The Strength of a High and Noble Hill (An Outlander Story)

Chapter 30: Old Dreams

Autumn 1744

"Jamie Fraser!" Claire yells as she approaches the paddock at Lallybroch. The autumn harvest has come and she, Fergus, Jamie and Brian have been settling into life at Lallybroch with Ian, Jenny and their children.

When Claire had left Jamie with their son, she hadn't expected to emerge to find her husband, with his hands under their son's armpits, lifting Brian to straddle the junction of their calm, old mare's neck and back. Jamie tuts at the horse, who takes a few steps forward slowly.

"'Tis fine Sassenach. The wee laddie needs t' get familiar with his horse. Ye've nothin' t' worry about." Her husband reassures her.

Her son's arms fly around all uncoordinated as Jamie walks the mare in a slow line. Claire smiles as she hears Brian laugh happily.

She supposes he's right. Living in this time, her son will have to be quite familiar with horses.

Jamie lifts Brian down. "A natural, we'll ha' te ha' a pony ready fer him before ye kno' it." He hands him to Claire then he begins brushing the mare out.

Claire loosens her stays with her free arm to offer a breast. Brian strangely winces before reluctantly latching on. This is an oddity she's noticed about her son. She knows it isn't lack of hunger as he always has her milk often and in great quantities, but he's always been odd about it, almost uncomfortable. Claire has found this strange especially when he seems to refuse to look at her as he takes his meal, never meeting her eyes with his that match his father's.

"That is all well and good but I'll be the one that'll have to treat him for the first time he falls off." She says to Jamie as he walks over to them.

"We'll be fine, will we no' m'annsachd?"

Brian merely lets out a grunt, not separating from Claire. His parents chuckle at the reaction.

——

August 1770

Claire has finished with patients for the day. She's been getting busier recently as more settlers begin to trickle in. She hears what sounds like squabbling and looks over to see quite an amusing sight.

Brian sits straddle on a horse, clutching the bridle so tightly Claire is shocked his hands haven't fallen off due to lack of circulation, while Jamie leads the animal slowly in a circle.

"Am I doing it right?" Their son asks worriedly.

Jamie flashes that familiar smile Claire has seen reflected on Brian's face. "Dinna fash, a chuilein. Relax, ease into the saddle."

Brian scrunches up his face. "Couldn't we have tried with a pony first?"

"Yer t' big fer tha' now." Jamie amusedly retorts. He catches Claire's eye and raises an eyebrow that says, 'can you believe this?' Claire grins back.

"Don't feel it." Brian quips back, glancing nervously over the side of the horse.

"Ye asked me te help ye, so listen." Jamie replies, becoming serious once more though an uptick in the corner of his lips gives him away.

Brian sighs. "Yeah, yeah, fine." He tries to relax, trying to follow his Da's instructions though not without the odd whining comment but Claire can see a hint of a smile on his face.

Claire feels almost tearful as she watches them, seeing Jamie being able to teach his son how to ride a horse just as he always wanted to albeit a bit later than expected. Their family is truly coming together now.

——

A/N: m'annsachd = my blessing

a chuilein = my lad(die) 

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