Page 3

As her uncle unlocked and then opened the door for Gwyn, she stepped over the threshold and placed a smile upon her face.

As soon as she was beyond the entry and the door had closed in her wake, a golden colored slipper nearly struck her in the face.

She understood immediately it had once been gracing her mother's foot as it was hurled at her wildly.

Yet Gwyn did not even flinch. Instead, she breathed in deeply and closed her eyes as she continued her attempt at cheerfulness.

When nothing else had flown through the air or at least had a chance to strike her, Gwyn opened her eyes and with a forced gaiety upon her voice, she spoke.

"Mother, I see you are already awake on this fine summer's day."

Gwyn did not pause for a response as she moved confidently over to the table across the chamber and deposited the tray upon it.

"I have some bread that is just fresh from the baking and some nice aged yellow cheese. And the berries. They are your favorite and I am certain they will please you. Do come over so you can break your fast with me."

Listening intently in the quieted chamber for her mother to approach, Gwyn did not turn but simply busied herself at the table.

She laid out the fare while pouring a murky hot liquid into a mug for the Lady Morwenna.

Turning with the steaming cup still within her hands, she realized too late her mother was right behind her and she gave her quite a start.

Before Gwyn could react and move from her nearness, the Lady Morwenna batted the heated brew from her hands and it fell noisily to the floor echoing distinctly in the otherwise silent chamber.

As Gwyn moved her eyes downward, she could see how the dark liquid from the cup had spread into a tiny puddle upon the floor and had splashed at the hem of her own gown. Slowly, she moved her gaze from the spill and back into her mother's eyes as she spoke.

"Please mother, you know this special tea will only make you feel better. You must drink this as our Lachlan has urged. She has said the roots she has blended and steeped will help you to calm. It is good for you and you must drink it frequently."

"I will not."

Gwyn gazed into her mother's eyes and although the words she had spoken were rather controlled, she realized there was a rage that seemed to encompass the whole of her face.

Gwyn's mother pursed her lips, as her eyes seemed to change to a darker shade of blue.

Suddenly, her face shifted as if she had startled awake and a softening completely covered her features.

"Please, my dear Gwyn, you must help me!"

The words were spoken with such a forlorn ring to them they tore unmercifully at Gwyn's heart.

"I will not drink or eat anything that has been prepared for me by Lachlan or any others within our kitchens. Someone is trying to take me from your father just as much as they have stolen my sons from me and those of our clan!"

Gwyn closed her eyes in sadness at the familiar rantings of her mother.

Once again, she found the lady of the keep was lashing out at the world and blaming everyone in it for the devastation within her life.

Gwyn's heart nearly broke as her mother continued to stare with such pain in her eyes.

She could only smile back at her believing there was little merit to her words.

There simply could not be for she knew it was God who had interceded and no one else as her mother had proclaimed.

"Please, mother, you must drink this. I know it will make you feel much better. And I promise, it will calm your troubled heart."

The Lady Morwenna's startled face burst with anger once again as she spat her words heatedly back into her daughter's face.

"Better? Whatever it is that is being forced upon me is not making me better!

'Tis poison, I know it is! As much as I remember each and every one of my babes being delivered drawing the breaths that make both you and I alive, I am most certain of it.

My sons breathed and they cried! It was only after someone intervened when they were stolen from me!

It is a lie if anyone claims differently.

No one will ever convince me of it otherwise. "

Gwyn pressed her lips together and felt smartly the pain truly having a firm grip upon her mother's heart.

And her mind. To an outsider, her words may have rung with a bit of reliability, but Gwyn had been living among the clan of the MacLaren her whole life.

She could not believe anyone among this loving clan would do anything as vile as what her mother had just suggested.

However, the conviction in which the Lady Morwenna had stated her plea brought a certain concession to her heart.

She breathed in deeply as she gave in slightly, yielding to at least listen to her appeal.

"All right, mother. What is it you suggest I do? I will help you, if it is within my power to do so."

The Lady MacLaren looked at her daughter with guarded apprehension, not fully willing to believe she would concede. On the other hand, it was clear within her eyes so she felt a small bit of hope.

"From this day and forward I am refusing to eat anything you do not prepare and deliver to me personally.

I will drink nothing but plain water and eat only roots from the ground.

Any meat I consume will be boiled then steeped and strained before it is rinsed thoroughly.

I want no more herbs nor brews from anyone who say they are pretending to help me.

These are clouding my mind and pulling the life from me.

As I live and breathe, this is my only wish and the only thing I will ever ask you to do for me.

I promise. You do this for me and I swear I will never demand anything more! "

Gwyn gazed deeply into the Lady Morwenna's darkened blue eyes, understanding the words she had spoken but having very little hope it would make any sort of a difference.

On the other hand, she loved her dearly and understood her duty was foremost to her mother.

She had pledged to care for her and keep her safe at all costs.

What the lady was suggesting did not appear to be an outrageous request and up until now, it appeared nothing they had done had any real effect upon her.

And Gwyn was so tired of it all. She knew this constant state of mourning must cease or it would continue to be the destruction of them all.

"And you need not tell a soul. Not even your father for he already has so much upon his mind. Please act as you always have and promise me you will not speak a word of it to anyone. No one must know."

"You forbid me to tell father? Please, mother, do not ask this of me. I cannot keep anything from our laird, especially this."

When her mother did not speak and the tears filled her eyes, Gwyn knew she could do nothing but concede. Slowly, she drew in a deep yielding breath as she spoke.

"Oh alright, mother. I will do this for you. But only if you do one thing for me in return."

"Anything!"

"You must stop being so disagreeable and allow me to help you be well and at least listen to some of what I have to say.

While the babes have not been of my own body, I truly do understand all that has happened and I have grieved every moment with you.

But it is time to heal and look beyond the past. You must understand I love you and want to help you.

You know I would do anything to see you well.

You must try and get beyond this for your family and your clan need you. I need you, as does Enya."

Gwyn watched as her mother lowered her head and a single tear slipped from the corner of her eye. Slowly, it trailed down her lean cheek where it paused briefly at the base of her jaw. Slowly, the Lady Morwenna took in a deep breath as she raised her gaze to meet that of her daughter's.

"Do as I have asked, my dear Gwyn, and I promise you I will get better. I know this in my heart to be true!"

Gwyn smiled wryly realizing if her mother had her way, she truly would do all in her power to discharge the pain she currently held inside.

If she had any control of her life left at all, she would rise up and be healed.

This woman who stood before her was a devoted and loving person who was both mother and wife.

Gwyn was just not certain the Lady Morwenna was strong enough to lay claim to either of those responsibilities.