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"Please tell us, my love, what happened? Where have you and Enya been all these past days?"

Gwyn could only stare into the eyes of her husband, understanding for the first time in a very long while she was now safe and protected. She was also exactly where she wanted to be, in his arms and by his side as the wife of the Laird Chattan.

While she understood in her heart she would have been happy with him anywhere, she knew this is what fate had determined and she could not have been more ecstatic. Details, they did not matter to her, it was only that she and her sister had arrived safely.

Slowly, she moved her eyes from Iver's and over to Donnan who stood next to the chair that held Enya. His hands were protectively placed upon her shoulders. If he had not looked so outwardly haggard, Gwyn may have smiled because it was so obvious he would not let her go even for a moment.

When she moved her gaze to her father's, her heart nearly broke. So many years he had been plagued with secrets and uncertainty. And just when he thought he could trust someone…

'How could we all have been so wrong?'

Slowly, Gwyn began the tale that had taken them to this moment.

"As you know, it was Ennis and three of his men that convinced us to leave the MacLaren on that day.

The four of them came galloping over the crest of the hill as if all his words of an attack were indeed true.

I was so frightened for Durell I felt there was nothing else we could do.

So, I made the decision to willingly go with them.

We had traveled beyond the hills of the keep and it was far from our sight and there was no reason for us not to believe all that he had said. He was my uncle for God's sake!"

The guilt began to consume Gwyn. She had allowed herself to be vulnerable and gullible. By so easily trusting in his words, she had risked all of their lives.

"We were very far into the distance and on the final hill overlooking the MacLaren holdings when I glanced back over my shoulder.

I was shocked at what I saw. Or really, it was what I did not see that pained me.

While I expected to find a vast army attacking the keep as had been told by Ennis, there was no unrest and everything looked much as it always had.

All was peaceful and serene. It was then I decided I had to play along and not let Ennis know what I now suspected to be the truth. "

She pierced her lips, feeling the burn of her anger she held for herself. She breathed in deeply and then began again.

"I had to find a time and send Durell home. It gladdens my heart to now know it is obvious he had made it there safely. Father, please tell me it is so?"

"Yes, Gwyn, he did arrive without incident and he was so very brave.

He had ridden all night and breached our walls just as the sun was rising on that next morn.

We had grown concerned on that first afternoon when you did not return but had been told that Ennis and his men had accompanied you on a short hunt.

It was when the darkness had come and there was no sign of any of you-"

All eyes were focused on the Laird MacLaren as he struggled for his words. Finally, he continued when no one else spoke.

"You taught my son well, my dear, and you may be proud. Now please tell us what happened after Durell left you."

"We rode in a northerly direction and soon I was stripped of my sword because it was obvious they could not trust me. They also suspected I would do anything to gain our freedom."

"But why, Gwyn? Why would Ennis do this? He is my wife's brother and one to whom I felt I could trust. I still do not understand."

"It was for the power of the lairdship. In his deranged mind, he thought if you and mother had not delivered any male heirs, it would be his. I do apologize I must disclose this to you, father, but it also was Ennis who made certain none of your sons survived."

She could see the shock register and when she realized he could not speak, she did so again.

"He must have overheard my words revealing the secret of Durell's birth. He became very angered and it was then when he boldly made his move."

The Laird MacLaren could not speak as the devastation bit at his heart.

"What a fool I have been to trust-"

"No father, you cannot blame yourself. We all trusted him and I more than most and it nearly cost us everything!"

Gwyn placed her hand upon her father's arm and squeezed gently hoping to relieve him of some of his guilt. When it was obvious he could speak no more, Gwyn continued.

"We made very slow progress not only because of Enya's injury, but as you already know, the lands all around here are full of wandering bands of warriors.

Since our party was so small, it was imperative we stayed clear of anyone else and off the main roads.

At one point for three full days we stayed buried deep within a cave for the bands of Highlanders were so near.

We were just lucky they did not discover us. "

Gwyn drew in a deep breath as the memories of each fearful moment they were on the trail flashed through her mind.

"When many days had passed, one evening as the darkness was just beginning to settle around us, we were attached by a small band of Highlanders.

I do not know exactly who they were or even their colors, but I knew we were in trouble.

Even Ennis knew it because just before they bore down on us, he returned my sword to me.

This spoke volumes because prior to that moment, he understood I would be a danger and he had stripped my weapon from me.

So for him to surrender my sword so easily, I knew our lives were in jeopardy.

Enya and I were already seated upon a stallion together, so I took the first opportunity I had once I had my weapon and made for the nearest line of trees.

We were very lucky we were able to disappear into the darkness.

Never did I dream we would escape. And so easily. "

When all eyes were on Gwyn and she lowered her gaze for just a moment as she watched her own hands twist anxiously before her, it was Enya who spoke out next.

"No, my dear, you must not be so modest. No one within this room believes it was that straightforward and the truth of it will come out soon enough. We must speak of it."

When Gwyn still did not utter any words nor move her gaze upwards, it was Enya who continued.

"Yes, we were able to slip away but we were only free for a short while."

"Please, Enya, it is not necessary to speak of it…is it not enough we are now safe?"

Enya did not sway as she spoke again for all to hear.

"It was not long before we heard the pounding of hoof beats behind us. We had not so easily escaped as Gwyn here might lead you to believe. There was one who saw us and was determined to follow."

When Gwyn still did not offer up any explanation, Enya continued again.

"The unknown clansman followed us and finally overtook us for the steed we sat was not really bred for speed nor endurance. I was very frightened but Gwyn, when she lifted her sword-"

"Enough, Enya. Really, no more needs to be shared. I did nothing no one else would have done in my position. All they need to know is we survived and made our way north to where we now find ourselves reunited with our husbands. Is that not enough to know we are now safe?"

"No, Gwyn, they have a right to know all you were willing to give up to protect me. I want no more secrets from any of those who we hold dear. If we have learned nothing from this last decade, it is that unspoken words can only incite misunderstandings and inflict unnecessary pain."

Slowly, Enya moved her gaze from Gwyn's eyes to look at each of the men. Her husband, her father and her brother by marriage, Iver. Slowly, she continued to speak.

"When we were overtaken, it was obvious there was clearly only one thing on his mind.

It was very clear we were but two women who he must have assumed were helpless and unprotected.

The way he looked at us…but it was Gwyn who reacted.

After he had bore down on us, she dismounted and quickly turned and slapped the rear flank of the horse that I sat.

As the beast galloped away I looked over my shoulder and saw how she held firmly the bridle of the unknown Highlander's steed so he could not follow.

The Highlander tried, and how her body shook as she struggled to maintain control-"

Enya paused briefly as she continued to stare at her sister.

"It was in that moment she shouted at me to flee into the night as she stood upon the ground so bravely confronting him.

He had dismounted by this time and took her into his arms. Once I had gained control over the mare and unbeknownst to either of them, I made my way back to the edge of the trees only a short distance away.

I could see her allow the brute to touch her and kiss her.

But I could do nothing as I watched him use his power over her.

That was of course, when he took his final breaths and right before she killed him.

It was clear the bastard had become rather careless when he did not even notice the sword our Gwyn carried at her side. "

Gwyn was mortified for the telling of this tale and could only stare at the floor before her feet as the silence now hung all around them.

In addition to all the dire mistakes she had already confessed to, if Iver knew another man had touched her, regardless of the circumstances, she had to wonder at his reaction.

'Would he still want me?'

The agony within her heart was excruciating and when no words were spoken, it was becoming abundantly clear with each passing moment her position with her husband could possibly be in question.

"So the blood upon your gown, it is not your own?"

It was Donnan who had spoken and moved to stand before Gwyn, bringing her fully from her own thoughts. Agonizingly, she raised her head at his question to stare into his troubled eyes.

"No, Donnan, I am not injured."

Slowly, Donnan kneeled down before her as he bowed his head in her presence.

"Then, my lady, it is my life that I pledge to you.

You have kept my Enya safe and protected her from a fate that could have been worse than death.

And for this, I, I…there are no words I can form that speak all of what is within my mind right now and upon my heart. For the depth of gratitude I have-"

"Donnan, please, you cannot say these words to me.

I truly did nothing but play upon my instincts for my own survival and point the beast in a northerly direction.

What I did out there was just as much for Enya as it was for myself and the bairn that I carry.

Nothing more. Besides, I believe I owe you so much more.

You protected me during the darkest days of my life. I think we are now more than even."

Gwyn smiled lowly as she bent over to grasp at Donnan's hands in an attempt to make him rise.

But it was in that moment a pain unlike any other ripped through her body.

Quickly, she grabbed at her child as the fear began to settle upon her mind.

For days, she had been feeling the smallest of aches, and now?

Now she feared the worst. Her bairn was going to come into this world and more than a full month before it was his time.

As the pain continued to consume her body, Gwyn was admitting freely if only to herself, she was more than a bit frightened.