Updated 5/2015: So I've decided to get back into a few of my stories. And this is the first one that I'm going to try and finish. I've never completed one before, and while I'm not exactly proud of that, I'd love change that. So I'm going to work on updating the chapters I've already written as well as putting up new chapters. We will see how much I actually do, but for now, I'm being ambitious.

Guardian Angel

By: Meghan McLaws

In the arms of an Angel

Fly away from here

from this dark, cold hotel room,

And the endlessness that you fear
you are pulled from the wreckage

Of your silent reverie
you're in the arms of an Angel;

May you find some comfort here

Scotland 1495

Her young eyes wandered around the green hills as she rode on the front of her mother's horse. She was confused; unable to understand why they were leaving the home she'd grown to love in her short 4 years. "Mama, why are we leaving Da? Did we do something wrong?" She asked innocently, her big blue eyes looking up at the woman she rode with. She couldn't exactly see the expression on her face, and she certainly couldn't understand the look that was written all over her face. She knew her mother had her reasons, but she needed understanding.

"Love bug, you have to trust me. We're going far away- back to my Papa and Ma. We have to leave. We don't have a choice." She said soothingly, kissing the golden curls. The sky grew darker as they continued through the day, making it farther and farther away from what was once their home. No escorts followed them. No one chased after them. The little girl doubted that her father even knew that they were gone. Strathearn was a long way off from Edinburgh, but by nightfall, they'd only be 2 days away from the border. The woman pick up the pace, knowing that her husband would be home in 5 days. It would take that long for any of the Buchanans to get a note to their laird. And by that time, they would be in Manchester.

And then, they would be safe.

It took the little girl a while to gather the courage to speak again. She could tell that something was different, that her mother afraid. But she didn't really know why. Her hands busied themselves in the dark browns of her skirts. It felt like hours had past, but she finally let her curiosity win. "But Mama, won't Da miss us? I know I'll miss him bunches. And why aren't we taking the tartan we wear?" The girl asked as they slowed down a little more, the sun long gone from the sky. The woman dismounted, reaching up to pluck her daughter from the mare. Small, uncovered feet hit the ground and she scampered off into the trees. The lush, green foliage hid the chestnut mare as they moved into the cover of the branches. Hopefully, they would go unnoticed if anyone should ride past the area.

"Serenity, we are not taking it because it's not ours to take. We'll be fine without it. Do not worry so much, child. Have I not provided for you in the past? I will provide for you now. Hush Bug, so I can get some food in our stomachs so we can rest. We've still got a long way to travel. But we've got an angel with us, love. And that's all we really need." The mother said, kissing the girl on the cheek. The little girl took a seat next to her mother, watching the woman expertly start a fire and cook a meal.

They ate in silence, Serenity too busy looking around to hold a conversation. While she'd been out among the territory with her father in the past, all of this territory was new to her. She didn't recognize any of the stone formations they had ridden past. Nor did she know any of the faces she'd seen. While she didn't understand the reason, she did trust her mother. Still, looking up at her, fire dancing in the depths of her brown eyes, Serenity was sure that something was wrong. Too young to put words to it, she instead focused on remembering the way she looked. And the way the peat fire glowed against the pale skin of her mother. They put away the remaining food and the bowls, slipping them back in the small saddle bag her mother had packed for the two of them. Dressing the child down to her shift, the mother didn't bother, knowing she would need the warmth of the material for the cold night. She pulled her daughter close, lying onto the soft grass and pulling a blanket over the two. Elizabeth whispered into the little girl's ear, telling fairy tales and singing sweet songs in Gaelic, the only language the little girl knew.

The next morning, Elizabeth woke up at dawn, heart racing. She pulled the little girl out of her arms and let her sleep while she made her way down to the stream. She undressed and got into the cool water, cleaning her body and using the rose pedal soap her husband had given her as a gift. She tried to keep her mind blank, knowing that once she began to think about her decision would be the moment she allowed the Clan to catch up to her. There was no time to waste in pointless thought. Her mind had been made up. She bathed in haste, wanting to get back to her child and back on the retreat. She threw back on the dirty gown and moved back to her daughter, smiling at the little thing she'd given birth to. She softly brushed the gold locks out of her face, watching as her small little chest rose and fell. The girl moved under her mother's touch, her eyes fluttering open. "Hi Mama," she said softly, sitting up on the grass. Her blue eyes were hazy with sleep, but clearing quickly as her mother pulled her close.

"Morning sweeting, we've got to hurry. Come, I must bathe you so we can eat and be on our way." She said softly, taking her daughter into her arms and moving her to the stream. She bathed her daughter and put back on the clothing from the day before. There was no time to play, no time to enjoy the unusual warm of the water below. The meal was quick, just bread and an apple before they mounted up and headed out.

They rode hard for the next two days, stopping only to water the horse and rest for the evening. They crossed the border into England late on the night of the third day, taking a rest on the soil of Elizabeth's home. It took them another two days to reach her father's home, and when they finally did, both were beyond tired. They stayed off the main trail, Elizabeth terrified that she would be found and returned to her husband before she could see her father again.

The Duke of Manchester didn't ask any questions when his only daughter and granddaughter walked to his hall. He took the girls in and put them under the best care, letting them sleep as long as they needed to after filling their bellies with food. It took Elizabeth 2 days to recover, and during that time, Serenity got to know her grandfather.

They played into the day, talking and telling stories. Serenity didn't know who the old man was, but he smelled nice, and he cuddled with her. In a lot of ways, the man reminded her of her own father. On the second day, when Elizabeth finally got out of bed she found her daughter sleeping in her own father's lap. A maid took the child, allowing father and daughter to discuss what had occurred over the past 6 years.

And across Scotland, a howl of anguish could be heard all though out Strathearn.