Chapter 21 – The Lands of the MacKenzie

The Gathering was a fortnight away and already members of the clan had gathered outside the castle wall.

Elizabeth stood on the side of the road into the castle watching, her arms holding a basket of vegetables for Mistress Fitz and the kitchens. She looked out as the people made their small family camps and she smiled as the clan members, both from the castle and elsewhere interacted with each other in the simple joy of having an unwarring clan being together.

She felt like an outsider still, but with her husband of MacKenzie blood, she knew she was safe enough, especially with Dougal near and Colum the laird.

She looked out and saw Hamish was taking his young cousin to the meadow where heather was growing to pick it. Ellen loved flowers and she loved giving them to the matrons of the castle who found the sweet bairn a treasure.

She smiled and walked back for the kitchens to help with the baking of Mrs. Fitz allowed her. The day before she had been set to peeling potatoes. That was where Jamie had found her. His face was healing nicely, the bruises had faded. He had smiled sitting to help her, talking to her as she sat beside a fire. Ash covered her dress and he thought she looked charming, especially when she wiped her brow, leaving a streak of black from her arm. He sat beside her and tried to help. She had to show him to peel away from himself to keep from cutting his fingers. Once he got it, he actually was as good as she was. Mistress Fitz was impressed at the pile they had managed and then turned them to snap beans before supper. Again, Jamie seemed like an unlikely helper being that it was women's work, but he relished time with Lizzy, even if it was just sitting beside her and talking.

He seemed to be making up for not being with her for nearly a half a year. In her six month of pregnancy now, she was showing more and unable to hide it as she had been able to before. He didn't mind. Now that he had been able to get it through his rather thick head that the bairn was his own flesh and blood, he had been nothing, but a gentle and considerate husband ever since.

He spent much of his time sleeping in the stables where it was warm and safe. However, he would come to the castle under his uncle's invitation or his primal need to be with his wife, being yet a lad of only twenty-three years, but he always left her by morning to see to the horses. He was very good with them and she could hardly begrudge him his talents, and his uncles making use of them.

ZzZ

A loose horse had found its way down near the loch. Jamie had gone to help retrieve it. He had managed to get close enough to loop a rope over it's neck and hold it as it reared at being caught. Others came and took the gelding back to the stable as Jamie, who had been knocked to the earth, but still held the tether talking to ease the horse. By the time the others had come, the beast was actually nearly calm enough to ride.

He washed his arms in the loch and heard a noise. He shifted and turned, partly drawing his dirk from its sheath. He straightened to his full height as he saw it was the teenage Laoghaire standing there, looking at him.

He shoved his blade back into the sheath and regarded her. Whit urr ye daein' 'ere then? th' loch is na steid fur ye."

"Ah follaed ye. Ah wanted tae speak tae ye."

"Och? how come?"

"Yer a guid jimmy. Ah ne'er git th' chance tae ta fur taking th' punishment fur me. Ah ken it hurt ye." She said coming forward. He looked at her. She was blooming into womanhood. She had thick blond hair and bright eyes. He smiled a little. She was far too young, still a child, barely sixteen, and he was married. Very married, he reminded himself. He was not about to offend his lass again, especially over another lass who was known for kissing every young lad she could.

"Aye, bit 'twas hee haw. Ah wis weel tended." Well tended and bedded he remembered that night. He did not sleep until well in the morning, he was too busy laying claim to the body of his wife as his. Both of them had been so sated by morning neither of them had been able to stir until nearly mid morning, much to his chagrin, but he refused to be contrite about it when Auld Alec asked where he had been, though the older man quickly guessed causing the younger to blush and move on with his tasks.

He lifted a flat stone and skipped it across the still lake water. It bounced twelve times. He smiled in satisfaction.

"Kin ye teach me?" She asked.

"First ye mist fin' th' richt stane. It needs tae be flat sae it hits juist richt." He selected one and handed it to her.

She tried to mimic his movement as he threw one also. His bounced in a fun playful pattern. Hers didn't rise to the surface after she threw it.

"Och amurnay guid at this at a'." She said putting her hands on her hips.

Jamie smiled tolerantly and offered her another stone. "Huv a go it again." He moved behind her and used his own body to wrap about her and show her how to toss it. When she let go, the stone skipped a couple of times.

She smiled back over her shoulder in triumph. "See thare yer." He nodded stepping to gain another stone. He handed one to her and shifted to toss his.

She threw her own and jumped happily as it skipped four times.

"Weel dane. See nae solid tae master. Juist steals practice."

"This is fin. Whaur did ye learn?"

"Mah uncle taught me in France. Thare wis a lairge pond thare 'n' we wid blether 'n' we wid skip stanes. It's ower relaxing. If ye listen th' sound is bonny as weel." He said looking at her as she looked about for another.

He pressed his lips together. She looked up at him and became very still closing her eyes. He tossed the stone he held. The skipping stone made a sound like rain falling to earth.

She nodded. "Lik' smirr." She said.

A sound distracted him. He heard a yell and he looked over. A small pony was galloping as fast as it could. Something had startled him even as his tiny passenger held on and was crying out for help.

He looked back at the lass and then got up and ran into the heather after the horse calling in Gaelic. After a few moments, the pony became tired and then looked about for something to eat. Jamie ducked under a branch speaking to the mount lowly so as not to startle him again as he stepped forward.

The passenger was Ellen who had a hold of the mane so tight her tiny knuckles were white. Jamie had to give her credit. She had stayed on the pony and not fallen off. She also had not been dragged which could prove fatal of dragged wrong or over stones.

He carefully lifted her to him speaking softly in Gaelic to calm girl and beast. Holding the girl on his arm, he reached for the rein of the pony. He noted it was broken and his eyes narrowed as he realized it had been cut by a knife. A cruel practical joke from one of the lads he expected. He wondered if it were meant for his daughter of her red headed cousin. Either way, he fought down his anger as he kissed the small head, holding her secure in his arm as he led the pony back.

Ellen was sobbing and clung to him, pulling at his shirt. She was terrified and he needed to calm her to hear what happened. He kept speaking to her softly in Gaelic knowing the tone of his voice more than the words would soothe the bairn.

He looked back toward Laoghaire who was watching him with the small child. She was smiling. It was sweet of him to care for the terrified child so.

Jamie came back to the corral area. Hamish had a boy on the earth and was pummeling him with his fists. The other boy had his hands up and was trying to get a hit in also. Hamish, though smaller, had learned well from the MacKenzie how to fight. His face was flushed with anger, eyes bright as he punched the other lad square in the mouth causing blood to run.

Jamie reached then pulling him off the other lad even as he swung his daughter to his back in a silent way of telling her he needed to use his hands. She had taken to sniffling and easily wrapped her arms about him, holding on easily, using his plaid to hold her with it's fold. She would often ride on his back if he needed his hands free, holding him and wrapping her legs about his abdomen.

Jamie shifted and yanked the other boy to his feet. "Whit's this a' aboot?" He asked calming his temper.

"John wis teasing me 'n' then drew his da's dirk. He cut th' reins oan Ellen's pony while she wis waiting fur hulp tae git aff. John then slapped th' pony's bahookie 'n' he bolted wi' Ellen aye oan him." Hamish growled, reaching for the other lad, but Jamie yanked them apart, holding each by the collar of their shirt.

"Ah see. Whit dae ye hae tae say fur yersel'?" Jamie asked the other lad.

"Hee haw. Th' laird's son doesn't deserve a pony. He gets everything he wants. Fur he is th' son o' a laird."

"Foolish bairn. Ye cuid hae murdurred th' lassie."

"That is whit ah tellt him then he said she wis better aff deid. She no MacKenzie." The boy John said making a face at Hamish.

"Canny laddie." Jamie said lowly. "That wee lassie is ma daughter, ye ken. Ye think a bloody hooter fae th' laird's son is ill fur yer pride. Ah wid hae yer scouk gubbed fur harming th' niece o' a laird."

"She isnae harmed." John said eyes widening a little as Jamie pulled tighter on the collar. He realized his mistake, but was too deep to back down.

"Aye, bit she cuid hae bin." Hamish said from around his cousin.

"Whin mah faither hears o' this..." The boy growled after touching his nose where blood ran freely.

"I am sure he wull kist yer lugs juist as ah hae. Gang oan then afore ah tie ye up 'n' deliver ye tae th' loaby fur yer punishment." Jamie said, letting go and kicking him in his arse on his way.

"Ye wur tae easy oan him." Hamish said looking up as Jamie relaxed his grip.

"Ellen isnae pure harmed, juist scared is a'. Ye did weel defending her honor though. Guid laddie. Come let's see if mah lassie haes something special fur ye tae hae." Jamie said affectionately tousling the unruly red locks of the lad.

"She hud some sweet buns earlier that wur rising." Hamish said hopefully.

Jamie tied the pony back to the post and looked back. "A'm sure fur bein' a gentleman fur her daughter, she wull let ye hae yin." He smiled and lifted his arm to unhinge the girl who held him. He swung her back around to his arm. He bounced her a little, but she didn't even smile. Jamie sighed and kissed her head. "Yer weel enough mah wee yin. Come. Mibbie a sweet bun fur ye an' a', eh?"

She lifted her head at the idea of a treat and he smiled as he walked toward the castle. Hamish walked beside him, trotting to keep up with Jamie's long stride. Jamie had one hand lightly caressing the small back of Lizzy as he walked.

The lass wrapped her small arms about his neck and buried her head in his shoulder. She was calm now, but she listened to her father's strong heartbeat, letting it calm her.

Jamie led them to the kitchens where they women were finishing the evening meal. Lizzy was in a corner, face and the front of her dress covered in flour. Jamie smiled as he steered Hamish to her side, careful to avoid the bustle as she wiped her wrist against her head.

She looked at Jamie. "What are you three doing down here?"

Jamie leaned close, his lips nearly to her ear. "We hud a bawherr o' excitement wi' yin o' th' lads. Ah wull tell ye efter, bit is thare ony wey we cuid hae three o' they magic sweet buns."

"You will spoil their supper feeding them sweets before supper." She chided.

"Mibbie, bit ah did promise th' laddie. He wis a gentleman tae oor wee lassie. He deserves it." He smiled at Hamish standing near him, looking all the world like no one had fed him for days.

Lizzy looked at her husband and then smiled as she reached for a small wooden plate. She shifted and took three of the fresh buns, drizzled with farm fresh honey and put them on the plate. She handed them to her husband who took them with a kiss, holding them with his free hand.

"Whit oan earth urr ye daein' doon 'ere, jamie! ye 'n' hamish aren't tae be 'ere. Gang oan! tae th' loaby wi' ye!" Mistress Fitz scolded.

Jamie turned lips still to his wife as his eyes widened. Lizzy blushed and Hamish jumped behind his elder cousin in fear

"Ta!" Jamie said to his wife shifting to become scarce before the matron of the castle hit him with a rolling pin or worse.

He walked to a small room where he could share the bounty with the lad and lass. He sat down on the floor and shifted his daughter and nodded to the plate. She smiled a little and took one of the buns. He chuckled in amusement as both the lad and lass got honey all over themselves. When they were done, both were licking their hands clean of the sweet treat, but he marched them both to wash before supper which he heard called.

ZzZ

Elizabeth walked to the town of Cranesmuir with a basket. Her friend Geillis Duncan had offered her some herbs to help her and also was an excuse to have the woman come and speak with her over tea.

The pair spoke for several hours and Lizzy rather enjoyed her room with all the herb smells. They spoke about Lizzy and the older woman was interested to know she had been a widow.

A ruckus made Lizzy look out.

Geillis rolled her eyes. "Likely juist th' tanner's laddie. He 'n' his brother's steal."

"What will happen?" Lizzy asked as the boy was dragged by a scowling man in black.

"If mah husband's breakfast 'greed wi' him than he wull likely juist git a whipping. However, if his tummy is roiling, th' laddie wull lose his haun, a'm sure."

"How barbaric?" Lizzy said.

An older man stumbled into the room. He farted loudly and then looked at Geillis. "I need peppermint dearest."

She sat him down and moved to fetch it as Lizzy looked at the man. "What will become of the boy?"

The man turned, realizing she was there. "Wha urr ye then?"

"This is mistress Elizabeth mactavish fae th' castle. Mah guidman, arthur duncan." Geillis said finding what she was looking for. She gave it to him and he nodded.

"Whit noo?"

Lizzy sighed and turned disgusted.

Geillis shifted and knelt before her husband. "dearest. Whit if it wur yin o' oor bairns? th' laird haes ne'er blessed us, bit a'm distressed tae think sic a laddie wid shoogly a haun ower breid."

"Ah cuid nail his lug. He cuid serve an oor 'n' that wid be weel enough. Ta dear yin. It's helping awready." He got up and walked to the door farting loudly.

Lizzy made a face as she turned back.

"Ah hae made up mah mynd." Duncan said as he walked forward.

"What did he mean? Nailed to what?"

"Tae th' pillory o' coorse." Geillis said.

"Barbaric." Lizzy said as they went and drove a nail through his ear. The boy screamed and people stood watching.

"Better than losing a haun. Och mah guidman haes na sense o' guile." Geillis said smiling.

The pair went and had a small drink and Geillis looked at the other woman.

"Noo. A'm feelin' ye hae an interesting stoory tae tell. Ye sound french, bit ah dae nae think yer. Yer keek isnae french tae me. Something aboot howfur ye haud yersel'." She said coming to the younger woman and touching her face.

There were heavy footfalls and both of them turned to look and see Jamie standing there.

"Och! Mr. Mactavish. Yer guidwife wis juist aboot tae tell me whaur she wis fae. Care fur a dram tae hear it tae?" Geillis said.

"Ah wid, bit Dougal haes asked fur her at th' castle. Colum is in need o` yer hulp. Ah brought yer cloak. It's a bawherr gallus ootdoors 'n' th' sun is setting." He nodded to Geillis. "Anither time."

Geillis sighed. "Weel if ye mist..."

"Ta." Jamie said brightly. "We need tae gang oor we wull ainlie git scraps fur supper."

Lizzy allowed him to wrap her cloak about her and then he took the box of herbs, Geillis had given her and walked behind the girl.

"Thank you Geillis. I will come soon!"

"Come again 'n' soon!"

Outside, Lizzy looked at the boy, shaking, still sitting with his ear nailed to the post. "How much longer does he have to stay there?"

"He kin lea whenever he wants. He juist haes tae pull his-sel shoogly. He is aye a bawherr nervous."

She rocked back on her heels as her husband attached the box to his mount. "You mean he has to tear himself loose?" Her hand subconsciously went to her left ear where the large earing covered her own mangled ear.

"O' coorse." He said smiling and then it dropped as he saw her look as she looked back at the boy her hand still on her ear. "That is howfur it's dane, mah loue." He said gently touching her shoulder.

"Do you think your fingers are fairly strong, Mr. MacTavish?" She asked him.

"They're." He said cocking his head at her. "Whit urr ye aboot?" He followed her gaze and sighed. He well guessed what her thoughts were. He rolled his eyes a little and then walked forward into the crowd.

He walked to the pillory talking to the boy. "Weel noo Novelli lad. A wee kinch dinnae ye. Yer making heavy waither o' it." He walked up the stairs, dipping so he could look the boy in the eye. "Juist a wee jerk o` yer heid 'n' tis ower." He said stepping forward. "'ere shall ah hulp ye?" He asked putting his large hand on the small head. His eyes looked to Lizzy who was in the crowd.

"No!" The lad yelped.

She took the signal and took a breath and then put her hand to her head and collapsed backward into several people and a cart. Several men moved to catch her seeing she was a woman and one with child at that.

Jamie noted all the heads were turned and then yanked out the nail as the boy winced. He nodded to the boy. "Awa' hame." He said. He watched the boy run behind the crowd before he moved and hopped down near Lizzy. He knelt down, helping her to her feet looking at those about them. He nodded a thank you to them. "Tis a' richt. She is juist faint fae th' bairn wi`in. Gie her a moment."

He held her elbow as they walked a little and the people watched them nodding in satisfaction she was unharmed.

"Thank you. I know that was a bit of a risk."

"Ye dinnae think ah wid be oot dane by a wee lassie did ye?" He smiled affectionately and kissed her cheek before moving to the horse. He bent and she put her foot in his hands and he lifted her up to the saddle. He mounted behind her and smiled as he wrapped an arm about her and used his other to hold the rein. He clicked and the mount moved.

Above them Geillis had watched the whole thing in amusement.

ZzZ

It would take some time to get to the castle and Jamie seemed to not want to go at a fast pace. He did not want to harm the baby, but he also actually was enjoying the feeling of his wife's round bottom between his thighs.

He leaned down and sighed kissing her neck. "Ah dae loue ye sae."

"As I you, James Fraser."

He smiled at the use of his real name. He nuzzled her affectionately. She giggled a little. "James someone will see."

"Ah dae nae care. Let th' world ken howfur muckle ah loue mah guidwife." He said smiling against her skin. His hand moved to cup the swell of her belly.

She gasped and he felt it too, pulling the rein up short. "Wis that..." He gasped looking down over her shoulder.

She smiled up at him and kissed his stubbled cheek. "Yes."

"Holy god this yin is pure tough. It's ainlie six months in th' womb 'n' awready moves lik' it's playing shinty" He said, smiling so much it threatened to split his face in half.

He caressed her more and she put her hand over his as the baby moved again for him, a movement, like feeling a caged dove fluttering. He had not felt Ellen move like this, or this early.

Lizzy smiled at his joy.

He held her, kissing her mouth as he caressed her and then pulled her cloak more about her to keep her warm.

He clicked again and the horse moved forward. Jamie continued to caress her in wonder as she shook her head. She had felt it for weeks now since it had first quickened, but seeing Jamie's delight in feeling that his child lived and was growing made her happy too.

They reached the castle as the sun was setting. Dougal was waiting for them in the courtyard. Jamie dismounted and then helped his wife down. He held her a moment longer than necessary, just wanting to feel her for a moment.

Dougal stepped forward. "If ye twa ur finished, yer supper is getting cauld. Lizzy, whin yer dane, yer uncle haes need o` yer healing titch 'n' ye laddie, alec said he needs yer hulp wi' a mare aboot tae drap a foal."

Jamie smiled a little. "Kin ah sloch foremaist?"

"If yer quick aboot it. Ah wid hate fur ye tae starve as lairge laddie as yer." Dougal said.

"Ah worry mair that mah guidwife does nae sloch enough fur her 'n' th' bairn wi`in."

"I eat fine Jamie." She said looking up at him.

"She eats weel enough laddie. We mak' sure o' it. Ah promise ye." Dougal said.

Jamie nodded and walked with his wife toward the hall with Dougal following them.