A/N: Hello everyone, you are having a good week so far. I have a new chapter for you guys. I didn't realize how long this chapter was until I looked at the word count (I usually don't look until I'm about to upload it) So I ended up splitting the chapter into two so the next one should be upload either later today or tomorrow.

Now, there's a lot of new names and people being introduced in this chapter and will continued to be introduced in the new few chapters. I will try and make it simply when writing about them. However, if you need help remembering who is who; the story is inspired by the Highland Guard series so all the information of the characters are from the series (I do not own the series so they don't belong to me). So if you ever need to remember who is who, just look up Highland Guard series and you'll be able to find all the characters and their information.

I hope I explained that good. Also, there's Gaelic and lots of it. Don't worry, I put the translation right with it.

Enjoy the chapter

Chapter 33: Meeting the Phantoms

The long ride was torture, the saddle not feeling at all comfortable after over 10 hours of riding. He had refused to take a break halfway, wanting to get back and in the arms of his wife, as well as the comfort as a bed. Ignoring how much his body wanted a break from riding or to take a nap, he pressed on. With the mountains coming into view, he knew he was almost there.

"Faisg air an sin! (Nearly there!)" He shouted behind him to the group of men who were eager to get back as well. A loud cheer erupted from them as they rode through the dense trees. Their cheer could be heard from the campsite, a signal that they were here. Appearing from the trees, they could see a large crowd forming to welcome them back. Everyone had stopped whatever they were doing to welcome their warriors back. Several cheers ran out as the group halted their horses and dismounted. Right away, his eyes found the one person he was looking form. Once off his horse, he quickly rushed to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Fàilte air ais mo ghràdh (Welcome back my love)" She said in his ear, hugging him tight. Whispering something into her ear, she giggled as she pulled away. Taking his head, she led him through the crowd and away to their tent. The others watched as their chief walked away, knowing where they were going. Walking through the camp, he passed Erik's tent just as Christine and Meg came out. His eyes widen as he spotted the English princess and stopped, causing his wife to notice and stop as well. "Tor?"

"Dè tha i a 'dèanamh an seo?" He asked, his voice hard and not happy. Glancing in the direction he was looking, she understood what he meant.

"Chaidh a toirt am braighdeanas aig aon de Erik aig creach. (She was taken hostage during one of Erik's raid." She answered.

"Bhràigh? (Hostage?)" He repeated, making her nod. "Tha fhios aig Erik mo riaghailt mu dheidhinn sin. (Erik knows my rule about that)" He sighed. "Càite bheil e a-nis? (Where is he now?)" He asked his wife. She looked at him, a slight disappoint on her face now.

"Tha an loch. (The lake)" She answered. Without another word, he headed towards the lake. Watching him go, she sighed. She would have to now wait until afterwards. This was another reason she hated his role as chief, but she had learned to deal with it. With her plan now halted, she went back to Hall to help prepare the food for the celebration.

Heading towards the lake, he couldn't believe Erik disobeyed his order. Out of all the warriors, he always trusted Erik to follow the rules. He hoped Erik had a good explanation for this or else he would have Erik's head and even Bruce wouldn't stop him. Arriving at the lake, he spotted Erik by the water. He must have just finished his swim and was getting dressed.

"What the bloody hell where you thinking?!" Tor practically yelled at him. Turning around to see his chief standing there and the tone wasn't very friendly.

"I take it you know." Erik said, wishing he could have told Tor himself.

"Aye, I know. I saw her coming out of your tent." He said. "And right now, I am waiting for a damn explanation for why the princess of England is walking around the camp with Saint's wife." Sighing, he grabbed his shirt and put it on.

"It was an accident, I never intended on taking hostages, especially her. We attacked a castle that her father happen to be staying at." Tor rolled his eyes, knowing Erik couldn't resist a tougher challenge. "I didn't know his daughter and nephew were with him. When we attacked, my men found his nephew and I knew having him as a hostage would give us an advantage." And he was right. "However, I didn't expect her to try and rescue him. I didn't know who she was at the time, but when I later learned I originally planned on letting her go." He explained. He continued to explain as Tor listened. His eyebrows rose when he learned that William managed to escape thanks to Christine's planning. Once Erik finished, he waited for Tor's response.

"Have you sent word to Gustave?" He asked Erik.

"Yes, we're waiting for a respond now." He answered. Sighing, his anger simmered down now that he knew the whole story.

"And you are sure she won't try and run off?" He asked.

"I am sure, especially now with all of us here."

"She doesn't know about you, does she?" He shook his head.

"No, she knows nothing. She might have her guesses, but I have hid any evidence of that from her."

"Good. We do not need her to find out about us."

"Yes, sir."

"I still am not happy about the situation but there is nothing that can be done now." Erik only nodded. "I just hope all of this is worth it."

"So do I." Erik said. Tor nodded as he started to turn away. Erik watched as his chief walked away, back towards the camp. He said where he was, thinking. He hope all of this was worth it, in more ways than one. Though a part of him wanted all of this to be war, a part of him didn't want to see her go. No matter how much he forced himself to stay away from her, she couldn't leave his thoughts. Keep your distance, Erik. If you don't, it will only be harder to say goodbye. He knew he couldn't only stay away for so long before he would lose all power to.

Celebrations began and every member of camp was there. The Hall filled with food and drinks for everyone, tables out for people to sit and eat. While some were in the Hall, others were out in the clearing where musicians had set up to play for people to dance to. Christine sat in the Hall, by herself at a table. She knew Meg was with her husband who Meg wanted Christine to meet. Finishing off the food on her plate, she glanced around at the people in the Hall. She definitely felt left out; well she was the only Englishwoman in a Scottish camp. She was the outlander.

"Christine!" Hearing her name, she looked over to see Meg waving her hand, motioning her to come over. Since she was finished with her food, she got up and walked over to the doorway where Meg and a very large man was standing. The man had to be around Erik's height, maybe just a little shorter. His hair almost matched her chocolate locks, though not as curly. She could tell that he had recently shaved, maybe when he got back earlier today. Coming closer, she noticed his light brown eyes, almost like a caramel color. "Christine, I'd like you to meet my husband, Magnus Mackay." Meg introduced them. Magnus Mackay? I have heard that name somewhere before…She thought as she shook the strong man's hand.

"So the rumors are true." He said in a think Scottish accent.

"Rumors?" She repeated, a little confused on what he meant.

"That Erik managed to capture the princess of England." He answered. "He really outdid himself."

"He certainly did, though I'm sure he couldn't resist her beauty." Another man said as he approached them. Looking at him, Christine had to look up again. His dark blond hair was shorter than Mackay and Erik, but had eyes similar to Erik's. As usually, he was tall and big, something Christine was starting to notice with these men.

"Christine, this is Erik MacSorley." Meg introduced them. His name too sounded familiar but Christine couldn't remember where she heard it.

"Pleasure to meet you, sir." She held out her hand.

"Pleased to meet you as well." Taking his hand, his brought it up to his lips. "Never thought we'd meet the princess of England, especially as a hostage. Though for a hostage, you sure are getting treated like one." MacSorley commented.

"I am surprised Tor is allowing this, with his rules. The Chief must be going soft." Mackay commented. So this Tor guy must be the chief…but of what?

"Well if I recall, you were just as ruthless as Tor until you met me." Meg said, glancing up at her husband. "We women have a way of turning even the toughest of warriors into the gentlest of men." Mackay rolled his eyes as MacSorley shook his head. "Oh Hawk, I'm sure Ellie would agree with me." Hawk? What is with all these names? Meg giggled as she looked at Christine who had a confused look on her face. "Why don't we go outside?" Meg suggested. Agreeing, Christine followed the three of them outside towards the clearing where most of the camp was. As she walked, she noticed people still staring at her. Maybe it was because she was walking with MacSorley or because she still was an English woman in a Scottish camp. Either way, she was getting rather annoyed by al the stares.

At one point, MacSorley left the small group to go find his wife. Now Christine felt like a third wheel with Meg and her husband. However, Meg still included her in all conversations, not matter who with. Even her husband talked to her which surprised her a little.

"Had Boyd been treating you good?" Mackay asked Christine.

"Yes he has, minus the time he has yelled at me…and the slap on the behind when he captured me." Christine still remembered that, the hard slap.

"A slap on the behind is more of a discipline rather than anything. You must have been doing something to cause it."

"Well the kicking and screaming may have something to do with it." Mackay chuckled as Christine's respond.

"Aye, that would do it. He hasn't done it again, has he?" Christine shook his head.

"No he hasn't."

"I would hope so." Their heads turned to see a man approach them. Christine's mouth slightly parted as her eyes gazed at the man in front of her. This man could easily rival Erik with his built. His long strands of gold stopped around his shoulders, a slight wave to them. His eyes, the cerulean blue that just made his appearance more striking. Are all Scots this striking and rough looking?

"Chief…" Mackay bowed his head slightly, a sign of respect. Christine knew that this man had power and was well respected.

"Chief?" She repeated, making him nod. "So you are…" She tried reminding the name. "…Tor?"

"Aye, lass. Tormad MacLeod." He said his full name, making Christine's eyes widen. That was a name she knew, almost as well as Erik's. She had heard many stories of the MacLeod clan. They had a reputation of being ruthless in warfare, one of the more powerful clans in Scotland.

"Tormad MacLeod?" She repeating, hopefully pronouncing his name correctly.

"Aye, your highness."

"Oh please, call me Christine."

"Very well, Christine." He glanced at Mackay. "Aon mhionaid aonar. (One moment alone)" She couldn't miss the authoritative tone. Mackay nodded and walked away, giving them privacy. Christine looked nervously at Tor. Though she knew he wouldn't do anything, she still feared him. "Had I known of what happened, I would never have allowed Erik to bring you here. I have very strict rules, even when it comes to hostages."

"Don't put the blame on Erik. It's as much my fault as his. He intended on letting me go, but…well as you can tell, it didn't happen. I admit, I tried escaping a few times."

"Yes, Erik told me the whole story. And I must say, I'm quite impressed." To have Tormad MacLeod say that was huge and something Christine would never forget. "As much as I can understand the position Erik was in, I still am against female hostages. All my men know that." She only nodded. "However, we cannot change the past. Erik will face his consequen-" Christine's eyes widen.

"Oh no, sir. Please don't punish Erik for something I caused." He begged him.

"Erik has already accepted." Sighing, she only nodded. "For an English woman, you sure care about us Scots a lot." She looked at him, knowing she did care about them a lot, more than most would.

"So I have been told." She said.

"Hmm…well I will let you enjoy the celebration. If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask. You have nothing to fear from us…Nach eil a h-uile sgeulachdan mu bhòcain a tha fìor. (not all the ghost stories are true)" Titling her head, she unsure what he said.

"Thank you, sir." He nodded slightly before walking away. Watching him walk away, Christine couldn't help but wonder. All these men, the warriors…why had they all gathered here? Yes, this was a safe place where they could hide from the English. But surely they must know of the Phantoms that roam the forests. But they seem like they don't fear anything. Only the Phantoms fear nothing...Wait, could these men be? Shaking her head, she scoffed at her thoughts. There was no way she could be at a Phantom camp and still be alive. The thought of these men being the legendary Phantoms was ridiculous. However, she knew they were all hiding something…but what?

As I said before, new characters were introduced like Tor, MacSorley and Mackay. Now, I will be using their actual names and their nicknames throughout the story now. If you wants, I can put their names in () next to it to help, only if you guys want me to. I have no problem doing that, just let me know.

Reviews are welcome : )