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After Durell had long since been settled within his room, the family of the MacLaren were all standing before the hearth.

Enya sat very near to her mother while Gwyn and the Laird MacLaren stood before the roaring blaze.

She spoke loud enough for all to hear because she had so much in which she needed to explain.

"Father, much has transpired in these last years since I have been away, but what has happened most recently is so very painful. Yet, I must disclose it all to you."

She drew in her breath deeply and spoke once again.

"The Laird Errol is now dead and so much has changed. I am asking you and begging you for your help. For the Chattan."

The laird stared down at Gwyn in silence contemplating her words. Slowly, he nodded his head as he silently encouraged her to speak of all she knew.

"Over these last years while the Laird Errol has been very strong, there has been much unrest across his Highlands. And even within our own clan of the Chattan."

Quickly, Gwyn looked around as she lowered her voice before continuing to speak. She could not risk anyone overhearing her words and her gaze settled upon the laird.

"Does Enya know, father?"

The Laird MacLaren nodded his head once as he spoke.

"Yes, when she was old enough, your mother and I felt it prudent for her to know in case anything had happened to either one of us."

"Well, then father, that does make it a bit easier for me to speak freely."

Slowly, Gwyn smiled at Enya while she continued to speak lowly.

"Knowing the Laird Errol had no heir, my husband even had to gain the help of his sister's son Iver.

A few months ago, he and over twenty of his men came from the McColl to declare their featly to the Chattan.

With this move, the Laird Errol had hoped to gain the control needed and restore the peace to their people through Iver.

He had declared him the one who would succeed him.

But there had not been much time for him to gain their trust and the dissension ran deep. "

Gwyn paused to breathe deeply as her words penetrated the minds of her family.

"And when the laird so suddenly died…father, it was horrible!

We were standing at the graveside just after burying his body when we were attacked.

We were assaulted by a neighboring clan but what was most treacherous was that many of the Chattan's own stood with them.

It was Donnan, who is Iver's cousin and loyal friend along with those five of his men you see here now.

They protected both Durell and me. They have brought us safely home to you.

It was not safe for either of us to stay within the Chattan. Especially for what is presumed."

Gwyn looked knowingly into their eyes as she continued.

"As you may have suspected, Durell does not yet know and I am not certain it is the right time. There is so much unrest and he is so young."

It was her father who took her hands within his own as he spoke.

"We understand. It has been so many years, your mother and I can wait some more time.

It is not necessary for us yet to tell of the secret.

It is just so wonderful to have you both home.

There is also much for you to know about what has happened here.

My dear Gwyn, it was Lachlan our healer who was responsible for all that had transpired with each and every bairn that we lost."

"Lachlan? Why would she do anything to harm? I remember nothing but her kindness and her love for the MacLaren. She was sworn to heal and pledged to us. She appeared to have done nothing but good over the years."

"We really do not know the full of it. Ennis, he is the one who discovered her and pieced it all together for us. She had access to all the babes and she is the one who gave the medicines to your mother. But it was most recently what she had attempted that made us truly understand her ways."

Her father looked at Gwyn somberly as he spoke.

"She tried to poison both your mother and me. Had the young serving wench Elspeth not spoken-"

"Oh, father we find ourselves in such a state. And there is more I need to request from you. Neither Donnan nor Iver would ever ask, but I am going to on their behalf because I feel this is their due. You must know I would never speak these words unless I truly believed in them."

The Laird MacLaren looked at Gwyn with uncertainty in his eyes as she continued.

"As I stated earlier, Iver was of the McColl and was the nephew to the Laird Errol. And Donnan, he is Iver's cousin on his father's side. They are both very proud warriors and they have both become very dear friends of mine."

Slowly, Gwyn continued while the pain for all she knew threatened her composure.

"You must understand that over the years the Laird Errol began to lose a hold of his keep and the control over his men.

Even though I was never involved in any of those discussions and many attempted to hide the state from me, it was very clear that we all were in danger.

Father, as strong as I know Iver and his following to be, they need help.

We owe them this much. I feel so indebted to them for allowing me to be among them and safely raise Durell.

The Chattan took care of us and protected us.

If the warriors from the McColl had not arrived…

father I shudder to think what would have become of us.

For this reason and so much more I am begging you to send help. "

"It is done."

She gawked at her father in incredulity as a smile appeared warmly upon her face at his sudden firm declaration. For the first time in her life, Gwyn felt a small semblance of reparation for all the duty she had upheld.