Fergus McAngus continuedAt long last they arrive and that night the adults settle down to a special banquet, no expense has been spared for these honoured guests. Fergus is happy to be close to Rosamund at last...
Then Lord Angus stands up and proposes a toast - "To our brave Archibald who will represent our kingdom at the forthcoming tournament at Winterhaven, may he have the victory he deserves" Everyone raises their goblets, but Archibald does look a little uncomfortable...
It should be explained that Archibald was known locally as Archibald the Brave due to his having defeated single handed a giant sea creature that lived by the Barnhourrie Banks and had been eating all the fish and causing the villagers to go hungry.
However this deed came about quite by chance one day as Archibald was showing off to his friends and tried to show them how he could fire an arrow and hit a seagull sitting on a rock in the sea...
Somehow the arrow went astray, but fell to the sea just as the giant sea creaure rose to the surface, the arrow hit him in the eye...
In thrashing about the creature hit his head against a rock, this rendered him unconscious so enabling Archibald and his friends to finish him off...
Archibald thought that this would win him favour with his father who thought him a bit of a wastrel so swore his friends to secrecy with the promise of gold and took all the credit for himself...
By contrast Fergus is a learned young man, interested in music and poetry.
While he is deeply in love with the fair Rosamund and she with him, her father thinks that Archibald would be a better match for her thinking he will be more use in fighting battles to help procure more land.
Archibald however is not interested in Rosamund and prefers to spend his time drinking and enjoying himself with his friends...
King Murdoch has travelled to Galloway with his family to persuade his friend Angus that Rosamund would make a good wife for Archibald. Although he secretly thinks that Fergus is a bit of a wimp, he does think that he might have a good influence on Ailsa who is a bit of a tomboy and would rather be out riding or hunting than stay at home sewing with the ladies.
However Archibald has taken a liking to Ailsa and the day after they arrive he invites her out riding...
After a while they stop, he tells her how he feels about her and they fall into each others arms...
She then challenges him to a race. She is a skilled horsewoman and is soon in the lead when Archibalds horse trips and he falls to the floor...
Worried she hurries over to him and it is obvious to her that he has broken his arm...
Back at the castle Archibald's arm is set and bandaged, but it is obvious that there is no way he can go to Winterhaven now. Angus calls for his sons and explains that they will either have to endure the embarrassment of pulling out of the tournament or they will have to find someone else to attend on their behalf. Immediately Fergus volunteers, at first the other two laugh but eventually see that they have no choice...
Determined not to let them down, Fergus enlists the help of his trusty squire; Ninian (
thank you Andrew L) and watched by Rosamund they practice day after day until Ninian is sure that Fergus has done all he can and the day of departure for Winterhaven draws near...
The day before the departure Fergus goes to see King Murdoch to tell him that he can show that he is as brave as Archibald. He tells him how much he loves Rosamund and asks Murdoch for her hand in marriage if he can prove himself at the tournament at Winterhaven.
Murdoch reluctantly agrees although he doubts if Fergus can even make it as far as Winterhaven!...
Fergus spends his last day at McCullochs Castle with Rosamund, he presents her with a rare flower as a token of his love...
She gives him a lute and asks him to think of her whenever he plays it...
That evening as the sun goes down they walk along the beach and he plays his lute and sings her a ballad he has written and dedicated to her, about the Barnhourrie Mermaid...
"Long ago in days of old
Lived a beautiful mermaid with locks of gold,
From her cave near the Needle's Eye
To help poor sailors she would try.
On Barnhourries Banks ships ran aground
As they sailed the Solway, inland bound.
One day a sailor she loved so well
Succumbed to the Solway's mighty swell,
She rescued him and helped him recover
'Twas the least she could do for her sailer lover.
But leave her he must, back to sea to go
Her heart was saddened more than he could know.
Years later his ship sank between the waves
And her sailor perished in a watery grave.
So he joined her in her life in the sea
So happy forever together they will be.
And whenever the waves rise on a stormy night
They help protect sailors from a watery plight"
...
The following morning everyone gathers to see the party depart, accompanying Fergus are Ninian and some of the servants who will accompany them to the ship, with carts carrying his caparison, armour and weapons, and one with food and drink and finally a large barrel of whisky a gift for the King of Winterhaven from Galloway and the Lothians...
Up on the balcony, the ladies (with the exception of Ailsa who is with Archibald!) wave a last goodbye, his mother is almost too tearful to watch...
Fergus also waves a last goodbye and turns to join the rest of his party on their journey to meet the ship which will take them to Winterhaven.
After a long and arduous journey they arrive at the ship, Fergus greets the Captain and the servants unload the carts. Only Ninian and their horses will accompany Fergus on the journey, the servants will return to the castle...
At last the tide turns and they can set sail...
Next stop Winterhaven...
Who know what lies ahead for brave Fergus, only time will tell...
Elaine
