This is my first fan fiction. Please be kind. Reviews are welcome as long as they are not harsh and give good advice. The characters of Duncan Macleod and other characters from Highlander...is not mine..just borrowed.

Chapter1

The Medieval Fair

I

It was another blistering hot morning on the Appalachian Trail, as the sun started to peek around the mountainside. It was something that Duncan had grown accustom to since his retreat from the game that had started some months ago. The solace of the quiet mountain trails was something he longed for. He leisurely walks along the mountain ranges taking in all of its beauty, trying to forget about his pass. In many ways, it made him long for his homeland. But it wouldn't be a place he could return to unless he wanted to get back into the game. That was something at that moment he was not willing to do, not unless he had too. That morning when Duncan started down the mountainside, he had no idea that his world was going to change. Sooner or later, whether Duncan is ready or not he will have to join the game and it will not be on his terms. No matter how much he tries to stay out of the game.

As Duncan made his way through a clearing, he came upon a medieval fair. All of the tents ether blue or red stripes with silver or gold flags flying on the top. There were dozens of people coming and going out of the tents. Some dressed at they do today but mostly in medieval apparel. Ladies with their long gowns and gentlemen in their sixteenth century dress. Then he notices that there were some in common clothes of the day, women and men in plain dress. This took him a little by surprise to see different social classes at such a gala event representing the way life truly was. Just about nailing it the head, with the exception of some modern influences mixed it. There was one thing for sure his curiosity was on fire. He was definitely going to check this out. Thinking to himself, Everyone likes a fair.

Approaching the tents, Duncan could smell the wonderful aroma of food filtering through the air. He didn't realize how hungry he was for real food. Berries were nice along with the occasional fish, but to be able to sink his teeth into some meat and to drink some wine made him drool at the thought. As he walked along the make shift road that was carved in by horses and buggies, he could hear all the laughter coming from the tents and the stands on the runway. It had been a while since he heard any laughter. It made him smile and warm his heart. As he continued to walk down the road, all the different smells were setting all his senses on fire making him grow hungrier by the minute. He came to a stand that was selling pieces of smoked meat. After exchanging some small talk and currency, he turned and walked down the runway. That is when he felt it. There was a feeling of another immortal. The buzz sent all his nerves on edge, as his heart started to race. The problem was where he or she could be. He began looking around searching the crowds, wondering where the immortal could be.

She came out of one of the tents not being dressed as fancy as everyone else, but pretty just the same. She loved medieval fairs, since she was a small girl. Moreover, with a name like Rhiannon, she felt she fit right in. It was something about the fair that she couldn't quite put her finger on it. It was a sense of some how belonging to that time. It also could be the love she has for fencing which she was very good at. Rhiannon could fight with the best of men swords or other wise. Those of who has seen her fence knew she was good at her craft even though she could not weigh any more that 120lbs. and 5'2. Besides the fencing it might have been the dress of that period she loved the best. There was a sheer elegance of how the long gowns that flowed ever so easily over the ground. They just don't make them like that anymore. She couldn't decide whether it was style of that time or the romance it brought with it, but eventually settling on the thought it was the romance of the fair itself she that loved the most.

Rhiannon wasn't paying much attention to where she was walking. She was too preoccupied with the sword fight going on in the main arena. From the sound of it, it was getting way too serious. She could tell it by the way the swords sounded as they struck each other. The ringing it made a harsh noise as it filtered into the air. As she walked and watched, she noticed the looks the men were giving each other. It was definitely getting way too serious. She started to walk over to see why when she felt something in her head. Not really pain, but stinging above her eyes with a buzz ringing in her ears. Then it was gone. Rhiannon was trying to rearrange one of her packages to rub her eyes when she ran right into someone. The force of it knocked all the packages out of her hand as well knocking her off her feet. When she looked up, she couldn't believe her eyes rubbing them twice for good measure. He was a dark tall handsome man with dark collar length hair and deep brown eyes along with a smile that lit up his face. However, it was his eyes held her attention. The eyes are your windows to the soul. Her mother had always told her. She could tell that his soul was kind and gentile. That he had a lot of love to give. But they also showed there was something weighing heavy on his soul.

Before Duncan knew it, the feeling stopped just as quickly as it started. He instantly knew by the feeling it was preimmortal. It was the same feeling he would always feel when Richie would come around. Relaxing he knew that there would be no game played today very much to his satisfaction. He was still searching the crowds for the preimmortal when he got knocked into. Before he could catch her, she fell to the ground. Her packages fell out of her hands and scattered all around her. As Duncan looked down at her at first he really couldn't see her. It was when Rhiannon looked up at him when he finally got a good look at her. Her beauty struck Duncan. The way the sun shone in her face, made her look as if she was an angel. Her long brown hair tossed to one side as she angrily tried to get up off the ground.

"I am so sorry. I just wasn't paying attention to where I was going." She said sincerely. Reaching out for her hand Duncan smiled, "It was just as much as my fault as it was yours." She shook her head no. "If I wasn't paying attention to that damn sword fight, I wouldn't have run into you." She said cursing under her breath.

Placing her hand into his, he helped her up. As he did, he noticed how much more beautiful Rhiannon was as her hair fell across her shoulders. Knelling down Duncan started to help her pick up the packages. "There isn't any harm done."

Reaching to pick up one of her packages, Duncan's hand brushed up against hers. He marveled at the softness of it. He had seen a lot of beautiful women in his lifetime, but Rhiannon's beauty was something he had never experienced before. It wasn't just her appearance. He couldn't quite put a finger on it. It was everything about her. In the way she held her head and the way that she spoke. Even the way she breathes.

"So what is your name?" Duncan asked. "Rhiannon... Rhiannon Cleary." Smiling as she replied. "My name is Duncan Macleod." Being very prideful as he willingly said his name. "Well Mr. Macleod what brings you to Elkmount?" They both began to pick up the packages that fell.

"Please call me Duncan." "Ok Duncan." "Good… (smiling at her) Now to answer your question, I was hiking up on the trail and found myself here." "Well you found yourself here at the right time. The local medieval fair has just started, so you're in for a treat." Rhiannon replied with pride. "Oh really, (smiling more broadly) maybe I should stay and see what it is all about. I just love a good fair."

This caused Rhiannon to smile. She was very proud of her town fair. "'Well this is the biggest and best medieval fair going on this side of the Smokey's mountains… There are loads of food, wine, beer and plenty of entertainment. You should stay and enjoy the festivities." Duncan shook his head in agreement. "Maybe I should…how long is the going to be in town?" "For the rest of the week, it ends on Saturday." Smiling as she said it.

He couldn't help think how nice it would be to stay in one place for a change to enjoy some good company and have a good time doing so. It was the first time he actually felt lonely. The longer he looked and listened to Rhiannon the more alone he felt. He had been wandering around on the trail for months now trying to sort out everything that has been happening to his life, trying to make sense of it all. It was time just to take a rest from his anguish and have some a little fun for a while.

"Is there a place near by that I could stay at?" He wondered. "You could probably stay at Mrs. Taylor's bed and breakfast. It is down that path and to your right." Rhiannon smiled to herself at the thought that he was going to stay. "Ok that sounds good." Duncan paused for a minute, being unsure if he should ask the next question. "Can I ask if you are going to be around later?" His heart danced at the thought that she might be. "Sure I'll be around…I have a meet around two o'clock, and it'll be over at the main arena. If you want to…you can meet me afterwards."

Duncan smiled at this. He loved the thought of having her as company for a while. "Sure… (pointing toward the path) Mrs. Taylor is down this path?" He was just asking her so that he could hear her speak again. "Yeah, remember to your right." Duncan reaches down, picks up the last package and hands it to her as he stared deep into her eyes. Rhiannon takes the package and smiles at him. "Thank you." Then turns around and walked away.

II

Glancing over to the arena, Rhiannon could see the outcome of the sword fight. Both of the men were in a hardy embrace, laughing and carrying on, as they held up their swords to the air. To her amusement, she notices that the swords that they were using had both their blades broke. She thought to herself, It wasn't a fight that was meant to have any winners. She smiles at this thought. She knew if that was the case she had just moved up to the third round and a possible place in the main round. The thought made her smile. It was everything she had worked so hard for. Rhiannon turns and looks over her shoulder to watch Duncan as he made his way down the path. She watches him as he turns the corner, to his right. Then she smiles to herself. Now my dear that is what you call a man! It has been a very long time since she had the interest of any man. It wasn't because they didn't want to. Many had tried. She just wouldn't let anyone in. Not after the last man she let in abused her. She believed in him so much that she almost let him kill her. She swore then and there, she would never trust another man nor let another man abuse her. This one could be different.

Rhiannon makes her way into the contestant's tent. Going toward the back, she could see Ross Williams over in the corner of his tent shining up his sword. "Hey Rhiannon, are you ready for this afternoon." He smiles broadly. "Yeah, more than you'll ever know." She replied smugly.

Rhiannon moved to her part of the tent. Sitting down on the stool, she thinks to herself. Boy, I am going to enjoy whipping your sweet ass. Her thoughts then turned to Duncan. He was one fine man. She could tell just by his mannerisms that he had a lot of class. He carried himself with respect. It was something that Rhiannon admired in people. People who commanded respect as well as give it. She could tell by the way he was acting that he was interested in her, but how interested remained to be seen. It's been a long time since she even felt that she could be interested in someone. Maybe she was reading too much into it. Maybe I am making a mountain out of a molehill. It kinda of tickled her at the fact that he was hiking on the trail and just came upon the fair.

Ross called to her from the other room. "Did you see the bout?" "Not all of it… but I did see it getting very serious, then the next thing I knew it was over and they were carrying on like a couple of frat boys. What was going on?"

Ross made his way to the other side of the tent, "Are you dressed?" He asked. "Yeah."She shuddered at the thought of him leering at her naked. "Come on in." Ross looked really excited. "They were getting really serious. Jake cut Junior wide open on the leg. Junior got really mad and rose up his sword. Then when their two swords met… They just broke in half. Then before you knew it, they were looking at each other, just laughing their asses off." He started to giggle at the thought.

Rhiannon was a little puzzled. Jake and Junior had fought together and against each for years. But it never had gotten that serious before. "Why did it get so serious Ross? It's hard for me to believe it was over a cut. They have cut each other before." Ross just shrugged his shoulders. "Don't know Rhiannon. Maybe it is the jackpot. You do know its well over 100 grand?" Rhiannon smiles, "Yeah that is what I heard."

Getting up, Ross smiles over at Rhiannon, "You do know that I'm going to win the third round?" Rhiannon scoffed at this. "You believe what you must, but I am going to the main round! Neither you nor anyone else will stop me!" "We'll see about that!" As Ross walks out of her room, she throws a shoe at him. It hit him right in the back of the head. "Ouch!" He picks it back up and throws it back at her. It misses her completely. Rhiannon just sat there and laughed at him.

III

Once Duncan made it to the end of the path, he went right. He could see Mrs. Taylor's sign up ahead. ELKMONT BED AND BREAKFAST. He looked around at his surrounding and noticed that the boarding house was at the very end of town. In the backdrop of the house, were valleys running though out the mountainsides. As he made his way down the path everyone he passed was friendly. They either nodded their heads as they walked by or wave at you. This made Duncan feel just a little uneasy. Maybe it was because people were little too friendly or maybe everything was too perfect. He wasn't quite sure. Knowing the way most small towns are this was probably normal. But he certainly was going to keep his guard up just in case.

As Duncan made his way into the boarding house, he could smell Mrs. Taylor's apple pie cooling off in the kitchen. He softly closes the door behind him and walked up to the desk. Ringing the bell, Duncan glances around the room. Very much like any other country inn he had ever been in. There were doilies on the tables. As well country art hanging on the walls. From the kitchen he heard Mrs. Taylor yelling, "It will just be a moment."

Duncan smiles to himself as he continued to look around the house. A little piece of heaven. Walking into the den, he starts to look at the pictures hanging on the wall and around the room. There were so many of them. A lot of the pictures were faded. Some must have dated back to the 1800's. Others were very new. There were pictures of grandchildren and some of her children. He could tell she had a lot of pride in her family and her family history. Now Mrs. Taylor by no means is a small woman. Standing at about 6' and weighting well over 300 lbs. She was no one to mess with. She had a real presence about her, all one hundred percent country.

As she walked up to the desk, she winked at Duncan. "Now… how can I be of service to you sir?" "I was told that I could rent a room from you." Duncan replied. "Who was it who told you I had a room?" She replied with a tone of voice that told Duncan she means business. "Rhiannon Cleary ma'am." He answered. "How do you know Rhiannon?" Mrs. Taylor inquired, with a puzzled expression. "Actually, I don't… We kind of ran into each other out on the runway. (smiling to himself as he said it) We started talking and I mention that I wanted to stay for the fair. She suggested that I stay here. I hope there isn't a problem?" He said with a concerned look. "Oh no sir," she said with a smile. "It's just that the room just opened. It took me by surprise that is all. Besides if my daughter sent you here, then I guess you're all right."

Mrs. Taylor reaches under the desk and pulls out the guest book. "How long are you planning to staying Mrr."? "Duncan Macleod." As he reaches out and shakes her hand. "It will probably be for a couple of weeks… One week I know for sure." She smiles, "Well Mr. Macleod, usually when people tell me that they pretty much end up never leaving." Duncan just smiles as he signs the guest book. She hands him the key to the top floor room.

As he takes the keys, he notices what floor it is. "Don't worry it's the same price as the other rooms. Besides you seemed to me you like your privacy." Winking at him. "Thanks. You're a very smart lass." He said in a very Scottish voice. This gets Mrs. Taylor laughing uncontrollably with all of her 300lbs moving in one huge motion. It was enough to even make Duncan laugh.

When Duncan turned the key to his room, he really wasn't expecting what he would see when he opened the door. The room was huge. It was decorated in a Native American theme. As he sat his belongs on the floor, he couldn't help but notice the craftsmanship throughout the whole room. The centerpiece of the room was its stone fireplace. Most of all, it was the painting that fascinated him. The painting was of a lone wolf with lightening in the background. The wolf was standing on a great cliff. It just sent shivers down his back. He walked over to the windows, pulled the curtains back. The view was breath taking. There was a rolling river running behind the house with the mountains as its background. All Duncan could do is smile. Mrs. Taylor is quite the character.

Duncan also could all see that he had a perfect view of the fair, with all of its tents and all its glitter. Slowly his thoughts turn to Rhiannon. Her beauty just takes my breath away. There was something about her that definitely caught his eye. He wasn't sure what it is. He knows he should be walking away, knowing what she is. Duncan sighs and shakes his head. This is hard. On the one hand he can just walk away now and act like nothing ever happen, just another chance encounter. Then he thinks of her face and the way her hair flows freely in the wind. If he didn't take this chance to see what this could be he would never forgive himself. Besides he knows now he has a responsibility to her whether he wanted it or not. Knowing that one day she would be immortal, he had to prepare her for the future. For that is what immortals do for other immortals. Prepare them for the game. For she wont be a mortal forever. No matter how much he wished it could be different. Maybe it was fate that intervened today. He didn't know. All he knew if he didn't take a chance and see if this is what he is to do then he could never live with himself. He looks down at watch. Noon…Two more hours.