Chapter 3

Ellie startled awake. She looked over to see that Jamie had awakened and was leaning over her, his curls tousled over his eye.

"What is it?" she asked, groggily. The moonlight shined brightly, the rain clouds finally shifting and the night clear. Clear but surprisingly cold. They had ridden hard another day and Eleanor had fallen asleep exhausted.

"Ye must have been havin a dream," Jamie said, "Ye were cryin in yer sleep."

Ellie reached up, feeling wetness on her face. She wiped the tears away, tasting saltiness on her lips. She had been crying, rather hard in fact. "I suppose I was crying."

He reached over to squeeze her hand, "Yer hands are like icicles, woman. Ye kicked off the blanket. No wonder yer dreams were fearsome. Do ye not remember it?"

"I don't really..." Ellie paused, somewhat disoriented. "I don't know exactly."

"Ye were singing something too..." Jamie prompted. "I couldna make it out."

Ellie paused and then struggled to sit up, "I'm sorry I woke you," she looked to where the others were still sleeping, "I'm glad I didn't wake the others." She looked sheepish and somewhat panicked. She did remember her dream, but she could not tell him the details. Her emotions were too raw. One slip and she would come to pieces, remember all that she lost in the past three days.

Jamie sensed her struggle. He stared at her for what seemed like minutes, his scrutiny intense, "What were ye singing, Eleanor?" he finally asked again. "I willna think less of ye for it."

She paused and the tears sprung back to her eyes, "I can't Jamie. Please don't ask me to."

"I ken yer holding something back, lass."

"Aye," she gave him a look in spite of her grief, which could only have been categorized in her time as sassy. "What of it?"

He chuckled and then reached to flick her cheek, "You can be prickly at times."

"You have learned that after only three days," She let out a breath, "that kind of doesn't speak well for me, does it?"

"Nah," Jamie said, with a grin, "It just means yer getting comfortable with me."

"I doubt I ever truly will be," Ellie retorted.

"I sincerely hope that is not the case, lass," Jamie retorted, "considering ye are bound to me now."

She paused at his words, reeled in her emotions and then offered, "I am afraid I have many faults, Jamie. I'm sure you will become all too familiar with them."

"As ye will with mine, I'm sure," Jamie said. "for I am bound to ye as well."

"You haven't exactly been forthcoming with me."

"I have a past, lass. And it isn't verra pleasant."

Eleanor bit her lip, "You don't have to tell me."

"Aye, just like ye dinnae have to tell me. I was just thinkin if it was makin ye so upset, ye would wanna talk about it. If if ye did, I would be willin to listen to ye if ye'd like."

She gave him a weak smile, "I will in time, it's just too soon, okay?"

He nodded, "Verra well then, let's go back to sleep."

She settled down next to him, the blanket and Jamie's immense body keeping her warm. "Jamie?"

"Aye, lass, what is it?"

"Your sister. How much will she grill us?"

"Grill us?" Jamie asked, "I dinnae ken what ye mean."

"Interrogate us."

"Ah, I ken yer meaning now. Quite a bit I suspect."

"I need a story, a convincing one. We need a story. You need to figure out why the hell you agreed to marry me."

"I already ken that Eleanor," Jamie said, quietly.

"Well, I don't know that. And she'll think I am taking advantage of you."

Jamie laughed, "I dinnae foresee that."

"Why is that?" Ellie demanded.

Jamie grew serious. "I'm not exactly a wealthy man anymore. I am without a clan, without land. My past will prohibit any worthy lady for wanting to marry," he paused, "unless she is from another century and desperate."

Ellie elbowed him hard in the side, "we can't exactly say that."

"Jenny kens my situation well. She will not begrudge yer marrit to me. She has been aching for me to be marrit for years."

"She'll know we don't love each other. She'll know I married you to survive."

Jamie paused, "Lass, there is nothin wrong with that. I once marrit a woman I loved, but it wasn't for love. Claire was marrit in her time, though I dinna ken it at the time. She marrit me to survive as well."

"You still ache for her, don't you?"

"I'll burn for that woman until my dyin day."

Ellie paused, weighing his words, "She must have been quite special then. Will you tell me more about her eventually?"

"Aye," Jamie said, pulling her closer, "Yer still cold. I willna bite," he said, as she stiffened slightly.

"I'm tired," she murmured. "I do not mean to fight you so, Jamie. I know you are trying to help. I'm just tired. I'm sorry."

"Aye, I'm sure ye are. Ye nearly fell asleep in yer supper earlier. Go to sleep, lass."

"Goodnight, Jamie."

"Goodnight, Eleanor."

Jamie sat beside her on the tree stump the next morning. "I'm going to ride ahead today."

Ellie tried to hold back her reaction. "Okay," she said slowly.

"Ye needn't fear. Yer safe with Murtagh and Fergus. Ye'll ride with Murtagh. I'll ride ahead and prepare Jenny fer yer arrival."

"If you think that is best," Ellie shifted gingerly, her still not used to the toll ride all day and sleeping on the ground at night was taking on her body.

Jamie stood, "I do. If I can make things easier on ye, lass, I want to. My sister is verra blunt at times."

"What will you tell her?"

"I'll tell her that ye lost yer family while traveling. Ye were in mourning when I happened upon ye and we came upon a mutually beneficial agreement since ye cannae afford to travel back to the colonies."

"And I don't have family there any longer."

"Aye, that's right."

"Will she suspect otherwise?"

"Nah," Jamie glanced at Murtagh who was preparing the horses. "It's a verra sensible story."

Eleanor looked at Murtagh as well. "If you say so. It seems rather absurd to me," she said, bluntly.

"It helps that yer a bonny one," Murtagh drawled, winking at her. "Jenny willna question Jamie's motives for bedding ye."

Ellie blushed, "I don't think I am, but thank you all the same for the compliment...at least I think that was a compliment," She avoided Jamie's eye.

"Ach, yer embarrassing Eleanor, Murtagh," Jamie said, lightly, "Perhaps, she is not accustomed to such talk in her time."

Murtagh snorted and Eleanor shifted, "In certain circles, some things transcend time, but then again, some things are also meant to be private," she gave Murtagh a look and he laughed harder.

Jamie tried to suppress his smile. "Dinnae fash, lass, all will be well," Jamie said, his hand lightly touching his arm. "I'll see ye soon." He left her to step over to confer with his godfather, before leaving them alone.

Eleanor stood and went over to Murtagh. "This will be okay, won't it?"

"Aye, lassie," Murtagh said, "The lad is wise to prepare his sister and not spring it on her."

Ellie petted the horse, gently. "Is Jenny really that bad?"

"Nah," Murtagh put a blanket on his horse, "she's just a Fraser with MacKenzie blood coursing through her."

"I'm not sure I understand what that means," Ellie said. "What does that mean?"

"Ye will in understand in due time, I'm certain of that, lassie," Murtagh chuckled.

Ellie took a breath, "Oh, Jesus, help me," she pleaded, under her breath.

Murtagh laughed as he got her down from the horse. "Be a brave lassie," he chided, with a poke. Ellie and Murtagh had talked easily on the whole ride to Lallybroch, much to Fergus's astonishment. Murtagh had taken warmly to Eleanor from since that first night, which had surprised both Jamie and Fergus. Eleanor was only too happy to have an ally in Murtagh, wisely judging that he was not a man to be trifled with.

While the rode, he had told her more of Scotland's story, the story of the clans- of the Frasers and the Mackenzies and more of his own life, leaving out the bits about Jamie, preferring the lad tell her himself. She in turn, offered more bits about herself and her time. It made the ride to Lallybroch seem quick.

"I'm glad you think this is so amusing," Ellie shot back at him, Fergus chuckling at their interaction.

He laughed harder as Jamie came out of the the big doors, followed by a small dark haired woman and a fair man, leaning on a cane.

"Eleanor," Jamie bounded down the stairs, lively. He seemed younger and at ease. Eleanor could tell the difference in her right away. She put a hand on her stomach, willing it to settle from the nerves that were welling up within her. He reached her and leaned into her ear, "Ye need to look a wee bit more sure of yerself, lass, tis not a trial, there will be no one grillin ye here," he whispered and then reached to grip her elbow. He turned to the others. "Allow me to introduce ye to my sister."

Jenny had come down the steps.

"Eleanor, this is my sister, Janet. Jenny, this is my wife."

"Welcome to Lallybroch," Jenny looked her over, with scrutiny. Ellie returned her gaze. They curtsied in greeting.

"It's really nice to meet you, Mrs. Murray," Ellie said, quietly, "Jamie has told me so much about you." The words hung in the air and Jamie exchanged a look with his godfather, who didn't keep his amusement hidden.

There was a tense moment of silence before Jenny broke it by snorting, "And that is why yer lookin so unsettled and Jamie had to ride ahead to prepare me," she put her hands on her hips, "I am not that fearsome, James Alexander Malcom Mackenzie Fraser."

Jamie shrugged, "I dinnae mean to imply..."

"I ken verra well what ye meant." She poked at his chest.

Eleanor suppressed a giggle at the interplay between siblings, "He just said you love him very much, Mrs. Murray," she offered.

Jenny met her gaze, "And he'd be right aboot that. Call me Jenny. May I call ye Eleanor?"

"Thank you and of course, though my close friends and family called me Ellie."

"Ellie. That's lovely," Jenny said. "Yer must be exhausted. From what the imp has said, ye have had quite the few days."

"It's been," Eleanor paused, searching for the words to adequately describe her past few days, "quite overwhelming at times," Her voice cracked.

Jenny held her gaze, studying her again. "Aye, I can only imagine." She suddenly took charge, looping her arm through hers, "Then lets get ye settled. I have a room all ready for ye and a bath to get the dust of the road off of ye. Ye'll feel much better." She stopped as they went past Ian, "This is my husband, Ian."

"It's nice to meet you as well," she said, with a warm smile.

"Likewise," Ian said, smiling in turn, as they passed.

Murtagh, Jamie and Ian watched the women go inside, chatting.

"What did ye say to yer sister, lad?" Murtagh asked, astounded, his arm around his godson.

"I just appealed to my sister's compassion," Jamie said, glancing at Ian, "after I threatened to be on her best behavior."

"It got loud at one point," Ian chuckled, "just as it is apt to do when Jamie and Jenny go to blows. But it seems as if my wife got the message."

"She's giving her a chance," Jamie said, "and I am grateful."

"I will make sure it is stayin that way," Ian said, "As much as I can. It must be hard bein in a new land without family to speak of. We are lookin forward to knowin her better."

"Thank you, Ian," Jamie gave him a grateful look, "I will take care of the horses and be in shortly. If ye see Eleanor, please tell her not to fash. I'll be with her shortly."

Ian nodded and left Murtagh and Jamie alone to go find Fergus, who had began to settle in the horses, "How was Ellie on the ride?"

"Talkative," Murtagh said. "And worried."

"She is more forthcoming with you than I at times," Jamie grunted.

"I'm not the one in control of her fate, lad," Murtagh said. "And she nae feel guilty with me."

Jamie let out a long breath. "Why did ye insist on this Murtagh?" Jamie asked.

"A lad needs a wife," Murtagh said.

"Like ye have one?" Jamie retorted.

"I am too auld now, but I would have if not fer yer father. And after yer mother, I dinnae think I could."

"After Claire, I feel the same way," Jamie admitted, "And yet, here is Eleanor, and fer some reason, we were drawn together."

"Claire is safe, lad, in her own time. Now it is time for ye to live in yer time. And protect this woman that yer were entrusted with for this time."

"Can I help?" Eleanor asked, the next morning, as Jenny juggled laundry and a cry pierced the room. She had settled into Lallybroch, eating supper with the others then retiring early, exhausted from the journey. By the time, Jamie came into the room, she was already fast asleep. When she awoke, Jamie was no where to be found.

"It's the bairn," Jenny said, "my first wee grandbairn."

"Oh my, he's precious." Ellie went over and began to rock the cradle, gently, but in a way, that caused Jenny to pause in her tracks with the laundry, "What's his name?"

"That be wee Henry. I'm just helpin out his poor exhausted mother. These first few weeks be the hardest for a new mother."

"Henry?" Ellie swallowed hard, "That's a good strong name," her voice cracked a bit.

"Aye," Jenny said, slowly, "Would ye like to hold him?"

"If that would help," Ellie said, and reached for the baby, cradling him against her and patting him, bouncing him around around the room, the baby instantly calming down.

"I'll be right back," Jenny said, her discerning eyes still on her, studying her and her way with the baby, "Ye sure ye don't mind watchin him for a moment?"

"Of course not," Eleanor said, "he seems content now."

"Aye," Jenny said, quietly. "that he does."

After Ellie chatted with Jenny, she went outside to find Jamie. The kids were running around, kids from the village coming up to play with Jenny's brood.

Murtagh was sitting on the steps, watching, when he noticed how Eleanor was looking at the children.

One of the children tugged at her skirts and Ellie leaned down to talk with the little girl who had tears spayed across her face, stooping down at her level. She brushed the dirt from her dress and gave her a quick hug, before sending her off.

He rose and made his way over to her, "Why dinnae ye say, lass?" Murtagh asked, quietly.

"Say what?" Eleanor asked.

"That ye had bairns at home."

Eleanor turned to him, shocked, "What makes you think that?"

"Just now, with the wee lass."

"I'm a teacher. I'm around children. That's my job."

"And bairns?" Murtagh asked quietly. "I saw ye with the bairn earlier when passing by the room. Yer were so taken with him, ye didn't even notice."

"Please don't tell Jamie," tears sprung to her eyes, "There is nothing I can do to change it."

Murtagh let out a breath, "Come, lass, we'll walk. It's time ye get a few things off yer chest."

"Do ye ken where Ellie is?" Jamie asked as he came behind his sister and gave her an affectionate kiss as she was peeling the potatoes with a knife.

Jenny gave a glance to Mrs. Crook who curtsied and then left them alone.

"Last I saw, she was with Murtagh," she wiped her hands on her apron, "But Jamie, why didn't ye say that she had bairns of her own?"

Jamie froze, "Why would ye think that?"

"The way she picked up wee Henry and settled him," Jenny titled her head, "Only a mother would know how to do that so well. New bairns are hard at first, it doesn't feel natural-like. But it was fer her. She's had one before. And then, right now. Wee un fell right in front of her and she brushed her off, dried her tears and sent her back off with a smile."

"She's been a governess before she was marrit," Jamie explained, casually. "She's been around the wee uns before."

"If you'd say," Jenny wiped her brow, "but I'm tellin ye James Fraser, shes borne bairns of her own. Ye asked me to trust ye, and I do. God kens how I would feel if I be in her place. I dinnae bregrudge her for marrin ye, it was the sensible thing to do. And Ellie seems quite sweet though I dinnae ken how that will work with the likes of ye..."

"Ach," Jamie frowned. "She can be prickly at times, just ye wait. It will come out. She likes her own way."

Jenny ignored him, "but if yer serious about yer marriage, ye need to try to ken her better. Ask her aboot the bairns and see what she says."

Jamie reached for the bread that was freshly made but Jenny swatted his hand, "That be for tonight, Jamie Fraser, to welcome yer wife properly. She said she slept well."

"Aye, she was asleep when I joined her."

Jenny paused in her peeling, "Ye look too well rested for newly marrit. Is the marriage even legal?"

"Ach, Janet," Jamie glared at her, "Ye would do well to mine yer own affairs."

"I'm just a concerned sister, James," Jenny said, resuming her peeling. "So ye haven't bed her yet?"

"Not that it is any of yer business, but our marriage is perfectly legal," Jamie retorted. "for being handfast that is."

"I see," Jenny said, casually, "Ye do know that if she recently lost her husband and her bairns," she said, ignoring his glare, "she isn't just gonna fall into passion with ye, no matter how appealing ye might be."

"I'm aware," Jamie said, "I willna force her again. That was a disaster."

Jenny paused and then glared at him, "Ye were nice to her, weren't ye, brother?"

"I perhaps could have been more so," Jamie admitted, his ears turning red. "Tis my shame to bear."

"Well," Jenny let out a breath, "Don't wait too long showing her that," she advised. "The longer ye do, the worse will come from it."

"I willna force a woman into my bed, Janet," Jamie said.

"Jamie," Jenny gave him a long suffering look, "I'm not sayin force, I'm sayin coax her. She's been wounded by this life. Yer all she has now. Allow her to lean on you and in turn perhaps ye can lean on her. Ye have been wounded too, you ken. There be a kindness to her, I see it in her eyes. It's why I am going to ken her better. I sense her ways are much different than ours."

"Ye can say that," Jamie muttered. "I'll talk to her, Janet. I appreciate yer kindness to her."

"Ach," Jenny replied, "she is my sister after all, even if is by handfastin. I thought ye dinnae approve of that."

"We were pressed for time," Jamie retorted, "and I did pledge before God, Janet. And I will honor that."

"I ken ye will," Jenny said, going over to cut a piece of bread and hand it to Jamie. "Go on with ye. I have work to do."

Jamie left his sister, determined that he would heed her advice and talk to Eleanor tonight. Jenny did have a sense of things and perhaps she was right. And if she was, he ken Eleanor's wounds at leaving her life ran far deeper than he thought.

A/N: Lallybroch! Thoughts?!