Chapter 37 – Fortune Favors Few

Lizzy was walking the halls of Beaufort Castle.

She had managed to escape from Aline, whom she had met before and had had an English lover. Lizzy wondered if her father had put an end to that dalliance or if he encouraged it to gain favor. Either way Aline was in the home of her father, a toddler hanging on her skirts, and child in her belly. She made no mention of the parentage of the children and neither did anyone, but she also was wearing the muted clothing of a widow so perhaps Brigadier General Sir Oliver Lord Thomas had bedded and wedded his mistress after all. Either that or her father had found someone to take her, soiled as she was, to wife, and he had passed. It was none of Lizzy's concern, but she was amazed that the pretty girl was not as vibrant as she once had been.

The other child of Lovat that Lizzy found was harder to avoid was Frances, but Lizzy had found having the Fraser lady with her kept men, who were watching her under their lidded eyes, from trying to do her harm. She was foreign after all, most assumed she was an Englishwoman, someone they would happily rape and leave for dead if given a chance, however, with her walking with a lady of the household, they would not do anything. Neither would the challenge Jamie whose massive form was intimidating enough.

Frances smiled as Lizzy spotted her in a hallway. "Katherine." She greeted.

Lizzy smiled. "Hello." Lizzy said dipping her head to the lady of the castle.

Frances walked with her toward the main hall, but then behind them the door opened. Lizzy pressed Frances into an alcove as a woman was thrown out of the room. She landed on her hands and knees as Laird Lovat came out after her in fury.

"Sae ye think ye kin toy wi' me?" Lovat growled standing over the hapless woman as she rolled over and lifted a hand to keep him from laying a hand on her. "You're keeping something fae me auld hag. 'n' i'm na huvin it." Lovat grunted and then walked back into the room and slammed the door.

Lizzy looked at Frances who gasped. "Katherine!" She cried, but Lizzy was already moving forward and then moved to help the poor woman to her feet.

"Are you all right?" Lizzy asked as she held out a hand to show she was no threat. The woman gasped, startled that someone was there. The dark haired woman had the bluest icy eyes Lizzy had ever seen. "Here let me help you…" Lizzy said offering a hand.

At first the woman shied away, but then took the hand. Lizzy laid a hand on her elbow and held her up, proving she was stronger than she looked. The other woman was tall and thin boned, eyes haunted as she looked at Lizzy.

"Thank ye mistress." The woman said.

"I'm Katherine." Lizzy said.

"Maisri." The other said looking at her. "Laird Lovat's seer." She then lifted a hand. "Ye hae th' gift." She whispered, but then Frances came around the corner and she ran off.

Lizzy reached to stop her, but Maisri moved quickly away. "No wait…don't be afraid…"

Frances took Lizzy by the arm and nodded. "Come awa', katherine. Come awa' wi' me."

Lizzy took a breath and then took Frances' arm. "Who is that woman?"

"She is a seer. A witch o' th' woods."

"Does she really see the future?" Lizzy asked.

"Hee haw she haes seen haes nae come tae bygae." Frances said looking at her. "Whilk is how come she haes a steid 'ere 'n' haes nae bin cast oot."

Lizzy nodded slowly.

"Whit did she mean ye hae th' gift?" Frances asked.

Lizzy blinked. "I am no seer." Lizzy said. "I am a lady same as you."

Frances looked a little skeptical. "She haes seen something aboot ye. A'm curious tae ken whit it's."

Lizzy smiled a little. "I am as well."

"Come let us see if th' kitchens hae anythin' fur us tae sloch? ye mist be famished."

Lizzy nodded. "I am indeed."

ZzZ

Jamie was granted an audience with Laird Lovat.

His grandsire was seated at his desk in the large office. Jamie stood before him, leaning on the back of a chair watching him.

"I'll wage yer faither painted a black picture o' mah character." Laird Lovat said after a few moments without preamble.

Jamie shook his head. "He said verra wee aboot ye."

"He chose that mackenzie whore…"

Jamie shifted and looked at him, blue eyes flashing. "Ah wid ask ye tae keep a civil tongue whin ye speak o' mah mither."

"Ower me as faither. Twa times." Lovat said as Jamie blinked and looked away. "Foremaist whin ah tellt him nae tae mairie her."

"'n' yer kidnapping attempt failed." Jamie hissed.

"'n' seicont time, she wis deid 'n' buried. Ah wis willing tae forgive him. Mak' him mah successor despite th' fact he wis a bastard…" Lovat sighed as Jamie winced, looking back over his shoulder before walked toward the fireplace. "Bit he chose her…memory 'n' that…place …"

"Lallybroch." Jamie said not looking at him.

"Ower me …" Laird Lovat paused a moment before looking up at his grandson. "Is it true?"

"Whit?" Jamie asked turning to him.

"That ye na promised yer fealty colum mackenzie."

Jamie looked at him a moment. "That's whit you're efter is it? mah fealty tae ye in exchange fur sending aide tae prince charles." He said walking forward toward the desk stopping a few feet from it.

"Frankly a'm mair interested wi' whit come wi' it."

Jamie smiled a little. "Whit need o' ye o' lallybroch?" He asked looking about the room. "Th' tenants' rents wid likelie mak' na difference fur a steid lik' this."

"Whit ah dae wi' that damnable steid is na concern o' yers." Lovat sat forward. "A'm yer grandsire 'n' heid o` yer clan efter a'. Ah demand mah due."

Jamie whirled to face him. "If ah wid nae gie mah fealty tae colum, wham ah ken tae be kin, whit kind o' gowk wid ah be…" He said moving and placing his hands on the desk and leaning on it toward the laird. "Tae gie it tae an auld twister, wha kin or kin nae share mah blood." He cocked his head. "Ye made free wi' yer housemaids. Mibbie ithers did tae."

Laird Lovat's reaction surprised him. He stared at Jamie a moment and then laughed. "Christ laddie!" He barked and then started to cough. He reached for some whisky he had in a bottle and poured out a measure into a goblet. He drank it in one swallow and gasped as it burned down his throat.

Jamie had stepped back, watching him.

Lovat looked up at him. "Implying yer grandmother wis a whore tae keep whit yi'll waant. Na yer mah kin a' richt." He looked at Jamie who was watching him. "Wid that ony o' mah sons hud hauf yer mettle."

Jamie grunted. "Ah wull gie ye th' identical pledge ah gave colum. Mah hulp 'n' guid will…and mah obedience tae yer word sae lang as mah feet rest o' lovat soil."

"Did ye na hear me laddie? it's yer faither's precious estate a'm efter." Lovat said leaning forward.

Jamie stiffened.

Lovat rose to his feet and came to walk before Jamie. "If ye wull na gimme lallybroch in exchange fur mah men fur prince. Howfur aboot this? lallybroch, in exchange fur yer wife's honor."

Jamie looked at him a moment and then smirked a little. "Gang ahead. Huv a go tae ravish mah guidwife. Whin she is dane wi' ye, ah wull send in th' maid tae wash up yer remains."

"Nae ah laddie." Lovat smiled wickedly. "Th' lads taken mah steid hae hud worse, yer grandmother comes tae mynd, bit thare ur mony men 'ere at beaufort castle wha wid be o' a mynd tae pat your…sassenach wench…to th' ainlie uise she's guid fur. Ye cannae guard her nicht 'n' day."

Jamie regarded him a moment and then shook his head. "Na. Ah needn't worry…grandsire." He moved to the desk and leaned against it. "Mah guidwife is a seendle woman…you ken. A wise wifie. A healer. A white lassie. Lik' dame aliset."

Laird Lovat blinked as Jamie lifted the bottle of alcohol and sniffed it. "A sassenach? a witch? howfur wid she ken sic ways?" He cocked his head. "Th' prussians burned thaim."

"Whit a better steid tae be than pairt o' th' ryle fowk." Jamie said. "Her brother protects her gifts as ah dae as her guidman."

Lovat blinked. "She ne'er seemed tae…"

"It's true. If someone steals her in unholy embrace, he wull git his privates blasted…" Jamie said. "Lik' a frostbitten apple." He said looking at his grandfather. He then walked forward. "'n' his soul…will burn forever in hell." He threw the bottle into the fire. It shattered and the flames roared to life.

Laird Lovat watched in horror as Jamie walked back to him and nodded.

"Juist lik' that."

With that, Jamie took his leave as the Laird of Lovat watched the flames die back, his breath panting nervously.

ZzZ

Jamie found his wife in their room. She was looking out the window at the rain. "Does it ever stop raining here?" She asked, not turning, but knowing from the heavy boots that it was her husband.

Jamie sighed. "This year is wetter than maist."

She turned to him. "Are you well? You look worn." She sighed.

"Laird lovat geezit that ah gie him lallybroch in exchange fur th' men we need."

"What? How could he possibly demand that?!"

Mah grandsire haes a stoatin respect fur th' supernatural, nae fur anythin' else pure, bit he at least respects that." He took a breath and pulled off his vest. "Ye shuid tak' care th' neist few days if amurnay wi' ye."

She sighed. "He didn't seem too afraid of that woman when he tossed her into the hallway."

"Maisri is bit a seer, nae a white lady, lik' mah wife." He paused seeing Lizzy's face flash anger. "Bit she did ken something she wasn't telling him."

She cast him a look and then sat down on the bed. "Your grandfather really is a brute isn't he."

"Aye. A brute that soon kin ain mah ancestral hame." Jamie said moving to sit down.

Lizzy took a breath. "No. You cannot allow him to have that." She moved to the fireplace. She saw the slump to his shoulders. "You cannot be seriously thinking about giving him what he wants?"

He looked at her. "Th' prince wull hardly pat stock in mah ability tae be a leader men or wage war if ah cannae even convince mah ain grandsire tae jyne th' cause." He said coming to her.

"But what about young Simon? Perhaps we can convince him to join us and stand up to his father."

"Aye…" Jamie nodded. "Aye, 'n' then lovat kin send his men if ainlie tae protect his heir, bit efter that display lest nicht, it wull tak' mair time than we hae tae convince young simon tae defy his father's wishes." He sat down heavily in a chair.

Lizzy dropped before him, her hands on his knees. "That all depends on what we use to convince him."

He looked down at her. "Whit dae ye mean?"

She smiled. "Women have our ways, my love." She said. "We carry your children, we tend to the sick, we heal the wounded, and we have our own political arrangements."

He arched an eyebrow. "If ye kin convince him, mair power tae ye."

She smiled and nodded rising to her feet. Something caught her eye. "What on earth is this?" She asked looking at a black carved box on the mantle that had appeared there.

He cocked his head. "Ah dae nae ken, bit…"

She touched it and instantly stepped back from it, hand going to her head as she held it. She blinked and looked at Jamie and then dropped to the floor so fast that Jamie leapt to his feet in alarm. He went to her and knelt.

"Don't titch her!" Came a voice behind him.

He whirled to see Maisri there. He blinked. "Whit hae ye dane wifie?" He demanded, hand on his dirk as he crouched beside his wife's limp form.

"Ah wished tae ken if she wis whit ah thought. She is a seer as weel, bit rarer." She said.

"'n' howfur dae ye ken?" Jamie asked reaching for his wife as she whimpered a little as she startled to come to.

Maisri came and lifted the box with a cloth and looked at him as she went toward the door. "Fur this kist does hee haw tae a body wi'oot th' sight. Wi' th' sight, it causes thair body tae react in a violent wey."

She tossed it to him and he caught it out of reflex and then let it drop like he was holding a coal, but nothing happened. He cocked his head looking at it as Maisri came forward to again pick it up with the thick cloth.

"She wull waken in a moment."

"She hud better or ah wull gut ye, witch."

She nodded to Lizzy as her eyes batted. "I have seen her in my dreams and I am in hers." She then left as Jamie looked after her still trying to understand. He was debating going after the woman and killing her or perhaps beating her, but his concern for his wife as she sat up slowly overrode his need for vengeance for the moment.

"Urr ye a' richt?" He asked.

She nodded. "I saw a face." She said.

"A face?"

She looked up at him. "It was death." She said softly.

He pulled her into his arms and held her to him, wrapping his arms about her to secure her in his embrace as though he alone could keep her safe.

ZzZ

Lizzy had recovered well enough from the ordeal of having touched the curious box. Jamie had kept her in sight much of the day, but then she managed to escape his guarded presence. She walked out and found Laoghaire doing the wash. She had a shirt that was still steaming that she put on the line under the roof.

The girl sighed and sniffed it.

"Is that Jamie's shirt?" Lizzy asked.

Laoghaire whirled. "I've dane nothing tae it."

Lizzy lifted a hand. "I didn't mean to imply you had." She said softly.

"Ah hae changed ye ken." Laoghaire said. "Ah hae repented 'n' asked god's forgiveness 'n' 'twas workin'. Ah thought he brought ye baith 'ere tae hulp me, bit 'twas tae test me." The girl sighed. "In th' stoatin hall jamie didn't even seem tae see me. 'twas lik' ah didn't exist. He refused tae keek at me whin ah passed him in th' halls." She swallowed hard. She turned around. "If ye wull nae avenge yersel' lea me be."

Lizzy folded her arms. "Perhaps I could find my way to forgive you." She looked at the young girl. Laoghaire was still so young, not married, and clearly it pained her to have Lizzy even near her. "But Jamie…Jamie…"

The girl began to say a hail Mary prayer as Lizzy spoke.

"Jamie will never love you Laoghaire." Lizzy said. The girl stopped and stood stock still. "But there might be a way to earn his forgiveness." The girl turned to her. "For him to think of you without rancor."

"'n' how come wid yi'll waant him tae dae that?"

Lizzy looked about. "Because we need Laird Lovat to send men and weapons to help Prince Charles. We believe he might do this if young Simon stood up to him and took Jamie's side, defying his father."

"'n' whit haes that tae dae wi' me?"

Lizzy smiled a little. "Young Simon is infatuated with you. You could use that to help persuade him."

Laoghaire's face twisted. "Ah wull nae sink further intae th' pit o' depravity. I'll na gie up mah maidenhead fur ye."

Lizzy sighed. "No one is asking you to give up anything. A woman has more to offer a man than her body." She smiled a little. "When a man loves a woman he craves her attentions, her acceptance, look heroic in her eyes, and have her love. You can use these gifts Laoghaire." She sighed. "Besides. It isn't for me. It's for Jamie."

"'n' if ah dae whitevur it's ye hae in mynd? then ye wull speak tae jamie oan mah behauf?"

Lizzy took a breath and nodded. "Yes."

The girl nodded. "Verra weel. A'm at yer disposal mistress."

ZzZ

Jamie went to speak to his uncle when Lizzy went to find young Simon. Jamie had wished to speak to his uncle alone, but he had checked on his wife whom seemed in better spirits and she looked better. She had color to her face and she was alert.

The young heir to the Lovat clan seemed to be very nervous with a lady walking with him on his arm, but he accepted her company with good grace.

They went toward a family chapel Lizzy had heard about from Frances.

Laoghaire came up holding mushrooms and smiling at the young lad.

Lizzy smiled as she excused herself. "I wish to light a candle in the chapel for my daughter."

Young Simon looked at her. "Whit happened?" He asked.

"She was born and died within three days." She said softly. "I want to light a candle for her soul."

He nodded. "A'm sorry fur th' loss o` yer bairn."

She squeezed his arm in thank you. "I will return. Laoghaire. Could you keep our young heir amused while I pray?"

The girl nodded and smiled as Lizzy left them. She walked to the chapel and cocked her head, seeing a blue light at the door. She walked forward, wondering what the old ones wished to tell her now. She opened the door and stepped in.

She let her eyes adjust and she noticed there was someone within. The woman was thin and she was lighting a candle.

Lizzy stepped forward. "Maisri?" She asked softly.

The woman whirled startled and suddenly fearful.

Lizzy spread her hands to show she was not a threat. "It's all right. It's Katherine Fraser. We met in the corridor. I mean you no harm."

The woman relaxed a little. "Laird lovat's tenants dae nae lik' someone lik' me in th' hoose o' god. This is th' ainlie steid mah mynd goes wheesht. Ah don't ken how come."

Lizzy nodded. "I find my mind goes quiet in graveyards. I can talk to the past and they do not judge me."

Maisri smiled a little. "Thay answer ye don't thay."

Lizzy nodded slowly. "At times."

"Thay say yer a white lady."

Lizzy sighed. "Yes. They do say that."

"Bit yer. Ye hae muckle mair powerful gifts than ah hae." Maisri said coming forward.

Lizzy shook her head. "No. I am just a young woman who was born a cripple who is now Scottish by marriage."

Maisri looked at her. "Ye lost someone claise tae ye recently." She said softly. "A lass… Wi' copper locks."

Lizzy looked at her and nodded. "Aye. She died because she came too early from my womb."

"Th' loss o' a bairn is ne'er easy. Ah hae ne'er carried yin fully. Anither reason laird lovat ainlie keeps me fur mah gifts." She looked at Lizzy. "Ye hae gifts. Ye juist hae learned tae dingy thaim."

Lizzy cocked her head. "I am not sure how you mean."

Maisri cocked her head. "Ah think ye dae, bit ye aren't sure." She looked about. "Whit brings ye tae a kirk then?"

"I came to pray for my daughter." Lizzy said. "And it's cold outside." She looked about drawing her shawl about her as Maisri did as well. "I am glad to see you are all right. Laird Lovat was so rough with you."

"Laird lovat insae an easy master. He asks whit ah see 'n' ah tell him. He beats me whin he doesn't lik' th' answers."

Lizzy stepped forward. "Does it always come to pass?" She asked. "What you see?"

Maisri looked at her. "Dae yer dreams?"

That caught Lizzy off guard. "I…"

The seer stepped closer. "Ye see mair than ye tell a'body." She stepped forward. "Maist o' whit ah see does come tae bygae, bit at times, an action kin chaynge th' vision."

"Oh?"

"Whin ah aye leed in th' village a clocked lachlan gibbons' daughters' jimmy wrapped in seaweed wi' an eel stirring in his sark. Whin ah tellt lachlan he gaed 'n' pat a nook in th' boy's boat. Och thare wis a stramash, a richt to-do, bit whin th' stoatin storm cam th' neist week, three men wur drowned, bit th' laddie wis safe at hame, aye mending his boat."

Lizzy sat down. "What did you see that angered Laird Lovat?" Lizzy asked curiously. "I promise. I won't tell him you told me."

The seer sighed. "He wis standing thare afore th' fire in his study, bit 'twas daylight. A jimmy staun behind him, aye as a tree his coupon hoaching with black. 'n' o'er his lairdship's coupon thare fell th' shadow o' an ax."

Lizzy sat forward. "But if you told him. He could change his behavior. Change the outcome."

"Och aye. Or he micht juist murdurr th' messenger." The strange woman said.

"Mistress Katherine? Hello?" Came Laoghaire's voice outside. "Whaur urr ye? Mistress Katherine?"

Lizzy turned and rose to her feet. She nodded to the seer and went to the door. "What?" She asked. "Where is Young Simon?"

"He bolted aff."

"Why would he do that?"

"Ah did a' ye said tae. Ah flattered him. Ah tellt him ah admired a jimmy wha made hings tae decide fur his-sel." She paused. "Ah gave him a keek doon th' front o' mah dress."

Lizzy sighed. "I told you it wasn't about sex. No wonder why he ran off." She said lifting her skirts as she felt a cold wind come from the hills.

"He wasn't daein' muckle tae haud up his side o' th' chat. He wis juist saying poetry. Ah tried!"

Lizzy moved quickly back to the castle as the wind sent a chill down her spine. She arrived just as snow began to fall and she walked to the stables. She sighed.

"Jamie?" She called as she entered.

"Aye." He answered softly.

She smiled a little. "I thought I might find you here."

He was standing in a stall with some hay currying Donas. The large back beast nickered softly and Jamie caressed his neck. "Mair 'n' mair thae days ah think ah wid prefer tae be a beast." He said patting the large flank affectionately.

Lizzy laid her palm flat and offered the large stallion some oats. He took them greedily, licking her hand for more. She smiled as Jamie looked on. Donas and she had come to an understanding, though she would not go near him without Jamie there. Her little mare leaned over wanting some as well. She smiled, giving her some as well before patting the soft nose. Donas watched. He was protective of the mare. Jamie wondered if she would be ready to mate soon. Not that they really could afford that, but it made sense to why the stallion was protective of the small mare and her rider.

Jamie reached down and picked up more and began to curry the thick neck.

"No luck with Colum then?" She asked as she moved to lift the water bucket he had brought. She poured it into the container. The stallion didn't move, but his ears flicked a little.

"No." Jamie said looking over at her. "Ye? With Young Simon?"

Lizzy sighed wrapping her arms about herself. "No. Sorry." She leaned on the gate then. "I did find out what Maisri wouldn't tell Laird Lovat though.

He moved and leaned close to her. "Aye."

"She saw his death at the hands of an executioner."

Jamie nodded. "A traitor's death. She didn't happen tae mention if th' executioner wis in th' employee o' king George o' King James?"

She shook her head.

He nodded and lifted the rope over the post to step out of the stall. "Ah promised colum tae dae whit ah hud tae, tae save th' highlanders." He sighed. "Sae ah mist."

"It's too much Jamie." Lizzy protested. She stepped to him. "Let's just go to Prince Charles and tell him he and the MacKenzie remain neutral."

He sighed and shook his head as he leaned down to her. "Whit wee ye ken o' men 'n' war, mo leannan." He kissed her deeply a moment before he straightened. "Ah can't gang tae th' prince a failure. It seems ah cannae git th' men fae lovat wi'oot giein' up mah land 'n' title sae unless yer planning oan declaring afore th' loaby that yer a white lassie wha haes seen th' future, ah dae nae see ah hae muckle choice."

"Jamie…" She said trying to stop him, but he walked away from her into the stormy night, leaving her to watch him go.

He looked up at the rain and sighed as there was a clap of thunder as he walked toward the castle.

Lizzy moved to follow and paused, watching his shoulders slump as he walked. He was tired and upset and she wanted nothing more than to comfort him, but she could not.

ZzZ

After the meal, Laird Lovat sat at a table with Jamie and Colum before him. Lizzy stood in the crowd as did Laoghaire, watching the men. Many of Lovat's men were there, watching her under lidded eyes as she stood, drink in hand, watching.

"Ah hae hud mah secretary a neutrality pact atween th' frasers o' lovat 'n' th' mackenzies o' leoch." Laird Lovat said.

Jamie looked at Colum who smiled a little.

Laird Lovat moved the paper, revealing another. "Ah hae an' a' hud him prepare a deed o' sasine fur th' lallybroch estate." He said sitting back.

Jamie took a breath as he rose, looking at the document.

"Assigning th' property tae me." Lovat continued. "Sign it." He said leaning forward as he looked up at Jamie. "'n' ye wull hae yer men fur prince charles. Dae nae, 'n' th' frasers o' lovat remain neutral in this war wi' mackenzie 'ere."

Lizzy had heard from Jamie what this was. A Sasine was, under Scottish law, the transfer of property with all its immobile assets from one party to another. She narrowed her eyes. The old bastard had Jamie between two pieces of paper.

"Whilk wull it be?" Lovat asked Jamie.

Colum looked at Lovat. "Yer aff tae let this laddie decide th' fate o' clan lovat. He's nae even yer recognized heir or son o' identical."

Lovat smiled looking at Colum. "Ah hae made this decision. Th' laddie is bit an obstacle in mah wey." He smiled more looking back up at Jamie. "Sae whit wull it be…obstacle?" Lovat taunted.

"Don't be a gowk jamie." Colum said looking at his nephew.

Jamie stood still, thinking for a long moment, eyes flicking about between uncle and grandsire. He then took a breath. "Ah dae this tae ensure th' future o' mah fowk." He said, voice heavy with the burden the choice was. "'n' fowk…"

Colum sighed as Jamie lifted a quill.

Lizzy had moved, watching. She took a breath. She needed to stop this. Prevent Jamie from doing as he was about to. She knew he was going to sign the paper for Lallybroch over.

Lovat pushed the paper to the edge of the table, watching him in amusement as Jamie looked from him to the document and back. He then leaned down to sign it when there was a bang behind him.

Lizzy had dropped her metal mug to the floor, standing in the middle aisle, she stood, face dead white as she looked forward, staring. Jamie and Colum turned to look at her as Young Simon, who was beside his father blinked. Lovat rose to his feet, curious as Lizzy slowly lifted her hand to point at him and then groaned as she lifted her other hand to her head.

"Whit urr ye goupin' at?" Lovat demanded.

"Katie?" Jamie blinked.

Lizzy swayed a little. "I've had another vision." She blinked rapidly as Jamie straightened watching her.

"Katherine!" Jamie gasped as he moved the chair from his way and moved toward her as she blinked.

"Don't titch her!" Lovat warned.

Jamie looked back at him. "Don't gimme orders aboot mah ain wife."

Lovat moved around the table, suddenly concerned and curious as Jamie lifted his hands to Lizzy who collapsed against him, startling him at how fast her legs gave way. He took the weight, dropping to the earth with her body against his knee as he knelt, arms about her as she looked about disoriented.

"Katie?" Jamie asked searching her face.

"Whit did she see?" Lovat demanded.

"Jamie…" She murmured as she closed her eyes.

Jamie looked at her face as he held her close. He knew well she had visions, but he was fairly sure this one was not one of them. She normally woke in a cold sweat from nightmarish dreams. This, she was awake, and watching, but he trusted her in this. He knew well that Lovat would see her as a white lady if she did this.

"Whit did ye see, witch!" Lovat barked.

Jamie looked back at him. "Bade back!" He said pulling Lizzy's head to his chest as she gripped at him, eyes closed.

"Och lovat. Don't ye see this fur th' pretense it's?" Colum asked amused by the display.

"Pretense." Jamie hissed. "Ye ken she wis tried as a witch by they wha didn't ken th' difference atween black magic…" He looked back at Lovat. "'n' th' power o' th' auld ones."

Lizzy had her face against Jamie's chest, eyes closed as her husband held her, caressing her shoulder to comfort her as he had when the visions were real and came in their bed. The one she seemed to have often, a nightmare of blood, death, and devastation, seemed to repeat every couple weeks leaving her frightened, disoriented, and listless. Jamie calmed her and held her, every time.

The room was silent as no one moved.

"Whit…did…she…see." Lovat said stepping closer as he spoke slowly.

Jamie looked back at Lizzy. "Ye don't hae tae answer him katherine." He said looking down at his wife whose eyes had opened and she was panting a little, looking up at the laird of Lovat nervously.

"She wull if she wishes tae donder oot o' this room." Lovat hissed.

Jamie looked at her, face tender with worry.

Young Simon looked from Katherine to Laoghaire who was watching startled and back.

"No it's all right Jamie." Lizzy said softly.

Jamie nodded looking back at his grandsire a moment as he took a breath. He pressed a kiss to her brow a moment. After a moment of caressing her back as he gently stood up, bringing her with him as he watched her, making sure she could stand on her own and looking for a sign of how she wished to continue this. His arms held her steady as she looked at Lovat, her husband watching her guardedly.

Lizzy straightened herself and looked at Lovat. She pointed at him. "I saw…you…standing in bright sunlight." She blinked. Colum sighed. "There was a man behind you. He was tall, dressed in black, a black hood, his eyes cold." Jamie watched his grandsire as he took a step back, startled. "Across your face fell a shadow of an ax…"

"Whose man…Whose executioner? King James or King George?" Lovat demanded.

Lizzy blinked and touched her head, closing her eyes. "I didn't see…it was so fast…" Her face, pale. She looked down. "There ground…it was covered in white roses…" She swallowed.

Jamie looked up. "Symbol o' th' jacobites…"

"The blood of the fallen was staining them…innocent blood…" She said looking about. Jamie looked back at her. She was taking this further than she needed to.

Lizzy blinked and then she fell back as Jamie caught her to him. "Katie…" He gasped, holding her bodily to him. She was so small and pale as he held her, watching her.

Lovat growled and drew his dirk startling everyone in the room as he moved forward. Colum was about to call out in warning as Jamie out his wife bodily behind him as she clung to him fearfully.

"Witch!" Lovat cried advancing on them. "I'll cut oot yer tongue!"

However, the blow did not fall. "No!"

Everyone froze and looked at Young Simon as he stood, holding his father's arm from striking. He looked back at Laoghaire and then at his father defiantly.

"Ye dare thwart me, laddie?" Lovat demanded.

Jamie shifted and pulled his wife close to him in his arms, watching. Her eyes were wide as well as the young man stood looking at his father.

"Ye 'n' mackenzie ur fearful auld men. 'n' you're wrong." He said. "Mah nephew is richt."

Beyond him, Jamie and Lizzy looked at each other, startled by the young man's sudden change of heart.

"It's oor duty tae staun wi' oor land 'n' oor kinsmen. Ah wull rammy fur king seumas. Ah wull rammy tae chaynge th' white lady's vision." Young Simon said. "Even if ye wull nae."

Lizzy looked at Jamie who was watching, holding her close to protect her. Lizzy looked to the corner where Maisri was standing. The seer dipped her head slightly, smiling, and left the hall.

Lovat was watching his son as he slowly lowered his arm. He looked at Jamie who was as startled as he was. Young Simon moved to stand with his nephew and niece by marriage.

Lovat looked at them and then turned on his heel and walked back to the table, sheathing his dirk as he went. He lifted a quill as he looked at the room. Jamie stood watching him, curious. Young Simon was beside him, watching as well.

"Th' frasers o' lovat…will staun wi' th' mackenzies o' leoch. We wull remain neutral in th' war." He signed his name and then nodded to Colum. "Come mackenzie, let us dram tae oor freish put the gether alliance!"

Colum smiled and then signed the document himself as Lovat turned it to him. He then sat back and raised his glass to be filled as he smiled in amusement.

Lizzy closed her eyes and then pressed her head to her husband's chest. Jamie held her, kissing her brow softly. His body tight with his own emotion.

"Ah wish ye luck mah lad!" Lovat said looking at Jamie.

Jamie took a breath and then walked with his wife from the hall as they clung to each other. The moved quickly across the courtyard and to their room. Jamie was silent as he pulled off his jacket, vest, belt, dirk, boots, and stockings. He then sat down by the fire, staring into it, lost in his own thoughts.

Lizzy watched him as she pulled off her own clothing until she was naked. She looked at the mirror. Her body was nearly back to the shape it had been before Faith. She watched her husband for a time as he rubbed his left hand, watching the flames dance, face full of the emotions he was feeling.

After some time, Lizzy walked to him, lying a hand on his shoulder. "Jamie. Come to bed. We have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow." She said, voice softly.

He looked up at her and his mouth went dry seeing his wife standing beside him, gloriously nude, and all his. He stood, looking at her as he dropped his kilt to the floor and then pulled off his shirt. He then moved, startling her, lifting her up so her legs were around his hips as he kissed her, deeply, walking them to the bed. He sat down, kissing her, caressing her form, gently before he finally let his body give in to the need.

He was silent and rough at the start, his emotions in ever thrust as all Lizzy could do was hold onto his arms as he thrust into her, deep, hard, eyes closed, trying to loose himself in the rhythm and forget the night.

"Owww!" Lizzy gasped as he thrust too deep, hitting her cervix.

He paused. "Christ! I'm sorry, Katie!" He gasped, withdrawing himself, but Lizzy's hand moved to his buttock, keeping him still within her even as he looked at her.

"I'm all right." She said.

"It isn't fair tae tak' oot mah emotions oan ye."

She smiled. "I am your wife. Let your body talk to mine. Let mine answer you, comfort you." She caressed his cheek gently. He turned his head and kissed her palm, lovingly. His wife knew him well and he loved her for it.

He nodded and then moved more, sighing as he neared his climax. She smiled up at him as his thrusts brought her up and over the plateau and he followed, spilling his seed deep into her, his arms wrapping around her as he let his climax wash over him, shuddering so that it came into her. She held him, taking his weight, and sighing as she looked out the window at the rain pelting the window.

Jamie shifted, only enough to take his weight from her, arms and legs still wrapped with her own before he slept.

Lizzy stayed awake for a time, holding her husband, caressing his neck and hair as he lay, pillowed against her breast, one hand holding the other as he slept. He looked so young sleeping, like a young lad. She treasured seeing him so, reminding her that though he was a leader of men, a warrior, and a father, her was still only a man of twenty-four years.

Still young with his life ahead of him.

ZzZ

Morning brought Jamie saddling their horses. Lizzy was in her shawl, wrapped about her shoulders. The rain was still present, but light as the MacKenzie were packing too. Jamie was seeing to the straps on his saddle when Young Simon came up.

Jamie smiled up at him.

"I'm ready." Simon said.

Jamie came to him and patted his horse's neck. "Ye did weel." Jamie said. "I'm proud tae be yer kinsman." Jamie smiled. "i wull be proud tae rammy by yer side."

Young Simon nodded. "Ah wull hauld yer horses fur ye at th' gate."

"We wull be thare in a moment." Jamie said.

Jamie turned to see Lizzy as she stood the reins to her mare. "Sae we gang tae th' prince wi'oot th' men o' lovat." He said to her.

"At least you were able to save Lallybroch." Lizzy said.

"Aye."

Lizzy spotted Colum, watching them. He looked at his wife, kissing her brow before turning to his uncle. He walked, leading Donas as Lizzy lead her mare. He gave the reins to Lizzy who sighed watching as Jamie went to his uncle.

"Gang back tae yer hame 'n' yer fowk." Colum said.

"Ah tellt ye uncle, ah can't dae that." He nodded to Lizzy." Mah guidwife is wi' me. Oor bairns at safe in lallybroch."

Colum sighed and looked back at Lizzy. "Kin ye nae convince him tae listen tae reason 'n' gang hame?" Jamie looked behind him as well at her.

Lizzy shook her head. "You have known him longer than I have, what do you think?"

Colum sighed again looking back at Jamie who turned back to him. "Ah think that it's a blessing his maw is deid sae she wid nae see th' reckless gowk she spawned." He then reached out to Jamie. "Gimme yer haun."

Jamie did so, smiling ruefully, helping him into the carriage. Colum shifted and settled, looking out the window as Jamie locked the door. He then laid a hand on his uncle's gently. "Turas Sàbhailte uncle."

Lizzy for her part, watched Laoghaire packing as well and looked back at the MacKenzie and his nephew, but lairds, watching each other for a long moment.

Jamie nodded and walked back to his wife. "We mist awa' as weel katie. We need tae be in kingussie by th' end o' th' week 'n' fae thare, fin' th' prince."

She nodded. "Wait. Before we go there is something I need you to do for me."

"Aye." He said eyes bright. "Whit?"

"Thank Laoghaire." Lizzy said. She winced a little saying it.

His face changed and his eyes flashed. His eyes flicked to where Laoghaire was working and back. "Thank her? Fur whit exactly? nae huvin ye liftit in th' lest few days?"

"Please. Do it for me? I will explain it all later." She said.

He sighed, trusting her. "Aye." He said.

He moved toward where the lass was. He took a breath, hand on his sword as he looked at her.

She turned, startled to see him as his blue eyes watched her with thinly covered malice. He would do as his wife asked, but it didn't mean he had to like it. "Ah thought tae…thank ye." He said looking at her. "Fur whit ah dae nae ken, bit…" He bowed to her. "Thank ye, Laoghaire."

She stepped forward a pace as he straightened. "I hope to one day to entreat in your forgiveness, Jamie." He looked at her, eyes narrowing, clearly showing he was not ready to go anywhere close to that for now. He turned back and walked back toward his wife. "And your love." She whispered after him.

She lifted a bag and walked to the wagon. She was lifted onto it, holding the bag and held on as the wagon lurched forward. The MacKenzie men walked beside her.

Jamie walked back to his wife and lifted her into her saddle. "Let's gang!" He looked up at her. "Ah trust ye 'n' ken ye hae oor reasons, bit ah wull ne'er forgive that harpy as lang as ah bide." He said under his breath to her as he checked the straps.

She nodded and leaned down. "I will tell you when we are alone." She told him.

They kissed softly and he nodded. "A' richt."

He mounted as well and they rode out after the wagon and carriage.

Young Simon joined them with three men he had with him.

They were two miles from Beaufort, and the sun had come out. Lizzy had been in her own thoughts when she saw Jamie's hand lift upward for them to halt. She pulled on her rein and looked at Jamie and then to where he was looking.

On a ridge there were many men, standing with weapons and banners. They stood shoulder to shoulder looking grim.

Lizzy looked at Young Simon who was near her. "Who are they?"

"Mah faither's men."

Lizzy took a breath as a rider came with two men on horseback with him. It was Laird Lovat.

Lovat rode to them, pulling up before them. He looked at his son and narrowed his eyes. "Quit goupin' at me, ye gleikit sumph, gang see tae yer men."

Young Simon looked at Jamie and Lizzy who nodded as he rode by them. Lovat watched him go and smiled. He moved up beside Lizzy, smiling at her.

"Turning mah laddie intae a fighter wull be a greater feat than defeating th' british." He smiled playfully. He looked at Lizzy. "Whit vision dae ye hae fur me now…white lady?"

Lizzy looked at Jamie. "I don't understand."

Jamie was watching his grandsire. "It wid seem mah grandsire is sending his heir tae rammy. Th' Stuarts Wull credit lovat wi' supporting king James shuid thay win."

Lovat smiled broadly. "Thay cannae execute me fur treason."

"But what about the neutrality pack with MacKenzie?" Lizzy asked.

Lovat beamed more his face teeth showing greatly. "Ah trust auld colum mackenzie is richt. 'n' that wull protect me shuid th' british shuid win."

"But what of your son fighting for the Jacobites?"

"Th' laddie is his ain jimmy; ye saw in th' loaby lest nicht. Convinced ithers tae follow." Lovat shifted and lifted a hand to her cheek. "Ah thank ye, white lady. Ah cuid nae hae gotten it a' wi'oot ye."

"Ye aye didn't git lallybroch." Jamie said.

Lovat's hand dropped as Lizzy fought down the instinct to jerk away. He smiled at his grandson. "Nae yit."

He rode passed them back toward Beaufort Castle. Jamie and Lizzy's mounts danced a little, anxious to go again.

Jamie shifted in his saddle and looked at his wife. "Tell me, katie that a'm hee haw lik' him."

"I have to say I have occasionally seen a similarly devious turn mind."

"Ah micht huv tae rethink oor agreement nae tae lie tae yin anither."

She chuckled lightly as he reached over and kissed her before riding ahead. The men formed in columns behind them as they matched toward Kingussie and on to where the prince was awaiting them, now with two hundred men under the Fraser banner.

As they put distance between themselves and Jamie's loathsome grandfather, Lizzy's heart lightened. They had Lovat's men, Jamie would have the Prince's favor, even more than he had, and now they could possibly steer the rebellion to victory.

She began to laugh lightly.

Jamie looked at her as she beamed at him. "Whit's it, mo ghraidh?"

"We did it, James Fraser! We did it!" She clapped her hands.

He could not help but beam back, enjoying her joy at the moment.

Jamie had won.