Marion McNally, a mere farm girl trying to fair against the hot humid air of summer as she carried a huge hand-woven basket from the cornfield. She trudged up the hill, toes digging into the dry, dusty dirt path that led her back towards her clan village. Her dark green eyes stung from the salt of her sweat that beaded and rolled down her forehead, not able to wipe it away due to her hands being full. She heaved the large basket up and grunted, adjusting it so she got a better grip, not wanting to drop her freshly picked goods all over the ground. She had been out there nearly all morning, not wanting to face what was waiting for her back home.<br/><br/>She gritted her teeth at the notion the King had decided upon, wanting a Lowlander to wed one of the Highlander Clan men in order to bring the Highlanders and Lowlanders together. She and her older sister had been chosen from the McNally Clan, being the only two left without a partner. She glanced at the sky and huffed, her father had specifically warned her not to be late, but she really didn't even want to meet whatever savage man they sent. She made it to the top of the hill and there stood her elder sister, Agnes, hands on her hips, "Father will be furious with ye if ye don't get moving, they could be here on the hour," she badgered. Marion gave her a cheeky grin, "Ye can't fool me, dear sister, I know as well as ye, that none of us want to marry some eejit man-animal from the highlands," she taunted.<br/><br/>Agnes' eyes nearly bugged out of her head at her younger sister's choice of words. She pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration "Hold ye tongue gurl before you get it ripped out for such words. Now get going ye wee bugger, you smell like you were rollin in the coo field," she grabbed the basket from her sister before turning and trudging towards the house, looking back at Marion only to jerk her head towards the house, "Mum already ran ye a bath so pick up yer feet and get a move on!"<br/><br/>Marion rolled her eyes and let out a sigh but picked up her pace and entered the house, going straight to the bathroom, not wanted the water to be cold. Her mother gave her a disapproving look before stripping her out of her filthy long-sleeved peasant top and long green handmade skirt. Marion reached up and undid her bonnet and unraveled her long dark auburn from its updo. It came down just above her rear with small waves in it. She slowly stepped into her tub, it was lukewarm at this point, probably because she had been late. Her mother grabbed a large bucket and filled it with water, pouring it over her head before she scrubbed away all the dirt and grime from her daughter's body, wanting her to look presentable under the King's order. After she was freshly bathed her mother helped her dress in her best dress with her clan's Tartan sash over her upper half. Her mother had also kept her long hair down but twisted a couple of pieces back to keep her hair clean and out of her face.<br/><br/>Marion looked down at herself, she felt beautiful, though she wished it was for a different cause. They stood in front of their small farmstead, waiting on the arrival of the Highlander. Her piercing green eyes were trained on the path leading up to their home, she could hear the faint sound of horse hooves, beating into the ground.