they desperately want. But poor Hayle, like the child he was, he wanted everything he saw, and denied most of the time, he could not cope with living especially when his Maida died. Hayle seemed to have no control over his emotions or his desires, just like a child. But Sir Udolf's father killed a woman he desired who kept refusing him. He slew a horse that refused to be obedient. Sir Udolf has spent all of his life struggling to not be like his father, ignoring the same traits in his only son. But now there is something that he very much wants and cannot have,' Bab concluded. 'I can see his frustration is beginning to cause him to lose control over himself, which means he will become dangerous. Pray God your husband returns soon to storm this house and make you free again.'
It began to snow that night and Alix was suddenly overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness as she stared from her window the next morning and saw the hillsides covered in white. Two menservants worked shoveling snow to open a path to the barns. Alix sighed. If the winter set into the borders, a time when raiders on both sides kept to their hearths, how was Colm supposed to come and fetch her? She had confined herself to this chamber for several weeks now, and she was becoming restless. She didn't want to stay at Wulfborn a minute more. And she certainly didn't want her bairn born here!
And then, as she stared out, something appeared upon the horizon of the hills about Wulfborn. She could not make it out at first, but as she remained watching the something began to take shape. Slowly, slowly the dark form began to reveal itself until Alix could see it was an enormous party of men. As they drew closer she immediately recognized the red plaid of her husband's family. And there were two different green plaids, one with narrow red and white stripes and deep blue squares she identified as Ferguson. But the other green tartan was not familiar to her.
'Bab! Bab! Come quickly,' Alix called.
The older woman hurried to the window and looked out. 'Well,' she said dryly, 'it would appear your husband and a few of his friends have come calling, my lady.' Then she chuckled. 'I can but imagine Sir Udolf's face when they break down his fine front door. I would say you're going home today.'
'
'Aye, my lady! I'll come, and gladly.'
Chapter Twelve
As the great party of horsemen drew nearer, Alix could see they had brought some kind of weapon with them. It rolled along on its own wheels and appeared to be a long log with an animal's head fashioned from iron at one end. She had heard of battering rams, but she had never before seen one. The front door to Wulfborn Hall was strong, but it would certainly not withstand the assault it was about to receive. Suddenly the two men shoveling noticed the approaching party. They fled back towards the house, shouting a warning. Alix considered what to do. Should they remain safe in her chamber, or go below into the hall?
Bab decided for them. 'We should remain here, my lady,' she said. ' 'Twill be better. Once the door is broken through the hall will be the center of the fighting. Sir Udolf is no coward, and he will defend his home and all he believes is his.'
Alix nodded. Bab was right in everything she said, but the Laird of Dunglais's wife knew her captor did not have the men to overcome the great group of Scots borderers. 'Add more wood to the fire, Bab,' she said. 'The morning is yet chill.' Then she went to her window to watch as her rescuers arrived, milling about before the front of the house. Pushing the narrow casement window open, she called down, 'My lords, I bid you welcome. I am more than ready to come home.'
The borderers, seeing her, hearing her words, cheered lustily, their horses stamping and snorting in the icy morning.
'I am relieved to see you, lambkin,' the Laird of Dunglais called up to his wife. 'Is your chamber secure?'
'It is, my lord,' Alix assured him. She could see his breath in the cold air.
'Then remain where you are until this is over,' he advised her.
'Do not kill him, Colm,' Alix warned. 'I do not want the death of a madman on my soul, or yours. Do what you must, but leave Sir Udolf alive to face his own demons.'
' 'Tis poor advice, lady,' and to her surprise Alix recognized Adam Hepburn. 'A madman cannot be swayed in his thought or else he would not be mad. If you do not kill him, he will return again and again to trouble you until he is dead.'
'I believe today's lesson coupled with that of my husband's last visit will convince Sir Udolf of his folly,' Alix replied.
'I think you wrong, lambkin,' Malcolm Scott said, 'but I will attempt to follow your wishes, for the sake of our child you carry.'
'
'They're storming the house,' Bab said, and she chortled. 'Ohh, I should like to see Sir Udolf's face right now.'
The noise and the effect it caused came again and again and again. A great shout arose. There was a final boom, and the two women actually heard the door give way as the battering ram shattered the ancient iron-bound oak. A mighty howl was emitted from the borderers, and then they pushed into Wulfborn Hall, meeting absolutely no resistance from the servants, who had all hidden themselves away for fear of being carried off into bondage. Half charging into the great hall of the house, they faced Father Peter and Sir Udolf Watteson.
'I've come for my wife,' the Laird of Dunglais said quietly.
'You will have to fight me for her,' Sir Udolf cried, and he charged at Malcolm Scott, waving his sword.
The laird disarmed him easily, skillfully knocking his attacker's weapon from his hand with his own sword. 'I will not fight you, my lord. My wife has asked that your life be spared in spite of the misery you have caused us. While I disagree with her, I will grant her this boon for the sake of the son she carries.'
'Coward!' Sir Udolf shouted. 'Will you hide behind her skirts? Alix is mine! I have a dispensation from York to make her my wife. I will give you the child she bears for you, but she is mine! I will not give her up! I will not!'
Suddenly Adam Hepburn stepped forward. Reaching out, he grasped Sir Udolf by the neck of his dark robe, pulling him forward so that they were face-to-face. 'Old man,' he growled, 'I did not promise to leave you unharmed One more word out of you, and I will slit your throat with the greatest of pleasure.' He then shoved the Englishman to the floor, saying as he did, 'Priest! See to your master. We are through here, and enough time has been wasted on this matter.'
While he had spoken, the Ferguson of Drumcairn had gone with several of his own men upstairs, and was calling for Alix to come out, which she did, Bab behind her.
'Uncle, I am happy to see you,' Alix said.
He stared at her big belly for a moment and then, grinning, said, ' 'Tis a lad. My Maggie never carried as big. Well, come along now, lass. 'Tis past time we got you home. Your man is in the hall finishing up that bit of business.'
'He had not harmed poor Sir Udolf, has he?' Alix asked.
'Nay, he's given in to you, but from what I see of the man he would be better off dead and gone. Now, have you anything you would take with you here?'
'The small trunk at the foot of the bed was mine when I first came with Queen Margaret. I should like to have it back,' Alix told him.
'Bring it, lads,' Robert Ferguson said. Then he eyed Bab. 'And her?'
'Bab comes with me,' Alix told him.
He nodded. 'Well, then, let us be off. I think it best you not bid the Englishman farewell. Hepburn felt it necessary to speak rather firmly with him. No need to set the man off again in his madness.' He led the two women
