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Crystal watched as he used the small iron fireplace shovel to scoop the used ash into a bucket that stood nearby.

He added a couple of the logs and some kindling to the grate and used a piece of flint to spark the kindling into a flame.

He used the fire poker to encourage the logs to light and soon the flames were dancing merrily and putting off enough heat that she could feel it.

He stood back up and turned to her. "Add two more logs before you go to sleep, then it should stay warm through the night," he said.

Crystal gulped as he stepped toward her. "Alright, I can do that." She looked away from him to the fire.

Jamie used a finger under her chin to turn her face back to him.

"Lass, I still do not like this, but since you've insisted upon staying here tonight, Rory will be outside.

I will send another guard to relieve him around midnight so that he can get some rest as well," Jamie said, dropping his finger from under her chin.

Though his touch had been light, Crystal missed the feel of it upon her skin. Still she didn't want to be a burden to him and his men. "Really that's not necessary," Crystal started.

Jamie didn't respond with words, instead he looked at her for a long moment, before sighing softly. He pulled a dagger from his belt, reached for her hand and placed it and its sheath in her palm, closing her fingers around it.

Crystal stared at the lightweighted weapon now resting in her hand. "What is this for?"

"Tis for protection against the goblins or anyone else who dares to accost you. Do you know how to use it, lass?" he asked.

"I think it's pretty self-explanatory," she quipped with small smile and met his gaze.

Jamie chuckled. "Aye, I suppose it tis. It's made of iron, so it should ward off any of the fae if they come calling."

"The fae are afraid of iron?"

"Aye, it can be deadly to them. Burns them badly and they tend to avoid it when they see it. We try to keep the villagers supplied with iron, but most seem to think the fae are demons and they rely on their faith to keep them safe."

Crystal didn't know what to say to that. She'd yet to see a goblin, but she imagined that if she had never seen one, it would probably look like a demon to her too. She set the dagger down on the small table next to the bed.

Jamie moved toward the door and turned back to her. "You have everything you need?"

"Yes. Courteney is getting me water, but then I should be fine. I really just want to wash up, change out of these clothes and sleep," she said.

"Of course, lass. I will send word to the Laird of your arrival. He will wish to meet with you. You do understand now that you are not in your time anymore, aye?" he asked.

"Yes, I think so, but I'll understand it better once I've had some sleep," she said.

He gave her a crooked grin that melted her heart and had her insides turning to jelly.

"Aye, I'll leave you to it, then," he said with a slight nod to her before turning and heading out the door.

Courteney returned a moment later, carrying a full bucket of water.

She set it on the floor by a wooden frame that held a porcelain bowl.

"Here you are. Fresh water for you to wash up in.

The cloth here is clean, you can use that to wash up with.

" She indicated a piece of fabric hanging from the side of the wooden frame.

"Let me fetch you some clothes from the wardrobe. "

"Thank you." Crystal smiled at her.

She moved to a wooden cabinet that stood against the wall near the door and opened it.

She removed a white gown and set it on the bed.

"Here's a nightshift for you." She turned back to the cabinet and pulled out a heavy looking, plaid, wool dress and a dark blouse.

She held it up for Crystal to see. "I think this tunic and dress will work for you, let me get you some stockings as well.

" She laid the dress and shirt over the chair and opened a drawer at the bottom of the wardrobe, pulling out a pair of stockings.

"I'm sorry I do not have another pair of shoes for you.

You will have to keep wearing those," she said looking at Crystal's boots.

"That's alright, I appreciate you lending me these. My boots should be fine once I dry them by the fire," Crystal replied.

"Then I shall go. Sleep well, Miss."

"Thank you, Courteney. I really do appreciate everything you're doing for me, I don't know how I'm going to be able to pay you back for your kindness," Crystal said.

"It tis no trouble, Miss. I am happy to do it." Courteney gave her a soft smile and walked out, closing the door behind her.

It took Crystal a moment to figure out the hatch lock on the door, but once she understood how it worked, she locked the door securely.

She moved to the window and closed the shutters, latching them closed as well so that she could wash up and change in privacy and relative safety.

She wasn't sure exactly how secure the little cottage was, but she didn't feel unsafe.

Especially since Jamie had given her the dagger.

"Home sweet home," she murmured as she looked at the dim little room.

The room felt nice and warm with the fire blazing. She pulled a chair over and sat down in front of the fire, then peeled off her still damp boots and socks and set them close to the flames to dry.

"Much better," she said.

Picking up the bucket of water, she poured a small amount into the wash basin. Then she took off all her clothes and washed her face, then used the cloth to bathe her body as best as she could.

"How is this real? I must be losing my mind," she said as she realized that she was doing this very medieval activity in a Scottish cottage.

The moment she started to question her reality she pushed it out of her mind for the sake of keeping her sanity at least to get some sleep.

She put on the nightgown and found it fit very well and loose.

She moved to the bed, which was neatly made with a heavy quilt and wool blanket.

She folded down the blankets, and fluffed the pillow.

Before getting into the bed, she moved the window, opened the shutters and peeked out.

Rory leaned against the wall of the cottage, his thick arms crossed over his chest as he stared out into the night.

The sun had gone down and now the night was only lit by the half-moon in the sky.

If she weren't so tired, she might have felt more nervous about nightfall and killers on the loose, but her body begged for sleep.

She blew out the candles, then laid down under the cozy blankets and fell into a deep slumber.