Jocelyn stepped out of the carriage and from the confines of her hood she peered around the farm. It was not a farm in the true sense, but a country estate with a large cottage, stables and several out buildings that housed animals and all manner of farming equipment. Taking in the sight and smells she had long ago forgotten she smiled broadly, as the happy memories she gained at this tranquil place came flooding back. The reminiscing woman spied the stable, she walked over to it and stroked the rough and splintered wood of the handle. Jocelyn was about to open the door when a voice called from behind her,

"Can I help you milday?"

The tone of the voice was warm but cracked with age, but it made Jocelyn smile and sigh contentedly. She had feared him to be dead, but the voice she now heard was most unmistakably Tristan de Clement.

"No Tristan," She answered without turning to face him,

"Forgive me, do I know you?" Tristan replied curiously.

"You did once."

Turning around to face her former master, her friend, Jocelyn lowered her hood to reveal her face to him at last. Tristan was old, much older and greyer than she remembered him. But he still had the same caring and worn face that she had come to love when they last knew on another.

"Jocelyn! Oh my sweet girl, welcome home!"

Tristan struggled to hide the excitement in his voice as he spoke. For he was both excited and relieved to find his former student return safely. The old soldier and young woman embraced one another like father and daughter. Jocelyn cried with mirth as she felt the once hardened soldier's hands lovingly hold her.

"Tristan may I impose on you for a short while?" Jocelyn asked nervously.

The old man held her at arm's length and smiled warmly, "Of course my child. Must you even ask?"

"I must." She answered more seriously.

The former master mistook her tone and frown appeared on his brow, emphasising the already deep lines on his face.

"There is something you must know." Jocelyn said.

She walked briskly back toward the carriage and using the step as leverage, reached inside the cab and pulled out what appeared to be a bundle. As Jocelyn lifted the package carefully, a loud ear piercing shriek came from inside, but was soon soothed by her tones.

Tristan did not need to ask what it was he was certainly no fool. However his first thought went to the child's father and mother. Jocelyn had been abroad almost six years, although he did not know where she had been he knew she was smart and resourceful enough to not get into that sort of trouble.

As Jocelyn walked back towards her old friend, carrying the child carefully in her arms she felt her heart pound in her chest. She had no idea how she was going to break the news to Tristan. Stopping in front of him the young woman tried to steady her breathing as she explained,

"This is Clarie. My daughter. Your granddaughter Tristan."

Tristan looked astounded and was about to ask how before Jocelyn cut him off,

"We need a place to stay. Will you help us?"

Jocelyn handed Clarie over to her grandfather and watched as the once hardened soldier melted as the child smiled up at him as if she knew they were related, as if she knew he would accept and protect her.

o0o

"Clarie, come in now."

"Yes papa."

Clarie was playing with her wooden horses and cart. Playing the games that only children of six years old understand. The little girl stood up from the ground, dust the earth from her skirts and began to race towards her grandfather.

"Don't forget Gisele." He shouted from the kitchen door.

With a look of shock she retraced her steps and picked up the wooden doll that he had made for her, complete with matching petticoat and mop cap that her mother had sewn. Running towards her house, her grandfather picked her up with both arms and she kissed him sweetly on the cheek.

"Thank you." He chuckled.

As they shut the door behind them, Clarie sat down at their kitchen table and placed Gisele next to her on the bench. Leaning on the oaken surface the eager child watched as her grandfather busied himself and set the table for supper.

"Elbows Clarie!" A softer voice scolded.

"Mama."

The little girl jumped down from the bench and rushed toward her mother. Jumping into her arms she tucked both legs around her waist and the woman hugged her closely.

"Did you miss me?" Clarie asked eagerly,

"Of course. Every minute I was gone, I thought of nothing but you, Did you?"

"Oh yes mama!"

Jocelyn snuggled her face close to her daughter taking in her scent then smothered her with kisses.

"Your supper Clarie," grandfather stated,

The sweet girl jumped down from her mother's arm, retook her place at the table and began to tuck into the meal that the elderly man had prepared. It was a simple meal of soup and bread. Although Jocelyn had money and estates she had kept these hidden from Clarie since her birth. The once Countess wanted her child to grow up humbly and keep her past a secret. In her own way she believed she was protecting the girl from the danger that knowledge would surely bring.

"Were you successful?" Tristan asked unexpectedly,

The woman merely shook her head, she didn't want to discuss these matters in front of her daughter, but the little girl was intelligent and had not missed a beat.

"What mama?"

"Nothing darling. Now I want to hear all about what you have been up to."