Part 12

-You look lovely.- said Longinus standing up close to Catlin.

Catlin turned her face away. She really did look beautiful. Her wounds had healed, she could fully walk on her own, though her hands were always bound..and she was tied to the bed each night. Her hair had been pulled back and straightened, into a pony tail..covered with laces...wearing a light pink silk dress, with ribbons criss -crossing one another. Her skin had been perfumed.....her lips and eyes colored..she really did look like a roman princess...except for those bright blue eyes of hers.

-Get away from me.- said Catlin.

-I'm hurt. Here I am showering you with gifts and this is all the thanks I get?- He smiled. -------You'll get used to it.-

-You're wrong, you can't keep me here forever Longinus.- said Catlin.

-That's what you think, I'll keep you here until you hear the last heartbeat of your beloved prince.-

Catlin closed her eyes...and flashed back....when Molly had kissed her on the forehead. She had also held her right hand and pulled off the ring Connor had given her..Catlin knew it was to be used as way to get to Connor to believe her, to let him know Catlin was alive.

***** "How can we keep her here after what she has done to us?" yelled one of the people at the sanctuary.

Connor raised his hand as if to quiet everyone down. -She stays, there will be no argument. She is not to be touched.- The people jeered. Connor walked towards Fergus's hut. Tully was standing out side.

-Go in there.- said Tully.

-I don't know if I can.- responded Connor, half way turning around.

-Connor.- said Fergus. -Molly wants to speak to you.- He had heard Connor outside.

Connor looked at Tully and then at Fergus, both gave their looks. Connor walked in with Fergus behind him. Molly was sitting up straight, her hair no longer covering her face, the blood wiped away. -Connor.- said Molly smiling.

-Molly.- said Connor, standing away from her, near the entrance, as far as he could.

-Da, I would like to speak to him alone.- said Molly

-I don't think that's a good idea.- said Fergus.

-Please Da.- said Molly.

Fergus hesitated, -I'll be right outside.-

Molly nodded her head. She sighed. -How are you?-

-What do you want Molly? Why did you come back here?-

-I want you to forgive me.- said Molly, -I did you a great wrong. and I'm sorry.- said Molly.

Connor remained silent.

-It's alright if you don't believe me, I don't expect you to do so. I betrayed you, I betrayed the land, you were right. I was stupid.-

Connor still didn't say anything, he turned around to leave, he had heard enough lies....when Molly said something familiar he froze.

-You know what is in my heart, the mystery is in yours....- said Molly.

Connor turned around....Catlin had told him that once, there was no way she could know about that...-What did you say?- When he turned around, Molly was holding something in her hand...something covered in a piece of cloth.

She began to unwrap it. -I said....you know what is in my heart..the mystery is in yours.- She finished unwrapping it and it turned out to be his ring. Molly held it out in her hand.

Connor didn't dare to touch it. -Where did you find that?-

-Don't you want it?- asked Molly.

Connor looked like he was about to cry, -Where did you find it?-

-I didn't find it.- said Molly noticing the hurt in his eyes. -It was given to me....for you.-

Connor was outraged by this, he got closer to Molly, who still had her hand outstretched. He slowly picked the ring up from her hand. He backed away from her.

-You have come here to cause more pain.- said Connor holding the ring as if was Catlin.

-No.- said Molly whispering. -I came here to give you hope.-

-Hope? By taking the one thing I gave to Catlin before she died?- asked Connor, he hung his head down low.

Fergus and Tully heard the tone in his voice and immediately walked in. Tully noticed the ring in his hand. -Your ring.- said Tully to Connor

Fergus looked at Molly, -Did you give that to him?-

Molly didn't answer, now she looked ashamed.

-What's wrong with you girl?- asked Fergus.

-It was for hope!- said Molly crying....-Don't you see?-

Connor dropped the ring and left the hut. -Wait Connor!- Yelled Tully picking the ring up and running after him.

Fergus knelt down next to Molly, -Why did you do that? What is it you're not telling?-

-He's suffering so much Da, and because of me. He's suffering so much, he can't see the meaning of the ring.-

-Of course he knew the meaning, that's why he gave it to her.- said Fergus, not mentioning Catlin's name.

-Catlin.- said Molly.

-Aye.- said Fergus.

-She......she....- said Molly struggling to find the words.

-You don't have to talk about it lass.-

-I do.- said Molly. -I told Longinus I came here to destroy Connor.-

Fergus stood up. -And?-

-I haven't come here to destroy anyone, I had to undo a great wrong I did, no matter at what cost. I wanted to do what was right because I really do love him. Even though that love was never meant to be mine.-

-By handing him the ring? What good is that? She's dead.-

Molly looked up at Fergus....tears in her eyes..she didn't say anything...Fergus was confused...

Molly's tears streamed down her face. -Da....- She knew Longinus would keep his promise.

-Sweet Brigit.- said Fergus running out of the hut....looking for Connor and Tully.

-Da! Don't!- she yelled but with no avail.