Castle Lachlan, Strathlachlan, Scottish Highlands, 1490
Along with stifling afternoon heat, a curious fae fragrance permeated the airless bedchamber. Mairi MacLachlan shifted the bairn nursing at her breast to the crook of her arm and fussed with the sleepy babe's wrappings.
When she raised her gaze, a white-haired woman appeared afore her.
"You honor us with your presence." Mairi inclined her head briefly in deference to the elder faerie's status. Unease shivered over her skin, and she searched the woman's features, hoping to ascertain the intent of the unexpected visit.
A sweet smile curved the faerie's lips and the edges of her ageless, green eyes crinkled.
Mairi relaxed against the pillows. The woman didn't bring warnings of ill fortune.
The faerie's gray silk gown reminded Mairi of the ever-present Highland mists—a thought that made her frown.
"Why so sad, mistress? You have a bonnie wee one in your arms." The faerie glided to the side of the bed and peered at the bundle Mairi cradled.
Why, indeed? The answer troubled Mairi. Less than a sennight had passed since their child's birth, yet her husband left this morn in anger. She hadn't meant to quarrel with him, but he had set his course.
"My stubborn man is off to meet with the Campbell to secure a contract for the babe to wed one of his grandsons."
She didn't want such an arrangement for her bairn. She begged Iain that when the time came for the child to wed, he allow the lass to choose a husband of her own. Mairi wanted wee Elspeth to find love in the marriage bed, as she herself had.
"Be at peace." The old woman reached down to move the swaddling away from the babe's face, distracting Mairi from her glum thoughts.
The faerie ran a finger along the bairn's tender cheek. A pleasant smile transformed the elder's face as she gazed upon the perfect features of the precious lass. She glanced at Mairi and in a raspy voice said, "Just once in a very blue moon love will…"
The faerie's brow puckered.
"Oh, dear." She tapped a finger against her wrinkled chin. "I simply cannot remember what I am to say."
"Ah, yes." Her face beamed. "When three, seven-year cycles of the moon wane…" The wise one placed her hand on the wee babe's forehead and gazed into the infant's eyes. "A strange warrior from an unknown far-off place will come wielding the mighty lost sword of the fae to save you from despair, dear one. Just once in a very blue moon love will triumph."
As silently as she arrived, the faerie woman disappeared. The only evidence remaining from her visit was the sweet, otherworldly fragrance clinging to the air.
Mairi caressed her daughter's smooth cheek, and the child cooed. "Well, my wee Elspeth, your da will not be pleased to learn the fae guide your future."