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"Father, it is now time. It is time for all to be revealed to our family before any of our vows are spoken on the morrow.

It is important that Iver and Donnan and especially Durell, know the entire truth.

It is their right. We can wait to tell all others, but I cannot move on with my life until our deepest secrets have been revealed.

Our destinies have all been determined and our separate paths must now be resolute. "

The Laird MacLaren stood next to his wife who had been in conversation with Durell.

He smiled warmly at his daughter and bowed his head gently in acceptance of her pronouncement.

In his heart, he knew it had been only her decision as to when this moment was appropriate.

It was for all she had done and for all she had given to her clan.

He knew that no one else had this right, even he.

Gwyn moved her eyes from her parents and over to Donnan and Enya who stood near. She smiled gently then turned her gaze to Iver. After she squeezed gently of his hand, she slowly moved from his side as she knelt down before the one she had known only as her son.

"My dearest Durell. You do know that I love you more than life itself, do you not? You must understand I would do anything for you."

Gwyn looked deeply into his troubled eyes as she reached forward to brush a stray lock of dark hair from his cheek.

"You must be brave and please do not be troubled. There is nothing I am going to reveal that will frighten you. It is all good but it has been a secret of mine and of the MacLaren for many years now. It is one that very few have known before now."

"Yes, mother, I know it is my duty to be brave. You may speak freely of whatever it is you wish to say."

Gwyn nearly cried for the words upon his lips were so sweetly spoken. She loved this child as if he were her very own son.

"Many, many years ago and way before you were born, Enya and I had three brothers.

Each of these were taken from our mother and our family in childbirth.

While most of us believed it was God's will, my mother believed differently.

Shortly after her third son had been laid to rest, I was sent away to marry the Laird Errol of the Chattan.

What was not known to anyone other than my mother and my father, was that my mother became with child again.

Before her bairn could be revealed, she left her clan for a brief period of time.

While in seclusion and unbeknownst to everyone here, she bore another son.

She entrusted her gift to another in the hopes he would be allowed to live.

He was born a healthy baby boy and one who would grow up to be strong and very capable.

The hope was that he would return one day to claim his rightful place beside the MacLaren laird. "

Gwyn paused as she watched the stilled face of her son…no of her brother . She drew in a deep breath as she continued.

"You are now old enough to know the full of the truth, Durell.

These secrets will be held no longer, at least within our immediate family and among all those within this room.

When the news will be shared with the remainder of the clan, I do not know, but all those here have a right to understand this truth. Including you."

Gwyn brought the hands of Durell up to her mouth and placed a kiss upon his fingers as she smiled warmly.

"You must understand that child I spoke of, is you ."

Durell looked quizzically at the face of Gwyn and the one he had only known as his mother and up to the faces of the laird and lady of the MacLaren.

His eyes grew wide as the one he had only known as his grandmother moved to kneel before him.

There was a noticeable tear within her eye as she spoke gently.

"You do see, Durell, that even before you were born, you were deemed so special that you were given more parents than most to watch over you and to care for you and of course, to love you."

Durell looked between the eyes of his mother he had always known and the new mother he had just learned about. Gwyn spoke again.

"You see Durell, while I was given you as a special gift to call my own, you are really my brother. Your mother is the Lady Morwenna and your father, the Laird MacLaren. We did not do this to be cruel, but to protect you from the horrid fates of your brothers. Our brothers."

Surprise registered upon his face but he did not immediately speak. It was as if the truth took its time to permeate his mind. Gwyn spoke again in her hopes to placate his heart.

"But you must know, I could not have loved you more than if you were truly my own son. And regardless of what has been revealed, I will cherish that time always."

Slowly, he reached forward and hugged Gwyn and then the Lady Morwenna.

When he had stepped from the embraces of each of the women, he turned towards the laird.

When he was but a pace before him, he knelt down on one knee and spoke formally with more confidence then any nine year old had a right to possess.

"My father and my laird. I am exceedingly proud to be home ."

*****

The overwhelming rage that was building within his chest over the obvious deceptions that had just been revealed was nothing compared to the hate that he held for the laird of the MacLaren.

And his wife. A quick death for these two was just too easy.

They needed to pay and to suffer and be revealed for the deceitful pair they were.

Their children. That is where they would feel it the most and that is where he would strike…