As with all nights in the month of the Dullahan, Merida listened to Higgs dramatically make his way to his carriage and crack the whip as he headed into town. She had asked him once if it was just town that he did his duties in, but he told her that that was ridiculous. The carriage traveled quicker than one would expect and could go miles and back in one night. He had her recall the first time and how he had come back. Someone somewhere was always dying, so the Dullahan never had a night of silence, but if it was always the town, there would be no one left.

Melissa Granthum Merida heard in the night.

She sighed, deciding to forgo reading and going to sleep. Usually she didn't hear them if she went to sleep.

Seth Pendwell

"Goodnight, Mr. Higgs." She said to the air, blowing out her lamp.

***********************

The next morning, Merida went down the stairs and started to make breakfast. As she went down the hallway, she spotted muddy footprints coming up the stairs and into the hallway, all the way to Higgs' room. She made a face and a mental note for him to clean that up as she headed to the kitchen. She swung open the door and Marlow yelped, dropping an egg.

"You scared me!" she said, running her hands through her hair.

"Sorry. What's got ye all prickly?"

"I saw Lord Northumberly ride past my house last night."

"Oh?"

"I was so scared. I was sure he was going to stop at my house."

"What for? Ye got a disease I didnae ken about?"

"No."

"Then what would he be wanting from ye?"

"Have you seen him ride? It's scary! How do you deal with it?"

"I sleep. After the first year, the names just start getting annoying. It's sad that they are dying people but after while, it's just a constant annoyance."

"Ailers mentioned that Lady Hinkley stayed her last night?"

"How did he know?"

"Her horse was in the stables. You know that boy can tell the difference in anything immediately."

"Oh, yes, Mr. Higgs wanted her to be over here for the names."

"I see... Are we setting the table then or are we going up individually?"

"Weel, Higgs isnae going to eat and I'm not sure regarding Lady Hinkley. I'll ask if she would like to take her breakfast in bed. She's probably too tired from all of the names and such."

Marlow nodded and headed upstairs when she spied Elizabeth coming down the hallway.

"Lady Hinkley."

"Oh, Merida." She said, looking at her with an uncomfortable smile.

"Ye get proper sleep?"

"I was up all night."

"Aye, the names can be a bit-"

"That's not it. I was up all night because I couldn't hear the names."

"What do ye mean?" Merida asked, genuinely confused.

"I stayed up all night, ready to hear the names, but... I heard nothing."

"That's odd..."

"Does this mean that I'm not as precious to him as you?"

"What do ye mean? I didnae hear anything last night either." She lied, quickly.

Merida didn't understand what was going on either. Elizabeth should have heard the names. Those who were the closest to a cursed person who became a Dullahan always heard the names. Elizabeth had broken a curse! How much closer could she be than that? The one thing she did know was that it was best to act like she was out of the mix for now.

"You didn't hear them either?"

"No, not at all. I usually do but since ye have been here... Maybe it has to reset? It's verra odd..."

"Should I stay another night? Maybe it was because I was expecting it? Like I didn't put enough faith?"

"That's... not how it works. I'd have to ask Mr. Higgs about ye staying another night but in the mean time, I'll inform him that ye will need to at least spend the rest of the day here."

"Oh, goodness, do I look that wretched?" she said, looking over her chemise.

"A bit puffy and ye eyes have dark circles. Tis best not to ride a horse while tired."

"Oh my... well then, if it's not too much trouble, I would like to have breakfast in my room and then take a small nap. If Gretchen comes by, let her know."

"Of course."

She left and Merida went back to tell Marlow about Elizabeth's decision.

"Lady Hinkley said that she wants to take breakfast in her room."

"Why do you look so confused?"

"She just told me that she didn't hear the voices last night."

"She didn't?"

"Aye..." She motioned for her to lean in. "I still did though."

"Is it a secret?"

"I have a feeling if she found things would get complicated."

"I wonder what that means though?"

"Aye, tis muckle strange... maybe Edgar was right and it only works on one person at a time."

"But if that was the case, then wouldn't Lady Hinkley overrule you in the closeness department? She undid a curse, which means that she did true love's kiss. That trumps anything between you and Mr. Higgs from before."

"Aye, ye're right... Most suspect. I ken I'll go and visit Laird Northumberly and ask. Well, I'll see Lady Margaret first and then try him. I think he went back to his mansion elsewhere."

Marlow nodded and Merida waited for her to finish breakfast so she could take it up to Elizabeth.

*********************

Once everyone was fed, Merida took a walk down to the lower mansion to talk with Margaret. She had a feeling that Jami wasn't there, but she had to ask about Edgar anyway. She was greeted by the butler and led to the tea room, where Margaret was already having her morning tea.

"Good morning, Merida. To what do I owe this impromptu visit?"

"I'm sorry that I came unannounced, but I first wanted to check and see if Laird Northumberly was here."

"No, we went back to the main estate for a few days. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Yes and no, unless ye ken the intricacies of Dullahans?"

"I know a good amount, far more than I'd like. Come sit, have some tea with me. With Fuchsia gone, the house is so bare and lonely."

"She hasnae been gone that long."

"Yes, but she married quite late in life but having her here was enough for me."

"Why not have Laird Northumberly move in or ye with him? Seems a might shame that ye are separate."

"I may bring it up to him. If I moved onto his estate, then Boston and Fuchsia could have this one."

"A fair trade an ye ask me. Ye get to be with yer husband and she gets her own home as a gift."

"It would be a while though. Boston just bought the little house near town. He's going to have to pay that off."

"I heard he may give it to Kans and Cat."

"Oh, you didn't hear the wonderful news? Baldorian gave Kans the deed to the little cottage on some property he owns in Lancaster, no strings attached and no Silvias or Velvets allowed."

"Good for him. He deserves it. I hope that harpy understands the rules and doesnae try to mess with him."

"Which harpy?"

"Both."

"I hear you gave Velvet a makeover." She said with a sly smile behind her teacup.

"It was a present for Laird Kans."

Margaret giggled. "You don't know how many times I've wanted to do that to her. I envy your ability to serve justice immediately when needed. You don't hesitate to right a wrong."

"Tis a blessing and a curse. People find me... a bit overbearing."

"I feel that that's putting it quite lightly." They both laughed a little. "We have gotten off topic. You were asking about Dullahans?"

"Aye. Ye warned me when I first came in contact with it that those closest to that person would hear the names, right?"

"That is correct."

"Is it possible for two people to hear them or is it only one per Dullahan?"

"Hmm... That's might be something you will have to ask Jami. I only know that I can hear Jami when he's a Dullahan and Fuchsia usually heard Higgs when he became one. Ever since that time he's been closer to her than he was with me... unless the theory is correct and since I heard Jami's already, it was more of a default that Fuchsia hear his? If she were here you could ask her if she still heard the names at night."

"Aye, it would be helpful..." Merida stood up. "Weel, I had a feeling ye wouldnae be able to answer that question. I guess I'll have to go and visit him then."

"I don't know if he's there or not. He had mentioned something about maybe having to go back with Radek to help with Kans getting that property Dorian gave him. He never sent word whether he went or not but you're welcome to try. I'm sure Davros is there."

"Thank ye for letting me know."

"What brought about all this?"

"Mr. Higgs turned into the Dullahan last night but Lady Hinkley didn't hear any voices. I did. With her able to cure one of the creatures, wouldnae it be safe to assume that Higgs loves her as she loves him? Their bond should be quite strong."

"I see. Then yes, Jami would probably know more than me on that matter. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help."

"It's fine..."

*********************

Margaret had written down Jamison's home estate address and Merida borrowed a horse to ride there. She had never been to Jamison's mansion and from the address, it seemed quite far from where they were located. She was glad she took the horse because it took her at least an hour to get there just on the steed. She couldn't imagine walking all that distance. Well... it would be a cakewalk compared to walking from Scotland to upper England. How could she have forgotten her trek? It had been four years since she made that journey, not thinking she was ever going to find someone to keep her as a maid (or anything). She smiled as she pat the horse on the neck, it's sweat and indication of how hard it was working.

She passed by a small stone wall that was about a foot high and then found the entrance to the property. She turned the horse onto the trail and was astounded at what she saw. It was green and luscious as far as the eye could see and Jamison's mansion looked lonely up ahead of the gravel path, a very large building with oaks on the sides of the building and a fountain in the roundabout. It was quite opulent, more than Lord Graves home.

"So this is what being the ruling laird looks like? I wonder when Laird Northumberly dies if Mr. Higgs will have to move here?"

She made a noise for the horse to continue forward and when she got to the front door, she tied the reins to a tree since she wasn't greeted by anyone and she didn't see a stable anywhere. She walked up to the door and knocked. A few minutes later, an older man opened the door and looked at her with a bored look.

"May I help you?"

"Is Laird Northumberly in?"

"No, he is not."

"Oh, alright... When do ye ken he will return?"

"What is it to you?"

Merida made a face. "Who are ye?"

"My name is Peter, I am the head butler for Lord Northumberly."

"I've never heard of ye."

"Who are you to be speaking so familiar with me?"

"I'm Merida Dunbrough, I work for his son, Mr. Higgs."

Peter lifted an eyebrow. "I see. That makes more sense."

"What does?"

"Your attitude. Lord Northumberly speaks of you often, the Scot that amusingly doesn't know her place in society."

"Oh, I ken my place, sir; I just dinnae like it and I willnae take it without a fight. An that makes me amusing, then I hope everraone gets a good laugh out of it. They willnae be laughing when I stomp their asses into the ground, though."

Peter smirked a little. "I can see now why they like you... Unfortunately, ma'am, Lord Jamison went with his brother to Lord Northumberly's home and most likely won't be back for a few days. If you like, I can write a message and put it where we keep the messages?"

"No, it's not important. Where's Davros?"

"Davros always travels with Lord Jamison."

"I see... Well, it was nice to meet ye, Pete. Maybe we'll meet again someday."

"It's Peter and I hope we do not."

"Ye hate Scots that much?"

"No, I can tell ye are a hard one to handle, can't take direction. It would be difficult to deal with you if you ever came back."

Merida made a face. "And they say that I'm the one with the mouth."

Peter smirked again but didn't say anything as Merida turned to leave and go back home. Despite Peter's disposition, Merida liked him. He had a playful feel about him and even though he sounded like he didn't care, his eyes were on fire. He had been tamed of his own deviant ways and she knew it.

"We'll meet again, Mr. Pete. I count on it."

*******************

Merida handed Laredo the reins to her horse and headed inside the manor. She got inside and started up the stairs but was met by Higgs standing there stock still.

"Ye gave me a fright! Why do ye do that?"

IT'S FUN. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

"Out and about... What's wrong? Ye seem anxious."

ELIZABETH WAS QUITE REMOVED WHEN I WENT OT CHECK ON HER THIS MORNING. I TRIED TO GET HER TO EXPLAIN BUT SHE WANTED TO GO HOME IMMEDIATELY.

"Weel, ye ken that the voices can be quite scary. Maybe she just needed to get her wits about her afore she talk to ye again. It's muckle scary..."

MAYBE SO. THE OTHER THING IS THAT WE HAVE A VISITOR

"A visitor? At this hour?"

IT'S ONLY ONE O'CLOCK.

"Hmm... Who is it?"

I THINK YOU HAD BETTER SEE THEM FOR YOURSELF.

Merida didn't like the tone insinuated in the sentence and went to the living room where she was most surprised.

"Laird Clarvins?"

At the name, the man stood up and turned around, showing it to be indeed, Patrick Clarvins. His black eyes met her hazel ones and he gave her a smile.

"Hello, Ms. Dunbrough. It's been quite a while."