It had been the longest night Molly had experienced in a while. Tossing and turning on the stone floor, the orchestra of snoring drunk Scottish Men, the cottage smelt like a barn. But none of it compared to the nerves swimming in the pit of her stomach. They were, seriously going to Castle Leoch? The very idea was overwhelming. The morning had come quickly, as the sun started to rise, the men were already awake, scrambling to get on their way, the American found herself caught in the middle, unsure what to do. Molly attached herself to Murtagh, following him around, doing what he asked. He was the one she knew the best, and the male didn't seem to mind too much. Mostly he enjoyed the attention of a younger woman honestly.

The group finally started their departure from the cottage. When the door opened, the cool, brisk air hit Molly like a punch in the face. Her source of warmth came from the wool blanket she had claimed as her own whoever it belonged to wasn't going to see it again. She had not been built to survive the rugged outdoors, that was for sure. The young American followed closely behind Murtagh like a shadow. The plan was for her to ride with him on their journey. The older male turned as Molly handed him his saddlebag. "Thank ye lass." The male offered as he took the items from her hand, holstering them on the back of his horse. "Alright…" The older male sighed, turning on his heel, Murtagh stepped to the side, allowing Molly to move forward. Placing his hands tightly along her waist, Murtagh was about to push her up onto the saddle.

"She can ride with me." One voice called out suddenly. Both Murtagh and Molly turned to see who made the offer, and it came from Jamie. Molly's green eyes fell on the male, taken back by his kindness. Murtagh looked over, his brows furrowing into a questioning look as if to say, what are you up to? He then shifted his gaze over to Molly, asking if she was okay riding with the other male. Truthfully, she would have preferred to ride along with Murtagh. She felt safe with him for obvious reasons. But at the same time, she didn't want to be rude to Jamie. "… it's fine, Murtagh. I can go with him." She decided. Her eyes darted away from Murtagh to Jamie, offering up a friendly smile to the other male. Slowly, the brunette moved away from the older male, making her way to the younger redhead. Her hand reached up to the saddle, her other hand hesitantly grabbing ahold of his forearm, while his hand rested on her rib's pulling her up. The whole time Jamie offered a small smile; he didn't speak, not even an explanation. The brunette found herself sitting in front, as Jamie's arms slipped underneath her own, grabbing tightly at the reins. Their bodies closely pressed together, Molly nervously holding her breath, fidgeting awkwardly in her spot, but Jamie seemed unbothered, laughing, talking with friends as they went on their way.

The cottage slowly disappeared behind them with nothing but open land before them. The natural beauty of the highlands was almost enough to quiet her worried mind, almost. Each minute that ticked by was a reminder that she was getting further and further away from her way home. She didn't have a plan on how to get back. She wondered if her family already knew she was missing, what they were thinking, was time the same? Like, did her world somehow freeze? Or has weeks already gone? She could do nothing more than shrug off the obscure worries. She had read too much science fiction. Soon an hour had come and gone. Nothing was said between her and Jamie; some mumblings were coming from the others but nothing more.

"Excuse me?" She hesitantly asked, clearing her throat. "How long will it take to get to Castle Lee Rock" She quietly asked Jamie.

Jamie was quiet for a short time until laughter escaped through his lips. He didn't mean to, but he couldn't help it. " Castle Leoch." He quickly corrected it.

Molly winced at the correction. She was so embarrassed. She was lucky they weren't facing each other; Molly was sure her cheeks were red as a rose. Taking a quick breath, "Right. Castle Leoch." Speaking slower so she wouldn't embarrass herself again. "How much longer to Castle Leoch?"

"Oh, not long, lass." Jamie slowly started. Raising a brow, giving her question some thought. "Two days."

"Two days?" Molly repeated. Turning her head over her shoulder to look up at him. She was never going to get home, was she? Molly retracted her original opinion of surviving this outrageous adventure; she was probably going to be dead before the weekends. The moment her eyes looked up at him, she met the brilliant color of his perfectly blue eyes. Every detail on his expression so clear, even the small little freckles that kissed his skin. Sitting under the dim firelight, she hadn't noticed just how handsome he was. She felt her breath leave her body.

Jamie looked down at the American, as the corner of his eyes crinkled as he smiled. "Aye, don't ye worry; if we run into problems. Ye are in good hands." Winking at her.

Taking a breath, Molly brought her attention back to the path before them. Everyone kept telling her not to worry, but they hadn't a clue to what was going on. Her problems were only growing by the minute. "Why are we going to Castle Leoch?" Finally, asking after a minute.

The politics happening in Scotland at the time were complicated, between clans fighting for power, the English trying to take control, essentially wanting to wipe out the highland way of life it was messy, probably more complicated then Molly anticipated. Jamie took a moment thinking over what she had asked, mostly figuring out the least complicated explanation he could think of ."We offer our services and loyalty, and in return, we get their protection, a place to stay no questions asked." Leaning forward, the Scottish male whispered into her ear. "You have nothin to worry about." Slowly, he sat upright, gently adjusting the blanket slipping from her shoulders. It was such a small gesture, yet one that made the female take notice.

The day went on according to their plans. It had been safe travels for everyone. They had stopped twice to water the horses and for bathroom breaks. Once the sun started to lower filling, the sky with hues of purple and orange. Dougal announced they were going to make camp. They found a safe spot within the trees that would hide them during the night. Day one for expedition Castle Leoch was complete. Molly only hoped day two would go as smoothly. The sky grew dark quickly, and the only light offered was that of the bonfire and the stars filling the night sky. Everyone was gathered around the fire, settling in for the night with alcohol and a warm meal that consisted of rabbit meat and whatever bread they had on them. The men were merry, laughing, and telling stories, while Molly sat quietly alone not because she felt excluded, but because she finally found time to think about her situation and formulate a plan. She needed to utilize this time. Using a small stick, she tried to draw a map in the dirt, recalling as many details as she could; it had proven to be more difficult than she anticipated. "The sun rises in the east… and sets in the west. So, we have to be going north, right?" She mumbled quietly to herself. Her brows furrowed in frustration as she used her foot to erase her fake map and start over. Reaching down, grabbing for her stick, she heard footsteps coming in her direction. Turning her head, she looked over to see who it was. Her heart skipped a beat; it was Jamie. The male quietly took a seat next to Molly, looking over to her, he offered some of his rabbit meat. Out of respect, she took a small piece, taking a courtesy taste.

Placing his plate on the ground, Jamie leaned back resting on his elbows, with one knee propped up. His gaze stayed on his friends sitting around the fire, laughing loudly, as they listened to Angus's tall tale. Once there was a break in the story. Jamie brought his attention to Molly. His eyes darted to the dirt smudges in front of her. "What are ye doing?"

"Nothing." She replied quietly, tossing the stick away. They had all been so hospitable to her she didn't want them to think she was trying to run from them. That was not the case.

His eyes drifted up to hers, giving her a curious look before bringing his attention back to the group as Angus finished his story. Molly sat there quietly; her eyes once in a while, drifting over to Jamie when he moved or thought he was turning her way, she found herself looking away, afraid to be caught staring. After a moment, she just had to ask, "What is he saying?" The story was not in English; it sounded like Scottish Gaelic, Molly was sure of it. From the sounds of it, it was either funny or stupid, but it was hard to tell.

Jamie glanced over at her, offering a cheeky grin. Sitting up, he moved closer to the female, leaning into her shoulder, keeping their conversation private. "Angus was with a giant woman. He claims she was 7 feet tall, like an Amazon. The most beautiful creature he had ever seen, and she was madly in love with him…"Jamie, if anything, found the outrageous story humorous. A soft chuckle escaped his lips before adding, "The rest is not appropriate for the ears of a Lady." Leaning away from her, he pulled his knees up, leaning back once more onto his elbows, his eyes studying her as she watched the ground. She had gentle features, soft-looking skin, long dark hair, but her eyes, he thought, her eyes reminded him of emeralds. "What story's do you know?" He suddenly asked, filling the silence building between them.

Molly shot him a look. "You want me to tell you a story?" She asked in a panic. "I don't know any…" Not true. She knew plenty of stories but found herself blanking when being put on the spot like that.

"I bet ye know plenty, what do people tell where you come from? Don't be shy."

She found herself racking her brain. She knew plenty of romances, thrillers, but none of which would interest Jamie. What would interest a renegade Scotsman in the Scottish Highlands? No, it had to be exciting, thrilling, full of adventure; then, like a lightbulb going off above her head, she found it. The perfect story. "I have one." Clearing her throat, she adjusted how she was sitting."It's a popular story; it's called The Lord of The Rings" By the expression on Jamie's face, she had already grabbed his attention just with the title. So okay, maybe it wasn't her story. But it had mythical creatures, war, magic. It was a great story. It wasn't like he knew that it was one of the most famous fantasy novels ever written. What was the harm?

"Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne. In the Land of Mordor, where the Shadows lie. One ring to rule them all, One ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them. In the Land of Mordor, where the Shadows lie." The poem left him hanging onto every word. She wasn't sure if she had ever got anyone's full attention like she was right now. She went on to do her best to retell the fellowship of the ring to Jamie. It wasn't exact, but there was enough detail she remembered to have the tale make sense and to keep holding his attention. They were up for another hour until everyone decided to call it a night. She didn't finish the story, but Jamie was left asking her questions about Hobbits, Mordor, who was who. It was as if he had never heard a fantasy story before. It surprised her, she didn't think it would go over as well as it had.

The brunette had found a comfortable spot under a tree to curl up in as she tried to fall asleep. Though, she knew it was going to be another restless night. Her eyes were closed, finally, in that sweet spot where you are drifting to sleep when she felt movement, somebody pressed right up against her. Her eyes shot open, about to throw a bitch fit when.

"It's just me, lass," Jamie whispered. No cares given as he pressed his body tightly against hers, as one arm draped across her.

"Um, what are you doing?" She scolded. She wanted to push him off but feared making a scene.

"It's cold out, I'm not curling up to Murtagh, and you still have my blank." He quickly retorted, moving in a little closer. "Do ye snore?"

"I don't know, do you?" Molly responded. A bit annoyed by the handsome male.

"Yes, like a bear," Jamie replied, letting out a loud yawn. The next thing Molly knew, he was sound asleep like a baby. But she was wide awake, with his crotch pressed into her back, and his snoring in her ear.

Yup, it was going to be another long night.