#thekingparrot

[thekingparrot]

Now that the Olympics are under way, it’s a good time to bring this story out of the attic and give it an airing.

Click on the red link below to go to ‘The Games of Life’ on AO3. Note that you will need to be an AO3 member to read it (and thousands of other Outlander fanfics).

The Games of Life

[phaedrecameron]

House of Fraser Chpt 17 - The MacKenzie Plaid

And....we’re back....   

Previously.....Brian was telling Jamie how his mother came from the Stones..😱& how as a child Jamie really liked the plaid she brought with her 🤗

“Here, have a seat lad,”  Brian soothed.

Jamie glared, “why would ye say such a thing?” He threw the corset in the chest and snatched the plaid back into his hands.

“Because tis true, son. Havena ye ever wondered why yer Mam has no people? How’s she different?”

“No. No!...” Jamie began to rub the plaid in his hands; seeking to understand how it was constructed.

“I found her shivering and scared coming down from the Fairy Hill. She fainted when I started the car.”

“I’m no listening to this.”  Jamie turned to leave.

“Tis us! We pull them from the Stones.”

Jamie stopped at the ladder. His hands wound in the plaid; he wanted to block out what he knew his father would tell him, wanted to pretend he didn’t already know.

“Jamie, Claire is yer mate. She came to ye because of the Stones. Because she can travel through them. Ye know, don’t ye – seen her near them, maybe?”

Brian slowly approached his son. Jamie didn’t turn around nor did he try to leave.

“Ye never wanted all the things ye want wi yer Claire, aye? I remember how tis was wi your Mam. I realize now I was biding my time till she came for me.”

“Da, I dinna understand…”

“Son, I dinna ken how it works myself, but the men in our family — our women find us from the Stones. Well, mostly. It skipped yer grandshire and his father before that, but for a very long time tis how it was for Frasers.”

Jamie looked over his shoulder, “how do ye ken that?”

“I’ve had a very long time to try to puzzle it out and,” he chuckled, “the benefit of 21st century research capabilities. From what I know, they come and choose to stay for us – no other reason. Yer Mam well…”

Jamie heard an unusual hesitancy in his father’s voice, he turned.

“Yer Mam was already marrit when she came. To her Other, but she stayed for me.”

“Her Other? Did she..”

“Aye, she..loved him, but well, he wouldna made her happy. The Other pushes them to the Stones. It’s their link to their time. Yer Mam was running away from her husband when she chanced upon the Stones. But, as crazy as it sounds, we needed the Other for yer Mam to find me.”

Jamie stood still to absorb this.

“Da, it isna the same wi’ Claire. She didna come from the Stones.”

Brian turned and began to close the chest.

“Da?”

“Let’s go speak wi’ yer Mam.”

“Da? Did ye hear me? What arena ye no  tellin’ me? If it’s about Claire, please. Please.”

Brian looked at his son; a man grown and successful, but all he saw was his five year old bairn, wi bright blue eyes, that he’d die to protect and keep from pain. “Almost always the matched pair are from different times, but sometimes, like yer Claire, she’s already here with her Other.”

Jamie pushed Frank from his mind. “And..” he prodded

“She’ll leave ye to go through the Stones.”

Jamie blinked and backed away.

“She willna want to,” Brian added quickly, “she has to, she’ll do it for ye.”

“No!” Jamie roared. “No! Claire isna going near the Stones. Not ever!”

“She has to – ye canna change it.”

Jamie tore from the attic.

****

“Och, look at this one.” Ellen handed a photograph to Claire as they were huddled together on the sofa before Lallybroch’s massive hearth.  It was Jamie at maybe 9 or 10. He was biting his lip in concentration while trying to shear a sheep. “Handful that one. Got it in his head he was goin to make his own wool jumper. Drove Brian and me near insane.”

Claire laughed, “Precocious?”

“Aye, get yer sleep now.” Ellen touched Claire’s arm.

Other than Jamie, Claire couldn’t recall having such an affinity for another person. Like Jamie, her touch was welcome and full of promise.

“Claire!” Both women jumped at the sound of Jamie’s voice.

Claire instantly recognized his tone, she’d heard it only once before, when he found her at the Stones. It was full of desperation and horror. She made to stand, but Ellen pulled her back and pushed a paper in her hand.

“Tis my number, call anytime, anytime at all.”

Claire then stood and saw Jamie entering the hallway. He eyes were wide, one fist curled, the other holding what looked like a tartan blanket.

“Ja..”

“Let’s go. Now!” His voice was harsh.

“Wot?” Claire noticed Brian was not with him.

“We’re leavin! Ye’ll do as I say! Come!”

Claire felt fury rise in her chest.

Ellen placed a hand on Claire’s neck, ‘tis alright. He’s had a shock. Go. And remember what I said.”

Claire slowly followed Jamie outside. “What the bloody hell is wrong with you!? Don’t speak to…”

He ignored her, grabbed her arm and began walking to their Rover. His pace increased and she couldn’t keep up. Claire stopped and yanked her arm free. “What is wrong with you?! How could you be so rude to your parents?”

Jamie reached for her arm again and she pulled away.

“Will ye no trust me once! Will ye no argue and do what I tell ye! Get in the car!”

Claire felt her hand tingle with the urge to slap him. She looked around. Had she been in London, she would have left him where he stood and made her own way back. If she thought she could outrun him, she would have gotten to the Rover and drove off without him. With tears of frustration threatening to fall, she said nothing and walked to the Rover.

Claire struggled with her seatbelt as Jamie made a tight turn in Lallybroch’s driveway and sped away. He seemed unable to keep the Rover straight on the road. “Let me out. Did you hear me, Jamie! Stop!”

Jamie seemed to recognize her for the first time since he followed his father into the attic.

He pulled to the side of the road and watched Claire run from him. Less than a year ago, Jamie would have told anyone who asked that he lived a full and satisfying life; family, job, friends, even G. Now he knew that life to be no more than an illusion. Everything was better with Claire. He felt more confident, he was more creative, more secure in his decisions. He was supported, but not flattered. If he was wrong, she’d tell him. She’d taken his heart and soul and kept it safe. For that, he owed her. It was his responsibility to see her safe, to keep her close and protected, and he’d just failed her.

Claire blindly ran into the heather until she reached a small shielded clearing. The sun touched her neck, just as Ellen’s fingers had done moments before. Was this the end?  Her hand covered her heart. She tried to reconcile the man who comforted her late into the night with the man who just treated her like a piece of property.

She heard the unmistakable sound of Jamie’s footsteps across the clearing.

“Sassenach…”

“Don’t call me that!” She turned to face him.

“Alright. Claire. Will ye come back to the car?”

She scoffed, “I’m waiting for anything approaching an apology and an explanation.”

Jamie tried to commit her to memory; her musk after they made love, her smile when she teased him, her curly wig when she awoke, the color of eyes that shifted with her mood.

“Claire, I’m tryna keep ye safe. I didna mean..”

“Safe? From your parents?”

He closed his eyes. “The Stones.” He expected to feel her brush past him, but felt nothing. A lifetime passed between each beat of his heart; he had no backup plan should she leave him. An aching hollowness settled in his chest. Could he go back to being half a person? He opened his eyes.

She hadn’t left. Her hair was free from constraint and curled wildly about her face, but she said nothing. He watched her hand shake as she brushed a curl from her face. But she didn’t leave. Blood flowed to his heart once more.

Jamie explained what his father had said. But still she stayed and still she remained silent.

“Claire, did ye hear me?”

“Yes, Jamie I heard you.” She turned her back to him and looked over her shoulder.  “You saw the clothes?”

“Aye, they were real.”

“Well, I already promised not to go near the stones.” She started to walk back to the car.

“Sass..Claire, Claire,” Jamie caught her easily. “Do ye believe me?”

“I believe you didn’t trust me to explain. I believe you treated me like I’m one of your dresses.”

She continued walking.

“Claire, I’m sorry. Yer right. I wasna thinkin’ – I just wanted to get ye away.”

She stopped. “Do you believe I love you?”

“O’ course..”

“Then why would I ever leave you – especially to what – travel to some other time?” Her voice was distant and full of disappointment. “I’ve never wanted to be away from you until right now.”

He knew he deserved it, but it felt like she was ripping out his guts.

“Please take me home.”

Jamie followed her back to the Rover.  

She slid in and looked in the backseat where he’d thrown the plaid. She brought it forward and ran it across her hands.

“Claire?”

“I’ve seen this before… it was in a dream…after our first night together.”

Jamie watched her bring the plaid to her nose.

“I was wearing it. I was cold and dirty, climbing in the dirt…up a hill. It had the same hole in the spot just here.”

Claire pushed her back against the door and began to hug herself.

Jamie reached out, “please, Claire, come to me.”

She hesitated and her eyes filled with tears. “This is happening to me, not you!”

“I ken..”

“No, no you don’t! You don’t ken anything! You were going to what…hmm? Drag me away and lock me in your flat? You and Frank!”

Jamie’s eyes snapped to hers at the mention of the bastard. “Dinna compare me him!” He bellowed.

“Why not? Frank wanted to send me to the Stones…to my destiny! He didn’t explain anything either. I guess he was ‘protecting’ me also. Maybe I should call him?”

Jamie pounded the steering wheel and he turned to her, the veins visible in his temple and neck. “You will not.”

Claire scoffed, reaching for the door handle. “I don’t have to do what you tell me. I don’t belong to you!”

“Aye, ye do!” Jamie grabbed her wrist.

“Let go of me, you fucking bastard!” Claire wrestled free and got out of the Rover.

“Ifrinn.” Jamie ran around the car and grabbed her by the shoulders. “Claire! Ye stubborn woman.  Ye do belong to me..and I belong to you.” He let go, desperately trying to control the whirlwind of emotions in his mind and heart. “Ye ken that, ye do. Ye told me, aye?”

Claire looked away, her jaw set.

“I love ye. I will always love ye.”

Her chin began to wobble, but she still wouldn’t look at him.

“I’m sorry the way I treated ye. It was wrong, but it is my job to protect ye. Just as it’s yers to protect me?”

She sniffled and wiped away tears.

“Yer right, I dinna ken anythin’ at all about this. But I ken we’re bound. I ken Randall was using ye for some reason.” He sighed, “I only want for ye to be happy and safe wi’ me at yer side.”

He threw the car keys at her feet.

“But if ye think Randall or anyone else can help ye more, I willna hinder ye. I can find my way back.”

Claire picked up the keys and studied them. She walked to the Rover, threw the keys inside, and pulled out the plaid. “Come with me?” She entwined her hand with his.

He followed her back to the clearing. She laid the plaid down and pulled the jumper over her head. “Make love to me?” She unhooked her bra.

Jamie looked around.

“No one will see, I just need to be with you.” Her hands began to unbutton her trousers.

Jamie took her then. At first it was rough as they reclaimed each other, then slow as they savored their chance at connection; each knowing that destiny meant to sever their bond.

“Forgive me?” Claire asked as they lay spent and sheltered in the plaid.

“Aye. Do you forgive me too?”

“Yes.”

They fell quiet and Claire hugged his middle.

“I’m scared, Jamie.”

He gathered her tighter. “Aye, me too.”

[thekingparrot]

Outlander: Longer reads (Part 1). All stories are completed. You will need to be registered with AO3 to read them - that will also open up a wide range of stories by other fans, for fans.

Beyond the Grave (15 chapters): Some argue that the overly cautious don’t live a full life as they’re too concerned about their own mortality. Others insist that death is inevitable and it’s important to live life to the full, even if that involves risk. Who decides when we are born and when we will die? Do we die, or do we live beyond the grave? It all sounds too hard, too morbid, yet every day we make life and death decisions. Most of the time, we prefer to push these thoughts to the back of our minds but occasionally we are faced with choices - particularly if we have a job like Dr Claire Beauchamp.

Click here for link

Many Worlds (14 chapters): Claire disappears in Stirling, Scotland. A grief-stricken Jamie needs an explanation.

Click here for link

Identity Crisis (41 chapters): Claire moves to Edinburgh to live and work near her old friend, Louise. She is not prepared for the complex web of relationships and intrigue which awaits her.

Click here for link

Operation Murray (32 chapters): The prompt is from @akb723 - Love, Christmas, and a bit of drama ensues when Ian has been in the VA hospital after having lost his leg. While there, he meets nurse Major Claire Beauchamp. They become friends swapping familial information, stories, etc. Ian tells how much he missed/misses being home for Christmas. Wanting to surprise her friend, Claire attempts to reach out to his listed family, James, to see if there would be any way to get Ian home for Christmas, or at the very least, bring Christmas to Ian. (This is the story that grew!)

Click here to link

It's Complicated (22 chapters): This story is a modern AU featuring Claire and Jamie, along with some familiar characters from the books and TV series.

Click here to link

Upside Down (29 chapters): When Jamie Fraser meets Claire Beauchamp, he soon finds that his predictable, ordered world is going to be turned upside down.

Click here to link

Show Me The Way (24 chapters): A modern AU story. Fluff and angst, happiness and sadness, Scotland and overseas.

Click here to link

This message is so long! Part 2 of longer reads tomorrow.

[thekingparrot]

Outlander: Collection of completed works

There are 20 completed stories in my collection. Here are the shorter reads. Longer reads tomorrow.

Short reads:

The Christmas stocking (7 chapters): When Claire Beauchamp moves to Edinburgh with her uncle Quentin Lambert Beauchamp, she enrols in a local high school for her senior year. Being a new girl and a Sassenach isn't always easy.

Click here for link

For Guys, Every Month is Breast Awareness Month (4 chapters):

I was asked by a reader, @gamsbo, to write a short story for Breast Awareness Month. I could totally relate to the need for testing as I've had a grand total of five tumours in my body thus far. They've all been benign and three have been removed, so it's a case of "been there, done that". I've also lost two friends to breast cancer, so this is personal. The title of this story is a old slogan for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Click here for link

Silent Spring (6 chapters): The book "Silent Spring" was a ground-breaking work in the development of modern environmentalism. It becomes an essential element of this story.

Click here for the link

White Christmas (3 chapters): All flights are cancelled and there's only one rental car left. Two strangers, Jamie and Claire, are headed to the same destination and desperate to make it in time for the holidays, and decide to share.

Click here for the link

[thekingparrot]

Outlander: Longer reads (Part 2). Another long post. All stories are completed. You will need to be registered with AO3 to read them - that will also open up a wide range of stories by other fans, for fans.

The Games of Life (26 chapters): For Jamie, everything hangs on getting to the Olympic Games in Athens. His future happiness depends on throwing a hammer.

Click here to link

Resistance (20 chapters): This tale is set in World War II.

Click here to link

The art of tasseography (28 chapters): Ellen Fraser is in charge of Lallybroch Library. It wasn’t a large depository of books but included on its stout wooden shelves were some rare antique tomes containing details of the activities of the Fraser clan in the battles leading up to Culloden in April 1746. She receives a visit from Frank and Claire Randall.

Click here to link

Perspectives (25 chapters): One’s perspective on life is an interesting and unique thing. It’s shaped by experience, circumstances, relationships and a host of other factors which are exclusive to the individual. Never judge a book by its cover.

Click here to link

Drawn (27 chapters): This story begins with a young Claire Beauchamp and Jamie Fraser meeting on their first day of school. They share interests, happy times, sad times and moments of revelation. For those who’ve never heard of entomology- it’s the study of insects. Emptymology might be the closest a child would get to pronouncing it.

Click here to link

Fort Augustus (21 chapters): Prior to Culloden, the Jacobite Rebels fought in a number of battles - some of which were successful, and some not.

Click here to link

La Feuillee (22 chapters): Claire Beauchamp is a military nurse serving in France during the Great War of 1914-18. In 1915 she works with Jenny Fraser and meets Jamie Fraser, a meeting which will have a profound impact on her life.

Click here to link

A Safe Place (20 chapters): For those who haven't been impacted directly or non-directly by domestic violence - be glad but be aware. Be a listener, be a friend. (Warning: this story includes graphic descriptions of domestic violence.)

Click here to link

Head of A Woman (20 chapters): While visiting Paris, Jamie Fraser goes on an unexpected excursion. This fic is principally based on the Outlander series, but is also influenced by the movie Midnight in Paris, the art work of Pablo Picasso and Tamara de Lempicka, and a range of other artists. The story begins in 2006, just prior to the Global Financial Crisis. It is mainly set in Paris and Scotland, and there is more than a little angst involved. Early chapters do not have collages as this was my first story and it took me a while to teach myself to include them.

Click here to link

[thekingparrot]

Beyond the Grave Chapter 13: The Magic of This Moment

Chapter 13 is now available on AO3

[thekingparrot]

Beyond the Grave Epilogue - Part A

It became clear that the Epilogue was growing and growing, so here is Epilogue Part A. Part B next week.

To read Epilogue A on AO3, click here

[thekingparrot]

Beyond the Grave

Chapter 7: Breakfast in bed

The alternative name for this chapter is 'Tell Me About It, Stud'. A small tribute to Olivia Newton-John and 'Grease'.

I'll be changing all my works to be accessed by Archive of our Own (AO3) registered users only this weekend, so please be sure to become a member as soon as possible. Instructions are given in recent posts. It is an inconvenience, but AO3 have recommended that all writers do this. If you are not yet a member, you'll find registering will give you access to a wider range of work. Enjoy!

Chapter 7 is now available on AO3