The Choice of Bonny Aileas

Through shadowed forest glade she rode
'Midst grey and gloomy chill
No single thought of safety did
A moment stay her will

The mist clung to her nostrils as
She charged into the brush
The creatures of the forest paused
In terrifying hush

Foreboding seeped into her bones
Ghastly, from ages spent
Urging her mount to breakneck speed
Resolve would not relent

To slow would mean downfall into
A consequence of dread
She knew if she but lost an inch
He lover would be dead

This morn she was awakened by 
His servant at her door
And with his last breath utterance
Fell bloodied to the floor

It seems a tartan wearing clan
Appeared in red and green
‘Tis true that a more fearful sight
Is rarely ever seen

Unwittingly, they’d crossed the line
Into the Fraser realm
It was then they were set upon
In stand of noble elm

So, now she raced to intercede
Upon her love’s behalf
To beg for mercy from the chief;
That he withhold his wrath

The secret she had hidden would
Surely offset slaughter
It was true she had been born the
Fraser Chieftain’s daughter

She’d fled her home ten years before
With  young Lord Cameron
The rival clan’s incumbent heir
Her lover and champion

She’d not been sorry up to now
For following her heart
She knew the toll her love would take
Right from the very start

But this would be a sacrifice 
She'd never wished to make
That for his life she would exchange
Hers for the clan to take
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Devonshire Avatar
May 1, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Great story, written beautifully, Donna! Is there a part 2 posted? Love narrative poems like this one and I'd like to see how the story ends. Very compelling! Love, Carolyn
Goff Avatar
April 30, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Donna, I forgot to mention, on my Mother's side, I have an ancestor who was an officer in the "Black Watch"..... which I believe guarded beef-shipments to his Majesty's armed forces....I'm presently investigating, but am enamored by all things Celtic!!!
Goff Avatar
April 30, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Donna, I found this poem absolutely mesmerizing! Jim
Fraser Avatar
April 30, 2009 at 2:25 PM
This is a classic write, if you come from Scotland as i do. I could picture exactly where she was going and her intentions to protect her love from warring clans. The Fraser's and Cameron's forbidding their young ones to be linked in any way, with heart rendering events to show her love. Its more than a classic write, its quite fantastic, and deserves to be featured, and i hope it is. James Fraser,xx
Devonshire Avatar
February 14, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Dear Donna, you have such talent! We all know there may be "a toll for following our hearts." But just imagine how life would be if we didn't allow love to enter. Wonderful! Happy Valentine's Day, Carolyn
Moreno Avatar
February 3, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Nice narrative Donna...Raul
Anish Avatar
February 3, 2009 at 7:33 AM
Nice medieval flavor to this one. Are you much of a Tolkien fan? I love tea - especially white and green! There is another website you can write for if you so desire - strangeroad.com Yours Matthew Anish
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