Ellen Fraser

Chapter 1

"Ellen!" 

"Coming father!" I called, quickly catching up to the red-haired man in front of me. Edinburg was still so fascinating, even after all these months. It was strange to think about. I and Da had never stayed somewhere long. Well, the longest we had stayed somewhere was when Da was a groomsman. 

I had loved that place, even if Da was a servant there. It was where we spent the most time together, just me and him. It's also where he told me stories about my Mother, the time-traveling healer. I knew it pained him to talk about her, but I loved hearing about her. 

Da and I walked back to the print shop he had set up in town. A very respectable business, if you didn't take into account the sedition pamphlets he printed on the side. And the smuggling. 

"Now, what are yer plans for today lass?" he asks as we both walk into the shop. 

"Perhaps I'll see if Fergus needs any help moving product" I reply. 

"Fergus? You two have been spending quite a bit o' time together. Is there anything I should know?" he asks, peeking at me over the glasses from the paper he was reading over. 

"No! Course not. We're just friends Da, nothing else" I reply, feeling a blush creep up to my cheeks. He chuckles and moves over to begin prepping the printing press. I grab my apron and pull it on over my brown dress. 

"Here Da, let me help," I said, pulling my wild red hair up into a messy bun. He smiled at me and placed a hand on my shoulder, giving me a gentle squeeze. Geordie came by later in the morning and left just as quick to gather supplies. After helping set up the press I took off my apron and grabbed my cloak.

"Alright Da, I'll see you at the pub," I tell him as I fasten my cloak and pull up my hood. 

"Be safe Ellen," he mumbles as he works on printing his first paper. I quickly made my way up the stairs and I pulled open the front door and almost ran into this woman who looked like she was about to knock. 

"Oh, forgive me. I didna mean to scare you" I quickly apologized, looking at the dark brown-haired woman in front of me. She looked at me with wide eyes as she took me in. She looked at me in what almost seemed like horror and I could feel myself shrinking under her gaze. 

"Bree?" she almost whispered as she continued to stare at me. 

"'m sorry? You must have me mistaken with someone my name is-"

"Ellen! Is everything alright?" I hear Da call from below. 

"Everything is fine! I just gave one of your customers a fright" I called. I opened the door wider allowing her to step in. 

"You're probably lookin for my Da. He'll be just down that way" I tell her sweetly, pointing to the edge of the railing and the stairs leading down to the press. I walked past her and out the door, heading down to the pub. 

Claire felt like she had just encountered a ghost. Or maybe two as the voice of Jamie continued to run through her ears. It was Brianna's face. Her daughter had just opened the door for her and whipped past her, not even recognizing her face. 

I loved the mists of Scotland. The bit of cold that would nip at my cheeks and keep me awake. It's what felt like home. 

I made my way through the busy streets and towards the local pub. I had planned to meet Fergus there before Da and Willoughby dealt with their business. I peeked inside the pub and saw Mr. Willoughby already sitting there. I looked around for Fergus but he was nowhere in sight.