Axios [Syllanna X Laurefinde]

[Laurefinde]

Rainer's eyes drop to the infant in his arms. "Lady Fiona passed in childbirth, Sire." His voice turned soft and far more gentle in the speaking of these words. "I brought her here to present to her grandfather as I do not know the way to where the rest of her family is." He bowed once more to the king, "With your permission, Sir, I will seek him out in order to finish my task."

Rainer looked up long enough to see the Bruce's nod of dismissal before he turned his steps once more towards Gregor's tent. He entered with a soft rustle of fabric and the sound of a bit of fussing from the infant. "Sir, I have returned with news." He says gently when he caught sight if The MacGregor. "I am sorry to tell you that your daughter has...Your daughter has passed on to be with The Lord during childbirth. I have brought your granddaughter to you."

[Syllanna]

Gregor looked up, not quite taking in all of what was said. He'd just been in the middle of doing some tactical planning and his mind had really been on how he could sneak away to go see his daughter when Rainer had walked into his tent. "I....." His eyes lit on the babe bundled in Rainer's arms and then he frowned. "You are wrong." He said simply, his mind unable to handle what he was being told. "She left here merely three months ago. That isn't long enough to bear a child. Even I know that. And she would have told me if she'd been expecting." He stood, fury beginning to tint his face. "She wasn't even with anyone at the time. How dare you insinuate that about my daughter!! Get out of my tent. NOW."

[Laurefinde]

Rainer bowed his head, sadness filling his brilliant crimson eyes. "It hurts to hear you say such, Sir, as no lie has left my lips. I will bid you farewell then, and I will sing of your deeds to your granddaughter so that you may live in our memories even after you have joined the Lord." He straightened once more to look the great Chieftain in the eyes. "I will stay the rest of this day on the chance you may wish answers to questions, but after that, I fear I shall have to disappear once more. An army is no place for a child, especially one such as she." His voice is soft and his eyes turn a bit warm as he turns them upon his daughter once more. He then will bow again, this time silent and left to return to the tent that he had been using throughout his stay with the Bruce's army. He at once began his preparations to leave this army once more, many sighs leaving his lips as he truly did still wish to fight for this cause. He had another that he would have to care for now rather than just following his own wishes.

[Syllanna]

The babe cooed in Rainer's care, her little tuft of baby hair showing a bright red that matched Fiona's in shade. The MacGregor had words with the Bruce and it took some calming down for him to leave the tent, but he managed it. Still, he wanted nothing to do with the man who had accused his daughter of lying with a man and then birthing his child. But now he needed to know if she truly was dead, so he was heading out on a mission to find out the truth for himself. The Bruce approached Rainer carefully that evening. In a rare moment of privacy, they were left with only MacLeod for company. Robert could never be without a guard and that grated on him but he understood the need for precautions.

"We are sorry to see you go, Rainer. But I understand you wish to have a hand in raising the child." His eyes were serious and almost longing as he eyed the babe. "Do you have a safe place to take her?"

[Laurefinde]

Rainer's eyes returned from where he had watched the MacGregor leave the tent, once more focusing on those of the king. "Nay, I do not. I fear I know not exactly what I shall do. The life a traveling knight is not much better than life in the army for one as young as she." He smiled softly at the cooing form of his daughter, extending a finger for her to grip strongly. If his heart had still been beating, he was sure that it would have sped with the sheer strength of emotions that were swirling within him. This was his daughter, his little miracle. "She is my daughter, Sire. I cannot leave her to any other's care as long as I exist to watch over her." His voice is soft, and yet rings with a fierce determination and protectiveness that speaks of his love for the unexpected child.

[Syllanna]

The Bruce nodded, recognizing the strength of emotions that swirled so clearly in Rainer's eyes. "Then I will give you some advice. If you are intent on keeping her from harm, and you want to give her the same roots her mother had, you should go to the Isle of Mull. There is not likely to be any bloodshed near there and the people will help you with the babe when they see that you intend her no harm. It is a good place to raise any child." He smiled a little at Rainer. "Now, go and travel safely."

[Laurefinde]

Rainer gave the king another bow. "Thank you, Sire. It lightens my heart to have your blessing with my leaving, rather than having to leave like a thief in the night." His steps turned once more to the entrance of the tent. When he reached the flap, he looked back. "Please, Sire, should the MacGregor return with the knowledge of the truth my words carried and wish to see me and the child, tell him I will be there for at least a year." He tucked the child closer to his chest and left with only his bag and sword upon his back and hip, the girl in his arms.

He did not look back, though his thoughts were with the Bruce and his army often. His steps led him through the Scottish countryside, stopping only to feed himself and his daughter, who he decided to name Elisabeth. She seemed to grow as a weed, larger each day, and thirsted much, but he did not begrudge her that, for all that are small eat much and grow quick. He spoke and sang to her near constantly, and thus the miles were eaten away. After what seemed like a truly long time traveling, Rainer and Elisabeth reached the Isle of Mull, the sun was bright that day, and so he kept them out of sight, finding a lightly forested, well populated by animal area of the island and began searching for an appropriate spot to make them shelter.

[Syllanna]

The area is lush and covered with beautiful meadows and a few tall trees that provide adequate cover. The village isn't too far off and the forest has signs of people foraging in here, from berry bushes that have been stripped to mushrooms that have been dug up from the ground. The animals don't really seem afraid though and the babe doesn't seem to sparkle in the light like her sire. She does coo often though, already learning how to walk about and speak words. She seems to learn more quickly than any human can and she can even keep up with Rainer at unnatural speeds though she is limited by her shorter legs. In fact, her cheeks are flushed and she has a heartbeat, though it is slower than the average human's. If she didn't also consume blood.... one might not know her origins.

[Laurefinde]

It did not take long for any who saw them, and Rainer himself to recognize that Elisabeth had him wrapped around her small fingers. He would attempt to move the world for her, if that was what she wished, though he did not hesitate to discipline her if it became necessary. He taught her both English and Flemish, knowing from his own upbringing that learning languages whilst young made it easier. He also spent much time playing in the forest with her, not only for enjoyment but also to teach her the skills that she would need to survive and hunt for her own food eventually. Unfortunately, as he was not a woman, nor was there truly any female influence in her upbringing, much of what she learned were the things that most would see as 'un-ladylike'. Even though he was unable to teach her skills like needlework, he did teach her court manners and how to speak politely, hoping that she would not be thrust into situations that would require more until she had the chance to learn from someone who knew the skills.

With his daughter's rapid growth, Rainer soon became aware that they would have to move to another location soon. It would not do for the nearby villagers to notice the quickness of her growth and label them as unnatural, leading to lynch mobs and attempted killing. He kept a smile on his face for Elisabeth, even as he began to think of a destination for them to head towards sooner than what he had originally hoped.