A/N: So, guys, this story is coming to an end SOON. Just preparing you all-

THERE WILL BE A SEQUEL.

I will announce the title and upload the cover so you can add it to your libraries- only if you want to, haha.

"I'm sorry, it just tore me up to see him like that," I murmur courteously, taking the handkerchief from the man known as Commander Alexander Bridgeton. A young man, with fair skin and dirty blonde hair- he is what Greer says.

He's kind, but only because I'm a woman.

"I understand, Ma'am. I would have been pleased to escort you to your husband, the prison is no place for a lady." His tone is reproachful but there's no malice present.

"I'm sorry. I was so desperate. I had just received word and Master Lovat and I rushed here."

"Master Lovat?" His light brows spring up. "He is here as well?"

I nod, swiping the handkerchief beneath my nose. "Yes, Lachlan- and William Borlum are rather close with him."

He nods, leaning against his desk. His red uniform is impeccably made, the shirt white as the moon, probably brand new or cleaned everyday. "So, should I be inferring whether or not you're here to ask for your husbands release?"

I swallow, caught off guard. " Commander, I'd be ever so grateful- as would his tenants... He was forced into this rebellion. He has no true quarrel with the crown."

His face curves in sudden interest. "Is that so? And is there evidence to support this claim?"

"There are witnesses. A letter-"

"A letter? Containing?"

"A letter written by Lachlan himself trying to persuade the other clans to remain loyal to the crown. That-that going against the king would be detrimental to us."

His eyes slant with understanding and he nods. "Do you happen to have this letter with you?"

"It's with Master Lovat along with the other written letters from witnesses who will vouch for him." I lean forward, taking his hands in mine softly. "Sir, please. I can assure you that my husband- that he will be far more aggressive with the clans in the future."

"I'd like to speak with Master Lovat before I make any decisions but thank you, Mistress, for bringing this to my attention." He smiles courteously, fighting his fingers around my palm. "You are a rare woman to come this far to free your family- in the winter, no doubt."

"There is no truer bond than family, Commander Bridgeton," I reply, standing with a smile. "Thank you so much for your time. I do know you are a busy man."

He presses a hand to my back lightly, walking me to the door. "For a blossoming flower like you, ma'am, I have all the time in the world."

I smile, laughing just to appease him. "Thank you for your kindness."

He nods, flashing his pearly teeth. "We will be in touch, madam. Will you please have Master Lovat come ask for me? Have him bring the evidence you spoke of."

I step from the room into the frigid hallway, clutching my gloves nervously. "Absolutely, Commander. I will go to him right now."

He nods, placing his hands behind his back. Knowing I'm not needed any longer, I turn and walk slowly down the hallway, aware of his gaze on my back. Closing my eyes, I force the fear I've felt nonstop since I arrived in Edinburgh even farther back than I have and press on, hoping that by this time tomorrow, we will be clear of this place.

...

I tear my eyes from the fireplace of the small inn room, hearing the door open wide. The winter wind curls into the room in gusts, trickling in snow and dirt behind the man who is still covered head to toe in blood.

Lachlan shuts the door behind him, gently. He's slouched like a man who hasn't had a decent night of sleep in days, possibly weeks. I stand unsurely, watching as he sets down the plaid I gave him on the table, silent.

"I-I had the innkeeper bring some warm water- so you could wash," I say, lamely, gesturing to the wash bin. He glances over at it, avoiding my vicinity entirely. "And food too."

"Thank ye," he whispers, nodding. I shuffle where I am, unsure of what to do.

"I can leave while you get dressed... If you want to come get me when you're done-"

"It's the middle of the night, Gillian. I'm not sending ye down to the bar."  He removes his tattered shirt first, catching me off guard. I look away when he then reaches for his plaid. I stare back into the flames as I hear him begin washing behind me, quietly.

"I've been released with but a slap of the wrist. Did Master Lovat tell ye?"

I nod, smiling softly. "Yes, it's a good thing."

"He's rather awed at ye."

"Why?"

"Ye came all this way, to save your- beloved husband... Of course he's amazed at such a woman."

The sarcasm in his voice is not lost on me. "I didn't plan this, Lachlan."

"I find that hard to believe."

"Yeah, Lachlan, I planned you trying to kill MacCallan. I planned you sticking a knife through my stomach. I planned to lay in bed on the verge of death for weeks. Oh yeah, of course I knew all that would happen."

"Ye knew ye were going to betray me."

"No, I didn't... And I deserve to feel love, Lachlan."

"There's been no shortage of love from me, Gillian."

"On your terms! You have no idea who I really am. No idea... you see only what I choose to show you."

"You haven't given me a chance!"

"Do you honestly think you deserve one?" I gape, glancing over at him. He's running the cloth over his chest, slow but thoroughly. "Honestly? How can I show you who I am when I know you won't accept what you see? What you hear? How I act? I would be in constant fear of your wrath."

"I didnae mean to hurt ye before I left. And as for before, it's been years since I did what I did... I've apologized for it."

"You threatened me," I snap. "You threatened me before you went to get Callan that night. Do you remember that? When you raised your hand inches away from my face?"

"Gillian-"

I hold up my hand. "No, Lachlan. No more excuses. No more lies. I'm done living in fear. I'm done living in this world you've thrust upon me unwillingly. I love MacCallan, I have since the day we met and I'm leaving with him as soon as we get back."

...

The trip back to Mor Castle took over a week, hard riding. By the time we're arriving into Inverness, catching eye of the place we've called home for a couple years now, I'm desperate to get off of anything that moves.

Lachlan and I have been stuck on the same stallion for over a week and have said but seven words to each other the remainder of the trip. Even Master Lovat and his men are down in spirits, bodies frosted in snow that refuses to cease.

Unable to help it, I rest my forehead onto Lachlan's back, hearing my teeth chattering violently.

"Put your arms around me. It will stop the chatterin'," he says, surprising me. 

"I'm okay," I force out, straightening.

"If you're cold, Gillian, use my warmth. There is nothing wrong with that."

I close my eyes but comply, wrapping my arms around his waist hesitantly. As we move along the harsh plain, I find my head back against his body.

"Gillian."

I open my eyes and lift my heavy skull from his back, startled, finding Lachlan turned, looking down at me. The castle is large and picturesque behind him.

"Oh, I must have fell asleep," I breathe, clearing my throat. "I'm sorry."

He shakes his head silently, holding out his hand. As I take it, he whispers, so only I can hear him, "Walk straight to the bedroom. If anyone comes to ye until then, tell them you're unwell."

I nod, settling my feet onto the ground. I let him go, slowly, watching as he turns to speak with Master Lovat. The castle is lit by only the moon and stars, bright enough to light my way inside.

...

I woke to a bed lacking upturned covers, a silent indication that Lachlan didn't come to sleep here.

I've left everything here, except for the clothes on my back and the thistle MacCallan gave me the night we first met by the willow. My eyes flicker to the tree from the window and I feel a swarm of memories flitter throughout my body, battering my emotions.

This is the only home I've truly ever known here and in many ways I've grown to love it. The sounds, smells, constant chatter. The people. At first, I was an outsider. Now, I'm considered family to them.

And now, as I gear to leave the room I lost my baby Josephine in, I feel my lips tremble for fear of the unknown. But just as fast as the tears begin to threaten, I'm reminded of the life I'm leaving this for.

Who I'm leaving this for.

And before I know it, I'm shutting the door behind me, gently.

...

"Where is Lachlan?" I murmur to Ann, who's hovering over the fireplace, pink faced and all. She turns, and smiles softly at the sound of my voice.

"You're back... Ye should have fetched me to help ye dress."

"I- came to say goodbye," I whisper, glad I caught her alone. At my words, she presses her lips together, looking down, expectantly.

"Aye, I hoped ye would have the chance."

I smile, stepping into the kitchen further. "I could never leave without saying goodbye to you properly, Ann. I feel like this has been a long time coming though."

She nods and sets down the spoon onto the counter. "What is going to be said?"

"I don't know what Lachlan will say yet... I'm trying to find him before I go to see if he'll speak with me."

"Well, I ken he was speaking to Daggis outside about the stables but that was earlier..."

I nod, clearing my throat. It feels like I'm saying goodbye to a sister. "I don't even know what life will be like without you in it," I say, gently, looking down.

"It will be what it should have been years ago, Gillian," she whispers. "MacCallan would defy all nature to be with ye. You must go to him, now, and live your life side by side, no matter the obstacles. If ye do that, I will be happy to see ye go."

Touched beyond words, I walk into her, clasping her tightly. She exhales against me before pulling back, clutching my arms.

"Go, now. It will be getting late soon and I dinnae want ye walkin' through the storm coming."

"I'll be fine," I murmur reassuringly, kissing her cheek tearfully. She nods, smiling back at me.

"I ken you will be."

...

My steps slow as I near the chapel.

My feet crunch against the hardened snow until there is no noise apart from the growing wind of the storm approaching the castle. I stare ahead into the cemetery, and at the man that's standing tall, staring down at a gravestone. I felt the blow keenly when I was told Lachlan was visiting Josephine's grave.

He rarely has. I believe it's because he hasn't found a way to deal with losing her. We came once together, and it's probably the closest I've ever felt to him. He stroked my hair as I laid flowers over her grave for the first time, whispering a soft prayer in Gaelic. We named her then, together, two grieving parents, both feeling the same thing.

It was the only time in our marriage, in our entire relationship, where we were completely equal.

I step forward again, swallowing deeply for the courage I'm seeming to lose with each passing minute. I pull open the gate slowly and he looks straight up at the noise, hands clasped together before him but doesn't look my way as I approach.

I stop slowly beside him, exhaling. Her gravestone is bare, from when she was buried without a name but coated in a dark design, a decorative feature. I clear my throat, fixated on the rock, knowing it's the last time I'll ever visit her here.

The figure beside me speaks finally, gently. "I will tell the clan that I am divorcing ye- I will tell them ye cannae provide me an heir."

I feel a sharp pain in my gut at the confession and I look up at him. He avoids contact with me, staring down at the grave.

"It is the only way you'll not be shamed."

I nod, blinking back the tears of shock. I shouldn't care what he says to them but something so close to me, something that has proven true, tears at the open wound surrounding my heart. "I understand."

His voice remains completely detached. "When you've settled somewhere, write to me your whereabouts. I will inform ye whether or not the contract has been finalized by a lawyer and will send it to ye to sign. Dinnae sleep in the same room with him or act brazen, you'll only make it harder on yourself."

"And you?"

"I will look for a bride," he says, clearing his throat. "If I'm to say I'm expectin' for an heir, I must find a woman to give it to me."

"Okay."

He stiffens, refusing to look at me as he turns away. "Ye will not be welcome back on these lands after ye go. I would- say goodbye to the things you love here now before ye leave. It will be the last time ye see them."

I listen to his feet crackle against the snow on his way through the rather large cemetery and bend down onto my knees, not caring about the chill. My fingers touch the stone gently and it's as if I'm touching her again.

She was cold when I held her, she had been gone for a while but she was soft. She was delicate. She was beautiful. She was the redemption for the life I had been forced to live; my saving grace after MacCallan had gone.

And she never truly came.

"Josephine, darling..." I whisper. "I hope you know how- loved you are, even now. And I'll not be back here to be with you, so you must find me elsewhere... I used to think that I would have preferred to have never gotten pregnant at all- but it's not true. I don't believe it." I can't help my small smile. "You saved us for a while- you made life better for us and I'll always be grateful for it, sweetheart... Always."

My nails graze the detailed handiwork slowly, a pattern I've memorized as I feel the loss of her again. My face seems to stiffen as tears emerge from my eyelids, threatening to burst.

"She willnae be alone," Lachlan says, suddenly. I turn slowly, having not known he was still there. I find him standing by the gate, leaning against the vines. I wipe my tears and look back to the stone.

"This isn't goodbye, love," I whisper, pressing my lips to the rock. I stand up slowly, throat thick. I walk towards Lachlan, smiling softly. Stopping before him, I cross my arms over my body protectively.

"You'll come to see her grave?"

"Aye, I will. Even though I had a rough time showin' you what ye meant to me, I wouldnae had a problem showin' her. She would have been loved fiercely."

The comment brings a smile to my face, even as the snow dusts across my face and clothing, chilling me to the bone. "I know you would have."

I glance up at the castle, clearing my throat awkwardly. "I have to go- if I'm going to make it before the storm."

His brows turn down. "What do ye mean? You're not tellin' me you're planning to go now in this?"

I nod, unmoving. "I have to get back. He'll have heard that I'm here."

"You're not leavin' like this. Not alone, Gillian. You'll get lost within mere miles."

"I know how to get to Inverness like the back of my hand, Lachlan. I've gone out in worse storms than this."

"Ye will not-"

"I'm going and there is nothing you can do about it," I snap, storming past him. I hear him follow fast on my heels.

"Gillian."

"No."

"Gillian!" He pulls on my arm and I turn, red with frustration. He has the ability to make to soften my heart and freeze it, within seconds.

He exhales unsurely. "Please, just wait a few hours... It's dangerous."

I swallow, grabbing his hand. "I will be fine. Don't worry about me anymore... I will contact you when I've settled down."

I turn then as he stares down at me, eyes wide and hurry forward, grabbing my skirts. The village is cleared due to the storm, apart from a few men in the stables, locking away the horses.

Seeing me approach, one of the stable boys walks to grab Star, a curious look on his face. I wait by the end, impatiently.

The boy walks forward, with my horse in tow by the reins. "Mistress, there is a storm-"

"I am takin' my wife to Inverness."

I close my eyes at the sound of Lachlan's voice and take the reins from the boy, who notices our tension and makes himself scarce, smartly. "Lachlan, I'll return the horse. You don't need to-"

"I could give a damn about the horse. Now, get on," he snaps, holding out his arm for me get on.

"No."

He grabs my arm, gripping tightly. "So help me God, Gillian, if ye dinnae get on this here horse right now, I will be dragging ye back into the castle and you'll wait there until the storm passes! It makes no difference to me!"

My glare is piercing but he remains his usual undeterred, arrogant self, pulling me up onto the steed with ease. I fix my skirts angrily as he climbs on behind me, settling his body against mine.

"Will ye hand me the reins?"

I nod, silently and do so. I feel watchful eyes on us as we leave the stable, entering the chill and wonder what they'll say when I don't return.