The day had been long. She had worked in the shoppe from the wee hours of the morn until the sun began it's descent. Making her way home, softly breathing in the warm breeze. Her fingertips reaching out to trail along the tops of the hedges leading around to her cottage.

Entering her home, tossing off her cloak as she sighs and folds herself into a chair near the window. Lifting her hands to her hair, unpinning it, letting the tightly coiled rope fall across her shoulder. Turning around sideways, laying her arms across the back of the chair then resting her chin there as she closes her eyes.

So many years, so many adventures.....and they all led her here. MacLaaran.....~becoming lost in thought, memories, the past~

Colchester, England - December 1306 The small village of Colchester was bustling with the holiday spirit. The village was nestled in a small surrounding of hills, nearly two days time east of London and four or better from the Highlands. Reginald Overton owned a growing textile mill along the Colne River. He and his wife Anna were very much in love. The pride of their lives being their only child.

Serenitee was all of 9, full of mischief and very well had a mind of her own. It was nearly Christmas day and Seren was intent on peeking into the packages neatly placed beneath the tree. Her warm blonde curls fell halfway down her back, secured at the nap of her neck with a wide, blue satin ribbon. Tightly curled tendrils framed her rosey cheeks as she stealthily crawled across the floor to the tree.

The knees of her white leggins blackened, her pristine dress wrinkling terribly. Her mother would not be happy at all if she saw the damage to her clothing. Hearing the musical lilt of her mother's voice, Serenitee selected a small package from beneath the tree. Quickly standing as her parents entered the room, her hands clutched behind her back, a most innocent smile upon her lips.

"Well, well. What do we have here?"....Lord Overton exclaimed as he exchanged glances with his wife, then looked to Serenitee, a warm smile to his lips. He loved nothing more than his wife and daughter.

The couple sat and gathered their daughter on their laps, causing her to drop the small present. Laughter filled the air as they knew now what she had been up to. Her mother picked up the package, softly smiled and handed it to Serenitee.

"Open it my precious daughter".....her parents watched as her eyes widened. Her small fingers unwrapping the package, then the small box inside. Her squeals of delight rang through the hall as she lifted a delicate necklace from the wrappings. A small, heart shaped locket adorned the thin golden chain. Inside the trinket, on the left side was a small, sketched image of mother and daughter. On the right side, the intials A.O. and S.O., were elegantly etched.

"Oh mother, I love it!".....she grinned, as she jumped into her mother's arms, hugging her tightly then turning to her father to show him, his arms going around his little family in joy.

This was to be the last happy Christmas Serenitee would remember. The spring of 1307 would bring about her mother's passing. Anna Overton had taken ill in late winter. Two months after her beloved daughter's tenth birthday, she succumbed to her illness. The sparkle once in Serenitee's eyes died. Her father became withdrawn and threw himself into his work. This left Serenitee to the care of their loyal housekeeper, Madeline.

~drawn from her reverie by the sounding of the tea kettle, she gets up and pads across the room to make her tea. Taking a cup from the cupboard, her fingertips tracing over the intricate pattern on the cup...softly smiling remembering~

Colchester, England - February 1313 Madeline laughed and smiled as the salesperson suggested several different items for Serenitee's dowry. A lovely set of delicate porcelain tea cups trimmed in gold with soft lilacs painted along the handles being a must accordning, to the salesperson. Madeline had become Seren's best friend in the last six years. Together they would laugh and talk of parties and grand balls. Serenitee knew her father wished to see her married off eventually, but she had her own mind about things.

Today was Serenitee's 16th birthday. Madeline knew what Serenitee's father had in mind and tried to dissuade him. He would not hear of it. He thought it would give him some sort of peace to know his daughter was being taken care of. A task he had long shunned because it was too painful for him to see his Anna's face in his daughter's.

Lord Overton arranged for the best tutors and tailor made his daughter's clothing. He had come from a long line of clothiers. Various skills being passed down from generation to generation. When Anna was alive, she had worked at her husband's side when possible. She was an excellent seamstress and made sure she taught Serenitee everything she knew.

Madeline and Seren made their way home. Lord Overton was there to greet them. Serenitee beamed as it was unsual to see her father waiting for them. Usually he was working until all hours of the morning. Despite her pleas with him to not work so much, he would simply rest a gentle hand to her cheek and softly speak of how much she reminded him of her mother....then a sadness would replace any light in his eyes and he would turn away and go back to the confines of his shoppe.

"G'eve ladies".....her father smiled then took Seren's hand in his...nodding over her shoulder to Madeline, she of course knowing that he wanted a moment alone with his daughter. Madeline made her way into the house to give them time alone.

They walked across the lawn to the small pond and stepped into a small, wooden gazebo with ivy laced trellis all about.

"Sit down Serenitee"....her father said as he turned his back for a moment as if gathering the strength to speak.

"Yes father".....she sat, still thinking he must have a birthday surprise to present.....a bright smile began to cross her lips.

Sighing heavily, he turned back to her and started to speak...."My daughter, today..is your 16th birthday. It's time to present you to the eligible young men of the village."

Blinking quickly, sure she had misunderstood her father...her chin slightly dropped in surprise...."Father? I do not know what you mean".

"You need a husband Serenitee. I'm getting old and will not be around forever to see to your needs. Madeline will not always be around either...her father's expression pained".

Tears welling up, threatening to spill over...."But father, you cannot expect me to marry so soon. I've not finished my schooling yet. I've things I would like to do".

Holding his hand up as he shakes his head....."Enough Seren. I've made arrangements. You will so away for a year to complete your studies. Upon your return, an arrangement....will be in place".

Biting her bottom lip, damp streaks streaming down her cheeks as she opens her mouth to protest....but realizes as she sees the set look to his face....that he will not yeild. Lowering her head for a moment, brushing away the tears with the back of her hand then standing up...looking to her father...."What would mother think of what you are forcing me to do?".....turning away, rushing as fast as she can from the gazebo and into the house. Madeline watching her fly by, concern lacing her features as she watches the girl run upstairs and hears the slam of a door.

That night, she laid in her bed and listened as the heated voices of flared tempers floated upstairs. Madeline and her father were arguing, over her. She tugged the covers up over head and cried herself to sleep...sure that she would wake up and this all be a bad dream.

~jumping suddenly at the sound of breaking glass....looking down, sighing aloud as she sees the tea cup on the floor, shattered. The cup had slipped from her hand somehow. Kneeling down to pick up the pieces....pieces that in a way remind her of her life~

Colchester England, 1314 Madeline was waiting on the porch as Serenitee's carriage rolled to a stop. It had been just over a year since she had been home. Out of the carriage she flew and into a warming hug from Madeline. They hugged again then Madeline cupped Seren's cheeks and smiled widely as she told her to turn around so she could see how much she's changed. The women giggled and talked quietly as they walked into the house arm in arm.

Her father was soon to arrive. She didn't know what she had expected. Perhaps an embrace from her father, a tender moment of some sort...all she could decipher from his eyes was a solemness that she had never seen before. He asked of her trip and how her studies had gone. Did he know how well she had done? Had he kept in touch with her tutors? Did he even care? She didn't have the answers.

This would be the last visit where she would truly consider Colchester her home. Her world would soon be turned upside down once again for her father had done as he had said..."arranged" for her to be wed.

The next day Lord Overton made the formal announcement of her betrothal to a long time family friend. Lord Alex Sinthale. He was the son of a wealthy textile factory owner, and some10 years her senior. Per the arrangement, a year's time would pass, allowing the couple to get to know one another. At that time, a formal engagement party would be held, an official wedding date set....and voila. Lord Overton would not have to worry about his daughter any more.

Lord Sinthale was indeed a handsome man. You could see the looks as he passed by...the whispers, the winks. The ladies were quite taken with him. His dark, softly wavy hair. His tall stature and broad shoulders and eyes the color of the sky. Were Seren given to folly, she may have fallen head over heels in love, but she wanted more. She wanted to be married for love...not some arrangement. Serenitee vowed to herself to be as cool as possible to him...perhaps he would decide to break the arrangement.

Months passed. Serenitee and Alex had been presented as a couple and invited to party after party. Each one ending the same, a kiss to her hand...a wink and a seemingly patient g'night. She began to have second thoughts about Alex. Surely a man who had been so patient for months and kind despite her coolness was worthy of an honest courtship. So she lowered her defenses and warmed a bit toward him, yet never allowing him freedoms. The year went by and the engagement party was arranged.

~sighing softly as she undresses and gets ready for bed....her mind heavy with thoughts of the past...remembering the final blow. The one that set her path for her and led her MacLaaran~

The evening of the engagement party arrived. There were dozens of well wishers in attendance. Serenitee, dressed in a specially made gown, sparkled. She felt at ease for the first time in months. Perhaps she could make this work.....perhaps.

Alex had known what time to be there, but an hour passed, and he was not to be seen. Worry showed across her brow as the next hour went by and the next. A knock sounded at the door. Nearly all the guests had left earlier. She opened the door only to be greeted by a drunken fiance. His hair was dishelveled, clothes rumpled and he had what appeared to be scratch marks across his left cheek. She lifted a brow and stepped side as he stumbled in, reaching for her, grasping the fragile fabric of her dress. Gasping as she felt the fabric give, hearing it tear as his form came crashing to the floor, a handful of her lovely garment clutched tightly as his eyes closed in his enebriated stupor.

Tears threatened to spill as she called for her father. Watching with disdain as her father and a servant lifted Lord Sinthale and moved him into a guest room. Hearing him call out....not to her...his betrothed...but to another. He was rattling off apologies one after the other...going on about how he did not wish to marry a cold fish...but was forced to....it was..."business", he prattled on. It was really another that he wished to marry but if he had to marry, at least he would make his time before then worth while. Seren could only imagine that was how the marks got on his face. Later she did in fact find out that he had been keeping another woman on the side and in a drunken state, abused the young girl. Luckily the girl had fought back and sent him away doubled over in agony. That had been what kept him....from their engagement party.

The next day would the beginning of a new adventure. Serenitee hugged Madeline and gave her a note to give to her father. It was time she set out on her own.

The next 4 years proved to be salve for her wounded soul....and even led her to true love. One day, she will write all her adventures down to perhaps share with her own children.

~musing as a smile softly tilts the corners of her lips...it had been a draining walk down memory lane. Sighing as she closes her eyes, her thoughts drifting to Praegorn and the warmth of his arms about her. Snuggling deep into the covers...thinking that a picnic tomorrow would be a lovely idea........slumber finally taking hold~ >