A Very Highland Holiday - Kathryn Le Veque Page 0,109
was a kind and loving husband, and soon Hilaria forgot all about Ranulf. By then, however, Ranulf had learned just how conniving and cold his wife could be. He regretted marrying Maud and not giving Hilaria a chance, especially when he saw how happy Hilaria and Aldred were.”
“So did the magic heart even work?” a boy asked. “It was supposed to make Ranulf fall in love with Hilaria, but he didn’t. I think it wasn’t real.”
“But it had already been used to make others fall in love by the time it came to Hilaria.” This came from the tall stranger, prompting all the children—and Elspeth—to look in his direction.
The man continued, his gaze on the boy who’d asked about the heart. “If Ranulf hadn’t found out she had the heart and gone to the witch Mazelina to ask for a way to stop its magic, he would have been beguiled, just as Hilaria intended.”
“I’m glad he wasn’t,” the redhead said, crossing her arms. “Hilaria shouldn’t have wanted to trick him. Either he loved her or he didn’t. And he didn’t.”
“But he was sorry he married Maud,” the blonde said. “Maybe he and Hilaria were meant to be.”
The redhead gaped at her. “What about Aldred?”
Elspeth chuckled. This story never failed to provoke discussion. Perhaps that was why it was one of her very favorites.
“I liked that story,” a younger girl said. “Thank you, Miss Elspeth.”
“You’re welcome.” Elspeth smiled at her, then let her gaze go to the tall man once more. He hadn’t been there at the start of the story, but he seemed to know the entire tale.
Before she could find a reason to make her way toward him, he came forward, skirting the children as they stood and returned to their parents.
“You’re an excellent storyteller,” he said.
“Thank you. And you are familiar with the tale of Ranulf and Hilaria.”
“I am indeed.”
One of the boys, whom Elspeth knew quite well, came forward without even looking at the gentleman. “Miss Elspeth, are you going to tell us about the rest of the thirteen treasures?”
Elspeth laughed softly. “David, you have heard about the thirteen treasures maybe thirteen times. And I just told you about one of them—the Heart of Llanllwch.”
“I’d rather hear about the sword—Dyrnwyn,” he said stubbornly, his small mouth turning down.
“Would you like to hear about Dyrnwyn’s twin?” the man asked, prompting both David and Elspeth to swing their heads in his direction.
“There’s another sword?” David asked, his voice rising and his eyes widening eagerly.
“I am not aware of a twin sword,” Elspeth said, her breath catching with excitement. There was nothing she loved more than discovering a new story.
“You are familiar with Rhydderch Hael, of course, since Dyrnwyn, or White-Hilt, belonged to him?”
“He was Rhydderch the Generous,” David responded quickly. “Because he loaned Dyrnwyn to anyone who wanted it.”
“Most people didn’t want it, however,” the man said with a chuckle. “At least not then. Now, there are plenty of those who would like to own the sword that flames blue.”
David nodded. “I would!”
“Well, eventually, someone did take Dyrnwyn. That was the knight, Gareth, to whom Rhydderch gifted the sword on his wedding day. However, there was a second sword called Lann Dhearg, or red blade. It also fired from tip to hilt, but the flames were an orange-red instead of blue. This blade belonged to Rhydderch’s brother, and he was…not so generous.” The man winked at David.
“What happened to Lann Dhearg?”
“It was lost, unfortunately,” the man said with a touch of sadness. “Just as Dyrnwyn has been lost.”
“How come Dyrnwyn is one of the thirteen treasures and Lann Dhearg is not?” David asked.
“Because Dyrnwyn was given to one of Arthur’s knights, but you know that, I expect.” He looked at Elspeth. “Something tells me you know every detail of those treasures.” His blue eyes sparked with an inner heat.
“David!” the boy’s mother called from several feet away.
Elspeth turned her head to see the woman smiling at her son and gesturing for him to come. David threw his arms around Elspeth for a quick hug. “Thank you, Miss Elspeth.” He looked up at the gentleman and said, “And thank you for telling me about Lann Dhearg.” He turned and dashed to his mother.
“Are you visiting for the Lammas Fair?” Elspeth asked the man.
“Passing through town on my way to Inverness, but yes, I am spending the night.” He spoke in a deep, lowland brogue.
“I ask because David will probably draw a picture of Lann Dhearg and if he sees you