Erin McGuinness // An Outlander Fanfiction

Chapter One

*5 Years Later*

I stare at my reflection in the old rusted mirror. I pulled my long brunette hair out of my face, leaving a few loose strands out to frame as I pull it into a bun. I stand nude in front of the mirror staring at myself. I'm short compared to the other woman around me but not too short. My bones are visible from the days, weeks and months of limited food whilst traveling however I am toned from the hard work and manual labor that I participate in each day. I pull on my clothing and tuck my smaller dagger into my right boot and the larger one into the back of my trousers.

I turn and pour myself a glass of whiskey as I start out the window to the port below. My eyes scan the crowd as I take a swig. My eyes land on the ship that we shall be departing on tomorrow heading over to the America's. 

I knew I needed more men to assist me on the ship but being the only female Captain in the Eighteenth Century proved to be hard work. I closed my eyes, counting to ten in my head before opening them again. I knew I was good at what I did, however I just needed to prove myself.

I pour myself another glass, splash my face with water and head down the stairs to the bar. "Captain?" Will, the man behind the bar addresses me. "Another whiskey please." I nod heading over. "There ye go Erin." He hands it over to me. He looks over my shoulder, out the window towards the sea. "Ye got a rocky journey ahead of ye tomorrow" 

I glance out the window and sigh. "It's never easy is it Will?" 

Will shakes his head. "Not this time of year it's no." 

"Have you heard from Liam?"

"Yes, he will be arriving this evening." I force a smile, bringing the glass to my lips meeting his eyes. Will smirks meeting my eyes.

Minute's later, Will has me pressed up against the wall in the back room of the bar. "I wish ye weren't going on a journey all the time." he murmurs against my neck. I run my hands through his hair. I knew it was cruel to play him like this but to be quite frank, I didn't particularly care. "You know, it will always be this way." I reply softly.

"It doesn't have to be." He mutters pulling away. I sigh and straighten myself up. "Yes. It does." I meet his eyes and glare. "I'm sorry, but I have to go." I turn on my heel and go to walk away.

Will stops me by grabbing my wrist. "Don't touch me." I growl. I hated the way men think that they had power over us as woman. I wasn't having any of it. I shake him off me and when he tries to grab me again I pull out my dagger and point it at him. "Don't."

"I never cared for ye anyway!" He shouts at me. I laugh aloud, "Is that why you've asked for my hand in marriage every time I'm through this way?" 

"Get out." He growls. "I was trying too." I spin around and walk out of the room before he could say another word, or worse, try and grab me again.

Stepping out into the fresh air, I pull my jacket around me. I find Eoin, and march up to him. "Well?" I ask, reading his face. "How did we do today?" Eoin shakes his head. "Bloody Mary!" I shout, kicking the ground. "We have five men Eoin! I need at least fifteen!" 

"Cap'n, I'm sorry. I've tried! I swear-" Eoin starts. "Well not bloody hard enough." I growl, I turn marching over to the table of men who were shouting madly at each other over a bottle of Scotch. "Ten shillings." I say, slamming my hand on the table. The men stop and look up at me with amusement. 

"I'm sorry Miss, you must have the wrong table." One of the men snigger. The others chuckle around him. "Oh, I'm sure I don't." The seriousness in my voice only made the group of men chuckle more. "Ten shillings" I start with a sigh "for you to work on my ship over to the America's."

"Yer out of yer mind love." A man shakes his head. "Te even think we'd consider working under a woman." 

Furious, I pull the dagger out from my trousers, the other hand holding this mans head back with his hair and holding the dagger to his throat. "And you sir, are out of your mind, if ye even think about passing up on this offer." I growl, pressing it into his skin. A trickle of blood falls down his neck, onto his chest. 

"She's right ye know." A voice says from behind me. "We'll take it Captain. The offer." I turn around and meet the eyes of a young man, still holding the dagger against the other mans throat. "Your name." I demand. "Cal. Cal McDuff, Captain." I glance around at the ten or so men behind him. 

"We leave in the morning." I give them a harsh nod. "After the sunrise." The men nod. I walk past them listening as Eoin gives them orders to assist with loading the supplies onto the ship before the end of the night. 

Back in the bar, it's getting rowdy. Like it does most nights I assume. The sailors are ready for the big days ahead. I'm ready. I'm ready to feel the Seabreeze against my face, the smell of the saltwater under my nose for the next few months.

"Here ye go sis." My thoughts are interrupted as Liam stands across from me, pushing a glass across the table towards me. I meet his eyes and take a sip. "Bastard." I mutter.

"Oh ye love me." He grins. I roll my eyes, standing up and wrapping my arms around him. "Of course I do, ye big hairy lump." He pulls me in tight.

Even though he has been back for a few years now, I still had the urge to hold my brother longer and enjoy even the littlest of moments while we could. I'm glad he made it in time to say goodbye to our Grandmother as we laid her to rest three years ago.

Whilst he was gone my position in our village rose as I was one of the best hunters left as the men had travelled off to battle. I stood up, I collected the rent and I assisted families in need. However my own walls rose and I felt myself begin to 'harden up'. I no longer wore my heart on my sleeve and I found it hard to trust those around me. Even more so when Liam arrived home, alone.

"Let's get some drink into us, aye?" He grins his big grin at me. I chuckle, shaking my head. "Come on then." He wraps his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into my side. "Mwah!" He lands a big sloppy kiss on the top of my head making me cower. 

"A bottle of Scotch please Will!"