"You know about my name? You know the Disney Princess?" I asked hopefully as I stared up at the older woman. I took this chance to really look at the woman I believed to be as MacKenzie's or Dougal's or whatever he is called wife. She looked to be in her late 20s, her black hair curling around her head to her shoulders with a few knots and stray hairs stuck to her forehead. Paired with her amber looking eyes she was a rather attractive woman and I had no doubt she didn't have any trouble finding a husband.
"I remember those stories you know. Disney was never my favorite however. Tell me Aurora; did you touch the standing stones of Craig Na Dun? Is that how you got here Aurora?" Claire asked, leaning forward with a cup that she had filled with water. I nodded as she began to explain how she knew of these things. Should I believe this woman? I mean I did just meet her and why should I believe her? I mean really who would? Telling stories about time travel and such nonsense.
"How can I trust you Claire? How do I know that this isn't just some joke or something?" I asked, interrupting Claire's rant about how important it was for me to fit into this time. What time was it supposed to be now? What year is she convinced we are living in?
"Because I came from the future as well Aurora. I was born in 1918 for Christ's sake woman and when I touched those stones I was thrown back here to the 18th century. I understand what is happening and I am trying to help you," Claire cried out, clearly frustrated with my stubborn confusion as well as trying to keep her voice down over the rising noise that leaked from inside of the house. I squinted my eyes at the woman who now was grasping my shoulders. "When I left, we had just finished the Second World War. Hitler committed suicide and the U.S became a superpower. Please believe me Aurora, I can help you," Claire insisted, causing me to step back in unrenowned shock as she continued to rant about the things I had seen or heard before. Claire looked very frustrated, her cheeks and neck flushing red as she attempted to explain to me that she wasn't insane or a witch or whatever else you could call her. I swallowed deeply as I continued to watch the frantic woman.
"Claire," I attempted to interrupt her rant but my voice was no mathc for her rising one. I stepped back towards her and tried to grab her shoulders to steady her, "Claire. Claire! I believe you! I understand please just calm down!" I yelled. Just as the words had left my mouth I heard a cry ring out behind me. Turning to see what was happening, my eyes fell upon two horses that approached the small shack, both of them carrying men. Claire reacted quickly, in a manner that made me assume she was waiting for these men to arrive, walking back to the door as she grasped my hand in hers again.
"Where have you been you fools? We though you were as good as dead," Claire called as the men stopped their horses in front of the house. I let my eyes scan over the two men, the first looked much like the man who had met MacKenzie and myself in the woods, dark and dirty, but the other man looked different. He had fiery red hair; I could see that even in the accumulative darkness. Although I could also see some auburns and browns as well, I went ahead and labeled him as a red head at least until I could take the time to see what his hair really contained. The second thing I noticed was his arm. He looked to be in great pain seeing as his shoulder looked to be severely dislocated, the ball of the joint pushed out against the skin in a grimy sight.
"Would ye stop ranting for a second and let me get Jamie? He needs some help if ye would shut yer trap for a wee second so I can do my work. Then you can go on groveling ye dumb woman," the man mumbled mostly to himself as he jumped off of his own horse. Claire only responded with a sly roll of her eyes as she walked towards the injured man, Jamie. She was followed by the unknown man continued to glare at her even as he assisted Jamie off of his horse. From what I could tell all of these people had very odd relationships with each other, save the obvious elephant in the room, which may possibly be me.
"Jamie? What on earth have you done now?" Claire inquired as the man stumbled off of the horse, making it easier for all of us to see the extent of his injury. I gasped slightly at the enlarged muscles of his shoulder, the prodding bone forcing them to swell and push out further most likely.
"Just a wee bit of a jostle. Nothing too bad. Who is this?" Jamie asked, looking up to notice me. His eyes stayed locked on my own as Claire began to fuss over his shoulder, only when Claire looked over at me as if asking for some type of assistance did I gain the ability to tear my eyes away from his dark blue ones.
"Aurora would you mind helping me? It will take quite a bit of effort to reset his joint and with how far the muscles have swollen, I'm not sure if I have the appropriate strength to move it alone," Claire stated, motioning for the other man to help Jamie inside as she took one last glance at his shoulder. I stood frozen for a moment as the man grumbled something in a foreign language and proceeded to throw one of Jamie's arms around his shoulder. As he moved past me back into the small shack, I felt Jamie's eyes on me, his broad frame seeming to curve back to glance at me before the door closed and Claire moved to stand beside me.
"I think I could help. I used to study with a doctor and he taught me about manual healing and herbs. God I never even imagined I would have to used those types of things," I muttered under my breath as I glanced up at the sky, remembering the old Doctor. God if he could see me now.
"Good. It's about time I get some help around here. These Scots seem to have no knowledge of pain or injuries. One could have a hand chopped off and deny any medication because he's too tough for berries and herbal mixtures," Claire scoffed as she pulled up the many layers of her dress so they weren't too caught in the mud. Then did I realize what I was wearing, in my own time my skirt and summer cardigan may seem conservative but I could tell based off of Claire's clothes that here it was far from that. Claire gently placed a hand on my shoulder, as if she was able to sense my upcoming panic. "Don't worry dear, as soon as we take care of Jamie I will make sure to catch you up on everything. I have a few extra dresses as well that you can borrow until we get back to Leoch," she assured me. I nodded even though the name of our destination was unfamiliar and seemed to make my head throw up a red flag. I smiled despite my unease and took a deep breath, exhaling as quick as I inhaled.
"Well let's go see if we can fix him up shall we," I said, offering my arm to the woman who smiled back at me, the only person whom I felt like I could trust. Well other than the MacKenzie man, he seemed rather protective and trustworthy. He may even prove to be a useful ally in these coming days here, or however long I'm stuck in this old, and rather fascinating world.