My name is Marie McDougal. I was born in the year 1185 to a Knight of great reknown and a mother of a great leader in Waterford, Ireland.

My parents were Robert McDougal and Eva O'Brien. My father as a young man fought in many crusades. He was held captive for several years in South Wales gaining his freedom on the condition that he went to Ireland to help out in the Crusades.

In 1170 he was returned to Ireland with a leader by the name of Dermont Stevens to reclaim the land that was taken from him in an earlier crusade. He met my mother in the small town of Kilkenny, they were married in a secret ceremony with only a few friends present as my mother's parents and family refused to attend the ceremony as they disapproved of my mother's choice to be wed to a Knight.

They were married in the year 1172 and had several children before I was born. My father was away fighting in many of the crusades where he eventually met his death. My mother never recovered over his death and died several years later of a broken heart.

As a young lady I was sent to a retreat in the mountains where I remained for several years. Eventually I went to live in Wexford with my father's brother where I went through the ritual of becoming a lady of some prestige.

The crusades brought changes to Ireland such as more castles being built, churches springing up, and settlers occupying the countryside causing a great deal of changes to the lands of Ireland. They also brought agriculture and commerce to my country.

In years to come I met and fell in love with a Knight from the Crusades. When he asked for my hand in marriage my uncle refused. Upon hearing his answer the Knight became so enraged that he placed a curse upon the entire household. I was transported to another time, that is where I am today. I will always assume that someday I will be transported back to my own place in time.