Original subtitles

Previously...

Julia's carrying my child.

Such joyous tidings, m'laird.

Thank you, Mistress Porter.

The MacKenzie interests

do not align with those of Clan Grant.

Perhaps they find no reason

to doubt Miss MacKenzie's virtue.

Tarnished goods is what that woman is.

My sister Ellen is the prize.

I'm forever walking in her shadow.

I've never met a MacKenzie who dwelled in any shadow.

I need you to deliver a message for me

to the lady of the house.

He wants you to meet him.

I'm a prisoner in my own home till Beltane.

May Day?

Otherworldly creatures emerge to play their music,

luring travelers to their faerie hill.

Is it marked by standing stones?

So you know it.

I'll find a way out of my betrothal.

-When will I see you again? -Beltane.

If you truly think that marriage to Malcolm Grant

-is for the best... -I do.

...then I'll marry him.

Well, aren't you a vision?

All are waiting for you, sister.

♪ Long the way ♪

♪ O'er the bridge I crossed ♪

♪ For my love ♪

♪ For my love that's lost ♪

♪ By the brae ♪

♪ In the verdant moss ♪

♪ Where I watch Where I wait ♪

♪ For my love that's lost ♪

♪ Hi a bho ♪

♪ Hoireann eile o ♪

♪ Hi a bho ♪

♪ Fair a leo fair a lè ♪

♪ Hi a bho ♪

♪ Hoireann eile o ♪

♪ 'S tu mo run 'S tu mo ghràdh ♪

♪ Agus m' eudail o ♪

Do you have everything, lass?

I believe so.

When you return without me, will you be punished?

Aye.

But it'll be worth it.

Still, I am sorry.

Oh.

Will this be enough food?

Perhaps we should take a few more apples.

Not from the pantry.

Then the housekeeper would have my heid.

Mm, both our heads, I imagine.

There'll be more than enough at Beltane

and the best cakes ye've ever tasted.

'Twill be a bonnie sight.

Folk gather from all over, you see.

'Tis neutral ground,

land that no one clan lays claim to.

You sure you're well enough to travel, considering?

Isn't it said that many women travel

for the fertility blessing?

Ah, usually before the bairn's in their belly.

I want to do this for you...

and for Lady Ellen too.

Shh. Careful, lass.

The walls have ears.

Of course.

Come.

Where are you two off to at this early hour?

And without permission?

I rise expecting to see chamber pots emptied,

fires lit, breakfast begun, only to find you gone.

Julia's coming with me to Beltane.

I swear, I did as many chores as I could this morning

without disturbing anyone's sleep.

And I'll do twice as much work when I return.

You'll stay here.

I dinna ken what you're thinking, either of ye.

If the Laird were to catch wind of this,

there'll be hell to pay.

Ye ken better than this, Brian Fraser.

I was taking her to receive blessings for the bairn.

Surely he can spare her for a few days.

Not Julia.

Your father willna allow it.

Maisri is on her way to Leathers as we speak.

-Maisri? -My father's seer.

She's coming on Beltane...

when the veil between the worlds is thinnest.

'Twill aid in her divination.

But why does he need Julia?

Lovat holds readings for his bairns.

He did this for you as well.

'Tis time ye Kent, I suppose.

She's carrying your sibling.

What? You led me to believe...

I'm so sorry you had to find out like this.

I didn't have a choice.

My father's child?

I ken the position he must have put you in,

but you should have told me the truth.

You must stay here, then.

There's no escaping this reading.

But without me...

'Tis no longer a concern of yours.

Thinking of the many fine gowns and Grant carriages

you'll soon have at yer disposal, no doubt?

More than I have, that's certain.

It's not a competition, Jocasta.

Oh, could have fooled me.

All of this to-do is for you.

I ken it isna Malcolm you're thinking about.

If it was a competition, ye'd be winning,

given that you're already a married lady.

Perhaps you could offer me your wise counsel,

help keep Malcolm Grant satisfied as a wife.

Well...

when I was betrothed, I wasna such an old maid as ye.

But John's expectations were clear enough.

I was to be doting and obedient...

his silent prize,

to be admired and not touched.

If that's what Malcolm Grant expects from me,

then I'm certain to be a disappointment.

Then again...

I saw the way he mooned after ye at the gathering.

Perhaps he intends to ravish ye after all.

-Don't be obscene, Jocasta. -What?

Maidens often lose their innocence at Beltane,

when our sins are burned away,

cleansed by the need fire.

'Tis the perfect time for Malcolm to steal you away

and plant a bairn,

if you're still able to carry one.

Oh, it's kind of ye to be concerned,

considering your own struggle to conceive.

You're no maiden.

Have you, in fact, lost your innocence?

How long has John Cameron been waiting for an heir?

Enough now.

Nearly as bad as your brothers.

Brian.

Canna believe it.

You were gonna leave for Beltane without me.

I'm coming with you.

Are ye sure?

Maybe ye wouldna want to,

since you have enough to keep you busy

and so heartsick over Miss MacKenzie.

What? That's why I need to go.

She's gonna be there.

My auntie says she's attending with Malcolm Grant.

I see.

Maybe better we stay out their way.

Or maybe this is my chance.

I can finally have a moment alone wi' her.

Under Grant's nose?

She's betrothed, Murtagh.

During Beltane, all vows are forgotten.

I ken ye've never felt this way about a lassie.

But when ye meet one such as her...

-There'll be other ones. -No. Willna be.

And Grant canna keep an eye on Ellen every moment.

You'd be a fool to try it.

Well, lucky for me,

I have a cousin who's just as foolish as me to help.

Now come on.

Don't lose yourself in the revelry, lass.

You must remember your duty.

To charm Malcolm Grant.

No need to remind me.

Colum's words are ringin' in my ears.

So you ken the consequences,

should you attempt to upend your betrothal?

My reputation in ruins, a beating from my brothers...

...and perhaps worse from the Grants.

You always had the knack for making matches.

You must admit, Malcolm is a good one for you.

If he decides he doesn't want you,

Colum will marry you off to another less suitable man.

That is the best possible outcome.

You won't do anything reckless tonight?

You have my word.

Mind you, that doesn't mean we can't have any fun.

Shall we?

Would ye like to assist us, sir?

We'll need nine men to build the need fire

-before the ceremony. -Oh, I'm sorry, no.

I'm afraid I'd have no skill at that.

-Lady Ellen. -Mr. Grant.

'Tis a pleasure to be reunited

My bonnie bride.

She's being modest.

'Tis more than a pleasure.

She talked of nothing but you all the way here.

I didna ken ye'd be joining us, Mistress Cameron.

Well, my husband usually accompanies me,

but he wasna feeling well enough,

so he sent me along wi' my sister.

How thoughtful.

Well, I hope you enjoy yourself.

Oh, I will,

though I confess, these grounds are new to me.

And to me.

We often celebrate the coming of summer

at a festival closer to Leoch.

Oh.

Well, there's much to see here.

Where to begin?

Well, there's feastin' and dancin'

and the Beltane ceremony itself, of course.

But the procession to the stone circle

for the fertility blessings isna for a few hours.

Oh.

My sister is more than eager for a bairn.

You'll certainly want to receive fertility blessings,

won't you, Jocasta?

Shall we?

Stop.

What's all this talk I keep hearing

about a stone circle hereabouts?

I assume it might be, uh, significant in some way?

Aye, Craigh na Dun. It's not far.

Some of the maidens will leave around nightfall

and dance about the stones

to appease the faeries who dwell there,

-prevent folk from being taken. -Faeries?

Aye, they're known to appear on Beltane,

snatch those who don't pay proper respects.

So, you best keep your distance.

I don't suppose you've come all this way to talk about faeries.

No, I haven't.

So you're still looking for your woman, then?

Always.

But I am afraid there is some business

that I must discuss with you first.

My laird has received word

from Lord Lovat of Castle Leathers

urging caution about Malcolm's betrothal.

He has expressed some concern

about Lady Ellen's reputation,

although he offered no proof of misdeeds.

There is nothing to worry about in that regard.

Well, it did make me wonder why Lovat would make such a claim.

Because he hates the MacKenzies,

fears their alliance with the Grants.

Simon Fraser insists on using his title,

which he lost, along with his lairdship,

years ago.

He's convinced that that Red Jacob

had a hand in his downfall,

but his misfortune is all his own.

And the audacity of the man, given what he did.

What did he do?

He stands accused

of the kidnapping and the rape of a noblewoman.

Now, I don't know all the details,

but it's clear he is not to be trusted.

Simon Fraser should concern himself

with his own reputation.

I- I can assure you, there are no misdeeds.

Well we replied, told him as much.

And we haven't said a word to Malcolm,

but between you and me,

Isaac is a little uneasy about it.

So I'm just doing my due diligence,

which I'm sure you understand.

But, Mr. Gowan, you had better promise me.

Do whatever

and speak to whomever you must.

But you will find all rumors and gossip

entirely without merit.

See the Caller?

Mm-hmm.

He's the one to impress.

Perhaps I should dance wi' him instead, then.

Aye, but he's not only lookin' for the best dancer.

He's also watching for the bonniest lass.

And he'll have a better view of ye from here.

Imagine being crowned May Queen at the fire ceremony.

Quite a spectacle.

If I were still a maiden,

I'd be the first to join the ceilidh.

Lady Ellen?

Shall we?

I dinna like to have everyone's eyes upon me.

Go on.

'Tis your last chance to compete

since ye'll be married next year.

I've not much grace as a dancer.

I dinna wish to disappoint you.

Ye never could, Lady Ellen.

We begin with one of our favorites!

Brian.

You're here.

I needed a way to speak to you without arousin' suspicion.

We must pretend to be strangers.

Can you get away somehow?

I'll find an excuse.

Meet me by that old castle tower?

I ken it well.

Lost ye for a moment.

Why are ye no' dancing?

I could ask you the same question.

This contest is for maidens only.

And where's Mr. Cameron?

In bed with the sweatin' sickness.

Now for our second dance of this evenin'.

Pretend you're a maiden, then.

All's fair in love and at Beltane.

It'll be our secret.

Dancing suits ye.

You're glowin'.

What did you say to Ellen?

-What? -I saw ye exchanging words

when ye were partnered in the dance.

Did ye put in a good word for me?

Uh, I couldna.

Barely enough time to breathe.

Ye missed yer chance, man.

What a fine group of dancers.

But there can be only one May Queen.

The lassie with the most grace, the most elegance...

It's going to be you.

...the jewel of Beltane is...

Lady Ellen MacKenzie.

Followin' our usual tradition,

our queen will now choose her king for tonight's ceremony.

Lads, step forward to be considered.

Your Highness,

which one of these lads is worthy of your hand?

I choose...

Mr. Grant.

I see...

a field of thorns, men ensnared,

bleedin', wailin', tormented.

Am I among them?

No, Milord.

You-you stand beyond the field,

unscathed, victorious.

You've suffered much, but your return to power,

to-to the position you once held is-is imminent.

And what of my bairn?

Can I finally expect a child worthy of my legacy?

I'll need my bowl.

Mistress Porter.

Take an egg to your belly.

And crack it into the water.

Two?

Am I to have twins?

Two bairns...

one after the other.

I see a lass,

all alone with dark curls

and clear blue eyes.

I've no need of a daughter.

Dinna fash, Milord.

Her time is still to come.

And what of the other child,

the one I planted in Julia's belly?

A boy...

...of great importance.

Titled, you mean?

Greater.

A higher purpose-

uniting clans for centuries to come.

His fate is one that hangs in the balance.

What I mean is, when the fate of our nation is in peril,

he'll have his part to play.

Tell me...

where does this path end?

Ye have in mind thoughts...

of the stone of destiny.

And ye're right to press.

I see it clearly now...

a throne.

Then it is as the prophecy foretold.

I've heard variations of it, of course, everyone has,

but I'm thinking of one version

which specifically points

towards Clan Fraser's importance.

Think the veil between worlds is thin enough today

that ye ken what I'm about to say.

A Scottish ruler,

rising from the Fraser bloodline-

my bloodline.

You're carrying a future king.

A toast...

to the King and Queen of Beltane.

I'm honored that you chose me, Your Royal Highness.

We should celebrate...

perhaps wi' a game, maybe cakes.

Are ye still in need of more men?

Aye. 'Tis a slow task,

but it must be done by the time the sun sets.

What better way to celebrate than by helping

with preparations for our coronation?

It seems below the station of a king, does it not?

I admire a king who's humble enough

to work alongside his subjects.

I was hoping we might have some time together.

I'd hoped so too, but we'll have plenty of time

to see one another after ye've finished.

What will you do in the meantime?

You can join me for fertility blessings.

Yes.

To ensure an abundant

and bountiful first year as yer wife.

Aye, the two of you should go.

I'll find you when my work here is done.

I was a fool to think I could compare to him.

There's more to a man than coin and status.

-Eh... -Courage, honor, loyalty.

Women dinna care about that.

They want comfort

and a fine roof over their head.

Everything we lack

and Malcolm Grant has in abundance.

Perhaps ye're right to make peace wi' it.

Shall we move on, hmm?

Find some lassies to help lessen your sorrows, huh?

No, I can do that with more ale.

You go ahead.

You don't need to grab me.

Ow. You're hurting me.

Sorry, but I dinna wish to lose sight of you.

I'm not going to the stones.

Why not?

Because I have no desire for a bountiful year

with Malcolm Grant, and ye ken it.

Well, ye've no choice.

This is yer fate now, Ellen MacKenzie.

Ye'll be a wife and a mother like the rest of us.

I ken you're in a joyless marriage,

but that's not my fault.

But it is.

I ken ye had a hand in matching me with that old coot.

I didn't choose John Cameron for you.

I merely steered Da away from worse suitors.

Excuse me if I dinna believe ye.

Well, if it pleases ye...

I understand now how ye feel...

being a pawn in someone else's game.

But I dinna understand why, when the choice is ours,

ye'd drag us both to this dreadful procession.

Oh, what are ye getting at?

You've enjoyed yer time without Mr. Cameron.

I merely wish to do the same while Mr. Grant is occupied.

And what's to stop me

from telling yer betrothed ye've run off?

In exchange for yer discretion tonight,

ye'll have mine.

If I swear you received the blessings,

ye'll do the same for me?

And then we can both do as we please.

I'll also be needing the necklace Ma left ye.

-Ye ken the one I mean. -Jocasta.

You're in no position to offer terms to this deal.

Very well. The necklace.

Go on, then.

How long do we have before ye're missed?

Till the needfire's lit.

Malcolm will look for me then.

Do you feel that?

Mine's the same...

beatin' out of my chest.

Yet my soul's never been more at peace.

There's enchantment in this place.

And in being here...

with you.

Light's fading too quickly.

I can't bear it, Brian.

There are those who fear darkness.

And they're right to.

There's dangers that lurk within it.

But I dinna fear it...

for when it falls,

the fire you have lit within me is bright enough

to put the moon and the stars to shame,

set this whole place aglow.

I dinna fear the dark so much either.

It's where I find ye each night.

I pray this is no dream.

If we keep goin', I willna be able to stop.

I dinna want you to.

Yer name, yer honor, yer virtue.

I couldna live wi' myself.

You'd be ruined, Ellen.

Ruin me.

Wait.

Blood of my blood.

And bone of my bone.

I give ye my body,

that we two might be one.

I give you my spirit

till our life shall be done.

Longer.

My God...

I've never known a man like you-

without guile...

pretense.

I suppose I've spent a fair amount of time on my own.

So I've no problem sittin' with my own thoughts.

What about Murtagh?

My cousin.

Like a brother to me.

I wish he could have been around a wee bit more

to keep the peace between me and my da.

Is he as bad as they say...

your father?

Worse.

Part of the reason why I left home last year...

left Scotland altogether.

Where did ye go?

I walked the Way of St. James...

El Camino de Santiago.

A pilgrimage.

I've read about it.

I needed to understand my place in the world...

my purpose.

Why would God create me,

the unwanted bastard of such a cruel man?

What did God tell you?

To make peace with my station.

But then I met you.

And I find myself...

wantin' again...

...to be worthy of you...

...to be the kind of man you'd choose.

I do choose you.

Have you any regrets...

...about decisions ye've made?

None.

I havena been given much choice in this life.

How to behave...

when to speak...

what to say...

who to marry...

all are things that have been prescribed for me.

But you...

...our hand fast...

I chose for myself.

If I'm only allowed one choice

for the rest of my life...

I would choose you...

time and again.

Watch where ye're going.

Ye're the one who challenged Mr. Grant as May King.

Aye. What of it?

Have an eye for his woman, do ye?

I'm not the only one.

He doesna deserve her.

Watch your tongue, or it'll be an eye for an eye.

And a Grant doesna warn ye a second time.

"Second?"

Stay away from Ellen MacKenzie.

Milord, might I have a word regarding the reading?

A canny suggestion, I'll admit,

to have arranged it for today.

Hmm.

My son, a king, fated to return the Fraser name

to all its glory.

Aye, your son.

I only wonder...

...did ye notice Maisri never called him yours?

Ah.

Now you're mistaken.

I mean no disrespect.

'Tis only that I wish to warn ye.

Julia canna be trusted.

And why not?

She's keeping secrets, lying to us.

When she arrived at Leathers, she was already with child.

I'm sure of it.

And she told you this?

No, Milord.

But women have a way of knowing such a thing.

Ah.

The bairn isna yours.

Have you mentioned this to anyone else?

Not a soul.

Good.

We must do all we can to assure the bairn's safe arrival.

You'll relieve Julia of all her duties, of course,

and attend to all her needs.

Aye, Milord.

You're the only one I trust

with such a great responsibility.

You know how much admiration

I have for you, Mistress Porter,

for all your years of service and loyalty.

Aye.

But if you ever speak a word of this again,

the last thing you'll see is Balloch's dirk

as it slides across your throat.

No luck finding her, then?

A small part of me had hoped...

what, with the stone circle being so near.

What, that the...

the faeries would bring her to you?

The stones draw women

from all over the area, don't they?

This whole festival does.

I suppose I was a fool to hope.

A fool in love.

I know that feeling well.

Years ago, when I was a-a solicitor in Edinburgh, I...

...I met the love of my life,

the only one who ever made me feel complete.

But we were tragically parted, and...

I had the choice to make.

Linger in my torment or start anew.

I chose the latter, and, uh...

it saved my life.

You mean joining Clan MacKenzie?

Aye.

Aye, Red Jacob took me in,

after taking all my valuables on the road.

You...

have chosen the former,

and I fear it may be the death of you.

See, that's where you're wrong, Ned.

For me, there is no choice.

What if you never find her?

I will.

Surely there's something else to live for, or someone.

I- I'm not suggesting that you abandon your search,

only that...

perhaps you decide when you should.

Did you ever love again, after Edinburgh?

Mr. Grant.

I hope I'm not intrudin'.

Could we speak?

In private?

I've been meaning to give ye somethin' all day,

and I doubt we'll have a moment to ourselves quite like this

until after we're married.

It's not much, a wee something-

a token of my affection.

Did you make this?

Aye.

After we first met at Leoch.

We were only bairns.

So I hope you can excuse the lack of craftsmanship.

I wasna yet so skilled with my hands.

I intended to give it to ye at the gathering...

but I didna have the chance.

Thank you, Malcolm.

I'll treasure it.

I canna believe ye're mine.

Curse those bastard Grants!

Are ye hurt?

Dinna tell me that's boar's blood.

No...

though the beast I fought was as ugly as one.

Come and sit before ye injure yerself any further.

Now leave me alone, woman.

I'm-I'm trying to help, ye silly fool.

Ah!

Tell me where it hurts.

It isna the sort of pain ye can soothe with a cloth.

Is there anything I can do?

No.

I just want...

I want...

I want to be wanted...

ye ken?

I do.

Ellen...

"My dearest Henry...

"our marriage was ratified in the name

of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."

"We made promises to one another,"

"promises I intended to keep,"

"so certain that I'd be able to.

How could I not be?"

"Holy vows to love, honor, and cherish you"...

"..." to be faithful, for better or worse,

in sickness and in health, until death parts us."

"But what if we are parted for unimaginable reasons

beyond our control, by time and space?"

"Fortunately, some things bind us together

stronger than any promise made at an altar."

"Our passion, our memories, our children."

"This, I can promise you.

I will burn for you, my love, always."