The Death of One

I returned to Murtagh, telling him everything that had unfolded after he left. He didn't say much but he did hug me tightly. He wouldn't let me work as a blacksmith anymore, scared the labor could harm the child. Instead, I helped him keep track of the customer orders.

Another few weeks passed with no words from Kaeden or Ivy. It kept me up at night, wondering if they were safe. Murtagh assured me that it meant they were alive but staying hidden until they were sure they were safe. A full month had passed since they left before Ian brought me a letter. It was from Ivy.

FaithI let it slip about the child. Kaeden left here as soon as he knew. Isaac left me behind but rushed back after Kaeden was taken by the redcoats. Isaac barely escaped with his life. Kaeden is being brought back to Woolam's Creek to be hung for his crimes. I'm so sorry. Please find him.Ivy

I crumpled the paper in my hand, collapsing to the floor. Tears filled my eyes. My heart felt like it had torn in two. It was shattered at the written black words on the paper.

There was a crash behind me as Murtagh dropped the sword he worked on to come to me. Ian also rushed to my side.

"Cousin?" Ian asked, holding my arm.

"Kaeden... He's to be hung in the square." I gasped.

Murtagh grunted, scooping me into his arms. "Not as long as I breathe air." He took me into our home and placed me on his bed. He looked towards Ian.

"Get Fergus and Jamie. Round up the other boys as well." He grunted, walking back out to the shop to shut down. In a short amount of time, Fergus, Jamie, Ian, Murtagh and a few other men stood in our small home all discussing what to do.

My mind raced with thoughts. I loved him. I needed him. I couldn't survive if he was gone. I'd known him all my life but only now felt the distance between us yank at my heart. My heart burned for him. It broke for him.

"Can someone take me to the prison? I want to see him." I finally spoke, sitting in the bed. Jamie approached me.

"Are ye sure?" He called me some name in Gaelic. I nodded and he helped me up. "I will take ye." I put on one of my dresses in hopes the red coats would pity me and let me see Kaeden. We left the house and made our way to the prison. The red coats only allowed me in once I explained my husband was locked in there. It was a lie but it was the only way they'd let me in to see him.

Jamie waited outside for me. Many men lined the room, all ready to hang. I found Kaeden who looked beaten. He quickly rose to his feet when he saw me, hands chained at his waist.

"Faith." He gasped.

"Kaeden." I pulled him into my arms. At this time, I was about 4 months pregnant and beginning to show.

"Why didna ye tell me?" He asked, pulling a shackled hand to my stomach.

"I knew you wouldn't leave. We would've been here sooner. I told you to go. Why'd you come back?" I cried as he pulled me to his chest.

"I had to. I couldna let ye do this alone. I'm not a man who leaves their child or the mother of their child." He sighed, kissing the top of my head. "I'm to be hung. All of my personal belongings have been signed to ye." I looked up at him, my tears finally falling.

"No, I can go to Lord Tryon. I can explain." I begged. He shook his head no. We stood in silence, holding each other.

"Promise me, ye'll leave. Ye won't watch. I don't want ye to see this." His eyes finally found mine buried in tears. The blue was only that much bluer now. Even under the dirt and blood on his face, he was still so gorgeous and perfect. He wiped my face gently. I shook my head.

"No, you need a friendly face in the crowd. You cannot stop me." I was to be alone in this world again. The guard told me it was time so I kissed Kaeden long and hard. I left, finding Jamie outside. He pulled me into his grasp.

"I talked to Tryon. He's going to review Kaeden's case now. We will ken in an hour when they begin the executions." Jamie explained.

"What if he doesn't help?" I let go of Jamie, wiping my face of the tears.

"Fergus, Ian and Murtagh are making preparations." He tucked a red curl behind my ear. "We will get him free." We walked towards the tavern where Claire was waiting. She put an arm around me, in a way to console me. It didn't help. The anger and sadness in my chest was all consuming. It was painful. I felt like my ribs might crack open and let my heart drop out.

At the tavern we sat and waited for the others. We waited for the executions to begin. The tightness in my chest continued to grow. I wanted this all to be over. I wanted to be back in France when my life was good. I wanted to be back at Fraser's Ridge where I was happy with Kaeden. Marsali and Fergus were the last to join us. Marsali gently rubbed my hand.

"It's going to be alright." Claire rubbed my back. They all tried their best to make me smile. Nothing worked. "Come. They're beginning."

Jamie had already made it to the front where he spoke to a figure. Once their conversation was over, he spoke to another. This one was familiar. A man named Gray. Jamie soon joined us.

"Ye're going to see something. It's going to be painful to watch. But trust me. It is ok." Jamie said cryptically. Then I saw him. Kaeden, in shackles, walking to the stand.

Kaeden Marshall Campbell, charged with assisting a slave escape and the murder of one Charles Simon MacDonald. The man read.

Murder. Kaeden could never. Not even Charles, no matter how beastly the man was. Kaeden was released from his shackles before he climbed the stairs to the noose. My knees could've given out underneath me at that moment. I found Murtagh's hand next to mine, squeezing it tightly. Ian's hand rested on my shoulder. Kaeden finally looked out to the crowd, finding me. He mouthed the words "I love ye" as the noose slipped over his head. The tears slipped from my eyes and down my face. In the matter of seconds, the floor gave out and the noose tightened against his neck. His face began to turn bright red. After a minute of torture, his breathing and struggling stopped.

I let out a scream. It echoed around the square. I didn't realize how much I loved Kaeden until the moment he was out of my grasp. Until he was gone from this world. I didn't know what made me love him so. But I did. My heart shattered as I watched him take his last breath.

Murtagh and Ian grabbed me, holding me from running to the platform. I felt something warm trickle down my leg as I broke onto the ground. I sobbed, gasping for air. Claire appeared in front of me. She was speaking but no words made it to my ears. The world slowly slipped to darkness.