Reena was breathless by the time she reached Brigid’s cottage. Horace raced forward, jumping up and down around Brigid, who attempted to pet the bouncing dog.
“I heard you are leaving for a few days,” Brigid said, giving Reena time to catch her breath. “And aye, I will look after Horace and your parents and be watchful and careful.”
Reena laughed. “You know me too well, though you did miss one.”
Brigid gave it thought and shook her head. “I can think of no other.”
“Thomas perhaps?”
Brigid gave a hasty twist of her head toward the cottage roof. “Shhh, he will hear you. He works on repairs to the backside of the cottage roof.”
Reena stepped closer to her friend. “Have you not made mention of your feelings to him?”
Brigid kept her voice to a whisper. “I know not what to do or how I feel. One moment I feel myself in love with him, the next I feel guilty for even thinking I could love anyone other than John, and then sometimes. . . .” She sighed heavily.
“You want him to hold you in his big arms.”
Brigid stared at her friend. “How did you know that?” Her eyes widened in realization. “You feel the same toward Magnus.”
“Minus guilt, add confusion.”
“And he toward you?”
“I think he loves me, but then I know nothing of love.” Reena sighed in frustration. “There are times when we have come close to—” She stopped, not certain whether to share the intimate details, then realizing she would learn nothing if she did not discuss it with Brigid, who was certainly more knowledgeable than she.
“Being intimate?” Brigid asked bluntly, making it less difficult for her friend to share.
“Aye, intimate, but love is never mentioned, and I know not what to do.”
“Do you love the Legend?”
Reena shivered and hugged herself. “That is another problem. I know Magnus well, but the Legend remains a mystery to me. I know they are one, and yet they appear to be two different men. While I feel comfortable with Magnus, I cannot help but feel a sense of unease, perhaps even a twinge of fear, when the Legend steps forth.”
“And who do you go with on this mapping quest?”
“Magnus.”
“Are you certain?” Brigid asked, her glance going past Reena, and her eyes rounding as she looked in the distance.
“The Legend waits for me?” Reena barely whispered.
“Aye, that he does in all his glory.” Brigid shivered. “I can understand your apprehension. His clothes are as black as the night, as is his helmet. I can understand how his enemies would think him a vengeful demon.” She lowered her voice to a hushed whisper. “I think it is time you get to know the Legend. Only then will you truly come to know Magnus.”
Reena nodded her head slowly, not certain if she actually agreed with her friend, but having no other recourse. Of course Horace peeking from behind Brigid and whining at what he saw did not help the situation.
“He waits,” Brigid said and gave Reena a slight push.
Reena caught sight of Thomas’s head near the peak of the roof and cast a glance his way. “He waits also.”
The two women hugged and reluctantly parted, neither ready to deal with men and love.
Reena hurried her steps, her legs trembling after catching sight of the Legend. His appearance certainly intimidated. He looked larger, broader, stron-ger and much more unforgiving. He seemed opposite of Magnus, and yet they were one.
He spoke not a word to her when she walked up to him; he simply grabbed her around the waist, lifted her up on her horse, handed her the reins, then mounted his own black steed. With his hand firm on his reins, he gave the signal to depart.
Two men led and two men followed.
Villagers waved farewells, children trailed along the side smiling and waving exuberantly, dogs chased at their feet, and laughter drifted in the crisp spring air. Reena then noticed the double guards at the barbican and that the portcullis remained descended a quarter of the way, reminding her that the keep was on alert, ready and waiting.
“You do not worry that Kilkern may cause us harm?” she asked.
The Legend kept his glance straight ahead. “We remain on my land and he knows better than to attack a lord on his own soil. He would have much to explain to the king. Besides, there are more of my men about than you know. Our protection is not in question.”
His imposing tone and arrogant confidence sent a shiver racing through her. Who was this man she rode beside? He sounded nothing like the Magnus she knew who treated his tenants fairly and was patient with a cowardly but loveable pup.
He was the Legend.
The man she had learned about listening to tales when she was young. The tale of the Legend had been the one that had caused her to huddle beneath the blanket in fright. She had promised her young self that she would keep her distance from the Legend, and here she was riding next to him and falling in love with him.