Elsa was quick to calm the frantic man who no doubt had gone into battle with less fear than he was experiencing now and just as quickly gathered her things to leave. Dawn waited a moment after they left and was glad she did since Elsa popped her head back in a few moments later, as if checking to see that Dawn still slept. After she heard the door close again, she waited to make certain Elsa hadn’t planned another surprise return and when several silent minutes followed she got out of bed, grabbed her cloak from the peg and peeked outside.
Neil stood there smiling and she grinned and nodded at the warrior who guarded her throughout the day. She should have known that Elsa was too faithful to Cree to leave Dawn alone at the cottage. It also gave her pause to think that Elsa might not keep her secret about the babe from Cree much longer.
She walked through the village with Neil now eager to get home, eager for solitude once more. When they were only a few feet from the cottage, Neil suddenly jumped in front of her letting out a roar similar to the one she had heard Cree cry out, though Neil’s was not as ferocious, and then he pushed her to the ground shielding her with his body.
They were surrounded by warriors in minutes. Neil issued orders for some of the warriors to search the woods in the back of the cottage, and then he yanked her up off the ground and quickly shoved her into the safety of her cottage. It was only then that she noticed he had an arrow sticking through his arm. He had taken the arrow meant for her.
“Are you hurt?” Neil asked.
Her eyes turned wide and she frantically pointed at the arrow sticking through the muscle in his upper arm.
“That’s a wee bit of a bother, nothing more,” he assured her after glancing at it. “You’re not hurt?”
The man stood with an arrow in his arm more worried about her than his own injury. She shook her head and shooed him to the door with one hand while pointing to the arrow with the other.
“I’ll have Elsa tend it as soon as Cree arrives and I finish telling him about the incident.”
She shook her head furiously, stomped her foot, and pointed to the door.
“No use in arguing with me; I take my orders from Cree.”
Dawn was never more relieved to see the door open and Cree enter along with Sloan and Elsa. Cree walked over to her while Elsa went directly to Neil.
She had been asked enough if she was all right and so she stopped Cree before he could repeat it and patted her chest and held up her hand assuring him that she was fine. She then pointed to Neil and demonstrated how he threw himself in front of her and knocked her to the ground shielding her.
Cree ran his hand along her face as if ascertaining for himself that she spoke the truth, that she was unharmed. The gentle gesture was her undoing. She swayed and pressed her brow to his chest. His arms went protectively around her and he drew her tightly against him.
“You’re safe,” Cree whispered and then looked to Neil. “Tell me what happened.”
While Elsa examined the wound, Neil explained. “I saw movement in the woods to the side of the cottage and I didn’t wait, I stepped in front of Dawn and took her to the ground. I wish I could report that I saw the culprit, but it was movement that stirred me into action.”
Elsa interrupted. “I need to get this arrow out and the wound cleansed and bound. And he needs to remain at my cottage for the night so that I can make sure that the wound shows no signs of rotting and he no signs of fever.”
“Go on with you,” Neil teased. “You just want my hulking body in your bed.”
“Dreams do come true, Neil, that they do,” Elsa teased right back.
“Take good care of him, Elsa,” Cree said. “He is to be rewarded for what he has done here this day.”
“I have my reward, my lord… a home after years of constant battle.”
Dawn felt her chest swell seeing the teardrop that lingered at the corner of Neil’s one eye. The man would do anything for Cree and all because Cree had made certain that his men had been provided with a home. And at what cost?
“You will be rewarded, Neil, and I’ll hear no more about it,” Cree ordered. “Now go with Elsa and you will not return to your duties until Elsa says you are well enough.”
Neil looked ready to protest; a look from Cree stilled his objection.
Elsa hustled him out the door, the two arguing like an old married couple.