Beth had felt unsure about her newest position. The men had decided to take her back to the settlement in the morning since their hunt had been interrupted with attacks from the other settlements. The weather had left a chill in the air and Beth couldn't hide the fact she was shivering. She hadn't slept well either. The fear of being with strangers in another time had frayed her nerves and combated any exhaustion she could of felt.
She was trying to recall if any part of Sasha's stories had explained how these divine travelers got home. She wracked her brain for anything and there was nothing that was sticking out. She assumed she would just have to listen to the drumming and the chanting and follow it home.
"You cold girl?" Daryl Dixon had gruffly asked her.
Beth knew she had saved his arm, but from her encounter with her husbands evil parallel twin she couldn't help the fear she felt. Her fear must have shown on her face because a blanket was dropped on her.
"Ain't got to be afraid of us." He stated quietly.
Beth almost felt guilty, but she knew that if for a second they associated her with Zach or the other camp she might as well knot her own noose and let them hang her. She had every reason to be afraid. She knew she would have to come up with a believable lie and she needed to come up with one quick.
"Got every reason to be afraid." Beth needed to buy time while she thought of what scenario would keep her safe. Then she remembered in Zach's rambling the group she was with was family oriented and she could use those feelings for protection. She hated manipulating these people and lying, but she needed to do whatever it was to survive long enough to make it home.
"Why? We ain't touched a hair on your head?" Daryl seemed genuinely surprised by her fear.
"You aren't the one who just lost her entire family out there to whoever your brother stopped." Beth didn't have to fake the tremble in her voice. She was distraught about falling through time and no longer having her family for comfort.
"I'm sorry about your loss Miss?" Daryl trailed off at the end as if he were asking her name.
"Beth Greene, my name is Beth Greene." Beth said quietly.
Before Daryl could respond or properly introduce himself Shane burst back into the cabin. Beth hadn't even realized anyone had left the cabin in these early morning hours. Shane hauled Beth to her feet.
"Who the fuck are you girl?" Shane snarled.
"I'm Beth Greene and you're gonna let go of my arm." Beth hissed. If being a war nurse taught her anything, it was to be assertive even in the most volatile of circumstances.
"Not until you told me why you were running around half naked with General Miller. You his gypsy whore?" Shane got closer to her face and Beth took an instinctive step backwards.
"That's enough Shane. He killed her family. She's lost enough and you don't need to be adding to her stress." Daryl placed his hand on Shane's shoulder to pull him back.
"How do you know that? Last time I checked you're practically a mute Dixon." Shane barked out.
"You'll stop that now Walsh. She saved Daryl's life and I rescued her from Miller. She's under my sanctuary and you'll best get your hands off of her unless you want Grimes to get wind of this." Merle Dixon threatened. He was clearly over the confrontation.
"You hate Grimes." Shane stated like that would keep him from being ratted out.
"Like her more than I hate him and I hate you more too. Girl is damn smart and we need a healer back at the fort." Merle forced Shane to release his bruising grip from Beth's arms and gently pushed her towards Daryl. Daryl slanted his body as if his body were a buffer between Shane and her.
Beth gingerly rubbed the area Shane had been holding. It would bruise without a doubt she noted sourly. She knew about Shane from the historical accounts, but nothing compared to what he was like in real life.
"Whatever, the bitch is your problem. Not mine." Shane wiped his mouth before leaving the cabin.
"Ignore Walsh. He's a pain in the ass. Now, I know Cap' Miller ruined whatever your dress you were wearing. Ain't fit to travel in that so here." Merle pulled out of this sack a beautiful but thick colonial dress that was a deep blue with a grey shawl. Beth grabbed the dress gratefully.
"Ain't proper, but we ain't got no lady servants so guess it's me that's gonna help you get dressed if that's all right." Merle offered as gently as he could.
Beth was suspicious because this was nothing like the man she had heard about in the legends. The legends had him as rude and vulgar and yet he was the one who had defended her and tried making her comfortable.
"Daryl ready your horse for two, she's gonna ride with you." Merle ordered. Daryl threw a look at Merle before nodding his consent and leaving the cabin.
Beth felt awkward once it was just the two of them. Merle had motioned for her to lift her hands up and he casually maneuvered the dress onto her like one would assist with a wedding dress. He started lacing the dress quietly before breaking the silence.
"I'm grateful for you saving my brother's arm. You're gonna be a real benefit to our community, but you'll probably be in real danger too. I'll do my best to protect you same as my brother, but I'm giving you an out now" Merle told her.
"I have no where else to go" Beth admitted to him. Despite all of his legends, Merle was nothing like the man she had heard of. Although, she reckoned she hadn't met him on the battlefield or a tavern so there was a good chance he could of been like that. When he was talking with Shane she could see little glimpses of his reputation.
"I hope you don't mind what I'm about to do Miss Greene." Merle told her before she could even react he had the skirt of her dress along with her slip pushed to the point it was almost indecent. She was going to push him away and kick him with her boots, but as quick as he had her skirts up he was dropping them.
She lifted her skirts to see a knife clip on her upper thigh hidden from view but accessible if she needed it.
"Just extra security is all seeing as you're practically a Dixon now." Merle ruffled Beth's hair and she was immediately reminded of her older brother.
"Thank you, you didn't have to do any of this." Beth told him quietly.
"Yes, I did. Got a little gypsy in me too girl. I know your face. You're gonna make my baby brother smile again and he deserves that." Merle squeezed her shoulder.
Beth wasn't sure what he meant, but she knew he believed what he had been saying.
Beth was almost embarrassed by how saddle sore she got after the trek back to the Grime's castle and settlement. She had grown up riding horses, but since the war had started it had been awhile since she actually rode any horse.
She was thankful when they had finally come upon the castle. It was such an interesting sight to see in all of its glory. She couldn't believe that this was the same dilapidated castle she had sex with her husband just a few short days ago.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Daryl dismounted the horse and offered to help her down. She gave a small smile as she steadied her feet on the ground.
"Daryl, take her to our guest room and show her the medicine room since she'll be spending most of her time there. I'm gonna talk with Grimes" Merle told Daryl. Daryl nodded his head before taking Beth's hand.
As he led her down a maze of hallways. She was concerned she would never quite learn this labyrinth. She had also noticed some of the stares of women in particular as Daryl led her.
"You seem to be a very popular man with the ladies here Mr. Dixon" Beth quipped. Her joke seemed to fall flat as Daryl cast a look at her as if in disbelief.
"Ain't nobody want me, just the damn title." Daryl muttered.
Beth scrunched her face. She didn't recall the Dixon's carrying any title. "What title do you have if you don't mind me asking?" Beth was genuinely curious about Daryl. He certainly was the opposite of the males she had encountered so far. While he seemed to have a similar disposition as his brother he was much more taciturn.
"Rick Grimes the leader here is my cousin. Guess, that makes our family untouchable." Daryl shrugged after explaining the title.
She knew what he was describing was far more significant than what he had just down played. Though, she figured he didn't want any commentary on his title. She could see the disdain he had for it all. She figured it was better for her to drop the subject and ask other questions.
"Is the medicine room close to where I'll be staying?" Beth sincerely hoped it was. She didn't always want to be escorted everywhere but with the complicated mazes she wasn't sure when she would learn the castle fully.
"Ain't too far from it." Daryl motioned for her to follow and she entered a well stocked medicine room. Of course it was nothing like a modern hospital, but she had plenty of herbs to made medicinal remedies for the people here. She was glad her father had pushed her to take botany courses like her mother had. The information would become an invaluable asset.
Beth swallowed thickly when she looked at the stone table. The same stone table she had been lifted onto, the table where she and her husband had made their own little piece of history together. It was such an odd combination of feelings. She felt the rush of arousal as she remembered the events but her heart felt like it was shattering in pieces knowing that was gone forever. It didn't help that Daryl was giving her a look like he could see right through her.
"Could you take me to my room?" Beth asked politely. She needed space from the room while she collected herself. She followed Daryl until they reached the room.
"I'll come get you when it's time for dinner." Daryl told her before heading off somewhere else.
Beth allowed herself to collapse on the ornate bed and drift off into a dreamless slumber.
It had been several weeks since she had been invited into the castle under the protection of the Dixon brothers. She spent a majority of her time with them and Lori Grimes. She and Lori had grown closer. She could almost see the woman as her sister. She could also feel something shift between her and Daryl. It didn't help that Lori had saw an opportunity for matchmaking and continually attempted to set the two up.
Beth had politely declined. Not because Daryl wasn't the epitome of what she wanted in a man, but a part of her still felt the guilt of her late husband. She had begun accepting the idea she might never make it home. She didn't hate it here either. The only thing that put her on edge was Shane and his glares he threw her way during dinner. The only person he glared at more was Carl.
She almost felt sorry for the boy. His best friend Sophia had died right before their arrival. According to the town, Sophia had played in the witches garden and came down with a hex and died. He tried telling everyone he knew Sophia didn't play in the witches garden, but no one listened. Beth believed him, but she wasn't in a position to change anything.
Beth hummed softly as she categorized the herbal remedies she had in stock and made a list of plants she would soon need to stock up on. The door burst open and Rick Grimes was there holding his son. Shane and Daryl were both with him.
"You've got to help him. He's sick. Please, please just help him." Rick's voice was laced with the desperation only a parent could feel in a moment like this.
"Can't help a boy who has been hexed Grimes." Shane didn't sound like he had much sympathy for his best friends plight.
She ignored the bickering that was happening between the three men. She didn't think it was a witches hex. She categorized the symptoms he was showing. He had a rapid pulse rate, lowered temperature, and his pupils were dilating. She was trying to add everything up when he started screaming about seeing something before releasing what had been in his hands.
Beth almost wept with relief when she saw the jimsonweed drop out of Carl's hand. She didn't mean to, but she shoved Rick and Shane who were still having a heated debate. She reached in the cup boards. She had grabbed some of the bark she had tanned earlier and boiled water. The tea would taste horrible, but it would save Carl's life. She went back over to Carl ignoring the requests to explain what she was doing and helped him get the concoction down.
She felt a sigh of relief as she felt his pulse grow a little more steady. He wasn't out of the woods yet, but if he drank the tea every few hours she felt confident he would survive. He would be weakened for awhile, but weakened was better than dead.
"I think he's gonna live. I've got to give him the tea throughout the night, but we caught it in time." Beth grabbed a few more pieces of bark and began the process of making a large dose of the tea so all she would need to do is heat it and give it to him.
"Do you need anything?" Rick's voice cracked with emotion.
"Honey if at all possible, he can't taste the tea now but once he's feeling better he's going to need something to counter the bitterness of the remedy." Beth knew from experience when people were in genuine pain they would accept any medicine, but once on the mend they took things like taste and texture into consideration.
Rick nodded and left with Shane hot on his heels, but Daryl remained.
"He really gonna be alright?" He asked as he looked at Carl's face that was set in a grimace.
"He ate a poisonous plant we need to find the bush and destroy it. Probably what everyone thinks is the witches garden." Beth said quietly as she used a handkerchief to pick up the pieces of the jimsonweed.
"Need to find a bush with these and burn it. If the animals get into it the whole town is gonna be worse off than Carl is now." Beth showed Daryl exactly what the plant looked like before disposing of the plant.
"I'll make sure it's burned. Need company tonight?" Daryl asked quietly.
"Ain't that improper Mr. Dixon?" Beth couldn't help the teasing tone when she used his proper name. There was something about the way the tips of his ears would turn red and he mumble his reply.
"A-ain't nothing improper. More than likely Rick and Lori would be here too. Just didn't know if you wanted someone in here for you." Daryl looked red as he fought to get his words right.
Beth smiled softly at Daryl. Even though it had been a few weeks, she had felt she had gotten to know Daryl really well. He was quiet, but one of the most intelligent men living in the castle. He was fearless when it came to being in the wilderness or creating battle plans, but social things made him a nervous wreck. Though, that had endeared him to her. He had every reason to be cocky with the combination of his talent, his looks, and family title. Yet, here he was stumbling over his words and trying to remain a gentleman.
"I know Daryl, you've been nothing but a gentleman towards me." Beth hoped her smiled would placate him and put him at ease.
"You were just jesting me girl? Don't you know who I am?" Daryl mimicked some of the higher up socialites here.
Beth couldn't stifle her giggle at his impersonation of them in turn made Daryl laugh with her.
Daryl became quieter "I'm gonna take care of those plants, but don't let no one in here except the Grimes family."
Beth nodded and wished him luck while warning him to not touch the plants at all.
It had been a long night. Beth had ended up sending everyone away, stating she would send a servant out to get them if Carl's condition changed. She was confident that Carl would make a full recovery.
"Hey, how are you feeling sleepy head?" She smiled as she saw Carl blink away the sleep.
"He fed it to me don't let him in here." Carl begged hoarsely.
Beth thought she might have misunderstood what Carl was saying so she handed him a cup of the tea remedy she had been giving him.
"Who tried to feed you?" Beth asked gently as she smoothed some of Carl's hair back to make sure he didn't have a fever. He felt normal which meant what he was saying might be the truth.
"Shane. Saw him feed a goat the plant and he told me it was all right to eat. Dared me to eat it." Carl admitted quietly.
"Sh, I won't let him in here. Sleep a couple hours more and we can see about relocating you to your room." Beth urged Carl to fall back asleep.
She was going to send a servant to get the Grimes, but in front of the door was Lori and Rick along with both Dixon brothers and Shane. Beth squared her shoulders she needed to tell the Grimes what Carl confessed.
"You're letting a witch stay in the fucking castle. We need to cast her out now!" Shane screeched. He seemed like a predator who had been backed into a very precarious corner.
"I'm not a witch, you just want me cast out before the truth comes to life. Carl's going to live and he told me what happened." Beth interrupted whatever defense her friends had for her. She wasn't scared of Shane and she sure as hell would make sure he never hurt a child again.
"What truth that you hexed Carl and now have him under a spell to speak whatever truths you want him to!" Shane seemed desperate for someone to believe him.
"Or the truth where you feed him that poisonous plant because he caught you feeding a goat the same plant." Beth's heartbeat slammed against her rib-cage. It wasn't fear. All she could feel was all consuming anger.
The sting of her cheek brought her back to reality.
"Don't you dare accuse me of that. Just because you have the Dixon's protection doesn't mean you're untouchable in this place. Easy to convince everyone you're a witch when they're on the fence about you" Shane threatened.
Daryl yanked Shane back and punched him once.
"Ain't gonna have you touching or threatening anybody under our protection." Daryl hissed.
Merle and Rick seemed to realize at the same time this would escalate and both grabbed each male and dragged them into an empty room.
"You alright Beth?" Lori gingerly touched the split lip Beth had.
"Survived worse than this." Beth winced as Lori tried to clean a little blood from the cut.
"You saved my boy's life. I'm forever indebted to you." Lori told her.
Beth squeezed Lori's hand. "He's young and he's strong. He's gonna make a full recovery." Beth was happy she could tell her friend that her child would be all right.
Beth had finished explaining to Lori what Carl would need for the recovery process when both of the Dixon brothers came into the room with a dark expression.
"What's wrong?" Lori asked when she didn't see her husband or Shane with them.
"Having us ain't gonna be enough protection. Shane wants to go to the council and accuse Beth of witchcraft." Merle stated calmly.
Beth twisted her hands in her dress as she thought about what they were saying. It was true, being the Dixon's guest would not pardon her from that kind of accusation nor the trial that would follow.
"Can't we convince him not to? She just saved my child's life!" Lori sounded near hysterical.
Beth wished she could feel the hysteria that Lori was feeling. All she could feel is a cold numbness throughout her entire body.
"We ain't gonna change Shane's mind, but if Beth is willing I can marry her. Having my last name might sway the council to hear my testimony and let me deal with it as a husband." Daryl offered.
Beth weighed her options. His offer was the best alternative they had. If not, more than likely she would burn for being a witch.
"I guess we are gonna get married Mr. Dixon." Beth tried her best to put humor in her words but they sounded flat against her ears.
A/N: Christy is to thank for this chapter being written. (She can kind of be scary when she wants something - love you lots - ) Anyways, I'm sort of excited to play around with this universe once again. I hope you guys enjoyed it!
