A/N: I just love Outlander! Hope you enjoy a new story I am working on.
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It was a calm and peaceful morning on Fraser's Ridge. Jamie was up earlier than usual and decided to take a walk and enjoy the beauty of the newly fallen snow. He headed out toward the barn and noticed small footprints in the fresh snow leading from the front to the back of the barn. It appeared as if they crossed the field into the tree line. They did not appear to come from an adult or a young child of Jeremiah's age, but rather an older child. Jamie was puzzled because there weren't older children that lived on his property. He peered across the field into the tree line and thought he saw movement, so he headed into the barn and saddled his black, Friesian stallion, Donas. Once saddled, he began to track the footprints. Within the woods, the tracks were harder to follow, but Jamie was still able to make out the path of the footprints. They came to a stop in a heavily wooded area with large pines. Jamie hopped off Donas and tied him to a tree and quietly explored the area. A pain between his shoulder blades stunned him and he turned to find a large stone laying on the ground behind him. He quickly dodged another stone that was flying toward his face. He spotted a small hand dangling out beside a tree and moved quickly toward it before the assault of another stone. He grabbed the hand and pulled and from behind the tree stumbled a child.
The child was covered in mud and dirt from head to toe and was dressed in torn, oversized breeches and a torn shirt. The child's brown hair was overgrown and hung in knotted clumps on the child's shoulders. The child struggled in Jamie's strong grip. "Enough lad!" Jamie ordered as he secured his grip on the child and latched onto the other hand as well. "Who are ye?" he demanded once the child stopped struggling, wondering if the child belonged to one of the new settlers on Frasier's Ridge. The child remained silent as the big, brown eyes peered back at Jamie. "Can ye speak lad?" Jamie questioned impatiently. There was still no response from the child and Jamie decided to soften his tone. "Are ye hungry?" he questioned calmly. There was finally a shrug of the shoulders from the child. "Aye, ye can come back to the house for a meal," Jamie stated kindly as he released the grip he had on the child. He was surprised that the lad didn't run and nodded in approval. "Come…ye can sit on Donas while I walk ye back to the house." Jamie started walking toward his horse with the child following close behind. Jamie gave the lad a leg up and took Donas' reins in his hand.
Claire sat on the porch with a shall wrapped around her shoulders and a cup of tea in her hand. She watched curiously as Jamie and Donas walked across the field. She could see that there was someone on top of the horse but could not make out who. Curiously, Claire set her tea on the table and headed for the barn to meet Jamie. She was surprised to see a child. "Jamie?" she questioned with concern as she hurried to greet them.
"I found the lad in the woods," Jamie replied.
"Who is he?" Claire questioned.
"I dinnae ken," Jamie replied, "He willna talk."
"Oh, the poor thing," Claire sighed. Jamie reached up and helped the child down. She was concerned about the child's health as she quickly looked him over. He appeared very thin to her and malnourished, and who knew what other health problems. "Let's get you some food and cleaned up," Claire said kindly as she grabbed the child's hand. Claire led the child toward the house while Jamie brought his horse into the barn. "I am Claire, and it seems you already met Jamie. Welcome to our home," she said kindly as they headed inside. Claire put together a plate of scrambled eggs, potatoes and toast and set it down in front of the child at their table while Jamie met them inside. "I wonder how long he's been living out there," Claire mentioned as they watched the child practically inhale the food.
"I dinnae ken," Jamie replied, "But by the looks of him, t'is been a while."
"When he's done, maybe you can help him with a bath," Claire suggested, "I don't know if he'd appreciate me helping him."
"Aye, good idea," Jamie agreed. "I'll get it ready." Claire sat down at the table while Jamie headed off to prepare a bath.
"Jamie's getting a hot bath ready for you," Claire commented. The child looked up at Claire but did not respond. "Are you hurt anywhere?" Claire asked. The child shrugged his shoulders. "I am a healer. If you're hurt, I can help you." The child nodded his head.
"The bath is ready," Jamie announced. "Come now lad, let's get ye washed up." The child looked from Jamie to Claire worriedly.
"It's ok," Claire said reassuringly, "I'm going to see if I can find you some clothes. I don't think I can get your clothes clean." The child stood up and headed toward Jamie and followed him into a room with a large, brass tub in the corner.
"In ye go lad," Jamie said. The child hesitated. "Are ye all right lad?" Jamie questioned. "A hot bath will feel good." He watched as the child shuffled anxiously from one foot to the other. "Are ye afraid of the water?" Jamie questioned. He was feeling frustrated with the lad but didn't let on. Finally, the child's eyes nervously met his.
"I'm a girl," the child responded quietly and quickly with tear-filled eyes. Jamie's eyes widened with surprise. He didn't want to bring much attention to the fact that she spoke, but he definitely knew she didn't want his help bathing.
"Aye, uh, Claire!" Jamie called nervously.
"What's wrong?" Claire questioned as she hurried into the room.
"Our guest is a lass," Jamie stated.
"Oh," Claire gasped. "How do you know?" she asked with confusion.
"She told me," Jamie replied.
"Oh, she spoke," Claire replied excitedly and then looked down at the child and smiled. "Would you like me to help you?" She nodded her head in response. Jamie left them alone. "What's your name?" Claire asked as helped her undress.
"Elliana," she replied quietly, "But everyone used to call me Ellie."
"That's a beautiful name," Claire replied with a smile. "How old are you?"
"Ten," she replied. Claire was surprised to hear she was ten since her size and frame were so small. She noticed bruising on her arms, legs, and wrists as she helped her into the tub. "I like your home," Elliana mentioned as Claire washed her hair.
"Thank you," Claire replied, "And where is your home?"
"I don't know," Elliana replied with a shrug of her shoulders. "I came here with my sister."
"Where's your sister?" Claire questioned.
"I don't know," Elliana replied. "Some men took us, and we got separated. I ran away and I haven't seen her since." Claire's heart ached for the child. She could only imagine the tragedies that the child went through and what had become of her sister.
"Where did you and your sister come from? Do you have family there?" Claire asked curiously.
"I…. uh…. I don't have family there," Elliana replied quickly. Claire sensed something wasn't quite right with the child's story but decided to pause the questions for now. She brushed Elliana's wet hair out and was surprised at how long it really was. After she finished her hair, she helped her scrub the rest of her body. She was a beautiful child and clearly a girl once the dirt and mud were removed. Claire draped a towel around her shoulders once they were done.
"I'll get you one of Jamie's shirts for now," Claire offered, "Until we can find some clothing to fit you."
"Ok," Elliana replied.
"I'll be right back," Claire said as she left the room. Elliana strolled around the room until Claire returned. She handed the shirt to Elliana. "I wish I had something else for you," she commented. "If you're cold, I have a blanket for you, and you can sit by the fire."
"Thank you," Elliana replied as she put the shirt over her head. It fell below her knees, so it looked like more of a nightgown. Jamie was waiting in the kitchen when they emerged from the room.
"The lass cleans up nicely," he commented with a slight smile. Elliana smiled in return.
"Elliana, why don't you sit by the fire," Claire suggested as she pointed to an adjoining room. "I'll be out in a few minutes." Elliana nodded and headed into the room. She knew they probably wanted to talk about her. She curled up on the chair and draped the blanket over her. She hadn't felt warm in a long time, and it felt good. Within moments, she was fast asleep.
Meanwhile, Claire told Jamie about her conversation with Elliana and mentioned the bruising on her body. "I'll ask the settlers and see if they ken anything about the lass and her sister," he said.
"She'll need a safe place to stay in the meantime. I'll have a couple gowns made for her and have the spare bedroom prepared," Claire said as she peered over at the sleeping child. "Someone has to be missing her." Jamie reached across the table and took Claire's hand. She smiled gently in response knowing how fortunate she was to have Jamie as her partner. She trusted he would do anything he could to help Elliana find her family.