Unable to Sleep.....

[Anwen of Connacht]

It was the night before they were to leave for Skye, Anwen had packed what she needed into the trunks William had provided for her. Looking out at the garden below... the moonlight dancing on the flora and fauna swaying gently in the warm breeze. The pull of the calmness there beckoned to her soul, she turned to leave her room and head for the garden hoping to find peace of mind and spirit.

She wore only the night dress she had put on for bed as she entered the garden. The fragrances of the flowers there immediately assaulted her... sweet and refreshing. Night orchids she thought to herself as she walked further into the garden bathed in the moonlight. If any were to see her she would she look like a fairy queen come to life here in this place of solitude??

Her mind raced over what tomorrow would bring and all that had taken place between her and William it made her smile softly as she glided down the stone pathway... her bare feet making no sound as she walked.

Anwen stopped every so often to inhale the scent of the various flowers here letting the fragrance wash over her and fill her mind with the gentleness she herself did not have. She was trained to kill and protect... that was her only attribute or so she thought, besides she was damn good at what she did. Not many men could best her... that thought had the corners of her lips curving into a soft rosy smile.

It was only in times like this when she was alone or with William that her softer side seemed to show. She held the fragile bloom of a night orchid in her hand... it felt so soft and fragile, releasing the flower she walked further into the garden.... looking at everything and yet for something . That something that was always in the back of her mind calling to her but she had yet to grasp it and look at it for it was to fuzzy and far away.

Oh how she wished she could remember her past? Was there someone she had forgotten? Was there someone looking for her? More than likely not.... she had been here with William for well over a year now and if someone were to have searched wouldn't they have found her? No matter she was happy here with William... perhaps he was right that the past mattered not... so now she would look to embrace the future. One with him... side by side. Who knows maybe one day they will marry... he has asked already...she might even just tell him yes on their journey to Skye.

That image and thought made her smile broaden, her steps even lighter she moved deeper into the garden twirling in the moonlight... like a fairy dancing for the Gods.

[strongjustice]

Finding Anwen not beside him, but not even in the room… he rose and wrapped a simple robe about his nude form. The days following the events in the field found them sleeping together every night. Each night would surprise them both as love grew and passion rose to its fullest height. She now shared his room in the Chateau.

Word from Glasgow had been joyous at the split of Scotland furthering his venture… Even moreso now as Lord Marshall of the Scot Lowlands he perceived his welcoming in Skye would be more prestigious. His efforts behind the split of Scotland would reap what he had sown…

With no candle, he made his way to the window and looked out… robe open, hands upon his hips, he saw her emerge from shadows to only disappear again as she strode the garden paths… “Unable to sleep?” he queried himself. With a smirk, he disappeared from the window.

Emerging from thru the door, making his way toward the spot he last saw her… “Anwen?” he called out in a whisper… walking slowly still… his robe tied but at a single point at his waist.

[Anwen of Connacht]

She was there next to the Iris' smelling a bloom.... a flicker of a memory tickled her mind. A dark haired woman laughing with a child who had hair that looked like spun gold. Just as suddenly as it came it was gone... leaving her hungering for more, yet knowing it would not come. She released the flower and sighed heavily "It is of no importance now." She whispered to herself. Continuing on further into the garden she smiled, since the day in the field her love for William grew stronger and his for her... they now shared his room. Letting the night wrap her in its embrace she went and sat by the fountain in the deepest part of the garden. She trailed a finger through the cool waters and looked at the moon reflected in its depths. Anwen was lost in the tranquility of this place...


Her thoughts were of the man she had left sleeping back in the Chateau, how she loved him so much. Her heart seemed to skip a beat then she heard the soft whisper of her name and she turned to see his approach, and smiled... " William..." she said softly as if speaking loudly would disturb the peace she found here. Holding her hand out to him smiling, her blue eyes a deeper hue in the dimness.


In her eyes one would be able to see the love she held for this man before her.... her heart was his and his alone for no other would she allow in.

[strongjustice]

“What’s the matter Luv…?” as he took her hand, calloused fingers stroked the back of her hand. His dark blue robe seems to highlight the sea green eyes as he looked down upon her. “Yu look disturbed… I found yu not in bed, but instead walking where I know yu find peace…” It was times like this that concerned him, as he knew her mood often changed as she pondered her past. He often wanted to tell her the truth, but relinquished to offer the information… Could it…would it be for fear – fear of her killing him… or worse… leaving him?

Anwen looked at him her eyes blank briefly as she pondered the images she had seen flitting through her mind but a moment.... "Nothing is the matter my heart, just a few brief images in my mind but too distant to make out clearly." he took her hand and she met his eyes.

It could definitely be one of the other. She was a made killer… lethal in many ways… Plus, his plan of days past did not account for the emotions that now filled their days. Once a cold heart, never lonely, always with a woman to subjugate, his had warmed toward Anwen… his mind veering to her red hair, splayed upon the ground as he made love to her.

Pulling her to her feet, his arms wrapping about her form, his strawberry breath soft on her lips… “Know that my love for yu is ever stronger… despite what comes in Skye…” His partially opened robe now revealed the reaction to his thoughts of her.

"Aye... a bit perhaps I wish I could see them clearly but it was not meant to be." she let out a slow breath as she shook her head softly. Her short red hair fluttered about with the action and a slow smile curved her rose colored lips upwards. "I just could not sleep and the garden called to me;" she said as he pulled her into his strong loving arms and kissed her.

William spoke of his love for her and her heart beat a bit faster especially when she noticed his current state of being as they were pressed together in an embrace. Who would have known that this regal man who had been in her life so long now... watched her train with his men, sent her to kill... would love her? It was baffling at times for her to think about, but love her he did and she him. She pulled back a bit to meet his eyes and small hands came up to cup his bearded cheeks tenderly… "Whatever happens there William... you have my heart now and always... nothing or no one will change that. I love you." Anwen pulled his head down for a heated kiss and whispered… "Take me back to our room William and let us have this night... just us." her breath warm upon his lips.

No words were spoken, but the smile would say much as unsuspectingly strong arms hefted her from the ground to a cradled position against his chest. Sea-green eyes sparkled as he turned back toward the chateau with the red-haired lass in his arms. Even the opened robe did not cause him embarrassment. A soft baritone whisper… “I do hope yu shall always feel this way my dear Anwen… Skye is becoming a dangerous place…” step after sturdy step brought them closer to the room they now shared. “The split of the Scottish government was to our benefit, but unfortunately, also to Skye. That boy is a pain in my arse…”

Anwen grinned like the cat that ate the canary as he carried her with ease... his strength always amazing her. Looks were very deceiving for William was as a strong and capable as any young man in his employ and three times the man to boot... for would he have captured her heart if it were otherwise?? A firm NAY!! rang in her head... for only one as strong as she could claim her.

Usually the mere mention of Adam Aberdeen sparked him into a rage, but her closeness seems to ease his frustration. Even her head against his chest would spark a new thought in his mind… Also amazing was the strength and stamina the man of two and fifty had as he carried her up the stairs with no rapidity of breath or strained muscles. “Skye is becoming larger than expected… a threat to what we now hold as dear…” he whispered again… At the top of the stairs, at their door, his foot pushed against the wooden frame opening it to the bedchambers. Again the whispers… “yer chambers M’Lady…” he teased as his fingers poked her side.

As he carried her into there room she would correct him in a loving way.. "Tis our chambers now M'Lord...as it was meant to be." she kissed his cheek and chuckled softly as he tossed her on the elaborately covered bed silhouetted there behind the sheer fabric of the curtains that concealed it should any come in. "William, the boy is a thorn in our side and one I hope ye allow to rid us of." her voice husky with desire as she glanced at him... his robe open so she could see his form. Oh it was not a question but more of a statement.

Tossing her upon the spacious bed, his shoulders shrugged as the robe fell to the floor. Did this man feed off controversy? His mind upon lewd thoughts of the red-haired lass and upon a threat to his power seems to arouse him… Climbing upon the bed… “Yet nothing shall come between yu and I…” and yet as he pressed upon her… “And we shall set upon a throne of power once we rid Skye of the Aberdeen.” Followed by a passionate kiss…

All here in the Chateau' knew of her skills and respected her for her abilities... some even thought her odd for she could be cold as ice if it was called for. Gerard had said so many times to her, she grinned again. "Let us not think of that now... this is our time and our place... only we exist here.” She rose to her knees, gathered the hem of the night shift and pulled it from her body exposing her lithe and strong form to him. She was toned and lightly defined yet held all the curves of a woman. She met his sea-green gaze and smiled as her own darkened with passion... "William....I love you..." she whispered as she held out a hand to him. Callused and scarred it was... able to take a life without thought, yet for him, love and pleasure resided in it.

Her other hand soon joined the first before her as she took hold of the silken robe he wore and pushed the fabric aside and placed a soft kiss to where his heart beat within his chest... "Love me... join with me..." came her breathy plea as her tongue flicked over bare skin.

The bedchambers door was closed but the pair cared not to sounds that echoed in the halls of the Chateau. The passion the two shared was known by many, but the intricate details of the passion were private. The man inside had found a love for him, not what he had, as was many of the relationships he had previously. He was, in what he considered, in love with this female. A strong, adept lass, who could not only love, but be loved… an equal in many ways, submissive in others…. She was one who could fuel and sedate his desire as necessary.... still many things wove its way into their lives...