This story is set in the late 1600's of Scotland and it involves the historic even of the Glencoe Massacre. The story and the characters are fictional.
"I'm tired of riding in this wagon. It's been over a week. Do you know how much longer?" Kenna said to the man driving the wagon that was taking her far from home.
"I'm not exactly sure, but we should be close."
She was being taken to an aunt she had never met before in the MacDonald clan of Glencoe. Having grown up on the Scottish border, Kenna had never been this far from home before. The landscape was changing from the rolling green hills she was familiar with to the verdant green mountains of the highlands.
Kenna looked out at the scenery without actually seeing it. She was grieving for her father who had recently been killed in a border raid. Kenneth Kerr was a loving father who did the best he could for his only child. His wife Elspet had died in childbirth. Kenna and her da had formed a closeknit family of two. He was a simple man who loved his daughter, his dead wife and his clan.
Once she was old enough, Kenna had become mistress of their small cottage. She learned to cook and wash clothing from the women of the clan. She was especially fond of the neighbor Clara who had treated her as a daughter. In fact, Kenna had imagined that she would one day be married to Clara's son Ian. But Kenneth's dying words were to take Kenna to his sister who had married into the MacDonald clan. He thought that she would be safer there than on the border where skirmishes between the Scots and English were always a threat.
David Armstrong, Kenneth's friend, was entrusted to see Kenneth's dying wish fulfilled. As they neared Glencoe, Kenna became more and more withdrawn into her own thoughts and fears. "
"Mr. Armstrong? What if I don't like my aunt? What if she doesn't like me?"
"She's family lass. She will love you. Family sticks together."
As they pulled up to the village of the MacDonald clan, David started asked villagers if they knew of a Maurag and Angus MacDonald. They were directed to a small cottage on the edge of the settlement. Upon hearing the ox cart's approach Maurag came out to greet the visitors. David told Kenna to stay with the cart while he spoke with her aunt.
Kenna watched as David and Maurag spoke in hushed whispers. She saw Maurag's face change as David informed her of her brother's death. David motioned for Kenna to join them. "And who might ye be, young lassie?"
Kenna shyly looked at the kind face of her aunt. Kenna pointed her chin up and proudly proclaimed, "I am Kenna Kerr, daughter of Kenneth."
"Aye, ye look like him, but ye have the dark hair of yer mother." Maurag said with a smile of recognition.
"You knew my mother?" Kenna asked in wonder.
"Aye. She was a bonnie woman with a big heart."
Kenna smiled at that. Kenneth had told her the same, but Kenna was always thirsting for more knowledge of her mother.
"My husband, Angus, is down at the castle. Bring him back and I will have the stew ready for you."
"Come inside, lass. You can help me." Kenna was given a bucket to take to the stream for water. When she returned, Maurag was sitting by the fire stirring the stew. Maurag told Kenna that she knew her husband would want her to stay. But it was for him to say so. Kenna nodded, knowing that most wives would need to adhere to the husband's decision.
There was talking outside the cottage. The door opened and a tall burly man came in with David. He came over to Kenna and put his hand on her shoulder. "Ye are welcome here lass. Maurag and I have no children and we would consider it a blessing to call ye daughter."
"Thank ye."
Maurag smiled at her and told her to bring the bowls over to the fireplace. She then filled them with stew and told Kenna to set them on the small table. Stools were pulled up to the table and all fell silent as they filled their stomachs. Afterward David told the MacDonalds of the happenings along the border. News was always welcome in the remote highlands.
Later, Angus told Kenna she would sleep on the palette with Maurag. He and David wrapped themselves in their plaids and lay by the fire. Tomorrow, Angus would make a palette for Kenna to sleep on. Kenna was exhausted from the travels and fell asleep instantly.
David set out in the morning for his return trip to his home on the border. Kenna thanked him for his trouble of bringing her to her aunt and uncle. David teared up a little and said, "You were the light of Kenneth's life. I was proud to be his friend. "I've got some food for ye to take with ye. Thank you for bringing Kenna here." They waved goodbye as he left.
Maurag and Keena went out to find and cut heather and wild flowers to mix into the grass and hay that Angus would cut for her matt on her very own palette. Kenna appreciated the thoughtfulness of the two.
"Was yer da well? Was he happy?" Maurag asked.
"Yes, he had some aches in his knees. But yes, he was healthy. I don't know if he was happy. Happy enough, I guess."
"Was my ma happy?"
"Oh my, yes. She loved yer da very much. And she was so happy to be having ye."
Kenneth and Elspet met at a clans gathering. They fell in love in the week that they were together. The MacDonalds and the Kerrs agreed to a wedding at the next gathering. The two were heartbroken that it wouldn't be sooner than that, but they relented and agreed to it rather than do something rash that would alienate them from both clans.
Clans' gatherings were social affairs, but also political. Marriages and the fostering of boys from another clan were two of the purposes for the gatherings. Both agreements were made to generate good feelings and unions between clans. Highland clans often squabbled and thieved amongst themselves. The unions were to create allegiances between clans. Should a clan attack, allies would be called for reinforcements.
It was a complex, convoluted social system in the highlands. Each clan was led by a laird. Often times the title was inherited, but not necessarily. If a laird did not serve his clan well he could be ousted and replaced. A good laird acted as a father figure to his people. Their welfare was his welfare. Marriages and fosterings were made with the approval of the laird. The laird also acted as the war lord of the clan. Warriors would be trained under his supervision. It was not a dictatorial society. The laird had a counsel of elders who adviced him.
"I'm tuckered out. I don't want to climb any higher. I'm goin' back. But ye can stay longer, but don't stray too far from the path. I don't want you to get lost up here." Kenna was gathering flowers that she wanted to display in the cottage. She was eager to thank Maurag and Angus for their kindness and generosity.
As the day grew warmer, Kenna sought shade. She found a mountain stream. She took her shoes off and cooled her feet in the stream. She lay back and stared at the clouds above. A shadow fell over her and she looked up into a singularly handsome face. The young man was tanned and broad shouldered. He had dark hair and the bluest eyes she had ever seen. His lips were sculpted and well defined. And they smirked at her intense examination.
"The highlands are beautiful, but I was unprepared for this beauty." said a low voice.
Kenna quickly sat up in alarm. "Who are ye?"
"I'm Tiernan. Who are ye?"
"I'm Kenna. I'm new here." she said timidly.
"Hello Kenna. Where are ye from?"
"I'm from the borderlands. Clan Kerr."
