A/N: This chapter deals with childhood violence and rape. If you are sensitive to or have triggers of some kind, please by pass the part in italics. If you are currently, have been, or know someone who is a victim of rape please call the RAINN hotline.

I must always give thanks to my amazing beta ladies- Ninmesarra and Prettyflour. You guys are amazing!

And last but not least: No infringement is intended on S. Meyer's work… and on to the story…

~*HR*~

Rosalie and Emmett rejoiced as they watched Victoria leave the keep from the tower window. Rosalie almost giggled she was so giddy with the relief of finally being rid of that witch. While they still didn't know why she had mixed a poultice to try and poison Bella, Edward, Rosalie, and Emmett were all so very glad to see her go.

Jacob the Black would be following her from afar, to see where exactly she ended up going. He was going to try to stay far enough away that she didn't see him, but close enough that he could see her. They had to get to the bottom of this mystery.

Rosalie was surprised as Emmett scooped her up in a bear hug and spun her around until she was dizzy. He smacked a wet kiss against her cheek as he shouted jubilantly, "We're finally rid of the bitch!"

Rose laughed at his silliness and ran from the room declaring a need to check on Esme Alice. She heard Emmett's pounding footsteps in pursuit and sped up. When she reached the hall, she was forced to come to a sudden stop, causing Emmett to crash into her from behind. He caught her around the waist before she hit the floor.

Emmett gazed at Rosalie in concern as all the color in her beautiful face drained away. She looked as though she might pass out. He quickly led her to a chair by the fireplace and motioned for a tankard of mead to be brought to her. His eyes widened as she downed it in one long drink. She pulled him to stand where she couldn't be seen by the visitors. When he glanced back down at her, he was surprised to find her trembling like a leaf in the wind. She was rocking back and forth slightly, seemingly lost in her own mind.

Rosalie was being bombarded by the vicious memories of her painful childhood.

At five years of age she'd been captured by her uncle's enemy. They'd taken her to their laird as a gift. They'd known he'd had a sickness and appetite for beautiful young children. And of course, Rosalie had been the most beautiful child any of them had ever seen.

A maid had taken her to the kitchens for a bath and to dress in a thin chemise. She had looked beyond saddened at what Rosalie's fate would be. Rosalie herself felt sick.

Someone led her to a darkened chamber and ordered her to rest. She'd lain there with tears seeping from her clenched eyes. She was completely terrified of what was going to happen to her. She prayed and begged, pleading for God to somehow save her from whatever fate had sentenced her to.

After an hour or so had passed, she heard steps stopping outside the door. Then it swung open, revealing a huge beast of a man. He was ugly the ugliest thing she'd ever set eyes on.

Rosalie began to shudder in fright. She was almost paralyzed by the fear she had of this stranger. She could tell by looking at him that he was a bad man. All she wanted was to wake up from this nightmare and see her mother and father again.

The pain she'd experienced that night had led to her blacking out to escape it. Unfortunately, that was only the beginning of the torture she suffered there.

Emmett was becoming increasingly worried about Rosalie. She'd begun crying but a few seconds after she'd finished the mead. He crouched beside her, careful to continue shielding her from whatever had her so broken. Then a slow keening sound began to come from her throat. He picked her up and cradled her against his chest. He made sure that the unexpected visitors couldn't see her face and took her to her chamber upstairs. He sat down on the small chair beside her bed and gripped her hand.

"Rosalie?" he questioned quietly. When there was no answer, he tried again, "Rose? What is causing this distress? What can I do for you?"

Rosalie finally inhaled a deep breath and released it with a shudder from her lungs. She opened her eyes and began to tell Emmett the story of her childhood. How she'd spent every day of what should have been her childhood. With every word she spoke, Emmett's expression grew fiercer and his eyes grew darker with his silent rage.

When she'd finished detailing how she'd escaped, she stopped and took a drink of the water she hadn't seen Emmett fetch her. After she'd swallowed, she chanced a glance at him. She was confused by his expression. Most people that knew her story had looked at her with hatred and as though she had been to blame, but Emmett's eyes were full of compassion and anger.

"I am so sorry that ye had to suffer through that alone. I'll kill the villain that did that to ye and then I'll kill the ones what took ye to him and offered ye up like a lamb to the slaughter. I have a feeling that is nae all the pain ye had to suffer either, is it?"

She shook her head negatively and he sighed his frustration. He was enamored with this strong, beautiful, intelligent woman that was before him. He couldn't imagine someone going through what she went had and not curling up and dying or going completely mad. He admired the courage she had to keep facing every day during the darkest times of her life.

Rosalie watched as the emotions played over his face before she started talking again, "If ye want to kill the bastards, ye have nae got far to look, Emmett."

His expression again grew furious. "One of these days, I want to hear the rest of ye're story Rosalie, but for now, I want to ye tell me how ye ken they are nae far from here."

She closed her eyes and whispered I abject horror, "They are ye're surprise visitors."

Emmett disappeared as soon as she spoke the words. She could hear him shouting for Edward to meet him in the solar.

~*HR*~

Edward was seething when Emmett finished telling him Rosalie's story. It was no wonder she hardly ever smiled. Then, Emmett dropped the rest of the hammer when he told him that their guests were the ones that had held her captive and used and abused her child's body and deprived her of her innocence in the most brutal way imaginable.

Edward and Emmett returned to Rosalie's chamber because the laird had some questions for her. "Rosalie, first I am so sorry that ye had to suffer so as such a wee lass. The sick bastards that wounded ye will pay for it, I vow it. But I need ye tell me how ye ken it is those men that did it to ye."

Rosalie closed her eyes and replied, "The laird… H-h-he had nay hair and evil, black, beady eyes. His skin was chalky and his teeth were half gone- the teeth he still had were black and rotting. There was a set of three scars that were slashed across his face as though someone had taken chunks out of his flesh with their fingernails. He was huge. And the ugliest thing I'd e'er seen." She inhaled a shaky breath, "He had the scars dinnae he?"

Edward's eyes closed and he nodded once before ordering Emmett to rejoin him in the solar. Emmett kissed Rose's cheek and assured her that he'd not be gone long.

They strategized a way to rid the earth of the foulness that was currently gracing the halls of their home. Edward didn't care that he was being the epitome of rude behavior by ignoring the offensive swine. Emmett and Edward sent Michel to count the number of men the new enemy had with them. He returned telling them that he had fifty men within the walls that were not MacCullens. But that there were two regiments of fifty each outside the walls as well.

It seemed these people were gearing up for battle. Well, Edward and Emmett were itching for a good, bloody battle now as well. As long as it wasn't MacCullen blood being spilled.

After another hour had passed, Edward lit the torch on the wall signaling to the closest neighboring clan that they had trouble and to send some extra help. The Piersons were always spoiling for a fight; they may as well help them. Not to mention, that the watchers in the woods they had set up, reported two other contingents camped inside the forest numbering the same amount of men, carrying the lout's colors. They really were going to declare war.

Edward rejoined the unwelcome visitors while Emmett returned to Rosalie.

~*HR*~

A/N: So…. I told you we'd hear from Rosalie's past so that we'd be able to understand her better. Do you hate me for it? Please drop me a line and let me know if you're still with me. I will promise an HEA, but there is always angst and healing to do before we get there. Not to mention a battle that's going to happen…