Poetry & Gabriel in Scotland - Chapter 8: Castles, Churches and Rainbows

Chapter 8 -  Castles, Churches and Rainbows

Everyone was so busy getting settled in they hadn’t noticed Poetry and Gabriel’s tardiness, so they did not receive the scolding they’d expected.  “That was a close one, Gabriel,” Poetry confided.  “The Mrs. of the House could have kept us locked in the house, you know.  You shouldn’t take her requests so lightly.”  Gabriel was too distracted by his imagination so he really wasn’t paying Poetry any attention.  He just nodded his head in agreement.

“Let’s go exploring up in the hills this afternoon,” Gabriel said when Poetry finally got his attention.  “Isn’t there a castle around here somewhere?”

After lunch Gabriel was too excited to take a nap!  Poetry was on her bed licking her paws.  “Aw, come on, Poetry.  You’re not going to take a nap first are you?” Gabriel pleaded.

Poetry just gave him the look—the one where she lets Gabriel know she won’t be rushed.  But soon she was following him out the door.  She knew she’d get no rest anyway if she lingered any longer.  As they approached the top of the hill overlooking the little town of Luss they both stopped to admire the view.   The sun was just starting to shine brightly again.  Gabriel was eager to be on their way.

Further up the loch Poetry saw it first.  “Look, Gabriel! It’s a Highland cow!” 

“Yikes!” Gabriel exclaimed.  “Let’s go!  She looks like she’s ready to defend her turf!”  They ran on past and headed toward the woods on the other side of the hill.  “Weeeee….this is fun!” Gabriel barked.  Poetry looked just as delighted.  Before long they saw an old water trough.

“Please, let us stop and take a drink,” Poetry said.  Gabriel was all for it, too.  After resting a bit they decided to continue on into the woods.

“What do you think we’ll find in here?” asked Gabriel.  

“Oh, I don’t know, I’m sure.  I just hope it’s not any wild animals!” Poetry said with a shudder.  “I like adventure, but not THAT much adventure.  Yes sir, no surprises for me!”

Gabriel smiled to himself thinking about the adventures he’d had just to find Poetry.  He felt confident that he could meet any challenge that might arise.  Soon they found their first ruin to explore.  

“Look there!” Poetry cried.  “Our first ruin!”  Sure enough they’d stumbled upon the remains of some castle.  After spending quite some time exploring around the ruin they ventured inside to take a look.  “Oh, my,” Poetry said, “it’s spooky in here.”  

“What was that?!” Gabriel cried.  “Did you hear that?!”

“Hee…hee…hee,” Poetry meowed.  “Gotcha!”

Gabriel looked sheepish now.  “Oh, Poetry, you were just funning me weren’t you.”  Poetry smiled her sly smile and gave him a wink.  Just then there was another noise.  “How did you do that one, Poetry?  It sounded like it came from over there.”  When he turned around to look at Poetry she’d run out of the castle.  “Hey, wait for me!” cried Gabriel, who was soon following her.

Once outside and far enough away they both stopped and looked at each other and started giggling.  “Boy,” Poetry barely got out between breaths, “that WAS spooky.  I swear, I did not make that second sound!”

Gabriel just shook himself all over and said, “I think we should be heading back.  Poetry agreed.  It WAS getting late and Gabriel noticed the clouds coming in.  “I think the weather is about to change on us.  

They made there way through the woods back to the hill top.  Gabriel stopped and surveyed the scene.  There was another ruin just down the hill.  “I don’t remember passing that, do you?”  

Poetry shook her head, “No, I don’t remember it, either.”  They looked at each feeling the worry rise up inside.  “Let’s just keep going.  If we don’t see the loch soon, we’ll turn around and head in the other direction.”  Gabriel agreed to this plan and they trudged on.  

After awhile the sun reappeared just long enough to light up the body of water head.  “Look!” Gabriel barked.  “I think that’s water I see the sun reflecting off of.”  They both ran to the top of the hill and took a look.  It was good news and bad news.  Good news that they’d found the loch.  Bad news that the sun was setting.  It would soon be dark!  But they kept moving towards the water.  The shadows were growing longer and the darkness was getting deeper.  Poetry sat for a moment.  Gabriel stopped and asked, “Is something wrong, Poetry?”

“I’m a little bit scared, Gabriel.”

Gabriel remembered his nights alone on the way to find Poetry and knew how she felt.  “I understand, but it will all work out.  Don’t worry.  We just need to find shelter in case a storm comes up.”  So they kept moving and soon saw another ruin along the loch.

“Oh see what I see!” Poetry cried.  It was a place for them to shelter for the night.  Gabriel led the way down the hill.  Soon they’d made a little bed in some hay they’d found and spent the night all warm and cozy, but quite hungry.  

The next morning they were up bright and early.  They were both hopeful they’d find their way home soon enough now that they had light.  They passed by a day hiker and knew they were near a village.

They kept on going, stomachs growling from hunger, vowing to not be quite so adventuresome next time!  Soon they were passing the old church yard outside of Luss.  It had started to drizzle and they were more than eager to reach the cottage.  It was only then they thought about how worried everyone would be for them.

Just then the sun came out and Poetry and Gabriel had to stop and take in the view before them.

A rainbow!  Poetry felt everything would be OK now.  

 ©CathyGilleylenSchultz

Chapter 9:  A Whirlwind Week