Anise

They arrived back at Duart castle at about two in the afternoon. Drustan had let her sleep past dawn and hadn't hurried her when she went behind the tree to relieve herself and change into a new dress. She had ridden behind him like normal and they talked most of the way to Duart.

She dismounted first and stood to the side waiting for Drustan to do the same. "Go ta the kitchens an' have Bessa make ya somethin', lass."

"Aren't you coming?" She asked. She realized that she really enjoyed his company, she liked the way he made her laugh and her heart feel light.

"Aye in a moment. I am gonnae take care of Stomper and check on my men first. I will join ya in the dinnin' hall."

She nodded watched as he rode away towards the stables before turning and heading towards the kitchen. When she walked through the door she was greeted enthusiastically by Bessa. "Yer back! Sir William will be pleased ta know the Laird is back. Wha' can I do fer ya, lassie?" She asked.

"Drustan said that I have you make something for us. He um... he didn't say what but I'm sure whatever you have handy will work."

"Donnae be ridiculous. The Laird and his lady are nay any trouble." She laughed, "What would ya like, lass?"

"Just whatever you have handy, really. Drustan will be coming in soon and I'm sure he's hungry and anything quick would do."

Bessa seemed to think for a moment before saying, "I will make a big supper fer everyone tonight. Fer now will ya survive with bread and cheese?" Cameron nodded and Bessa's smile grew wider. "Go and sit yerself down. I will bring ya yer food in a few moments."

Cameron did as she was directed and in the chair to the right of the head of the table, knowing thats where Drustan preferred to sit. She sighed and looked around the room realizing she'd been to anxious the last time to really take in the scenery. The room was large enough to accommodate the extra long table that could seat at last two dozen men, torches hung from the stone walls and a candle chandelier. It definitely looked like the keep of an ancient Laird.

Bessa came out only a few moments later to set the food on the table. "Where did tha lad get off ta now?"

She shrugged, "Maybe he got busy."

"Nonsense. When ya tell a purdy lady ta wait on ya, ya don' jus go an' get busy." Bessa huffed. "Ya need ya eat though, lass. Yer a wee thing and the Laird, would nay like for ye not to eat."

Cameron smiled at the woman. She reminded her of an eccentric aunt or grandma that wasn't afraid to speak her mind. "I'll eat and then find Drustan and let him know that there's food here and that you'll be making a big supper."

Bessa smiled back at her, "Thank ya, Lass. Yer a verra sweat girl. I can see why Drustan is taken with ya." She then retreated back into the kitchen, leaving Cameron to eat and think on her word.

She ate quickly, her growling stomach thankful for the food. When she was finished she looked at what was left before standing up. She'd find Drustan and see if he wanted to eat. Though, she first had to find where he had wandered off to.

Cameron decided to check his study first, maybe he had some papers or something he had to take care of and just got distracted and lost track of time.

She was headed up the stairs when one of the maids started down carrying bed linens and such. "Is there anathin' I can do fer ya, mi'lady?"

"You wouldn't happen to know where the Laird is up in his study would you?"

"Nay mi'lady he is nay in his study." She stated.

"Do you know where he would have gone?"

"Aye, I have 'eard that the Laird likes ta spar wit' his men when he returns from a trip."

"Where would they spar at?"

"The courtyard, do ya know where it is?"

Cameron nodded and thanked the maid, before turning and heading back down the stairs from the way she came and to the large front doors that seemed more ornate that usable. She slipped outside and followed the sound of loud male voices until she came upon the circle of burly men. Through the gap between the big bodies she could see Drustan and his friend, Murray head to head; their arms locked around each other, as they seemed to try to topple the other to the ground.

She watched carefully as Drustan's feet seemed to plant themselves into the ground as he let out a bellow and moved his arms around Murray's waist lifted him into the arm. The man's body then slammed hard into the ground and the crowd cheered, Drustan took a step back and quickly removed his shirt and threw it to the side.

Murray quickly got back to his feet, "Yer gettin' faster my friend"

"Or yer jus' gettin' slower."

At those words Murray lunged forward, slamming his shoulder into Drustan's stomach and tumbling both of them to the ground. Cameron was shocked that neither of them flashed the crowd with them rolling on the ground, their legs kicking at each other. It took only a moment for Drustan to out maneuver Murray. He swung his leg around the other mans and twisted, sending Murray tumbling onto his back with Drustan on top, his forearm pressed to his wind pipe.

They glared at each other for a few moments before Drustan stood up and held his hand down to Murray who took it and accepted the help standing up. "Mayhap next time ye'll win," Drustan mussed to his friend before patting his back and looking at the other men.

Drustan's eyes locked with hers for a long moment before he went over to where his tunic lay on the ground and picked it up. He didn't bother putting it on as he pushed his way through his men to where he stood.

"Sorra I missed lunch, Lass. Murray wished ta test his skills against mine." He set his hand against her lower back as he ushered her back towards the keep. "Did ya eat?"

"Yeah. There's some left for you 'cause I figured you'd have to be hungry too. And Bessa says that she'll be making a really big supper for everyone tonight." She noticed how close they were, with his hand on her lower back and their bodies touching every now and then. It was enough to make her almost forget about supper tonight. "When she says everyone, that means all your men, right?"

"Aye, lass. The clan will be there. I enjoy they're company."

Cameron smiled as they walked into the dinning hall. "Its like a big family."

"Aye. Most of my men and I are close. Like brothers, it feels like at times."

He pulled out her seat and Cameron could almost not contain herself, she had never had someone pull her chair out for her. Sitting down she looked at him and watched as he sat down too, still shirtless. She couldn't help but admire the muscles that he possessed. Obviously the type that could only be obtained by hard work and fighting. The numerous scars were also a chilling reminder of how dangerous Drustin's life must be. "Do you fight a lot?" She suddenly asked.

He nodded, "Sometimes, lass. Wars are nay uncommon, an' while someone wishes ta have land, there will always be feuds. These are nay quiet times."

"Do you ever get challenged for your land?"

"Aye. The MacDonald's. Twas part of the reason they took Anise from me." He stopped eating to look at her. "Why the questions, lass?"

She shrugged and turned her gaze up to his face, "Well, if were gonna be getting... involved, I just thought I should know what I'm getting into. You go to war a lot so I'll be stuck here worrying after you and stuff. I just thought I should be prepared."

"Lass," he sighed before pushing back his chair a bit to face her. She wanted to turned away from him but she couldn't seem to force herself to do it. She sat there as he gently brought both of this hands to her face to cradle it in his battle hardened hands so she was looking into his eyes. "Ya don' hafta worra about me. I donnay plan on leavin' ta war any time in the near future." Then a grin came to his face as if a thought struck him suddenly. "Besides, my beautiful Cameron, ye'll be ta busy carin' fer the wee bairn by the next time I plan ta be leavin'."

Cameron couldn't help but blush at his words. It meant that he planned to do more than just woo her in the near future. "You can't possibly know that I'll... that we'll... you can't know that!"

Drustan chuckled and leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Aye, lass, I can." His gaze went from amused to lusty in that moment. "Do ya think that once I have ya once I will be able to stop? By that time I will have had ya so many times ya won' be able ta think of another wit'out thinkin' o' me."

This time he kissed her lips, softly and briefly. When he pulled away Cameron just wanted to drag him back into a kiss. "Lemme finish eatin' lass an' weel find something ta do before supper." He told her gruffly, obviously not wanting to pull away from the kiss either.

She nodded as he let go of her face and went back to eating.

As Cameron sat there were was only one thing that bothered her about the whole conversation. It wasn't about the fact that he would probably go off to war and get killed. Or the fact that he was already thinking of her having his children.

It was the fact that at that last bit of knowledge she couldn't seem to get that butterfly effect feeling out of her stomach.