Chapter 3

The Boarding House

Rhiannon and Duncan came through the back door, which leads into the kitchen. The house was filled with the smelled of fried chicken. Setting their belongings down, they quietly walked into the dinning room. Mrs. Taylor was placing the last of the silverware down. The table had more food on it than a knight's round table. It was a feast in a half.

"Hi Mama, sorry we're late." She said as she gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Rhiannon, you have never been on time...You will probably be late for your own funeral." "Yeah, whatever Mama." Rhiannon replied as she laughed off the comment. "Go on guys sit down, while I get the other guests." Mrs. Taylor motions them to sit down.

They found a seat next to each other at the end of the table. Walking into the hallway, Mrs. Taylor rang a small bell that was hanging in the lobby. With the sound of the bell, mayhem shook the house. There was noise coming from all directions. People started to stroll into the dinning room from all directions of the house. An older couple had sat down across from Duncan and Rhiannon. A rather pudgy man sat down in an empty seat next to the older couple at the same side of the table. A young couple with a little boy sat down next to Rhiannon. The last who walked into the room was Ross. All cleaned up from the bout with Rhiannon earlier today. He sat down at the head of the table. Mrs. Taylor finished bringing the rest of the food to the table and then sat down at the other end.

There was a sudden hush at the table. "Now everyone, lets a take a moment to bow our heads," she demanded. She says a small prayer of thanks. "Ok…let's dig in and eat!" With that announcement, noise erupted again. Everyone begins talking and eating.

"So where are you from Mr. Macleod?" asked Ross. "From Scotland originally...I just came back to the states from Paris some months ago." "Oh... Is this first time to our country?" The elderly women asked. With a wink, Duncan replied, "No, I have lived in the states off and on for years...But this is the first time I have actually traveled in this part of the south." The little boy who sat down next to Rhiannon looked over at Duncan and with some concern in his voice, "Sir, is there really a Lock Nest Munster in Scotland?" The question made Duncan giggle. With a very Scottish accent, he replied, "Well Lad, I personally have never seen one. But legends aren't without some truths to it." The little boy turns to his mother, "See Mom, I told you it could be true." The boy said it with such sincerity that the whole table erupted in laughter.

Ross stared at Duncan and Rhiannon. He could tell there was a connection going on between them two. They were staring at each other and smiling. in a way it made him jealous. However, in other ways it concerned him. Ross has known her most of her life and has never seen someone make her light up like a Christmas tree before.

"So what brings you to our part of the world?" Duncan paused for a moment before he answered. "I have been hiking on the Appalachian trail for about three months." Ross watched his facial expressions as he replied. He could tell that Duncan was telling the truth. 'Well that must have been one hell of a hike." Ross said with a smile. Duncan nodded his head in agreement. "Yes, but the mountains are so beautiful...that is well worth it." The pudgy man in the corner, looked at Duncan in amazement. "How many miles have you hiked?" "Must be more than 300 miles now." "Wow!" said the little boy. Duncan winked at him. "Yeah, wow!"

After everyone had their desert, Rhiannon and Mrs. Taylor started to clear off the table. The boarders had started to retreat to different areas of the house. Some had gone outside to the porch, while others went to their rooms. Duncan decided to go to the den. He stood there and looked at all ofthe pictures that hung in the room. He came across some of Rhiannon as a teenager. Her beauty wasn't as bright as it is now, But he could see the woman under the child's face. Walking over to the bookcase, he glances at all the books. Some were rare finds, while others were trash. Mrs. Taylor has very different tastes. Thinking to himself. Then one of the books had caught his eye. It was a book about the art of fencing. Instantly Duncan knew whose book it was. He takes it down from the shelf and sits down in a grand old rocking chair next to the fireplace. It was about that time is when Ross had come back downstairs. He glances in the den and sees Duncan reading a book. He walks into the room and looks down at the book he is reading.

"Do you fence?" Ross asked. "I have a time or two...Not professionally or anything." He replied without reveling his secret. Ross sits down on the couch across from him. He could tell Duncan wasn't telling the complete truth, but he wasn't going to push the issue. "Did you see the bout today?" He already knew the answer. "Yeah, it was a really good bout...Have you been fencing long?" Duncan inquired. "Oh since, I have been a kid…but I'm not as good as Rhiannon is... She has taught me more the last couple of years, than I ever did learn as a kid." "Yes, she is very good. (turning another page.) She has a good technique about her." Ross shakes his head in agreement, "She has a focus about her. Once she zeros in, she has you. Believe me I know." They both chuckle.

Ross sat there for a while and studied him, watching him carefully. He was very suspicious of Duncan, with good cause. He knew that Rhiannon and Mrs. Taylor have been through a lot. Now with Victor Robbins on their tails he has to be. He began to wonder whether Duncan was in on this with Victor. However, after watching him more closely Ross decided this was not the case. There was a presence about him that told him that Duncan wasn't that type of person."Well Mr. Macleod it has been nice gabbing with you." He said yawning. "Call me Duncan please." "Well Duncan...its time for me to go on up. You have yourself a good night." Ross extended his hand and they shook hands. "Good night." Duncan said. Ross left the room started up the stairs, comfortable in knowing for now that all his questions were answered to his satisfaction.

Duncan continued to sit there turning the pages of the book, reading the rules of fencing and looking at all the pictures of the swords. Most of them he had recognized, having to use one or two of them, a time or two. He suddenly hears Rhiannon in the background telling her mother that she was going out to the back. Her mother replied something back that he couldn't hear. Duncan's heart started to beat a little faster as he heard her foot steps in the hall. Here she comes! Whispering to himself. His stomach suddenly went in knots. Duncan found himself rather excited in the thought of being with her again. What is this girl doing to me? He hasn't felt this way since Tessa. Something that he thought he would ever feel again. He knew he would have many lovers. Never truly, love someone with all his heart and soul. He had thought he gave all that he had to give to Tessa. However, this girl was slowly changing his outlook, wondering to himself if he could love her.

II

Rhiannon was making her way down the hallway, humming to herself. This has surely been one great day! She said under her breath. She stopped by the hallway stairs staring at him, thinking on how distinguished Duncan looked. She then notices he was reading one of her fencing books. It made her smile. He definitely has some kind of interest in me. The thought of it made her heart flutter. Smiling at the thought, she goes into the den and kick's Duncan's boot.

"Hey big guy, want to go for a walk and lose some of those pounds you just put on?" He sluggishly looks up at her and slowly rises. "Sure...you lead the way." He sets the book back on the shelf. "Ok, lets go this way." Rhiannon reaches out, grabs his hand and starts for the back door.

They made their way down a path that lead through a wooded area, down a ravine and then finally coming upon an embankment by the river. They stood there for a while looking out at the river, watching the stillness of the water. It was Rhiannon that broke the silence of the moment between them.

"Are you ready to climb down?" she inquired. Duncan gave her a puzzled look. "You don't mean down there (pointing toward the embankment) Do you?" "Sure…What are you're going tell me you don't know how to climb? After all... you were the one hiking all over the Appalachian trail," Rhiannon said with a smirk. Duncan looks at her then at the embankment, hesitating. "I really don't think we should do this." Rhiannon gave him a hurtful look. "Just trust me. I have done this a hundred of the times. (pointing over to the right) "There is a small fishing shack right over there...To get there...you have to climb down this embankment. It is the only way down." She stands there looking at Duncan waiting for an answer. After much thought he said, "All right... but please be careful"

The embankment wasn't as steep as it looked. They had climbed down with no trouble at all. After Duncan helped Rhiannon over a massive log, they stopped for a moment. Dusting her hands off on her clothes, she looks up at him and smiles.

"Now was it all that bad?" Looking rather embarrassed Duncan replied, "Okay...I guess you were right.". She starts to finish dusting the rest of herself off, when she notices a small tear at the bottom of her dress. "Oh shit, Mama is really going to kill me!" Duncan inspected the tear, "It's really not that bad." "That easy for you to say." Snickering at the thought of what she was going to say to her mother about it. With a few more steps, they came past a clearing. "You can just about see the shack if you look hard enough."Duncan just nodded his head in agreement, as they made their way to the shack.

The fishing shack was just that a shack, no thrills or frills. Just a roof, walls and a floor with three glass windows. An old coal stove. The sink had a hand pump for water. A couple of chairs and table sat in the center. A cot with an end table was in the corner, along with a small bathroom, with a basin for a tub. The porch was the best feature. It extended into the river about ten feet. Far enough to do some good fishing.

The scenery was breath taking. The sun was starting to go down. As it did, it centered itself between two mountain ranges. The orange sky just bounced off the river making everything take on an orange glow. The river was calmly rippling down the stream. It certainly had its charm. Duncan thought to himself. He could see why see wanted to come down here.

"So what do you think Duncan?" Rhiannon inquired. Duncan looked around, "It's breath taking."

Rhiannonsmiled at him. She was so glad that he liked it. They made their way out onto the porch and walked to the end of it. Finding a bench, they sat down. For a while they sat there in silence, just listening to the water gently rushing by. Both of them were enjoying the peace and quiet that surround them. Rhiannon looks at him, wondering what he could be thinking. The silence between them two was killing her.

"I like to come here and think...To reflect on things." She said suddenly breaking the silence. "I can see why. (gesturing to his surrounding) It's so peaceful down here." Duncan replied. "My father built the shack." "It must be nice to go fishing on." Again there was a moment of silence between them. Breaking the silence again she said. "It used to be an old Indian burial ground...The Cherokee's gave it to our family on the condition that we are to take care of it and not desecrate it." Duncan smiles. Not at her, but because of it being holy ground. "Your family must have left an impression to the Indians...They usually don't give something that is so cherish to them. " Rhiannon shook her head yes at this remark. It was enough to get the conversation going. They sat there and talked about everything for hours.

III

The sun was almost down when one lone light came on by the door to the shack. Just enough light to brighten up the small area of darkness by the door. However, in no way did itinvade the areawhere they were sitting. The complete darkness had totally engulfed them.

The crickets were singing loudly in the background, but not loudly enough to where Duncan couldn't hear her breathing. He enjoyed just sitting and listening to her. She had a way with words that made him laugh. It made him forget all of his troubles. Duncan wasn't the type to instantly fall in love. It only happened once. When she left him, Duncan swore he would never fall again. That was until Rhiannon. He felt himself falling in love. The more he looked at her. The more he listens to her. The more he knew it. Duncan wasn't willing to let it show yet. He felt he needed to keep his guard up. He had a dozen of reasons too.

The biggest problems that he could see right now is that she is immortal. The main rule keeps popping into his head. There can be only one! He knew that one day someone would be coming for her. That was something he wasn't going to let happen. He had to prepare her and teach her. It also meant he would have to join the game again. That was something he wasn't prepared to do again. Duncan was tired. He just didn't have the fight left in him. He has killed so many people. So many lives destroyed, all to be the one.

Yet there was a problem. It was Rhiannon. He has a responsibility to her now, especially with another immortal hanging around. Duncan knew that he could sense the immortality in her. Whatever it was, fate, the gods. Duncan really didn't know. Somehow she was sent to him to be guided and if that is what he should do. Then that's what he must do, no matter what.

Rhiannon stared out into the open as her and Duncan sat and talked about dinner. They discussed the people that were staying there and what she knew about each of the individuals. Listening to Duncan talk, it tickled Rhiannon. Every once in awhile she could hear the Scottish come out. The way he phases things and says words. Then there was times she couldn't exactly figure out what type of accent he had. All that she could tell was that he definitelywas from Europe. She loved listening to him just the same. The way that he would say every word with passion, holding and caressing every word.

Rhiannon also loved the way Duncan looked at her. She would catch him occasionally staring at her, looking at her from head to toe. Then smiling to himself. It made her feel really sexy. Something she hasn't felt in a long time. She was starting to long for him, wanting to feel his arms around her. She longed to taste his kiss and to have him take her. It felt strange for her. She has never felt this way about anyone. Especially not with a perfect stranger, however this felt so different. She felt at ease with him. Most importantly she felt protected. That was something she has never had felt before.

After a while, Rhiannon starts to yawn. Duncan notices this. "Are you ready to go?" "I guess (as they both stand up) Tomorrow is going to be a big day. I just hope that I will be able to beat Doug...He's really good." Duncan looks down at her and smiled, "Yes, but you're better." She smiled back at him. He does have a way with words.

They began to walk off the porch when the heel of her boot gets caught in crack on the floor. It causes her to start to fall. Duncan reaches around her waist and grabs her. She pulls her boot out and he finishes swinging her around in front of him. "Are you ok?" She nodded her head yes. Then it happened. There they stood looking at each other, eye to eye. Duncan held Rhiannon tightly against him to keep her from falling. There was a moment of complete silence, neither saying a word. He reaches up and places his hand on her face, pulling her toward him. She didn't move away, But followed his lead, moving closer to him. Then without a warning he kisses her very gently on the lips. Not a deep kiss, but a strong sensual kiss. Then he pulls her away from him.

They walked in silence back up the embankment and home. There was nothing needed to be said. Both of them rerunning what had just happen at the shack, neither regretting it. He liked the way she felt in his arms. How her lips tasted. At first he wasn't going to kiss her. However, something deep inside him said to. Do it. It was telling him. Once wasn't enough and he knew it, but he had to be strong for both their sakes. Even though every ounce of his being wanted her. Soon. He thought to himself as they walked up the path, whether it was right or not. He was now in too deep to do anything about anything.

It was almost midnight when they reached the house. All the lights were off and everyone was a sleep. Rhiannon turned the key and unlocked the back door. They slipped into the kitchen without making a sound. Then theyheaded upstairs. After saying their goodnights, they went off in different directions to their rooms. She wanted him to kiss her once more, but all he was willing to give was a kiss on the cheek. Although she longed for more.

Rhiannonloved being inDuncan'sarms. They felt warm and safe. She could be in them forever. She goes into her room and shuts the door. She thinks to herself. There is not going to be any sleep tonight. Rhiannon's mind replays the night events. His lips were everything she expected, soft and warm. Her head was swimming in hundreds of directions. She wanted him. It was feeling she wasn't use to, but it was a feeling she liked.

Duncan unlocks the door to his room and walks in. He walks over to the window and looked out it. There wasn't anything to see but darkness. He takes his shirt off. I can still smell her perfume. He thinks to himself as he lays his shirt across a chair. He quietly walks over to the dresser. Looking into the mirror, he asks himself. What am I doing? Shaking his head, he stares into the mirror as if he was trying to find the answer.

It was in that moment he realized that his life was changing again. He wasn't ready for it and he knew it. Solitude is what he longed for. No complications. No changes. It maybe what he wanted but he knew he wasn't going to get. He can feel it in the air. At first he thought it was Rhiannon. But even with all her charms and troubles that was only going to be half of it and he knew it. It was something else. He felt it with all his immortal soul. Turning around, he walks back over to the window and stares out of it.