Ardolf sat before Aidan as he explained his plan to his father.

"So you plan to use that on them both" Ardolf sat back and watched Aidan pull the small pouch out.

"Aye, and I pray that it is enough" Aidan sighed.

Ardolf gave Aidan a worried glance.
"And if it does not work?"

Aidan blew out a deep breath and leaned forward.
"Then I guess you will be one son short because he will not hesitate to kill me," he grinned.

Ardolf shook his head at Aidan's light hearted humor. Indeed Duncan would be furious but he swore to Aidan he would not intervene. Once he heard of his plan he was mortified.

"Lock them up together. One room for a day or two until they called a truce."

"During supper I will slip it in their ale," Aidan spoke.

Ardolf nodded.

The slight knock on the door interrupted them. Slowly Ardolf looked up to see Moira enter.
"Supper is ready m'lord" she smiled at Ardolf.

With curt nod he slowly stood. Aidan sat back in the chair for a while. Ardolf turned to look where Aidan sat in deep thought.

"Are we having second thoughts," Ardolf asked.

Shaking his head, Aidan stood and looked at his father.

Just praying that I pour enough to render the beast my brother senseless...

Turning into the corridor they continued about their plan as they walked towards the greathall.

********
Everyone sat for supper as usual it was a boisterous event that seemed as if the two in question hadn't any trouble in the world. But all were aware that Duncan and Tara still had their differences and their little war continued. It was about time they set it all aside but both were stubborn so Aidan took matters into his own hand.

He watched carefully as Gertrude upon his instruction keep Duncan and Tara's ale separate from the rest.

She diligently went through with task and winked at him as her mission was accomplished. He grinned at her beneath hooded eyes and watched her hungrily as her hips swayed away towards the kitchen's.

They all talked and ate with none the wiser as to what would soon unfold. He summed it up to Taras taking affect faster than Duncan. Due to her petite size she would feel it in no time.

He watched her for a while inconspicuously to see how this all fell into place ever so often looking at his brother that sure enough did the same but with a different stare. His brother wanted her.

He shook his head and his a smile as to how his brother fought such emotions.

Tara ate and spoke happily with Ardolf. She enjoyed his conversations and knowledge in many things. Its already been three months since she has been here and she was starting to feel she was fitting in.
Ever so often her gaze would look to Duncan that was in his own conversation with Aidan and she would avert her gaze when their eyes met. The sudden warm feeling of warmth washed over because his look wasn't the simple pass over of a glance but a look of desire and want.

She slowly lifted her cup and drank her ale and ate her food slowly trying to distract her thoughts listening to Ardolf. Again a warm feeling passed over her and the table before her started to fuzz. Breathing in deeply she turned to look at Ardolf that stopped talking suddenly and reached slowly for her hand.

Her lips were beginning to numb and slowly everything around her was beginning to get blurry.

Ardolf turned to Aidan as he acknowledged him and noticed Duncan wasn't aware yet of Tara's state.

Duncan continued to talk Aidan and noticed his attention was elsewhere.
He followed his gaze and saw his father rubbing Tara's hands on the table as if trying to calm her.

Duncan frowned and looked at Tara.
She was flushed and looked as if she was going to faint. Immediately instinct took over and he stood. He walked over towards his father and looked at Tara as she slowly placed her fingers to her forehead.

"I'm not feeling good," her voice slurred.

"Duncan take her to her chamber I will send Moira up to attend to her," Ardolf ordered quickly glancing over to Aidan.

With no hesitation Duncan bent to gather Tara in his arms as she weakly protested but got no where and slouched in his arms.

"What is wrong with her father?" Duncan frowned.

With a puzzled shrug, he ordered a servant to look for Moira. Aidan stood by his side by this time and followed Duncan as he climbed the steps quickly.

He quickly placed Tara on the bed and he too as he stood up from her side quickly his head grew heavy and the room began to spin. He staggered abit. And shook his head. Frowning he looked up to Ardolf and Aidan that were standing watching him.

Shaking his head he could barely stand and slouched towards the side of the bed.
Breathing heavily he looked at his father and brother with a heated glare.

"What did you do?," his words slurred with a growl.

Aidan watched as Duncan struggled to stand. His muscles flexed as he grabbed the bed post and held onto it tightly. Slowly he went close to his brother and helped him to the other side of the bed. Duncan's large frame tipped forward as Aidan nervously shoved forward to keep Duncan from toppling him over and crushing chin with his large frame. With ahard push finally Aidan got him to fall on his back on the large bed beside Tara.

Duncan began to mumble furiously at Aidan as he dragged his large legs on the bed to accommodate his brother. Breathing heavily he stumpled back in time to hear clearly Duncan's threat.

"When I wake up Aidan I'm going to snap your bloody neck," he slurred before passing out.

Looking at his father he grinned and walked towards him.
"Just as planned."

Turning they looked at Duncan and Tara. Giving each other one last glance Ardolf and Aidan left the two sleeping. The morning will come and that's when the real test of his theory will take root.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Everyone in the keep when morning came were given strict orders that no matter what they heard, they were not to open Tara's door.
The door to Taras room stays barred shut.
Worried glances were exchanged.
Hesitating they nodded at Aidan's warning and were dismissed after.

As much as didn't want to admit it.
Finally the keep was at peace for once...
And quiet...

Sunlight crept in through the closed drapes in her chamber. Just enough light for the rays of the sun to land on his face. With a low moan he tried to open his eyes. Slowly waking from the heavy sleep his eye gritty and dry slowly blinked open. He felt as if were badly beaten and if he took a couple of blows to the head the way it felt so heavy.

His body heavy like a boulder lay there slowly but steadily began to move. It all was coming back to him as he stared up at the ceiling then turned to look to his and noticed Tara sleeping beside him.

Aidan that half wit jack daw put a sleeping draught in their ale. Why?

He moaned letting out a curse as he held his head that felt as if to fall off his shoulders. Strong hands rubbed of her his face trying to get the grogginess out.

He turned to watch Tara. She was not going to wake for a while he shook his head. If Aidan was as generous with the sleeping draught he gave him then he gave Tara the same amount her petite form would feel the affects longer.

Sitting up he tossed his legs to the side of the bed and braced himself ready to stand. Stumbling he stood and flexed his legs regaining his balance. Walking carefully to the washbasin in the far corner he pulled off his tunic. He leaned close to splash his face with the brisk cold water. Using his tunic he dried his face and placed it over his shoulder.

He looked over towards Tara and walked over to her door.

He reached for the handle and pulled...
That's odd....it woudnt open.
He pulled again.
Anger was beginning to brew as his suspisions were taking full effect.
They locked him in!!!
With an oath under breath he yanked at the door again.
This time he was seething with fury he began to pound on the door.
"Aidan unbar this bloody door now!" He yelled slamming his fist on the door.

He waited...
Nothing....

He slammed his fist again with threats flowing through the door down the corridor.

Aidan leaned against the door listening to his brother angrily demand the door unlocked.

"You bloody bastard I know you are out there," he shouted.

Breathing heavily he braced his hands on the door with his forehead pressed to it squeezing his eyes shut tightly he forced his anger to calm a bit.

Suddenly Aidan chimed in...
"I will let you out when you have settled your differences not a moment sooner." Aidans voice was strong with a tone that meant he was serious.

"How long are you going to keep us in here," Duncan slammed the door irritated.

"That depends on you brother"

"I have to take a piss, you fool"

"Then I suggest you work fast" Aidan warned.

With a curse he kicked the door. Turning he threw his back against the door and raked his fingers through his hair before crossing his arms across his broad chest.

He looked at the bed where Tara still slept. Breathing heavily he looked around the room to his far right and noticed her bag. Giving her another glance he stood and walked slowly toward the trunk that held the blue colored satchel.

He hesitated before touching it. Looking her way again he grabbed the bag and turned with it sitting on the trunk. He opened it and looked inside. He leaned to the side and turned it over pouring its contents over on the trunk next to him.

He watched as the odd objects in the satchel rolled out of it onto the trunks surface. He slowly placed his hands above each item touching it. His hand rested on a long round glass.
J-Glo Miami
He looked at it at all angles puzzled at its shape before shacking the water within a bit.
With out wanting to, he pulled the cap and it came off. His brows furrowed.
The scent escaped the bottle and his nostrils flared recognizing its smell, slowly he closed his eyes desperately willing the urge of his desire not to rear it's ugly head, the need at the moment to climb into bed with her and caress her was too great.

Putting it back as if it burned his hand, he continued on to the next object. His fingers rested on a square object as he pulled it up to get a better view. He pressed the button on the front of it.
Immediately it lit up and he scowled at the contraption. In awe his eyes caught her image in the small box with numbers and symbols.
AT&T
August 3, 2014
9:08 AM
No service available
BATTERY POWER 55%
Slide➡

His fingers touched her image and it moved and again the words displayed again
➡Slide
Puzzled for a while, he continued then followed the arrow. Suddenly her image disappeared. Baffled by the change, he turned the small square in his hands in search for it.
What manner of trickery is this? He thought.
Looking at it again smaller squares appeared.
Symbols and colors were every where.

He pressed the first square
And the image turned colors and other symbols appeared.
⏪◀◾▶⏩
My Music

He pressed the image and something happened.
He heard sounds and voices. It became louder and his heart dipped.
The soft voice of a woman came from the box.
He watched intently as words moved and colors swirled.
Taylor Swift~Trouble
"Once upon a time,
A few mistakes ago
I was in your sights
You got me alone"....
He listened....
"I knew you were trouble
When you walk in...."
His eyes slowly glanced over to Tara's still sleeping form.
Looking at it again he touched the screen again.
More words appeared.
Kelly Clarkson~Already Gone
"Remember all the things we wanted,Now all the memories they're haunted. We were always meant to say goodbye."
Each verse had its meaning and sentiment that must meant something to Tara he thought.
He looked over the phone again.
He was so engrossed with what was before him he never saw Tara stir and awaken.
His eyes roamed over the letters of squares.
Moms music
Curious and now understanding what to do he pressed the symbol that started the music.
A soft melody began..
Mariah Carey & Boys 2 Men~One Sweet Day...
The slight shadow of movement made him look up.
His heart skid to a halt and watched Tara dash away a tear and began to sing along.
"Never, have I imagined, living without your smile..."
The song was beautiful he noticed, but it had a sadness to it and somehow it affected her.
He watched as she slowly closed her eyes and continued singing as tears slid down her cheeks.
He slowly set aside the box on the trunk and stood. He walked close to her and stood before her as she knelt on the bed. She rested her head against the bed post and continued to sing softly.
He raised his hand to her cheek and gently wiped away her tears. Her eyes opened and beautiful honey brown eyes sparkled with tears looked up to him.
His thumb traced her lush plump bottom lip. With no hesitation he bent his head close to hers and his lips brushed hers.

Slowly she rose on her knees and he pulled her closer. His heart thumped so hard in his ears as she slowly wrapped her arms around his neck. He pulled her close to deepen the kiss and it undid him. Reality for him set in.
He understood the desire he felt for her. How she did things to him and awoke feelings in him that no other woman has.
The warmth of her body crushed to his spoke volumes of what was so evident in the back of his mind, he just refused to see it.
She was meant for him...