Edzell Castle, August 1423

Mary was quivering with impatience. Her family would soon come to visit her. Finally ! She couldn't wait for her parents to hold her, couldn't wait to hold Taran and Lilias close to her. She missed her little brother and her youngest daughter terribly. Of course, the presence of Fillan and Aileas eased her pain a little, but she missed playing with her brother and sister, going on escapades in their company or laughing at their antics. She had been pining for her loved ones for two years now and the pain of absence had eaten away at her heart. Fortunately, Gavin often came to see her, because without his regular visits, she would have had an even worse experience of her forced exile.

The girl was visiting the sick with Fenella in a small hamlet when Chief MacLean showed up with his family and some warriors at Edzell Castle, so Mary had a nice surprise when she returned to the castle. After endless hugs, the girl's parents asked to speak privately with her uncle David and her aunt Elizabeth. Mary didn't mind, too busy messing around with Lilias, Taran, Fillan and Aileas. It was not until the next day that she learned the reason for this interview. At the end of the mid-day meal, once all the tables were taken down and placed against the wall, Lachlan MacLean asked his daughter to accompany him to her uncle's study.

"Come with me, mo nighean, we must have a conversation of the utmost importance."

Mary obediently followed her father while wondering about the reason for this summons, which was a little too formal for her taste.

"Why does Father want to talk to me in private? It's probably related to his discussion with Uncle David and Aunt Elizabeth. Did my aunt complain about me? I hope not ! I never stop making efforts to satisfy her."

In fact, the young girl had calmed down considerably for almost two years. She had followed Elizabeth Stewart's teaching without complaint and had devotedly cared for Fillan and Aileas, thus relieving her aunt of a great burden, because the little ones were too exhausting for a woman of her age. Faced with proof of her good will, the Countess of Crawford had agreed to give her more freedom to satisfy her passion for horse riding and archery. She had also encouraged her to follow Fenella's teaching to be able to heal the members of the clan.

Arriving in the room they occupied, Chief MacLean and his wife took their seats in high-backed chairs, while Mary remained standing in front of them. Lady Iseabail spoke first:

"Your aunt told us about your efforts to behave as befits a lady. Like her, I still have some reservations about your archery and horse training sessions, but I think you will get over that in a few years. When you take charge of an estate and have offspring to raise, you will know where your priorities should lie. I would like to congratulate you for wanting to train yourself in the art of healing. This is a good initiative, it will be very useful to you in the future. This is a quality that will be greatly appreciated, I have no doubt!"

Chief MacLean immediately added:"The list of your qualities continues to grow, mo nighean, and I am very happy about it. Even though our separation was painful for us, it was beneficial. According to Lady Elizabeth, you have made great progress in many areas and are almost ready to take your rightful place. We are proud of you, Jamesina!"Hearing her Scottish name again filled Mary with joy. It had been so long since anyone had called her like that that her throat tightened with emotion."Thank you, Father."She had little time to rejoice, as Chief MacLain continued:"If we came to Edzell Castle, it's not just to congratulate you and celebrate your birthday. We also made the trip to inform you of your engagement."Mary stood stunned for a few seconds, her ears ringing. She saw her father's lips move, but she didn't understand anything, a single thought swirled endlessly in her head and obscured everything else."I heard wrong, it's impossible! I must have misunderstood, he probably meant something else."She shook herself and came out of her torpor to exclaim:"What did you say, Father?""I think you heard very well, Jamesina. We have come here to celebrate your alliance and that of our clan at the same time."But... but," the young girl stammered, appalled.She really didn't expect such news. All the joy of seeing her family vanished suddenly and she felt a cold sweat snake down her spine." It is not possible ! They couldn't have done this without asking my opinion! Couldn't my father have gotten me engaged behind my back?"Incredulous, she stared at her parents, her panicked gaze moving from one to the other. Seeing the look of pity her mother couldn't hide, Mary knew Chief MacLean was serious."But why ? Why did you do this to me?" she cried."For the good of the clan. We need to strengthen our alliances, because the situation continues to deteriorate with the MacKinnons and the MacDonalds and...""Who is it ?" Mary interrupted.As she asked the question, the memory of a tattoo flashed through her mind."As long as it's a young and kind warrior! Of a man I can take a liking to.""You will have to bring honor to your clan, because you will become the wife of a chief," replied Lachlan MacLean.Her mother's expression alarmed the young girl. Although she tried to keep an impassive face, Iseabail's lips were pursed and a wrinkle crossed her forehead, signs that showed that she did not approve of her husband's choice.

"Who did you betroth me to?" Mary asked anxiously.

Alas, the answer did not bring him any relief, on the contrary, it confirmed his fears."To Chief MacNab. He has been a widower for two years now and was looking for a wife to take care of his three youngest children. He asked me if your training was completed. We have therefore agreed to proceed with your engagement and as soon as your apprenticeship with your aunt Elizabeth is complete, we will celebrate your marriage.""But the MacNabs live far from Mull. I don't want to leave Duart!""Mary Jamesina! Stop this childishness! You know that a wife must live in her husband's clan. So you will go to the MacNab clan.""I refuse !""You do not have a choice ! I have given my assent and Chief MacNab will arrive shortly for us to sign the agreement and proceed with the engagement."Revolted by the idea of what awaited her, Mary ran out of the room. As she ran away, she heard her father and mother calling for her, but she did not slow down. Her heart aching with grief, she wanted to put as much distance as possible between her parents and herself. Blinded by tears, she pushed past several people as she fled, but did not stop. On the contrary, she accelerated, rushed down the steps of the dungeon, crossed the courtyard to rush into the stable. There, she untied her mare, climbed onto her back without taking the time to put a saddle on her and set her off at a gallop before even passing through the gates. The pounding of hooves caused a group of warriors who had just arrived to turn around.Recognizing the rider who was riding bareback, Gavin remained for a few seconds without moving, too surprised by the expression of painful dismay that he had just seen on his sister's face. Listening only to her concern, he jumped into the saddle and was about to set off in pursuit when Chief MacLean's order rang out across the yard:"Leave her, Gavin! She will come back when she calms down.""What happened ?""Come here, I'll explain! But first... hello to you, my son!""Hello, Father. I'm happy to see you again.""And I therefore ! Follow me, I have things to tell you."

***

Mary galloped for hours following the meanders of the River North Esk or sometimes cutting across the moor. She only stopped her horse when she arrived at the seaside. After dismounting to let her mare rest, exhausted from her long race, she ran down the hill on foot to the beach. Alone on the shore, she poured out her suffering. Faced with the immensity of the sea, she screamed her rage, cried out her revolt, cried her broken dreams. She had so hoped to be able to choose a husband herself. She longed for a young, attractive man who would consider her his equal and love her. A man she could respect and love in return. Not to some decrepit old geezer who would use it for his pleasure and to manage his household. But now all her dreams, her hopes for the future had to be sacrificed for an alliance. An alliance that would have had no reason to exist if two other clans had not dragged his into an unfair war.Determined to forget her pain, she undressed and dove into the cold waters of the North Sea. She swam for a long time, fighting the waves and the current, concentrating on physical effort to chase away the intolerable thoughts swirling in her head. When her teeth began to chatter, she got out of the water and got dressed, shivering. She remained on the beach for a little while longer, sitting on the sand, her eyes fixed on the foam that was billowing on the rocks, lost in her thoughts.Seeing that their daughter did not show up for dinner, Lachlan and Iseabail MacLean became concerned and monitored her return. When Mary finally returned home at nightfall, her father wanted to punish her for causing them trouble, but his wife rebuked him and decided it was better to have a mother-daughter conversation.Iseabail knocked gently on the door of the room where Mary had taken refuge and entered, without waiting to be invited. She approached the bed where her daughter was sitting and began in a soft voice:

"I would like to speak with you, Jamesina."

"I have nothing to tell you, Mother. I think Father has already said everything."

"Please, Jamie, don't take it that way.""And how would you like me to take it?" Mary revolted. "You took me away from Duart and Mull so that I could learn to behave as well as an English lady. It was the condition for me to be able to return to you and now you are chasing me away for good!""We are not chasing you! We...""I have made efforts to satisfy you and my aunt, and despite everything, you reject me! You are feeding me to a man who could be my father!"Iseabail sat down next to her daughter and tried to take her hand, but she pushed her away."Don't think we're insensitive, Jamesina. I'm not happy with your father's decision, but I know he has no choice.""He's the chief! He has a choice.""Nay. The situation has been very tense for months with the MacKinnon and MacDonald clans. And it becomes a little more so with each incident.""What do you mean ?""Until recently, the MacKinnons and their allies were content to steal our cattle and ours would take them back as usual. We had few losses. But there have been several serious scuffles recently. With victims in our camp and in the enemy camp. The MacKinnons have rallied the MacGregors, the Camerons and the Buchanans in their war with our allies the MacLeods. And the worst part... the MacDonalds have now clearly declared themselves against us by attacking our people on our lands located on the other side of the Sound of Mull. If our closest neighbors start attacking us with the desire to kill and no longer to exercise the usual little power games, we are in very great danger. Our clan must form strong alliances and the MacNabs have promised to help us. This is a godsend for us since they are allied with the MacPhersons and the Chattan clan. The support of these clans will be all the more useful to us as they are close to us and neighbors of the Camerons who are allied to the MacDonalds.""I understand that Father wants to find new allies, but... wouldn't it be simpler to break our alliance with the MacLeods? After all, this war is between the MacKinnons and the MacLeods, it has nothing to do with us or the other clans. Why don't we let them tear each other apart?""We cannot break old alliances! You know it well, it's a question of honor!"Mary lowered her head piteously and said nothing for several minutes. Iseabail felt her heart tighten when she saw a tear roll down her daughter's cheek before she whispered in a strangled voice:"So you're offering me as a sacrifice to an old bear?""Finlay MacNab isn't that old, he's just a few years older than Lachlan."The young girl suddenly raised her head and stared at her mother with black, angry eyes."That's exactly what I'm saying! You are giving me to a man who could be my father!" she retorted aggressively before turning away."Look at me, Jamesina!"Iseabail took Mary's hands in hers and made her turn towards her. Once she had caught his gaze, she tried to appease her daughter's revolt with a gentle voice:"I would have preferred a younger man for you, but Chief MacNab is not such a bad match. Of course, he is old and has children, but he is rather jovial and should not mistreat you. Besides, you will still be young when he makes you a widow in a few years. You will have done your duty towards your clan and you will be able to remarry with a man more suitable to you.""I do not want to get married. Not like this.""I understand, Jamesina. But you have no choice and neither does your father. The interest of the clan comes first."