text: For the Blood of Scotland Suzanne Marsh The old Crone of Galloch was absolutely furious! Cauldrons swirled around her cottage, the wind tore a swath of destruction through out the kingdom of King Angus. The Crone thought about the mischief she could cause, since King Angus forgot to invite her to the castle for the christening of Princess Isobel. Rumor had it the child was fair of face with a small rosebud mouth. Queen Saundra, refused to have anyone near her precious little baby. She and Angus had waited for a child for twenty years. Saundra, sought to protect Isobel from the world. The Crone of Galloch knew then that she would give a tarot reading for the king and queen. She would see to it that the reading came true, it would cost Isobel her life. Yes, her idea was perfect. The Crone hobbled off the next morning to do the deed. Her gray hair hidden under her black hood and cape. Her gray dress, wrinkled and torn. King Angus had forgotten his promise to her to allow her to see the child. She would see the child now, nothing could stop her. She had given tarot card readings for several generations of Angus of Forfar children. The ceremony was set for sunrise, she had to hurry. The Crone snuck into the castle beside a goat cart. When her time came she would do the reading no matter what. She had just entered the inner castle when she heard the skrill of the highland bagpipes. The ceremony was about to start. King Angus entered first, then Queen Saundra carrying the Princess Isobel. The Crone remain silent her face hidden by the cowl. When she saw the Princess Isobel, she was moved by her beauty. The tarot cards might be favorable so she would not read the cards correctly. She thought: 'it will be more of curse than a reading.' When the baptismal ceremony was complete the king and queen turned to show their beautiful baby to the entire kingdom. It was then the Crone came forward: “Your majesties, I have come to read the tarot cards for the Princess Isobel. I see she will enter the convent, your line stops with her.” She cackled as she left the king and queen standing there open mouthed. The Crone, hobbled quickly back to her cottage. The king's wrath would descended upon her soon there after. Her cottage was burned; she was put in the gaol. The king was still outraged after having her placed in the gaol; he then banished her from not only the castle but the kingdom upon her release. Time simply does not stand still not even for a king and queen. Isobel grew from child to a true beauty of the realm. Her beauty was known throughout the kingdom. Princes from as far away as Germany and England wished to marry her. King Angus, plighted her troth to Prince Heinrich of Prussia. They decided she would be wed before her sixteenth birthday, thus avoiding the future or so they hoped. They summoned Isobel one early morn: “My child, Prince Heinrich of Prussia, is to be your betrothed. There is also something we have never ever told you, but we now feel it is time to disclose what the Old Crone of Galloch predicted for your future. You see, my child, according to the tarot cards, you are to enter a convent, there to eventually become the Mother Abbess. Our line will end with you, that is of course if you choose to follow that path.” Isobel, was stunned: “Father, why did you not tell me this before. I don't wish to go to the abbey, whichever one that old Crone selected. I am a Princess!” King Angus groaned out loud, Isobel was very head strong; he pitied the Prince that married her. He scratched his beard; stalling for time before he answered Isobel. He simply could not see Isobel as a Mother Abbess; she was such an extraordinary beauty. Finally, he spoke: “Isobel, perhaps you could go to Melrose Abbey for a few weeks, that should satisfy the Old Crones tarot readings. We, have to placate her.” “Father, I can't believe that you would send me there in the first place. No I won't go.” Angus, was becoming exasperated: “You are going Isobel, we must keep you safe from the Crone.” “Father, I can't believe that is the tarot reading I was given, that my birth and marriage will not keep our line alive. There has to be some other way.” The King merely shook his head: “You are going my dear daughter, we have to fool the Crone into thinking our line is going to end with you.” Isobel stamped out of the King and Queen's receiving chamber slamming the door as hard as she possibly could. Who cares really if our line continues or the Stuart's take over. The following morning, she set out in the King's finest carriage, with gold spokes. Her face concealed behind the curtains. It was a glorious spring day, the birds were singing, the bees buzzing and the flowers blooming. Isobel, felt tears welling up in her eyes, she had to do what her father suggested but she did not have to enjoy it. Suddenly, there was a pistol fired, then horses thundering down upon the carriage. Isobel, cowered in the corner of the carriage; as the carriage came to an abrupt halt. One of the highway men, opened the door of the carriage, motioning Isobel out of the carriage. “You have nothing to fear Madame, we just want your purse.” “I am not carrying one, I am on my way to Melrose Abbey.” The lead highway man inched his way over. He stared at Isobel, with the most startling blue eyes she had ever seen: “You are going to where?” “Melrose Abbey, where I am going to live for several weeks.” The highway man was so intrigued with her beauty, he swept her up on his horse. The three highway men galloped off into the sunset with a prize they never thought possible. One of them had recognized Princess Isobel. They stopped at a tavern for the night. They would ransom her the next day for a kingly price. The lead highway man bound her delicate hands and feet. “Why are you going to Melrose? Any Prince, man for that matter would marry you in a heart beat.” “I have no choice, the Old Crone of Galloch, read the tarot cards at my birth, I am to become the Mother Abbess, someday. I can not see myself in that roll.” He smiled down gently at her. He removed his mask, then said: “Princess Isobel”, he knelt as he addressed her. “Your servant your highness, I am James Stuart.” Isobel was taken aback. “James Stuart, are you the pretender to the Scottish throne? My father fears you.” “I am sorry to hear that. Do you fear me fair lady.” “No, I don't.” Isobel, felt a strange urge to kiss him. She motioned him to rise. Perhaps she could still prove the Crone wrong. James, undid the roped he had just tied. “We ride for Beauly Priory. Princess you are coming with us.” They saddled their mounts are galloped toward the Priory. Isobel sighed, where would all this end, she questioned herself. James, could feel her touch as she clung to him. The giant black stallion galloped on into the night. Upon arriving at the Priory, James was greeted by Prior Robert: “Ah, James, your father awaits your return. What have you here?” “The Princess Isobel of castle Forfar.” “My, but she is a beauty. Yes, she is.” Isobel, decided that whatever fate she met at James hand it had to better than the Old Crone's prediction. James and Isobel, reigned over Forfar for a good many years. The Crone, was never heard from again.