Chapter 6: Service to the Bruce
If there was any question as to whether or not the O'Noclahn's had id easy, guess again. They worked constantly, doing hard, long tasks that would have killed anyone who was unused to such heavy work. They worked just as hard as any other servant, possibly even harder. Each one of them knew that at any moment, the Bruce could decide to cast them aside.
Ceara was scouring the wooden tables when Robert the Bruce walked into the Great Hall. "Ceara, may I speak with you for a moment?"
Only if you help me scour these tables, Ceara thought. Keeping her voice light she said, "Certainly, milord."
"Let me first start out y saying that your family's service has been wonderful this past month. Never, in all my life, have I seen this place look as it does now. Our own permanent servants have never worked as hard as you all are doing now. I never thought that people could actually work this hard." The Bruce would have kept talking, but Ceara interrupted him.
"Forgive me for saying this, but maybe it might stay like this if you had a lady here to organize such work."
To her surprise, Robert actually started laughing. "You're probably right. My father has been after me for the longest time for me to find a wife."
"Then apparently neither of you has been looking hard enough. But then again, Scotland isn't abound with marriageable ladies." Ceara said this, hoping that he would not become offended.
Still laughing, Robert said, "You're correct. And I have no desire to be married to a foreign lady, who probably doesn't even speak English. But on to more serious things. I'm sure that you are aware that Spring is almost here."
"I am aware, yes. And I also realize that you will be needing my family and me to build a home."
"Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. Would you and your family consider staying in the castle as permanent residents? I could give the family quarters." Robert continued to describe what he could do for the family.
As much as Ceara knew that her family and even she would not mind staying, it was part of the Irish nature to want to build your own home. That way, you could actually call it your own. Ebekah and Ceara had been talking about what kind of home they wanted to build. Both decided that because it would be three women building, it would have to be relatively simple. It was decided that a traditional Celtic roundhouse was the best, especially for the area and who was building it. A stable was going to connect to it by a hallway. Overall, the two sisters were very proud of their design. The walls would be made of stone and three feet high, with the other four feet made of woven sticks and daub. The roundhouse would also have the traditional pointed thatched roof. Diedyia insisted that they build a large stone fireplace and hearth, because she was not going to cook over an open fire pit. After building was complete, it would seem as though that someone had taken an Irish home and dumped it in Scotland.
Spring came and saw the O'Noclahn's finding a spot to build their new home. After some searching, they decided on a spot near the forest that Ebekah and Ceara had rum into on their first day here, a month ago. They plotted out where it would be and how big. When that was decided, they borrowed some axes and went to go cut wood for the support beams. Diedyia and Myechiyel stayed behind to dig the holes for the beams and level the land that would become the floor.
Out in the forest, Ebekah and Ceara worked hard to find the right trees for the beams. "No offense to you Ebekah, but right now, it would be really great if we had a man in the family. Don't take this to mean that I don't think you're working hard; you are, but you know." Ceara trailed off, unsure of what to sat next.
Ebekah looked up at her sister, an impish glint in her eye. "Well, maybe if you took Robert's hints and acted upon them, we may not be I this situation." She gave her older sister a crooked smile, one that said she knew what was going on.
"How can you say such a thing! He's a noble!"
"Ceara, he's been dropping hints like you wouldn't believe! How can you be so blind to them?"
"I know what he wants; I'm not blind like you are suggesting. First of all, he's not the type of person I could live with for the rest of my life. Sure he's a good person, but still, he's just not my kind of person." Ceara frowned at her sister, shocked by the idea of Ebekah even saying something like that.
"So the fact that he's a very good looking noble has nothing to do with it? You wouldn't even give him a try, considering?"
Ceara stood, hands on her hips, firmly and clearly stating, "The fact that he's a good looking noble holds no glamour in my eyes. You know I hate money. It corrupts people."
"Alright, alright, don't get so uptight. It wasn't supposed to mean anything. I was just saying."
"And your gossip will get you no where fast." Ceara playfully shot back. Ever since they were young, exchanges like this were common. Since they were held in favor of the overlord and his family, all the young men tried to court the sisters. The two of them could not stand it thought. They knew that there were girls in Donegal who would have killed to be the O'Noclahn sisters. Ceara and Ebekah, however, were simple girls with simple tastes.
By the middle of the afternoon, they had collected all of the support beams that they would need. They spent the rest of the afternoon finishing the beams. The rough edges had to be smoothed to the strong and durable. The sisters stripped the wood of the bark and smoothed the supple under wood down. Having nothing else to do, they wandered down o their glen. Their glen consisted of a stream which widened to form a pond, large smooth rocks, and numerous trees and shrubs. They considered it theirs because it was the one they had found in the winter.
Dusk was setting and Ceara decided that they should get back. Using Trina, they managed to get all the beams back in one trip. They were a sight to see walking back into Edinburgh. Both Ceara and Ebekah were balancing beams between them on both shoulders and Trina was lugging the rest. Some men offered to help, but the sisters insisted that they could manage.
When they got to the home site, a strange sight awaited them. Before them, they saw the stone floors of the house, hall, and stable. They were also aware of a stone fireplace and walkway.
"I see you two have managed quite well without us," Ebekah commented.
"We have, haven't we," returned Diedyia. "Now, before it gets too late, let's get these support beams secured into the ground."
The four of them accomplished this task in about an hour and a half. The next morning, after they set the morning meal for Robert and the other nobles and cleared it away, the O'Noclahn family went back to work. Today they were going to put it the three foot high stone walls that would be the foundation of the roundhouse.
Up in the tower, Robert as talking with his father; Robert the Bruce 16th Earl of Scotland.
"Son, who are those people who have been so busy lately? They are not ones I recognize."
"They are the Irish that I was telling you about. Longshanks sent them here two months ago. They have bee living as servants."
"MORE Irish have been added to our servant staff! Just what are you trying to do here? Soon, all of Edinburgh will be overrun with those DAMN Irish. Do you not understand what they can do?" Lord Robert the Bruce's voice was thin yet commanding.
"Father, have some pity."
"PITY! Why should I pity the Irish? They've nothing for me." Lord Robert turned away form his son, appalled that the young Robert would think of and dare suggest such an idea to his father.
"They have all come to Scotland in the same manner. The English come, destroy their villages and bring any survivors to England. Some escape and manage to get back, others are executed and even more are sent here. To have such a fate is something that we cannot even begin to imagine." Pleading filled the younger Bruce's voice. He knew his father could be cruel, but he knew his father was not completely heartless. Maybe, just maybe, the elder Bruce could understand compassion.
"You were always headstrong, my boy; that is a family trait. But that will not allow you to get the support you need form the nobles." He looked at his son, knowing that he had what it takes to become the king of Scotland. "Just as long as you do not allow the Irish to overrun Edinburgh, we should be all set.
April was coming to an end; all too quickly for Ceara. The passing month had seen the O'Noclahn build their roundhouse and leave the close knit family of the servants. Since the house was newly built, it still did not have all of the furnishings of a will lived in Celtic roundhouse. They still needed a loom, a spinning wheel, and some cooking ware. Never being partial to sleeping in beds, the O'Noclahns slept on pallets. Blankets for the winter had yet to be made, but it was spring so there was time.
The Christian holiday of Pentecost was fast approaching and all of Edinburgh was beginning to prepare. Well, almost everyone. The O'Noclahns and other pagans were getting ready for Beltane. At this festival, they would pray to the Mother Goddess that their crops would be fertile and plentiful at harvest time. Up on a hillside they were building the ceremonial bonfires that would be lit.
All day, Ceara and Ebekah kept running from group to group trying to do all the necessary chores. Somehow, they both kept it up for many, many days. One day, Ceara and Ebekah were in the Great Hall. It was one day before the Christian Pentecost. The two sisters were hanging the banners when Robert the Bruce stormed in. A very nervous looking page followed behind him.
"What do you mean, there's another festival tomorrow! Christians never have two festivals on the same day."
"Mi. mi. milord, it's not a Christian festival," stuttered the page.
"Then what is it?"
Having enough of the ignorance being displayed by the Bruce, Ceara spoke up. "Milord, it is the pagan festival of Beltane. My family and I are among the group of people celebrating it."
A look of disbelief crossed the Bruce's face. He could not believe that pagans still existed in Scotland. All his life he had been taught that Christianity was Scotland's only religion.
"It is clear to me that you had no idea. The look on your face betrays such a fact." Ebekah said this from atop a ladder. "Would I be right in assuming that you have been taught that Christianity is the only religion?" The blank look on Robert's face only confirmed her question.
Ebekah motioned for her sister to come to her. "Would it do him any good to invite him to come and experience Beltane?"
Ceara thought about it, trying to envision all the different possibilities. "Actually, it might do him some good. Perhaps it will allow him to govern his people a bit better."
Ceara turned to Robert, "After the Pentecost feast tomorrow, go to your chamber and change your clothing. Come dressed as any common man; boots, kilt, and shirt. Go through the servant's quarters and out that back door. We will be waiting for you."
Robert only nodded in silent agreement. He was unsure what this course of action would cause, but he was willing to try it.
"Milord, nobles arriving at the gates!" cried a page. "Best come and greet them."
If there was any question as to whether or not the O'Noclahn's had id easy, guess again. They worked constantly, doing hard, long tasks that would have killed anyone who was unused to such heavy work. They worked just as hard as any other servant, possibly even harder. Each one of them knew that at any moment, the Bruce could decide to cast them aside.
Ceara was scouring the wooden tables when Robert the Bruce walked into the Great Hall. "Ceara, may I speak with you for a moment?"
Only if you help me scour these tables, Ceara thought. Keeping her voice light she said, "Certainly, milord."
"Let me first start out y saying that your family's service has been wonderful this past month. Never, in all my life, have I seen this place look as it does now. Our own permanent servants have never worked as hard as you all are doing now. I never thought that people could actually work this hard." The Bruce would have kept talking, but Ceara interrupted him.
"Forgive me for saying this, but maybe it might stay like this if you had a lady here to organize such work."
To her surprise, Robert actually started laughing. "You're probably right. My father has been after me for the longest time for me to find a wife."
"Then apparently neither of you has been looking hard enough. But then again, Scotland isn't abound with marriageable ladies." Ceara said this, hoping that he would not become offended.
Still laughing, Robert said, "You're correct. And I have no desire to be married to a foreign lady, who probably doesn't even speak English. But on to more serious things. I'm sure that you are aware that Spring is almost here."
"I am aware, yes. And I also realize that you will be needing my family and me to build a home."
"Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. Would you and your family consider staying in the castle as permanent residents? I could give the family quarters." Robert continued to describe what he could do for the family.
As much as Ceara knew that her family and even she would not mind staying, it was part of the Irish nature to want to build your own home. That way, you could actually call it your own. Ebekah and Ceara had been talking about what kind of home they wanted to build. Both decided that because it would be three women building, it would have to be relatively simple. It was decided that a traditional Celtic roundhouse was the best, especially for the area and who was building it. A stable was going to connect to it by a hallway. Overall, the two sisters were very proud of their design. The walls would be made of stone and three feet high, with the other four feet made of woven sticks and daub. The roundhouse would also have the traditional pointed thatched roof. Diedyia insisted that they build a large stone fireplace and hearth, because she was not going to cook over an open fire pit. After building was complete, it would seem as though that someone had taken an Irish home and dumped it in Scotland.
Spring came and saw the O'Noclahn's finding a spot to build their new home. After some searching, they decided on a spot near the forest that Ebekah and Ceara had rum into on their first day here, a month ago. They plotted out where it would be and how big. When that was decided, they borrowed some axes and went to go cut wood for the support beams. Diedyia and Myechiyel stayed behind to dig the holes for the beams and level the land that would become the floor.
Out in the forest, Ebekah and Ceara worked hard to find the right trees for the beams. "No offense to you Ebekah, but right now, it would be really great if we had a man in the family. Don't take this to mean that I don't think you're working hard; you are, but you know." Ceara trailed off, unsure of what to sat next.
Ebekah looked up at her sister, an impish glint in her eye. "Well, maybe if you took Robert's hints and acted upon them, we may not be I this situation." She gave her older sister a crooked smile, one that said she knew what was going on.
"How can you say such a thing! He's a noble!"
"Ceara, he's been dropping hints like you wouldn't believe! How can you be so blind to them?"
"I know what he wants; I'm not blind like you are suggesting. First of all, he's not the type of person I could live with for the rest of my life. Sure he's a good person, but still, he's just not my kind of person." Ceara frowned at her sister, shocked by the idea of Ebekah even saying something like that.
"So the fact that he's a very good looking noble has nothing to do with it? You wouldn't even give him a try, considering?"
Ceara stood, hands on her hips, firmly and clearly stating, "The fact that he's a good looking noble holds no glamour in my eyes. You know I hate money. It corrupts people."
"Alright, alright, don't get so uptight. It wasn't supposed to mean anything. I was just saying."
"And your gossip will get you no where fast." Ceara playfully shot back. Ever since they were young, exchanges like this were common. Since they were held in favor of the overlord and his family, all the young men tried to court the sisters. The two of them could not stand it thought. They knew that there were girls in Donegal who would have killed to be the O'Noclahn sisters. Ceara and Ebekah, however, were simple girls with simple tastes.
By the middle of the afternoon, they had collected all of the support beams that they would need. They spent the rest of the afternoon finishing the beams. The rough edges had to be smoothed to the strong and durable. The sisters stripped the wood of the bark and smoothed the supple under wood down. Having nothing else to do, they wandered down o their glen. Their glen consisted of a stream which widened to form a pond, large smooth rocks, and numerous trees and shrubs. They considered it theirs because it was the one they had found in the winter.
Dusk was setting and Ceara decided that they should get back. Using Trina, they managed to get all the beams back in one trip. They were a sight to see walking back into Edinburgh. Both Ceara and Ebekah were balancing beams between them on both shoulders and Trina was lugging the rest. Some men offered to help, but the sisters insisted that they could manage.
When they got to the home site, a strange sight awaited them. Before them, they saw the stone floors of the house, hall, and stable. They were also aware of a stone fireplace and walkway.
"I see you two have managed quite well without us," Ebekah commented.
"We have, haven't we," returned Diedyia. "Now, before it gets too late, let's get these support beams secured into the ground."
The four of them accomplished this task in about an hour and a half. The next morning, after they set the morning meal for Robert and the other nobles and cleared it away, the O'Noclahn family went back to work. Today they were going to put it the three foot high stone walls that would be the foundation of the roundhouse.
Up in the tower, Robert as talking with his father; Robert the Bruce 16th Earl of Scotland.
"Son, who are those people who have been so busy lately? They are not ones I recognize."
"They are the Irish that I was telling you about. Longshanks sent them here two months ago. They have bee living as servants."
"MORE Irish have been added to our servant staff! Just what are you trying to do here? Soon, all of Edinburgh will be overrun with those DAMN Irish. Do you not understand what they can do?" Lord Robert the Bruce's voice was thin yet commanding.
"Father, have some pity."
"PITY! Why should I pity the Irish? They've nothing for me." Lord Robert turned away form his son, appalled that the young Robert would think of and dare suggest such an idea to his father.
"They have all come to Scotland in the same manner. The English come, destroy their villages and bring any survivors to England. Some escape and manage to get back, others are executed and even more are sent here. To have such a fate is something that we cannot even begin to imagine." Pleading filled the younger Bruce's voice. He knew his father could be cruel, but he knew his father was not completely heartless. Maybe, just maybe, the elder Bruce could understand compassion.
"You were always headstrong, my boy; that is a family trait. But that will not allow you to get the support you need form the nobles." He looked at his son, knowing that he had what it takes to become the king of Scotland. "Just as long as you do not allow the Irish to overrun Edinburgh, we should be all set.
April was coming to an end; all too quickly for Ceara. The passing month had seen the O'Noclahn build their roundhouse and leave the close knit family of the servants. Since the house was newly built, it still did not have all of the furnishings of a will lived in Celtic roundhouse. They still needed a loom, a spinning wheel, and some cooking ware. Never being partial to sleeping in beds, the O'Noclahns slept on pallets. Blankets for the winter had yet to be made, but it was spring so there was time.
The Christian holiday of Pentecost was fast approaching and all of Edinburgh was beginning to prepare. Well, almost everyone. The O'Noclahns and other pagans were getting ready for Beltane. At this festival, they would pray to the Mother Goddess that their crops would be fertile and plentiful at harvest time. Up on a hillside they were building the ceremonial bonfires that would be lit.
All day, Ceara and Ebekah kept running from group to group trying to do all the necessary chores. Somehow, they both kept it up for many, many days. One day, Ceara and Ebekah were in the Great Hall. It was one day before the Christian Pentecost. The two sisters were hanging the banners when Robert the Bruce stormed in. A very nervous looking page followed behind him.
"What do you mean, there's another festival tomorrow! Christians never have two festivals on the same day."
"Mi. mi. milord, it's not a Christian festival," stuttered the page.
"Then what is it?"
Having enough of the ignorance being displayed by the Bruce, Ceara spoke up. "Milord, it is the pagan festival of Beltane. My family and I are among the group of people celebrating it."
A look of disbelief crossed the Bruce's face. He could not believe that pagans still existed in Scotland. All his life he had been taught that Christianity was Scotland's only religion.
"It is clear to me that you had no idea. The look on your face betrays such a fact." Ebekah said this from atop a ladder. "Would I be right in assuming that you have been taught that Christianity is the only religion?" The blank look on Robert's face only confirmed her question.
Ebekah motioned for her sister to come to her. "Would it do him any good to invite him to come and experience Beltane?"
Ceara thought about it, trying to envision all the different possibilities. "Actually, it might do him some good. Perhaps it will allow him to govern his people a bit better."
Ceara turned to Robert, "After the Pentecost feast tomorrow, go to your chamber and change your clothing. Come dressed as any common man; boots, kilt, and shirt. Go through the servant's quarters and out that back door. We will be waiting for you."
Robert only nodded in silent agreement. He was unsure what this course of action would cause, but he was willing to try it.
"Milord, nobles arriving at the gates!" cried a page. "Best come and greet them."