Truthfully, she hated flying. Heights of any kind sent her into extreme vertigo, but the chance her father had given to her was once in a life time. So now Ella Bridget McLeod sat on a large jet plane with her father and her best friend, Rosamund, heading to the east and to foggy, boggy Scotland. The plane hit a slight bit of turbulence, and Ella's knuckles went white as she gripped the armrests.

"Calm down, Ella. It was only a bit of turbulence. Not even enough to wake your father up from his nap!" Rose laughed. "You should be jumping for joy. This time tomorrow we'll be riding horses on a moor in Scotland and flirting with cute Scottish guys. Just these words together should make you happy: us, cute guys, Scotland."

"I suppose you're right, but should the plane go down, neither of us will be with the cute guys in Scotland."

"Oh, you worry wart. I'm supposed to be the gloomy one. Come on, get happy!" she shouted. Several of the other people on the plane stared her down. More quietly she whispered firmly, "This plane will not go down."

Ella sighed and flipped open her guide book. It did sound a dream, and she was glad her father was a doctor who liked to go to conferences. This time the conference was on an exotic foot disease, but not being required to attend the day long meetings left the girls with an unchaperoned day, not that there would be anything that her father wouldn't approve of.

Ravensmund castle, formerly the home of Scottish kings and queens, is now a nice bed and breakfast with a medieval flair. Original to the last carpet, except for the addition of indoor pluming, many of the pastimes enjoyed by kings and queens can now be enjoyed by the common. Among some favorites are horseback riding on the beautiful Scottish moors, hunting, and, at night, balls. Many special sections of the castle are kept for those wishing to get the full experience of old time life, except for the indoor plumbing of course. In these places it is required to dress like and follow the manners of the medieval times. A king and queen, Jareth McGibb and Holly Marnes, preside over the royal court. This b and b is a perfect way to stay with just a bit of history.

"What's it say about where were staying?" Rose inquired.

"Here read for yourself," Ella muttered. "I'm going to sleep."

***********

What seemed like moments later, Ella was poked awake by her friend's bony fingers. She groaned and shut her eyes only to be poked again.

"What is it?" she grumbled tossing aside her blanket.

"We've landed in Scotland! We're here. Let's go. It will be a three hour drive to get to the hotel according to the guidebook."

The girls stood, and, after waking Mr. McLeod and getting their luggage, they set off on the left side of the road for Ravensmund castle.

Ella was much too groggy to watch the Scottish country side go by, but every now and again Rose squeaked an "Oooh," or "How absolutely delightful." To tell the truth the trip was four hours long and uneventful except for the talk coming from the front seat. Sometimes when a car made the driver mad he would burst out in Scottish and Rose would lean down to whisper into Ella's ear, "That doesn't sound nice."

The girls' first view of Ravensmund castle made quite an impression. Just like every dream castle, it was equipped with vast gardens and extreme towers. Their cab pulled up the long cobblestone driveway which came through the vast forrest. From the middle seat of the back, Ella could have sworn she saw a tall dark man standing smiling at their approaching car.

They pulled into the carriage circle and were met by a valet who opened the door and welcomed the girls warmly to Ravensmund estates and castle. Mr. McLeod thanked him for his kindness and hurried the girls inside to the front desk. An old woman sat there with an evil scowl working on papers and continued to scowl at Mr. McLeod until she noticed the girls. Smiling a stretched unused smile, she cackled, "And who are these to beauties?"

Mr. McLeod laughed. "This is my daughter Ella and her friend Rosamund. They've come to keep me company when their not flirting with the boys, and I'm Russell McLeod here for the doctor's conference."

The front desk attendant looked the girls over and seemed to be considering them. She then glanced at Mr. McLeod, but kept glancing back at the girls. "Well, let's see, Mr. McLeod. I believe you are staying in the normal part of the castle, room 345, but if these girls would like, they may stay in our historical section. Get to dress up and have court and all. Clothes are already there and waiting. Won't cost you differently, sir."

Ella's thoughts jumped at this. It truly was a dream come true, a happily ever after taking place at the beginning of the story. Rose seemed to realize how important this opportunity was and put on the puppy dog face. The girls smiled and dimpled, and puppydog faced until they could tell Ella's father was going to give in. "All right girls, but you had better behave, and visit me every night unless something terribly important comes up!"

"Oh we will, father!" was all Ella had time to say before a young man dressed as a squire came to take them to their rooms.

They went up many flights of stairs and down many halls before finally reaching their rooms. On each side of the doorways, intricate Scottish knots in oak framed them. Over one of the doors was what might have been a tiara.

"You're over there, Miss," said the squire indicating Rose and pointing to a room. He handed her a key and turned to Ella. "My lady, you'll be in here." The squire opened the door opposite Rose's, the once with the tiara, handed Ella a key, and bowed his way down the hall.

Ella sighed with bewilderment but entered her room to puzzle the squire's strange behavior. To her delight, the room was just as she had imagined. The tile was marble and gleamed even with the little light in the room. Heavy velvet curtains hung over floor to celing high windows with pull backs on each side so the curtains could be opened. A impressive four- poster bed sat on the opposite wall from a grand fireplace, in which a toasty warm fire was lit. Massive chests of drawers were found to contain petticoats, corsets, and other clothes needed to go under gowns. Three doors led from her room. One contained a lavish bathroom with a bear claw tub large enough to swim in and a vanity fit for a queen. Upon opening another door she found a large closet full of exquisite gowns and safe full of jewelry. The other door was locked from the other side. It puzzled her greatly, but the wonderfulness of her new quarters soon made her forget her puzzlements.

"Wow! This is better than anything else. I believe if Peter Pan came to me right now and said to think a happy thought, I could fly without even trying. Ha!"