Je Suis Prest – Godfathers Rule
Murtagh watched as Jamie closed the door behind them as they left the tavern. Claire turned right, pointing them back in the direction of her flat. Murtagh observed what was now a routine for his godson. Jamie took Claire's hand in his and pulled her to his side, always keeping himself between her and the street. If something were to come at them, Jamie would be able to push Claire up against the building, pivot, draw his weapon and place himself between Claire and whatever was coming; never having to worry that something could come at them from behind. Murtagh smiled with the understanding that it was probably not even a conscious decision on the lad's part, his natural instincts were just take'n over. Protect Claire, and now the bairn, at any and all costs.
He ken the way they were together. He had been watching. Always touching, their hands always in contact with each other. Even when they were in conversation with someone else, somehow their fingers seemed to not rest, constantly moving, wandering until ones fingers found the others. Their bodies never completely relaxing until their hands were content. That need for touch. He had seen it all before. They reminded him of Ellen and Brian, in so many ways. He reached a decision, made up his mind, he would help Jamie and Claire the same way he'd helped Ellen and Brian - any way that they needed him to.
He had come to visit his Uncle's wife, Glenna FitzGibbons. Now Glenna FitzGibbons MacKenzie. Glenna was his mother's youngest brother's wife. The uncle had deid not too many years ago, and Glenna wed a 2nd time, to one of Jacob MacKenzie's tackman. She had started out as a kitchen maid but over the years, found herself now a cook at Castle Leoch.
She ken Murtagh, at age 24, was still single and look'n for a bride. She wrote, ask'n him to come for a visit, see the sights, as it were. While sit'n in the kitchen, eating a bannock, fresh from the ovens, Murtagh had seen Ellen Caitriona Sileas Mackenzie, for the first time. She was the wildest creature his eyes had ever beheld. Tall as a man, flowing red hair, like her father and gray eyes that could pierce a man's soul. One look and he was loon over her. Could'na take his eyes off her. He remembered Glenna cuff'n him upside the heid and tell'n him...
"Sorry ma wee laddie. She is meant for somethi'n more than the likes of yoo. She's the laird's oldest and will be a Laird's wife, if her father finds someone she'll have. She's an aulde maid of two and twenty now and has turned down half a dozen suitors already. Now let me introduce ye ta Morag..." and she dragged Murtagh out to the Great Hall.
The lass Glenna wanted him to meet was a kitchen maid helping to serve breakfast.
He had sought Ellen out as soon as he managed to get away from Morag. Found her at the stables after breakfast, readying her horse for a ride. He just saddled his horse and followed her, never introducing himself or asking if she wanted company. They rode the hills for hours, nary a word passed between them. Finally she stopped at a small burn, dismounted and hobbled her horse. She removed her boots, and with not the slightest hesitation, slipped off her woolen leggings, hiked her emerald green skirts up above her knees and walked into the water. Not giving a moments concern about the indecency of what she was doing. She just stood there in the middle of the stream, standing as the water swirled around her legs and lifted her face to the sun. He ken right then and there she was a nymph. A water nymph for sure. And she was letting him see her for what she truly was. His horse hobbled as well, he just fell flat on his arse and watched her. Mesmerized.
She stood like that for he ken not how long then spoke... "As fheàrr dlùth do bheul agad, squiridh tu ribe cuileagan, Murtagh FitzGibbons Fraser" turned and smiled at him. (best close your mouth, you will trap flies).
Murtagh could feel the heat of his blush rise as he closed his mouth at her instructions. She ken his name. How did she learn that he wondered. To this day he never knew. Was never brave enough to ask her.
They spent most of the day there. Words were not needed, they just sat in each others company. They rode back to Castle Leoch together, not side by side but he behind her in single file, protecting her back. She would look back and smile at him every once and awhile.
They did this for 3 consecutive days. On the fourth, when Murtagh approached the barn, he ken something was amiss. It was quiet, nary a sound. Much too quiet for a barn in the early morning with all the work that needed to be done. He approached with stealth. Crossing the threshold, senses alert and hand at the ready on his dirk hilt, when suddenly there came the sound of voices.
"...nach urrainn dhut innse dhomh dè nì Dùghal" Ellen was calmly but emphatically saying as she was saddling her horse. (you can not tell me what to do Dougal)
"Tha urrainn dhomh. Mise do bhràthair ghiùlan agaibn a 'nochdadh ai dhuinn uile, Ellen" Dougal stated with authority he had no claim to. (Yes I can. I am your brother. Your behavior reflects on us all, Ellen).
"Athair fios aig" Ellen spoke softly but with defiance. "Murtagh Fraser ithe agus 'se caraid agus bidh sinn a' marcachd, òl còmhla mar a tha sinn marsin 'taghadh. Daoine a leigeil a bruidhinn. S coma leam." (Father knows. Murtagh Fraser is a friend and we will ride, eat and drink together, if we so choose. Let people talk. I do not care.).
Ellen MacKenzie was bonnie, fierce, could ride a horse as well as any man Murtagh ken, drank whiskey and she had called him friend. He held his head up high and boldly strode into the barn. He fetched his horse and rode away with Ellen.
That day when Ellen spoke while she stood in the water, Murtagh replied and, thanks to Dougal MacKenzie, a friendship was openly acknowledged between them.
Three days later, with sadness in his heart he rode away, back to his father at Beauly Castle. His own good mother had died. He would not see Ellen again for 2 years, until The MacKenzie Gathering.
It was the 1st night of the MacKenzie Gathering. The Clan had assembled in the Great Hall not to pledge fealty to the Laird but rather to decide who would next lead. Jacob MacKenzie had died suddenly of fever that previous winter and this Gathering was to decide who The MacKenzie'ssuccessor would be. Murtagh's cousin, Brian Fraser had accompanied him. He was glad of it; Brian was good company on the road. Brian Fraser was the Aulde Fox's bastard son. His mother was a kitchen maid at the castle, but the aulde man had acknowledged Brian as a product of his spilled seed. No more but better that most bastards received for at least Brian ken who his father was and he and his mother had roof over their heids and food in their bellies. The Aulde Fox had not tossed him out into the cold and left to die.
Between the MacKenzies and the Frasers, there was no friendship; Jacob and Lord Lovat had no accord. Only respect. Lovat had sent Murtagh, along with Brian, to make note of which side each Clan pledged Fielty to. Lovat wanted to ken which Clans backed Colum and which backed Dougal andwhich of the two ultimately succeeded their father. Or, better yet Lovet thought, if the Clan themselves divided between the two brothers. Split the Clan, that idea had made Lovat smile; divide and conquer. The Fox ken there would be no other contenders. Murtagh and Brian were to return as soon as a decision was reached or war broke out amongst the Clan. When Brian and he arrived at Castle Leoch, Brian had compared it to the Montagues slipping into the Capulets Celebration.Murtagh, at the time, did not realize just how close to the truth that statement would truly be.
Jacob's wife, Anne, had died ten years before not too long after giving birth to the youngest of their six children, Jocasta. The Ellen was the oldest child and, if truth be told, she was smarter that either of her two brothers and the apple of her father's eye. She was 24 at the time of Jacob's demise and at The Gathering. Old for an unwed lass but her father had never forced her to wed where her heart would not let her. All suggested suitors had been met and turned away. The oldest son and two years younger than Ellen, Colum, would have easily been the obvious choice as successor, but at 18, a fall from his horse had left him with both legs broken. They never seemed to heal correctly, becoming bent and bowed with time. The older Colum became the more decay seemed to befall his lower limbs. The legs pain was constant. By the time of the Gathering he was struggling to walk and it was certain he would never ride again. Could, or rather should, he be Laird was what every man at the Gathering was arguing. How could he ever collect the rents that were due, effectively protect the lands or lead the clan into battle. He had been a tall, strapping lad, both smart and well educated but, all agreed, but down right conniving, if truth be told. Now most looked on him with nothing more than pity, for what Colum might have been. The younger of Ellen's two brothers, Dougal, only a year behind Colum in age, was hot heided and now that his father was deid, he was becoming well known for an uncontrolled mean streak. It was Dougal's way or suffer the consequences. If only Colum had Dougal's body or Dougal had Colum's mind. Alone neither would be an ideal leader.
Murtagh and Brian had entered the Great Hall, collected mugs of ale to drink, meat and bread to eat, found space at a table in the back near the wall and agreed to sit quietly, unobserved and listen as the discussion became louder and more heated. Most agreed it should be one of Jacob's sons, no other names were even suggested that Murtagh heard. Colum was being groomed to replace Himself until his fall. Now there were supporters for Dougal, but most seemed to understand that the younger son had no heid for the work; he possessed no finesse, no compassion, no diplomacy and no leadership skills except brute force. With Dougal in charge, one thing was for certain, there would be plenty of Fiery Crosses; plenty of conflict, skirmishes and wars.
Murtagh suddenly heard Brian gasp. Murtagh turned and followed his friends gaze straight to Ellen. She had entered the Great Hall at the far end. She was dressed in a beautiful dress of the purest purple Murtagh had ever seen. Her hair was in one long simple plait down the back. She was beautiful.
"She is fair, no? That Brian, is Ellen MacKenzie. Colum and Dougal's older sister."
"She is the most beautiful woman I have ever beheld." he turned to Murtagh and whispered with a glazed look on his face. "I must speak with her." He rose and strode confidently across the room toward her.
"So much for remaining in the shadows" Murtagh muttered to himself as he shook his heid and walked away. He did not stay and watch as Ellen would certainly shot his friend in the heart. Ellen MacKenzie would have nothing to do with Brian Fraser. Any fool with eyes would ken that and Murtagh went to find his aunt in the kitchens rather than watch his friend be told to bugger off. His aunt would feed him, make him something special to eat. He'd meet up with Brian back at the barn.
Murtagh never saw Brian again that evening. He never came back to the barn to sleep in the loft. Murtagh did find him the next morning at breakfast in the Great Hall, though he was'na very talkative, kept his head down. Every now and again he'd look up and check the Lairds table and then look back down at his food. He seemed to be pushing his food around and no really eaten anythi'n, his porritch going virtually untouched. Somethi'n was wrong... Brian always finished his porritch.
"Are you hunting in the Tynchal today?" Murtagh asked Brian. When Brian did'na even respond, like he'd had'na even heard him, Murtagh tried again... "And there's a shinty match after that..."
Nothing from Brian, still.
Now he ken something was awry. Brian was always up for a game of shinty. Murtagh turned to his friend.
"Brian"
No response.
"Brian" Murtagh said with a little more force.
Still nothing.
"Brian" he said with conviction and shook his friends shoulder...
Brian finally turned and looked at him.
Murtagh jerked back, startled. He ken right away something was different. Like Brian was in pain... it dinna seem like his body was hurting, he was no holding his arm or his heid, but something was definitely wrong with his friend and there was such sadness about his eyes.
"I ken Ellen would'na talk to ye last night Brian. I am sorry. She is verra bonnie I agree. But she is Jacob's first born and was his pride and joy. Her brother Colum will see her wed before this year is out. There is already talk of using her marriage to strengthen allegiances, unite the clans. She will be a Laird's wife, of that you can be sure. That is what she was made for. That is who she is." He needed to heed his own words as well for Murtagh ken he was in love with the lass himself. And he was no Laird either.
"Murtagh. I'm in love. I have found the woman of my dreams. She is meant for me and I am meant for her." Brian spoke from his heart. He turned and looked at Murtagh and whispered "we were up most of the night talking, ye ken. We found a quiet corner on a balcony and talked until she fell asleep. We remained there until the light came up over the hill. It was the most beautiful sunrise my eyes have ever beheld..." Brian said with a sigh. "She let me hold her hand, Murtagh and she slept in my arms."
Murtagh looked at his friend in shock. "Nay, Brian. It can never happen. Word is that Colum has promised Ellen to Malcolm Grant. He is here to meet her and take her back with him if he is in agreement. It is a match that will strengthen the two clans ties. It is a good match for Colum, should he be chosen The Leader of Clan MacKenzie."
"Ellen said as much last night. She does not love Grant, Murtagh. She does not care that her brother needsher to make this match. She says she will meet with Malcolm tonight, for the sake of her brother, but she will not have him." Brian said as the corner of his mouth lifted up in a smile, almost like he ken a secret.
"I have things I must do so I will not hunt in the Tynchal. If my work is done, I will try and meet you for the shinty match, but I make no promises, aye? I will definitely meet you back here for supper. I will have things organized by then and will have need of your help. Will ye do that for me Murtagh? Will ye help me for the sake of true love?"
Murtagh looked at Brian verra confused. Nothing Brian had said made any sense. He dinna want to hunt? Since when? Maybe he'd play shinty? "Do what in the name of true love? What are ye on about Brian?" Murtagh found he was now talk'n to the back of the man's head. Half way through what Murtagh thought was a conversation, Brian turned around and was now watch'n the lairds table like a hawk on the hunt. Like Brian thought somethin was gonna happen over at that table.
Dougal pushed back his chair, stood and announced the Tynchal was ready to begin. Everyone needed to meet in the courtyard.
Ellen had stood as well, ready to leave. Murtagh watched as Brian mirrored Ellen's movements. Ellen nodded her heid, ever so slightly and then, as if in reply, Brian nodded his heid. Each left the Great Hall, almost at the same time, through different doors.
No one noticed because the entire hall was leaving at the same time.
No one noticed, except Murtagh. Did he follow his friend or go with the hunting party? He thought it was best to do as Brian suggested. He would hunt the Tynchal, keep an eye on Dougal MacKenzie as Lovat had asked and meet Brian back at the Great Hall for supper.
Murtagh unfolded his small frame from the crouch he was in when he ken the boar was deid. One clean thrust from under the animals jaw, up and into it's brain had dropped it like a stone at his feet. He pulled his dirk from the great pig's throat and blood spurted all over him as it's heart still beat and it's legs still attempted to run as he lay on it's side in a pool of it's own blood. The aulde boar would not give up even in death. He knelt and said a prayer over the animal then wiped his blade in the moss on the ground. Murtagh was exhilarated. His heart was pounding in his chest, his blood was boiling and he had one verra large, very hard cockstand. He, Murtagh FitzGibbons Fraser had single handedly killed the verra large, verra angry, boar, with only his dirk. The fact that the beast had been injured by others earlier in the hunt, made it almost worse, harder to kill, because an animal acts loon when they are hurt. They become totally unpredictable, verra, verra mean and desperate. The animals blood covered him. It was even dripping from his hair and running down the back of his shirt. He could smell the blood and feel the heat of it. His hands were sticky with it. He had managed to avoid the tusks. The beast had wounded six men today, two mortally, but had no laid a scratch on him. It had finally been stopped. The boar's reign of terror over these woods had ended. There would be a celebratory feast tonight.
Dougal presented him with an almost unheard of honor, both tusks from the boar that lay dead at his feet. The boar was an aulde one. It's dark wiry hair was full of white hairs all around the face and the tusks were double circles. He ken immediately what he would do with them; have them made into bracelets and give them to Ellen. She would see him as more than a friend then. She would see him as a warrior and legitimate suitor. He'd hate to hurt Brian but he had seen Ellen first, after all, and Ellen and he were actually friends; Ellen did'na ken Brian. The vision of the bracelets around Ellen's lovely wrists made him smile. He would take them straight to the Blacksmith as soon as they returned to the castle. Then he would need to bathe, he could'na meet Ellen covered in pigs blood. He ken she would seek him out as soon as she heard. Aye, his Auntie Glenna was wrong. Ellen would choose him. This bastard of a boar would win him Ellen MacKenzie's heart.
Dougal walked with Murtagh as they made their way back to the castle after presenting him with the tusks, Ellen's brother draping a companionable arm over Murtaghs shoulder and spoke to him as if he were a MacKenzie tackman rather than a Fraser, as they made their way. Dougal spoke of Ellen's father, swiviling just about anything in a skirt and his strategies at shinty, which mostly sounded like cheating to Murtagh. He was beginning to think the man dinna had a moral bone in his body by the time they reached the castle. There they parted company. Dougal off to provide his expertise in the shinty match and he in search of much needed sustenance. He silently thank himself that he was not directly related to the man but realized he was going to be dealing with both of Ellen's brothers for the rest of his life. That made him frown. The things men do for love, aye?
Glenna was beside her self with joy for him. Such pride showed on her face as she hovered and mothered over him as he ate. She found his uncle's aulde plaid, shirt and waistcoat and offered to heat water for a bath, but he ken she had too much else to do and said he would go down to the pond by the stable and wash himself. She handed him a bar of soap as well as a rag. He stopped by the blacksmiths on the way. He and the blacksmith haggled over the price of creating the bracelets and after agreeing on a price, Murtagh left the tusks with him and was told they would be ready before the end of the Gathering. That left Murtagh in search of a place to take a bath. He ended up in one of the barns horse troughs. And he did no even need the soap or rag.
Wrapped in the fresh plaid, clean shirt and waistcoat, he felt like a new man. He took his dirty kilt and shirt back to Glenna, who said she'd have one of the lasses clean it for him, and then went to the Great Hall to find more drink and food. When he entered the hall several of the groups of men turned and clapped. Many shook his hand and clapped him on the back. One even got him a mug of ale. He scanned the hall and saw no sign of Brian. He glanced at the Lairds table and did not see Ellen, but it was early for the women to come down to supper. He did notice Colum enter the room and watched his stunted and cruel gate as he made is way to his father's seat. When their eyes met, Colum stopped and acknowledged him with a formal nod of his head making Murtagh look away a little ashamed at himself for staring. Murtagh found a couple of men he recognized from the hunt and sat with them as they discussed the shinty match. It would seem that Dougal does indeed play dirty, even when playing against his own clan.
Brian finally arrived. He approached Murtagh smiling. "Congratulations. Well done. I have heard all about your kill. That animal has plagued this land for many years Ellen said" he said and then paused as if the mere whisper of her name was cause for reflection. When the remembrance was over, Brian began again "I heard ye did it single handed. That's just grand Murtagh. And Dougal awarded ye both tusks. I can hardly believe my ears. May I see them?" Brian asked as he clapped Murtagh on the back.
"I put them in my travel bag already. I dinna wish to loose or forget them" Murtagh lied. "My father will be verra proud when I show him."
Brian sat and listened to Murtagh re-tell the heroic tale twice to others who came to congratulate him. He shifted in his seat and glanced at the Laird's table several times. Where was Ellen he thought to himself? He had grudgingly left her at the stairs that led up to her chambers after they had spent the entire day together riding and talking under an old oak tree she called her 'craobh mèorachaidh'(tree of reflection); a place she had gone to for quiet reflection when she had worries that needed sort'n. Only Alex ken they had gone off together, unescorted.
"I trust Alex with my life" Ellen said and kissed him softly on his lips. "He would never betray me" and she had slipped up the stairs to change for supper.
She should have been down by now. They should never have been so brazen, so careless. He cursed himself for his lack of judgment. If anything happened to Ellen because of their indiscretions, he would never forgive himself. He ken her brothers would have their spies; anyone in the castle could be loyal to one or the other. It had to be Colum, the deviant. Dougal would have been straight forward and challenged him by now, of that he was sure. He reached over and grasped Murtagh's arm.
"Murtagh, I need te speak with ye in private with no disruptions." Brian spoke when they were finally alone.
"Let it out man" Murtagh replied and laid a hand on Brian's shoulder. "I ken ye've had something on ye mind since breakfast. Get it off ye chest. I ken is has somethin' to do with Ellen. Speak ye peace."
"Not here" Brian said as he cautiously scanned the room and his eyes coming to rest on Colum, whose glaring slits for eyes were burrowing holes into his. Colum ken. That made his heart race... for Ellen's safety, not for his own. He would have to move swiftly. There would not be much time. He re-scanned the room. No Dougal. His heart missed a beat. Not Good. "Come with me, Murtagh. I beg ye, for the sake of your friendship with Ellen. She needs ye now, more than ever."
Murtagh noticed, as he and Brian were exiting the Great Hall, that Malcolm Grants tackman came striding into the Hall and went straight to the table of Grant men. All stopped talking and turned to listen to whatever he started to say. The man was quiet about it.
To Castle Leoch's chapel Brian led him. Brian opened the chapel door and motioned Murtagh inside and he saw Ellen standing with Father Simon and her sister Janet. He supposed Janet took after their mother for she looked nothing like Ellen. She was a plain sort of lass, a good half a foot shorter than Ellen, sad brown eyes the color of shite, a small, pushed in nose, long straight, mousy brown hair and quiet. Murtagh could no remember if he had ever heard her utter a word.
Both women looked up and smiled when Brian entered the room and softly closed the door behind him. Murtagh heard him turn the key; Brian had locked the door. Just what in 'iffrimm was goin' on here?
"Out with it, Brian" Murtagh whispered as the man strode passed him. He watch with his mouth wide open with the next word hanging on his lips as Ellen threw herself into Brian's embrace.
"Ann an sin mo calman. Avhith fhathast. Tha mi an seo. Thug mi Murtagh. Bidh e a 'cuideahcadh dhuinn, mo chirdhe. (There, there my dove. Be still. I am here. I have brought Murtagh. He will help us, my heart.) and he kissed her again.
Murtagh looked to the ground and kicked at the stone floor. His mind was stunned. Shocked. No a thought in his heid. He wanted to flee. To think this through. To make sense of what he was watch'n. He feet were rooted in place like an ancient tree. He could do nothing but wait, watch and listen. Ellen's voice brought him back from the depth of despair.
"Athair Simon air aontachadh a phòsadh dhuinn an oidhche nochd, Brian. Fois aige gum biodh e dè a bhiodh m 'athair air a bhith ag iarraidh. Airson dhomh a phòsadh mo chridhe." Ellen declared and kissed Brian softly, hands fisting the front of his coat. (Father Simon has agreed to marry us this night Brian. He knows it would be what my father would have wanted. For me to marry my heart.)
When Ellen pulled away, Brian was smiling a half smile Murtagh had never seen before.
"Why did ye no come to the Hall for supper as planned?" Brian asked.
"Colum suspects" Ellen declared. "He locked me in the courtyard and made me listen to Malcolm Grant's proposal. Thank gracious Janet came and opened the door" and she turned and squeezed her dear sister's hand. "I told Malcolm I would have nothing to do with him. I did not take orders from either of my younger brothers. Colum might be Laird of the castle but he is not my father and can'na tell me what to do."
Brian grabbed her by the shoulders. "Ye are such a bonnie, brave lass. I am burst'n with pride for ye" and he kissed her again.
Murtagh's head snapped up. "That would explain Grant's tackman in the Great Hall as we were leaving Brian..."
All four faces turned and looked at him like he had just slit his own throat. He explained what he had seen as he and Brian had left.
"It won't be long before Colum, and Dougal know." Brian said. "We need to away tonight if we are to have a chance Ellen."
"Janet," Ellen began. "Go back to my room. I need another work gown, shift and cloak" and Janet slipped away to gather Ellen's things.
"Where will ye go Brian?" Murtagh asked.
"That was what I was going to speak to ye about. I can'na take Ellen back to Beauly. We need someplace safe to hid until Ellen is with child. Then her brothers can'na refuse me." Brian paused for a breath and cupped Ellen's face softly in his hands. "We need to be wedded first. I will not take you away from ye home Ellen, until we are properly wed."
"I do not need that Brian. We can always handfast when we get to where we are going." she said, turning and placed a kiss on the palm that lay on her cheek. "We need to be away."
"No" Brian simply stated. "I will not leave Castle Leoch without you as my wife."
"Stubborn as a rock, ye are Fraser." Ellen said. "And I love ye all the more for it." The smile that came to her face told Murtagh that Ellen was proud of the man she had chosen. Brian respected her and honored her father by only taking what was rightfully his when he left Leoch. Her but only if they were wed.
And so it was done. Father Simon pronounced the union. Janet and Murtagh witnessed the event. They were husband and wife. Brian and Ellen Fraser. She was his in the eyes of God.
"Give me your travel bag, Ellen" Murtagh said. "I will go to the barn and ready the horses. Janet, get to the kitchen. Ask for Glenna. Tell her I need food for a couple of days then bring it with you to the barn, aye? Go canny, lass. Yer brothers have eyes and ears everywhere in the castle" and held the door open for her. Before leaving the chapel right behind her, he turned and nodded to Brian.
"Murtagh..." Ellen began. She knew he loved her. From that very first day 2 years ago."
"Aye Ellen lass." Murtagh cut her off. "I always ken, it was never gonna be me. Why do ye think I rode behind ye and never beside ye. Does'na mean I love ye any less, though." He looked down at the floor as he spoke, unable to look her in the eye as he made his declaration.
She stepped forward and kissed him gently on the cheek.
Murtagh looked at the surprise on Brian's face when Ellen stepped back to him. He could feel the heat of the blush as his face turned red. "I will always protect ye and yours, Ellen. I promise ye that" and he turned and walked out the door.
Brian paid the father and thanked him for the peace his vows would bring to them while they were in hiding.
"I will keep ye two in my prayers." Father Simon said as he made the sign of the cross behind them as they left the chapel, slipped out the castle and made their way to the barn.
It was full night now with a half moon in the sky. They would have the cover of darkness to help hide them in their travels.
Murtagh had 4 horses ready. Brian's, His own, Ellen's and a 4th mount.
"My mother's family farm." Murtagh spoke softly, almost to himself and he handed Brian a folded paper.
"What?" Ellen said turning to Murtagh.
"My mother's family were farmer. Her oldest brother, my Uncle Seamus is in possession of the farm now. Near Plockton on the south side of Lock Carron. He has no love for Lovat or MacKenzie, I tell ye true. He will hide you, keep you safe until you are ready to be found." Murtagh said. "I wrote a letter for you to give him."
"Why 4 horses, Murtagh?" Brian asked. "I canna ask you to risk everything to go with us."
The horses nickered and Ellen's horse stamped it's feet. Someone was coming. Murtagh placed his finger to his lips and stepped against the barn wall next to the door and drew his dirk.
Janet walked into the barn and walked straight to Ellen. "Malcolm is gone. Gathered his men and left on horse back before supper ended. Colum realized you had not come to supper and had the Castle searched for you, while we were in the chapel. I guess no one thought to look for you there. Our dear brothers think Malcolm has taken you, kidnapped you. Dougal has already gathered his men and they have left on horseback to catch Grant. To get you back."
Murtagh walked up sheathing his dirk as he approached. "Now is the time for you two leave while your brothers are distracted Ellen. You need to put on Brian's spare shirt and breeks and put ye hair up under my dubonnet. You'll ride my horse. With any luck anyone that see ye will think it is Brian and I leaving for Beauly. Brian, Grant's land it to the South. My uncle's farm lies to the East. Janet and I will ride West, toward Beannachd. Janet will ride your horse Ellen and I will take another MacKenzie mount. Someone, I am sure, will recognize the horse along the way, and hopefully guess that Janet it you and follow us. We will tell your brothers when we are caught, that Janet wanted to see her nieces and I offered to escort her.
Brian nodded and handed Ellen his clothes. She slipped into an empty stall to change. Janet handed Brian the sack of food and followed Ellen into the stall to help her with the laces.
Without turning, Murtagh spoke again. "Janet, do you think you can find your way back into the Castle, pack a wee bag and fetch your cloak. We should leave tonight as well. We need to give your brothers another set of tracks to follow. We can look for an Inn down the road."
Janet nodded her head, gave her sister one last hug and was gone in a moment.
"Murtagh," Brian started.
"There's no need for thanks, Brian. Just take care of her. Travel at night, aye, and sleep well off the roads. It will take ye 5 hard nights of riding... ye best be going, ye'll need as much of a start as Janet and I can give ye." He clasped Brian on the shoulder and nodded at him.
Murtagh turned to Ellen, who had come out of the stall carrying her skirts. One look at her face and he felt his heart catch in his throat. He had to be honest with himself... he ken, even with the gift of the bracelet, she never would have been his. At least he could see her happy. And this way he might actually see her again. It was his family's farm, after all. And the bracelets, they could be a wedding gift.
"Away with ye Ellen or ye'll be caught by ye brothers on Castle grounds" and he stood by his horse, laced his hands together and helped her on his horse. Brian finished packing Ellen's skirts into his bag, mounted his horse and they quietly rode out of the barn and into the dark.
Murtagh heard a whisper of a noise and turned to face it with dirk drawn. He would stop whoever it was that saw Brian and Ellen slip away or die trying. When Brian saw it was Alex, he did not rest his reflexes, but raised an eyebrow in silent question.
Alex made no sound, just nodded his head. And when Janet returned, Murtagh helped her onto Ellen's horse and they slipped quietly into the night.
When they reached the bus stop Claire had automatically stopped.
Jamie turned to her and said, "it's not far. I'd like to walk back, if ye alright with that Sassenach. 'Tis a nice night. Ye alright walk'n, Murtagh?"
Hearing his name spoken brought Murtagh back from his thoughts. "What?"
"Are ye alright walk'n back to Claire's instead of tak'n the bus?" Jamie repeated.
"Are we gon'na walk through the wee forest with the benches?" Murtagh inquired.
"Aye. That's the way to Claire's, through the park, Murtagh" Jamie nodded to him.
"Good." Murtagh said. "I would like to have a talk with the two of you. We ken stop there and have a wee chat."
Jamie and Claire exchanged questioning glances. Jamie shook his head No. He had no idea what was on Murtagh's mind. Claire shrugged her shoulders in response. They would give Murtagh the park to speak whatever was on his mind.
"I'd like a walk through the park with my Fraser men" Claire happily declared and leaned her head against Jamie's arm.
Jamie looked down and smiled. He leaned over to place a kiss on the top of Claire's head when suddenly Murtagh stepped right in between them. Jamie and Claire both stopped walking, trying to be nonchalant about it, circled around behind Murtagh and moved to walk next to Claire on the other side. He took her hand in his.
When they came to the pedestrian crossing where they crossed the street to the park, they had to wait for the light to change and the cars to stop.
"Claire...," Jamie started then stopped and pulled her into his arms and kisses her softly on the lips. This one, though short, was full of the want and desire unexpressed from last night. He had not been happy with the way things had ended. He was the one that had not handled the events well. He was so proud of her fierceness, her bravery; to give up the life she had built here and been willing to leave it all behind. He never told her that and he should have. She was offering him a second chance. He needed to make sure she ken that even though he had been ready to leave, it was'na what he wanted in his heart. Here with her and the bairn was his home now. He ken it. He felt it in his bones. He needed to find a way to tell her. He ken he could show her physically how he felt, he needed to be able to speak the words, tell her his heart. He would find a way. He had that first night; they had spent the whole night just talking and touching. That was the way back to her, he was sure.
Jamie ken since he was staying, he would have to find work. He could not keep play'n cards and darts for money. That was no way to provide for a family. He was a farmer, first and foremost but had also been a soldier. Lallybroch had become his inheritance with the death of Willie and his da had done his best to prepare him to step into his boots as Laird. It was never his responsibility though, only his duty to his family, the tenants and to the farm itself. He fell into the life of a soldier out of need and necessity, while fleeing the British Soldiers with a price on his heid. He had become a mercenary in France, a calling he was verra good at. He found he was a natural leader of men; they trusted him and followed his orders without hesitation. Those were the things he ken, he understood the work. Was that work still needed, he did not ken. Perhaps Frank could provide some thoughts or Lambert might be able to guide him.
He worried about Murtagh as well. His Godfather had given up everything to stay with him. Murtagh had heard the call of the stones and chosen to stay rather than leave. It made Jamie's heart verra glad to have Murtagh here with him. He had always been at his side, since he could remember. It will help to have his presence here. His mam and da were there to help him find his way from bairn to lad. His Uncles Dougal and Column helped him from lad to man but Murtagh had been there though it all. He ken he should have sent Murtagh back to protect Jenny, knowing what was coming when he realized that the stones would'na take him but spoke to Murtagh still. Jamie had just been so glad the stones did'na take him that he did not push Murtagh to go.
Murtagh cleared his throat.
The traffic was stopped, they crossed the road and entered the park. Jamie placed his arm around Claire's waist as they walked. The park was quiet this time of night, though not completely empty. There was a peacefulness to it. There was a bit of a nip to the the soft breeze that blew, but winter was coming, the night air would start cooling off, soon it would be too cold for walks like this. It was a good thing that Claire had her coat. If Samhain had passed then the snows would soon start. Jamie remembered Lallybroch usually had it's first snow by November. The trees had already lost a good portion of their leaves, fallen to the ground, covering the path with it's fall rainbow of color. Their feet making crunching noises on the dead leaves as they walked.
Murtagh came to a halt in front of an empty bench and motioned for Jamie and Claire to have a seat. Once settled, they share another short kiss.
Murtagh cleared his throat again.
That was the third time since they'd left the tavern, Claire thought. She was beginning to think that maybe Murtagh had the beginning of a cold. She'd take a look at his throat when they got back to the flat and make sure his tonsils were not red and infected. Murtagh would not get sick on her watch. No sir. If he had chosen to stay and protect her, then she would protect him as well.
"What is it Murtagh? What is on ye mind? You've been fretting since we left the bar. Ye ken tell Claire and I," Jamie said and tighten his hold on Claire's hand as they sat on the bench.
"Tssst" is the sound Murtagh made as he clicked his tongue against his teeth in reply before he began. "Now Jamie, ye ken I swore an oath to ye mam that I would always guard and protect ye."
Jamie nodded his head.
Claire slid closer to Jamie on the bench. They were now almost touching from shoulder to foot. She sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder.
"And today you had me pledge te ye that I would protect Claire. So that is what I am do'n, what ye asked me te do, remember that, aye?" Murtagh then placed his hands, one on each of their touching shoulders, and pushed them apart. "There will be court'n rules to be followed, and Jamie, I will no be allow'n any bedding of the lass until after ye are properly wed."
"What?" Claire sputtered. With her face full of shock turn she turned and looked at Jamie. "You know we are grown adults and don't need your approval. We can do whatever we want" she declared when she turned back to face Murtagh.
"No, no ye can'na, Claire. I will no allow any hurrumph'n while I am responsible for ye" Murtagh spoke authoritatively. "If Jamie wants the pleasures of bedding ye as his wife, then he will hav'ta marry ye proper, first.
"Fix this" Claire glared at Jamie and nodded her head toward Murtagh.
"Aye, ye heard me lass. I love ye like ye were my own. Just as I do Jamie but I'll no be allowing the lad to lay with ye until the priest has blessed ye man and wife." Murtagh pronounced firmly. "The lad will sleep in the room with me tonight. Tomorrow, we will find ye Uncle Lambert and Jamie will ask him proper, for his permission te court ye. And ye two will respect this courtship period until the bans have been read three times and the priest had declared ye wed. Ye will behave proper when ye are out during the day as well. Proper displays of affection, only. No more kiss'n or have'n the lass sit on ye lap like a common whore, Jamie. I have better things te do than keep ye two separated. I can'na be between ye all day, ye hear me?"
"Ask Lamb's permission to court me?" Claire squeaked. "Are you kidding me? I don't even know what courting rules are. Really?"
"Murtagh," Jamie began. "Ye ken Claire and I have already lain together..."
Murtagh cleared his throat for what Claire noted was the fourth time. She was most definitely going to have a look down his throat and if he kept this 'courting thing up' she might just accidently jab his tonsil with the tongue depressor. "Aye Jamie, I ken and no Jamie, that will'na not allowed again, no on my watch. Sorry Lad. Get the Uncle's permission, and then I can look the other way when ye giver her a wee kiss Good Night, but no more than that" Murtagh looked sternly at both of them. "I'll hear no more about it."
"What?" Claire repeated again, still unable to believe this was happening. "Just why does Jamie need my Uncle's permission to court me? You realize arranged marriages are no longer done; they are a thing of the past?" Claire stated. She turned to Jamie and said, "Explain courting to me. What does that mean, exactly and what rules is he talking about? You need permission to date me? You have to ask my uncle for permission to date me? What if he were to say No?"
Jamie looked at his Godfather and opened his mouth to say something, but the look on his Godfather's face told him to keep quiet and he shut it. He gentle squeezed Claire's hand and turned to her.
"I love ye Claire" he stated the truth simply and got the conversation started. "Even though I was going to leave, ye ken in my heart I never wanted to leave ye?" He asked and waited to hear her reply. His eyes searching the glass face for any indication of her answer.
Claire nodded. "I know Jamie and I love you too. I knew you felt the same way that I did that's why, when it became clear you could not stay, I couldn't just let you go and I decided I would go back with you. I felt my heart break into a thousand pieces when you said No to my returning with you. I realized this morning you weren't saying No, you did not Love Me rather No, you needed to keep me safe, but you had already left. I know now that is the reason you would not let me go back with you. I may not agree with the decision, but I can understand the reasoning and love behind it."
Claire turned to Murtagh. "I am so terribly fond of you, but NO, I will not be without Jamie. I almost lost him today and I will not be kept from him because of some moral code from the 18th century. He and I have declared our love for each other and we have already slept together. Call me a fallen woman if you must then, it is only a word after all, but for the record, I had never lain with another man before Jamie and would not take another if he had never returned. He is my heart Murtagh. It's the honest truth of it."
"Claire is my heart as well, a charaid," Jamie added.
"There must be something we can do to fix this" Claire muttered with a sigh.
"Handfast," Murtagh replied.
"Handfast," Jamie repeated. "Aye."
"Handfast?" Claire questioned.
Jamie stood, pulling Claire to her feet. "Come. Let's go back to the flat. I am fair starved. While you cook, I will explain. What have ye got to eat in the cold box?" he asked.
And they all walked back to the flat.
"Bean and toast alright?" Claire said as she set the plates in front of them and poured them each a glass of cold milk.
"Aye" Jamie and Murtagh said in unison.
"Good. Start talking. Who's up for explaining handfasting while they eat?"
Claire leaned against the counter, sipping her tea, as Jamie and Murtagh gave her the abridged version of The Book of Handfasting – Rules and Etiquette.
"Ok," Claire started. "I will accept the reading of the bans idea for the priest. We have to run an ad in the local newspaper announcing the upcoming wedding and most add them to church announcements... so I get that we are looking for people who might have just cause to stop the impending nuptials." She signed, reluctant to give Murtagh half a reason to keep Jamie from her bed tonight. "Now, if I understand handfasting, it's like a temporary marriage...
"Aye, Sassenach." Jamie interrupted a bit too enthusiastically for Murtaghs sake. "We'd have a year and a day to have a priest wed us. That would give us plenty of time to find one and have the bans read." and he smiled. "I canna see any reason why someone would object," and he shot a look at his godfather.
"The whole idea is a pair making declarations of love to one another until a priest could be found and perform the actual ceremony" Murtagh stated simply.
"Oh, well if that's what this all boils down to, then Jamie and I are already married. Have been from the second night." Claire announced and smiled at Jamie. "Problem solved," and she reached out her hand to Jamie and said, "ready for bed darling?" and batted her eyelashes at him coquettishly.
Jamie could not get up from the table fast enough. He had not even finished his supper. He was suddenly no longer hungry for food.
Murtugh placed a hand on Jamie's arm and motioned for the lad to sit down. "Jamie, do ye ken what she is talking about? Have you and she exchanged promises? Vows?"
Jamie looked at Murtagh and then at Claire. "If Claire says we have, then we have" and he leaned against the counter beside her. Claire's smile went from ear to ear.
"Since Jamie canna remember any such vows, Claire, you will have to tell me what was said and and remind the lad when it was done, if you please. I will determine whether any handfasting has already taken place."
"The night we spent together," Claire began and turned to look at Jamie.
Jamie turned and looked at Claire and nodded.
Claire looked down and took Jamie's hands in hers. Rubbing her thumbs across his knuckles, she said "You fell asleep for awhile after we... the first time..."
Jamie freed a hand and lifted her chin until she was looking at him. He smiled and leaned down and kissed her. "Aye," he said. "I remember everything about you and that night Sassenach."
"Finish yer tale lass. Prove to me yer already handfasted and then I can go to sleep." Murtagh said with a huff. "We are going with ye to yer work tomorrow to meet Mr. Murray, aye?"
Claire turned to Murtagh with a surprised look on her face. "I'd forgotten all about Mr. Murray. Yes, yes. I will take you in with me tomorrow. You can spend the morning with him. That's a wonderful idea. I know Mr. Murray would love to meet both of you."
"Sassenach, finish telling Murtagh how we are handfasted so that we might go to bed as well" Jamie said with a wicked smile on his face. "Not to sleep" he whispered.
Claire turned a little crimson in the face but continued. "You see Murtagh, Jamie was asleep and I made a vow to him … I promised to love and honor him in sickness and health as long as we both lived and then I sealed it with a kiss. That counts, doesn't it?"
"Aye, I suppose it does. But Jamie dinna make the same pledge, did he?"
"No, no Murtagh. I said the words while he was asleep. I never told him of my promise that night." Claire turned and looked at Jamie. "I knew you needed to return to Jenny and Lallybroch. I could not ask you to stay, but I wanted to tell you, even though you were asleep, that I pledged myself to you. To you alone forever, my heart."
"Then all Jamie needs to do is repeat the same words back to you, Claire and we can all go to bed."
Claire turned to Jamie and said "Repeat after me Jamie: I, Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp take thee James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser to be my lawfully wedded husband."
Jamie looked Claire right back and repeated: I, James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser take thee Claire Elizabeth Fraser to be my lawfully wedded wife."
"To have and to hold, from this day forward"
"To have and to hold, my Sassenach, from this day forward"
"For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health"
"For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health"
"Until death us do part, Jamie. I love you."
"Until death us do part, Claire. I love you truly."
Claire turned to Murtagh.
"Yes, lass. That will do. I have witnessed the handfasting. Kiss yer bride Jamie and take her to bed. Wake me in the morning" and he turned and left the kitchen. Moments later they heard the bedroom door close.
"Ye are mine now Sassenach. Mine to love and worship and grow verra verra aulde with."
"Yes husband. Take me to bed. And not to sleep. I have had a very stressful day and need my husband to relax me." She smiled, took Jamie's hand and led her husband to bed. She could not have been happier.