Back to the Highlands

Posted on Friday 18 December 2020 @ 18:42 by Civilian Sansa Draxx-Jones & Civilian Abigale Blackwood

Mission: Homeward
Location: Aberfoyle, Scotland
Timeline: MD 5 2000
3271 words - 6.5 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Mathias was seated next to Fay, looked out over the panoramic view of his beloved Scotland. He had requested a flying transport to take them there, and give a scenic view. Below them could be seen the rocky barren summits of the Highlands chiselled by the rainfall and the wind, then towards the more verdant valleys with steep sided glens. He pointed out the purple heather which dotted the landscape.

A slow pass above where his town was, he pointed out the Trosacchs, the forest around Aberfoyle. Also, he pointed out the farms that were still in operation, as well as the herds of sheep, which bounded about and the little lambs that were playing. He also pointed out the Highland cows, which had long hair and seemed to Mathias almost as woolly as the sheep below. The sea glistened in the distance, shimmering like a sapphire, beneath the sunlit sky.

"We'll be landing away from the town and be taken there by ground transport." Mathias stated to Fay. "Then you can see more of the town. And my grandparents, plus some of my cousins will be there waiting. I had explained what was going on and they are looking forward to meeting you, and Sansa."

The transport landed and there was a transport waiting to take Fay and Mathias to his grandparent's place. With the ground transport, two people were waiting. They wore normal clothing, but the had the stance of security. Mathias chuckled, "I see my cousins, just to let you know they are with Star Fleet Security. With your being a diplomat, they prefer that you stay safe. And Sansa, I'm sure your mother will be happy about this as well."

Fay had watched wide-eyed as the landscape unfolded beneath them, following Mathias's narration. "It's beautiful." she said quietly. Whereas San Francisco had been a mass of buildings, Scotland had much more open countryside. Here and there were reminders of a 24th century presence, but the Highlands, for the most part, remained untouched.

She stepped onto the ground with Mathias and acknowledged the presence of his cousins with a smile and a polite nod. She stood next to Mathias and, without thinking, her hand gently slipped into his. She looked up into his eyes. "Thank you for bringing me here. I'm looking forward to seeing your home."

Mathias gave her hand a squeeze, then gave his cousins a bit of a look, who was nudging at each other and giving him a wink.

"All right you two, Fay's a very important ambassador, and her host, Sansa, is my Captain's daughter. None of that!" he snapped out. "Show a little bit more respect."

That straightened their backs out, though Anthony remarked, "She's very pretty, and it's been a long while since we've seen a pretty girl holding your hand, since you were last here."

Mathias gave a soft groan of frustration. "Hopefully you aren't going to tease me all the while I am here?" his serious expression changing to that of a good natured smile.

"We'll be nice to you, this time." the other cousin, Bertram replied grinning, opening the doors of the transport for Fay and Mathias to get in. " Ladies first." doffing an invisible hat and giving a bow, towards Fay.

When all had gotten into the transport, Anthony drove towards where their grandparents resided, pointing out various points of interest. As they arrived at their destination, Mathias could see his grandparents as well as others of his relatives.

"Oh dear, Fay and Sansa, be ready for a reception. They are certainly treating your arrival as a rather auspicious occasion. Which it is, but I did ask them to keep things simple."

The transport slowed down and came to a stop, where the grandparents were waiting.

Fay followed Mathias from the transport and let Mathias make the introductions.

"Grandmother, Grandfather, this is Fay and Sansa. They are the very special people I had told you about." Mathias starting introductions.

"Fay and Sansa, my Grandmother, Elspeth and my Grandfather, Lochlan. "

Fay let Sansa take over and her eyes lots the purple sparkle and her voice returned to normal. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Sansa and” she closed her eyes and the purple sparkle returned “I’m Fay. Sansa is very kindly sharing her body so I can experience what she does. Your home is very beautiful. My world is covered in ocean. Your grandson is quite an accomplished diver and a gentleman.”

Elspeth smiled. "Aye he is quite the gentleman." giving a knowing look towards Mathias then to Fay." she holds out her hands, palms up towards Fay and Sansa. "May I?" indicating she wished them to place their hands in hers.

Fay held out her hands in a similar fashion. “Of course.” She said with a curious expression on her face, wondering what she could tell from holding her hands.

Elspeth closed her eyes, when Fay placed her hands upon hers. It seemed that the soft breeze that was dancing about, stilled as a silence seemed to descend upon the yard that they stood in. It almost was as if the very air itself was holding its breath waiting for something to happen. Then a tingly sensation as if unseen spirits were about, and then faint, gentle, silvery laughter could be heard all around those gathered, then the rustling of wings.

"Fàilteach nìonag de na starra." the words could be heard, spoken ever so softly. "Welcome, daughters of the stars."

An unseen kiss was placed upon Fay's forehead, leaving a shimmering imprint of lips, then it faded. The presence faded, away. The breeze came back to life, playing with loose strands of hair.

"The lady of the lake has welcomed you, Fay and Sansa, daughters of the stars." Elspeth said opening her eyes, a hint of green sparkles which faded away. She smiled, the smile similar to her grandson's. She lifted her hands. "Now come let us eat, I'm certain you are hungry." turning around and leading the way inside.

The others who had witnessed this stood there for a moment or two, their mouths opened in awe. Mathias chuckled. "That was a rare occurrence," he remarked quietly.


For a moment, both Fay and Sansa were slightly stunned at what had happened, indeed tears welled in Fay's eyes. "That was incredible, thank you. Yes, we certainly are hungry."

She took Mathias's hand again and followed his family inside.

Inside in the dining area were a couple of long tables set up, and on one were bowls and plates set up, with fresh bread sliced and with butter next to it.

"I hope you will like lamb stew, with bread and fresh milk. There is tea if you'd like as well." Elspeth said, then looked at Mathias. "I do have your favorite pie, but you'll have to fight for it with your grandfather." giving a teasing hip bump to her husband.

"Aye lad, you and I will have to fight for it. You know how much I love your grandmother's pies." Lochlan giving a challenging look at his grandson.

"Don't forget about us!" the cousins chimed in, along with several others of the McPhee clan. Grinning from ear to ear and giving a bit of a mock glare.

"Good heavens with your yapping about, what is Fay going to be thinking of you. All of you sit down right now and you." looking kindly at Fay and Sansa, "You can sit right next to me and Mathias will be seated next to you." she chuckled.

As they entered the house, the smell of home cooked food hit them. It smelled wonderful. Fay followed them to the dining room table and sat down as she was instructed. She was reluctant to let go of Mathias's hand, but it was required to eat. "This is delicious Elspeth. Can you tell me more about this area?"

"Well, it's a place that has long been associated with the faeries, the town and even the Trossachs, the forest and the Lochs round about. It had all started with a Reverend Robert Kirk back in the mid to late 1600's. He had translated the Bible into Scottish Gaelic and he is most famous for writing a book about Faeries, titled, The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns & Fairies. It is rumored that the Faeries were not pleased with him writing about their people and giving out their secrets so they kidnapped him. " Elspeth replied. "The people here are friendly and are a hardworking lot. If there is any more to be heard, I am certain that Mathias will be more than willing to show you and tell you about the stories here. As he spent his childhood exploring the countryside." She leaned close to Fay and Sansa. "Or is there something more specific you'd like to know?" her eyes twinkling in good humor.

There was a pause in the eating and laughing about the table as they looked towards their grandmother, then to Fay then back to Elspeth. She looked at those visiting and shook her head, "Go on now, eat up while the stew is still warm."

Grandfather Lochlan laughed. "Dear I think they are more interested in hearing what is what."

"Perhaps we can talk about other things dear or we can talk privately." Elspeth reaching out and patting Fay and Sansa's hand gently. "Right now, I am hungry and want to make certain I get some of the bread before they." nodding her head towards her descendants. "Eat it all."

The relations laughed and passed the buns and butter towards Elspeth, Lochlan, and those seated nearby.

Mathias whispered to Fay and Sansa. "When the meal is finished you can see your room and then we can go for a walk about."

Fay whispered back. "That sounds lovely." She continued to eat and enjoy the meal that had been prepared. After her last remark, she let Mathias's grandmother eat some more before asking another question.

"Mathias showed me a holographic version of a faerie. A curious lifeform" she mused. "Are there any other legends or unusual phenomena associated with this area?" Fay queried, but it was as much Sansa's question as well, who was curious about the area.

"Let me think..."Elspeth stated. "Oh yes, north from here is where the famous Loch, called Loch Ness. There had been tales and legends about Nessie and sightings there. However, I don't recall, hearing anymore of such sightings as of late." she looked at Mathias. "I remember when you, your cousins as well as several friends , among those was that little girl you used to call. Mermaid or sometimes, Princess Mermaid. She had long red hair, and at times I thought she could have been descended from a mermaid, with how well she swam."

"What was her name, Mathias? Abby something?" She looked at Mathias.

Mathias was in midbite of a roll when she asked that question. He tried to answer with a mouth stuffed with bread but it didn't work. He blushed,

"Abigale Blackwood." Bertram offered.

Elspeth nodded, "Yes, Abigale Blackwood." she looked at Fay and Sansa. "They used to go to Loch Ness to see why she's not been seen for awhile. That has become a mystery, and it has made the residents near there worried."


Fay was quiet for a moment then replied, completely straight faced "You mean Brian? You know he never was comfortable with the whole 'monster label', he was very sensitive about it. Also he didn't disappear, he just went home."

Mathias cocked an eyebrow up, at that. He didn't know what to think of her comment. One never knew, that could be possible.

After a few moments, a small smile crept on her Fay's face and she let out a laugh. "Sansa has been telling me to work on my sense of humor." From since her head, she heard Sansa laugh and think "That was legendary."

"Oh..... " Mathias laughed, then he stopped, "You know though, he or she could have gone home someplace else. Its been said there is a hidden valley somewhere on this planet where dinosaurs and other creatures thought to be extinct actually roam about."

Bertram guffawed at that. "There you go again Mathias you and your theories."

"Well, some of us believe in the good folk, the faeries, so why can't there be a place where that has happened. The Earth still hasn't had all of its surface explored." Mathias retorted.

Bertram paused, then turned a deep red. "Right, you do have a point."

Anthony roared with laughter as did the others at the table. "You can't dispute that Bertram." then he directed his gaze towards Fay and Sansa. "What do you think of this crazy family?" he asked them.


Fay looked around at all the welcoming faces and responded with one word. "Perfect."



*****Next Day, 1200: The banks of Loch Ard. *****

After an early breakfast, Fay had asked Mathias to show her some of the surrounding area. Thus armed with a backpack, they had set off to walk to Loch Ard, which was nearby. Fay, with the help of Sansa and Mathia's grandma, had prepared a picnic to the surprise of Mathias and they had found a nice grassy spot, overlooking the Loch where Fay and suggested they stop and have their picnic lunch.

"This is a beautiful spot, Fay and Sansa, and the food smells fantastic. I can hardly wait to eat." Mathias said, then set to helping set up the blanket and lay out the food. Mathias was starving, being in the crisp air and being home, contributed to his appetite. All the memories of the good times, made him smile. He dug in enjoying the food and then it was time for the berry turnovers his grandmother had made. "I wonder who is going to be your new host, Fay. It will have to be someone very special and skilled to accept being the new host."

Right as he was about to take a bite of his turnover, he heard a voice that seemed so familiar but different as well.

"Looks like a lovely picnic you are having." the red headed woman remarked.

Mathias's mouth gaped open, his turnover dropped to the ground. "A-A-Abigale?" it couldn't be her, now could it? He stared at her and saw that it was indeed was her. "What.. where.. how..." he was at a loss for words.

"Hello Mathias, fancy meeting you here." Abigale spoke with an amused smile.

Fay looked back and forth briefly between Mathias and Abigale, picking up on the obvious connection between them. "Hello, I'm Fay. Won't you join us?"

"I would be delighted, Fay." Abigale responded, then took a seat next to both Fay and Mathias. "Your grandmother had told me you were near here, and so I wanted to meet Fay and see you again." picking up a sandwich as well as a turnover to eat. Then pouring a glass of water for herself.

Mathias could only blink, not having any words to say for the moment. Finally, he spoke.

"Grandmother sent you here? Still there is the question of, why are you here and also how do you know about Fay and Sansa?"

Abigale just smiled as she took a bite of the meat sandwich in her hand. After eating half of it, and drinking some of her water, Abigale answered. "I will be hosting Fay."

Mathias's jaw dropped, feeling like he had been struck by lightning. He tried to form words but couldn't then rose from the blanket and walked away quietly, mumbling to himself. He paused and looked towards the two women who were still seated on the blanket. "I will return, I've got to sort out my thoughts." His face a bit pale, then resumed his wandering away.

Abigale looked at Fay, "Don't worry he'll be back." she said with assurance.

Sansa had been regarding Abigale throughout this exchange. "I like her and she's obviously into Mathias. Who knows what could happen with you in there as well... She thought to Fay, then added "May I?

Fay let Sansa surface and she got up and went over to Abigale. "Hello, I'm Sansa. It's very nice to meet you. So... what made you want to become a host for my friend Fay here, could it be you wanted to see Mathias again?" she asked, gently probing, trying to get a feel of her.

Abigale smiled gently, " Hello Sansa, glad to meet you, and I feel you are a brave and special woman to have been the diplomatic host for Fay. In truth, I wanted to get to know you and Fay and also find out about her and her people. Finding out that Mathias has been the diplomatic escort, is a huge bonus on my part." lowering her eyes for a moment and blushing a delicate pink.

She lifted her eyes back up to Sansa's. "I've always found him to be someone very special, even when we were small. I basically grew up with him and his clan. Not too difficult with this size of town for that to have happened. I never thought I'd have the chance to at the very least, see him again. He and his family had left town to go on a space station. He never wrote, never got in contact with me. I think he may have had feelings for me when we were 13. I know I had, I have, feelings for him." her eyes glancing in the direction where Mathias had gone. "I do wonder if he still has feelings for me." she looked back at Sansa.

"I may need to talk to him before we do the transfer, in order for him to adjust somewhat. Just in case things get muddled up afterwards." Abigale mused.

Sansa looked around briefly to see if anyone was listening then lent ina bit closer. "He's still the perfect gentleman and also I think he does still have feelings for you, judging from his reaction to your appearance. Also, Fay as developed some... intense feelings for Mathias. Fay did steal a kiss but, didn't explore any further as I'm in a relationship, so it's fortunate that you're going to be the new host. I get the feeling that she would like to...."

It was Fay's turn to get embarrassed, which didn't happen very often. Sansa let her surface again. "Thank you Sansa, that is quite enough." Fay blushed slightly. "Come on Let's go and find Mathias. We will have to return to Starfleet Medical for the transfer as Sansa's mother and the doctor would like to be there."


Abigale blushed slightly at hearing Sansa's words. "Right, lets retrieve him. "gathering up the picnic supplies before traipsing after Mathias.

Abigale had to talk with Mathias before she became the host. He seemed rather distant when she and Fay had found him. He seemed to be talking to the wind that hovered upon the waters of the Loch. When they approached he immediately went silent, and gave them both a doleful look.

"Mathias, I do believe it's time to go." Abigale remarked.

"Aye that it is. You and I need to talk before the exchange takes place, Abigale." Mathias remarked, the tone in his voice making it clear there would be no argument in that aspect.

Abigale nodded, "Right, then we shall do so." giving Mathias a bit of a look, wondering just what he had in mind. She turned to Fay and Sansa. "Looks like we are ready to go."

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