A small house over by where Ian lives. Not much to it, but once it gets some homey touches it will be really nice.

((From Village))

Faylinn headed to her house and opened the door, walking inside and looking around, making a list of things she would need.

NINE MONTHS LATER

Faylinn looked around her house, satisfied with it at last. She had made one long trip back to her old home to see if anything could be salvaged and had been elated and surprised to find that several pieces of furniture and some clothing had been left behind. She had hauled it all back to her new house and started to turn it into a home.

Walking outside, she decided to take a walk.

((To Village))

((From Village))

"'ere we are," Faylinn said as they reached her home.

((From Village.))

Mairi looked around, keeping McKenzie closer than ever but she knew it would be no use. If he wanted to cry, he would cry.

Faylinn opened the door and gestured for Mairi to go inside.

"Ta," Mairi said again, then whispered to McKenzie. "Please Neep, nae noo."

"Are ye 'ungry?"

"Nae, but if y' dinnae mind a could do with a sup o' tea." Mairi bit her lip, "And div y' hae a room ah can put ma bairn in before he cries the house down?"

((And this is where I must go to bed...))

Faylinn nodded. "Ye ken pu' 'im in tha' room there," she said, pointing to the one on the left. "I'm jus' goin' t' make some tea."

"Ta." Mairi smiled and walked into the room Faylinn had indicated. She set McKenzie on the floor and sat beside him. "Yer an 'andful y' ken?" she smiled at him as he stared back at her.

"Where Groony?" he asked with wide eyes.

"Not here." Mairi tried to keep the smile there. "She's nae gyan t' be 'ere ever. Dinnae greet. Please McKenzie."

"I want Groony." McKenzie turned away from his mother. "I want Groony!"

"Y' ain't gettin' Groony. Now wheeshed." Mairi turned him back to her. "Yer not gyan t' greet?"

McKenzie's lip quivered.

"Please Neep, nae 'ere, nae noo." Mairi pleaded.

Too late, McKenzie was crying.

Faylinn heard the crying and for a moment it reminded her of home, which of course led to a slight pang as she thought of what the English had done there. She pushed the thoughts aside and went back to making tea, getting out a couple of mugs and setting them down on the table.

Mairi pulled McKenzie towards her. "Hush noo Neep. Hush." She rocked him. "Stop greetin' noo."

It was somewhat inconprehensible now. "I wa-ant Gro-oony."

"Hush Neep." Mairi stroked his head, "Hush."

Faylinn finished heating the water and walked over to the room where Mairi would be staying in. "Is e'erything all righ'?" she asked.

"Th' tea's ready."

"Naethin' wrong. He's jist bein' a wee neep heed." Mairi smiled at McKenzie. "Stop greetin' noo."

She looked up at Faylinn. "Ah cad do wi' at tea noo." She tried not to sound exhausted.

Faylinn nodded.

"Would ye like me t' bring th' tea t' ye?"

"Nae. He can stay here and greet. Might as weel. He wants his Groony and she isn't here..." Mairi shrugged and stood up.

McKenzie curled up into a ball on the floor and howled and the mention of his grandmother.

"I know what i' is like t' be somewhere without th' family we are accustomed t'."

Mairi smiled softly at Faylinn and shook her head at McKenzie who was still in a tight ball.

"He'll get over i'." Mairi sighed.

"In time, perhaps," Faylinn answered, turning to head back to the kitchen.

Mairi nodded. "'e will." and she followed Faylinn to the kitchen.

Faylinn poured the water into the cups and sat down at the table.

"Ta." Mairi joined her.

((Good night.))

Faylinn smiled but still couldn't help but feel bad for McKenzie. She could only hope that since he was still young that he would be able to move on faster, especially after they settled down in a new home.

Mairi absentmindedly drew rings on the table with her finger.

Faylinn picked up her cup and took a drink before setting it back down again. "Wha' do ye think o' th' village?"

"Cosy." Mairi looked up and drank some tea. "Ah like it."

Faylinn smiled. "Tis a good place t' settle down. I' makes a good 'ome."

"'m bettin'. An' no-one ge's in withou' permission?" Mairi questioned.

"There's someone usually by th' wall whene'er someone comes t' th' village."

Feeling reassured Mairi smiled again. "'At's good."

Faylinn gazed at Mairi. "Why? Are ye runnin' from someone?"

"Sort of." Mairi admitted.

"If ye choose t' stay 'ere, we shall make sure ye are safe," Faylinn said. "Who are ye runnin' from, if ye donae mind me askin'."

"Just m' ma." Mairi bit her lip.

"An why are ye runnin'?"

"She tried to tak' McKenzie from m'."

Faylinn shook her head. "She cannae do tha'."

"She tried t'. An' she had 'er reasons."

"I cannae imagine a person tryin' t' take a child from 'is mother."

Faylinn clenched her jaw slightly. It was something no one in her life would have tried to do. And all it did was bring up the memories of her family once more. She still wasn't over it.

"Are y' okay?" Mairi asked a bit worried.

Faylinn nodded. "I'm fine," she said softly.

Not convinced, but not wanting to pry, Mairi smiled.

"I jus' donae know wha' kind o' family would try somethin' like tha'," Faylinn answered.

((Mairi can pry...feel free to))

((Ah! Missed the opening!))

"Ma family though it was best for m'" Mairi smiled softly.

"Families donae do tha'. They support each other."

Faylinn stood and turned to pour herself some more water, even though her cup was still mostly full.

((Not necessarily. lol. You'll get more.))

((lolz.))

"'is was their way." Mairi looked down.

Faylinn took a deep breath before turning and returning to the table. "I'm sorry. We should find somethin' else t' talk about."

((Allright...gotta go to class. bye))

((bye.))

"It's okay." Mairi smiled.

Faylinn nodded and took a drink of tea.

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