The Lonesome Pine (Short Ghost Story)

It was a warm, sticky night in the Glen, with the fire crackling and the owls calling as young David began......

"The clan lived up there, past those rocks at the other side of the trees. Just a small village, mostly farmers. A typical clan, mostly Farquarsons.

It was the year of our lord 1307 and life was much the same, day after day, until the calling came for the battle. Word had got around that the clans were to unite for the skirmish. Every able-bodied man was needed, including Angus Farquarson whom had recently married his sweetheart.

It was devastating for young Mary, as she knew few men ever returned.

Angus swore he'd return, somehow, he'd return......

Soon the day came and the mensfolk, after tearful goodbyes, headed down the Glen to war. Mary followed Angus, seeing him off, desperately holding on. She stopped halfway at the Old Rock and watched them bravely march out of sight.

The days passed and she would wait and wait until gradually the blessed few returned, battle weary and soulless. Angus wasn't so lucky, he'd fallen in the conflict.

Mary wouldn't believe and wouldn't give up. She waited year after year at the Old Rock for her beau's return.

They say she died very young..............of a broken heart.

The old rock is still there, down the Glen, just up off the track. There's a Pine growing just next to it now. Legend tells......it seeded when Mary died.

You can see it from here, from our camp, if you look hard enough" David went on.

It was a starry, moonlit night and as we ventured off to bed, I gazed down the Glen.

Were my eyes playing tricks on me, surely they were..... as for just a moment..... just a brief moment.... I swore I could see two pines visible against the night sky........
.........................................................growing together, just next to the Old Rock.