Chapter 39

There were no farewells or goodbyes, only numbing silence.

It had been a long day's ride from Cranesmuir, but as the sun rose over a great stone fortress in the distance, Jamie knew he was finally home.

It had been four years since he had been forced from his land but even as he wandered down the road, the bloody ghosts of his past taunted him still.

People he barely recognized scurried about as he tied Raven to a hitching post in the courtyard. The furious animal yanked and pawed at the ground keeping Jamie's attention focused. His gaze finally shifted from the beast as a loud gasp came from behind.

Turning towards the sound his sister Jenny, who was heavily pregnant, shook where she stood.

"It..can't..be." She shuddered.

"Jenny." He beamed rushing to her side, placing his hands upon her shoulders.

"We thought ye were dead."

"Wasna fer lack of trying." he half joked, eyeing a little boy that had begun pulling on Jenny's apron.

"Oh heavens be, this…" she gestured to the boy. "Is my wee Jamie."

Crouching down to his level she rubbed his cheek affectionately, "This is your uncle, mo chridhe, the one you're named after."

Boiling anger rose up from the pit of Jamie's stomach as he looked on at the shy boy. Flashes of Fergus's face clipped his tongue long enough for Jenny to sense the unease and usher the boy away.

"Why?" he seethed. "Why would ye name Randall's bastard afta me?"

"Excuse me, are ye ill?" Jenny questioned, folding her arms across her chest as her temper rose to match her brothers.

"I have thought ye dead for nigh on four years now and the first thing ye do is accuse me of such shame. Don't ye dare test me brother!"

Jamie ground his teeth, "Whose child is the boy then?"

Jenny motioned to speak but a cheery male voice rang from behind.

"Mine and so is the one on the way."

Jamie turned and spied his oldest friend Ian Murray, hobbling towards the ruckus.

"Yer brother in law." Beamed Jenny, the anger fading from her form as she watched the men embrace.

Jamie then returned to his sister, his arms stretched before him. "Jenny I'm?"

"A damned fool, but one thats alive which is all that matters. Come!" She beckoned, motioning for the men to follow her into their home.

After whiskey had been poured all around and everyone had taken a seat the questioning began.

"Jamie where have ye been? What?"

Jamie paused his sister before she began her inquisition.

"I've been at Leoch with our Uncles but before I begin I need to know Jenny...I want to know...what happened with Randall the day they carted me away?"

Jenny and Ian's expressions turned sour.

"Fine...I'll tell ye but once and only once ye hear me?"

Jamie nodded, taking a deep drink from his glass.

Twenty minutes later Jenny had finished her somber tale about that fated day and hoped to god she would never have to recount it ever again. Jamie decided he could finally breathe; for the worst he imagined never truly happened.

"Now brother, tis yer turn to tell us yer tale. What happened? Where have ye been? What have ye been doing these years that prevented ye from letting yer family know ye were still alive fer one."

Jamie stood and overfilled his glass, took a long drink and then refilled it once more before he began. He leaned against the cold fireplace, his head hanging low as he thought of where to begin. Hours passed as he re-lived his tale. Recounting to his family his escape from Fort William. Being on the run as a wanted man. His time living with Colum and Dougal at Castle Leoch as Jamie MacTavish.

Jenny and Ian hung on every word, soaking up his many adventures. Thankful to have him home.

As Jamie came to his most recent travels he decided to remain completely silent about Daniea, his marriage and everything that dealt with her as if it had never happened.

So he finished his tale with a confirmed pardon, thanks to their cousin Jared and his Uncles instead of the watch. Which finally allowed him to come home at long last.

Jenny beamed with happiness but Ian remained weary; for he had noticed the light he once saw burning within his friend had been extinguished.

"Yer planning on staying aren't ye?" Ian questioned, hoping his cohort would permanently return home.

Jamie took another drink. "Aye, I suppose I do." he half smiled.

Jenny called for the maids, "The laird has returned at last, prepare his quarters. Move our things to the north room." She ordered.

"Go rest and clean yerself up brother. We shall see ye at dinner."