Am fear eile ~Outlander~

~Chapter ten~ Skye~

When we came back the castle was buzzing with people who where chattering excited.
"What is going on?" I asked Jamie as he manouvering me through the crowd.
"Hall," he answered not really giving me more explaining.
"The what?" I asked as we reached the door of the Castle.
"It's a ceremony where people come to Colum if something is wrong, like a fight over a cow or if some one is accused of something, Colum then decides the punishment or solution," he explained
"Now I get it," I smiled knowing what he meant.
"Stay with Aisla tonight Lass and don't draw to much attention." he smiled at me and then left, leaving me alone.
"There ye are," Aisla came running towards me. "Come we needed the best places." she took my hand and pulled me the dinning room in which was now changed in a throne room.
"Will you help me to translate whatever they say in Gaelic?" I asked Aisla when Colin started to talk.
"Of course dear, Dinna Fash," she smiled and she listened closely.
Holding on to her word she translated everything that was said until she froze and was unable to speak.
A young blond girl was dragged in by a man, who looked like her Father. The look he had on his face was not amused and he started to yell at Colum.
"Who is that?" I asked to Aisla who looked pale and shocked.
"My little sister Laoghaire," she whispered. "She is accused of well, loose behaviours,"
I didn't asked any further knowing this was already painfull for her. I didn't hear what the punishment was but The father let go of her and two men stepped in front of her with a leather straps in their hands.
"No they wouldn't," I gasped in shock and I wanted to turn around to not see this horror but the voice of Jamie stopped me.
He stepped forward and seems to argue with Colum and the father. Aisla had still her lips pressed together so she wasn't translating anything. Eventual the girl was released and rushed to Mrs Fitz who comforterd her.
Jamie stood still and a man, that I knew now was Rupert, stepped before time. Before I could even ask what was going to happen a punch was given out by Rupert and hit Jamie in the stomach. Before Jamie could even breath another punch was given in the face.
"Why?" I asked Aisla.
"He took the punishment on him and he decided on fist instead of straps," she looked at her left. "Sorry I need to see my sister," With that she left and I stood alone  watching how Jamie took one punch after the other and still managed to stand up.
I looked at Dougal and Colum who stood on the platform watching it without any emotion shown on their faces.
After what looked like an century, Dougal nodded and Rupert stopped beating up Jamie. Whom bowed towards the laird and Dougal and then left. I waited for a small moment and then followed him.
I found him in a another room sipping whisky while looking terribly in pain.
"Why did you do that?" I asked and he jumped up.
"Greer," he said with as soft smile. "Well I can handle punches, the wee lass can't handle the shame of being strapped in front of the entire castle."
"That's noble," I walked towards him. "Let me see," I smiled and looked at his beaten up face.
"Are ye a healer?" he asked in suprise.
"No, but I got my first aid," I smiled laying my hand on his cheek looking at him.
There where already bruising on his face and his lip stopped bleeding. "I think it's badly bruised in a few places, nothing broken," I smiled and sat next to him. "Atleast not in your face,"
"That's assuring, I like my face whole and not broken," he smiled and I started to laugh.
"Well me to," I said before I could even think.
"Is that so?" he moved closer to me and I blushed.
"You don't look bad," I confessed  "Well when your not in this state,"
He started to laugh hard and leaned back. Eventual he held his hand on his ribs and holded it with a pained look.
"I'm so sorry," I said as I jumped up. "I'm going to get someone Jamie,"
"No need Lass, I'm here," Mrs Fitz came in with a basket filled with medical supplies. "Thanks for what ye did for maw granddaughter," she said.
"No need to thank me," Jamie said as he looked at me. "Stay with me Greer, yer probably going to make me feel better when she is fixing me up,"
I wanted to say something but the door opened, I turned and saw that Laoghaire was standing just behind the door.
"I would like to do that Jamie, but I think someone wants to speak with you first." I smiled. "I see you tomorrow Jamie."
"See ye tomorrow Lass, we need to improve on her riding skills," he gave me a wink.
"Not in that state, young lad." Mrs Fitz protested.
I smiled and walked towards the door and before I closed it, I heared that Jamie let out a sound of pain.