Malcolm's generosity had given her time to stand and watch the storm move in; flurries of snowflakes swirled about on the breeze, seemingly unaware of their surroundings and what followed on their heels. At least she liked to think of it that way. It lifted her spirits some, despite the storm ahead. It had been quite awhile since she had last danced, as carefree as a flurry on the breeze...<br/><br/>"Shall I bring these in or leave them out here?"<br/><br/>Her attention turned back to Malcolm, and she couldn't help but return his smile as she motioned back towards the house. He had proved a worthy boarder, finishing much sooner than even Little John would have, and not a moment too soon, as the wind had picked up substantially. The warmth of the kitchen felt heavenly as they made their way back inside and over to the large cauldron at the open hearth.<br/><br/>It was then the question she had known would come, came.<br/><br/>She was quiet for a moment as she stared at the boiling water, churning as violently as those dark days had. Setting a bucket down in front of the cauldron, she motioned for him to take a side...for it took two people to safely tip the hulking mass of metal enough to pour water out. Her voice, though level, had grown softer now...<br/><br/>"About a year ago, James had gone out to check traps he had set along the river that abuts the western edge of our property, just on the other side of the glen which borders our back field. He was gone for quite some time, so Little John and I set out in search. We found him crumpled along the riverbank, head bloodied and cold as ice. He must have lost his footing, and fallen...the large rock beside his head was also bloodied..."<br/><br/>She barely realized she was halfway done with the buckets, her goal simply not to let emotion take over.<br/><br/>"After the funeral, I found out I was with child...though the baby was stillborn six months later.." her gaze became a bit more intent on the cauldron for a moment before her eyes looked up and met his own.<br/><br/>"That was six months ago. Just six. It seems like a lifeage, and yet no time at all, in some ways." She nodded before picking up the next bucket.<br/><br/>"Part of me is glad neither of them had to know the pain of losing the other, and perhaps they are together now..which comforts me in some small measure. But, now there is this mess with Tompkins..." she smiled, brushing wisps of hair away from her brow as she left to empty the bucket.<br/><br/>"I hope this tale of tragedy doesn't scare you off...i promise it's the end." Setting the buckets near the door, she wiped her hands upon her apron.<br/><br/>"I can get you some fresh clothes, no trouble at all. You and James are pretty close in size, and he would be forcing you into them anyways if he were here..." her eyes were drawn to his again as she swallowed a bit, the ache slowly subsiding. No tears this time. That was a first.