A Bonnie Pony for a Bonnie Lass
by Donna and Toni

The moment that Rob Roy saw the white pony poking her nose over the stall door in the Camelot stables, he instantly adored her. All of the horses there were grey in color, and ranged in size from the huge great horses used for the knights in full armor, down to this little girl. But as there were no children in the castle, she wasn't being used. Rob Roy stroked her velvet nose, telling her she was the bonniest thing on four legs, and smiled as an idea crossed his head. What if he gave her along with a cart he had found in a barn to Miss Mercy Campbell. Surely that would help him win her affections in the near future! 

So he got his surprise together, and drove off to the Mercantile, where he knew Mercy would be having lunch soon. She was in the habit, when the weather wasn't too hot, of eating her lunch on a grassy knoll near a stream, where it was peaceful and quiet.

He had arrived the night before, his own horse pulling the fancy little wagon with the pony trotting behind. The next morning, he groomed her until her coat shone, then braided flowers into her mane and tail. While he was doing that, Gideon had rubbed oil into the wood of the cart until it gleamed. After hitching little Bonnie up, he filled the back of the wagon with several large bouquets of flowers and a large basket of fruit and vegetables. Ignoring the snickers of the men lazing around the livery, he climbed up into the seat, and set the pony off into the direction where he knew he would find Mercy. 

Sure enough, she was there, sitting on her knoll. Her gaze seemed far away, until she heard something coming up behind her. She turned, and when she saw the cart, pony and who was driving, she stood up and went to meet them, a smile on her face. She had been thinking of that particular man only a few minutes ago, and now here he was! She saw how beautifully both pony and cart had been decorated, and smiled, "Rob! It's grand to see you. Whose little lady and cart are these that you're deliverin!" She was already petting the pony, whose nose was already nuzzling her hands in search of treats.

"I wa' bringin' this bonny lass to a grand lady. 'Tis only right that she ha' a goodly conveyance to take
her here and yon," he said, pleased that Mercy so obviously liked her. 

"Well, the lady is very fortunate indeed. This one's a beauty, and very friendly too, it would seem!" She laughed as a soft nose investigated her skirt for any hidden pockets. Looking over the cart, her expression said she liked that too, as she smiled, "And you can see how much work this has had put into it....did you do this?" She ran her hand over the polished wood gently.

"I had a little help from a laddie at the stables. Gideon wa' his name, I believe. Wa' ye like to take
her for a drive. Try her out?" 

She at first looked puzzled, and then her eyes widened as she realized who he'd done this for, who the grand lady was. "For me? Rob Roy MacGregor, you did this as a gift for me?"

He grinned. "Aye, lassie. I did. I call her Bonnie. Isn't she the sweetest thing? I though ye could use
her in your day to day business at that mercantile place. Or..." he paused, trying to work up the nerve
to ask her something. 

She looked up at him, watching his body language intently, and nudged gently, "Or...." Whatever was he
looking so nervous about, she wondered.

"Well, she is a strong little thing. Well able to carry a load iffen ye ever ha' a mind to move," he
stuttered. 

This time she looked surprised. "Move? But I can't! My sister's not yet of age, and Bogy has made me an equal partner in the Mercantile! Where would I move to, that would let me be as close to me business as I am right here in Edan?"

He looked disappointed. "I wa' hopin' ye wa' come back to Camelot with me. Ta' be my lady."

If she'd been surprised before, she was even more so now. Her eyes widened a bit, and she said softly, "Oh Rob....I wa’ like to be yer lady more than I can say, but I can't leave here to do it. The shop is half my responsibility, and I've me sister Joy to consider until she comes of age, like I said. I'm sorry....if that's the condition for me havin' this beautiful pony and cart, I'm afraid I can't accept." She reluctantly gave her newest friend a final pat, then let her hand drop. Bonnie looked as sad as she did and she whinnied softly and nuzzled her hand again, as if she was trying to get her to change her mind!

"It wa' nae given' tah ye for tha’ reason," he blushed, disappointment written all over his face. But
he didn’t want to lose her! The look of disappointment changed to one of determination. "Well, if ye wa' nae gang ta Camelot, then mayhap I should be the one tha’ does the movin'. If ye will ha' me tha' is." 

She looked at him with a mist of tears in her eyes and said, "Oh Rob....I wa’ be both proud and happy to call ye me own. Tis a rare man that's so understandin' of his lady, and I thank ye." She leaned up then on tiptoes and kissed him gently on the cheek, blushing but not caring.

"Oh my bonnie lass," he said, his voice catching deep in his throat. "Ye ha' made me a happy man, ye surely ha'!" Hearing the word *bonnie*, the pony butted him in the back with her head, almost knocking him off his feet. They laughed, and Mercy went to the perky animal and hugged her around the neck. At that moment in time, Rob Roy was the happiest he had ever been since coming to Edan! And things would now only get better.