"Dinna weep, a leannan, dinna be troubled," he murmured. "It's all right, m' annsachd; it's all right." "I'm all right; everything's all right. I'm just-happy," she said. She took the handkerchief, wiped her eyes and blew her nose. "What does that mean-a leannan? And the other thing you said?" "You'll not have the Gaelic, then?" he asked, and shook his head. "No, of course she wouldna have been taught," he murmured, as though to himself. "I'll learn," she said firmly, giving her nose a last wipe. "A leannan?" A slight smile reappeared on his face as he looked at her. "It means my darling, " he said softly. "M' annsachd-my blessing." The words hung in the air between them, shimmering like the leaves. They stood still, both stricken suddenly with shyness by the endearment, unable to look away from each other, unable to find more words.
- Ch.41 Journey’s End, Drums of Autumn.
