-bhuidseach was tending to her garden when the wind spoke to her, visitors were coming. She knew that they would. That was the reason she was tending her garden using her magic to grow the herbs she would need for healing. The wolf people healed quickly but there were times when illness or incidents were so damaging that they would seek her out.
Standing at the rock wall Rebekah turned to her companions, "Stay here and let me converse with her first." She began walking along the path without giving them time to answer. Once at the door she was prepared to knock but it opened. Standing in front of her was bana-bhuidseach, the witch.
Rebekah watched the woman as she moved away from the door to allow her entrance. She walked in and felt the warmth in the room and it felt good. There was something about the atmosphere that made her feel comforted.
"Sit, princess," the shorter woman said as she pointed to the stool. "What need have you of me?"
"I am no princess, please call me Rebekah, bana-bhuidseach. I have need of your healing skills."
"You are a princess for your father is a chieftain above all and is seen as a king to your people. You are well, princess, the babe is strong and will give honor to the MacDougall clan as his father before him." She said as she watched the fair-haired pregnant woman.
"A boy," Rebekah whispered almost to herself, placing her hand on her belly. A tear fell from her eye as she smiled and thought of her husband. "Connor would have been so happy to know the babe is a boy."
"Thank you," she beamed, "But I have come because my dear brother was wounded in battle and taken with fever and has been thus for four nights. I ask for you to heal him. I will give you what you ask in return for his life." Rebekah pleaded.
"The gods hold life and death in their hands, I am a simple servant." The witch looked at the young woman with sadness in her eyes knowing that if he had been down with fever for four nights surely he was destined to die."
"Please, please help him. I know you can." Rebekah stood up grabbing the witch's hand, sobbing. "I cannot lose him. He is my beloved brother."
The witch took pity on the pregnant girl. She moved her left hand and wiped the tears away. "Hush please princess Rebekah. I will come and see. Do not cry, it is not good for the babe."
They walked out the hut, hand in hand , walking side by side to the wall at the end of the path where the two men were waiting, not too patiently. Klaus was laying in a cart behind a horse. The witch walked past Kol and Marcellus going to the injured man. As they looked at her they both noticed she was a small woman with piercing green eyes, but the rest of her, from head to toe was covered by a long flowing hooded red cape.
Klaus' whole body was covered including his face. She stood by him, not touching him, but she tilted her head as if she was listening to someone speaking. The three witnessing the display watched in confusion, turning to look at each other.
She nodded then turned to walk back to the trio, "I will do what I can for him, but he must stay here that I may tend to him."
Kol spoke up, "How long?" Looking at Rebekah, "I don't feel right about leaving him here with her," he commented to both Rebekah and Marcellus. "And what of Elijah?"
"I will not harm him, young prince. I will use my skill to encourage his recovery, but by the gods he will either be recovered or he will find his place in Valhalla." The witch said a bit offended since they came to her.
"Kol, don't be rude. You and Marcellus bring him into her hut." Rebekah ordered. "And I will deal with Elijah."
XX
AN: I am back with another story, this is one that you can blame on love song playlist and The Highlander movie both on repeat. I haven't forgotten "If I say" but I had to take a break and I have also had a lot of schoolwork. I will be updating that story very soon. This story is to help me with writing love scenes which I am not very good at and also with writing shorter stories. With that said this is rated M and will have love scenes, violence and adult situations. This is very AU, I hope you like it. Please Read and Review. Thank you so much. Stay safe and be good people.