During the days that lead up to the gathering, Alice established a routine. She had Breakfast with either Angus or Rupert, and explored the grounds. After lunch, she practiced her magic and got to know her kneezle. In the evenings Dougal escorted her to dinner and allowed her to sit with him at the high table. Conversation flowed more easily between his reveal, and she began to really enjoy his company.
He confided that he had wanted to be an auror, but life had taken him on a different path.
After dinner, she spent her evenings with Rupert, while Angus guarded Claire. Alice had no idea why he did this, but she enjoyed having Rupert all to herself at that time.
She, Rupert and Angus were becoming fast friends. She jokingly called the three of them the golden trio of Leoch, stilling the name that the media and potter fans called Harry, Ron, and Hermione after the war. They cheered her up when she was sad with funny jokes, and eagerly showed her some of the highland culture.
In turn, she told them about some of the traditions of the Lakota tribe, and a couple stories, such as the Flute maker, and the story of Buffalo Calf woman. She began to teach them the Lakota language, while they took turns teaching her Gaelic. She picked up a bit, but found it a rather difficult language to learn.
She loved hearing the bag pipers play, and enjoyed the stories that Rupert would tell her of his own culture. He was a fine storyteller, and would have made an excellent author in her time. She grinned to herself, imagining all the author awards he would get. There would be best sellers, no doubt about that.
During the weekend, she helped Mrs. Fitz in the kitchens, getting to know the women of the castle. Mrs. Fitz was all too happy to give her the recipes for her favorite dishes.
It wasn't all happiness, she thought of how she would get home at the times when she desperately missed her family and tribe, but she had no idea how she would go about it, and didn't feel comfortable traveling through the Highlands alone.
Claire's attempt to leave with the tinker had been derailed. Alice wished that Dougal and Colum hadn't been so sneaky about the whole thing, getting her hopes up, and them bringing them down in such a cruel way.
As a result, she was now the healer of Castle Leoch.
Alice woke with a start, her heart pounding. Blinking, she sat up in the darkness of her room. Getting out of bed, she put on her shoes, grabbed her wand, and headed out the door.
Damn these nightmares, she thought, closing the door behind her.
The castle was silent, apart from her footsteps as she walked.
She continued walking, the silence of the castle pressing in on her, making her feel lonely. It felt like she was the only soul in the place. All of a sudden, she wanted to see Rupert.
She felt silly for wanting to see him, he had escorted her to her room only a few hours ago, and had wished her a pleasant night. All the same, she missed him, everything that was him.
She missed his deep voice with that Scottish lilt, the feel of his rough hand in her own, the simple acts of care he would show her, and most of all, she missed his laugh. It was so free and open, that she loved hearing it. She continued walking as she thought about him.
"Lass, what are ye doing out here?" Just like magic, he was there. She turned to face him, lowering her wand.
"I couldn't sleep," she said. "What are you doing?"
"I couldna sleep," Rupert echoed.
"Well, sense we are both awake, do you want to go outside with me? It feels stuffy and too close in here," said Alice.
"Aye, let me get us a blanket to sit on," said Rupert. He returned a few minutes later with the blanket.
She felt him take her hand as they exited the castle. It was a cool night, calm and peaceful with just the wind blowing through the trees. They found a nice spot in the meadow, and spread out their blanket.
Alice placed a warming charm on it before they sat down.
"I love having a witch around," said Rupert, settling down beside her. "You have made the blanket extra warm and toasty." Alice laughed, stretching out her legs.
"Why couldn't you sleep?" Alice asked, placing her hand in his.
"I have been thinking about the beating at the hall, and your reaction to it," said Rupert. "You were quite upset by it. Do ye not have such punishments where ye come from?"
"No, it is against the law," Alice replied. "If a man beats his wife or daughter, they can contact the authorities and are arrested."
"I dinna understand," said Rupert. "A scalped arse doesna do any perminate damage, though it can hurt like hell," he said, beginning to laugh" "I mean, Jamie swooped in and took the beating himself, so no harm was done." Alice glared in his direction.
"It isn't funny," said Alice. "Women have been killed by domestic violence. We are not meant to be your fucking mothers, or like your children, having to obey your every whim in order to avoid the next beating.
Domestic violence has been in my family, my aunt experienced it, and it was my Dad and Mom who helped her leave. Her so called ex-husband is rotting in jail, and good fucking riddance. It took her years to trust another man again, but she eventually found a man who really loved her."
"Did ye witness any of it?" Rupert asked. Alice was relieved to know that he was at least paying attention to what she was saying.
"No, my Dad would always send me to play with a friend in the summers, and I was away at school during the Fall and Winter. My Mom and Dad had their disagreements like all couples, but they always talked over the problem, and tried to figure out a compromise or solution. He never raised his hand or voice against her. As for the girl who was going to be punished for loose behavior, there is this horrible double standard about men and women. Men can have all the sex they want, and get praised for it, but god forbid, if a woman expresses any desire of her own, she gets scorned for it."
"Do ye enjoy having sex?" Rupert asked.
"Yeah, I do," said Alice. "Why are you so surprised?"
"Well, most women dinna seem to enjoy it over much," said Rupert. Alice snorted.
"There is a lot to unpack with that response," Alice replied, stretching out beside him.
"Yer Father doesna mind ye having sex outside o' wed lock?" asked Rupert.
"No, where I come, women are allowed to have sex, well, mostly," said Alice. "It depends on your ideology and open mindedness. I was encouraged to ask questions about sex and about the growing body when I was growing up. My parents were quite honest with me. They made sure it was age appropriate of course, but they didn't lie or evade my questions. For me, sex is an expression of love and freedom, it is a very natural thing that our creator gave us for our enjoyment, not just for making babies."
"So, ye really enjoy sex then," said Rupert."
"Yes, I really enjoy sex," said Alice with a laugh. "Why?"
"Angus wishes ta grind yer corn," said Rupert. Alice burst out laughing.
"Grind my corn," she choked. "Damn, that is one of the most interesting sex youthinisms for sex I have ever heard. Does he really?"
"Aye, he willna shut up about it," Rupert grumbled.
"Well, he'll just have to keep dreaming then because my answer is no," said Alice. She snuggled down under the blanket and closed her eyes, relaxing further as Rupert lay down beside her, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
Rupert and Alice woke to the sun piercing through their closed eyes. Alice yawned and stretched.
"I had the most wonderful dream," she said. "It was about a huge chocolate cake."
"I was dreaming about cherry tarts," said Rupert as he helped her to her feet.
"Well, let's go and see if we can get some cherry tarts from the kitchens for breakfast," said Alice.
"Sweet things for breakfast?" Rupert asked. "Ye can do that?"
"Of course, you can silly man," Alice replied with a laugh. "As far as I'm concerned, you can have whatever the hell you want for breakfast."
"Well in that case, let us go," said Rupert. Alice folded up the blanket and went with him towards the kitchen.
Mrs. Fitz clicked her tongue in disapproval at their request for desserts for breakfast. Muttering to herself, she filled a serving dish with the pastries, and handed it to Rupert.
Angus entered the kitchen and gave a yell of delight as he spotted Alice and Rupert.
"Where the hell were ye last night Rupert?" he called.
"Sleepin as usual," Rupert replied.
"Aye, but why outside instead of yer nice warm bed?"
"My bed was warm enough," said Rupert.
"With a lass then?" Angus asked with a wolf whistle.
"Eat this and shut up," said Alice, throwing a tart in Angus's direction. Angus let out a yell, grabbed a scone, and threw it ack at her.
It was soon all out war as Alice and Angus proceeded to have the food fight of the 1700s.
Rupert laughed, egging on whomever looked like a winner.
"Get out of my kitchen with that behavior!" Mrs. Fitz bellowed. "Look at ye lass, food all over yer nice dress. Not lady like at all. How do ye expect to get a husband with that type of behavior. Come wi' me."
'Does it look like I care about being lady like? I sure as hell won't change for any man," said Alice. Mrs. Fitz marched Alice away, scolding her all the while.
"Good game lass!" Angus bellowed after her.
"I wonder whom the winner was going to be," said Milly, one of Alice's new kitchen maid friends.
"I think it was a tie," Rupert replied, pouring himself an ale. The women, done with their entertainment of the morning got back to work. Soon the delicious scents of cooking food filled the kitchen, along with the rapid back and forth of gailic speech.
Alice soon returned, wearing a red dress with a ribbon in her long hair.
Claire entered a few minutes later, and grabbed some porridge for her breakfast. She, Rupert, Alice, and Angus headed outside to join in the beginning festivities of the gathering.
Claire got together with some of the children and proceeded to play a hunting game through the woods.
Rupert and Angus soon grew bored of the game and persuaded Claire to leave the game.
"I'll play with you," said Alice followed by a cheer from the children.
"Lass, it is Dougal's standing orders that we guard ye," said an annoyed Rupert.
"Well, little Hamish can guard me, and he can tell Dougal of any happenings later on. Can you do that kid?"
"Aye, I can," Hamish replied.
"Very well then," said Rupert. "Have a good time then. Come along Mistress Bochamp."
"All right," said Alice. "Who wants to be the boar?"
"I do I do," squealed a girl.
"Lasses canna be the boar," a boy grumbled.
"Mistress Claire was the boar," screamed the little girl. She sounded like she was ready to fight the boy.
"She's a grown-up lass, I canna boss her around," said the boy.
"Ye take that back!" screamed the girl.
"Hey hey hey there!" said Alice, raising her voice. "That will be quite enough from both of you. Hannah, there is no need to scream in such a manner, and as for you Mark, little lasses can play the boar if they wish to, exorcise is good for lasses as well as little lads. Now, can we all be friends again?" Rupert chuckled to himself as he watched the scene from where he stood with Angus and Claire.
"If we are going, let us go Rupert," said Angus, looking rather grumpy.
"I am coming," snapped Rupert. "I wished to make sure she was well." Angus muttered something too low for Rupert to hear as he walked with the others.
They strolled through the festival, watching the gathering take place. Camp fires were all over the place as excited voices filled the air. Claire was soon pointing out a woman stirring something in a bowl.
Rupert was the luck winner of the stick tossing game. Angus gloated a bit about pie as he stormed away with Claire to look for a horse for the hunt.
Rupert had just taken the oath and was currently cuddling with the young woman. Rachael was her name, and she was a bonnie lass to be sure.
"Who is that woman you were staring at during the oath taking?" she asked, running a finger through his hair.
"Her name is Mistress Alice Cross," Rupert replied.
"Then what are ye doin here instead of wi' her?" Rachael asked. "There is something between ye two I can tell. She had a big smile on her face as ye were takin the oath, and cheered loudest when the applause started for ye." Rupert mumbled something about nothing happening, but Rachel yanked him to his feet.
"GO after her ye fool," she said. "Dinna worry about me," she added, seeing him open his mouth. "Plenty of men can be found that are just as charming as yerself."
"What is this I hear about charming men?" Alice asked from behind them.
"Nothin," Rupert said. "Where the hell is Angus? He should be lookin after ye, it isna safe for ye with all the men half in their drinks."
"He is far in his drink," said Alice. "Claire gave him some wine or port or whatever the hell it was, and scurried off. He said something about not being able to feel his legs. I think she put a sleeping draft in the wine, said it was a sedative."
"Is that what a sedative is lass?" Rupert asked.
"yes," Alice replied. "She requested that he share the wine with all of his friends."
"She's planin something," said Rupert, getting to his feet. "Damn it all. Rachel, can ye take care that nothin happens ta Miss Alice while I sort out this mess? Take her to a safe place. Better yet, you need yer rest Alice, why dinna ye lay down? Get some good sleep, and I will have breakfast for ye in the morning before I go on the hunt." Alice walked forward and gave him a hug. Rupert hugged her back, and sent her on her way. "She likes to grab yer elbow," he said to Rachel.
He watched them disappear around the corner, and headed outside.
He managed to catch up with Claire, and cursed when he saw Jamie's flaming red hair.
What the hell is the foolish lad doing out of his hidin place? He thought with a scowl.
A scuffle seemed to be breaking out, Jamie was defending Claire from one of the men, while trying to escape the consequences of his foolish actions of being in the open.
Sighing to himself, he gave the fool a good clout.
Claire began fussin over him like a mother hen while yelling at him for giving him more injuries.
Rupert ignored her as they helped Jamie inside to be changed.
"I was going to come on my own," he said.
"Aye," said Rupert, selecting something for him. "But we dinna want ye maiming half the clan before ye make up yer mind."
"I canna be wearin this," Jamie complained before proceeding to tell Claire his clan moto.
"Every action has an equal and opposite reaction," said Rupert absent mindedly conjuring up something Alice had said to Angus during one of their play arguments over something stupid.
"What was that?" Claire asked sharply.
"Never you mind lass, it seems ye and Jamie have caused enough trouble for us," Rupert snapped back.
"GO find a place in the hall," Jamie ordered before Claire could give a sharp come back. Scowling, Claire did as she was told, while Jamie took his place in line.
I am glad Alice is asleep for this, Rupert thought to himself.
Nothing else earth shattering happened that night, much to Rupert's relief. He found Angus fast asleep in the corner, snoring for all the world to hear.
He gazed at his best friend in concern for a minute. Had Claire given him some sleeping potion? Angus would not want to miss all this fun. He did look well enough, Rupert thought, but he hated to leave him laying her on the floor in such a manner.
The small man would be cranky enough the next morning. He got two sober enough looking men to help carry Angus to his room.
They found Alice sitting in one of the chairs in the corner, blinking to stay awake.
"Mistress," said Rupert. "What are ye doin here? It isna proper for a lady to be in a man's bed chamber."
"TO hell with that," said Alice. Rupert wasn't surprised by her bold statement, but the other two were.
"Yer husband should beat ye for that kind o' talk woman," said the first.
"I'll break his jaw if he dares to try," said Alice in a dangerous voice. The second man laughed but was shushed by Rupert. He was secretly afraid she would use her wand on the man, he could see her hand in the pocket of her dress.
"What are ye doin here?" he asked again, hoping to put Alice's mind onto other things.
"I came to see if Angus would be all right, and decided to wait for you to bring him up," she replied with a big yawn. The three men deposited Angus onto the huge matrass where he continued to snore away.
"Angus would be touched by yer concern," said Rupert, taking her arm. "I dinna think he would want ye keeling over out of exhaustion however. Let me take ye back to yer own room."
Once she was escorted back to her room, Rupert went to his own, and fell fast asleep.
He woke quite refreshed the next morning, and entered a noisy and busy kitchen.
"If yer not doing anything useful in my kitchen then be gone with ye," said Mrs. Fitz. "I have had enough to do last night cleaning up after drunken men. She looked it. Rupert could see bags under her eyes, and her normally steady hand trembled as she kneaded dough for making bread.
"I am just here to get breakfast for Miss Alice," Rupert replied.
"You do that then," snapped Mrs. Fitz. "I dinna see why she canna come down and get it herself, she is quite capable of walking.
Havena ye shown her the way from her chambers to the kitchens by now?"
"Aye I have," Rupert snapped back. "She kens her way quite well. There is the fact that there are no railings on these stairs, and she could break her neck going down, even with her cane. She's scared ta go down them without sighted help." He remembered Clair complaining quite loudly to anybody whom would listen about the lack of railings on the stairs and the dangers they posed.
Rupert was in complete agreement with her on that.
Sighing, Rupert headed to the stove. Some fried eggs and bacon were in order, he thought. Coffee too.
Smiling to himself, he recalled the trip to the magical coffee ship in the wizarding world. Coffee was everywhere, from floor to ceiling, from all over the world that coffee was grown. James, the rather enthusiastic owner of the shop had shown them every inch of the place, talking all the while, his hat nearly falling off in his excitement.
"Not many Scots or English people enjoy the delights of a cup of coffee," James had said. "God knows why." Alice had finally selected a Sumatra blend, and the owner of the shop had magically sealed the bag so the beans would always be fresh.
Rupert smiled at the memory as he walked over to the cupboard in the corner. Taking down the bag, he knocked politely on the side of the bag.
"How much coffee do you need?" the bag whispered.
"Enough for one serving," Rupert whispered back. The bag opened itself, and gently tipped beans into the coffee grinder that was sitting nearby, before it closed magickly tight once more.
Rupert breathed in the scent of coffee before getting to work grinding the beans.
Once the coffee was brewing in the magickly timed coffee pot, he got to work making the eggs and bacon.
Rupert cursed as some grease got onto his arm. The bacon was going to be a little burned, but he hoped it would be eatable at least.
"I am ready!
bellowed the coffee pot in such a loud voice, that Rupert nearly dropped the pan.
"All right, Jesus Christ I'm coming!" Rupert yelled back.
"Who are ye talkin to?" Mrs. Fitz asked. Rupert shook his head as the pot continued to scream that he was ready for God's sake.
"Nobody Mrs. Fitz," said Rupert. "Just thought I heard Angus." Mrs. Fitz swallowed the lie quite easily as Rupert poured the coffee.
"Thank you Sunny," said the pot in a normal voice.
"Ye dinna have to be so damn loud ye ken," Rupert mouthed.
"Well, if you would just pay attention to a poor and lowly coffee pot I wouldn't have to yell," said the pot in a rather sulky tone.
"Watch it or I will throw ye in the loch," Rupert threatened. "Then the fish can have their fun wi' ye."
"Ye wouldn't dare," huffed the pot. Rupert could imagine it whistling with outrage.
"Why am I arguing with a damn coffee pot?" Rupert asked. The pot muttered some rather unflattering words before scooting itself into its home of the cabinet.
Sighing, Rupert gathered the breakfast things and headed towards Alice's chambers. There, he would escort her to a nice wee aria outdoors with Angus. The three of them would eat their breakfast, then he would leave for the hunt.
He found Alice standing outside her door, running a comb through her hair.
"Hello lass," he said. "I have breakfast for us. If ye are ready, let us wake Angus, and get some good fried food in his wee belly, it will help the hangover he surely has."
"I like the sound of that," said Alice. They were silent as they walked, the only sound being their footsteps that echoed off the stone walls.
After climbing three flights of steps, they reached Angus's chambers. They found him groaning at his pounding head.
They managed to coax him to eat breakfast with them. Finally, after some more grumbling, he got up and walked with them outside, sitting themselves under the shade of a large tree.
Alice drank her coffee and talked quietly with Rupert as to not cause Angus's head ache to grow worse. Alice grimaced slightly at the burned bacon, but continued to eat. It was food after all.
She quickly finished the bacon, shuddering at the burnt taste. The eggs quickly drowned out the taste. They were prefect with wonderfully runny yolks.
"The bacon wasna good I know," said Rupert. "Cooked it too long. I will try better next time." Angus scoffed, shoveling the eggs into his mouth.
"Doubt it," he said. "Cooking is woman's work anyways."
"Would you like to repeat that?" Alice asked, voice sugary sweet. Angus merely grumbled once more while Alice drunk the rest of her coffee.
Alice sighed in annoyance as a shout of voices reached her ears. So much for their quiet breakfast. The three of them quickly finished their food with a noise clatter of forks on plates as the voices drew nearer. The hunt was about to begin.
Rupert and Angus pulled her to her feet and took her hands.
Angus helped Alice place the plates and other dishes in the hamper basket, and they walked with Rupert towards the stables.
Claire was clearly not happy about going on the boar hunt.
"Clearly you havena seen a boar," said Rupert. "Get to yer mount."
"Good morning Alice," said Claire. "Keep Angus here out of trouble."
'I will try," Alice replied. "It isn't an easy job." Claire made a noise of agreement.
"I will see ye later," said Rupert, kissing Alice's hand, and pounding Angus on the back. "Be good. We shall feast tonight." With a laugh, he mounted his horse, and with a clatter of hooves, the hunting party was soon gone.
Alice and Angus soon headed inside to her chambers so that Alice could fix him up with a hangover potion and show him more magic.
"This tastes like shite," he said, coughing and spluttering at the taste. "My head feels wonderful now."
'Thank you," said Alice. "I made that a couple of nights ago." Placing the usual silencing and locking charms on her door, she soon launched into a furious attack against some transformed pillows into dummies. She broke a vase or two, quickly repairing it, and transformed a pillow into a fluffy stuffed bunny rabbit. Her kneezle leapt into Angus's lap, purring as Angus spoke to him in Gaelic. Alice closed her eyes, concentrating on the strong magic humming through her.
She loved the relaxed mind she had after doing a session of magic. She hated hiding her magical existence, pretending to be a muggle except for stollen moments with Angus, Rupert, and Dougal.
Angus and Rupert were baffled as to why Dougal didn't like using Alice's wand, but they understood further when Alice explained how the wand choose the wizard or witch. Alice wondered how Dougal lived as a Muggle day-by-day. Perhaps that was why he was so harsh at times. Sure, it was part of his personality, but the stress of living a life of not using magic had probably taken its toll out of him.
She transformed the rabbit back into a pillow, and sat down beside Angus. The kneezle meowed and walked onto her lap, stretched in a slow lazy way, and settled, purring for all the world to here. Closing her eyes, she stroked his fur, becoming sleepy.
"I will let ye rest," said Angus, squeezing her hand. Alice hummed in agreement as the door clicked behind his exit.
Alice noticed the somber mood of the hall that evening. There was no laughter or cheering to be heard, only quiet conversations.
"What happened?" she asked.
"It is one of our friends," said Rupert. "His name is Jordey. He passed on during the hunt. Mistress Claire did her best, but there was not a thing she could do."
"I am sorry to hear that," said Alice with a sigh.
"Aye, as am I," said Angus. "Jordey loved to have a good time wi' the lasses ye ken." Alice rolled her eyes at this statement, fighting a grin. Only Angus.
"There were other injured men, but Mistress Claire took care of that," said Rupert. "Here, have some muton," he said, passing Alice a large drum stick.
"In my culture, we place our loved ones on a burying scaffold. There is a sacred ceremony in which there is a keeper of the spirit. This person has the honor of keeping a bit of his hair, so the spirit does not travel alone to meet the Great Mystery. He burns sweet grass and sings the four directions song, and must stay in harmony with others for a year, then the soul is released. The ceremony is called Nagi Gluhapi, keeping of the soul, and the bundle of hair is called the soul bundle." Alice took a sip of apple juice while Angus and Rupert listened.
"I remember after Cedric died; I was in mourning. This can mean singing, wailing, crying, and cutting of the body. Professor Flitwick saw my ripped robes and the small scars on my arms, and sent me to a therapist. I tried to explain to them that I was morning in the traditional way of my people, but they didn't want to learn. Yes, it probably did look frightening, but they could have asked me what I was doing instead of hauling me in front of a therapist I didn't want to see yet."
"Did ye have anybody ye could speak with?" Angus asked.
"Yes," said Alice. "Her name is Cho. She was Cedric's girlfriend. She knows about my culture, and was there to help make sure things went right if I needed it.
People thought we should have moved on. We heard the usual tired phrases that people say when they think they are comforting the grieving, but are only comforting themselves.
I did a traditional Nagi Gluhapi ceremony for him. My Dad sang the four directions prayer, while Amos Diggory helped me light the sage, which we used as a substitute for sweet grass. My Dad is a medicine man, so he conducted the ceremony."
"What is a therapist?" Angus asked.
"A person who tries to heal the mind," Alice replied. "The mind can be as wounded as the body at times."
"Not to change the subject or anything lass, but I had a talk with Ned Gowan about ye wishing to start yer own newspaper. He ken's some forward-thinking people who may be able to assist ye. Writers, editors, people like that." Alice speared a potato on her fork. "Dougal is going into the Mckenzie lands to collect rent, and do some other business. I thought that ye could come along with us, and collect stories for yer first issue. There are plenty of people who would love to have their stories told."
"Dougal doesn't mind me coming?"
"He agreed to it," said Rupert.
"Oh Rupert!" Alice said. Dropping her fork onto her plate, she lunged at Rupert, threw her arms around him, and without any thought about it, kissed him.
Rupert quickly responded, placing an around her shoulders to move her closer.
"About time," said Angus. She could hear him getting to his feet, along with wolf whistles from other men in the crowd.
"Let's go for a walk," said Rupert as they broke a part. He gathered up their dishes to take back to the kitchens, cheers and wolf whistling followed them from the dining hall.
Once the dishes were in the capable hands of Mrs. Fitz, Rupert and Alice made their way outside. The night was calm, the only sounds to be heard were the night creatures making their chatter around them.
They walked slowly, taking their time, content to bask in the feelings that lovers felt.
Soon, the sounds of a stream reached them. They sat down, taking off their shoes and splashing their feet in the cold water.
"Before we begin this, I feel that I need to tell you the rest of my secret," said Alice.
"Are ye sure?" asked Rupert. "Ye dina have ta tell me if ye dinna wish ta."
"It wouldn't be right for me to keep hiding the rest of my story from you, that is not a good start to a relationship." She took a deep breath and told him everything about her time traveling experience. She went through the events of the protest, promising she would explain more about Native American issues later.
She continued by telling him the story of the standing stones.
"It that it?" Rupert asked. "Is this the big thing ye were afraid to tell us about?"
"How can you not act surprised?" asked Alice in sheer disbelief.
"Lass, ye can disappear from one place ta the next faster than a second. You can fly on a tool used to clean a house. Ye can also turn a slipper into a bunny rabbit. Do ye really expect me to be surprised by the idea of time travel?"
"Now that you put it that way, I guess not," said Alice. "At first, I thought it was a time turner, an object that can send you back in time, but the Minister keeps a close monitoring eye on that stuff.
I wonder if the stones can take me back," she mused.
"The song that Gwyllyn sang said that they do," said Rupert.
"Well how would he know for sure?" Alice asked. "It is just a song. Just because it conveniently works in the song doesn't mean it won't work in reality."
"It doesna mean ye shouldna try it Alice, I am sure you miss yer family and other things," said Rupert.
"I do, but I'm afraid to try," Alice replied.
"Why are ye afraid?" asked Rupert.
"I am afraid of getting my hopes up, and then being disappointed," said Alice. "I would rather keep my expectations nonexistent, so I won't be as hurt if it doesn't work."
"It doesna mean ye shouldna try," Rupert insisted. "Ye have things a bit better where ye are from. Ye can run yer own business as well as any other man."
'I can vote," said Alice.
"Vote?" Rupert asked.
"Yeah, my country is a democracy in the future. Yet, white women didn't get the right to vote until 1920, and Black women and men don't get the right to vote until the 60s."
"DO ye see? Ye have that, and ye have yer family. I am sure they are frantic with worry about you."
"I'll think about it," said Alice. She didn't want to voice the absolute terror that she felt. The idea of the stones not working and not being able to see her family again was unbearable to think about, so she blocked it away, locking it in a tiny box in her mind.
"Aye," said Rupert. Alice was touched by the concern in his voice. Sighing, he wrapped his arms around her, and ran his hand through her hair.
For the first time in her life, Alice know how Samwise Gamgee felt when he told Frodo Baggins that he felt torn in two.
"I'm afraid Rupert," said Alice. Rupert hugged her fully, placing her head on his shoulder.
'I am here lass," he said as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Whenever ye need me. I am here, and I will always be here."
"I'm scared," she repeated.
"I ken," Rupert said, rubbing her back as she fought back the panic that threatened to consume her. Once she was calm, she spoke once more.
"I'm sorry, I tend to cry a lot. I am what is known in my time as a highly sensitive person, or HSP. About 29 percent of the population are hsps. We tend to feel things deeply, have vivid inner lives, and are sensitive to loud noises, lights, smells, and rough fabrics. We are also moved by art and beauty, and get deeply hurt by our friend's unkind words.
It is a natural thing in us, we just have sensitive nerves. I don't know how many people have told me to stop being so sensitive, or stop taking things personal or to heart. People like us can't help but feel things deeply.
I used to bawl my eyes out while watching Mr. Rogers when I was a kid. I steel tear up watching him."
"Who is Mr. Rogers?" asked Rupert.
'He is a children's television educator. Well, he is actually a minister. Well, he was before he died. He taught us how to love one another and invited us to be his neighbors. He was a very kind and gentle man. One of my favorite songs by him is It's you I like."
"Will ye sing it to me?" Rupert asked.
"It's not the things you wear,
It's not the way you do your hair
But it's you I like
The way you are right now,
The way down deep inside you
Not the things that hide you,
Not your weapons
They're just beside you.
But it's you I like
Every part of you.
Your skin, your eyes, your feelings
Whether old or new.
I hope that you'll remember
Even when you're feeling blue
That it's you I like,
It's you yourself
It's you.
It's you I like."
"That was quite nice lass," said Rupert. "He must have been an honorable man of God. Was he Catholic?"
"No, I think he went to a Prespreterian church," said Alice. "But yes, he was great. He played piano, and wrote a lot of amazing books. I was inspired to go to college and get a miner in Child Development. My major was journalism.
I still need to do my grad work to get my masters."
"You shall get yer masters someday," said Rupert, pulling her closer.
"Enough about me, what about you Rupert?"
"I am a tax collector with a farm. I haven't been back there sense my wife's death. I havena been able ta bring myself ta go back there."
"Were the two of you close?" asked Alice.
"We were better off as friends than lovers," said Rupert. "We wed too soon. It took some bad times for us to stop pretending, but it worked out for us in the end. It took us some time a part, but we worked it out. She was a vera sweet woman who wished I was home more often than I was, but Dougal needed my help.
I will admit it now, I wasna the best husband to her. I am amazed that Brian and Ellen Fraser made it work. They claim to have fallen in love at first sight." Alice scoffed.
"More like lust," she said. "Just because you have strong feelings, doesn't mean it is love. I made that mistake myself with one of my college friends. I liked his intellect, but he was rather boring in other departments. Sadly, I choose to cheat on him with another man for some time. He caught me at it, a huge fight followed, and we ended it. People will ask how there is love in a marriage if there isn't love in the bed. I will ask this instead. How is there love in marriage or any other relationship without communication. That is the thing that keeps relationships together."
"I learned that myself wi' my wife," said Rupert. "We were both having affairs. As for Ellen, Colum and Dougal didna approve of her goin wi' Brian. They had arranged her to marry a man named Malcom, form what Dougal has shared. This created a rift between the Frasers and Mckenzies.
Ellen had to learn rather quickly that in order to be a Lady to a Laird, she had to keep her opinions behind closed doors." Alice sighed.
"Remind me to not marry a Laird while I am here," she said.
"Duly noted," said Rupert with a chuckle. Alice leaned forward and kissed him.
"It's you I like Rupert," she whispered
"It's you I like Alice," Rupert replied.
"I found something the other day," said Alice. "My Iphone. It has that song on it."
"I wish to hear it," said Rupert after Alice told him about the invention of the telephone.
Alice scrolled through her playlist until she found the song. Rupert was amazed at the voice over that told her what was on the screen.
"What music is that?" Rupert asked as the opening chords sounded softly up to them.
"It is called jazz," said Alice.
"May I have this dance?" Rupert asked. Alice giggled as Rupert pulled her to her feet.
Rupert slid his arm around her as they swayed to the music.
"I wonder what Fred Rogers would say if he knew we were slow dancing to his music?" Alice asked with a laugh.
"If he is a kind and loving as ye say he is, I think he would be honored," said Rupert. Alice smiled.
She knew that her song choice wasn't the normal love song, she knew of friends who would raise an eyebrow and scoff at her dancing to a kid's song with someone she loved. She found that she didn't care. Fred Rogers embodied what real love was. If her so called friends would scoff at her choice of song, it was on them. Fred Rogers was far better than the latest auto tune produced pop song anyway.
She closed her eyes, letting the words of the song and the simple dance consume her.
Fred Rogers was for all ages, not just children.
"He would be honored," she said.