The loud snores were intermixed with some quieter ones, but the sound of the sleeping men was not what caused her sleeplessness. It was something else within the air. Maybe it was the chilly wind that caressed her face with each pass, or maybe it was the dream from the horse that plagued her. She could not really pinpoint it. It was as if the thought was there, lurking in the deep corners of her mind not wanting to come out into the light.

The fire was nothing but embers with men curled up around it in hopes of gaining some heat. She pushed herself into a sitting position and stretched out the knots from her back. The muscles screamed at her as she moved to stand, but she ignored them while silently wishing for ibuprofen. Bugs hummed softly as they skipped from branch to branch. Glancing down, Hannah could make out Camden's sleeping form. Careful not to wake him, she skirted around him and headed in the direction of the tree line in hopes of finding some space to clear her head.

There was a small path that was not completely covered by the overgrowth of the forest. With one more quick glance, Hannah entered the path. She walked further and further away from the camp until the smell of the fire was gone and the silence of the forest enveloped her. Silence. It was something she could get used to.

A small clearing peeked through the overhanging branches. Smiling, she walked into it. The stars gleamed with such vibrancy that it was hard to look away from their beauty. Hannah sat on a fallen log just on the edge of the clearing.

"Enjoying the silence are we?"

Hannah jumped from the log, but the voice was gone as soon as it was there.

"Now, now. No need to jump to conclusions dearie." The misty figure that seemed to plague Hannah at every turn stood in the center of the clearing. It was there, but not completely. It faded in and out with the gleaming of the moon and stars as if it could not fully appear.

"What do you want now? You said that I couldn't go home and that you weren't willing to send me home. Then, you took the disguise of a woman and told me about the book, or alluded to it. So please, pardon me for being angry with you."

"Touchy are we? You have the heart of someone who craves adventure, but I can see that clearly your mind is how do they say, muddled with different thoughts. You have visions of death floating in your head, why not add to them shall we?"

The shadowy figure faded slowly until it was completely gone. "I always have adored love triangles," it whispered.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

Only silence greeted her. There was no response from the elusive shadow that lurked everywhere Hannah turned. Twigs snapped behind her. Deft hands reached out and covered her mouth to keep her from screaming.

"Hush Rudah, you'll stir the others. Were ye talkin' tae the faerie again?"

She nodded and the hands let go. Hannah kept her back turned away from Camden. There was no desire to be in the clearing anymore, but her feet would not move. Cocking her head to one side, she could make out the sound of more twigs snapping, but this time, the sounds were louder.

Camden stiffened, "Move Rudah in tae the trees lass. GO."

He pushed her in the direction of the tree line, but it only forced her to the ground. Next thing she knew, Camden landed next to her unconscious.

"It is a wee lass," a voice said. His accent was not as heavy as Camden's, but it still had the little Scottish lilt to it that made Hannah's heart soar.

"Maybe we should take her wi' us. She is bonnie after all," another voice said, his accent heavier. "Brochan we must move if we are to escape from the McConnell clan's clutches."

"Take her then Andrew before the laird wakes up."

Rough hands grabbed Hannah, and she took a deep breath to scream, but her vocal chords froze. It was as if a hand was grabbing them and squeezing them shut. She looked with wide eyes at the men who were her captors. They both had the same build as Camden with many scars of battle lacing their bodies and their clan's colors draped around them.

"Hurry up now Andrew, I dae not need tae tell my father the mistake I made of bringing you with me."

The two warriors pulled Hannah along before they just decided it was best to sling her over one of their shoulders as if she was a sack of flour. The air left her lungs as she landed on Brochan's large shoulder. Swiftly, they left the clearing and headed towards the place where their horses remained. Hannah tried to keep track of her surroundings, but with the moonlight blocked by the trees, it was hard to make anything out. The horse neighed a greeting to their riders, and Hannah once again found herself tossed over the saddle, but this time she did not have the privilege of sitting upright. Instead, she was laid over the saddle horizontally causing the pommel to stick into her rib cage.

Both the men kicked their horses' sides to spur them into action. They leaped from their resting place into a full gallop. Behind her, she could hear the loud voices of the McConnell clan stirring as they found out that their laird was missing. The further away they road, the quieter those voices became, except one. It was a loud and anguished filled cry. Camden. Her heart broke, but there was nothing she could do for him. She was now in the hands of the men who saw fit to capture her as their own.

With the ground moving at such a fast pace beneath her eyes, Hannah decided to close them and focus on something good, but nothing came. Her whole life was crumbling around her. The mist or faery as many called it decided to alter what Fate had in store for her. It was as if things were becoming clear, and then everything vanished into smoke. Hannah could not make anything out anymore. Her feelings were hectic and her body cried in anguish with all the activity is was being put through. The only escape at this point, was to sleep and dream of a better place, but dreams did not wait for her in the darkness, instead, nightmares lurked.

Smoke filled the clearing. She was alone. Hannah screamed as loudly as she could, but nothing happened. Her voice was gone. The trees bent with the vicious wind that whipped through the sky. Empty. The trees started to fall. One by one, until they were gone and not even the solace of nature could help her feel comforted.

"Fate is not happy with me, but I do not care. Fate has always been cruel, so why not make it even more so?"

"Why are you doing this to me?"

"Because Hannah, you have a choice to make, and that choice, whatever it will be, will alter the course of history."

"I didn't ask for this," she screamed.

"I know you didn't, but Fate did."

"I told ye that the lass was bonnie."

"Stoptar sé," Brochan whispered in Gaelic, "The Laird will be pleased tae hear back from us."

Hannah was roughly removed from the horse. Her voice was still gone or silenced. She could not tell. They pushed her to walk into the door of the large castle. The darkness of the room greeted her and then things slowly started to come into focus. The colors of the clan seemed vaguely familiar. She blinked as her eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room. Brochan and Andrew did not stop, they kept pushing her forward until they reached a large door that was ornately carved with the crest of the clan. But before she could make out the design clearly, she was thrust into the open doors.

A large crowd of people was gathered. Women and children were silently playing in the corner while some of the men milled about talking in hushed tones. Brochan tapped Andrew on the shoulder to signal to stop. Wincing, Hannah wanted to rub the place where the rope had chafed her wrists but stopped herself from moving. She and Andrew stayed while Brochan approached the laird of the clan. He leaned over and whispered something causing the Laird to tilt his head to one side. Lifting his hand, the Laird waved Andrew to come forward with her.

"Cad is ainm duit," the Laird boomed with his voice. Hannah could not understand what he was saying. She looked to Andrew for help, but he looked back with steely eyes. It was as if they thought she was ignoring the laird's question. 

"If you want to mess with my fate, fine, but please let me understand these people for heaven's sake," Hannah cried out to the misty figure in her mind. 

The laird stood and banged his hand against the chair, causing everything to stop. It was quiet and all eyes were focused on Hannah. 

"Cad is—your name?" Sending a silent thank you, Hannah could feel her vocal chords open up. It was time for her to finally have her say. 

"My name is Hannah your lairdship," she stated loudly. There were murmurs from those around her, but the laird raised his hand to silence them. 

"What clan dae ye belong tae Hannah?" 

Taking a deep breath, she glanced around. This was it. This clan could be warring with hers, but she did not know. That was when the colors of the clan caught her eye. Blue and red. They were the McCracken clan. 

"My name is Hannah McCracken." Gasps sounded from the crowd. They all stared at her with wide eyes and silent voices.

 "Hannah? No, it cannot be. She died as a wee lass." 

"That is my name. I am telling the truth." 

Looking at the laird, she realized something. It looked eerily like her grandfather. Shocked, she took a step back into the arms of Andrew. 

"Hannah, is it really you?" Brochan covered the ground between her and him quickly. Gently he touched her face as if he was trying to recall memories from a long time ago. With a deep breath, he pulled her into a warm embrace. "It is, it really is you." Hannah couldn't explain it, but it felt like she belonged here. Her heart lept and then broke. Camden. What was she going to do?

A/N DO NOT KILL ME. JUST VOTE, LEAVE COMMENTS, AND LOVE.

What do you think of Brochan? What is Hannah to him?