Miracle of the MacLeods-Chapter 2-Conner's Child


"Yes; she's also the child of Conner MacLeod." Duncan MacLeod studied his cousin's face; he watched as the emotions flew by just as suddenly as they had appeared.

"You're sure?"

"Yes; they did many checks to make sure that it was correct. Elsie," Duncan covered the woman's small hand with his large one. "You know what this means."

"It means that her parents named her appropriately. She truly is the miracle of the MacLeods. But I still don't see how it's possible. The two of ye can't father children."

"That's true, but there is a legend among the Immortals. It says that there is a child; a child not born of an Immortal, but a child that still holds the blood of an Immortal in their veins. The legend says that this Immortal chose to sacrifice his life for the good of humanity. He took himself out of the Game after his wife and the daughter of his heart were killed. He came back on the anniversary of his daughter's death, only to allow himself to be sacrificed by a kinsman for the sake of all that is good. Conner left her something, but he wouldn't tell me what. He said that only she would have the key to open it."

"Why are you telling me this, Duncan?"

"I'm telling you this because you are the only mother she has ever known. Her parents died when she was still a baby. You deserve to know what is going on in her life and what might happen to her." Duncan removed his hand, the warmth he had radiated dissipating quickly.

"There's something else, Cousin," Duncan said after a few moments, breaking the uncomfortable silence that had enveloped them.

"What else is there? You tell me that the girl I have raised for 17 years is the only child left of the only man to have his name banished from all of Scotland? That she, his only living descendent from his Kate is also his only living heir?" Elsie broke down in tears, her world shattered farther than she had ever thought possible.

It had been a shock to her when, on her 21st birthday, her father and the clan elders had introduced her to Conner and Duncan MacLeod and told her that they were the oldest living MacLeods. It had been an even bigger shock to find out that Conner was the reason that no son born in Scotland, at least in known history, had been given his name since his banishment from the clan; although, he had been let back in some 200-odd years later when the Frasers had tried to decimate the entire clan over land that had been won decades before Conner's grandfather had been born.

"The elders are sending people here next week to test her."

"Test her? But why-"

"They want to know how much she knows about who she is."

"She'll know nothing, if I have anything to say about it!"

"Elsie-"

"No, Duncan! When the clan gave her to me to raise, I made a promise to myself and her parents that, when the time comes, I will be the one who tells her about our clan's history. Not the elders. If you want to tell her the truth behind why she was given to me and not her mother's family, be my guest, but I will not allow anyone else to tell her why odd things happen to her! I remember when I was told; I'll not put her through the same ordeal!"

"I realize that, Elsie. I'm just telling you that you might want to make sure that she's out of the house when they come. I know that her trip isn't until next Friday, but I was hoping you'd have an idea of how to keep her out of the house between now and then."

Elsie was quiet as she listened to the Immortal. When he had finished, she stayed quiet so that she could put her thoughts in order. When she did finally speak, it was to tell him her idea.

"She said that Alec's family had invited them all over to spend the week in their beach house in Monterrey. And I told her that I was still thinking, so she still has her hopes up…So; she'll spend the week there."

Elsie and Duncan agreed that this was a good idea and soon set about making preparations for the coming festivities, i.e. the party that she and the parents of Mìor's friends were throwing for the teenagers in honor of their graduation. The party wasn't until the next day (Friday) so there wasn't a whole lot to be done except for the forfar bridies she had promised to make for that night. Getting out the ingredients, Elsie set aside extra for the bridie she had promised Alec.

"So, you're sure that she'll be safe in Monterrey?" Elsie asked twenty minutes before she was expecting the teens to be out of school.

"Yes. I have some friends down there that can keep an eye on her for us while we're keeping the elders' inquisitors at bay."

Once he had reassured her several more times, Elsie was quite certain that her younger cousin's graduation day was going to go smoothly. As she prepared herself for the onslaught of teens that would be racing through her front door at any moment, she caught herself wondering if all MacLeods were the same as Conner and Duncan.

Of course not, you silly goose; none of us could be like them. But still, this thought worried her.


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