The Lass that is Gone (an Outlander fanfiction)

Chapter 2 Dunvegan Castle

Just a quick disclaimer please don't be angry with any slurs or swearing towards other people or countries, this is not my personal opinion its just the characters.

Chapter song  - Peter Gundry - The forest Queen

Murren's PoV

Flying it was almost like flying, spreading my wings and feeling every inch of wind blow through my feathers, the fresh air comforting especially after the clammy and frog scented streets of France. Every raindrop that fell onto my skin was just another reason for the  longing of my bonnie hame, a gallop closer with every strong stride of Dealanch the pounding of his strong legs on the stone and grass synchronising with the rhythm of my heart across the far planes for grass and terrain the all of the colours merging together in a blur as we picked up speed. As we soar an eagle began to call from above gliding along with us almost like leading me to where I belonged, then we see it, the towers rising from the distance just above the hill just within reach.

Urging Dealanch on towards it finally home was within reach, as we reached the hill peak I caught the flash of red in the corner of my eye when dealanch halted as I was thrown from his back and crashed into a solid form and then both of us hit the grass with a thump. When my eyes adjusted I was on top of that same red head from the harbour his royal blue eyes bore deep into mine, "Christ milady I am so sorry" Jamie called as we both realised what predicament we had come to be in, he is a fine man indeed the muscles protruded from everywhere and his chest was solid I could feel his strong arms surrounding me protectively as he had taken the force of the fall. His face was strong and angular with the scruff of an early beard just beginning that was a softer red than his hair, he looked young and ageless at the same time his eyes were softly set but there was a hidden pain and sadness deep within.  All at once I realise that my hips have been straddling his and I have been intently staring at this poor man and a push myself off as quick as this happened, "na dinnae fash yerself, I should have been watching" I said as my cheeks flared red in embarrassment, "your brother sent me ahead to get you after you flew off like that" he said with a deep throaty laugh a kind one that made you join in " aye it's been a long time since I've seen this place dinnae really want it spoiled by my brother and his shite" I broke off with a laugh he gave out a small as he gave me a dismayed look "what you ne're heard a lass swear" his eyes darkened at that and our conversion went quiet, it was then I realised that he was wearing a worn tartan not my own the great MacLachlan of Skye but the hunters Frazer tartan the deep weathered purple like the heather of the hills. I found this strange as its unfamiliar for my father to trust an outsider with me, by that I mean someone not part of the clan, it was rare for him to let anyone out with us besides traders and the occasional outside clan members stay on the island even more so entrust him with my safety. It was only then that I heard the pipes and music echoing from the village now clearly in sight, we had villages scattered across the whole island the main one was ours that had the main harbour and our castle the great Dunvegan Castle which hosted some of the greatest balls and gatherings across all of the clans in Scotland, with a great hearth in the centre of the great room which is filled to the brim every evening for dinner with most in the village joining them, the room is decorated with the most fine silvers and golds and the company is beyond imaginable all the villagers come together and there are great parties, feasts, music and continuous drinking and games of shinty. It is one of the proudest moments as a MacLauchlan on the first night witnessing all the male members of the clan bend the knee and take their oath to King and Country to the King and Laird of Skye. You see this is where Skye differed from everywhere else in Scotland, although it was part of it was not governed by the rules and regulations of the bastard English and their king it was an independent island, a law had been made many moons ago that broke the diplomatic ties to the main land but it still remained a part of Scotland itself. This did cause some difficulties as they often did not take any interest in Scotland's affairs but after a group of our clan was traveling and murdered by a group of redcoats unwearyingly, this caused an outcry among the people and a great distress as they had not committed any crime. This caused the king made a declaration that anyone who wanted to aid Scotland in fighting for freedom could join with his blessing, many agreed and left off to join the war with the so called Bonnie Prince Charlie on the moors of Culloden, many of which never returned including 3 of my brothers Scott, Munroe and Tomas we didn't even receive their bodies they left them to rot on the moor with no chance for anyone to give them the proper preparation or burial. And I never got to say goodbye, but in the end they died for our people and sacrificed themselves in the most honourable way which is all they could have asked for.

As we made our way down towards the village in a slow trot the music began to resonate louder and the pounding of feet was ringing through  the valley carrying right through the glen, as we came to the opening of the market the street had been cleared and everyone lined the streets, children ran with paper and wood etched suns darting in and out playing all sorts of games, the women and girls all wore light brighter dresses with ribbons sported in their hair and the men all wore cleaner and brighter kilts than normal and most had even oiled their hair back. No matter what time of year it was Dunvegan was always bustling with people and warmth everyone knew everyone and we all farmed and grew all produce together, we very rarely traded for food as we had some of the best crop and livestock, we all helped each other and at times like this only made our little communities closer. Then it dawned on me it was the summer solstice, the celebrated longest day of the year in which the sun is idolised and given thanks to. In the centre of the market a circle the villagers surrounded together in a dance circling each other to the beautiful beat of the music. This was one my special memories, growing up my mother used to take me to this, and we would dance and sing and play the night away or she found me curled in a corner somewhere fast asleep. It was then I caught sight of small group many of who seemed very familiar, looking back and forth between everyone my heart began to flare up like a fire as contentment rose up inside me no longer there was the cold, dark loneliness of France but here I was now home and I had never felt more bliss and peaceful.  It was then without even consulting my companion Jamie, I flung myself off of the side of my saddle and lost myself in the crowd.

I know its been some time I hope everyone reads this again hahaha, hope you enjoyed my lovelies xxx.