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'Tis been a long time since I've seen any of them. *Maggie says softly*

I . . left the village where I grew up, a little o'er seven years ago. *she explains* We had lost a crop the year before, and . . . things had become . . . very hard. *her voice sounds pained, recalling it*

'Twas different when I was younger, though, living with my parents and my brothers and sisters. *She smiles faintly, though her eyes are still sad*

There were eight of us, together, *Maggie tells him, comforted by the feeling of his hand on her hair* My elder brother Ned, and myself and then my sister Kate, then Gil and Beth, and Tom and Sarah and Jane.

Aye, truly. *Maggie laughs a little* Though, they ne'er seemed te mind too much. And by the time my youngest sisters came along, Ned and Kate and I were old enough te help watch o'er them and the others, and te help with the chores and housework and the like.

We all sent each other a bit mad at times, te be sure, but . . . *she smiles, wistfully* I always thought 'twas a wonderful feeling, ne'er being able te take two steps without stumbling into someone who loved ye . . .

*Maggie tightens her arms around him* I was very fortunate te have them. *she acknowledges softly, and even in the midst of many sad memories of her own, her heart aches for him, for how very different and how hard his childhood must have been compared to hers*

*Maggie pauses a moment, letting her mind drift further backwards before beginning. She starts out a little hesitantly, but she soon gets caught up in it, describing her parents and siblings and sharing different memories of them*

*She tells him about her father - stubborn and gruff sometimes, but quick to laugh and always affectionate in his own way. And about her mother, who taught her how to sew and cook, soft-spoken but always ready with a hug or a story or a lullaby, despite often being tired from trying to keep up with eight children*

*She shakes her head slightly as she recalls her brother Ned to him, how as the eldest he was always serious and trying hard to be responsible, how Kate would often try to tease him out of it* They were both so stubborn, and e'er squabbling with each other. *she laughs slightly* I suspect they must have enjoyed their rows, though, for they found the silliest things te fight o'er sometimes.

*Her smile deepens as she continues to talk about Kate. Only a year younger, she and Maggie had clearly been very close. In many ways they had been opposites in temperment - Kate had been quick-tempered and outgoing where Maggie was patient and shy, but they'd balanced each other out well* Truly, she was my dearest friend as well as my sister . . . from the time she was born te the time I left, we were hardly e'er apart. I daresay we knew each other better than anyone . . .

*She goes on, describing how the two of them used to look after the younger children together, and from there to talk about the rest of her family: Gilbert, prone to daydreaming and inventing stories; Elizabeth, always helpful and eager for approval. She falters a bit when she tells him about her youngest three siblings, though, and while her voice is still affectionate it grows all the more wistful*

And Tom, he was e'er finding his way into mischief, though he ne'er meant te. He was just so curious about e'erything . . . Will often reminds me of him in that. Sarah would . .. *she halts once more, her voice softening* Sarah would follow him like a shadow . . . she always wanted to explore with him, and she . . she was so affectionate . . . *she seems to be stumbling over her words again* Janie . . . Janie was much the same . . . such a happy baby . . . and always wanting te be held . . .

*she trails off, as though suddenly trying to pull herself back out of her memories. She reddens slightly, a bit self-conscious as she realizes how she's been rambling* Oh, heavens, I really am going on . . .

Bard . . . thank ye, I . . *she murmers* 'Tis been so long since I've spoken of them. . . *'So long since I've had someone te speak te like this,' she adds, inwardly.*

*Maggie goes very still* I . . . they . . *the words catch in her throat; she lowers her head* I dinna know where . . . or if . . . *she seems unable to complete a sentence*