Lady Macbeth

Eight years have passed. Gruadh wakes from the dreams of a citadel, inside of which is Macbeth. Out of the window Gruadh can see a burning wooden fortress. Suddenly, in the dream, Gruadh is outside and can hear fighting and screaming.

Waking up, Gruadh wanders the halls of Elgin. She has been spending her days considering her story, but notes, “I am reluctant to reveal all of the events,” because some are too painful, others too personal.

Gruadh finds Drostan and a messenger from Malcolm mac Duncan in the great hall. Malcolm has sent gifts, and a final marriage proposal. He is also informing Gruadh he has claimed Fife. He further disputes Lulach’s claim as the true king of Scotland. Drostan and Gruadh speculate that, once Malcolm learns of Gruadh and Lulach’s plots against him, he will accuse her of treason. Drostan predicts “he will ruin Macbeth’s name now through rumors, and permanently in the annals and chronicles.”

Gruadh thinks back over the past eight years and recounts the death of her husband, Macbeth, and the ascension of Malcolm mac Duncan.  In July 1054, Malcolm crossed the border into Scotland. He and his troops fooled Macbeth’s guards by carrying leaves and branches and disguising themselves until they were close to Macbeth’s encampment between Dunkeld and Dunsinnan. Gruadh notes that annals state Macbeth was defeated, when in reality both leaders were wounded and retreated.

Malcolm mac Duncan declared he was King of Scots, although the priests did not agree, and Gruadh, the crowner, would not crown him. After Macbeth’s defeat he returned to Elgin, where Gruadh and Catriona treated his wounds—specifically a blow to the eye that left him half-blind, similar to the wound Macbeth himself had given Duncan years earlier. For the next three years Macbeth continued to rule as King, but Malcolm mac Duncan remained a usurper, attempting to gain the throne.