#viveoutlander

“He had been born a leader, then bent and shaped further to fit such a destiny. But what of a man who had not been born to the role he was required to fill? John Grey, for one. Charles Stuart for another.

For the first time in ten years, from this strange distance, he could find it in himself to forgive that feeble man who had once been his friend. Having so often paid the price exacted by his own gift, he could at last see the more terrible doom of having been born a king, without the gift of kingship.

Angus MacKenzie sat slumped against the wall next to him, head bowed upon his knees, his blanket over his shoulders. A small, gurgling snore came from the huddled form. He could feel sleep coming for him, fitting back the shattered, scattered parts of himself as it came, and knew he would wake whole—if very sore—in the morning.

He felt relieved at once of many things. Of the weight of immediate responsibility, of the necessity for decision. Temptation was gone, along with the possibility of it. More important, the burden of anger had lifted; perhaps it was gone for good.

So, he thought, through the gathering fog, John Grey had given him back his destiny. Almost, he could be grateful.

Voyager

"Había nacido para ser líder; luego fue cambiado y rehecho para ajustarse aun más a ese destino. Pero ¿qué pasaba con el hombre que se veía obligado a desempeñar un papel sin haber nacido para él? John Grey, por ejemplo. O Carlos Estuardo.

Por primera vez en diez años, pudo perdonar a aquel hombre débil que, en otros tiempos, había sido su amigo. Tras haber pagado con tanta frecuencia el precio exigido por su propio don, por fin podía comprender la terrible condena de haber nacido rey sin dotes para reinar.

Entonce se sintió libre de muchas cargas. La de la responsabilidad inmediata, la de la necesidad de decidir. Desapareció la ira; tal vez se hubiera ido para siempre.

Entre la bruma que se espesaba, pensó que John Grey le había devuelto su destino.