Faith Unbroken, an Outlander Fanfiction

The Cold Shoulder

I stood there by myself replaying what had happened between us before there was a knock at the door. I opened it quickly, only to see Ivy waiting with my breakfast and a saddle bag. A grin covered her face.

"I knew you were sweet on him!" She giggled as I pulled her into the cabin.

"I am not!" I growled, exchanging the breakfast plate for the dress and corset.

"You are. That bed suggests you are." She began stuffing the outfit into the saddle bag. "And Mama Lucy has requested that this dress and her other green and cream dress go with you. She believes they're meant for you." Ivy explained, closing the saddle bag.

"Maybe I am..." I shrugged, eating my breakfast quickly. "He said he loved me and I froze." I blurted out.

"That's ok... You don't need to love him right now..." Ivy sighed. "Isaac loves me... I do not love him. But I do enjoy his presence and company." She grinned, looking up at me.

"You and Isaac?" I gasped. "Scandalous!" I giggled.

"Yes, yes. He's a free man though. I cannot have him and he cannot have me." Her grin disappeared.

"Well, I guess we must find a way to free you or have the Iverson's bless your union." I smirked, grasping her hand. "Come with me, tell me all about it while I finish with the wagon!" She nodded in agreement as we left for the stables. She told me how they met, how he was a gentleman from the start. Her father, Tate, even approved the relationship. They just needed approval from the big house. Isaac was a free man. If he wanted to marry Ivy, she'd either need to be freed or he'd be married to a slave that he'd be following around the rest of their lives. Any children they had would be slaves as well.

"Look, we will find a way to free you." I sighed, finishing the wagon. "Mark my words." I smiled and looked towards my friend.

"You're going already?" She cocked her head sideways, upset.

"Yes, come. I'll walk with you to the big house. I have to report to your father. Then I can go." We both walked towards the house. Tate stood on the patio with Mistress Iverson. They watched as we approached.

"Good day, Ivy, Faith." Mistress Iverson smiled.

"Good day, Mama Lucy." Ivy bowed and escaped into the house.

"Good day, Mistress Iverson, Tate." I smiled back. "I have finished with the wagons and will be returning home as soon as my horse is saddled. "Thank you for the dresses. I'm not sure where I'll wear them, but I appreciate having my own dresses now."

"Of course dear, you're beautiful in them. I couldn't resist letting you keep them." Lucy rose from her seat. She kissed both my cheeks before releasing me.

"Have a safe ride, my dear." She smiled before returning inside the house. Tate gave me a small head bow.

"Let me know if I can help with Ivy and Isaac. I will do whatever I can for them, and you." I gave his hand a slight squeeze.

"Thank you, Miss. Have a safe journey and come see us soon." He bowed his head again and also returned inside. I walked back to the stables alone. Jon had begun prepping my horse. Both the saddle bag and my bag had already been placed on the horse with the saddle.

"Thank you, Jon." I smiled. The boy was young. Too young to be handling all the horses by himself. I dug into one of my bags, finding the metal figurine I'd made for him. It was a bird. I held it out in my hand for him. "This is for you." His face lit up as he plucked it from my hand, giving it a good looking over.

"Thank you, Miss." He smiled. His front tooth was missing.

"Jon, how old are you?" I asked, closing my bag back.

"8 years. 9 in two months!"

"And you work the stables alone?" I questioned.

"My father taught me. I'm good at it."

"Do you know where Kaeden is?" I asked, guiding my horse out of the stables.

"No, miss. I'm sorry."

"That's ok. You be good. I will see you soon!" I patted his shoulder before pulling myself onto my horse. I began the slow journey towards the road back to town. I glanced around the land, trying to find Kaeden. He was no where in sight. I only saw the slaves among the fields.

I continued the long ride back to town. I was ready to be home with Murtagh. I hated that he made me take all the travel orders. He claimed his old bones couldn't handle the rides. I think it was just an excuse because he didn't want to deal with people.

I finally made it home as the sun began to set. Murtagh was closing the shop as I arrived.

"Good, glad ye dinna run off before finishin the job."

"Here's the money. Next time the Iverson's have a job, you're going." I groaned, hopping off the horse.

"What happened?"

"Iverson's got a stick up his ass or something. Saved one of his slaves and I got a word lashing." I yanked off my bags before walking into our small home.

"Aye, why do ye think I send ye?" He laughed, following me. "Ye see that Campbell boy?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, why?" I acted like nothing had happened between us.

"He comes by often asking about ye and for my blessing. I never give it but he's a persistent one, aye?"

"He is." I laughed, finding some dried meat to chew on. "I'm exhausted. I'm going to get some sleep early. Unless you need me?" I asked.

He waved me off as I made my way to my little room in the corner. Murtagh slept in a cot in the open room. He gave me the small room in the back corner of our home. He felt a young girl needed her privacy. Murtagh, while being a old snout to most people, was like a father to me. He cared for me like I was his. I appreciated that about him.

I stripped myself of the clothes and crawled into my bed. It was cold, but mine. The world slipped away again into the utter darkness that kept me deep in sleep till morning.