**Four Hours Earlier**
Just like every night since Daniea had been tortured, Mrs. Fitz slowly makes her way upstairs with her dinner and a bowl of broth to force feed the comatose woman. As she closes the door behind her the noise of the bustling dining hall becomes a hushed murmur. She places the food tray on the table near the bed and reclaims her spot in the rocking chair next to Daniea. A soft smile spreads across the older womans features as she spots the leather bound book Colum had left on her bedside table. The only evidence of his new nightly ritual of reading to Daniea until the wee hours of the morning.
Indications of Daniea's visitors were scattered all over the room, a small vase that was replenished daily of thistles and wild flowers from Hamish adorned her bedside. A bedroll near the hearth where Murtagh slept, keeping an ever watchful eye on the girl. Cups and mostly empty bottles of Ale on the floor where Rupert, Angus and Dougal visited, telling wonderful stories of old in hopes she would wake.
The flow of visitors never seemed to end, for a girl who never thought much of herself, this horrible act of violence was a catalyst that proved she was indeed wanted and loved by many.
As Mrs. Fitz slowly ate her dinner, the eerie silence that had swaddled the room in it's embrace was interrupted by a painful cry. Mrs. Fitz bowl hit the floor as she pitched herself forward towards Daniea who was struggling to awaken. Her eyes were still slightly swollen shut but after a few minutes she managed to open them, glancing around the room Mrs. Fitz could tell she was confused and disoriented. With each small movement raspy screams and whimpers escaped her throat, there was no position, now that she was awake, that she could settle in where she could escape the pain.
Scrambling to the hearth Mrs. Fitz begins making Daniea's tea recipe for alleviating pain. Downstairs Murtagh had finished his supper and was beginning to make his way up the stairs to check on Daniea when he heard the loud clanging of pots on brick. He rushed in and was awe struck at the sight infront of him. A man that barely smiled in his life finally had a reason, he quickly noticed Mrs. Fitz was having a terrible time trying to get Daniea in a position where she could drink the tea without choking. He gently eased his arm behind her back and lifted her forward gently. Daniea still confused, unaware of her surroundings or why she was in agony, gripped ahold of Murtagh as hard as her meager strength would allow. Mrs. Fitz cradled her head and finally was able to get some pain relief within her battered body.
After they got her settled back in bed she looked towards Murtagh and he could tell she was attempting to speak but words could not be formed.
"Shhh Lassie, keep calm." He soothed, gently brushing his fingers through her hair in a loving manner.
"I know yer scared, dinna fash yourself, yer safe and in good hands. Let's just focus on gettin ya feeling better, the rest can wait." He promised.
Slowly her eyes closed once more and drifted to sleep. Mrs. Fitz couldn't help but grin from ear to ear before she shooed him out so she could change Daniea's dressings. Word spread like wildfire around the castle, cheers of joy and the popping sound of corks radiated through the grounds to toast this small triumph.
Alec's words pulsed within Jamie's mind. " Not that you would care in the least, but she woke up… she… woke...up."
His first instinct was to run to her side but the darkness that had burrowed within him paralyzed his attempts.
Day after day, week after week she grew stronger. Her physical wounds healing slowly yet the emotional toll was bearing very heavily on her. Mrs. Fitz kept her fed and medicated while the rest of her friends tried their best to keep her spirits high. During the day visitors would come come and go, Dougal began helping her walk and move around; and at night she relished in her time with Colum and his stories, even Rupert and Angus's drunken antics brought a smile to her face. It was the time when everyone went to bed and left her alone, even for the briefest of time, was the worst because it left her alone with her thoughts and nightmares.
When she finally became strong enough to sit in the chair by the window Alec would lead Raven to the courtyard under her window and walk him around. Seeing her savior and hearing his hoofbeats brought her peace. Also on these days Jamie would dare to look across the fields to her window, yet when he glimpsed her battered face the same sickening feeling he felt the day she was discovered rose quickly within him.
When she was clearly out of the woods Dougal could not put off collecting taxes anymore, so he gathered his men, Jamie included and left to collect the taxes from the nearest villages but decided he would wait for the further ones until Daniea was able to travel because he knew a healer would most certainly be needed then.
Time flew by for the men traveling, before they knew it they had collected taxes from all the close surrounding villages and had returned to Castle Leoch to regroup. It was almost dusk when the group entered the castle hall where dinner was busy being served. Jamie quickly surveyed the scene, when he decided Daniea was nowhere in sight he relaxed and managed to eat in peace. Out of the corner of his eye Dougal spotted Murtagh, who had stayed behind to help Mrs. Fitz with Daniea's recovery, taking a tray of food down the stairs towards the surgery. He rushed over to follow, as he walked slowly into the surgery he was greeted with a warm smile from Daniea who then stumbled towards him with the help of a cane.
His tired bones swiftly wrapped her in a tight hug, before stepping back to take a good look at her. Most of her bruises and cuts had healed nicely, the only physical indication of her attack besides the limp were some very deep bruises on her forehead by her temples and some bruises that resembled fists and boots along her arms and exposed skin.
"How are ye feeling Lass?" Dougal questioned with a smile.
"Some days are better than others but I'm alive."
"Aye, ye are which is what is most important." Dougal assured, " Now I don't want to rush you before yer ready, but we could really use your skills and company when we head back out in a few days."
"I don't think that would be…" Murtagh started before Daniea cut him off.
"I'm ready." Daniea stated sternly. She had been recuperating long enough in the castle and was tired of being treated like a broken doll.
Dougal nodded, gave her a quick kiss on the forehead and returned to the hall.
"You are a stubborn one aren't you." Murtagh commented from behind her.
"Aye, that I am."
"Well you best be sure I won't be staying here when you're out galavanting who knows where. I'm going with ye." He chirped.
Daniea couldn't help but smile, "I wouldn't expect any less."
"God help us," Murtagh sarcastically said under his breath as he left to make preparations.
When the morning arrived for them to leave, the group was slowly saddling up their horses and preparing the cart when Alec walked up holding the reins of two horses.
Jamie looked up from his saddle bag,
"Who are those fer?" Angus asked, thinking that everyone that was going was there already.
"Ones for Ned Gowan." Answered Dougal.
"The others mine." Daniea stated, limping towards the group, a stern look plastered on her face.
A hush fell over the group for a second before Rupert and Angus were cheering, and happily helping her pack her horse, telling dirty jokes the whole time.
Jamie didn't move or say a word, he simply mounted his horse and watched her out of the corner of his eye.
Alec wished them all a safe journey but before he left them he went over to Jamie and signaled for him to lower himself down. Alec then whispered in his ear, "You're days avoiding her are over Lad."
