Chapter 20

Hey everyone! I was so excited to finally reveal Joyce's "secret" identity. While the series was on, I always wondered who VII was so when I started the story I knew I would try to solve that mystery. I always thought it was Asa, and Big Foster just skipped VII when he named Lil Foster as a backward way of acknowledging he had another son. But since they killed off my alternative Boo and I did'nt want to give Big Foster that much credit, I made my own VII! Hope you are enjoying reading as much as I am enjoying writing!

"I'm Foster Farrell the VII." Joyce Replied "Foster Farrell the V and Ray Farrell were my parents, and Foster Farrell the VI is my older brother."

Hasil was stunned "Lady Ray would speak of her lost child, but like she died"

"To her, I did. She told me as much…". Joyce stopped and closed her eyes, gathering her thoughts. She opened them and sighed, walking over to take her seat she said "Let me start at the beginning. My Fa was a bit of a character and he was determined that there would be another Foster Farrell as Bren'in to follow him. So he promised to name every child my Ma gave him Foster Farrell. My brother was first born, he was named the VI, and I was born 4 summers later and I was named the VII. Foster Joyce Farrell VII. Everybody called me Joy. Joyce was for my Morai, my fathers Ma."

Hasil smiled "I remember Aintin Joyce, she always had sweets for us kids."

"Morai was a beautiful soul, so loving and kind." Joyce said fondly "She was special, she seemed to know I was destined to leave the mountain before I did."

"How old were you when you left?" Sally Ann asked

"Almost 18. I met my husband when we were both 14, Fa traded with his folks and where Fa went I wasn't far behind. Farrell Wine, Coffee, and tobacco for seed and fuel mostly, occasionally crops if our harvest was lacking. Billy was a book worm, very thoughtful and kind. He taught me to read, and once I learned how to read I couldn't stop. We used to sneak off and meet, and we had a few places where we would leave each other notes and exchange books. Ma found out a few months before I left and she made me to stop seeing him. Said he was a demon sent to lead me astray, and if I ever left I would be dead to her and all the clan. I didn't see Billy for 3 months after that. I was miserable, cried every day."

She paused for a moment, and Sally Ann offered her hand. Joyce accepted her support and continued "Fa made me go with him early one morning, said we were going to look for rabbits. Said I could mope and rabbit hunt at the same time, so he wasn't putting me out. After a while I knew something was going on because we were too far out to be looking for rabbits. We came out of the trees at Hidden Glenn, and there was Billy." Joyce put her hand over her heart and stopped, remembering the emotional moment. "Fa said he was going to get rabbits and he'd be back for me just after high noon, then he turned around and left."

She put her head down and took an long breath before continuing. "When we got back that day, Morai sent for me and gave me a woven St. Brigid's Cross. She told me not to forget where I come from, to learn to fight the evil doers amongst the low landers, and that the clan would need me some day. Fa and Morai helped me see Billy 3 or 4 times after that, and we kept it from Ma. On his 18th birthday, Billy asked me to marry him under a tree in Hidden Glenn. He was leaving for the Air Force in 2 weeks and he wanted me to come with him. Fa and Morai gave me there blessing, but we still didn't tell Ma. The only other family I said goodbye to were my brother and my cousin Emelye. I left Ma a note, even though I knew she couldn't read it – I needed to say goodbye. Ma sent Fa down to after me, but he just talked with Papa Nate and came back empty handed. For awhile, about once a year or so Papa Nate would send word from Fa with the latest news from the mountain. Papa Nate would read my letters to Fa and write letters for him to me. He'd try to keep his letters lively and fun, but Papa Nate told me Ma figured out what happened and never forgave them. One year, he never came and I knew he was gone."

Joyce looked up when she stopped speaking to find all eyes on her.

Hasil spoke in old tongue "Ta' a fhios agat ar an tuar?" (You know of the prophecy?)

Joyce nodded "Ta'" (Yes)

There eyes met, Hasil searching her soul. "Ta' tu' an ceann ar ais" (You are the returned one) He said with confidence.

Joyce shook her head "Nil a fhios agam leanbh, ach beidh me' cosaint mo chinn " (I don't know child, but I will protect my clan.)

Joyce turned to Dru "When do we leave for Shay Mountain?"

Lil Foster watched G'win as she worked on her cures. Her stock had run low with all the troubles they'd endured. They both felt relaxed, knowing for sure the guns were out of his Fa's reach. Lil Foster had personally seen to that. He smiled at Ray, asleep in his arms. Her naming ceremony is day after tomorrow, after that he would take The Oak and his place as Bren'in. He intended to spend as much time as he could at peace the next two days, and this little girl would have a lot to do with that.

"You're gonna spoil her" G'win admonished softly, smiling at the two of them

"I sure am" Lil Foster replied, looking up a G'win "Good thing she has a strong Ma to keep her on the right path"

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. G'win turned toward the door, but Lil Foster grabbed her wrist and stopped her, shaking his head. She reached down and took Ray from his arms. As he moved toward the door, he knew it was his Fa. He opened the door and stepped out on the porch.

"Evenin Fa" He said

"Evening Son." Big Foster replied " Ain't you gonna invite me in?"

He and G'win had not seen each other since the council when she called for his banishment, Lil Foster was uneasy about letting him near her. "The baby's sleeping right now."

"I'd like to meet my grandchild, I won't disturb her" Big Foster said sincerely. Seeing Lil Foster's hesitation, he added "I won't bother G'winveer neither."

Lil Foster nodded and turned, he stepped inside and Big Foster followed.

G'win stood back, holding Ray who was beginning to stir. Big Foster stopped suddenly just inside the door, staring at G'win. He closed his eyes and shook his head as he reached out and gripped the threshold.

"Fa? You okay?" Lil Foster asked, placing himself between him and his girls

Big Foster opened his eyes "I'm alright son" turning his eyes to G'win "Hello G'winveer" he said, bowing to greet her as Bren'in.

"Foster" G'win said tersely, nodding. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward and handed Ray to Lil Foster.

Taking the baby, Lil Foster turned to his father "This is Ray Brigid Farrell"

Big Foster came forward and gazed down at her "She is a beauty" he whispered. Ray's eyes were open and locked on Big Foster. He could feel his stomach turning again, what the hell is wrong? "Ray is for your Morai, where'd you get Brigid?"

"After St. Brigid, Emelye gifted us St. Brigid's cross – we thought it was a fitting name." Lil Foster explained

"St. Brigid was a healer and protector, her cross is used to protect against evil spirits." G'win reminded him "You're standing under it right now."

Big Foster turned and looked up and his stomach lurched. What the hell is going on? Turning back to look at G'win, he took a step back. "I'll let ya'll continue your evenin, see you at the naming ceremony" Big Foster said and quickly walked out.

G'win and Lil Foster looked at each other, and then at St. Brigid's Cross

Turning to G'win, he asked "You don't think?" She tilted her head and shrugged her shoulders

Lil Foster shook his head "He done some real bad things G'win, but he ain't evil"

Hearing the pain in his voice, G'win said softly "Not all the time, there's a war going on inside him and he ain't always in control. Whoever or whatever he is warring with don't have regard for anybody and can't be reasoned with. You've seen it yourself"

Lil Foster looked down at his daughter and felt his chest start to ache. Looking back up, he whispered "Lord G'win, I can't do this on my own."

She quickly closed the distance between them and reached up to embrace him. "You don't have to, we're a family. Me and the elders are with you, and so is most of the clan. We will survive this, and we will have peace again. I can feel it."

Now that is was agreed that there would be a trip up the mountain, logistics had to be worked out. They already had a news crew who agreed to do the story, and the Louisville team standing by to help.

"There is nothing more we can do on this tonight" Dru told the group "We can start working out logistics first thing tomorrow. "

It's been a long day for everybody, why don't we adjourn to the back porch?" Ellis suggested "I want to try some of Ledda's Peach Coobler"

"What I want to try is the Peach Sangria that Ellis made!" Ledda said with a smile

Everyone stood to head outside, with Teddy and Erica bringing laptops so they could continue to monitor the cameras.

Dru stopped Kat with a touch on her arm "Hold on a sec" he requested. Once everyone had left the room he pulled her into a hug and whispered in her ear "Happy Birthday Sweetheart"

She smiled "Thank you Baby" Kissing him on the cheek, she added "Kentucky…Paris…what's the difference?"

"I'll make it up to you, I promise" Dru said with a smile

"Oh, I know you will!" Kat exclaimed "I rebooked us for 3 days after Christmas, we will be spending New Year's Eve on The Champs Elysees."

"Deal" he agreed, leaning close to kiss her "Come on, lets get out there before Claire drinks all the Sangria"

Placing his hand on the small of her back, he guided her toward the door. As Kat stepped out onto the patio – she was greeting by balloons, cupcakes, a deck lit with red paper lanterns – her favorite color, and a chorus of "SURPRISE!"

Shocked she stared for a moment, then with tears in her eyes turned to Dru and punched him in the arm "This does not get you out of Paris!"

Dru put his arm around her shoulder, pulled her close, and joined everyone in singing happy birthday.

Claire approached with a cupcake lit by a single candle "Happy Birthday Sis! Ellis made your favorite Red Velvet cupcakes."

Kat blew out the candle to the cheers from the group. "Thank you everybody. Now come on, I hate to be fussed over – so let eat desserts and drink a little sangria."

Dru turned to Teddy "DJ, lets get this party started!" Teddy obliged and soon the smooth sounds of Maxwell filled the air.

Sally Ann and Hasil were visiting with Ledda when he noticed Joyce had moved to the end of the porch and was sitting on the swing watching the group.

"Ma'am" Hasil said as he approached "Mind if I join you?"

Joyce shook her head, "Not at all"

"You alright?" Asked Hasil as he sat next to her

"Right this moment, no. But I will be, we Farrell's don't stay down for long." She reminded him "40 years is a long time to keep something to yourself, it was good to get it out." Blinking back tears, she continued "It just breaks my heart to hear my Ma died by my brothers hand."

"I'm sorry." Hasil tried to console her " Lady Ray was tough, but she was always good to me. She was a good Bren'in to our clan."

"Do you know when my Fa…" Joyce asked hesitantly

Hasil shook his head "No ma'am. I'm 22 summers and Lady Ray was the only Bren'in I knew till her passing. Your Fa passed The Oak to her when he was still living. The say he didn't think Big Foster was fit." Hasil took a deep breath "I do recall Aintin Joyce coming to school when I first started learning Old Tongue, she would always bring treats for the kids. I think she took pity on me because my folks were gone, she always let me sit next to her and always gave me a big hug before she left. She came a couple times a week my first year, but didn't come back after harvest break."

Joyce smiled "That sounds like her, she always said everybody deserves to feel loved"

Sally Ann joined them and sitting across from Joyce.

"Who were your folks?" Joyce asked

"Declan Farrell and …."Hasil started

"Siobhan Shay." Joyce finished

Hasil looked shocked "How'd you know?"

"Wasn't nobody else in the world for Declan Farrell. They were maybe 5 or 6 summers old when I left, but that was clear even then." Joyce said "What happened to them?"

"My Ma passed bringing birth to me, and the grieving took my Fa. He was gone the next day, don't know if he fell or jumped off a cliff near Shay Peak." Hasil said quietly "Folks don't talk about em much, but they say he loved her something powerful"

"Hasil, I'm so sorry" Joyce said "They were young when I left, but I remember both of them – I used to teach Old Tongue at the school. Did you know there were born one day apart? Your Ma first then your Fa the next day. There Ma's were best friends and your folks were inseparable from birth. Lived right across from each other. From about the time he was 3 or so, your Fa would sit on your Ma's front porch waiting for her to come out. Smartest child I ever worked with, there wasn't anything he couldn't pick up and 3 times as fast as the rest. He was a quiet old soul, the only thing in the world that could get him riled was Siobhan. First day of school, we always ask the kids what they want to do when they're grown. I still recall his answer - He said marry Siobhan."

"Your Ma was a tiny little thing, smart as a whip and full of fire. Fierce! That may seem like an odd way to describe a child, but she was ….and determined." Joyce recalled fondly "If she set her mind to something she wouldn't stop."

"You know the knot tree at Shay Holler?" She asked. Hasil nodded and Joyce continued. "All the other kids her age could climb that tree, but Siobhan was too small. She would get to a point and just couldn't reach the next knot. She tried every side of the tree, but couldn't get there. Your Fa was right there coaching and trying to help. He even offered to climb up and then pull her up. She told him in no uncertain terms she didn't want to be pulled up, she wanted to climb up herself."

Joyce had a far away look in her eyes as she recalled her days on the mountain, and Hasil sat enraptured. Grateful for any bit of knowledge about his lost parents.

"So the next day when we took morning break, Dec pulled a leather strap out of his pocket with a loop on one end. He tied it to Siobhan's wrist, and had her practice casting it like a fishing line. When she got to that spot she couldn't reach, she cast that strap and after 3 tries hooked the knot. Your Fa was standing below her, yelling out directions and pacing." Joyce explained with a smile " Siobhan yelled down and told him to hush up so she could think. Then she gripped that strap and was able to pull herself up enough to reach the next foothold and grab the hand hold she hooked with the strap. She made it higher up the tree than any other kid in the class that day. When she got back to the bottom, she and your Fa were jumping and hollering like it was Christmas morning."

She patted Hasil on the knee "They were special, I can tell you got the best of each of them."

Sally Ann locked eyes with Hasil, silently asking if he was alright. He nodded, not trusting himself to speak. He just learned more about his parents in 5 minutes than he'd known his whole life.

"I'm calling it an early night." Joyce said standing "You kids try to relax, you certainly deserve a break."

As Joyce walked away, Sally Ann joined Hasil on the swing. She put her arm around him and leaned forward to rest her Head on his shoulder. Hasil placed his hand on her thigh and took a deep break.

"You okay Babe?" She asked

"Yeah, I'm good. I didn't know to much about my folks growing up, it was nice to hear somebody speak kindly of em." Hasil gave her thigh a light tap "C'mon now, lets enjoy this good company! You gonna fuss at me if I have a little of that cobbler?"

"No fussing, you can have anything you want tonight" Sally Ann said with a smile

"That so?" Hasil said – leaning in for a kiss "Imma hold you to that."

Ledda, Ellis, Arlene, Sally Ann, and Hasil were picking up on the back porch. Claire and the team had gone inside to get ready to secure the house for the evening. Dru and Kat were sitting on a bench out by Joyce's Coy Pond.

Suddenly Ledda gasped and grabbed Sally Ann's arm. Everyone stopped, and she whispered "Look!" Dru was on one knee in front of Kat.

Suddenly Claire was standing on the porch with them. "I saw it on camera….." she explained when they all looked at her. Teddy and Erica were just behind her

They could see her nodding yes, Dru slid the ring on her finger and they stood and embraced.

Ellis started clapping and everyone joined in and cheered the newly engaged couple, with Teddy letting out a whistle and Claire yelling "About damn time!"

They turned to look at there audience and laughed, joining hands and heading toward the group. Claire rushed out to hug Kat. They held each other for a long time, talking quietly while Dru accepted congratulations from the group.

Late that evening, Hasil sat on the love seat in there room watching Sally Ann sleep. Initially, he had been out at soon as his head hit the pillow. He didn't even recall Sally Ann coming in after her shower. But he couldn't stay asleep, his mind just wouldn't be still. The coming trip up the mountain was weighing on him heavy. He had no idea what had happened since he'd been gone. If he wasn't banished already, prying Big Foster loose would be tough. But they had to try, he didn't want to see anymore of his cousins die. They needed lasting peace on the mountain. He thought about his folks and Joyce and him and Sally Ann. All the things sacrificed for love. For him it was worth it, but that didn't mean it wasn't hard some days. He hoped the changes coming would make things easier. He knew Sally Ann couldn't live up on the mountain, but he wanted her to feel welcome there and he wanted his children to know where he grew up.

Sally Ann stirred and opened her eyes when she didn't feel Hasil behind her. "Babe?" She said softly

"I'm here Darlin" Hasil said

"It's 1:30 in the morning, what are you doing up?" She asked, getting up and walking over to him

"Couldn't sleep, my mind won't shut off" He said, taking her hand as she sat on his lap facing him

"Worried about going back up the mountain?" She asked

"Yeah" He said with a sigh "I'd almost rather get shot again"

"That's not funny Hasil" Sally Ann admonished

"I'm sorry, I know." He apologized "Just a lot on my mind. Thinking about my folks and Ms. Joyce too."

"When this is all over things will be better for everyone. All this can't be for nothing. The big sacrifices – all the people who died – your cousins , Ms. Grimes, Ledda's husband." Sally Ann continued, trying to lighten the mood "The little ones like Erica missing the Walking Dead and Kat getting engaged in Kentucky instead of Paris" she said with a smile.

Hasil raised his hand to her face "You ever think about us getting married?" He asked

She nodded "I have"

"And?" He asked

Taking a deep breath, she met his eyes and answered honestly "I'd like to be your wife, but I don't want to be your widow. The prison break and your cousin getting shot, whatever happened that got you shot." Her eyes filled with tears "The fighting I don't worry about, but I worry every time you go up that mountain – you won't be back. Not because you don't want to come back, but because something stopped you from coming back."

Hasil pulled her close and held her for a moment before answering. Pulling back he searched for her eyes. Sally Ann was still crying, and she turned her face away from Hasil.

"Aye…..look at me…..I'm sorry" He said, cupping her face and kissing her forehead "I know I been foolhardy , but I'm done with that. After what I seen up there, I know we can't win this fight. Peace is the only way my kin will survive this, so like Dru said – we got to fight smart. I got to much to live for, and I almost gave it up. I ain't gonna do that again. I promise. Alright?"

Sally Ann nodded, letting out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding as she tried to smile.

"C'mere" Hasil pulled her in for a long slow kiss.

Sally Ann threw her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. Hasil's hands slid up her thighs and stopped at her backside, grabbing her and pulling her closer to him.

Breaking the kiss, Hasil immediately brought his lips to her neck and slowly worked his way up to her ear whispering "You recall telling me I could have anything I want tonight?"

"Ummmm hmmmm" she answered "I do recall saying just that. You know what you want?" She was straddling him and they were chest to chest, she could feel him – she knew exactly what he wanted but she loved to hear him say it.

"Lets move over to the bed and I'll show you" Hasil making his way back to her lips for another kiss

"We're staying right here. You have to take it easy, so you just sit right here," Sally Ann said, taking off her shirt and then leaning in for another kiss "and let me do all the work."