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It was but two days later and in the early morning fog, when they stood upon the stairs overlooking the upper bailey.

They were watching four clansmen of the Chattan and nearly fifty of the MacLaren depart.

As the noise of the moving horses drifted upwards, Gwyn looked over at the strong Highlander beside her. Donnan smiled warmly as he spoke.

"I cannot ever thank you enough for what you have done."

When Gwyn simply pierced her lips together and shook her head sadly, he continued.

"While I know Iver is strong, there is no telling how many still stand with him. Your father was more than generous."

"Really, Donnan, you cannot be surprised especially knowing what you have done for me. It was our duty and a pleasure to fortify his armies."

As the silence stretched between them, Gwyn returned her gaze to the last of the Highlanders as they departed through the gates.

"You can still catch them, Donnan. Really, there is no need for you to stay. I will be safe among the MacLaren."

She did not turn her face to his but she understood by the heavy sigh that his response would be the same as it was each time they spoke.

"You more than anyone must know I have promised Iver to stay by your side and to protect you. My presence here is not negotiable."

When he spoke no further, Gwyn continued.

"Very well then, I will argue no more. But since you are being so stubborn and have decided to stay, I will put you to work."

Donnan turned his head quickly as he looked at her with a questioning gaze. She winked at him before she spoke, giving him a smile as she did so.

"I have a place here that is very similar to back at the Chattan. And I expect you to be there because I do not wish for Durell to become lazy nor lax in his studies. His instruction must continue and you are the perfect one to train him."

When Donnan returned her smile, Gwyn spoke one more time.

"Come. There is no time like the present in which to begin."

*****

Gwyn sat next to her sister on the hillside overlooking the valley as it stretched gracefully below her. It had been nearly a month since she had arrived home. She had tried desperately for the sake of Durell alone to ensure that their routine was much the same as it had been back at the Chattan.

They would rise in the morn and ride and Durell would practice his skills of sword and bow.

After the mid-day meal, they would return to the keep where he would gain his grandfather's side and learn skills to manage the holdings, study agricultural methods and adding of sums. In the evenings, together the family and other clansmen of the MacLaren would fill the hall and this is where he would gain the knowledge of his family and of his people.

This happened even though he had no knowledge those within the gathering hall were truly his own.

Gwyn sat upon the hillside feeling warmly of the sun and watched over Durell as he took instruction. She spoke only loud enough for her sister to hear.

"I am feeling a bit guilty. I have placed the entire responsibility of Durell's teachings upon Donnan. While I know he has never complained, I feel it, nonetheless."

What she did not admit was that when he was not giving of his lessons, he seemed to always be near Gwyn's side. She did not mind it, truly she did not, but she was certain he would prefer to be among the rest of the men.

"He must not mind, Gwyn. I am certain he would speak up if this did not please him. He is a strong-willed Highlander and it is obvious he knows his own mind and has control over his vocation."

Gwyn was not so certain. Even to her sister, she could not reveal everything that would make her understand. Nor would she freely expose her heart. Instead, she remained silent as she watched while the lad and the Highlander stood in the distance discussing something of importance.

"Gwyn, although I am not as perceptive as you, it does seem that Durell has improved much since you returned home."

Gwyn smiled as her sister spoke softly, interrupting her thoughts.

"Yes, Enya, I must agree. You may find this humorous, but before Donnan and Iver trained him those last months before we made our journey here, it was I who had done so and all by myself."

At that moment, Donnan drew near as he shouted back to his young student.

"Yes! Ride all the way down the hill and back up again. Without your hands upon the reins!"

Gwyn had been looking at her seventeen-year-old sister when Donnan drew near. While the change was barely discernable, there was a softening around her eyes when she gazed at the large warrior as he approached. This subtle change in her truly made Gwyn wonder if she had warm feelings for him.

"May I join you two lovely ladies? That young lad has me nearly spent!

I do not remember when I was his age at having so much energy.

And so many questions! All he wants to do is understand the intricacies of battle, swing his sword and quickly retrieve all his arrows that missed the target!

It is clear, he will not settle for being anything but the best in everything he does. "

Gwyn chuckled lightly before she spoke.

"And here I was just thinking how you must be longing for the battle of a real man! Have you softened so much, Donnan, that a mere lad can have you so taxed?"

Together they shared a laugh as he settled himself upon the ground a few paces to the side of the women.

"And Donnan, I must reveal to you that not only have I seen the improvement over this last month, but Enya has even noticed it too!"

To that, Donnan simply chuckled as he watched the lad ride his horse in the distance. Gwyn spoke again, testing his response.

"It cannot be all too easy when you are training him under the watchful eyes of his mother an aunt! Tell me, does this bother you that we are here, because if it does-"

"Never!"

Gwyn was a bit startled by his forceful response.

And when the large Highlander's eyes moved from hers and over to Enya, it was then when she knew.

While she was certain he would never speak the words, it was obvious he enjoyed the company of them both.

And perhaps, one a bit more than the other.

"Then it is settled! You will continue to be under our watchful eye!"

That confirmed, they all turned to watch Durell in silence, two understanding the great significance this young lad held and one who simply trained him for the pleasure of it.