Faith Unbroken, an Outlander Fanfiction

Single Woman

"Why dinna ye just go back with Brianna and Roger?" Ian asked, picking at the bread Claire had packed for us. By now, we were only a few miles from where Kaeden had helped Ivy and the others set up. They lived alongside some Cherokee from what Ian had told me. It was one of the first times the Cherokee and American settlers had made peace, living together, protecting each other.

"Because there's no guarantee I could come back. I couldn't leave Kaeden like that." I whispered, leaning back away from the fire. "I cannot take Dina away from him, not after everything he and I have been through... Not after the childhood I had."

"Aye, I understand." Ian shook his head. "Smother this and let's get back on the road." We smothered the fire and loaded back onto the horses. We'd been gone for a week now and my heart ached so much more. I hated being this far from my child, from Kaeden. My body yearned for my family.

For another hour or two, we rode in silence. Well, I did. Ian talked about anything and everything, only receiving a mhmm or an alright from me every few minutes. My mind couldn't focus on anything but the pain in my heart.

Soon enough, we arrived at the little village, or town I should say, that belonged to Ivy and her family. People of all colors raced about with various tasks, not taking notice of Ian and I. A sign that strangers were normal and welcomed. My eyes scoured the people, looking for one friend in the sea of faces.

I found her, running around with the children. She looked unweathered, full of life. Ivy was smiling, a bright smile. One I was about to squash into oblivion with my presence and eventually my news of Tate.

Ian stopped us at the main house, Ivy's. We both slipped off the horses, drawing the attention of Ivy. She left her children, jogging over to us.

"Faith!" She exclaimed, already reaching for a hug.

"Ivy!" I smiled in return.

"What brings you this far north?"

"I'm a wanted woman." I stated once she released me.

"Oh, you and your husband. Always getting into trouble. What'd you do this time?"

"Killed Iverson." I rolled my lips inward, pressing them into a thin line.

"Thank the Lord above." She praised, but once her eyes examined my face, she knew there was more to the story.

"He killed your father. He and Jon tried to escape with some others." I shook my head, digging holes with my eyes into the dirt between us. "They didn't make it out. So I killed Iverson for his many crimes."

"Oh, Faith. It is alright. My father was a God-fearing man. I will see him again in heaven." Ivy smiled, gripping me just below the shoulders on my biceps. She bit back the tears that rimmed her eyes, not letting them slip from her.

"I'm so sorry, Ivy."

"Come now. Let's get you both settled in a house." She looped her arm through mine, patting at my hand. "Ian, are you staying long or just here to drop Faith off?"

"Dropping her off. Uncle Jamie has requested for my return." Ian responded, finding his silence during our conversation. Ivy guided both of us to a smaller home just a ways from the main home.

"This is one of the extras we just finished building. You can stay here as long as needed. And George, the ironsmith, might have some use for you. He's just down the ways a little. Hard to miss him." Ivy pushed open the wooden door, exposing a home much like mine. It had a little fireplace and living room. There was a kitchen and an upstairs. It was more modern than my own, but nothing too special.

"There are some Cherokee in town as well. We live among them and they treat us well. Do not disrespect them." Ivy nodded, examining over the work of the home. "Will Kaeden be joining you?"