Motto: Creag an Turie (The Boar's Rock)
(real history)
The MacLarens claim descent from Lorn, son of Eric, who came to Scotland in 503. In any case, by the 12th century they had lands in Balquhidder and Strathearn. In the 14th century, the MacLarens lost the lands of Strathearn to the Crown, but continued to be loyal, fighting for James III at Sauchieburn in 1488, at Flodden in 1513 for James IV, and at Pinkie Cleugh for Mary, Queen of Scots in 1547. The clan also fought at Culloden, where MacLaren of Invernenty was taken prisoner, although he later managed to escape.
(SL history)
For the past 400 plus years a McLaren has been Laird of BurntIsland Scotland. For better or worse the clan has fought and died to protect and save their lands from not only the English but from many a greedy Lord who saw the clan's lands as rich and fruitful.
So it is come that Edward Ethen McLaren became Laird in the long line of succession. Edward McLaren was a big man who loved life and lived it fully with his wife Margaret Rose. Their first born son was Ethen Michael McLaren and the second born 4 years later was Drefan Edward McLaren. Anna Beth McLaren was born a year after Drefan and born into a world of turmoil and pain of war. The invaders were the English and the battles were hard pressed and many men died. But in the end the clan won out only because they knew their lands and could hide their familles in safety as the men fought to save their homes.
When peace was finally brought back to the lands. It was more than just the lands that flourished for to the small family of Edward Mclaren, a set of twins boys were born. Named in turn Duncan Henry McLaren and Magnus Alan McLaren.
Ethen being the oldest was schooled to be the next Laird. Ethen took after his father his firey green eyes and reddish hair mirrored Edward in looks and build but Ethen had no want of being Laird. His young mind was filled with stories of afar and dreams. Drefan took more after their mother, he had her brilliant blue eyes and dark ebony hair and he had her patience and forbearing temperament. Drefan had no dreams of afar off lands, he loved the land and his people and wanted nothing more than to grow old within its boundaries. Anna Beth was strikingly pretty child, she looks from both her Da and Ma, green eyes peeked out beneath black lashes, and her face was framed by dark ebony hair her frame petite. She was the apple of her fathers eye and protected like a rare jewel from any harm. The twins were identical seeming to be a blend of the two parents they had hazel eyes and red hair but did not take after their brothers or father in statue. The twins would grow up to be more of what one would call average size, while their older brothers would grow to stand well over other men and be wide shouldered and incredibly strong.
It was one black day when Ethen was but 12 that he was allowed to ride to a clan meeting with his father. An English Lord had been sending soldiers to attack some of the outlying familles and the clan was meeting to take council. Drefan had wanted to go but he was not allowed he was then but 8 years old and was told to stay behind with his mother and younger siblings. A number of the clans women had met at their manor for quilting and Drefan had gone to the barn to pout about being left behind.
Drefan had fallen asleep in the barn and was awakened by the sound of many riders. He watched out of a knot hole as the men approached at first he was terrified seeing the armed English soldiers and tried to sneak out of the barn to warn the women but it was to late. His Ma, Margaret Rose had come to the door and was speaking to the men. In what seemed only a second the men had forced their way inside and Drefan could hear the screams of the women as the soldiers had their way with them. Drefan ran to the house grabbing a sword from one of the soldier and managed to severely injure the man who was holding his mother down over the table raping her. That was the last thing he saw for one of the other soldiers knock him to the ground and kicked his body until he was unconscious.
All the women were raped and when it was over the soldiers left saying it had only been a message from the Lord Wittfield about the worth of the female population that was the McLaren clan. It was a message Lord Wittfield lived to regret. The McLaren clan waged war upon the land of Lord Wittfield and he and his soldiers were given no mercy. Wittfield himself torture not by the McLaren men but by the very women he had defiled. Drefan had blamed himself for what had happened even though there was nothing he could have done. His father had left him in charge of the women and he had failed. This knowledge molded Drefan not only into a warrior but into a leader. Drefan had learned to accept the fact that sometimes mistakes and misjudgements happen. He learn one can never give up because of them but must fight on with honor not only for your own justice but for the good of all invovled.
It was Drefan who stayed more to his fathers side and learned the ways of the clan and the ways of leadership for Ethen was out chasing his dreams and to his Ma's displeasure all the young lasses of the clan.
As the boys grew into young men Ethen proclaimed it time to venture into the world and at 17 he said good-bye to his family and rode out after adventure. For Ethen the tales of the last war wasn't enough, he wanted to experience life and battle for himself. He joined the first group of warriors he came across and spent the next 5 years with sword in hand for hire to any who had a cause. His lust for battle took him far from home and far from the love and care of his clan. It was no wonder that he lost himself in such a life and became what he would one day learn to despise.
Meanwhile Drefan learned the way of the clan not only from the wisdom of his father but from his brave mother who had survived so much. Many battle were fought over and won as war once again was waged against the clan. Drefan fought by his fathers side taking his share of wounds and killing his share of men. Ethen had not been heard from in many many years and it was not known if he was still alive. Duncan Henry McLaren and Magnus Alan McLaren now 10 were sent for the schooling the oldest three had not had. The twins were not built for the rigors of war at their age and Ma wanted them to learn more than just fighting and the ways of the clan, but to bring back to the clan a wealth of knowledge and training. Edward had insisted that the twins also be trained for battle as well, so the twins ended up at a renown "Order" for knights where both disciplines were taught religiously.
Peace had come once again to the clan so it was a shock with Laird Edward McLaren was mortally wounded by a sword that was ran through the back by a thieving vagabond, two weeks later Edward McLaren died. Anna Beth had been set to wed that spring but Edward wanted to see his only daughter marry so as he lay upon his death bed Anna Beth McLaren was wed to William O' Reilly.
With Ethen gone, Drefan who is not quite 19 is named Laird of the clan. The twins now 12 were came home just in time to spend the last few days with their dying father. After the funeral Ma had still them back to their training and it left only Drefan and Lady McLaren at the McLaren Manor.
The death of Edward McLaren was a blow to all. Drefan felt totally unfit to be Laird it seemed almost more than he could bare. At the first clan meeting Drefan was informed that by law he had to marry with the year. The Laird had to have heirs and so Drefan is sent to Rhydin far away in search of a fitting bride. Drefan prayed he would find his brother Ethen and escape the fate of marriage.
He had found his brother Ethen and more upon his search in Rhydin. When he first found Ethen, he was in a bad state of mind, due to an injury recieved his brother had amnesia and didn't remember him let alone the lands from which they were born. Ethen at this time was being cared for by a female knight Rose Darkness. Between the two of them they worked on helping Ethen to remember. During this time, the three of them returned to Scotland. Drefan had been injured at the Rhydin docks and barely recovered to undertake this trip. But during his time of healing in Rhydin, he had met a firery lass by the name of Cassidy McBride.
Ethens return to his home brought back all memories he had suppressed. Ones even so before the amnesia of his near death claimed him came to light. With the help of his traveling companion and love , Rose, he was able to overcome this ordeal and heal in mind , body and soul.
During their stay in Scotland, once more problems hit home. A dark and forboding man, Damion Blackheart, had been unknowingly abducting the villages women and selling them on the slave market. So subtle was his actions that he walked amoung the people unnoticed, let alone blamed for the disappearances of the lasses. Their missing women were considered either run aways, fataly wounded around the many clifflines and bluffs or taken by one of the wild beasts of the forests.
But then Damion made his biggest mistake, he abducted Ethens love Rose. A new nightmare began for the McLarens as well as the lass, but in the end it would turn out to be Damions nightmaric reality. Ethen was relentless in finding his love, whom he had also just learned was carrying their first child. Ethen nearly went insane with anger and revenge, Drefan did his best to aide his brother. Even to the degree where their bond as brothers was nearly lost as they turned against each other.
Rose had been found, along with Cassidy McBride, Drefans new found love. Cassidy put herself in a comprimising situation after being warned by the trio to stay clear. But her stubborness nearly cost her, her own life as well as Roses. If it wasn't for a ships captain, more interested in gold than loyalty. The two women may have never been found.
They then sailed to Woodhaven, a land in which the McLarens cousin Rian ruled as Queen. The two couples stayed in this land. Drefan and Cassidys love flourished as Ethen did all in his power to save his own loves life. Damion had injected her with massive quantites of poision to keep her sedated and submissive. This nearly caused her and her unborn child their life.
Damion was obsessed with Rose, and this obsession was his demise and Roses means of survival. Damion had followed them to Woodhaven to try at capturing Rose again. He was unsuccessful, instead he lost his life and a cure was found for Rose.
Ethen and Rose remained in Woodhaven as she recovered and Drefan and Cassidy returned to her land of Tor. Drefan was to face her half brother to request Cassidy's hand in marriage.
As time went on Roses health regained, she and Ethen then decided to return to the land of Ethens birth to bring their own child into the world and that was an adventure in itself. Birth awaits no destination and as the shipped docked upon the Scottish shores Rose was rushed to the McClaren manor where in a matter of an hour she gave birth to their son, Ethen McLaren Jr.
While aboard ship enroute to Scotland, Ethen and Rose were wed by the captain. Ethen was worried how his love and child would be recieved if they were not.
Drefan and Cassidy returned to Tor and persued their happiness, but even this did not pass by without problems. Drefan was pulled into a war that raged their lands, with the aide of Woodhaven troups sent for, Drefan took to the field of battle to aid in the protection of Tors lands and Cassidys family. Victory was theirs at a cost of many men and Drefan being seriously wounded.
And so the Saga continues and the story goes on........
Rose and Ethen McLaren
Ethen McLaren
Drefan McLaren
