A/N: This took a bit longer cause I became distracted/focused on planning out the future of the story and chapters but here it is!

—

Life goes on after the Gathering and the lighting of the cross. Those who had come back with them from the Gathering continue to carve out their new life at the ridge.

Arch Bug has been hired as the factor of the Ridge while his wife Murdina settles in as housekeeper at the Big House. There's also Billy Aberfeldy, his wife and daughter who are both called Ruth are nearly in their own cabin after having to live in cramped conditions in the Big House and two other families. One of the families is Geordie Chisholm's, from Ardsmuir, brood. His wife, his elderly mother who narrowly escaped being trampled by Da's high-strung horse, Gideon, when travelling back to the Ridge, and his seven sons. His younger sons, Thomas, Anthony and Toby Chisholm, ranging in age from five through eight, are quickly dubbed "the spawn o' Satan" by Mrs Bug.

Marsali also becomes Mama's new assistant. Brian knows his mother should have the help and support that he and Ellen can't always offer, particularly after Mr Farrish's death because of his wife's well-meaning but murderous methods she used to treat him before bringing him on death door to the surgery meant no hope of being saved.

—

"Dr Rawlings?" Brian questions as he looks at the paper his mother had handed to him. The title reads 'Dr. Rawlings recommends' with a list covering the rest of the page. "Do you think it'll work?"

Mama huffs. "It has to. If I have witness anyone else die from supposed cures that's actually killing them because of a 'reputable physician'." She rolls her eyes causing Brian to smirk slightly. "I'm making lots of copies and distribute them to our settlers. Ellen has helped me."

"Want more help in writing more about not to do?"

Mama smiles. Grateful for the help, she hands Brian a pen and paper. Brian sits down and starts helping her copy the list.

—

Brian looks around the hallway as he follows his parents in the Big House. With all the men diligently working around the clock, it is now safe to walk around upstairs and the basics of it are done. But there is still a lot to do to get it finished, like carpeting the floors or putting wallpaper on the walls, etc. What will one day become bedrooms are just empty spaces with nothing in them. They don't even have doors. Except for one.

The three of them stop outside of one room that has a finished door, painted white with maroon trim and a silver doorknob.

"What's this?" Brian questions.

"It's yer new room." Da casually states.

He raises his eyebrows, not understanding. "What? What do you mean? What do you mean my room?"

"Go inside and see for yourself." Mama adds.

Brian is trying to remain cautiously optimistic as he slowly turns the doorknob and opens the door.

"Wow," is all he can say at first. Inside is an upgraded version of what he had in the kitchen.

Not only is it twice as big but there is a new bed as well. On the wall across from the door, which is wallpapered off white, is a large window that looks over the back fields and has curtains that are the colour of the door's trim that at the moment are drawn back. He no longer has only a small dresser for his clothes. Now, he has a tall and wide-standing wardrobe for just himself that is dark wood with intricate patterns carved out in it. He takes one step at a time going around the room, wondering if this is real.

"Well, lad? Does it please ye?" Da needs to know.

Brian looks back at them. "It more than pleases me. I can't believe this. This is actually my room?"

"We figured it was time you had a bit more privacy and space rather than being held up in that shoebox of a room." Mams tells him.

Brian grins at his parents. "Thank you."

—

…yet the threat still looms

When Da had gotten his order from Tryon to hunt and kill Murtagh, he figured the safest place he could be was on the Ridge, since no one would ever think he would be hiding out there. He lived not even a half mile from the Big House in his own larger lean-to. He didn't ever dare come to them, but Da, Brian, and the rest of their family made several treks out to see him. But now that Tryon is getting much more serious about taking down the Regulators, Brian is glad that Murtagh has moved on.

Governor Tryon introduced Da to Lieutenant Knox at Ellen and Roger's wedding, explaining that the lieutenant would assist Da with his search for Murtagh. Everyone was worried about how Da could possibly hold off on finding his godfather with the redcoats breathing down his neck.

"What are you going to do?" Mama asked her husband.

"If it's a manhunt Tryon wants, it's a manhunt he shall get." Da responded. Short and sweet.

Da tries sending Tryon's men on a wild goose chase, but things are still getting very heated. The regulators are lathering the Militia men with tar and feathers. Tryon is at his wit's end and Brian knows it is not going to end well.

—

December 1770

Far too soon for anyone's liking, it comes time for Da to leave again, now taking with him the men of the Ridge. This included Brian, Mama, Fergus and Roger. Lieutenant Knox wants them to gather the men of the Ridge to aid in enlisting for the militia, for Tryon's army against the Regulators and to show the Regulators their numbers.

Because of Arch Bug's advanced age and injury to his hand, he is ineligible for service in the militia and thus can be depended upon to mind matters on the Ridge in Da's absence. The Lindsay brothers prepare to join them on their journey. Rabbie Cochrane, while he's too old to join the militia Da has been forced to gather, some of his eleven grown children scattered across the mountains will be mustered.

A dozen militiamen from Fraser's Ridge are travelling with them including John Quincy Myers, Isaiah Morton, brothers Kenny and Evan Lindsay, Geordie Chisholm and Ronnie Sinclair. The plan is to recruit men along the way, with a stop at Brownsville first, and take them to Hillsborough.

"Captain Fraser, permission to approach?" Ellen calls to him. She has already said goodbye to their parents, Fergus and Roger.

Brian turns from his horse to her. "Granted." He chuckles. He's glad for his sister's jokes considering how nervous he feels though his shooting skills have improved.

"You ready for this?"

"Absolutely not."

"Stop. You're gonna do fine. Da's gonna be right there with you the whole time. He's not going to let you do anything he doesn't think you're ready for." Ellen reassures.

"I'm just praying that the numbers we form will make the Regulators surrender before there's any risk of that." Brian says, chewing his lip anxiously.

"With Murtagh leading them, you know that's not going to happen. He's determined to kill Tryon himself."

"Any chance a captain can get out of having to fight in the actual battle and can just cheer the troops on from the sidelines?" Brian asks only half joking.

Ellen lets out a, "Ha! I would love to see you try to convince Da of that. But if that doesn't work," she puts her hand on his arm, "please stay safe. Hide behind trees and rocks or whatever is closest, and just stay alive no matter what."

A third person then joins them, announcing themselves with, "Brian?" It is Aila Ceallach. She has long curly blonde hair and brown eyes. She is shorter than Ellen but just as slim. She is the kind of pretty and the sort of bubbly and flirty personality.

Aila glances at Ellen and is almost surprised to see her there. "I apologise, Mistress Mackenzie, fer interruptin' yer conversation."

"Not at all. No need to apologise."

"I will leave the two of you to finish your goodbyes." Ellen says to them. She touches his arm. "Be careful, got it?"

Brian nods in reply, flashing her a grateful smile. She gives Aila a kind smile, and Aila curtsies then Ellen walks away to find Marsali.

Aila turns back to Brian. Brian is more than a bit miffed at his time with his sister being cut off but smiles pleasantly at her.

"Miss Ceallach." He greets, bowing his head.

Aila blushes and gives a quick curtsy, biting back an idiotic grin. "I, uh, I-I wanted te wish ye luck on yer endeavours. I'll be prayin' fer ye, fer God te keep watch over ye and keep ye out o' harm's way. An-and the other men, all o' them, o' course too."

"That's very kind of you, Miss Ceallach."

Aila nods so quickly that Brian wonders if her head is going to fall off before leaving. Brian sighs before turning to look at the rest of the group all mounted on their horses and ready to leave.

A moment later, the militia leaves. Brian looks back to Ellen, Marsali, the kids and many Ridge residents watching them go. Brian is reminded that for them they are really fighting.

—

A/N: Realised I'd gotten my characters mixed up. It's meant to be Aila Ceallach at the end talking to Brian and not Ruth Aberfledy.

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