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“Who is there?” she asked, keeping her voice as clear and calm as possible.
“Brigid. Let me in.”
Reena had never heard Brigid demand, and she immediately opened the door to her friend and stepped back, turning away toward the fireplace so that Brigid could not see her red-rimmed eyes.
“What is wrong?” The demand remained in Brigid’s tone. “Magnus entered the great hall only moments ago more temperamental than I have ever seen him, snapping and yelling at his men. He even became annoyed with Thomas, and I have never known him to do that.”
Reena turned with a flourish, a faint smile on her tear-stained face. “He was upset?”
Brigid rushed to her friend’s side. “You have been crying. What is wrong?”
More tears gathered in Reena’s eyes and she wiped at them with annoyance. “I am in love and about to wed.”
“And this causes tears?” Brigid shook her head. “You must explain, for I am confused, though happy.” She scratched her head. “Should I be happy for you?”
“Aye, you may be happy, but you can tell no one of the wedding. I am certain that all in the keep and village will know soon enough, but the wedding must remain a secret.”
Brigid reached out and hugged her friend. “I am happy for you and I will tell no one of the plans for you and Magnus to wed, but can you tell me why?”
Reena sat in one of the two chairs near the hearth, and Brigid took the other, ready to listen.
Reena detailed the events that had led to the decision to keep their wedding a secret, and by the time she finished, Brigid was nodding her approval.
“A wise decision for sure. Kilkern would see that he used such information to his advantage.”
“True enough, that was why I thought to postpone the wedding, but Magnus insists that we wed along with you and Thomas.”
Brigid pressed a hand to her chest. “Reena, it would be wonderful to share a wedding day with you and Magnus. Think of the celebration. And Thomas and I can wait until things settle down and this matter is seen to.”
“Magnus is certain this matter will be resolved shortly and that there is no reason to delay wedding plans.”
“You think otherwise?”
Reena jumped out of the chair and began pacing in front of the hearth. “He places himself in danger by going to Kilkern.” She bit at her bottom lip, knowing she could not reveal all she knew to Brigid: she had given her word. “He will be sure to imprison Magnus or, worse, kill him.”
“Magnus is the Legend. Kilkern would be a fool to think that he could capture the Legend,” Brigid said.
Reena stopped pacing and stared down at the flames. No one understood that Kilkern did not see Magnus as the Legend but as his half brother who was depriving him of land he felt rightfully belonged to him. This was about brother against brother and revenge, the worst kind of battle, for neither would settle in agreement. Blood would certainly be spilled.
“I love him,” Reena said softly.
Brigid stood and went to her friend’s side, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I understand.”
Reena turned and her tears started once again, but this time they fell for Brigid. “I suffered along with you when John died, but until now . . . until I have loved myself, I never truly understood how deep your pain and suffering was, and I am so terribly sorry for you.”
The two women hugged tightly before parting and wiping their tears away.
“I am lucky to have found love again and with such a kind and caring man. Thomas means the world to me and I love him dearly, but if I had the chance to go back to the day Kilkern attacked John I would have responded differently. I instinctively knew something was amiss and that John should have remained silent. I would have been more brave and stepped forward to silence my husband so that he did not have to lose his life so senselessly.” Brigid paused and fought back her tears.
Reena had to wipe at her own tears.
“I tell you this, Reena, for I understand your plight, and while I love you as a sister and do not wish to see any harm come to you, I would warn you to do whatever is necessary to protect the man you love. Death comes to us all, but unnecessary death, senseless death, is difficult to accept and understand. There was no reason for John to die. He died simply because a powerful and greedy man grew angry. And that man will kill again if he thinks it serves his purpose.
“After John died I blamed myself for not defending him and not dying along with him—”
“Nonsense,” Reena said, fast to correct her friend. “There was nothing you could do, and dying along with John would—”
“Would be a senseless death.” Brigid nodded. “It took me a while to understand that my living gave more meaning to John’s death. Falling in love with Thomas made me realize how important it was to live my life, to love again, to wed and have children. John’s love, my loving John, allowed me to love again. And I finally feel alive once more. But if you asked me if I had the chance to go back and change that fateful day, then I would tell you aye, most loudly. I would defend my husband at all costs.”
