《Rites of Akash: Ascension》


 The Bargain Between Siblings

    Invocation of the Rite of Passage:


    ¡°I sing out praises to your glittering and open sky,


    be my guide all my days from birth until I die.


    Holy Queen, Daughter of Time


    Queen of Music, Mother who shines,


    I beseech your right, and I kneel to your powers,


    I give you my heart, my mind, and my hours.


    I raise you, I praise you, Absolve me!


    Purify my darkness in your flowing sea!


    Defender, Punisher, Absolver, Mercy you always are!


    I carry my Mother¡¯s love within me, you are never far!


    Danu, Goddess, Mistress of oceans,


    Give me power over reality and all its motions!


    Bestow me now, the mighty power you hold,


    Let my body be a vessel, your cup, your mold!


    Grant us Danu in your strength, a way, a path, a golden gate!


    Carry us now to groves of gold, to the lands of the free, to never grow old.


    We lift you now, be our fate,


    Take us to Alfheim, where love knows no hate¡­.¡±


    (Disclaimer: If you recited the poem and a golden gate has not yet appeared then¡­)


    ¡°You¡¯re still doing it wrong!¡±, spoke Queen Danu to her daughter Eriu who pouted in the grass over her spear. Danu returned to ignoring her daughter and continued resting herself on her pillowed couch, which sat beneath her favored shading oak in her garden. Her plum colored tulle gowns flowed elegantly over the cushions and clung seductively to Danu¡¯s slender thigh whilst she sipped from a golden chalice a sip of sweet apple cider from the grove growing beside her palace she had until recently shared with her husband Dagda.


    Her pretty nymph maids performed tasks and chores all wrapped in plain white linen with the mark of her house embroidered at their throats. Stitched in golden threads on their linen gowns was an image of Dagda''s harp encasing a silver moon with three stars hovering proudly above the harp of Dagda. The three stars are what Danu looked at, and they represented her shining crown Sruth happily shining over Dagda in a marriage of two great houses. Danu looked and sneered at the sigil. ¡°Utter nonsense!¡±, she said under her breath thinking of her marriage to her husband Dagda, and how she was bound by him upon the Isle they had once happily shared together in marriage. ¡±I want off this ugly rock. How dare he tether me here like some dog! I will rip that old fuckers throat from him with Sruth when I see his wrinkled prune face again!¡±, she screamed out making everyone of her Nymphs jump in sudden surprise and fear away from their shouting and raging sovereign.


    The young and beautiful nymphs fluttered their fans made of red gold phoenix feathers, trying to cool Danu''s hard, sculpted body. But when she suddenly screamed at them, many nearly dropped their fans in shock. Danu luxuriated in her comfortable position once again, ignoring the commotion she had caused among her nymphs. She reclined in the shade and observed their nervous hands fanning vigorously and their eyes avoiding direct contact with her. A sense of pride and joy overcame Danu as she watched their fear of her. She also admired the hypnotic sway of the ornate feather fans. Their rhythmic movement helped calm her furious mind as she basked in the shade of her towering oak tree, desperate for a moment of peace amidst all her responsibilities. ¡°It¡¯s all his fault I¡¯m like this!¡±, she complained to her Nymphs fanning her, but still they said nothing and averted their eyes from Danu and her scowling face.


    Danu''s mind was soon again consumed with vengeful thoughts towards her husband Dagda despite her trying to rest, the images of him stealing her children away kept creeping into her thoughts causing her many sleepless nights now. She longed for peace and respite from her anger. Her outbursts at discovering that Dagda had taken their children in the middle of the night, after forcing himself on her with Uaithne¡¯s sleeping powers, caused great turmoil within the palace walls and with Danu¡¯s recent beauty rest!


    ¡°I am righteous in my anger!¡±, she thought to herself. ¡°My children were stolen! Any mother would rage at that! Dagda will answer for this betrayal, and so will anyone who took part in it!¡±, Danu thought to herself, fuming, and grinding her sharp fangs that her teeth had become in her rage behind her beautiful but sinister smile.


    The nymphs on Brasil who once adored Danu all avoided crossing her path anymore. Her ladies all worked silently around her, avoiding meeting Danu¡¯s gaze. They could see the light coming off her diadem, Sruth, was harsh. It stung their eyes to look at Danu, so they simply didn''t. They worked in utter silence around her.


    And so no more did they look at their beautiful Queen directly, nor did they dance in the pastures and forests, nor did anyone play a single song! No one seemed to recall how, and the perpetual silence from everyone tore at Danu¡¯s nerves. Danu couldn''t help but feel upset and uncomfortable as she watched her ladies moving about, making small noises and performing their tasks without saying a word to her! The droning sounds had finally worn down her patience enough to speak up to one of the silent figures strolling by her.


    She looked to her serving maid Elen and yelled, ¡°Say something! Be amusing! Your queen demands entertainment! Enough of all of your unhappy faces! Smile!¡±, Danu shouted at the unsuspecting and surprised young nymph, Elen.


    The sudden outburst from Danu sent Elen into a shock as Danu said her name. Elen froze as she nearly dropped a bowl of fruit she¡¯d carried from all the way from the palace for Danu. She managed to catch the few apples that fell one atop the other in quick succession and nimbly balanced the apples on a single toe.


    Elen did a graceful little kick and the apples flew one after the other in order from her foot and back into the fruit bowl. She gave an elegant little twirl with the bowl and a sweet curtsy as Danu clapped with a small hint of a smile as she said, ¡°Well done, my dear. Very amusing!¡±


    ¡°It''s all in the hips!¡±, said Elen with a wink and a smile. She bowed graciously as the other nymphs joined in Danu¡¯s clapping, now with smiles of their own on their faces. Elen sat her bowl upon a low table and bashfully returned to her duties blushing from all the sudden attention.


    Danu looked at all her nymphs who laughed at Elen¡¯s sudden bashful blushing and demanded, ¡°Play me a song! A jig, waltz, serenade, anything! I crave music!¡± Danu looked back to Elen, ¡°Do you know any songs, Elen?¡±


    The young maid had stopped breathing upon hearing Danu''s request. She froze in fearful shock. ¡°What should I do?¡±, she panicked in her mind. ¡°I know no songs. Will she beat me for not knowing?¡± Elen somehow managed to speak despite her worry though her words came out stuttering as she spoke, ¡°I-I.. um..I cannot. I-I know no songs.¡±, She said fearfully as the tears began to sting the corners of her eyes anticipating Danu¡¯s ire for telling her no.


    Elen took a deep sigh of anticipation, but Danu turned away from her on her cushions to face back out to the garden. ¡°That will be all, Elen.¡±, said Danu flatly, sounding disappointed, but she did not rage. Elen dismissed herself and quickly returned to her duties with a smile of relief on her lovely shaped face.


    ¡°Even at my demanding it the nymphs refused to make music!¡±, Danu sulked to herself. ¡°Have they forgotten how?¡±, she pondered as she picked a rose from a nearby vase. She studied its white petals nearly glowing in the soft light beaming through the limbs of the oak. ¡°Dagda must have stolen their songs along with our daughters when he fled Brasil for Tir Na n¨®g.¡±, she decided, ¡°I know that''s where he¡¯d run. Back to our mothers house to hide behind them from me like a coward! Typical of him! Ugggahhhh!¡±, she shouted out into the garden before she flopped back on her cushions feeling defeated in the deafening silence of Brasil who had once always been filled with happy songs.


    When old King Dagda took his harp Uaithne from Brasil, the joy of music vanished. The nymphs, trees, and even the stones no longer sang their sweet melodies in the sun. The once lively atmosphere was now filled with mundane silence for Danu. To make matters worse, all the nymphs seemed to have forgotten how to dance and play music without Uaithne''s enchanting tunes. The nymph''s happiness faded away along with Uaithne, just as Danu''s own happiness was taken when her two daughters, Titania and Morrigan, were stolen from her. Now, there were no more smiles on Brasil and no more happy days for anyone else either.


    ¡°I¡¯ll murder that old codger for his trick!¡±, thought Danu to herself crossly as she thought of her enemies at court and Dagda who had stolen from her, ¡°He won''t get away, nor will any other who helped him steal my children from under me! They¡¯ll all suffer!¡±, Danu thought to herself as she shred the petals off the rose she¡¯d been idly holding. ¡°The mothers are behind this treachery! Dagda does nothing without their say! I know they caused this!¡±, she thought as she finally decapitated the rose bulb until there was only a twig in her hand which lit alight in her hand and burned to ash with Sruths¡¯s power gleaming. The rose¡¯s soft white petals blew away with a sudden wind that approached with Danu¡¯s returning bad disposition.


    Danu distracted herself a moment and watched her ladies perform their duties. She calmed herself on her cushions and let herself become hypnotized by the movement of the ladies who fanned her body with fans twice their size. In the nymph maid¡¯s nimble but small hands the scarlet and gold feathers looked like the wings of some great odd bird to Danu as they wagged around her, their feathers simmering with red sparks as they sailed through the air from the hypnotic billowing of the scarlet plumes.


    Danu tried her best to let her mind try to drift back to a more restful state. ¡°Rest now, sweet lilly!¡±, thought Danu, reassuring herself with the name she called herself in her private thoughts. ¡°I¡¯ll get my revenge when my eyes aren¡¯t so puffy.¡±, she thought as she examined her face with her fingertips grazing the skin lightly, searching for anything malformed, but truly fining nothing but smooth and fair skin under her fingertips.


    She reminded herself as she felt her face, ¡°A lilly must close itself to the shade. I must rest and restore for the return of my daughters'' light to me. My battles have just begun, and I need my strength now!¡±, she thought as she felt her face for any new change when there was none.


    ¡°He must regret what he''s lost forever!¡±, she thought again, thinking of Dagda. ¡°Never again will those wrinkled hands touch my smooth skin!¡±, she smiled as she let her hands smooth across her beautiful body scantily covered by her tulle gowns. The thought of her husband''s absence sent Danu into a little fit of joy.


    Danu bit her lip softly as her hands came near to grazing between her legs which she crossed against her own touch, but the need to be felt and touched persisted. ¡°If he abandoned our marriage then I should perhaps take a lover?¡±, she considered, biting her lip thinking of the scandal.


    ¡°I could shock the court and take Delb¨¢ed back from Ethlain!¡±, she mused as she sipped from her chalice. ¡°I could buy him back from Ethlain for a seat beside me at Lia F¨¢il! She¡¯d do anything to be so near the Wyrd and to see the magnificence of the court firsthand again! She never loved her husband as I once did!¡±, Danu laughed angrily to herself thinking of her once rival. ¡°She thought she won by stealing him from me, but I''ll be the one to laugh as I take Delb¨¢ed from her arms, the grasping shrew! I hope she and Dagda choke on the love Delb¨¢ed and I will share again now!¡±, Danu said thinking of her past lovers touch upon her again as she stroked her body with her hands the ways Delb¨¢ed had once done long ago to her, and a small tear wrested itself from the corner of her eye thinking of him. Danu quickly wiped it away though and hid her sad face from the Nymphs doing their duties around her.


    Danu''s thoughts drifted to her daughters with Dagda on the enchanted island of Tir Na n¨®g, and she clenched her jaw in frustration. The alluring Wyrd would surely lure her young daughters with false promises of power and knowledge, just as they had tempted Danu in her ambitious youth. But it was all lies. Only the Wyrd seemed to gain more power, while their descendants dwindled in strength. "I see through your plans! I have known all along, Mothers! That is why you have taken from me what is rightfully mine! But mark my words, I will take back what you have stolen from me, you dreadful trio!" Danu shouted at the sky above, convinced that her mothers were watching her even in her exile from court and the sacred island of Tir Na n?g where the Wyrd resided in their opulent citadel and their esteemed assembly of children and grandchildren who were chosen to partake in the Rites of Akash, granting them secret knowledge and great powers. "I will liberate my children from your grasp! You three and Dagda will bear witness to my triumph!" she proclaimed before sinking back onto her cushions in defeat and anger. ¡°How will I beat them when they see everything I do?!¡±, she shouted into a cushion against her face.


    She took her face from her cushion then and looked to her other daughter Eriu, her shame. She screamed at her as she saw Eriu¡¯s small aura drooping around her, ¡°You¡¯re not letting yourself grab the light! It must burn you! It burns your weakness from you, allow it, coward! I can feel your reluctance to touch Akash from here! Focus!¡±, she shouted from her cushions as she held her head in grief over her eldest child¡¯s weakness.


    All princesses of the Tuatha Dea were expected to perform the Ascension and prove to their parents and Wyrd Mothers their power. It was a tradition spanning back to the beginning of the Tuatha when the first of the Wyrd''s children had danced together in the shining branches of the sacred apple grove of Achad Alba within the Wyrd¡¯s keep.


    ¡°Eriu would be no exception to our traditions!¡±, Danu had once sworn to herself and still held her vow, ¡°I was promised powerful children if I gave myself to your father Dagda!¡±, she shouted at Eriu who sulked in the grass beyond. ¡°I was promised a crown and a land of my own, but all I have to show for it is a court of nymphs that never smile or dance and you! What a joke! All while your horrible father had stolen your sisters from us!¡±, said Danu as she threw out her cider from her chalice, splashing Eriu with it. ¡°I¡¯m not seeing any improvements! Have you been meditating? Your center doesn¡¯t feel calm or still to me! Fix it!¡±, Danu complained meanly from her sofa. The other nymphs took heed of her temper and began to distance themselves. Some had already stolen away and fled back to the forest or to the palace to hide from Danu¡¯s approaching wrath. Only Danu¡¯s most loyal nymphs remained, Elen among them.


    Danu took no notice of her fleeing maids. She watched Eriu with a renewed interest, and Danu in that moment desperately wished Dagda had taken Eriu with him and left her other daughters, but not even Dagda wanted Eriu! Danu suddenly felt forced to break from her relaxation to place all her attention focused on her daughter''s failing lessons. Danu tossed restlessly on her cushions as she watched her daughter Eriu struggle to find her light and to touch Akash.


    Danu was filled with a familiar disappointment as she yelled out, ¡°Idiot girl! You''re not concentrating hard enough! Keep your mind still! Count your breaths and keep your thoughts open!¡±, said Danu holding her head. ¡°Even children younger than you can perform the dance of Ascendancy! It is the first act of the Grand Rite! You must perform it so you and I will be allowed back into the Wyrd¡¯s court! Try harder!!¡±, Danu screamed.


    Danu rolled over and screamed into a pillow as she thought angrily to herself, ¡°She''s a waste! Dagda stole my good children, my Morrigan and Titania! He took my beautiful and perfect children away from me, the bastard! He will pay!¡±, she screamed and vented herself by shouting into a pillow after she watched Eriu¡¯s swirling aura dip too low. ¡°Arrrggghhh!¡±, she moaned between her grating sharp teeth.


    Danu raised her head up from her pillow and again complained as she sensed Eriu¡¯s small power fading, ¡°Eriu! You''re going to sever your link! I told you to focus on your breathing!¡± Danu tossed her body around on her cushions uncomfortably. She nervously began to play with a strand of her long golden hair with a look of frustration tainting her otherwise beautiful face.


    ¡°You cannot touch Akash if you don''t do the correct breathing!¡±, she continued shouting, ¡°How many times must you be told!? Do it again!¡±, demanded Danu lounging from her soft cushions giving Eriu the worst of looks.


    "I''m doing my best, mother!" Eriu shouted over her shoulder to Danu. She clenched her hands tightly around Dr?mn?l, her long spear that connected her to the power of Akash and reality. The weapon was expertly crafted from silver shimmering energetic metals found in a fallen star by Eriu¡¯s grandmothers, the Wyrd mothers, although Eriu had never met them in person. They always remained like a mysterious and faceless cloud over Eriu. The Wyrd shaped her every moment, even if they had never met one another, but Eriu really knew nothing much about them other than they were all-seeing and powerful.


    Eriu also knew her ancient grandmothers forged all conduits used among their children upon the isle of Tir Na n¨®g. Danu had told her it was a great honor to receive one as a gift, but Eriu often viewed her conduit Dr?mn?l as less an honor and more of a burden she¡¯d won. Now was one of those times as Danu shouted out at her. ¡°Your best has never been good enough before. Strive to be more than you¡¯ve been, eh?¡±, Danu shouted, annoyed at Eriu from her cushions.


    Eriu held her spear close to her chest, hating it. Eriu could not control Dr?mn?l¡¯s vast power; even so, she felt somehow protected by its weight against her as Danu shouted, burden or no. Eriu sensed the raw power pulsing within Dr?mn?l as she held it tight, but she could not grasp the fast stream of light moving through the spear in her mind. The current melted and fled away from her every touch.


    ¡°I can do it this time. I just have to let myself touch it! Just for a moment I can be happy enough to invite the spirit in! Joy is the root to awakening! I will command you, useless rock! I will melt you in a fire if you don¡¯t let me touch Akash¡¯s light!¡±, Eriu threatened Dr?mn?l in her thoughts as she tried to summon her happy memory.


    Eriu instinctively did as Danu had instructed her so many times. She commanded her breathing by taking shallow but slow breaths. While she breathed she forced her body to still from its nervous shaking. Her mind was a whirlwind of scattered thoughts as she tried to still her mind. Many of those thoughts were of Danu¡¯s fury at her if she kept her mother in the garden all day yet again.


    Eriu would have preferred to practice alone as she used to, but Danu insisted that she observe Eriu¡¯s every lesson herself. Danu had sworn she would see Eriu pass the next Ascension and prove herself worthy to be called a Tuatha Dea, a title only given to Tuatha with strength. Eriu¡¯s previous failure at the Ascension, nearly a year past, had left Danu shamed before the whole of the Sidhe and her fellow Tuatha Dea.


    The Wyrd had scolded her mother Danu on Eriu¡¯s behalf for failing. They had told Danu that she herself was unfit for the completion of the Grand Rite. Because She had given birth to a weak child, Danu would no longer be considered to touch the roots of Akash directly, nor would she sip from their famed Chalice of Knowledge and know their great Arcana. She would not be allowed to have her wish granted from the All-Mother, Akash. Her power was found wanting, and so, too, was her faith in the All-Mother.


    The whole Sidhe court had mocked her mother¡¯s shame with pointing fingers and cruel jeers. ¡°Candle-bright¡±, they called her mother¡¯s famed light and her crown Sruth. All while Danu burned with a white hot rage. Eriu recalled her handsome uncle Bres, King of Atlantis, telling her mother from his dais above them, ¡°Danu, you¡¯re only near as shiny as the crack of my arse!¡±, he had said half in his cups to Danu. He had felt safe in mocking her mother while they were in the Wyrd¡¯s presence. They had loomed high above, but Eriu could never ascend Akash¡¯s steps up to greet them.


    Her aunt Brigid, his wife, was beside him and had already taken to a fit of giggling under her heavy veils she wore before he had even finished speaking. He turned and addressed the rest of the Sidhe, ¡°I say to you all! Danu might not glow as lovely as my globes I carry behind me, but she might smell a waft sweeter!¡± He had said holding his nose with one hand while fanning the air near his rear with the other.


    Eriu remembered the fear she felt watching her mother be shamed before the court at Achad Alba. The beating Eriu received from Danu after they had all returned from the isle of Tir Na n?g had been the worst pain she¡¯d ever known. Danu had spared Eriu no shred of mercy. Even when she pleaded to her as a daughter Danu remained unmoved by her tears and pleas.


    Danu had hung Eriu high in the sky for days from a cloud that remained pinned above the palace far below her hanging there. When Danu was in a mood to, which was often, she hurled lightning and other objects at Eriu hovering in the sky. She sent hurricane winds to batter Eriu and flocks of cruel seabirds to peck at her eyes and tongue.


    Then when the day was done, and her torture at an end, a rain would come. Eriu had at first thought the rain a blessing, a gift. The waters would heal Eriu¡¯s every fatigue and pain, her cuts and bruises washed away. The first time the rain had come Eriu had believed Danu had forgiven her, but she soon realized the healing rain was its own torment. When the sun had risen and the day began, so too did Eriu¡¯s suffering begin renewed at Danu¡¯s hands.


    Eriu knew no peace for weeks after her failed Ascendency time and time again. The memories of it made her begin to cry. More memories of her past unwanted fear, rage, and fatigue crept into her mind and continued spoiling her chances at happy thoughts. She had tried to touch the power of Akash far too many times without resting, but her mother Danu demanded repetition and perfection from Eriu.


    It was only a week till the time of Eriu''s next attempt at an Ascension before the Wyrd mothers Danu had claimed, and still she could not perform even the beginning steps! ¡°How will I perform the dance of Ascendancy before the Sidhe Court? She¡¯ll destroy me entirely this time. I know it!¡±, she thought to herself sullenly as tears slipped down her cheeks.


    She cleared her thoughts, or tried to. A lingering nagging doubt clouded her mind, but she soldiered through her fear of her mother''s reprisal. Fighting against the fears of failure she forced herself past every painful nagging feeling inside her. They welled up and bit at her hands as like angry vipers striking her hands with shadowy fangs as she clung to her spear Dr?mn?l. Each bite of the vipers she conjured in her fear stung deep and left its venom in her as her stomach heaved under Dr?mn?l¡¯s might, but Eriu refused to vomit in front of Danu so she swallowed all the bile back down her throat and it festered quietly inside her.


    Eriu sat still and straight backed and feigned a proud posture as she held tightly to Dr?mn?l in the grass waiting for the steps of Acendency to reveal themselves to her. Eriu disregarded her feelings and searched in her mind for the one happy memory she knew it was safe to recall within Danu¡¯s powerful presence. Danu could read Eriu¡¯s every thought if she had a mind to do so. Eriu had no grace to deny Danu¡¯s probing of her mind to call upon to defend herself from her mother, so Eriu only ever allowed herself to think thoughts Danu would find pleasing. This meant Eriu never dreamed nor was she ever happy on her mother¡¯s isle, or anywhere for that matter.


    Eriu had few good memories, and even fewer including Danu in them. She replayed a memory from her childhood she knew would please Danu should she view her mind. Eriu dared not think of any memories that did not include her mother. Eriu had not since she had caused indirect harm to the nymphs she had once befriended in the palace.


    Eriu had once tried to touch Akash with the happy memories of dancing with the nymphs, but the next morning Danu had jealousy turned every nymph she had thought of into apple trees. A grove of them now grew beside the palace, and each tree wore a face of a Nymph contorted in fear. Danu spared them no shred of mercy as she hadn¡¯t with Eriu.


    The nymph¡¯s long and graceful branches were perpetually full and heavy from the burden of ripe fruit. ¡°Their arms must ache so.¡±, Eriu thought once as she cried for her lost friends under the shade of the apple trees. She had begged the Nymphs who were turned to trees to forgive her, but they remained silent as young wood does. Eriu never knew if they had forgiven her, but she thought had they not. ¡°How could they forgive me?¡±, she¡¯d thought as she listened to their silence. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t forgive me either.¡±, she concluded as she had returned sullenly back to the palace.


    To make the cruelty of Danu worse. Danu ordered the nymph¡¯s fresh apples to be made into cider, cakes, and pies, daily. A reminder to all who served her on Brasil that Eriu should not be befriended but feared. She was a princess of Tuatha Dea, not a nymph to dance barefoot in the bright forests and flowered glens. In the end even the other palace Nymphs had come to reject Eriu.


    But for Eriu Danu¡¯s punishment was different. Daily Eriu was served a warm apple pie with each of her meals. Often Danu appeared before her at her meals to ensure Eriu ate her pie, with a glad smile plastered to Danu¡¯s false but sweet face. ¡°You must smile when you eat the sweets I bring you, my darling!¡±, she¡¯d say as she would often force feed Eriu her first few bites of the steaming and sickeningly sweet pie. After Danu would leave laughing at Eriu''s choking on the crust and at her burning tears.


    Eriu forced her mind to find a moment outside her sadness. She summoned up an old memory of her childhood. She thought of a time her mother held her close. It was only really once that she remembered that Danu had. When the Wyrd mothers had called the meteor from the heavens that made her spear, Dr?mn?l.


    Eriu tried to remember the memory of her mother''s smiling face as the star blazed overhead like a lantern in the night sky. Her sisters, Titania and Morrigan had pointed and they both jumped at the excitement of chasing a wishing star. They each couldn''t wait to touch a true wishing star and receive a true conduit. Just like the diadem Sruth was for their mother, or the harp Uaithne was for their father Dagda.


    Danu had smiled and hugged each of them before they were to race to catch the falling star. The first to catch it would receive the best and first conduit, a great honor bestowed on the children of Danu by the Wyrd mothers.


    Danu had been so proud of Eriu and her sisters then in that short moment. Eriu remembered how beautiful Danu had been in her silver gowns. She¡¯d worn her golden hair up in braids and cascading curls. Danu was a vision as breathtaking as the flowing sea sparkling in the dawn¡¯s light as Sruth gleamed in every color of the rainbow at her brow. She glowed radiantly, Eriu remembered. ¡°She was like a rainbow across a moonlit sky, a rare and impossible beauty. I, too, can be beautiful! I can be as powerful as her!¡±, she told herself trying to find the courage to believe it, but her loneliness obscured her beliefs in herself.


    Eriu was invisible to everyone, especially her mother. ¡°Danu¡¯s light is never beautiful anymore. It''s only ever harsh in my eyes.¡±, she thought to herself in passing. ¡°She¡¯s not beautiful!¡±, she decided with a scowl.


    A fear suddenly gripped her. ¡°Did she hear that?!¡±, she thought to herself in a panic. She waited shivering as she clutched Dr?mn?l protectively. A moment passed, but nothing came of her thoughts against Danu. Eriu was still invisible. To Danu Eriu was no more to her than the hundreds of Nymphs populating their isle Brasil. Just someone to use when it suited her needs to.


    Even Eriu''s many brothers ignored her for their mock battles and their games of hunting beautiful Nymphs in the woods for sport. Eriu could barely remember their names or faces; she''d not seen them in so long. Eriu tried to force her memory away from her loneliness. ¡°Mother will see. She will punish me if I fail again!¡±, she chided herself. ¡°Focus! Be happy!¡±, she demanded of herself.


    Eriu forced her distracted mind to recall when the meteor struck the earth. Eriu had raced from Danu¡¯s sweet embrace. Her two sisters were right behind her as they chased the star¡¯s sparkling tail across the night sky. She remembered how her sisters Titania and Morrigan had both raced against her once she had left Danu''s embrace. Their youthful smiles had been so infectious. Eriu almost smiled thinking of her sisters as they had been before they had both gained gifts and arts from Akash. Before they¡¯d both also forgotten their elder sister existed.


    Eriu remembered how she had been tempted to stay with them, hand in hand, racing for the star. Once her sisters had been her only friends, the closest friends she¡¯d ever known. They had all wanted to catch the star together, but Eriu remembered she wanted Danu¡¯s smile and love for her own, so she¡¯d sprinted fast ahead of her smaller sisters through the tall purple grass of Tir Na n?g to follow the fleeing starlight. Leaving them behind her as she dashed ahead. Her legs were longer than her sisters and she easily outpaced them. ¡°But time has made the opposite true.¡± she suddenly thought. ¡°They tower over me now like giants!¡±, she thought with jealousy to herself, ¡°If only I could be tall and beautiful as they are!¡±, she thought sadly, but winced as a viper bit her full of its venom.


    She saw her sisters in her mind as they had been just before Dagda had taken them away to the Wyrd. Morrigan, who was older than Titania, was dark and beautiful as a night¡¯s sky with her hair as black as a raven¡¯s wing. Titania, herself shimmered with bright sunlight as their mother. Her golden beauty was unmatched, even compared to Danu¡¯s own. Danu coveted both her sister¡¯s beauty and served their every whim herself as their maid. That was the depth of Danu¡¯s love for her sisters, but Eriu had never known that comforting love as they had.


    Eriu thought about how her sisters had soon towered over Eriu and the Nymphs in the palace. ¡°They''ve grown so fast since childhood.¡±, she thought to herself bitterly. ¡°Why can I not?¡±, she asked Dr?mn?l as another viper struck her wrist, but no reply was given by her spear. Eriu grew angry and shouted at her spear in her mind. ¡°Make me glow as they do! I won you so you should obey, you daft rock! That¡¯s how its supposed to work!¡±, she shouted in her mind.


    Eriu was then struck by the viper that made her think again to herself of how her sisters now beamed with the power of Akash, and how they both brought pride to the Tuatha Dea and their mother Danu. Eriu knew that now both her sisters would have husbands and children, and they both could summon up power from Akash with ease, but not Eriu! She sat cross-legged in the grass, still small as a child, and still she could only manage to summon up her mother¡¯s ire.


    Eriu''s body cringed as if afflicted by a dark hex at the sound of Danu yelling, ¡°You''re losing motivation! I can feel your grasp of Akash slipping! Concentrate harder!¡± Danu threw an apple at Eriu hitting her in the shoulder. It stung, but Eriu didn''t dare to flinch. Eriu never dared to appear weak in front of Danu.


    ¡°I wish I could run fast. Fast away as I did then!¡±, she said, imagining herself far from her mother. Not caring for a moment if Danu saw her mind. ¡°Let her see it! Let her know I yearn to be away from her!¡±, she thought loudly, but Danu paid her no mind. Much to Eriu¡¯s secret relief as she quickly glanced over her shoulder to see Danu yawning on her sofa as her Nymph maids attended their duties around their lying deity.


    Eriu turned back around and imagined herself back upon that beautiful stretch of lavender grass upon Tir Na n¨®g many years ago. In her memory Eriu could still smell the fresh grass¡¯s herbal bliss. Dr?mn?l glinted in her hand faintly at the thought of it. Eriu could never forget the flowing bright purple hue of the grass shimmering under a summer¡¯s full moon. Under the moonlight the grass moved as if a violet moving sea, and she moved through its churning waves as a wanting vessel. She yearned to be filled by the burning star¡¯s power. Fast and faster she ran through the grass after the burning orb above her. The star burned blue and white as it scorched through the clouds and set the heavens ablaze with its glory.


    Eriu remembered the light of a thousand upon a thousand fireflies springing up from the grass around her. Each quick step she took through the grass had the fireflies erupting around her in bands of swirling yellow lights. Before long the field was a waving sea of swirling stars above and below as she sprinted fast as the wind after the biggest and brightest star of them all.


    ¡°Fast as starlight! Faster even!¡±, she imagined. She remembered every breathless step as she proceeded after the blazing meteor to be first to it before her sister and her many cousins who ran after her through the grass, but Eriu did not see any of them. She was too far ahead to notice them following behind her through the waving grass. ¡°First to the star, and first to win Danu¡¯s love!¡±, She remembered telling herself, but Eriu had never run so fast! Her lungs nearly burst from her small chest, but she was the first to reach the fallen meteor before anyone!


    The star came crashing into the dark forest in an explosion of light shaking stardust off from the mighty glowing elms that grew tall and up into the night sky. The dust rained glittering and poured rainbow colored rain across the branches and floor of the ancient grove of trees. The force of the bright meteor when it landed blew the grass and Eriu back, lighting the trees in a warm glow. Eriu had fallen to her knees at the explosive power as she was engulfed in its expanding brilliant shine.


    Eriu picked herself up from the violently tossing grass. She sprinted through the forceful and hot wind blowing off from the glittering meteor star. She ignored the embers flying at her face and skin as she quickly navigated over fallen branches and old timber. She''d never even felt their stinging branches snapping at her face as sprinted through them. All that had mattered to Eriu then was moving forward towards the burning starlight, towards love.


    When Eriu had at last crossed the threshold of fallen bramble and approached the clearing where the meteor yet burned she¡¯d felt a reluctance at touching the star. Being so close to it she could feel its raw power. It felt like her mother¡¯s wrath, but untamed. The raw energetic light shimmering all around the fallen star had suddenly scared Eriu, and for a moment she became weary of the star¡¯s power. She became reluctant to even touch it.


    She approached the meteor carefully. She may not have even touched the star at all had she not heard her younger sisters and her many cousins coming after her and clamoring over the fallen trees. Eriu, in a snap decision, reached out her hand and grabbed the flaming star rock.


    ¡°It was I, not my divine sisters, who was the first to touch a burning star!¡±, she reminded herself and her spear. ¡°That right belongs to me! You belong to me, and I you, Dr?mn?l. You and I always¡±, she vowed to her spear as she wept tears. Though Eriu did not know if she wept from happiness or from remorse, still the tears came.


    She tried to recall how it felt to touch a star. How power felt in her hands. As she imagined the burning touch of the meteor beneath her hand she could feel her spear blazing in her grip. Its scalding hilt seared her skin against it, but still she clung to Dr?mn?l and the memory of their first meeting. The serpent that had been striking her still did so, but their scales were no longer shadow. They glowed a brilliant gold around her as they struck her arms and refused to remove their bites. They became like chains holding themselves to her and to her spear as Dr?mn?l shined out like a beacon in her hands.


    The object was hot to the touch, radiating a powerful heat that she could control. "I can reach out to Akash now!" she exclaimed, a smile spreading across her face despite the pain of her burning skin. She scanned her surroundings, searching for a clear path to take, but in the glowing light of Dr?mn?l nothing was visible to her. ¡°There¡¯s no path!¡±, she shouted out, ¡°I don¡¯t see one!¡±, she said feeling the concern building in her.


    Eriu focused harder on her memory. ¡°There¡¯s more, there¡¯s more!¡±, she reminded herself trying to reclaim the moment and touch Akash¡¯s fleeing power. She thought of the moments after her mother Danu had taken her up into her arms when she was instantly brought back to the starting line once she touched the star, proving her the winner of the Rite of Proving. The success she¡¯d felt was overwhelming when Danu had joined her at the Meteor.


    Her mother had pulled Eriu up into her arms and kissed her excitedly with love, but Danu had scorned Morrigan and Titania, leaving them behind in the woods for failing to keep up with Eriu. Danu had never smiled so endearingly at Eriu before or since. The love in the memory of Danu¡¯s smile made Eriu weep as her mother¡¯s words replayed in her mind, ¡°You made me proud today. I promise you the world for what you¡¯ve done for me, Eriu! You¡¯ll always be my brightest starlight!¡± Eriu sobbed remembering her mother¡¯s kind words and her glowing smile like the sea under fair moonlight.


    After some time had passed after Eriu¡¯s success at catching a star. Eriu remembered the day Danu had brought Dr?mn?l from Tir Na n¨®g. Danu claimed the spear was a gift from her for being so brave and quick, but the moment Eriu had touched the hilt she knew it was the Meteor. She knew the Wyrd had given her a conduit of her very own. Eriu had never felt so happy, or so proud of herself as the day she¡¯d won Dr?mn?l.


    Morrigan and Titania both had seethed with a foul envy about them for weeks as Danu had ignored them both for Eriu, but that did not last forever. Over time it became apparent that Eriu could never make Dr?mn?l listen. It never did what Eriu asked it to, nor did it barely work at all. Most of the time Dr?mn?l was just a spear and nothing more. Danu became furious with the Wyrd. She thought they had tricked Eriu out of a prize at first. Just to shame Danu, but as Eriu grew Danu¡¯s thoughts over that had changed some. Eriu never gained any gifts, and never once Ascended. ¡°You¡¯re a runt. A mistake I made!¡±, Danu had told her after she couldn¡¯t make Dr?mn?l listen or follow after her through the air.


    The silver metal of Dr?mn?l hummed with the same searing power as when it burned as a star in the heavens. ¡°You''re my gift, my prize, Dr?mn?l! Please let me touch Akash, even once! Let me have her love again! Please!¡±, Eriu begged Dr?mn?l with all her heart.


    Though Dr?mn?l did not answer her pleas, Eriu was overcome with a thought. She remembered when she held her mother¡¯s love after the race with her sisters. Danu had kissed her cheeks. She tried to remember the feeling of being kissed, ¡°Her kisses were hot. Hot like fire on my cheeks. Hot like a star burning!,¡± Eriu intoned in her mind. ¡°I burned with her love! I burn with love!¡±, she said to herself in a whisper as she tried to make herself believe Danu still loved her at all. Even for just a small moment. Long enough to free Eriu from this torment of repetition Danu had kept her in since Dagda fled Brasil with her sisters.


    She let the memories of the star take her, and she forced a feeling that felt something like happiness. The powerful thought of the star burning through the night sky gave her strength. The memories unlocked her mind and she felt the powers of Akash welling up through the spear into her. Eriu felt the spear¡¯s heavy heft vibrate softly under her fingertips. ¡°I feel it humming in my hands, Mother! I''m close to it!¡±, she exclaimed excitedly, ¡°I can touch the starlight!¡±


    Danu rose from her spot a little to watch Eriu closely, she rose when she saw Dr?mn?l¡¯s magnificent glow. Danu''s exacting blue eyes looked for any flaws in Eriu¡¯s connection to the energies of reality, Akash. She studied her every movement with near excitement as she said out loud, ¡°Keep breathing, and don''t talk! Focus and concentrate!¡±, said Danu a little excitedly, studying Eriu¡¯s every mental movement.


    Danu could see the aura of power burning golden all around Eriu. The golden aura rose and arched beautifully around the spear and Eriu, but something was wrong. Danu immediately felt the shift in Eriu. Her spirit began to wrinkle and falter against the fast rush of universal power. ¡°Don''t lose it!¡±, Danu shrieked, ¡°Hold tight to the flow!¡±, she instructed desperately, rising from her cushions to observe more. ¡°This is the closest you¡¯ve been! Hold on to it!¡±, Danu shouted excitedly as the remaining Nymphs came in close to Danu to observe.


    The remaining Nymphs all watched excitedly as well, hoping for Eriu¡¯s success. The Nymphs began to gather around Danu with cheers and whistles as Eriu¡¯s light began to shine while she held her spear in the grass. The Nymphs hoped for an improved mood from their mistress on Eriu¡¯s success, but everyone¡¯s enthusiastic excitement died abruptly as Eriu began to shout.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stop it!¡±, she screamed out in terror. Hot tears streamed down Eriu''s face as she desperately tried to hold on to her own consciousness, but a foreign presence was overwhelming her mind. Emotions unlike any she had ever experienced flooded into her, drowning out her own thoughts and feelings. She felt like she was being tossed around by a tidal wave of disembodied voices, each one trying to communicate its emotions to her.


    Her vision blurred as images and memories from these otherworldly beings played in her head, taking over her senses. She could see stars shining and the vast expanse of darkness enveloping her, and she couldn''t escape it. Conflicting feelings of confusion and euphoria consumed her as the influx of thoughts and memories bombarded her mind.


    It was like an explosion going off inside her head, with each voice wailing incomprehensibly. As she laughed and cried, Eriu saw a cosmic dance between light and darkness, similar to the Ascendency that she had heard about. The opposing forces merged together in a beautiful yet chaotic display, stripping away Eriu''s control over her emotions and completely overwhelming her willpower.


    Eriu felt like she was falling endless though a void. ¡°It''s like holding a mountain on the tip of a finger! It''s crushing me! It''s so heavy inside me!¡±, Eriu screamed out in a moment of coherence, but her voice became drowned out in her own ears by a shrill humming that resonated with her screaming. The humming grew louder and louder until it was all encompassing. The humming drowned out her senses until she saw only the dancing of black and white playing out in her mind.


    Eriu panicked as she began to shake and cry more, ¡°I can''t feel my body! I can''t stop it!¡±, she shouted in fright. ¡°I can''t see! I am blinded!¡±, she wept as she fell over on her side. She kicked and tossed her head from side to side furiously as she threw Dr?mn?l away from her and to the grass.


    Danu''s eyes widened to saucers as Eriu¡¯s wild and untamed power unlocked a torrential outpouring of energy which ignited the garden into a field of smoldering ash and flames. The inferno flames had lashed out from Eriu the moment she released Dr?mn?l. The spear burned and quivered in the mud as did Eriu who cried out, ¡°Help me mother! I''m burning! Help please anyone!¡±


    The fire lashed out and consumed every tree and flower in the garden. The whole of the once beautiful space was in an instant made a charred ruin. All except where Danu and her ladies rested in the shade of her tall oak. Danu had, at the last moment, protected herself, her ladies, and her oak with a barrier art against the rushing flames immolating from Eriu''s flesh.


    ¡°Stupid girl!¡±, screamed Danu in a shrill and angry voice. ¡°Why would you cast your conduit away so carelessly! There¡¯s no knowing what may happen when you do not have firm control over yourself and your conduit! I should stab your eyes from your head if you¡¯re so concerned with being blinded from your responsibilities!¡±


    The flames of Eriu lashed and rampaged still outside the barrier. Eriu could not even respond to her mother¡¯s threats. Eriu¡¯s control over Akash was too limited. Danu rose completely from her couch and watched with a deep disappointment as Eriu screamed in terror against her own gifts. The flames consumed her body in a golden shimmer as she rolled in vain on the blackened dirt trying to extinguish her arts.


    ¡°The flames come from within you! You cannot roll them out, fool!¡±, said Danu, holding her brow in frustration at her eldest daughter. Danu had enough. She flicked her wrist lightly and willed from reality a torrent of heavy rain to begin to fall over her whole garden and Eriu.


    The rain quickly reduced the rampant flames to a steaming smoldering before they dashed out entirely to the sopping wet of Danu¡¯s downpour. The garden and its flowers and trees sprung back to life and their bright green leaves refreshed themselves until they flourished, fresh and lively. Danu¡¯s garden again was beautiful when the sun¡¯s light returned and the rains receded. Even the burns on Eriu¡¯s flesh faded away to Danu¡¯s healing rains.


    Eriu¡¯s body smoldered with hot steam from the healing waters. She laid in the freshly grown grass and sobbed, freed from Dr?mn?l¡¯s burning torment in her mind. Eriu saw her spear glowing hot red still. It sizzled up a cloud of steam around itself as it baked the mud beneath it. When Eriu saw its red glow against the black mud she lunged forward in an instant of desperate fear to reclaim it.


    As she seized her spear she screamed, ¡°It¡¯s mine!¡± Eriu shouted out furiously. Her eyes burned with a righteous greed. ¡°Don¡¯t touch it!¡±, she commanded Danu out of some possessive instinct. Eriu saw her mothers eyes looking to Dr?mn?l with their usual lust. She knew Danu coveted her spear for her own. ¡°I will make Dr?mn?l mind me! It belongs to me!¡±


    ¡°For now it does.¡±, said Danu with a smug smile. ¡°You¡¯re still a failure, so we¡¯ll see how long before Dr?mn?l is mine!¡± Danu threw her head back and laughed at Eriu¡¯s tears and the hate burning in her eyes.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand your failure! Your younger sisters have both performed the Ascending before the Wyrd mothers! Why won¡¯t you grow and prove me wrong about your being useless?! You should be master of Dr?mn?l already!¡±, said Danu fuming and shouting.


    ¡°You should have brought honor back to my name! You are Dagda¡¯s child despite the lies against me! They will stop wagging their tongues if you would just hurry and Ascend!¡±, said Danu as she rose from her seat and exited her barrier. ¡°Why are you not capable of something anyone at court can do instinctively!¡±, she screamed, ¡°Do you know what they will do with you, with me!? They will eat your light and send it back to Akash to be reborn! You¡¯ll not shame me more by being forced to climb the Sepulcher to bathe in Akash¡¯s light for a thousand years! There¡¯s yet to be a single child returned from those steps yet! Do you want to disappear forever?!¡±, Danu warned her as she wore her usual scowl on her face.


    Danu raced over to Eriu and grabbed her face whispering low, spitting at Eriu in a rage, ¡°You¡¯ll not embarrass me another season, Eriu! You¡¯ll perform beautifully before your grandmothers and prove the right to bear children, and my right to attend court without shame! You will or I will eat your heart from your chest!¡±, she screamed bearing her shark-like fangs before Danu spit in Eriu¡¯s sobbing face. ¡°Don¡¯t cry for me with your stupid weak tears!¡±, she said tossing Eriu to the grass in disgust.


    Danu let go of her daughter¡¯s face and marched back to her sofa in the shade. She returned to lounging on her couch as she said, ¡°No one wants to till and plant in poor soil! Now focus on what you¡¯re doing for once! Do it again from the beginning!¡±, she shouted as she came to lay back on her cushions.


    Eriu was on her knees sobbing from exhaustion in the wet mud. Her spear gripped tightly in her hands, it pulsed with heat as she touched its hilt. ¡±Please! I¡¯ve been doing this since before morning, mother! The sun is high now, so please may I rest a moment?¡±, she begged on her knees. The burnt mud still clung to her skin as she shivered in the cool spring air. ¡°Please, may I go at least dry?¡±, she pleaded through her chattering teeth.


    ¡°All this begging and you still haven¡¯t done your Ascendancy right, even once!¡±, scoffed Danu as she laughed to her ladies surrounding her in the shade. ¡°Is she even really trying to do it?!¡±, Danu asked her maids whose eyes all immediately darted to the ground as their only reply.


    Danu looked back to Eriu with a disdainful glare, ¡°Your sisters, both of them have gotten through the Ascendancy their first tries! This is what, your third attempt?! I¡¯ll not be shamed a fourth time, Eriu! Do it again from the start!!¡±, Danu shouted out, losing her composure for a moment as she threw another apple at Eriu in frustration, hitting her in the cheek this time.


    Danu quickly regained composure as she chuckled politely and rearranged her gown over her legs so the fabric laid lightly against the cushions. Danu looked again to her sobbing and shivering daughter, ¡°You¡¯ll do it again, or else!¡±, she said in a more calm and flat tone, her eyes burning with a silent threat as they met Eriu¡¯s.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    The harsh glance from her mother was not lost on Eriu. She knew her mother¡¯s temper was nearing a plateau, and she knew what her mother¡¯s anger would cost her should it get out of hand. Danu had beaten Eriu near to death for failing her expectations more than once. Even if Danu always healed her after, the dreadful memories of the pain persisted.


    Eriu grasped her spear and again began the process of clearing her mind and attempting to put her energy into the spear in her desperate attempt to touch the powers of Akash. She tried, but like the attempts before she still felt blocked. ¡°I must do it. I must control my arts. Control it or be consumed.¡±, she reminded herself quietly in a whisper, ¡°Control it or be consumed!¡±, she said again to herself in her thoughts thinking of her mother''s threats to eat her heart if she failed. The phrase continued playing in her mind as she tried to find the peace to focus.


    Eriu closed her eyes and tried her best to recall once again the memory of the meteor and her mother''s long lost love. Tears once again filled her eyes as she felt the barriers rising against her in her tired mind. She fought with them, but was immediately distracted from her warring with herself by the sound of beating wings filling the garden.


    Eriu smiled and instantly opened her eyes when she heard the cawing crow of her favorite uncle, Lugus. At first she was excited to see him soaring above, but Eriu quickly remembered how cross Danu was with her father Dagda for taking her sisters away. She instantly worried for Lugus who was bound to get brought into the middle of their argument.


    ¡°He should flee!¡±, she thought, ¡°I should tell him to run!¡± Despite her thoughts otherwise she remained silent. Fear kept her words of warning frozen in her throat.


    Eriu watched worriedly as Lugus descended from above as a great white raven, his soft feathers simmering like moonlight. He came to rest on a table nearby her mother, Danu. The raven chattered at Danu with a loud and cheerful cackle. He bowed gracefully on the table before her as was custom before a Queen.


    Danu¡¯s eyes narrowed at the polite Raven as she spoke,¡°My ladies, look, a chicken has presented itself for our noonday meal!¡± Sruth shimmered with a silvery light at her brow. Its sudden flash of brilliant light stunned the poor raven. Who squawked and shouted with its wings fluttering iridescent white feathers across the floor as it darted away from Danu''s smug smile.


    Danu turned her head and addressed her favored serving Nymph with her lips curled cruelly, ¡°Elen, be a dear, catch the little pest and shear its feathers! I want its feathers for you to use in the dress you''re making me! They¡¯ll make a fine addition!¡±, Danu marveled, with a look of excitement on her beaming face.


    Danu picked a stray white feather from the ground nearby her sofa. She stroked her cheek with the soft downy feather as she spoke happily, ¡°No other will look so festive and striking for Eriu¡¯s Ascension as I will with a full collar of Lugus¡¯s white feathers!¡± She suddenly declared meanly with a vicious smile, ¡°Best you take them all, Elen!¡±


    Danu¡¯s powerful star metal crown, Sruth, gleamed brightly with her power. The intricate silver threads of star metal comprising the crown moved and grew like living vines as Danu filled them with a flash of her might. Lugus, still a bird, began to panic and squawk out as Danu¡¯s light surrounded him. Binding Lugus to remain as a raven.


    The lady Elen curtsied politely to Danu¡¯s request. She reluctantly began to approach the squawking Lugus who darted about afraid on the ground. She reached out her hands to grab the raven from another low table where the bird had knocked over a platter of apples, but it easily fled her grasp and abandoned the table to fly and stand in the sunlight nearby Eriu in the grass.


    Lugus rose from the ground and looked at Danu with a man''s long angry face. He slicked back his tousled red curls with both hands as he spoke in a deep and frustrated tone, ¡°How dare you keep me bound from changing my form!? That was unkind of you, sister! I was trying to tell you something important!¡±, he spat out furiously as he rose up from the ground and dusted himself off, ¡°You obviously don''t want my council or the message I bear so I will be leaving!¡±, he said wrinkling his nose in disgust at Danu smiling at him from her sofa of cushions.


    Danu laughed innocently, but covered her devious smiling face with Lugus''s own feather. ¡°Don''t jest with me, Lugus!¡±, she said mischievously. ¡°You know I was only having a bit of fun with you as when we were children! When did you become so sour with your old age? Come, tell me why you¡¯ve come?!¡±, she said to Lugus in a courteous tone.


    Lugus shook his head slowly. He glowered at Danu with his lips pursed into a thin line on his pointed face. He narrowed his eyes at Danu as he spoke, ¡°We aren''t children, Danu! And I am not so old, even if you are younger than me!¡±, he exclaimed proudly. ¡°You cannot treat a messenger of the Wyrd and your elder brother so callously!¡±, he exclaimed, annoyed at Danu''s brazen behavior. ¡°What has gotten into you!?¡±, he questioned his sister with a furious stare.


    Eriu watched anxiously beside her uncle. He shook as he stood before Danu. He grabbed Eriu¡¯s hand where she knelt beside him suddenly. Lugus turned his head and shot Eriu a wink and a smile. Despite his brave face, a feeling overcame Eriu, and she knew her uncle was afraid.


    Eriu saw Lugus''s quivering legs as he spoke out brazenly, ¡°We haven''t been so young and carefree in a long while for you to think holding my person prisoner is acceptable behavior for a Queen!¡±


    Eriu listened to her uncle speak and adored him. She admired his strength to stand up to Danu. Everyone simply fled from her, or avoided Danu all together as her father always had when he hid with the Nymphs in the woods to play them sweet songs on Uaithne. No one ever challenged her mother except Lugus on the rare instances he came to Brasil. Eriu felt inspired watching Lugus bravely stand against his fears and her mother.


    Danu rolled her eyes, disdaining Lugus¡¯s every word. ¡°You''re being obnoxious now. Let it go! It was just a small jest. I only held your form from changing for a moment. Deliver your message!¡±, she demanded coldly.


    Lugus said nothing. He angrily shook his head and on a single heel he quickly turned and began his march away from Danu and the palace. He stormed across the dewy grass and began to change back into a white raven. He was nearing calling his art, but Danu¡¯s voice called out to him, disrupting his concentration.


    ¡°Stop!¡±, she shouted with her voice magnified a thousand times over. Eriu covered her ears to her mother''s echoing scream and turned to face her mother. She saw her mother''s power blossom into Sruth. The beautiful diadem bloomed silver flowers from its three sparkling precious gems. The silver flowers bloomed with petals of blazing rainbow light. Eriu quivered at the force of her mother''s strength as its focus took aim at her uncle Lugus who was held fast by her mother''s will.


    ¡°You will turn and face me.¡±, Danu demanded coldly as Lugus was compelled to face Danu by her art. His face was scarlet in the sun as he failed and struggled in vain against her mighty will. Eriu saw her uncle''s muscles and their sinew were all pulled taut against the might of Danu¡¯s power. His brave face was now in anguish as Danu squeezed his body tight with the force of her will.


    Eriu sobbed feeling powerless watching her Uncle struggle vainly. She suddenly hated her fear. ¡°Uncle wasn''t afraid of her! I won''t be either!¡±, she decided with a laugh. Eriu wiped away her tears, and with a spark of courage burning in her heart she spoke out against her mother.


    ¡°Please release him!¡±, Eriu begged, breaking her silence. She cried out with tears rolling down her face. ¡°Please mother, don''t hurt him! Please let him go!¡±


    Danu''s cold blue eyes shimmered like water broken by the wind then turned fast and gazed Eriu down, drowning Eriu''s newfound confidence by the moment as Eriu became lost to the gaze¡¯s hateful depths. Danu shook with restrained anger as she spoke, ¡°Watch me my useless daughter! See how a Queen should realize her power! Dry your ignorant tears and learn something besides how to beg!¡±


    Danu smiled evilly as she waved off her sobbing daughter, Danu¡¯s teeth became like the fangs of a hungry shark against her beautiful face as she ignored Eriu for Lugus.


    Danu snapped her fingers and bid with her power, ¡°Come kneel before your Queen, Pheasant!¡±


    With her words Lugus was snatched from where he stood and ripped through the air where he clattered unceremoniously down before Danu in the shadow of the oak. Danu''s ladies all retreated from the garden. They fled and took the shapes of animals as they dashed through the treeline. All the nymphs abandoned the garden, all but the forest nymph Elen who hid behind the trunk of the oak clutching her knees in fear.


    ¡°What is the reason for this treachery, sister!¡±, yelled Lugus, picking himself up from the wet grass. Loose packed dirt fell like clumps from his dirty hands and shins. ¡°I am a messenger of the Wyrd! You¡¯ll respect my office or face their wrath!¡±, he threatened.


    ¡°Hiding behind our mother''s golden shrouds still, brother?¡±, she accused Lugus. Danu then laughed and waved off the threat Lugus had made as trivial, ¡°I think they¡¯ll find a way to forgive me for getting a little mud on your pretty tunic they gave you! You''re always so dramatic! Ever since childhood!¡±, she said boldly as a fact.


    Danu¡¯s starry crown lit again magnificently upon her brow, the weaving knots of crystallized metal flowed in intricate knots binding them to the stars. She gleamed with her shining power as she spoke her command, ¡°Deliver your charged words! Tell me what message you bring from the Wyrd!¡±


    Lugus¡¯s face contorted in concentration and sweat formed on his brow while his whole body reddened fighting against Danu¡¯s crushing will. ¡°Stop fighting me and just say the words!¡±, she demanded more forcefully. The power seeping from Danu and her crown caused Eriu to flinch as Lugus fell to his knees in submission at the force of her will.


    ¡°The mothers..¡±, he fought against the words. Lugus broke from Danu¡¯s power for only a short moment. He used his last shred of free will to say, ¡°You don''t deserve their gifts! You never deserved that crown!¡±


    Danu laughed gleefully watching Lugus struggle under her strength, ¡°You''re a fool! My power makes me deserving of a crown, and I¡¯ll have your words, too! Speak!¡±, she demanded forcefully as she crushed Lugus¡¯s mind tighter with her and Sruth¡¯s shared power.


    Danu''s light flooded Lugus''s mind, washing his will to fight against her away until only her boundless depths of will were left to guide along her strong current of power. His eyes rolled to the back of his head and only the whites of his eyes shone through as he spoke as if rasping for air, ¡°The Mothers, are grateful for the gift of your daughters, and they await your presence! They wish to offer you a gift for your loss of children! I am to return your reply to them!¡±, Lugus struggled to say as he fought within to cease his words, but they poured from his lips, ¡°You are summoned to attend their visitation at the stone tree Lia F¨¢il! All the Queens of the Archipelago must attend three days from now! The All Mothers demand it!¡±, he shouted out through his gasping.


    With his words spoken Danu¡¯s spell on Lugus broke. He fell to the ground choking on his own tongue. Saliva spewed from his lips as he said through his choking breaths, ¡°You¡¯re the worst, Danu! Of my sisters you have always been the worst of them!¡±


    Danu laughed heartily at her brother as if he told a good joke, ¡°How amusing you say I¡¯m the worst when you have always been our mother¡¯s pet pigeon all these years! You flit and skulk across the isles spreading mischief and collecting secrets! Then you keep our secrets to whisper them into our mother''s ears for your own gain! Not from me will you spread your lies!¡±, said Danu suddenly furious. ¡°I gave them no gift! I will see my children returned to me here upon Brasil! What game is Dagda playing at giving my daughters to the Wyrd!?¡±, she shrieked at Lugus who flinched away from the sparks of flaming light shooting at him from Danu¡¯s crown.


    With a scream she hurled her accusation, ¡°I know it was you who stole my chance to sip our mother¡¯s chalice of knowledge! I would be a goddess residing in the temple upon Tir Na n¨®g if not for your wagging tongue, Lugus! Now I must endure the shame of bearing children to the likes of old Dagda the child thief, the wife abandon-er! I am a true born daughter of the Wyrd! I know the worth of my womb even if others do not see it! I will have my daughters returned to me, now!¡±, demanded Danu as she sent a hurricane gale to blast Lugus from his feet.


    Lugus smiled up defiantly from the ground where he landed, glad of his sister''s suffering. He beamed from ear to ear despite the spit yet on his chin, ¡°You were married well, sister! Dagda is a high King of the Tuatha Dea! You should revel in the honor of being wife to such a man!¡±


    Lugus''s triumphant smile widened as he spoke, ¡°He is kind to keep you, as sullied as you are to be touched by a Fomorian! Your daughters do well outside of your corruption! You¡¯ve always been so selfish, Danu! What of my plight had I not told the mothers of your bedding Delb¨¢ed? They may have punished my silence!¡±, he exclaimed furiously as he rose to his feet and balled his fists in rage.


    ¡°You know the mothers see all!¡± Lugus began with a chortle and a smug look in his eye, ¡°They already knew before I told them anything of your betrayal to our kin! You sullied your chances to wed better when you dishonored yourself by allowing Delb¨¢ed to your bed! Be glad they only placed you upon Brasil as Queen for your brazen character!¡±


    Lugus laughed aloud loudly, holding his flat and hardened belly, ¡°Your daughters are better off on Tir Na n¨®g without you, Danu!¡±, he began saying with his defiant smile, ¡°They learn the secrets of the universe from the Wyrd¡¯s own mouth! What more could a Queen ask for than her children to grow well and her people to flourish?¡± Lugus looked and gestured around himself, ¡°Brasil is green and lush with life, your Fal Bolg Nymphs look well fed and hearty! You shine bright as sunlight, and all is well! What right do you have to complain?¡±, he said dismissively. ¡°The Wyrd brings us fortune, daft woman! Our mothers plan will bring the best future for us all, even Titania and Morrigan! Have faith in them and Akash, Danu! Have faith!¡±, he shouted out at her meanly through a smile.


    Lugus shook his head side to side and cast his eyes down in shame towards Danu as he continued speaking, ¡°Thank your good husband daily, sister. Thank him that he would still have you after you abandoned him for a dirty Fomorian! There certainly are worse fates than being a Queen of Tuatha Dea!¡±, he chided her piously as he also laughed within himself at the fury building in Danu¡¯s reddening face at his every word.


    Danu had been about to speak, but her rage at Lugus''s words had frozen her in place. "He must have forgotten my recent hold over him. He knows I can break him into the smallest of pieces with my thoughts, doesn¡¯t he?," she thought furiously to herself. Lugus¡¯s angry voice was like a hammer pounding inside Danu''s skull, intensifying her already terrible mood into an unstoppable fury. The power of her crown shimmered in a haze, surrounding her in an aura of searing energy. She was preparing to unleash its full force on Lugus when Eriu stepped between them. Eriu turned to face her mother and then smiled sweetly at Uncle Lugus, who stood tall and serene in the tall grass beyond Danu''s reach.


    Eriu closed the distance between them and knelt before her uncle and in a voice loud enough for Danu to hear she said with worried eyes, ¡°Uncle, please don¡¯t antagonize our Queen further! She is vexed already because I have kept her here all morning trying to perfect my arts for my upcoming Ascendancy. Please don¡¯t push her anger further! Just apologize to her on your knees!¡±, she pleaded through tears.


    Eriu rose from the grass and turned to address her mother who still stood shining with her power. ¡°Mother, please forgive my Uncle Lugus for upsetting you! He was unaware your little joke on him was so pleasing to you on a day when I have pushed your patience. He and I apologize, my gracious lady mother! Please forgive us!¡±, Eriu said bowing low before her mother like a servant.


    Eriu kicked her uncle¡¯s leg lightly as she bowed low before her mother. She glanced back and mouthed the words, ¡°Apologize!¡±, to her uncle who watched her with his mouth held open in confusion. He hesitated so Eriu grabbed his arms and pulled her uncle to his feet. She glared sternly into her Uncle''s eyes as he came to face her as she forced him down into the grass.


    She said as a plea quiet, loud enough that only Lugus himself could hear, ¡°Please just swallow your pride, uncle! Say what she wants to hear!¡±, she whispered harshly at him with desperate eyes.


    Lugus glowered a sour look at his niece, but he nodded hesitantly. His eyes instantly diverted to Danu whose body shimmered violently as a water¡¯s surface may after being broken by a stone under the bright sunlight. The ripples of light emanating from Danu¡¯s diadem scalded both Eriu''s and Lugus¡¯s eye with their sharp luminance. They shielded their eyes with their hands, but still Danu¡¯s glow seeped through their fingers and eyelashes.


    Lugus broke his silence as he covered his eyes. ¡°I tell you no lies, sister! I did not tell our mothers of your meetings with Delba¨¦d! You know they see everything before it happens! Their prescient nature foresaw your affair! Lay your wrath at their door, but spare me and my niece from it!¡±, Lugus begged on his knees.


    Danu stood and considered Lugus¡¯s words. She sensed no lies on his spirit as she touched his mind with her own. The ground around Danu split and splintered as she realized she was wrong in her suspicion of Lugus. The words poured from her lips like lead, ¡°Perhaps I was quick to judge the worst in you, Lugus.¡± Danu paused as her bright shimmering aura began to collapse back into her. Her intensely bright shining also faded allowing Lugus and Eriu respite from her blinding luminance.


    Danu continued to speak as they recovered from her blinding them with her power, her tone was more somber and she herself was suddenly bordering on tears, ¡°You know, the Wyrd took my beautiful daughters from me! Dagda, the traitor, stole them off from their beds to Tir Na n¨®g as I slept!¡± Danu began to openly sob as she clutched her ribs as if she carried a great pain within her. ¡°Our mothers bar my entry to the holy isle to see them! Dagda chained me here to this rock like some fucking animal!¡±, she said showing Lugus the glowing band at her ankle, ¡°They deny a mother¡¯s right to her children!¡± Her words became indiscernible as she held her hands to her face and wept long sobbing screams into her palms, venting her frustration.


    Lugus rolled his bright golden eyes as Danu cried out in her fit of sad fury, ¡°They stole them, Lugus! My Titania and my Morrigan are upon Tir Na n¨®g without me, and I without them! You cannot know what it is to be forced to give away a daughter! I am so alone here among all my foolish sons and these fearful nymphs! Our mothers punish me by taking my strong and gifted children from me!¡±


    ¡°You have a fine and honorable daughter standing beside me, but you dishonor her by saying such things!¡±, said Lugus sternly, defending his niece.¡±Eriu is a magnificent girl! She is perhaps even the best of us with her kind heart! You as her mother should see that better than most!¡±


    Eriu looked down instinctively as her mother''s gaze crossed her own. Even looking at the grass Eriu could feel the enmity radiating from her Mother''s glare as Danu stated coldly, ¡°Dishonor is all she¡¯s been good for! She cannot even excel past her Ascension, and worse her body never grows! She is forever a child! How will she bear strong daughters with her tiny body?!¡±, stated Danu angrily through her tears.


    Danu wiped her eyes of tears as she continued ranting, ¡°To think of my first born child being so weak as to not even be capable of touching Akash! She''s my shame! The mothers punished me with her weakness and by abandoning her uselessness with me! ! I know it!¡± Danu retreated and sat back upon her couch. She wrapped her legs tightly in the sheer fabric of her gown as if she were somehow cold. She then flung her body across the cushions languidly, as if she¡¯d concocted some malady as she called out, ¡°Elen! Elen, attend me!¡±


    Elen emerged from behind the towering oak tree that shaded Danu¡¯s garden. Her deep brown doe¡¯s eyes gleamed with worry as she crept quietly from the Oak¡¯s shadow. ¡°I am here, Supreme one¡±, said Elen dourly with a frown, ¡°What can I provide you?¡±, she said with a curtsy as she stood before the distraught Queen Danu.


    ¡°Pour for me a sip of your cider. This excitement has my nerves simply frayed! Pour some for Lugus as well. He will be staying with us for supper!¡±, said Danu as she began making her plans. ¡°We will have the lamb this evening. I fear the hens are too close a relative of my brother for him to feast on without a heavy mind!¡±, she jested and laughed to herself at her own joke, though no one else laughed but her.


    ¡°Yes, of course, my Queen. The lamb, I¡¯ll see it done.¡±, said Elen as she bowed her head graciously. She was going to speak further, but Lugus interjected. Elen took the opportunity and broke from the conversation to pour the Queen¡¯s cider from a decanter nearby into the Queen¡¯s golden goblet.


    Lugus nearly shouted as he spoke, restraining his frustration at being planned for without his consent, ¡°I cannot remain, sister! I was to deliver my words and be off to Atlantis to our sister Brigid¡¯s domain. You may feast on the flesh of hens to your heart¡¯s content in my absence with a light heart!¡±, said Lugus graciously as he bowed with a coyly terse smile. ¡°Pick your teeth clean with the smallest of their bones even. I care not, but you will do so without me. I must go!¡±, he said turning to leave once again.


    Danu rose from her cushions with a renewed vigor as she shouted back, ¡°You¡¯ll go nowhere! You belong to me until I decide you may leave, but try and I¡¯ll feast on your bird parts for my dinner!¡±, she threatened through gritted teeth, ¡°You haven¡¯t even told me of my beloved daughters! How are my bright Titania and my fierce Morrigan? Tell me of my children and only then should I think to allow your leave!¡±


    Lugus glowered and fumed at being told what to do by his younger sister. His words were full of malice as he spoke, ¡°You should know some humility, Danu! There are limits to how far you can press me! I am the voice of the Wyrd! I proctor their will, and you show them great disrespect by keeping me from performing my duties! I promise you they will know of your insubordinate behavior!¡±


    Danu rested on her cushions with her face now calm and unyielding. Her voice was a challenge as she spoke, ¡°I reside here unafraid! Let them come after me with all their wrath, their dark curses! What matters any of it when they have already stripped me of any happiness I could possibly know!?¡±, she said before languidly sipping from her cup. She swallowed her tartly sweet cider leaving its gloss on her lips as she spoke. ¡°I was forced into the indignity of marriage to a hateful codger, and then the same wretch took my children from me, Lugus! My only solace in our deranged marriage!¡±, Danu said pulling the golden strands of hair from her face, ¡°You would understand if you were a woman of my grief! It¡¯s a stone inside me every moment! How cruel you are to deny a grieving mother news of her daughters!¡± Danu¡¯s aura exploded from her as she screamed her threat, ¡°I should rip the memories of them from your skull!¡±, she spat out her through her gritted teeth, ¡°I will if you do not tell me news of them!¡± Danu glared at Lugus expectant of an answer, with violence ringing in her voice and burning in her eyes.


    Eriu, understanding very well her mother¡¯s wrathful temper, she rushed between her uncle Lugus and her mother Danu. ¡°This is enough! Stop it! Stop your bickering, please! I cannot concentrate on my arts until you both resolve this feud between you both!¡±, Eriu pleaded desperately between her mother and her uncle Lugus who backed away slowly.


    Eriu sighed deeply. Turning to her uncle backing from her, his breathing heavy with suppressed rage. She asked her uncle in a kindly tone as she came up to him and took Lugus¡¯s hand into her own, ¡°Uncle, how are my sisters? Will you not put my mind to ease? I miss them both terribly. How are they faring on Tir Na n¨®g? Are they well, and do they speak of us?¡±, Eriu asked with the tears of fear spilling down her face.


    Lugus began to stammer, feeling disarmed of his frustration by his niece¡¯s innocent smile and her tears. Her small child¡¯s body left her head at his waist looking up at him with hope burning bright in her scared eyes. Eriu looked upward to her uncle with her violet eyes shining like amethysts in the light of the sun. She looked to him expectantly for an answer. Lugus felt pressured, but he began with a cough to clear his throat before he spoke, ¡°They are well.¡± He glanced up at Danu who listened to every word said from her couch as she now casually sipped her cider from her golden cup, listening.


    Lugus returned his gaze to his niece as he continued speaking, ¡°They will both given tasks within the Sepulchre of Akash, a great honor few can boast. The Wyrd themselves will oversee their daily workings along with your father, Lord Dagda. I admit though I have yet to greet them upon Tir Na n?g, but they are powerful children, or so I¡¯ve heard tale of.¡±, he concluded flatly as he stared harshly at Danu¡¯s indifferent face.


    ¡°But of course!¡±, retorted Danu proudly, holding up her chalice high, ¡°They are the best of me! They are the prime of my loins that our mothers have stolen from me! They leave me only the chaff to keep this fading isle afloat!¡± Danu took a little swig from her chalice. She smiled in frustration with wet lips as she spoke further, ¡°The enchantments on it break every so often! Did you know!?¡±, she said now glaring at Lugus as if he¡¯d broken them. ¡°This isle is too close to the middle lands! It¡¯s shameful!¡±, she concluded shaking her head in disgust over her cup of cider.


    Danu glared at the empty cup in her hand, then flung it onto the grass with a furious force, watching as it rolled away. She let out a frustrated yell, "Now I have to deal with mortals invading these peaceful shores too? It''s happened before, you know! They stumble upon us or wash up on land with the waves every now and then! Like pests, they come to steal and take from us! And they''ll infect us with their mortality! I crush any that I find on my land!" Danu''s eyes burned with anger as she turned to Lugus, who only sighed and looked down at the grass. "They will never make their home where I lay my head!" Danu finished, spitting onto the ground in disgust at the thought of more mortals discovering her hidden domain.


    ¡°Certainly you¡¯re confused.¡± Lugus began as he held his head in his hands to stave off a headache brought on from prolonged frustration. ¡°You squash nothing but summer berries in your hands and say it is mortal blood. There are no mortals! I¡¯ll not hear of this complaint again!¡± He rubbed his temples to stave away a headache forming at his brow where his angry vein continually engorged along with his fury at his sister¡¯s insanity. ¡°Mortals cannot cross past their plane of Akash. Not while living!¡±, Lugus explained through an exasperated sigh, ¡°A living mortal could not find themselves on any isle of the Archipelagos without invitation, of which is forbidden! A mortal coming here is impossible!¡±


    Danu gasped and rose to her feet as she screeched out, ¡°More indignity! More accusing me of lies! You say I am confused, but I see it all clearly! You and the rest of our family mean to doom me here to obscurity! They¡¯ll steal all the worth from me then cast me off as they did our sisters before when they bore no children! Why am I robbed of the daughters I faithfully bear, and yet I am denied entry to Tir Na n¨®g? You say our mothers claim to be grateful for my sacrifice, but where is any reward? Explain to me that, Lugus?! Where is my happiness to be found when I am robbed of everything?!¡±


    Lugus shook his head in disbelief. ¡°There are no mortals! There¡¯s only your bored and lonely thoughts! Why not take a lover to ease your troubled mind? Delb¨¢ed might yet have your dark temper if no other will! You¡¯ve soiled yourself already with a Fomorian¡¯s touch, so why not again!?¡±, Lugus smirked, pleased at himself at his clever retort.


    Danu shrieked out in fury, her light exploding around her as the winds in the garden began to blow in a gale around the shading oak. ¡°You are insidious with your incessant game of prodding me to bed a man! Fomorian or no Delb¨¢ed was a better man to me than Dagda or even you have ever been! You, my husband, and the Wyrd only ever wish my belly full of children and my mouth silenced from the Sidhe court! Is this my husband¡¯s wish, the Wyrd¡¯s, or your own that I should lay with Delb¨¢ed!? Speak in honesty if you value your safety within my garden! Brother or not, know I¡¯ll split you down the middle if you lie to me!¡±


    Lugus raised both his hands in his defense as he spoke in a panic, ¡°Sister, please! I did not mean disrespect. I plot nothing. I only thought you may be lonely with your children grown and Dagda gone. I see the toll of their absence on you!¡±


    Lugus tried to stride nearer to Danu, but her light forced him to his knees. He looked up from where he squatted and said, ¡°I swear I¡¯ll speak of your weary heart to our mothers, on your behalf. I wish for your happiness, sister!¡±, he swore with his hand over his heart. ¡°I do, but I have told you of your daughters as you wanted! Be a Queen of your word and let me go!¡±, he demanded, letting his own power flare against Danu''s power as a threat. Even if it was a weak threat. Lugus¡¯s light was dim and dull against Danu''s brilliant radiance.


    Lugus rose to his feet, feeling pleased at Danu¡¯s words and looked to Eriu with a smile of triumph. She returned his excitement with her own smile, but her smile broke when her mother began to speak more. Eriu glanced back over her shoulder to Danu who stood by her oak. She witnessed the light pour out from Danu¡¯s flowering crown and Danu¡¯s power spilling its influence over everything. The world around Danu became as bright as sunlight in your eyes as Danu spoke, ¡°You may go, but you will tell our mothers of my enduring suffering, and more! You will bring me Dagda¡¯s harp, Uaithne from Tir Na n¨®g! It''s song used to be a comfort to me, and I will see this comfort restored! Swear to me you will do this and I will release you from my garden!¡±


    Lugus, too, lost his smile of triumph. His eyes widened in shock at Danu''s request despite the brilliant beaming light of Danu shimmering all about him, burning his vision to a blur. His voice was pure fury as he shouted out, ¡°You scheming shrew! You know I cannot touch Uaithne! No one can touch Dagda¡¯s harp except for whom he allows it to! Its song destroys anyone who dares to even pluck a string without his saying they may! I will not destroy myself for your comfort! How dare you!?¡± Lugus fumed and turning and marched away. He attempted to grow his wings, but his power was suppressed by Danu¡¯s light. Despite this he soldiered on marching away from Danu.


    Eriu raced to the foot of her mother. She wept for her uncle. She could feel her mother¡¯s murderous intent against her uncle Lugus pouring out from her light. Eriu begged on her knees before Danu, ¡°Please mother! He told us of Morrigan and Titania! They are well, and that is good. Please! You¡¯ll bring the Wyrd to our door! Stop this! Let him leave freely!¡±


    Danu looked downward to her begging child. Danu kicked Eriu away hard with her barefoot. Eriu fell over into the grass, skidding her palms in the damp mud as her mother shouted at her, ¡°Your every word is a shame to me, weakling!¡± Danu raised her hand and Eriu rose high into the air along with the gesture. Eriu choked on the pressure of Danu¡¯s power gripping her throat. ¡°Your sisters would understand! They are powerful! They are beautiful, but what are you as my eldest child? A failure! A weakling! A ugly child! Do not presume to tell me of your fears! Your fears are not my own!¡±, shouted Danu at Eriu who choked on the air in her lungs. ¡°The only thing you should fear in all this dark world is me! Fool!¡±, Danu said crushing Eriu harder in her grasp.


    Lugus turned and shouted out at Danu holding Eriu in the air, ¡°Let her go!¡± Lugus, using as much power as he could, formed in his hands a ball of energetic swirling flame. He unleashed it like a burning tongue at Danu¡¯s face. The flame exploded around Danu and embraced her body in a smoldering ring. Danu shrieked in fury as the flames engulfed her.


    Eriu fell to the ground choking and gasping. Danu¡¯s hold over her was broken. Elen dove from where she had taken to hiding behind the towering oak to snatch Eriu away from the burning Danu. She half drug Eriu away by her arm as Eriu continued her fit of coughing. Elen pushed Eriu into a nearby laurel bush and covered her mouth with her hand to silence her coughing.


    Danu raged in the swirling inferno surrounding her as Lugus attempted to grow wings at her distraction. He spread his arms and the feathers began to spout. He ran at a steady gait and felt the wind pushing through his downy sprouting wings. ¡°I can do this! I can get away!¡±, he thought for a moment gleefully, but it wasn¡¯t to be.


    Danu threw off Lugus¡¯s flames like a bad coat. The fire extinguished as steam at her feet. Clouds of hot air swirled thick in the wind around Danu as she bellowed low in all her power over reality, ¡°Sink before me!¡±, she commanded Lugus as he fell fast.


    Lugus¡¯s feet fell out from under him as they slid down into the grass and mud like quicksand. His birdlike form reverted instantly, and Lugus was a man drowning in the dry dirt. He pleaded out, ¡°Sister! If you do this to me the Wyrd will come for you! They¡¯ll destroy you!¡±, he threatened desperately as the earth swallowed him down.


    Danu laughed out defiantly as her flowing gowns caught the racing gale blowing all around her, making her long golden hair and her flowing tulle gowns billow up. She said gleefully as she let the powerful winds blow over her skin through the sheer fabric, ¡°You have used that weak shield before me once too many times. It¡¯s losing its structure! Much like your feet have!¡± Danu laughed even harder as she clapped her knee with her hand watching her brother struggle to cling to a root of a nearby birch.


    ¡°Sister! Please help me! Don¡¯t do whatever you¡¯re thinking of doing! Let me go!¡±, begged Lugus as the ground beneath him took hold of his legs. The hollow earth below him swallowed his feet downward with a hard pull.


    Danu again laughed endlessly at Lugus and his struggle to keep his head above the churning earth. She pointed to him accusingly, letting her wrath display in her voice, ¡°You know my price for your freedom! Swear to me you¡¯ll bring me Uaithne! Swear it and be free!¡±


    Lugus held tightly to the tree root, but the wood dug hard into his palms. The pain made his grip falter as he nearly slipped from the root. He gripped the root again and forced himself to grunt through the pain and the pulling of the sinking hole beneath him. Lugus was full of rage, and by the moment feeling more and more helpless to free himself. In his fury he spat out, ¡°I cannot do as you ask, you foolish loon! No one but one of your daughters could hope to even attempt to bring the damn harp here! No one can touch it, as I have told you!¡±, he shouted out his angry logic.


    Danu thought more of it as she watched Lugus and the earth swirling around his kicking legs. The sight of him at her mercy amused her, making her beam with a smile. She thought of letting it continue longer, but she quickly decided, ¡°You will have a daughter of Dagda then.¡± Danu turned her head over her shoulder to where Eriu and Elen yet hid in the laurel bush. ¡°Elen, attend me! Bring Eriu!¡±, she commanded.


    Off in the distance, Elen held Eriu tight against herself with one arm. With the other she used her hand to keep Eriu¡¯s mouth shut. She laid low and still, hidden in the laurel bush, Elen''s heart was beating wildly with terror as she tried to decide what to do. ¡°Do I try to flee?¡±, she at first thought, but she shook her head against the idea as she remembered, ¡°Leaving the isle is impossible without Danu¡¯s permission. She¡¯d catch us.¡±, Elen thought to herself desperately. Elen looked longingly at the flowered pathway to the grassy meadows beyond the far treeline through the partings in the laurel brambles. The forest and its call of freedom from Danu¡¯s wrath pulled her, but she would not leave her friend Eriu alone.


    Eriu observed Elen¡¯s longing stare. She forced her face free from Elen¡¯s grip long enough to whisper loudly, ¡°Run! Leave me to her and flee! Escape to the trees and the wilds! She will curse you for aiding me!¡±, Eriu warned Elen pushing away from her.


    Elen looked out from her hiding spot to where Danu shimmered with power just beyond the fragrant laurel branches. Danu stood looking directly at the laurel bush with an angry scowl on her pretty face. The glow around Danu felt oppressive as it showered the laurel bush with Danu¡¯s might.


    Elen and Eriu flew out from their hiding place together and dropped before Danu into an ungracious pile, one atop the other. ¡°I said to attend to me, Elen! Have you recently been made deaf? You¡¯re being slow as a cripple in your answering me!¡±


    Danu smiled evilly as she threatened with a laugh, ¡°You¡¯re always so forgetful of songs, slow to dance for me, and now you¡¯ve grown deaf! Should I be gracious? I could always give the gift of blindness to your ever growing collection of malady!¡±, she spoke forcefully. ¡°I will if you don¡¯t improve your speed at answering when I call you to attend, stupid sprite!¡±, Danu shouted at Elen who laid before her frozen and wide eyed with terror. Danu picked Elen up off of Eriu with her telekinetic power. She flung her aside as one might a useless object obstructing the way. Elen bounced off the hard ground and laid unconscious in the waving grass.


    Eriu had sat up when Elen had been lifted off of her. She screamed out in terror and frustration, ¡°Don¡¯t hurt her!¡±. An instinctive spark lit inside Eriu as she saw Elen be thrown so unkindly away. A rage took her breathing and suddenly her spear Dr?mn?l was in her hands when it had not been before. Her focus was razor sharp as she felt the power of Akash erupt through her fury and pierce her mind. The force of the All Mother¡¯s touch sent Eriu reeling as images of the colossal expanse of time unfolded before her like a dream. She sat upon the ground numb under the intense pressure of the universe pressing down upon her will, like pushing a melon through the eye of a needle.


    Eriu felt she was screaming out in fury and pain, but she laid on the grass silently convulsing, her mind crushed by Akash¡¯s weight and raw power. She clung to Dr?mn?l tightly and shook violently, spewing a glowing light from within through her eyes and mouth. Lugus cried out to Danu, ¡°Help her! She¡¯s your child! Look at her! She¡¯s going to burn up! Help her Danu!¡±


    Danu turned and looked smugly at Lugus who clung to the birch yet, ¡°You want me to save her?¡±, said Danu smirking.


    Lugus, still clinging to his tree root, struggled to keep his head above the dirt. He looked to his young niece convulsing in pain. Lugus watched his niece knowing no divine creature can restore what Akash herself has taken. ¡°If she burns away she¡¯s gone forever! Save her, Danu! Be a mother to the girl!¡±, Lugus pleaded, with tears even at his eyes.


    ¡°Swear it then! Swear to me you¡¯ll retrieve Uaithne and bring it to me, no matter the cost! Swear it and I¡¯ll help Eriu.¡±, said Danu with a triumphant smile as she watched her daughter vomit out searing light and boiling spit into the dying grass beneath where Eriu contorted in pain.


    ¡°You¡¯re a monster, Danu! You¡¯re undeserving of your crown and your children!¡±, announced Lugus full of hate for his sister. ¡°You¡¯re evil!¡±, he declared, spitting at her.


    Danu waved off his insults with an uncaring gesture, ¡°I do not care for the opinions of foolish ganders. The ideas of waterfowl are beneath me. Swear Uaithne to me, or be complicit in the death of your beloved Eriu!¡±, Danu said, giving Lugus a choice.


    Lugus saw his niece''s light coming from inside her was dimming, threatening to extinguish forever. He knew he had no choice. He grimaced with angry defeat as he screamed, ¡°Fine! I swear it, horrid bitch! Save Eriu and I will find a way to bring you Uaithne!¡±


    Danu giggled with happy satisfaction. ¡°Glorious.¡±, she said through a regal smile. ¡°I knew you''d agree in the end.¡± She turned and looked down at Eriu in her suffering on the ground. ¡°Idiot!¡±, she screamed. ¡°You sipped too much light into your feeble child¡¯s mind!¡±, Danu said, kicking Eriu in her leg.


    Danu snapped her fingers twice. She held out her hands expectantly as Dr?mn?l immediately appeared to her hands from Eriu''s embrace. She held the spear tight as it was pulled back towards Eriu. She studied the glistening silver blade shimmering in her own glow. The spear, having its own will, attempted to retreat back to Eriu. Dr?mn?l¡¯s deadly sharp tip shone bright like a twinkling star in Danu¡¯s eyes as she spoke out loud to the quivering silver spear in her grasp, ¡°You are beautiful, Dr?mn?l! The Mothers have never crafted a spear as fast and as pure of spirit as you!¡± Danu turned the weapon and studied the scrolling vine work imposed on the shaft of the spear with golden orichalcum. The spear shook and pulled harder away from her grip. ¡°Your absolute loyalty to Eriu is admirable, but misplaced! My daughter is undeserving of a treasure of your power, your magnificence! Be my destiny, Dr?mn?l! Be my power!¡±, said Danu lustily to Eriu¡¯s spear.


    Dr?mn?l foisted itself from Danu¡¯s grasp and flew back to the hand of Eriu whose light was all but extinguished. Lugus screamed out, ¡°What are you doing? Save Eriu as we agreed, or I¡¯ll have nothing to do with you nor Uaithne! Honor your word!¡±, he cried out furiously.


    Danu grimaced and growled low like an angry cat at having been rejected by Dr?mn?l. When Lugus began to scream at Danu her eyes lit from within with a blinding light. She screamed back to Lugus furiously, ¡°I honor all my pacts as a true Queen! Remember that when you seek Uaithne, brother! Remember I honored my words!¡±, she warned him.


    Danu knelt to the earth beside Eriu. She held out her hands over her and looked to the sky. Dark clouds began to extend out from above Danu and her dying child. The winds whipped up Danu¡¯s gowns and her shining golden hair all around her. Eriu laid in her mother¡¯s arms as a darkened phantom, her skin turned to a shadowy black as her light continued to leave her body. Danu called up to the heavens, ¡°Mother Akash, Queen above us! Spare my child! Grant her light! Grant her your life eternal, Mother! It is my wish and the wish of our people that this child should shine! Hear my plea! Hear me!!¡±, Danu shouted to the churning heavens. She cried up to the sky with her whole chest, ¡°Return to Eriu her light! Banish the darkness! Ignite her spirit, Mother, let it burn with your radiant power!¡±


    Danu stood beneath the parting clouds, using her telekinetic power to lift Eriu''s body towards the beams of light. The light cascaded down upon Eriu, through her, filling her transparent form with color and returning her mass and shape. Her dark braids swirled and danced in the wind, encircling her like a wild halo. As Danu continued to pray to the All-Mother Akash, Danu sang praises and gratitude for Her eternal gifts and unwavering love. "We exalt your name above all others, dear Mother Akash! Queen of all Universes, we exalt you!!" Danu''s voice echoed through the heavens with pure devotion as she lowered Eriu, now glowing, before her.


    Danu lowered Eriu¡¯s body gently to the grass at her feet. The life-giving rains of Danu began to hail down in sheets from the dark clouds looming above. A low roll of thunder was heard all around as Danu rose and banished the clouds and the rains in an instant. Eriu at her feet coughed out a gasping breath of life, though she remained asleep and unresponsive still.


    Danu looked to Lugus who still clung faithfully to the birch root. ¡°Shouldn''t you be roosting higher on the tree, little bird?¡± Danu giggled and waved her hand. With her gesture made, Lugus was torn from the churning earth. He flew high up into the air as he was tugged like a ball on a string to topple at Danu¡¯s feet.


    Lugus landed abruptly in front of Danu, collapsing onto the damp grass. He gasped for air, his landing having knocked all the breath out of him. Struggling to breathe, he let out a painful grunt as Danu spoke coolly, "I''ve fulfilled my end of the deal. She will survive. You owe me Uaithne!", she said deviously rubbing her hand together over Lugus who tried to rise, but faltered.


    Lugus pushed his tired body up from the ground with his weary yet strongly built arms. ¡°I still cannot touch it.¡±, Lugus said through a coughing fit, and once finished he continued speaking, ¡°You said I would have one of your daughters, but they cannot leave Tir Na n¨®g! What are you plotting?!¡±


    Danu gave her brother a hard kick, causing him to fall amid his laughter. Despite her attack, he continued to mock her. As light gathered around Sruth at Danu''s brow, she confidently declared her plan, "You may laugh now, but it will work! She may not have control over Akash, but as Dagda''s child, she will have the power to wield Uaithne! I am certain of it. And if she cannot, then Uaithne will finally rid me of her uselessness. It''s a win-win situation!", she stated coldly and rolling her eyes at Lugus coughing.


    Lugus''s joy evaporated as Danu spoke. "You are a terrible mother, Danu!" Lugus exclaimed, his anger now directed towards Eriu''s treatment. "That child deserves your affection and care! All children deserve to feel the love of a mother," he shouted with intensity, his eyes flickering with fury. ¡°Dagda was right to take his children from you!¡±, he exclaimed angrily pointing his finger at Danu in disgust of her indifference towards Eriu.


    At first, Danu was unsure of what to make of the situation, but soon her confusion turned into amusement as she began to giggle. She clapped her hands with glee, a spark of delight in her eyes. "You''re such an innocent little dove! Is it a lesson that our mighty mothers teach their sons? Do they whisper in your ear when you go crying to them, telling you that every child is worthy of love? Do they shield you from the harsh reality when you are young? How fortunate for you men to have such nurturing mothers," she retorted back to Lugus with a playful accusation.


    ¡°Perhaps they will. If you stupid enough to be caught, but that''s not the point I¡¯m making.¡±, said Danu dismissively. She continued in a more condescending tone, ¡°The Wyrd are most critical of their Queens! Don''t you know what should happen should my children be found weak? Do you know what comes of Queens who bear weak children?¡±


    Sruth flashed in a sudden radiant beam with Danu¡¯s rage. She shouted out as she flung Lugus from his feet to hover before her, an inch from her nose. ¡°You are brave to challenge my words and my power when you''re my prisoner, Lugus! You¡¯re especially brave to think you can tell me how I should raise my children! You have no children, and do you realize I can crush you to dust before me?!¡±, she said again condescendingly.


    Danu¡¯s light erupted out from Sruth making Lugus fall hard to the grass. The weight of gravity increased its force against Lugus whose body sank and made an impression in the flattened mud. Light formed as a ring around Lugus''s throat, binding his speech. The light choked the air from him as it grasped his throat tight. A length of glittering gold string expanded from the collar of light and found its end in Danu''s grasp.


    She spat at Lugus who sprawled motionless and silent as a corpse at her feet. She spoke coldly to him, ¡°I cannot trust you to act as honorably as I, Lugus! You''re blind. You¡¯ve always been blind to our Mothers ways!¡± Danu shook her head as she tugged hard on the golden leash dragging the motionless Lugus forward through the grass. ¡°You''re my pet canary on a string until you return to me as promised! I will keep this tether and your voice until you return to me Uaithne¡¯s song! I¡¯ll not have you speak another word against me!¡±, she screamed at Lugus who was powerless against Danu.


    Elen watched the whole scene play out between Lugus and Queen Danu. Danu¡¯s healing rain had long revived her from unconsciousness, but fear of Danu¡¯s rage had kept Elen still and hiding where she had been thrown by Danu. She laid her head low in the tall waving grass, listening to Lugus and Danu shout at one another. She had been waiting for a moment to run to try to fetch Eriu. Her small body laid motionless near Danu. ¡°I¡¯ll escape with her. Somehow! I have to try! I can¡¯t let Danu send her away!¡±, she told herself, but her fear crippled her legs from moving, so she waited still for her opportunity.


    Danu used her powers to lift Lugus off the ground and bring him face-to-face with her. She couldn''t help but laugh when she saw the dirt on his face. A tiny earthworm was dangling from one of his nostrils, and Danu found this absolutely hilarious. "Lugus, you were supposed to eat the worm! What kind of bird has been teaching you such strange customs?¡±, her eyes lit suddenly with excitement as she exclaimed, ¡°Or perhaps you enjoy dangling your meals from you nose like links of sausage in a pantry," she quipped sarcastically, her words laced with venom.


    Lugus glowered at Danu through the mud in his eyes. He tried to yell profanity and the blackest curses he knew at her, but his voice was trapped in his throat. Lugus swallowed his words which felt solid in this throat. The words stuck in his chest, each a sharp stone. The collar of light repelled the stinging and itching words backwards causing Lugus to cough violently against his own voice. He¡¯d have recoiled to the ground in his coughing and rattling, but Danu¡¯s power held him firm before her as he choked.


    Danu savored every second of Lugus''s suffering. Her radiance only intensified as the flowers in her garden bloomed with her delight. She chuckled as she began to speak, "You have the nerve to call me a liar and say that I am weak." Danu grabbed Lugus by the face, interrupting his coughing fit, and forced him to meet her gleaming eyes. "Until you retrieve that harp for me, you will not utter another word. Every moment, you will remember your promise to me and feel the weight of it." With a commanding tone she said, ¡°Take Eriu and begone before I decide to change my mind about it all!¡±, she ordered Lugus, pointing the way out.


    Lugus fell from Danu¡¯s power and sank to his knees. He panted in exhaustion from fighting for each breath. Silenced by the ring burning at his throat, he punched the ground hard. The earth spit and the grass was pulverized underneath his strong fist. His anger made the shining red hairs of his neck stand on end like the hackles of a ravenous vicious hound.


    Danu gathered up her gowns and straightened them out around her feet as she comfortably lounged back on her cushions and her sofa. Not fearing for an instant Lugus¡¯s displays of rage she spoke to Lugus in a calm and even tone, ¡°Your best bet to get Uaithne is to be on Tir Na n¨®g in three days when you said the Wyrd have summoned the entire Sidhe court to meet at the Lia F¨¢il on Inis F¨¢il. Dagda will not have Uaithne with him at court. Conduits and their arts are not permitted to the holy isle by Dub Sainglend¡¯s barrier. As you know, Inis F¨¢il¡¯s law decrees there will be no blood spilled on its innocent shores.¡±


    Danu''s smile widened as she took in Lugus''s dirty, seething face. She couldn''t help but let out a mocking laugh as she watched mud drips from his nose. "Uaithne will be unattended on Tir Na n¨®g," she said through her laughter. "You''ll have the best luck then!" Danu playfully covered her nose and pretended to faint. "You really don''t need to hide your strong scent with mud just to avoid mingling with all the poultry you do," she teased. "Although I can understand your concern. Perhaps you should find some time to bathe soon, Lugus. You look worn out and smell like duck manure!" Danu chuckled to herself at her own joke.


    As Danu watched Eriu lying in the grass, she grasped Dr?mn?l tightly and felt a pang of sadness. She turned to Lugus and warned him, "Make sure she doesn¡¯t use her spear too often. It was crafted by our mothers with great power, in anticipation of Eriu''s greatness. It''s not her fault that nature made her physically feeble. She must save her strength to bring Uaithne back home!" Danu''s voice grew more intense as she spoke, tears welling up in her eyes. The flowers in her garden began to droop and wither as Danu frowned and hid her face to conceal a sob. ¡°Take her and go already!¡±, she shouted and pointed again at him.


    She then looked Lugus in the face as she spoke, ¡°Is it not strange, Lugus? The mothers made Eriu such a powerful spear believing in her strength? Is it not strange how she never grew enough to hold it properly, but you¡¯ve seen for yourself how lacking she is? How far do our all seeing mothers see if Eriu is not a match to Dr?mn?l? How great is their power?¡± Danu raised an eyebrow and cocked a smug smile despite her tears at her cheeks. She enjoyed the confusion in Lugus''s eyes behind his mud caked face.


    Lugus felt aghast. His thoughts reeled with confusion. He¡¯d never thought of it before. ¡°Why were Eriu and Dr?mn?l not well matched?¡±, he thought then, but he challenged Danu back in his thoughts. ¡°Perhaps they did know! The Wyrd, they know all of creation!¡±, he had decided in his mind. ¡°She may yet grow! She caught a star! She was the fastest!¡±, he remembered his niece from her youth. ¡°It''s true she never grew since then, but she should be mighty, this was true, but the Wyrd are never wrong!¡±, he concluded. ¡°We¡¯ve not seen her end!¡±, he decided, but a terrible unfamiliar feeling gutted him. He burned with a thousand questions, but his voice was bound as the doubt crept into his mind.


    Danu sensed Lugus¡¯s doubts and smiled. ¡°We will see how great their powers are by the end. Time reveals all truth! Theirs will be laid bare!¡± Danu pointed ahead down a path of white stones that revealed itself from the long green grass beyond her garden at Danu¡¯s pointing. ¡°Take this path and Eriu. Take her and leave to honor your words to me. Bring me Uaithne and I will remove your collar!¡±, she declared sadly, looking away from Lugus¡¯s still confused face. ¡°Don¡¯t return without my husband¡¯s harp!¡±, she insisted as a strong gale wind picked Lugus and Eriu up and flung them down the path.


    The grass closed up behind them, swallowing up the white stone path as they were thrown through the air along the track. They flew the whole stone path and came tumbling down a little sloping hill onto a ridge overlooking a vast ocean.


    The waves crashed and surged against the rocky shore, their roars echoing through the air. The towering rock formations held strong against the force of the water. Colors from every end of the spectrum were represented in the large stones scattered along the shoreline, creating a vibrant contrast against the deep blue ocean.


    Lugus picked himself up from the wet grass. He looked to where the white stone path continued down towards the sea. ¡°How does she expect us to get to Tir Na n?g! Does she expect me to fly Eriu on my back?!¡±, he exclaimed to himself in his thoughts.


    As if Danu had somehow heard his thoughts he saw the white stone path extend down into the waters of the sea. The waters churned and bubbled up wildly from the sea bed. The stones began to fly up from below the churning water. They flew about and assorted themselves into the shape of a small barge.


    The stones clapped together and trapped water between them as they rubbed together and solidified into a barge made of white stone marble. The pure white stone barge took the shape of a swan with its wings outspread. The smooth and polished stone of the boat glinted radiantly in the sunlight as it stayed unnaturally still against the water. It seemed to be waiting patiently in place for Lugus and Eriu¡¯s arrival as it hovered over the splashing waves.


    From behind Lugus came a rustling in the grass. He turned and defensively put himself between Eriu who was still unconscious and whoever approached. Lugus was ready to attack when through the tall grass came out a small doe with kind eyes. The deer looked at Lugus afraid.


    Lugus relaxed his stance as soon as he caught sight of the small deer. "You''re not a danger," he realized, feeling foolish for being on edge. He chuckled and gestured for the deer to leave after she continued to watch him with fearful eyes. She didn''t seem to take notice of his dismissive actions as she stayed nearby despite her eyes looking like she might bolt at any given moment.


    He chuckled to himself as he picked Eriu up from the grass and began to carry her down, ignoring the deer, towards the white stone path to the swan waiting near the beach. ¡°This is lunacy! Why am I going along with this?¡±, he thought. ¡°I should just leave this girl and go to the Wyrd with this collar. They¡¯ll punish Danu for her binding me!¡±, he thought with a smile, but he soon frowned as he remembered ¡°Right, I cannot. I swore myself to her.¡± The thought boiled over into a rage as he thought loudly, ¡°Damn her!¡± As he thought of his sister bitterly he kicked a portion of white gravel into the tall grass.


    ¡°I swear her death for this! I will not be shamed like this! I am a proctor of the Wyrd¡¯s will!¡± He reminded himself of his importance as he carried the sleeping Eriu down the colorful rocky slope and to the sea.


    As Lugus approached the shore the Swan began to move. It crossed the water until it was just at the edge of the water¡¯s breaking on the stone shore. The power holding the stone barge afloat scraped and crushed the smaller rainbow stones as it passed over them. The sounds of pulverized stone hurt Lugus¡¯s sensitive hearing as he nearly dropped Eriu to the sharp sound of shattering stones.


    He grasped Eriu against his body and ignored his pain. He soldiered across the stones quickly and placed Eriu into the hull of the craft. Within there were cushions and even blankets made of linen. A large wicker basket of provisions was also left, seated in the rear of the Swan. Lugus opened the basket and was delighted by the sweet smell of apple pies. There were also casks of ciders and even a cask of apple mead.


    Lugus delighted at the spread. ¡°Perhaps this all won¡¯t be so bad after all. At least we will eat well before Dagda turns us to stone on Tir Na n?g!¡±, he said to himself with a silent smile at his inward jest.


    Lugus heard the rocks tumbling on the beach behind him. He turned to again find the doe with her eyes looking just as fearful as they were when she¡¯d emerged before from the grass. He shooed the doe with a wave, but she didn¡¯t seem to understand.


    Lugus picked up one of the colored stones from the beach. He meant to throw the stone, but stopped himself. He watched in amusement as the young doe continued to awkwardly pursue him across the rocks, but the stones slipped and multiplied under her feet. They shifted her balance until the poor deer had fallen on its side into the grass.


    Lugus chuckled to himself, thinking "She won''t be able to catch up to me. She''s stuck here." He left the deer behind and hopped onto the Swan barge, right next to the sleeping Eriu. The boat began to rise from the shore and hover above the water effortlessly. The massive vessel floated just above the sparkling waves.


    The boat began to glide along with the breeze as its current and force of motion. Lugus immediately understood as he felt the barge heave forward in the direction of the blowing wind, so he seized a strand of wind from the sky and caused a rush of fast air to push the boat further out to sea.


    ¡°Well, I suppose I have no choice now. I must go.¡±, Lugus thought to himself in disappointment as sat upon a cushion and fished himself out a slice of pie from the wicker basket. ¡°How did she know apples are my favorite?¡±, he thought suddenly. ¡°Did I ever tell her that?¡±, he thought with a long pause before shrugging it off. ¡°I must have.¡±, he thought cheerfully as he bit out a savory and sweet piece of apple from his pie.


    Lugus sat back as he passed under the shadow of a cliff facing off into the deep of the sea. He¡¯d noticed movement from on top of the cliff face as he took a bite from his pie. From above he saw the Doe he¡¯d left on the beach. He watched with his mouth agape as the doe began to sprint at an astonishing speed along the cliff after the barge. The deer bounded with all its speed from the edge of the high cliff. The Doe toppled gracefully down into a dive as she broke the waves into an explosion all around her.


    Lugus was so amazed by the deer he never even realized he had dropped his pie into the sea. He tried to take a bite from it, but bit his finger instead. Lugus instinctively tried to yelp in pain, but the sound grew and hardened in his throat causing him to choke out fine white dust into his sticky hand.


    Frustrated by his coughing, Lugus angrily wiped the apple syrup and dust from his face with sea water as he watched for the deer to appear again from under the waves. She didn''t, which caused him to worry.


    ¡°Where is she? She¡¯s got to breathe! She¡¯s not a fish!¡±, he thought to himself watching the water for any sign of the Doe. After a moment longer of her not appearing Lugus couldn¡¯t help himself but to go after the poor daft creature. He dove headlong into the sea after the deer. ¡°The boat will wait for me. It waited for me and Eriu before!¡±, he thought as he dove from the barge to help.


    When Lugus dove off from the swan he changed his shape. He grew large white wings from his arms and became a gannet bird as he dove fast into the sea to find the lost doe.


    With his sharp eyes he could see the young Doe being swept away by the ocean current. Lugus in a snap decision fled upwards with his wings through the cold sea. He emerged from the water with a hard gasp. The cool fresh air filled his lungs with vigor as he pounded his wings hard creating a wind around him that shot him high up into the sky.


    Lugus once he hit the crescendo of his height craned his long neck gracefully back. He allowed gravity to pull his weight instinctively into a free dive. Lugus fell fast and hard as his control over the wind pushed him even faster down breaking the icy water across his face.


    Lugus''s great speed allowed him to easily break through the water with nary a ripple made. He sliced through the sea like a loose arrow as he traveled down further into the murky depths.


    He scanned the water again with his sharp gannet eyes for the Doe as he glided along the water. Lugus spotted the young doe again during his descent. The young deer had changed her shape, and as Lugus had suspected the maid Elen floated along lifelessly in the current where the deer had been before.


    Lugus angled his body in an arch letting his speed carry him as close as he was able to reach. Lugus unfurled his powerful wings and shot the remaining distance to Elen.


    Lugus dropped his glamour and again took the shape of a man. He seized Elen by the arm, and he kicked his legs against the current. He heaved Elen as he violently kicked and clawed the water with his one free arm towards the surface above him.


    Lugus felt himself begin to panic as the water¡¯s surface seemed to grow further and further away no matter how hard he swam. The sea seemed to want to swallow him and Elen down into its depths. ¡°She¡¯s trying to stop me from taking her! She won¡¯t!¡±, he insisted as he pushed through the water with his arm and legs beating against a current that threatened to swallow them down into the sea¡¯s darkness below.


    Lugus was rapidly losing air now in his manly Tuatha form, but he could not pull Elen up if he was a bird. He tugged at her arm and kicked hard trying to reach the water¡¯s surface. He began to panic. ¡°We won''t make it! We¡¯ll drown!¡±, he began to believe as he carried Elen and himself up through the weight of the sea pushing down on them.


    Lugus did not know how, but a force inside him began to awaken. Some unknown divinity pushed its way from him to the surface as he struggled. Lugus was torn from the water and thrown high up into the sky above the water with Elen still in his grasp.


    The two went sailing up over the water in an arch. As they hit the air Lugus performed his art of change and became a white-tailed eagle. He in a fluid motion seized the small woman Elen with his talons before she could all back into the water.


    Lugus commanded the winds to fill his wings and he soared with Elen high up into the sky. Lugus scanned the blue waves below for the Swan with his sharp eagle¡¯s eyes. ¡°Where is it? Where is the barge?¡±, he began to worry as he only saw the even blue waves rolling in every direction.


    His eyes widened as he flew with Elen, ¡°The island is gone! Where is Eriu? Where is the damn swan?!¡±, he thought as he began to form a new panic. ¡°It was supposed to wait for me! The boat did not leave the shore until I..¡±


    Lugus''s heart sank as he realized. ¡°It didn''t move until I called the wind to move it. I called the wind to dive and save Elen.¡± Lugus felt like hitting himself; he felt so angry and foolish. ¡°I sent the boat on without us when I called the wind! Damn me!¡±, he thought feeling frustrated as he scanned the waves.


    ¡°Danu has shut me out! I cannot return nor can Elen now! Not without Uaithne! Damn you, Danu!¡±, he complained to himself as he flew on his path across the sea searching for any sign of the Swan barge.


    As Lugus was flying he scanned ahead a piece of floating coral. His wings were growing weary from flying with Elen¡¯s extra weight, but landing in the water was impossible. The current would draw them under again, and Lugus knew they''d not escape a second time.


    Lugus focused his thoughts around the strand of fire coral floating in the sea. He had no claim as being a great enchanter as many of his other siblings could boast, but Lugus knew some tricks. He used one when he placed his mind around the segment of bleached coral and pulled its fibers and elongated their form.


    Lugus imagined the coral growing and lengthening. It took some struggle, especially as he tried to fly and carry Elen. The coral¡¯s fibers were brittle, and his mind could easily crush the coral, so he needed to be careful.


    Lugus gently expanded his will and the coral along with it in an even pull, and the coral began to grow in size and shape with Lugus''s pulling with his thoughts. Before long the coral had quadrupled in size. The small piece of coral had become as large as a small boat as it bobbed along with the water¡¯s motion.


    Lugus''s mind began to whirl. He had used his arts far too often to shape reality to suit him. He felt his eagle''s wings begin to pull back their feathers into skin. He hastily dove along with Elen into the water just beside the floating coral.


    Using his powerful muscles and no art he threw Elen from the water to the coral. Her body landed somewhat awkwardly with her legs dangling off the coral. Lugus himself swam the short distance, fighting the current attempting to draw him down.


    Using his last mental strength available, Lugus summoned the wind and lassoed himself to the coral so the strong current could not rip him down. Lugus climbed the rope hand over fist until he was safely astride the wobbling coral.


    Lugus used his rope of wind and bound himself and Elen tight to the coral so they wouldn''t fall into danger. Lugus, once secured, rested his head against the chalky coral. He used his arms as pillows and sighed. ¡°This is a disaster. Everything has gone wrong now. I was supposed to go to Atlantis!¡±, he complained to no one but himself. ¡°Who will tell Brigid and Bres of the Wyrd''s meet in three days? I cannot go to them this way!¡±


    Lugus punched the water with his fist and fumed. He raged about the loss of his voice, and he hated his sister Danu for dishonoring him with a collar of binding. A great shame.


    ¡°I¡¯ll not let Bres and the other Tuatha on Atlantis see me this way! Danu won''t get to laugh more by making me look like a fool before the whole of the Sidhe!¡±, Lugus decided as he rested his head on his arms against the coral.


    He yawned. The fatigue of his terrible encounter with Danu and his acts of heroism weighed on him. He felt the need for sleep come over him. He realized as laid against his arms and the coral. ¡°The warm sunlight feels good on my back¡±, he surmised dreamily while the gentle lull of the waves rocked the coral in a soothing motion.


    Lugus moved his body into a more restful position as he let the feeling of sleep overtake him. As he lay on the verge of slumber he promised to himself, ¡°I swear to one day kill you, Danu. One day I will.¡±, he thought to himself cozily with a smile as he dreamed of the awful things he¡¯d do to Danu in revenge given the chance. The ideas of violence soothed him into a happy dream as he began to snore and float away farther adrift to sea with the tethered Elen also asleep beside him.

 Arrival to Tir Na n?g

    Morrigan felt so nervous as she tightly clung to her sister Titania in their father¡¯s barge. The carriage shaped barge their father Dagda had made for them from the waters of the sea sparkled in the sunlight whilst the kelpie their father had summoned pulled the carriage forward. Morrigan watched anxiously ahead as the familiar sight of waving purple grass and the gentle rolling slopes of Tir Na n?g came into view.


    Titania, her sister, was beside her gleaming bright in her golden happiness while Morrigan felt heavy inside like a cloud filled with rain. She stormed within, ¡°I don''t want to leave Brasil! I love my friends and dancing in the fields with them! Mother would let me return home to her garden if she were here!¡±, she thought bitterly as she watched her sister glow with excitement.


    ¡°Titania can be happy anywhere as long as father is near!¡±, she shouted in her mind, but outwardly she only scowled and twirled the water beside the boat to small whirling rings with her idle hand. ¡°He needs to only play his harp and she is his, and she never played with any of the nymphs to miss them anyway!¡±, Morrigan thought scowling deeper.


    ¡°It''s unfair that I should have to leave my mother alone! She will miss us on Brasil alone to herself, and who knows what she may do if she gets angry that we are gone! I hope the Nymphs are safe.¡±, she thought worrying for her friends upon Brasil.


    The rolling pastures of violet grass gave way to mountains of pure white stone that stood starkly and proud against the blue of the sky as the holy isle of Tir Na n¨®g arose in the far distance from the misty blue horizon of the sea. Morrigan could already see the tops of the golden towers of the Sepulchre of Akash, the palace of the Wyrd, coming into view.


    The holy palace¡¯s golden ramparts gleamed brightly as they slowly peaked over the sprawling and tall purple hilltops in the distance to their boat¡¯s advance by sea. The whole of the isle seemed to glow in an otherworldly light as the three approached in the slow moving waters


    ¡°Damn¡±, Dagda thought as he watched the Kelpie struggle to move the charriot through the waves. ¡°I¡¯ve come late. The Wyrd have stilled the sea from unwanted guests. I will have to wait awhile until they notice my return before the Kelpie may swim free again.¡±


    He sighed heavily to himself as he studied his children watching Tir Na n¨®g rise slowly over the far horizon. He smiled a fatherly smile at his youngest daughter Titania¡¯s bright and shining glow as she giggled over her view of the holy isle. Watching her delight made his old heart sing.


    ¡°It''s worth being late to see her shine so¡±, he thought lovingly of Titania. He languidly laughed to himself as he thought, ¡°I suppose I¡¯d do anything to see her shine so brightly! I risked her mother''s wrath when I played my little trick on her, so I must love my children more than even myself to invite such masochism on me!¡±, he chuckled as he gulped in a moment of fear thinking more of his offence against his powerful wife Danu, but he ceased him self from doing so. ¡°Today is a happy day. Not one for that treacherous eel! She¡¯ll never get free anyway¡±, he thought as he smiled deviously to no one but himself.


    Dagda thought to himself, half thrilled in the thought, "Let her rage in her gardens with that worthless child of hers. I have my treasures by my side." With a sense of contentment, he gazed upon his daughters, taking pride in their royal beauty and strength. "They will thrive in court. They are truly my daughters, unlike the other one. But it doesn''t matter now; it''s all been settled and we''re here at court now beyond Danu¡¯s influence. Danu can no longer touch me," he thought with a satisfied smile on his face as he reminisced about how cleverly he had deceived his wife.


    Dagda plucked at Uaithne''s starry strings with his now idle thoughts letting soft notes ring out over the water as he contemplated to himself quietly in his mind where his children couldn¡¯t hear his thoughts, ¡°The Wyrd will see this all right. They are never wrong, and Danu will learn her place as my wife for once! I¡¯ve endured enough with all her scandals! Let her endure one of my own!¡±, he thought with a smug little grin as he watched the Isle of Tir Na n?g rise ahead quite slowly.


    Morrigan sat herself beside her father and his harp, her eyes were fixed on the strings and Dagda¡¯s hands as he plucked each note with miraculous hand, moving with ease over the invisible strings. Titania, her golden sister, sat next to her, both of them looking ahead at the holy isle of Tir Na n¨®g coming into view. The sight should have been serene, but Morrigan couldn''t shake off her doubts and concerns.


    ¡°Father, may we return home? I miss mother and the other nymphs!¡±, she complained as she hugged Titania for comfort, but her younger sister shoved her aside to better see the golden spires rising into view.


    Titania took a moment to look at her sister with a scowl before turning back to the beautiful view as she said, ¡°We only have just come, Morrigan! I want to see the Sepulchre! Don¡¯t be selfish!¡±


    Titania looked to Dagda with eager eyes full of excitement, ¡°Father, don''t listen to Morrigan!¡±, she begged with a child''s enthusiasm, ¡°I want to see the holy roots of Akash and I want to ride upon a unicorn! They still exist on Tir Na n?g, don¡¯t they father?¡±


    Dagda, who rested on a bench towards the back of his carriage playing his harp Uaithne, looked at Titania with a coy smile. As he turned his back to Uaithne as he remarked back to Titania, ¡°They do have unicorns upon the Tir Na n?g, but even there they are uncommon, Little Sun. They are only truly common on the holy isle of Inis F¨¢il, and even there they only approach the pure and the most brave of hearts.¡±


    ¡°Do you think I will be able to ride on one?!¡±, Titania exclaimed even more excitedly upon hearing there would be unicorns on Tir Na n¨®g. ¡°Mother said she once rode one that looked like the night sky! His horn was a star! I want to ride on that unicorn!¡±, she declared happily, bouncing along with the rhythm of the sea.


    Dagda¡¯s smile dipped a moment as Titania spoke. He said in a father¡¯s reassuring tone, ¡°He is quite special, Little Sun. We will see if he chooses you, but don¡¯t be sad and hide your beautiful light if he does not.¡± Dagda shifted himself so he could kiss Titania¡¯s neck. His kiss suddenly made Titania smile and giggle and push her father away playfully at him tickling her.


    ¡°The Unicorn will adore your radiance, Little Sun!¡±, Dagda exclaimed with a bright smile, his autumn gold beard shining in the sunlight. ¡°Who could resist letting you ride on their backs?¡± Dagda asked, pulling Titania closer and hugging her tightly against his body. ¡°I certainly can¡¯t resist giving you a hug!¡±, he exclaimed as he placed kisses on Titania¡¯s glowing cheeks and face.


    ¡°Father! Will you listen?!¡±, yelled Morrigan, pouting and crossing her arms. ¡°I want to go home, please! I miss my mother! Why could she not come?!¡±, insisted Morrigan furiously booming her voice louder with her art, forcing Dagda to cover his sensitive minstrel ears at her yelling at him.


    Dagda''s face contorted into a scowl at hearing Morrigan''s loud complaining. She''d thrown a fit the whole way while she wasn¡¯t awake. Dagda had kept her and Titania mostly in slumber with Uaithne¡¯s song along the two day voyage from Brasil to Tir Na n?g. Dagda found himself missing those quiet moments adrift at sea with his daughters slumbering soundly in his arms beneath the starlit heavens.


    Listening to Morrigan¡¯s wailing and her tears at missing Danu grated on his nerves. He considered playing Uaithne again to soothe Morrigan into slumber. He longed for the restful silence as he closed his eyes against listening to his daughter¡¯s whining.


    He calmly decided using reason was best now rather than suppression. Carrying Morrigan asleep all the way to the citadel to greet the Wyrd would have been awkward. Worse, Morrigan would miss her chance to present herself before the unicorn! Dagda wouldn''t let her bad mood keep her nor him from enjoying her time on Tir Na n¨®g. Dagda would see to it his daughters first day upon Tir Na n¨®g and their Ascensions were perfect ones. With Uaithne''s help, of course!


    He petted Morrigan''s lovely raven hair as he spoke in his smooth minstrel¡¯s voice. A wind caught the strings of Uaithne causing them to vibrate with the soft current of air. Their faint hum lent Dagda''s words power as he spoke into Morrigan''s ear, ¡°Little moon-¡±, he called her gently, ¡°there will be so many new cousins of an age with you to befriend. Tir Na n¨®g is vast and full of wonders to feast your mind on and explore! You will be happy in your new home!¡±, he whispered to her, letting his voice hypnotize her under Uaithne¡¯s power.


    Dagda stroked a stray black hair from Morrigan¡¯s face. He peered into her silver eyes that watched back like two shining moons drifting always together, ¡°You won''t miss your mother Danu once we reach the shores, and you won''t cry either. Will you, Little Moon?¡±, he asked her in a soft whisper as Uaithne''s hypnotic notes rang clear in Morrigan''s mind.


    Morrigan suddenly was overcome with a sense of calm. The faint hum of Uaithne made Dagda¡¯s words resonate in her mind like a hypnotic song. Morrigan languidly nodded her head, a child¡¯s bright and excited smile slowly growing on her contented face.


    ¡°Will I also get to ride a unicorn, father?!¡±, asked Morrigan excitedly up at Dagda, her smile twinkling like starlight.


    Dagda¡¯s own smile gleamed brightly back at her as he spoke, ¡°They will love everything about you as I do! The unicorn would be foolish not to accept you on their backs! You glow like starlight, Little Moon!¡±, he said, praising her and hugging her in his arms as he had with Titania.


    Titania, feeling envious of Morrigan''s attention, tugged at Dagda''s arm desperately. "Father, when will we reach land? I''m tired of seeing fish and bobbing in the water! Can''t we swim there instead? These kelpie you called upon are moving too slowly!", she pleaded with Dagda, her grip on his arm tightening with the expectation growing in her eyes.


    Dagda, annoyed with Titania¡¯s pulling, scooped her up into his arms along with Morrigan. He hugged them both and kissed their heads lovingly, ¡°It has been a long journey, eh?¡±, he said as he rolled his eyes and thought to himself privately, ¡°Glory, it¡¯s almost over!¡±


    Titania also looked enthusiastic as she shimmered a golden halo around herself. She clapped her hands together in anticipation and moved herself closer to Uaithne to hear Dagda¡¯s story as she said, ¡°Please tell us a story! I love your stories!¡±, she said half begging.


    All Tuatha knew Dagda told the best stories, and Dagda¡¯s daughters were always the most glad to listen to their father¡¯s tales of boisterous heroes and dastardly plots. They both hugged Dagda close as they rested against the chariot barge¡¯s bench together awaiting him to begin.


    Dagda said, as he gave a wink to his harp Uaithne which began to play a soft melody, ¡°Have I ever told you of the unicorn and how they came to be, Little Sun?¡±, he asked Titania, bopping her on the tip of her nose with his index fingertip.


    She shook her head side to side as Dagda turned his wizened and simpering face to smile at Morrigan. ¡°Have I told you, Little Moon, of the ways of the Unicorn?¡±


    She nodded to affirm him, but looked afraid as she said, ¡°But I will listen again!¡±, she said anxiously. ¡°Will you tell Titania of the Unicorn? I will listen, father!¡±, she promised with a glowing smile as she hugged her father tight around the neck.


    Dagda kissed both of Morrigan¡¯s glowing cheeks. She beamed with a smile as pretty as a morning star against the dawn¡¯s weak light as he said, ¡°I would never deny you a story, Morrigan! A promise from me to you!¡±, he said as he held Morrigan tight to him.


    Morrigan, delighted in her father, and held his promise in her heart. Morrigan loved her father¡¯s stories, and always wished to hear them. She was comforted knowing she always could, so she returned his hug glowing with love.


    As Uaithne began to play its soft tune a little louder Dagda began his tale, ¡°Long ago,¡± he began, ¡°as most tales go since all good tales only happen so, so long ago.¡±, he chuckled as Uaithne¡¯s song sent the two girls into a lucid dream as they listened to their father¡¯s words.


    The dreaming girls both dreamed the same shared dream given to them by the harp¡¯s rhythmic chords and their father¡¯s silky voice. In their minds they saw vast prairies of silver grass growing in sloping fields spanning outward to the horizon in all directions.


    The grass and even the ground below it lit from within with its own shining light, but a burning white star hovered anxiously above like a burning eye watching from the darkness. Strings of hot white fire warped the atmosphere of the sky and sent its burning luminescence outward across the illuminating clouds giving even the air a shimmering glow from the heat of the star¡¯s angry fire.


    Morrigan and Titania stood trembling among the waving silver grass in their shared dreams. Burning starlight fell like rain upon the silver grass and the prairies they both inhabited. The field where the drops of light fell was lit with a wildfire of hot blue flame. The path in the sky the droplets of light had taken to reach the prairie also lit with bright blue flame spreading from the paths of the light and expanding out across the ground and the whole sky.


    The dream blinded Morrigan and Titania''s vision with smoldering ash and destruction reigning all around them. The beautiful prairies of silver grass were no more as the world they both occupied was consumed in a whirlwind of smoke and blue fire. The heat oppressing their every breath as they dreamed under Uaithne¡¯s song.


    ¡°It¡¯s frightening father!¡±, screamed Titania from Uaithne¡¯s dream. She clung to her father as she begged him, ¡°Tell me no more!¡±


    Morrigan reached over her father and covered Titania¡¯s mouth with her hands. ¡°Speak on, father! I want to hear the rest!¡±, Morrigan insisted angrily. ¡°You promised me!¡±, she insisted while holding Titania¡¯s mouth closed.


    Dagda grabbed Morrigan¡¯s hands off her sister and sat her down on the bench beside himself. He clung to her tight as he said, ¡°I¡¯ll not be telling you anything if you¡¯re going to bully your sister! Promise or not! Apologize to her for putting your hands over her mouth!¡±, Dagda insisted with a scowl.


    Morrigan gave Dagda back her own scowl as she crossed her arms and huffed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Titania!¡±, she said, frowning over Dagda at her sister.


    Titania sniffled and dried her tears from her mean looking eyes. She pouted to her father, ¡°Father, do I have to forgive her? She doesn¡¯t mean it! She never does! I hate you Morrigan!¡±, Titania decided, sticking her tongue out at her sister over Dagda who frowned down at her with her tongue out.


    At first Dagda was somewhat proud his children had so easily pulled themselves from his story and Uaithne¡¯s dream, but the bickering of children shortly overwhelmed him as he rolled his eyes at Titania¡¯s silly question and her shouting at her sister that followed there after.


    He replied bluntly as Uaithne¡¯s twinkling strings began to ring out, ¡°Yes, Titania! Forgive your sister and listen to the story!¡±, he commanded as his power and the sounds of his harp coaxed his daughters into better and more agreeable moods.


    Titania smiled at Morrigan and stated, ¡°I forgive you, and I¡¯m sorry we fought! Forgive me for stopping the story?¡± She reached out her hand to hold Morrigan¡¯s with a child¡¯s worried eyes.


    Morrigan accepted graciously her sister¡¯s apology as she clasped her hand and said, ¡°I forgive you. Is it okay if we finish? I think you will like the next part more!¡±


    Titania looked to her father Dagda for assurance as she said, ¡°Will I, father? I don¡¯t like to be scared!¡±, she declared loudly with tears coming to her eyes.


    Dagda hugged Titania close as Uaithne¡¯s sweet and hypnotic song filled the air. He kissed her tears away and said, ¡°It¡¯s as your sister says, Little Sun. Only the start is scary, but the rest is a happy tale. One you must know to ride on a unicorn¡¯s back!¡±, he announced as a fact.


    Dagda petted away stands of Titania¡¯s glowing golden hair from her brow and spoke softly along with Uaithne¡¯s hypnotic hum. ¡°You wish to ride a unicorn when we reach Tir Na n?g, don¡¯t you, Little Sun?¡±


    Titania looked at her father and nodded vigorously at the idea of riding a unicorn. She nearly screamed in her excitement for it, ¡°I do, father! I do!¡±, she said practically foaming at the mouth over the idea.


    Dagda¡¯s smile cocked sideways coyly in a grin as he said, ¡°Then can you be brave for me and listen to the rest of my story, Little Sun?¡±


    Titania arranged herself so her head laid at her father¡¯s lap as she said, ¡°I will listen, father. Please tell me!¡±, she said whilst grabbing Morrigan¡¯s hand for comfort.


    Morrigan, too, placed her head on her father¡¯s lap in anticipation of him beginning his tale again. She clasped her sister¡¯s hand into her own and smiled sweetly to her, and Titania returned that smile with her own as Uaithne¡¯s silvery notes began to crescendo them into a dream.


    Again the blue fires raged in their minds, but Titania held firm her sister¡¯s hand and endured the terror with her. The azureous fires swept up the two girls in a whirlwind of blue and white light. The two were sent careening high up through the air and into a dark sea of countless stars.


    They watched as the world they had once stood on was destroyed by the flames of the burning starlight. The lands and golden seas of the now burning world were crushed and pulverized under the force of the star¡¯s gravity. The rocky corpse of the dying world began to fracture and splinter into burning chunks of flaming stone hurtling out in every direction from the darkness.


    Titania marveled wordlessly at the fast speeding comets and meteors splintering off from the destruction of the world below her. The massive stones collided with each other and scattered out across the stars. They flung themselves, glimmering in a silver flaming glow as the blue fire ignited the rocks and sent them hurling into darkness.


    Errant rocks and debris flung all about the sisters as Titania clung tighter to Morrigan. In her mind she heard Dagda¡¯s voice telling her, ¡°Long ago, there was a moon that glowed brighter than the one you know now. Its surface was a sea of silver grass and lakes of molten gold.


    ¡°My mothers, the Wyrd, once told me that this moon did once outshine the jealous sun. That once when the worlds were new the pure light of this moon granted life and happiness to the creatures in the world below it, to our isle of Tir Na n?g.¡±, said Dagda as Uaithne played.


    The two girls spied a blue and spinning orb rotating in the dark from beyond where the burning star consumed the moon. The world shined with a radiant golden halo which protected it from the star¡¯s bright power. The two sisters watched the spinning world with anxious worry as the star¡¯s radiant light shone bright against it.


    ¡°The nymphs and sprites, the Fal Bolg as we know them, they once worshiped this now dead moon¡¯s false light over Akash¡¯s sun. They called their moon Theia meaning mother¡¯s light in their most ancient tongue.¡±, Dagda said in earnest. ¡°In the mighty Akash¡¯s jealousy over her children''s worship of a false mother she reigned her fire across that once silver world of glowing light!¡±, spoke Dagda over the sounds of crashing rocks and sizzling flame. ¡°Our mother Akash would suffer no false deity above herself!¡±, he shouted out over the explosive power of burning rocks crashing.


    ¡°For their neglect of the All- mother¡¯s bright glory their false mother was burned away, her rocky corpse tossed in a thousand shards across the heavens!¡±, Dagda shouted, but his shouting was almost a whisper against the roaring of the meteors exploding against one another as Akash burned away Theia¡¯s rocky body in their dream.


    Excitement lit up Titania''s eyes as she pointed and exclaimed to Dagda, "Look, Father! A unicorn!" She yelled, pointing at a shimmering light in the distance.


    Dagda smiled as he told them, ¡°When the moon¡¯s body had been blown away and scattered, all that was left was the heart of this once glowing world. Its light outshone even Akash''s bright power, and in its light the first of the unicorns was born!¡±, Dagda announced excitedly as the first unicorn emerged from Theia¡¯s glowing silver light.


    The two girls watched the first of the unicorn sprout out from the remaining light of the destroyed moon. His dark and starry foal body fell into a pool of glowing dust, his shining horn trailing its light like a falling comet shimmering in the fine cloud of debris.


    Dagda spoke again low and proclaimed as the unicorn emerged galloping and fully grown from the cloud of diamond dust, ¡°His name is Dub Sainglend, king of Unicorns, protector of the most holy isle of Inis F¨¢il! It was he who emerged from Theia''s dying light!¡±, Dagda sang out as Uaithne played her strings faster and sang her beautiful melody out into the starlight.


    Titania gasped and clung to Morrigan excitedly as she watched Dub Sainglend gallop majestically around the glowing light he had only just emerged from. His flowing mane and gallop trailed glittering stardust as he pranced into a fast run.


    The clouds of moon debris swept up in his gallop. The glamorous light of the unicorn¡¯s horn caught fire to the debris. A sparkling white flame seared the dust and followed Dub Sainglend around the light as he galloped proudly before the raging star creating a protective ring of power to defend his shining mother.


    As Uaithne''s voice echoed through the air, Dagda spoke with intense fervor. "The star unleashed its wrath upon Dub Sainglend! Akash''s radiance burned bright above it. She was furious for not completely obliterating her enemy, and her glorious light rained down upon the newly born unicorn!¡±


    The two children watched with eyes of panic as Akash''s flames seared through the darkness and attacked Dub Sainglend. The flames of light extended like whips of fire striking at the starry unicorn as he galloped, but the fire did not slow his rapid gait. Onward he flew like a blazing comet past the whipping fires of Akash, out running them.


    The fires of Akash curled and tangled themselves within the burning dust and debris of Dub Sainglend¡¯s flaming tail. They became tied together and joined with Dub Sainglend''s light. The light behind him began taking shapes as the cloud of fire formed a burning circle trailing behind him creating a burning ring of golden light.


    Dagda''s voice rang out with joy as he sang to his daughters, "Light and stardust swirled together and took shape, giving birth to the magnificent Unicorn!", he said smiling at Titania who couldn¡¯t contain herself looking at the marvelous herd running through the stars.


    Morrigan and Titania were delighted as Dub Sainglend raced forward, and the halo of light surrounding him shifted its shape again. The blazing mist that had been trailing behind transformed into a pack of radiant unicorns, Dagda proclaimed with pride to his daughters as he announced the birth of the new unicorn, ¡°Dub Sainglend used his great power and Akash¡¯s own together and bound their lights into the forms of his children, his shining herd!¡±


    The sisters stood in awe as they examined that the bodies of the unicorn emitted an ethereal iridescence, illuminated by the lost Theia''s light within them. The girls watched with wonder as the unicorn pranced in a concentric circle around Theia¡¯s remaining light shining in the circle¡¯s center. The Unicorn¡¯s fast gallop became wider and more encompassing as it also swept up the shining blue world of Tir Na n?g which had evaded Akash''s destruction with its golden aura protecting it in its orbit around the angry Akash.


    The wayward Tir Na n?g and Theia''s shimmering radiance merged together, moving in perfect harmony like a celestial waltz under the guiding hand of the Unicorn. The golden aura of the blue world blended with the Unicorn''s own, infusing their horns and hooves with a protective gold on their hooves as they navigated through the star''s fiery curses which Akash still hurtled at Dub Sainglend from the darkness.


    ¡°They won¡¯t be burned will they, father?!¡±, cried out Titania from her dream as she reached out protectively trying to defend the prancing Unicorn with her own might.


    Dagda chuckled aloud as he put her outstretched hands down to her lap and said, ¡°If they had burned would you be able to ride one when we reach the shore? Listen on to know what happens, child.¡±, Dagda said as he patted Titania¡¯s golden head.


    Dagda continued speaking through Uaithne''s haunting melody and Titania''s dream, "Despite Akash''s relentless attack, the children of Theia stood bravely in defense of their mother and did not succumb. In a remarkable union with our land of Tir Na n?g, they joined in an eternal dance. Even the All-Mother was impressed by this display of unity, no longer blinded by Theia''s radiance. She called off her assault on Dub Sainglend and his noble herd," Dagda said excitedly as he picked up Titania and gently sat her on his knee. "This is why all beings worship and adore these majestic creatures. Their nobility is unquestionable, even to a powerful god like Akash," he whispered to his children, looking around cautiously to make sure he wouldn''t be punished for saying such things in front of them.


    Titania and Morrigan thrilled as they watched in their dream as Akash¡¯s light changed its luminescence from a raging fire to a shimmering gold. Dub Sainglend and his unicorn herd followed the track of golden light Akash¡¯s star provided for them. Their coats shined with Akash¡¯s golden brilliance and reflected her beauty back to her.


    The golden light became fields of blowing golden wheat and a sky lit with iridescent and rainbow clouds. The track bent and globed around Dub Sainglend and the Unicorn following him. The globe encompassed the light of Theia as well, trapping both the Unicorn and the moon¡¯s remaining light in a globe of golden power that floated shimmering around fair Tir Na n?g.


    The formed and shining golden globe changed yet again in its transformation before Morrigan and Titania. The orb reformed its golden brilliance to a silvery shine, taking on Theia¡¯s light. The silver moon dazzled in its brilliance dancing its waltz around the remaining blue world. The silver moon and the blue orb followed the golden track of Akash''s sunlight on a stable course around Akash¡¯s golden body, the three bound together, dancing together, forever.


    ¡°It''s beautiful!¡±, remarked Titania in awe of the dream and Akash¡¯s beautiful shining.


    ¡°Our world and our mother Akash are both a wondrous thing, indeed, Little Sun!¡±, Dagda said aloud as a fatherly whisper in her ear. ¡°You must honor and respect her power, hone her gifts she gives you and one day she will give you a beautiful child like you are to me!¡±, he said kissing Titania¡¯s smiling cheeks.


    Dagda pointed out to Titania to the worlds dancing together around her. ¡°Do you see that world shining blue?¡±


    Titania grew excited as she spoke, ¡°Yes, father! I see it!¡±


    Dagda whispered to Titania as if he told her a secret only she could know. She felt special and smiled widely at her father''s words as he spoke them, ¡°This world could be yours and your sisters one day, child.¡±, he whispered through a smile, ¡°But you must remember always that this world is shared across many lands, by many races of people. Did you know?¡±, he asked with a smile, but expectant eyes.


    Titania nodded wildly as she said proudly, ¡°I do know that father! There are three races! Fomorians, Fal Bolg, and us, Tuatha Dea!¡±, she said squealing and joyful at being right about her Father¡¯s question.


    Dagda smiled down at Titania¡¯s happy face, ¡°That''s very well said, my darling Sun! There are three races of the Sidhe, that is true.¡±, he said, nodding as he smiled. He took his index finger and bopped Titania''s little nose as he said, ¡°But there are more races who do not enjoy the comforts of belonging to our fair court, my child.¡±, he said, frowning. ¡°They dwell far from us, and they cannot fully see Akash¡¯s light anyway. Not all of Akash''s creatures were gifted as well as we of the Sidhe! Be wary of them!¡±, he told her as a warning.


    He turned Titania''s eyes with Uaithne''s song to focus on the vision of the silver light and the blue world dancing before Akash. ¡°Since you are so clever do you know what binds us all then? How are we all children of Akash, Little Sun?¡±


    Titania''s bright smile lost some of its shine as she furled her brow and racked her mind for an answer to her father''s question. To her saving, Morrigan who had until now been eagerly listening to her father''s story chimed in, ¡°I know, Father! May I tell her?!¡±, she asked eagerly.


    Morrigan''s face was glowing as Dadga turned to her and gave a curious smile before saying, "Alright, Little Moon. How are we all connected by the All-Mother?"


    Morrigan beamed at Dagda''s approving smile, eager to share her storytelling skills and impress her father. From her spot beside Dagda, Morrigan reached out with her mind and connected with Uaithne. Using her gifts, she plucked the invisible strings of the harp in perfect sequence, creating a symphony that filled the sky. Each note was played proudly by Morrigan as the music soared through the air.


    The sound created from Morrigan''s art enticed and enchanted not only her younger sister Titania, but her father Dagda himself was caught up in Uaithne¡¯s melodious dream. The sights of the golden Akash and the two dancing worlds returned to their minds in a whirl of images before their eyes as Morrigan began to tell her part of the story.


    ¡°The light of Akash welcomed the noble Dub Sainglend¡¯s herd and Theia''s brilliance into her court. The two danced before the mighty Akash, locked in their eternal rotation.¡±, she began, excitedly telling the story over Uaithne playing behind her words.


    The dream changed along with the tempos of Uaithne¡¯s playing and around them peaceful pastures appeared of green grass sloping down into forests full with wild wonders. Strange hairy creatures walked on two legs in the blowing fields beyond the forest and led strange four legged beasts on ropes in the grass as they watched a shining meteor fall from high above the clouds.


    ¡°Theia¡¯s shattered bones scattered far and wide, and upon her breaking she splintered herself and her light across all realities, binding them to herself.¡±, said Morrigan instructively to her sister who watched the light-less creatures cowering before the falling meteor with a scowl, ¡°They¡¯re so weak!¡±, she said to Morrigan, ¡°What are they?¡±


    Titania had never seen such a dull world with dull and small creatures. The strange beings bore no light, and looked closer to Titania¡¯s mind to the curious beasts they led than anything like herself. She watched them with suspicion as Dagda spoke and answered for Morrigan, ¡°They are mortals, child. They matter not, watch the star before them!¡±, he said shouting over the sounds of the meteor¡¯s impact as it hit the open field.


    Morrigan continued to speak as Uaithne''s song dulled the clamorous sounds of exploding earth under the force of the falling star. ¡°Theia¡¯s many bones fell to every possible world, over every possible reality. Even here in the middle lands where mortals bear no light did a fragment of Theia¡¯s shattered body fall to bless their world with her presence.¡±, explained Morrigan calling out over notes of Uaithne.


    The dream shifted once more and the three of them were back on the same field, but this time the grass was a bright purple, swaying in the light of an exploding star. The landscape remained the same, with rolling hills and familiar shapes. In another instant, the field transformed again, now covered in vibrant blue grass while the same star continued to burn brightly before them.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Morrigan revealed, "The bones of Theia have fallen to the same spot in every conceivable world that is linked to Tir Na n?g''s destiny, intertwined with Akash''s radiance and her own predetermined path!" As the burning star plummeted towards them, its light pierced through the sky like a sword. Morrigan declared with a somber tone, gazing at Titania in her dream, "Our fates are forever intertwined! It is fate that binds us all together!"


    Titania¡¯s scowl faded as she saw again the unicorn prancing in circles around the upwardly expanding beam of brilliant starlight. ¡°The unicorn returned!¡±, said Titania enthusiastically reaching out to touch them.


    ¡°Yes.¡±, said Morrigan with a coy smile, lowering Titania¡¯s arms as her father had done. ¡°The unicorn are attracted and protective of their mother''s light. Her bones and Akash¡¯s star are shared throughout every world! We all depend on her light to give us life, and Theia''s body gave us balance!¡±, Morrigan said happily to Titania and her father who crossed his arms to his daughter''s answer.


    ¡°That''s mostly right, but you missed parts, but no matter you have the gist of it.¡±, he remarked coolly. ¡°When did you learn to play Uaithne¡¯s strings so well, Little Moon?¡±, Dagda said curiously as he stopped the dream and Morrigan''s playing of his harp.


    Morrigan looked very confused at her father''s question, ¡°What do you mean? You taught me, father!¡±, she said mildly, as a concern grew on her face.


    Dagda''s smile faltered, confusion and nerves mixing on his face. "I did?" he asked, not sure when or how he could have had the honor of doing such a thing, "When was that, Little Moon?", he asked pointedly.


    ¡°Every time you play I watch your hands! You taught me!¡±, she said with a large smile and her moonlit eyes gleaming bright. Morrigan¡¯s smile began to fade like the moon before the sun, ¡°Did I do it poorly, father? I will watch your hands better before I play Uaithne again!¡±, she promised as her lovely smile returned to her face. ¡°You will just have to honor your words so I may see you play your harp even more!¡±, she said glowing with her happiness at hearing more of her father¡¯s tales.


    ¡°Aye.¡±, said her father with an uneasy smile. ¡°Most cannot even see the strings, Little Moon. You can see my strings to touch them?¡±, he asked Morrigan with his voice rising a little in anger. ¡°When could you do so, Little Moon?¡± Dagda¡¯s eyes narrowed jealously as he spoke, ¡°I, myself, could not even touch Uaithne till I was past performing the Rite of Wishing and being granted a conduit of my own. It is unusual Uaithne would allow you to stroke a melody from her let alone touch her having only completed your Ascension.¡±, he said as he rose up to his feet over Morrigan who backed from him into the corner of the barge as he asked angrily now, ¡°How did you come to know Uaithne¡¯s touch without my knowing, Little Moon? What plots have you a need to return to your mother to complete that you cannot go to learn our ways at the feet of your grandmothers?! What are you hiding from me!? Answer me!¡±, Dagda shouted as Uaithne struck a cacophony of sour notes behind him making the kelpie cry tears of gold in pain from the harsh sound.


    The carriage trembled and rocked as the kelpie leaped from the frothy sea, their sapphire and lapis lazuli coat of scales drenched and shimmering. Uaithne''s strings quivered and hummed with a haunting melody, causing the kelpie''s eyes to widen in fear and confusion. Titania''s flowing golden dress of ruffles and flowers and Morrigan''s more somber but elegant red robes like rose petals were billowed wildly in the winds as they clung onto the glassy carriage bench.


    Dagda quickly grabbed hold of Titania lifting her with him into the air and letting Morrigan slip into the sea. Uaithne plucked a more harmonious chord, and the carriage regained its balance in the water. Although Morrigan was still floundering and disoriented in her confusion in the slow moving waters.


    Morrigan called out to her father who hovered in the air holding Titania tightly against him, her eyes clouding over in tears. ¡°What have I done to offend you, father?! I do not understand!¡±, Morrigan cried as she tried to tread the thick and viscous water. Morrigan felt herself sliding down into the cold sea more and more by the moment. Again she cried out to her father Dagda, ¡°I will not play Uaithne no longer, father!¡±, she swore. ¡°Mother does not even know I play your harp! I wanted to surprise you with it! I thought you would be proud, father, please! I cannot swim in this water!¡±, Morrigan begged through her sapphire tears which were swallowed up into the blue of the sea with each drop.


    Dagda carefully analyzed his daughter''s words as she spoke, listening closely to the notes played on Uaithne''s glittering strings. His ancient harp carved from a single strand of Akash¡¯s glowing root could detect any lies told in its presence, and would have strummed Morrigan¡¯s lying words away from reality if they were present. However, Dagda heard every word that came from her lips. As Morrigan spoke, Uaithne''s strings lay completely still, not making a single sound.


    Dagda wrinkled his small nose at Morrigan and her words. His eyes still narrowed in suspicion of her, but his demeanor quickly reverted and he was again happy and smiling to Morrigan as he spoke, ¡°It seems we misunderstood one another, Little Moon. I must amend!¡±, said Dagda gleefully as Uaithne played a happy jig loudly at Dagda¡¯s command.


    Dagda reached his long arms into the sea and plucked Morrigan from the blue waters as a rare water lily into his loving hands. ¡°I am sorry, my darling love! I should not have been cross with you. You played Uaithne beautifully for a novice, my Little Moon. I should have recognized your talents!¡±, he said frowning at her looking pitiful as he continued speaking, ¡°I will let you play Uaithne from time to time, but only when you are with me, of course!¡±, he said more sternly giving Morrigan a serious look. ¡°My harp isn¡¯t a toy.¡±, he said looking to both his daughters, ¡°You must respect Uaithne¡¯s power!¡±, he warned his daughters sternly, glaring especially hard at Morrigan who averted her eyes down to her father¡¯s gaze on her.


    He looked around himself and Uaithne played its jig even more loudly as he whispered in Morrigan¡¯s ear, ¡°But never tell your mother nor your grandmothers that I have taught you to play my harp!¡±, he said with a look of seriousness on his golden brow. ¡°Mind me, or you¡¯ll play Uaithne no more and worse!¡±, he vowed as a threat to Morrigan with his eyes flashing a spark of sharp blue light. The light felt ominous in Morrigan¡¯s eyes.


    Morrigan comprehended her father''s stern tone and the menacing look in his eyes. She nodded solemnly, acknowledging his warning to keep her playing of Uaithne a secret from anyone else. She kissed his cheek and reassured him, "I promise not to betray your trust, Father.", she said as the moonlight of her eyes fled the clouds of her tears.


    She looked at her sister Titania sitting in her golden gown upon the chariots glassy bench. Her ruffles cascaded down into a simmering train of light that trailed along in the sea behind the chariot as she cried. Her normal halo of gold dulled around her with her worry as she silently watched the argument unfold between Dagda and her sister Morrigan. Morrigan pointed to Titania, ¡°Father, you must do something about Titania if you would keep our newest vow to one another alive and true. She knows the secret you would have me keep!¡±, said Morrigan, sticking her tongue out at her little sister through her smug smile.


    Dagda had turned from Morrigan and had not seen her making faces at her sister behind his back. Titania fumed at being left out while Morrigan got to learn to play Uaithne but she did not, and her sister¡¯s face irritated her as she spoke making her tone even harsher, ¡°Father! Why am I not allowed to touch Uaithne?! I am your daughter, too! It is only fair that I should learn as well!¡±, she cried to Dagda.


    Titania''s attention shifted towards Morrigan, her aura of light bursting out and surrounding the carriage as she shouted, "You always do this to me! You constantly leave me out and prevent me from making friends! And now you''re denying me my right to Uaithne! You are not a sister to me, Morrigan!", said Titania standing to point and shout at Morrigan who smiled back silently smirking at Titania¡¯s sudden burst of rage.


    Titania''s aura glimmered and grew hotter with every word from her mouth, ¡°I will not let you shut me out again!¡± She tightly gripped the edge of the watery chariot, which now steamed under her touch, soothing the fiery rage within her. In a low voice filled with her barely contained fury, she turned to her father Dagda and asked, "You are Uaithne¡¯s master, father. Not Morrigan!¡±, she said sticking her own tongue out at Morrigan before turning her eyes quickly back her father, ¡°May I learn to play her?"


    Dagda turned to face Titania, his ancient and kingly grandeur emanating from him in waves of shimmering gold. His light enveloped her, overpowering her own radiance as she rapidly diminished and was forced to sit on the bench behind herself to catch her balance. He then looked at Morrigan before speaking to Titania, ¡°Since you must always have what Morrigan has, my Little Sun,¡± Dagda said smiling in his brilliance, ¡°You must swear to honor the same vows your sister has given to play Uaithne¡¯s song. You must tell no one I have taught you my music! Do you promise it?¡±, said Dagda as he stared daggers at Titania who became more and more frightened of his eyes as he peered at her sitting before him.


    Dagda placed a hand over his glowing heart as he made his promise to teach Titania. ¡°I will teach you, but you must swear.¡± As Dagda spoke his radiant aura began to grow hot. It wilted the flowers of Titania¡¯s gown as he gazed at Titania, her shimmering gold garments lost their luster and took on a dull bronze hue. With a serious tone and lightning in his eyes, Dagda asked her again more loudly, "Do you swear?!"


    Titania gasped and shook at the heat of her father¡¯s aura. She removed her glittering laced shawl which began to rat and fray at its ends into fine unwoven threads. She dabbed the sweat forming at her brow as she hesitated a moment to agree. Titania looked at Morrigan¡¯s smug face smiling defiantly out at her from behind Dagda¡¯s glittering aura. Morrigan¡¯s shining moonlit eyes peered mischievously though the haze of Dagda¡¯s brilliant shine, insulting Titania with their happy glow.


    Titania rose up from her bench looking into Morrigan¡¯s smiling eyes. She hated her sister. She would not let Morrigan win Uaithne and their father¡¯s love from her. Morrigan had already stolen Danu¡¯s affection from her often enough! Titania¡¯ decided, ¡°I swear it, father! I will play your harp!¡±


    Titania¡¯ looked at Morrigan¡¯s shining eyes and exclaimed proudly, ¡°Three strings is not so many! If Morrigan can play so can I!¡±, Titania declared before her sister as the golden shine returned to her flowing garments and the flowers of her dress began to re-bloom now that she had sworn. Dadga diminished his light and allowed Titania again to shine beautifully now that she had sworn Morrigan¡¯s promise.


    ¡°Very well!¡±, he said happily to his daughters. ¡°Then let us begin this test! Uaithne, if you will?¡±, said Dagda with his sly smile feeling confident Titania could never pluck the strings on his harp.


    Uaithne glided out gracefully in front of Titania. The ancient harp emanated a beautiful rainbow light from its scrolling neck and glittering soundboard. Ancient Fey runes, the mother tongue of the Fal Bolg, gleamed along the length of it in shining script.


    Morrigan mouthed the ancient words inscribed on Uaithne to herself under her father¡¯s hearing. She did not know how she knew what the runes meant, and their meaning played in her mind, ¡°Daur D¨¢ Bl¨¢o¡±, she said quietly to herself. ¡°Oak of Two Meadows?¡±, she thought to herself. She had seen her father¡¯s temper flare over her playing his harp. She did not wish to risk more of his ire by letting him know she could read his runes, but Morrigan contemplated the meaning of the runes to herself in silence as she had often done when her father¡¯s harp was present. She smiled excitedly as she averted her eyes to see Titania. Morrigan grinned as she waited also for Titania to fail to pluck the strings of Uaithne.


    Dadga quieted his harp¡¯s strings for Titania. Uaithne¡¯s strings while moving had glittered with a starry light in Titania¡¯s vision. Titania narrowed her eyes trying to find the strings now they silenced their hum and ceased moving, but they were invisible. She moved around the harp searching for the strings. Titania¡¯ tried to place her hand between the neck and soundboard to feel where the strings should be, but her hand passed through without obstruction.


    Titania stomped her feet and shook the sea into shallow waves at her frustration. Dagda covered his smile with his hand trying not to laugh at his daughter¡¯s puckered and angry face as she looked in vain for his string. ¡°Is there something wrong, Little Sun? Have you given up on playing for us already? I was excited to hear you make Uaithne sing!¡±, Dagda said with a smirk at Titania¡¯s swinging her fists through Uaithne but hitting no notes on the celestial harp.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t fair, father! Why can Morrigan play Uaithne, but I am unable?! We are sisters!¡±, Titania screamed punching her hands still through the silent Uaithne, ¡°I will not be left behind and forgotten like Eriu! I can play Uaithne, too!¡±


    Dagda''s demeanor shifted, his comely but wise face twisted with disappointment and sadness upon hearing his failed daughter¡¯s name. He had left Eriu behind with Danu in Brasil. ¡°One so weak as she did not belong on the holy isle of Tir Na n?g.¡±, He bellowed, "We do not utter her name!" but Titania, still consumed in her angry ambition, struck through the middle of her father¡¯s harp and suddenly Uaithne who was silent began to sing.


    Once, twice, and then once more again the notes of Uaithne rang out like bells under Titania¡¯s shining balled fists. She continued striking and punching Uaithne¡¯s strings with her fists making more notes as Dagda and Morrigan stared on with their mouth agape at her success.


    ¡°I told you I could play Uaithne, father!¡±, she said punching the strings and making them sing out in strange and confusing sounds. Uaithne squalled as a pig, and then crowed as cock, and her next jab made Uaithne bark like a dog!¡±


    Dagda seized his hovering harp from before Titania and yelled, ¡°Stop!¡± As he screamed Uaithne silenced its shrill barking. ¡°Very well you may learn to play the harp like your sister!¡±, Dagda said venting his frustration and examining Uaithne¡¯s strings for damage. He allowed the strings to play in harmony, but each key was wrong. Dagda glowered thinking of his promise to train Titania to play Uaithne and how often he would need to tune his harp after each lesson.


    Dagda sighed and clutched his brow on his seat on the bench beside Morrigan who giggled still from watching Titania play their father¡¯s instrument. He turned behind to address the slow kelpie who pulled the carriage, ¡°You are perhaps the slowest beasts in all creation! Move your tails faster!¡±, he commanded the kelpie with gritted teeth, letting his power shine as a threat. The kelpie neighed their ringing nays and beat their sapphire scaled tails harder in the syrupy sea water.


    ¡°I think they go as fast as they are able, father.¡±, said Morrigan as she reached out to pet the kelpie¡¯s slippery scaled backs. The braying kelpie sang to her touch as she thought and asked her father, ¡°Why have the Wyrd Mothers not seen us? They should have invited us to shore by now, surely?¡±, she asked concerned as the clouds of worry passed over her silver eyes.


    Dagda rolled his own azure blue eyes thinking on the reason they still floated at sea. ¡°It is likely because of your uncle Bres, king of Atlantis, husband to your aunt Brigid who you¡¯ve never met, my beauties.¡±, Dagda said waving Morrigan off, ¡°He attends Court this very day, and where Bres treads trouble is sure to follow close behind. He distracts the Wyrd from noticing us, I am sure.¡±, he said feeling suddenly more weary. ¡°He¡¯s a thorn in everyone¡¯s side, my darlings. I¡¯m warning you as your father to stay away from Bres, please! I am asking you both to do as I say.¡±, he commanded sternly looking between Morrigan and Titania.


    Morrigan yet played with the kelpie as Dagda spoke looking away from his warning. Her ignoring of his words suddenly irritated the weary Dagda and he shouted In a clear tone filled with malice at her. He shouted, but with Uaithne¡¯s poor strumming playing behind each of his threatening words. ¡°Turn to face me when I speak, Morrigan!¡±, he said as Uaithne croaked out like a frog in a pond with every one of his angry words spoken.


    Morrigan did turn to face Dagda¡¯s stern face, but the croaking of Uaithne made her sparkle and laugh. Titania also laughed in a golden halo at Uaithne¡¯s croaking out every note as her father yelled. Dadga clutched his temples in a tired frustration as he screamed out up at the sky, ¡°Mothers above, liberate me from my children!¡±, he shouted in annoyance.


    As if the Wyrd had heard Dagda¡¯s plea to be free from his children a ray of light shone out like a beacon from the highest tower of the Sepulcher of Akash. The ray enveloped the carriage in a warm glow and the water beneath the carriage began to flow and churn freely for the kelpie¡¯s dazzling jeweled tails.


    The waters surged and dragged the kelpie and carriage towards the shores of Tir Na n?g quickly now. Dadga''s smile stretched wide, his aura radiating with joy as he brought his children both into a close embrace with him. As he hugged Morrigan and Titania tightly together he exclaimed proudly,"We have arrived, my beauties! Welcome to Tir Na n?g!", he exclaimed as the majestic violet grass and golden towers of the holy isle came into view at a rapid pace.


    After the kelpie had swam tirelessly to reach the shore, their long tails wagged dazzlingly with excitement as they emerged from the water and onto the sparkling diamond sands of Tir Na n?g. The sun glistened on their bodies and carriage as a wave washed them up to land. The kelpie¡¯s bodies and the carriage broke as their own wave under Dagda and his daughters which carried them, standing upright together, over the diamond sparkling sand and into the soft violaceous grass.


    Dadga saw ahead, past the grove of singing willows that billowed in the breeze shaking their leaves that rang out into the cool spring air like silver bells chiming. There before him approached a glittering host of spritely Fal Bolg to greet Dagda and his lovely daughters waiting in the grass. The Fal Bolg bore banners which burned brightly with the symbols of Dagda¡¯s house. A golden harp enveloping a silver moon with three stars hovering above the harp shone like sunlight through the limbs of trees as the bright host made their advance through the forest path from the Palace of the Wyrd to attend and welcome Dagda to Court.


    Dagda¡¯s crest held many meanings to the Tuatha and the other races of the Sidhe. Chief among of them was his gold harp which enveloped the silver moon, a symbol of the lost goddess Theia. All Fal Bolg still mourned the loss of their silver mother. Dagda had conquered their goddess¡¯s dying light, and he had stolen the ancient stone tree Lia F¨¢il from the Fal Bolg! Dagda had once ended the war between the Fal Bolg and the Fomorians when he had used Uaithne to drive Dub Saingland from his pastures upon Inis F¨¢il. The silver moon stood as a symbol of oppression to the Fal Bolg for Dagda¡¯s trickery of them and his theft! Though the Fal Bolg bore the badge of their oppressor proudly above them, no Fal Bolg smiled in their approach of their king.


    ¡°You will mind yourselves when you are brought before your grandmothers.¡±, Dagda said looking sternly between Titania¡¯s golden smile and Morrigan¡¯s silver one. ¡°You will not say more than what you are asked.¡±, he commanded looking Morrigan in her eyes. ¡°Especially you.¡±, Dagda said darkly at Morrigan, whose shining eyes began to cloud in worry. ¡°You will stay near me and make sure Uaithne does not sing. I do not have the time to tune her before we will be brought before the Wyrd Mothers. You can manage to keep her silent, can¡¯t you?¡±, he asked with suspicious eyes.


    ¡°Of course, father. I will not let her sing.¡±, Morrigan said softly looking to her feet as she walked over to the flying harp and took it to clasp against herself. The dazzling instrument protested its being snatched from the air and tried to leave her arms. Morrigan resisted the firm pull of the harp and she held it firm in her hands so not even the strings could sound out. Uaithne¡¯s invisible strings lay motionless, muted against her body.


    ¡°Good.¡±, he remarked coolly as the host approached. Dagda looked before him and saw that the host was led by a tall and beautiful Fal Bolg known to the palace as Idunn. Idunn had always existed upon Tir Na n?g. The lands and gardens of the holy isle willingly obeyed her tending of them, and welcomed her approach.


    Her gowns fell around her and waved violet along with the blowing grass as the very grass bound into knots and patterns making her a flowing gown of elegance suiting her beauty as she passed by. The knots shifted and changed in her moving and returned to their blowing in the wind as she walked further in her path. She floated before her a shining red apple of rare beauty. The light of Akash glowed from within and bloomed silver blooms upon the apple¡¯s golden stem.


    Idunn¡¯s apple, ¨²ll her shining conduit, was her gift from the Wyrd for tending the unicorn of Tir Na n?g faithfully for the Wyrd Mothers and their children. Idunn for her gifts to the Wyrd was also one of the few Fal Bolg allowed to bathe in the shining pools of the holy isle Inis F¨¢il. A gift to her and her son for her tending the grounds of the Wyrd¡¯s vast and mighty citadel and sprawling lands of Tir Na n?g along with her Fal Bolg. Inis F¨¢il¡¯s silver beauty shone bright in her light as she approached.


    Idunn emerged from the forest and to the pasture as silver flowers followed and bloomed before her and followed her as a flowing train on which the shining host was guided to greet their Lord, King Dagda, Minstrel of Akash.


    Idunn¡¯s voice sang out sweetly like the sounds of song birds to greet her lord, ¡°Hail, Dagda, King of Brasil, Minstrel of the Sidhe, First of the Tuatha! We welcome thee!¡±, she said kindly to Dagda as her long silver braids bloomed with ivory apple blossoms at her smile. ¡°The Wyrd Mothers await you upon their starry throne, but you perhaps have kept them long from their weaving? They grow cross with everyone.¡±, she said shyly bowing her head, ¡°They have a great need of you and Uaithne at court, My King. They asked me to see you direct to them.¡±


    Idunn looked up from her bowed head with her violet shining eyes at Morrigan and Titania standing like visions of loveliness behind their noble father. ¡°I will have my own child, my son Aedin, escort your beautiful daughters to the palace gates and then to you, my king. If you will allow it?¡±


    ¡°See it done, but Titania only! Morrigan will come with me to see the Wyrd.¡±, said Dagda dismissing himself from Titania and marching himself through the grass towards the Wyrd¡¯s Palace.


    Titania pouted in protest at being excluded. She let her golden halo dim as she cried out, ¡°Why can I not go with you, Father?!¡± Titania shoved aside Morrigan holding Uaithne and ran to Dagda¡¯s side and seized his arm from leaving her. ¡°I want to meet our Grandmothers!¡±, she begged him, ¡°Why does Morrigan get to go, but I can¡¯t!?¡± Titania looked at Morrigan standing with a smirk holding the quivering Uaithne in her arms. Morrigan¡¯s eyes shone like two happy moons at Titania¡¯s distress as she stood silently holding her father¡¯s celestial harp.


    Dagda became frustrated and embarrassed at his daughter¡¯s sudden outburst before the Fal Bolg. He snatched his arm from the weeping Titania who fell to her knees before him. He knelt down and whispered in her pointed little ear harshly, ¡°Consider my decision as a punishment to both you and your sister Morrigan for your poor attitudes on the boat here! Your sister will have to wait to greet the Unicorn, but you will not.¡±, he said hissing at her. Titania¡¯s aura suddenly glowed brightly upon hearing she was to meet the fabled unicorn, but as Dagda spoke on her golden light faded again to a dim sparkle with her frown.


    ¡°For you though.¡± Dagda smiled at his daughter showing his gleaming and sharp teeth, ¡°You will not get to see the Sepulcher of Akash until the morrow when the Court reconvenes at the rising of the sun! Your sister will attend me there without you until we meet again at Achad Alba to demonstrate your Ascension to your grandmothers. That is your burden for striking my harp!¡± Dagda said meanly looking at Titania still on the ground, ¡°Now get off your feet and join Idunn¡¯s host. Do not shame me further by staying in the grass.¡±, he said pulling Titania roughly to her feet.


    Aedin, the son of Idunn, came and took the weeping Titania from her father. He knelt graciously to Dagda as he approached them. ¡°I will guide your daughter safely to the apple grove of Achad Alba where the Unicorn graze upon arrival to the citadel, Sovereign.¡±


    Aiden stood bowing before Dagda. His flowing golden hair waved light like amber wheat in an autumn breeze at his brow, and on the sides of his crown sprouted foal horns, like apple branches they blossomed in short spirals outward from his head. White apple blossoms grew at his long and pointed ears in neat bouquets of floral beauty, and he looked as glorious as the new dawn to Titania who had never before seen a creature so handsome as the fair Aiden standing in front of her.


    Titania¡¯s worries of Morrigan and her exclusion from seeing the Sepulcher of Akash disappeared at the sight of Aiden and his beauty.


    Titania, seizing the opportunity and disregarding all the formalities of the court and her upbringing on Brasil, reached for his hand taking it into her own hands rashly without thinking. She gazed into his amber eyes with longing. "I will follow you anywhere," she declared to Aiden, her smile radiating like the dawn.


    Dagda looked at his daughter appalled at her behavior. He looked also at Aiden with a withering look as he still held Titania¡¯s hand in his own. Aiden blushed wildly as he removed his hand from Titania¡¯s. He bowed lower to his knee before Dagda. ¡°My apologies, my King! I did not mean to offend you! Please will you forgive my trespass?!¡±, Aiden said kneeling his handsome head, his rippling golden locks cascading over his strong shoulders. His well shaped and strong body lit with a golden sheen that glittered in the twilight¡¯s setting sun making Titania gasp silently watching him bow before her father.


    Titania¡¯ watched Aiden grovelling before her father with pity, but also with an unexplained longing she had not known until that moment. ¡°It wasn¡¯t his fault, father! I took his hand!¡±, she said putting herself between Aiden and Dagda¡¯s glaring at him. ¡°You¡¯ll not punish him for something I did? Will you?¡±, Titania said growing more concerned as her golden halo again dimmed at her father¡¯s scowl.


    Dagda growled loudly at Titania snatching her away from Aiden as he half yelled, ¡°We aren¡¯t even to the gates yet and you¡¯re causing a scene! Damn your mother!¡±, he hissed, ¡°Did she not teach you children any manners?!¡±


    Idunn, seizing the opportunity, spoke out with her voice like singing birds, ¡°My son would not dare offend you, my Lord. Your daughter tells it true! She took his hand as she says.¡±, Idunn said as she came to float in the grass beside her child, defending Aiden from Dagda¡¯s glare.


    Dagda''s eyes locked onto the burning apple of the ancient sprite, its fiery red hue glowing in front of him. The peaceful chirping of birds in the forest came to an abrupt halt as Idunn scowled at Dagda, her son Aiden cowering behind her. "My King, will you forgive my son?" Idunn reminded him, her voice laced with anger like the buzzing of honeybees. "We have important matters to attend to. The Wyrd have summoned us to attend them, my King."


    ¡°Yes, of course!¡±, said Dagda understanding well Idunn¡¯s veiled threat. Dagda looked to Aiden, ¡°There is no offence boy! Get off your knees and quit causing scenes along with my daughter! She will teach you her terrible manners!¡±, Dagda stated as he billowed through the grass towards the palace. ¡°Just be sure you know it isn¡¯t to happen again, boy!¡±, Dagda shouted at Aiden, but glared in Titania¡¯s eyes as he said it. Aiden fell on his face and grovelled in the violet grass beside his beautiful mother saying nothing but bowing.


    Dagda turned toward and began to walk the distance toward the citadel of the Wyrd behind him. He called over his shoulder as Idunn left her son and followed after Dagda, ¡°Idunn make sure both my daughters get taught proper etiquette in your lessons with them! I feel their mother is lacking and they follow her example!¡±, Dagda complained loudly to the beautiful Idunn who floated along in the grass behind Dagda. She smiled at Dagda¡¯s back and inwardly exalted to herself at her minor victory over him.


    ¡°Of course, anything you will, Radiance!¡±, she chirped smiling, as the silver bells on her braids chimed and her steps bloomed up even more silver apple blossoms with her every movement. ¡°I will be sure your daughters have everything they want and require. I am, as always, your humble servant.¡±, she sang out in her melodic voice like larks singing. The gardens of Tir Na n?g were illuminated by a warm glow, and Idunn basked in the small light of her victory over Dagda.


    Dagda ignored Idunn¡¯s warm glow and called out past her to Morrigan with Uaithne. ¡°Follow us, Morrigan! We go another way!¡±, her father announced as he traipsed a path through the waving violet grass. Morrigan left her spot and ran past Titania with Uaithne tightly in her arms after Idunn and her father Dagda. She beamed with a smile at Titania as she looked passed her, but Titania did not look at Morrigan¡¯s smug smile as Morrigan ran passed her.


    Titania only now turned her golden eyes towards the fair Aiden who looked still confused and a little shaken, and something within Morrigan boiled at her sister not seeing her leaving with their father carrying his harp. She glowered as she sprinted forward after Dagda instead of beaming as her dark clouds moved across her twin moon eyes at her jealousy, clapping thunder within them.


    The still confused Aiden stood golden with the purple grass lapping at his tall thighs. Titania¡¯s smile grew wider and wider standing beside the gorgeous Aiden. A scent of honey and the aroma of apples came from Aiden and mesmerized Titania. She shimmered a radiant halo of dawn light around herself as her golden eyes were locked against Aiden¡¯s own golden gaze. ¡°You are like the forest at dawn. I want to shine upon you.¡±, Titania said dreamily as she watched him standing there as her father Dadga retreated away from view.


    Titania covered her mouth suddenly with both her hands and she sparkled bashfully. She did not know why she had said that to Aiden. It had just slipped form her lips like all the silly things she felt compelled to say, and she blushed a glittering gold at Aiden¡¯s confused stare looking back at her. ¡°I.. I am sorry. I don¡¯t know why I said that.¡±, she admitted out loud feeling even more embarrassed.


    Aiden did not know what to say. He looked over his shoulder at the host of Fal Bolg that had come to attend Dagda. They watched the couple with annoyed and bored faces waiting for them to join them and return to the palace. The Fal Bolg servants had their duties and an evening feast to prepare and serve to all the arriving royals attending Court. The annoyed host of sprites and imps would carry them both away by force if Aiden did not return and join the Fal Bolg.


    Aiden looked to Titania nervously and bowed graciously. She was beautiful to him, but she was the daughter of Dagda. Tuatha are untouchable to a Fal Bolg. Titania¡¯s seizing of his hand was cause for Dagda to strike Aiden down and return him to a seed. Only with bathing in the water of Inis F¨¢il and a Tuatha¡¯s mercy to provide it could any Fal Bolg return from that grim fate. Aiden shook at Titania¡¯s flirtation and her beautiful eyes and said softly, ¡°We must return to the palace, Princess.¡±, he said tersely breaking his gaze from hers. ¡°I will show you the way.¡±, he beckoned with a gesture of his hand and guided Titania to join the waiting host.


    In the palace, there was a small man with a gnome-like appearance who was known as Fidget by the Fal Bolg. He earned this nickname for his habit of tearing leaves from the foliage of the various gardens in Tir Na n?g whenever he was upset, earning his name. He broke from the host and addressed Aiden scornfully, ¡°I thought you were going to go to seed there for a moment, good Aiden!¡±, the gnome said smugly letting his grim smile widen on his face. His yellow teeth gleamed wet in the sun¡¯s fading light.¡°Good thing Idunn was here, eh?¡±, he said wiping his brow in mock relief while Aiden glared down at the little groundskeeper.


    The froggish Fidget, with his stubby legs that curled up beside him making him look hunched and miserable, cocked a smirk on his long thin lips. Figdet, turned his ugly and shiny wet black eyes, and averted his attention from Aiden and bowed down low to the beautiful Titania, ¡°Welcome, princess, you are beautiful as the morning!¡±, he said licking his slimy lips crudely where Titania could not see for his bowing in front of her. ¡°I hope your light shines on me too!¡±, he said winking up at her, ¡°If you are anything like your mother Danu then I may have hope yet in feeling your loving glow upon me!¡±, he said with an oily grin plastered to his wide and wrinkled face.


    ¡°Shut your ugly mouth, imp!¡±, said Aiden kicking the little Fal Bolg aside hard with his foot. ¡°You will watch your tongue in a Tuatha¡¯s presence or lose it forever!¡±, said Aiden brimming with his own hot glow as Aiden, without thinking on it put himself defensively between Titania and the now rolling Fidget who disappeared under a high shrub from Aiden¡¯s swift kick.


    Aiden quickly turned and bowed to Titania, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, my lady! I do not know what came over him, but please do not let that little frog dull your lovely shine!¡±, Aiden insisted as he continued to guide Titania to join the remaining Fal Bolg. Aiden leaned over and whispered to Titania where the other Fal Bolg could not hear him say, ¡°You should glow bright as we travel the woods. The Unicorn will marvel at your glow and join us, I am sure of it.¡±, he said smiling his handsome smile at Titania who radiated her light out at the sight of it.


    Titania giggled and took her place next to the host with Aiden who shined beside her matching her golden hues. They spun around with the host in the pasture and started walking down the path that led through the ancient grove, separating the sea from the Sepulcher of Akash. The host attended them and followed behind them at a close distance holding the banners of Dagda¡¯s house high above them as they proceeded. Titania marveled at the sun shining through the limbs of the trees. Thousands of colorful birds like tiny and fine gems flitted their small wings and hopped among the branches chirping out their sweet songs as the host proceeded through the twilit grove of towering elms.


    The dark trunks of the trees swirled with silvery runic text that sprawled high up into every tree¡¯s branches. The runes glowed and moved with the light beaming down through the high limbs above. Titania remarked, ¡°I cannot understand it¡±, she said referring to the runes. ¡°What does that all mean?¡±, she asked looking at the trees and pointing to the changing runes. ¡°Can you read it?¡±, she asked Aiden politely.


    ¡°My mother can, but I am unable to read the ancient Fey.¡±, he said furling his even brow, It is forbidden to teach Fal Bolg our mother tongue of Fey.¡±, he admitted sadly averting his shining gold eyes to the mossy carpet of the forest floor beneath his feet. Aiden turned his head and looked over his shoulder at the other Fal Bolg who watched and listened to Aiden and Titania¡¯s conversations with silent interest.


    Aiden suddenly felt very uncomfortable talking to Titania about his culture and the runes on the trees he was not allowed to read, especially in front of a host of other Fal Bolg, so he changed the subject to one he felt more comfortable talking with Titania about. One he knew everything of because he¡¯d learned the great secrets of the Unicorn from his mother Idunn.


    ¡°The Unicorn come to scratch themselves against these trees when they have an itch.¡±, he said smiling his golden smile at Titania who noticed nothing else but Aiden and his beauty as he said, ¡°They charge the runes with their fur and the runes span down even to the deepest roots. The unicorn are a marvel, are they not?¡±, he said smiling awkwardly.


    Aiden''s words had a melting effect on Titania''s heart and mind. She adored learning about the Unicorn from him, and she couldn''t help but feel grateful that it was Aiden teaching her their ways. As they walked, Titania paid no attention to the host trailing behind them as she was completely engrossed in their conversation. She didn''t give any importance to Aiden''s change of subject or his habit of glancing over his shoulder when he thought she wasn''t paying attention. As Dagda''s daughter, what did she care about the lowly Fal Bolg soldiers attending her?


    Titania sparkled her light and said, ¡°Oh, they are!¡±, she said shining bright, ¡°I love unicorns, but I have never even seen one! You cannot see them before you Ascend, and I have only just done so! My sister and I have come to prove we know Akash¡¯s dance!¡±, she informed him with her smile beaming proudly from ear to ear at her passing her Ascension successfully.


    ¡°I glowed like the noon sun and my steps burned in the heavens when I Ascended for my mother Danu upon Brasil! My mother said I danced like a raging fire!¡±, she admitted to Aiden glowing proudly. She wanted very much for him to enjoy her presence. Titania suddenly thought of it and said excitedly to Aiden who was mesmerized and silent by Titania¡¯s shine in his sparkling golden stare, ¡°Do you love to dance? I cannot stop when I am alone! It would be nice to dance with you in the pastures.¡±, she said bashfully glittering and biting her lip waiting for Aiden¡¯s response to her flirtation.


    Aiden was caught again off guard by Titania¡¯s sudden flirting with him. The flowers at his temples blushed a faint pink with his cheeks as well at Titania¡¯s asking him to dance with her. He looked over his shoulder at the smirks and grins of the other Fal Bolg who spied behind them listening to the High King¡¯s daughter flirt with a lowly Fal Bolg servant.


    Aiden suddenly knew the whole of the palace would be talking during this evening¡¯s feasting of Titania¡¯s words and his blushing at them. ¡°Mother is going to scold me for this. I know it!¡±, Aiden thought pitifully behind his kind smiling, ¡°It¡¯s bad enough this pretty dolt took my hand! Now she¡¯s acting like a child and flirting with me so loudly! What will Dagda do when everyone is whispering about this?!¡±, thought Aiden, gulping down his fear of Dagda¡¯s reprisal at Titania¡¯s flirting with him like a heavy stone inside him. He couldn¡¯t find the words to respond to her in his confusion and his worry, but luckily he didn¡¯t need to.


    As the group made their way through the aged grove of glowing birch and elm, the melodious call of the Unicorn echoed all around them. They had caught sight of Titania''s joyful light and were now gathering to escort the traveling Fal Bolg back to the entrance of the Wyrd Mother¡¯s golden palace.


    The Unicorn, with fur as sparkling and clear as diamond, let out a mighty cry and encircled Titania. Their long horns, glistening in her magnificent radiance, shone like silver in the glow. Other unicorns raced ahead, jumping into the air to shake loose stardust from the ancient, luminous trees, creating a glittering rainfall that cascaded down upon the Fal Bolg. Titania''s light had already danced wildly with joy for Aiden and now this new addition of a herd of unicorns made her gleam out even brighter than before. Her joy refracted through the raining stardust, casting vibrant rainbows throughout the dark forest. As the sun set behind them in the sky, Titania''s light and the rainbow auroras it created remained as the only guiding light for the Fal Bolg on their journey back to the Wyrd''s golden citadel.


    The Unicorn followed along with the marching host of Fal Bolg and the shining princess, but they would not allow Titania to touch them when she tried to pet them. She reached out and tried when any prancing Unicorn would near her, but the unicorn repelled from her touch and danced their hooves away from her. ¡°Why do they keep doing that?¡±, Titania complained to Aiden, frustrated when yet another Unicorn avoided her trying to pet its shining rainbow mane.


    Aiden contained his joy, hiding his wide grin behind a firm hand. His palms were calloused and rough as he grazed his face with his palm, the skin worn and hardened like the rest of his strong body, evidence of his many years spent serving the Tuatha and capturing majestic unicorns for them to ride. As Titania approached the unicorn, her carefree glee was contagious and Aiden couldn''t help but smile as he watched her try to pet the elusive creature as it pranced by. Lost in the moment, Aiden exclaimed, "You have to whistle at them. They adore the sound and will gallop alongside you as you do."


    The Fal Bolg of the host hissed through their teeth at his telling Titania yet another secret of the unicorn. ¡°Traitor! Abuser!¡±, they remarked at Aiden through their whispers.


    Aiden¡¯s smile faded and he felt a sense of shame pulling in his gut. He enjoyed Titania and loved seeing her innocence, but she was still Dagda the Betrayer¡¯s daughter. Aiden suddenly felt strange that he had instructed Titania how to call the unicorn to her. It was always his mother Idunn who instructed the young Tuatha in their lessons on the unicorn. Never him. He only caught the unicorn for his mother. ¡°She gives the unicorn to the Tuatha. I just catch them in the pastures. I betray no one!¡±, he thought to himself as his fists balled in a repressed anger. ¡°I do as the ancient treaty demands and no more!¡±, Aiden hissed over his shoulder back to the mob behind him. Aiden¡¯s ears grew hot in his embarrassment and his flowers grew pinker by the moment listening to the Fal Bolg¡¯s quiet jeers.


    Among the Fal Bolg, it is considered a disgrace for one of their kind to share the ancient secrets of the unicorn with anyone other than another Fal Bolg. Aiden felt a wash of shame come over him as he heard the disapproving whispers of his people behind him. He quickly turned away from Titania''s radiant light and stared hard at the forest ground. He could not face her beauty nor could he face those who sneered from behind him. Aiden covered his ears as Titania whistled.


    Titania sparkled and shone. She pursed her full lips together and blew through them a clear and pretty note that sailed like light along the breeze. She whistled a clear and lovely tune that rippled the rainbow auroras of the forest and the hovering clouds of stardust swirling in the limbs of the ancient glowing grove of trees.


    The Unicorn bounded to her calling them and joined with her. Titania giggled and nuzzled the soft and dazzling fur of the unicorn who pranced beside her. She kissed their faces and petted their large noses softly. All while the Fal Bolg seethed behind Aiden who had caused this with his absentmindedness at instructing Titania on how to call the unicorn to her.


    Aiden was growing increasingly worried as he watched the Fal Bolg host becoming more agitated while Titania played innocently with the unicorn. Aiden split his gaze quickly between Titania and the discontented Fal Bolg. Aiden was just about to tell her to stop touching the unicorn, when the unthinkable occurred. In Titania¡¯s excitement, she tried to jump onto the unicorn''s back. Aiden''s eyes widened in shock and he cried out, "Princess, no! Stop!"


    As she attempted to mount the unicorn, it suddenly reared up and took off into the air, the other unicorn riding alongside the host brayed out with the unicorn Titania had tried to mount in a startling rhythm. The creature''s long silver horn glowed brightly with a blue light as it disappeared into the treetops. The other unicorns nearby also had glowing blue horns and they all quickly ran back into the depths of the forest until their shining horns were no longer visible in the forest¡¯s thick canopy of darkness.


    ¡°Look what you have done, traitor!¡±, the Fal Bolg Fidget hissed up at Aiden from on top of a stone beyond Aiden¡¯s ability to kick him. ¡°She frightened them before the Rite of Calling! Now you¡¯ve done it! Old Dagda will make you a seed for sure now! If Balor doesn¡¯t break you in two first!¡±, the little gnome said laughing through his yellow teeth. He slapped his chunky thighs and let his belly jiggle as he guffawed over the trouble Aiden would be in when they reached the citadel. ¡°It is his eldest daughter Macha¡¯s Rite of Calling this night! He will be very cross if you deny his child a unicorn to complete the Rite!¡± The old gnome giggled and shook on his stone pointing at Aiden as other Fal Bolg joined with him and laughed at Aiden¡¯s darkened expression mounted on his comely face.


    As Titania listened to Fidget¡¯s and the other Fal Bolg''s words of accusation and mockery towards Aiden, she couldn''t help but feel a wave of guilt wash over her for causing the unicorn to flee. She had not meant to scare the unicorn away from the host. She had only wished to ride on one as her mother had, and before Morrigan would be able to. She frowned looking at Aiden¡¯s down turned head and longed for his beautiful golden smile to return to her.


    Titania decided aloud before Aiden and the other Fal Bolg,¡°I will fetch them! I know how to call them to me now!¡±, she declared aloud proudly. ¡°I can fetch them. I used to dance in the groves at night in Brasil with my sister Morrigan. I won¡¯t get lost, I promise!¡±, Titania said sure of herself and smiling as she readied herself to leave after the fearful unicorn.


    Aiden¡¯s down turned head shot up as the flowers at the sides of his head and even his curling horns steamed a red glow as he spoke, ¡°No! Thank you, but no!¡±, he said quickly and bluntly to Titania who lost her golden haloed smile. ¡°You have done enough, your Radiance!¡±, he said flatly, ¡°I will get the unicorn to return back to the citadel. The other Fal Bolg will see you back to your father!¡±, Aiden said gruffly as he turned quick on his heel. He spoke over his brawny shoulder at Titania who felt like crying now that she had upset the handsome Aiden. ¡°Just go be a princess and leave the rest to us below you!¡±, he said angrily as he fled off into the darkness to find the missing unicorn that Titania had driven away with her excitement.


    ¡°Oh, he¡¯s done it now! Balor will skin him this very night before the whole Sidhe, Idunn¡¯s gifts be damned!¡±, laughed the old gnome Fidget from where he still stood on his squat little stone. He looked at Titania and smiled with all his teeth and dark squinted eyes, ¡°It will be amusing to see what Balor will do if Macha does not ride this night under Inis F¨¢il¡¯s shadow! Will it not, your Radiance!?¡±, he said with mock courtesy as he bowed low to Titania.


    He looked at up Titania from his clumsy bow with his small and beady eyes full of sudden curiosity, ¡°Have you met your uncle Balor, little princess?¡± Fidget bit his lip to constrain the sick laugh building in him. ¡°You haven¡¯t have you?!¡±, he said letting out several giggles and then bursting out looking at Titania¡¯s concerned face. ¡°He is a monster! A beast! That pretty sprite you¡¯ve been fawning over will floss Balor¡¯s teeth before dawn comes again!¡±, the horrible gnome said as he fell over off the rock and rolled on the ground laughing over Aiden¡¯s fate at that hand of this mysterious Balor.


    Titania pursed her lips in a rage at the words of the cruel gnome. She strode ahead and stepped on him in his laughing and made sure to jump up and own once at her passing over him. Fidget¡¯s beady eyes expanded in his head and he blew out a small fart from between his flabby cheeks that wilted many silver flowers growing in a bundle along the moss where he had been stepped on.


    Titania said aloud as she finished stepping on Fidget¡¯s stomach, ¡°I am going to help him then! Aiden won¡¯t be punished for what I have done! Go on without me!¡±, said Titania bravely as she began to stride away from the glittering host to join Aiden in his search for the unicorn in the darkness.


    Fidget rolled over onto his bruised stomach and croaked out, ¡°You won¡¯t be going anywhere! We Fal Bolg are going to see you delivered safely to the gates of the citadel! We won¡¯t allow you to leave!", said Fidget as the host began to break apart and gather around Titania whose angry and righteous light began to dim to her dark worry as the host surrounded her and prevented her from entering the dark forest to pursue after Aiden.


    Titania stared out at the dim, barely visible lights of the Fal Bolg soldiers. She knew that none of them had probably ever experienced the ethereal beauty of bathing in Inis F¨¢il''s shimmering silver pools. Even in her current state of worry, Titania''s bright luminescence outshone the dull surrounding Fal Bolg gathering around her, pinning her. She hadn''t noticed how weak and insubstantial the Fal Bolg appeared when Aiden was around, but he was no longer by her side to distract her with his charming smile. Still, despite her worries, Titania''s radiant glow managed to pierce through the ghostly forms of the Fal Bolg, causing them to dissipate like a fog under the intense rays of the midday sun.


    Titania gazed at the shadowy figures disappearing in their ancient and dusty armor into her light and chuckled at her own anxiousness over the Fal Bolg encircling her like a cage. She couldn''t help thinking about Aiden, with his charming golden face and how she longed to mend their blossoming, but now strained relationship. As she conjured images of kissing his bright smile, so similar to her own, Titania smiled at the thought of them together, shining like gold before the whole Sidhe and her father and mother. ¡°We be beautiful together!¡±, she thought excitedly while she radiated so brilliantly that the entire forest was lit up in her beauty as she abandoned her host in search of Aiden and the mystical Unicorn.


    As Titania sprinted away down into the ancient forest of trees after her recently beloved Aiden her light grew dimmer where she had abandoned the Fal Bolg to darkness without her. The Fal Bolg¡¯s misty bodies returned with darkness and they churned like angry clouds as they spoke to one another of Titania¡¯s abandoning them.


    ¡°We will be blamed for this! We were to return with her!,¡±, said one nervous Fal Bolg out loud into the dark.


    ¡°How will we find her?¡±, another said more angrily than the last Fal Bolg who had spoken. ¡°She¡¯s left us in the dark now! We must stay on the path Idunn left for us to reach the citadel now!¡±, he stated even more furiously.


    Fidget laughed his froggish and mean laugh croaking out over them all, ¡°We will not need to do anything! We will return to the citadel! Aiden has chased the unicorn away and stolen Titania from us!¡±, he chuckled out through his slimy lips, ¡°He bathes in the light of Theia, and how were we to stop him from taking Titania from us?¡±, he declared to the whole host laughing out. ¡°Aiden will take all the blame for us and more! We are innocent!¡±, he croaked to them all. ¡°Dagda will turn that fool Aiden back into a seed this very night as I said!¡±, Fidget said happily and proudly showing every Fal Bolg his ugly teeth in his fat wide grin. ¡°Let us return to the citadel!¡±, he screamed joyfully out over his host who now laughed his same cruel laugh at the idea of the traitor Idunn¡¯s son being brought to seed by Dagda¡¯s harp Uaithne.


    The jubilant crowd of specters drifted through the forest, their ethereal forms gliding like mist over the dark green moss. Fidget and his ghostly horde continued onward laughing through the dark grove, making their way to the glowing citadel of the Wyrd beyond as they followed Idunn¡¯s flowers. Their heavy mist churning devilishly as the Fal Bolg were eager to share their news of Aiden, Titania, and the unicorns fate when they arrived to the Wyrd¡¯s golden gates.

 Omga Cloud Rider and his Sore Toe

    The frustrated seagulls squawked overhead, their annoyed cries echoing through the still air. They flew in tight circles around the magnificent stone swan barge, which seemed to hover above the calm, crystal-clear sea below. The water beneath the elegant barge was flat and undisturbed, creating a peaceful mirror for the stationary swan to rest upon.


    A gull came down from overhead and landed in the swan barge upon a wicker basket left by the mighty Danu. She had provided provisions for her brother Lugus and her weak daughter Eriu for their journey together to Tir Na n?g. The gull picked at the wicker trying to reveal the contents within it so he and his brother gulls could feed upon it and feast! There were no fish in the sea to feast on, and the gulls grew impatient and hungrier as they flew above.


    Eriu winced at the shrill cries of the gulls and the light of bright noon sun in her eyes as she awoke alone in the motionless barge. Her head was pounding, and there was pressure and a ringing in her small pointed ears. Eriu awoke cranky from a dreamless and long sleep. Her vision and mind whirled as she awoke from accidentally channeling too much of Akash at once into her from her spear Dr?mn?l.


    Eriu looked around herself and realized suddenly she did not know where she was. Eriu made herself stand up in the motionless barge despite her dizziness. Eriu felt her stomach churn and she rushed to the side of the boat to heaven its contents out into the sea. Eriu¡¯s head whirled even more as she vomited out air from her empty stomach.


    Eriu dropped to her knees against the boat''s smooth, marbled railing. She leaned her head against one of the barge''s outstretched wings to support herself from drooping too far over as she looked around herself at what lay in the boat with her.


    Eriu saw the wicker basket and the gull who chewed at it. The gull took no note of Eriu though and continued its mad tearing at the wicker to reveal what was within. Eriu did not know what the basket contained either, but it was her only clue as to why she was left alone in one of her mother¡¯s swan barges. Eriu, feeling slightly less dizzy now that she had sat for a moment to sit upright. She peered daggers at the gull eating at the wicker of her basket. She lunged at the unsuspecting gull. The bird complained wildly and flapped its wings in Eriu¡¯s face. The gull raged at being disturbed from its mission of entering the wicker basket by force. It assaulted her with endless pecks and blows from its angry wings.


    Eriu winced in fear and fell to the floor of the barge to escape the gull, but still the furious gull pursued her down, and continued assaulting Eriu it with its beak and wings. Eriu¡¯s eyes flamed a violet glow for just a moment. Her mighty and beautiful star spear Dr?mn?l awoke at her flaring of fear. An aura of light burst from Dr?mn?l for only a moment, but the light expanded outward like a great ball of shimmering golden fire in the air. The light of Dr?mn?l pushed the attacking gull and his gull brothers above him away from the barge. The light of Dr?mn?l expanded and glowed, its shimmering brightness in the air became a wind above the barge which drove the gulls away far out to sea.


    Eriu had not controlled this event of Dr?mn?l glowing and the gulls being absconded away by the breeze. The power used by her powerful spear to do so made Eriu want to vomit again. She flung herself over the side of the boat and heaved her flat and empty tummy out yet again over the water. She stared at her reflection and her puffy red face in the crystal clear water. Her black hair hung around her messy and contorted into tangles by her suffering at the hands of Akash, and at her mother Danu¡¯s hands also! Eriu did not have the power to make herself neat and to always be clean and beautiful like her powerful sisters and her mother Danu had always done.


    ¡°You¡¯re ugly.¡±, she said looking at herself and pointing to herself in her reflection who also pointed back at her standing by the rail of the barge. ¡°I¡¯m ugly like mother says.¡±, she decided very sadly as she looked at herself in her reflection in the sea pointing at herself.


    She looked at Dr?mn?l in her suffering and growled at her spear like an angry cat. As she looked at Dr?mn?l she noticed again the strange wicker basket left within the barge with her. Eriu strode on her knees past Dr?mn?l and opened the large wicker basket to see what was left inside it for her.


    Eriu nearly winced in pain as she opened the basket and saw it arranged with pies, cakes, ciders, and golden mead all from apples from her friends her mother had turned into an apple grove. She could smell her friend''s floral beauty in the aroma of the apples coming off of the provisions of the basket. Eriu noticed that the pie her mother always force fed her at every meal was on the very top and it alone in the basket was left spoiled from perfection and missing a single piece from it.


    Eriu grew very sad and tears welled at her eyes as she looked at the spoiled pie missing a slice from it. She grew sad, but she also grew very angry. ¡°That evil bitch!¡±, she screamed out in her sad rage. Eriu¡¯s voice echoed out loudly from her tiny body and disturbed a ripple on the calm waters. Though Eriu never noticed she had done so as she thought, ¡°She couldn¡¯t even abandon me here and leave the whole pie! That¡¯s very like you to take from me what should be mine but never wanted and spoil it this way! It¡¯s very like you to also just leave me here! You¡¯re the worst of mothers, Danu! I hate you for this! I hate you!¡±, she screamed at the waters of the sea hoping her mother Danu could hear her angry shouts since all waters everywhere flowed in the knots bound into her mother¡¯s celestial crown Sruth.


    Eriu cried out her furious insults to Danu, but her powerful mother Danu did not hear her as Eriu was too far out at sea from Brasil to hear. Eriu and her uncle Lugus were supposed to be heading to Tir Na n?g, but Eriu¡¯s vessel had unfortunately been blown off course and lost to her uncle Lugus when Lugus dove into the sea to rescue the Doe Elen who had pursued after them by jumping from a high cliff into the water of the sea. Eriu was sleeping and didn''t witness any of Lugus¡¯s heroics and Elen¡¯s foolish bravery. She knew nothing of why she had come to be in her mother¡¯s barge. Abandonment for failing to touch Akash was as good a reason as any. ¡°At least she didn¡¯t eat me like she threatened to do. That¡¯s something, I suppose.¡±, she thought to herself of her mother¡¯s threats upon Brasil. Eriu began to feel even more tired and defeated after her screaming at the motionless water. Thinking of Danu now made her headache behind her eyes.


    She slid down the smooth marbled rail of the barge and began to weep tired and angry tears to herself at her abandonment by her mother. Dr?mn?l began to shiver droplets of blue light around itself as it responded weakly to her sadness. The small display of Akashic light made Eriu¡¯s stomach heave as she cried. Eriu fell forward as her stomach cramped. She had never been so depleted of her light before. Dr?mn?l¡¯s very existing near her made her body hurt and her muscle constrict inside her. She felt agony even looking on Dr?mn?l¡¯s beauty shining beside her.


    ¡°I hate you too! All you do is hurt me! You¡¯re supposed to be a wishing star! Why do you never grant anything I wish, useless stone?!¡±, Eriu screamed in a hateful rage at Dr?mn?l which began to sizzle and shoot sparks of hot white light at Eriu¡¯s face. It¡¯s assault hurt double as its bright burning light burned at Eriu¡¯s skin, but within her body her stomach again heaved.


    Eriu grew pale and sickly as Dr?mn?l shined beside her. She vomited out all her hate at her angry spear, ¡°You¡¯re the worst thing that has ever happened to me! You never worked, and you never gave me anything you blunted old rock! Be gone from me!¡±, she screamed as she rose up and seized Dr?mn?l up into her hands. Eriu thought hard as she held Dr?mn?l and immediately thought of her mother and how Eriu hurt inside. Her feelings of sadness and rage coated Dr?mn?l in a faint whirl of chaotic light. Dr?mn?l hummed as she held it and it filled with her malice like a black serpent coiling itself around her stomach and Dr?mn?l, pulling them together in a tight knot. Eriu pulled her arm back and with all her strength she threw Dr?mn?l shouting, ¡°Don¡¯t return to me, stupid useless rock!¡±


    Eriu extended her small arm and launched the spear with all her might, but it did not fly towards the open sea. Dr?mn?l forbade Eriu from using it as a weapon and it swiftly descended into the crystal blue waters beneath the majestic swan barge hovering in air. Dr?mn?l splashed down like a stone into the once still waters beneath the motionless barge above. Dr?mn?l had again denied Eriu what she had wanted.


    Eriu screamed out at her spear, ¡°Well at least you¡¯re gone from me! Stay down there ten thousand years till someone bothers coming to look for you, you crusty old stone! I hate you forever so it won¡¯t me who will come looking for you all the way down there!¡±


    The poison inside Eriu from all the bites of Dr?mn?l¡¯s serpents made Eriu¡¯s vision waiver in her fury. She looked around herself for balance. Her body ached suddenly for food as her stomach churned. She saw again the basket of apple provisions left within the barge with her. Eriu smelled the aroma of the sliced pie she¡¯d become accustom to from her mother forcing her to eat it. Her stomach churned at her friend¡¯s sweet floral apple scent hanging on the sea breeze, but her mouth watered against her will at the thought of the taste of her friend¡¯s sweet apples.


    Eriu could not help herself. She crawled over to the basket desperately like a starving rat and began to feast on the delicious pies, cakes, and ciders in the basket. Eriu starved and needed her friend¡¯s apples to restore her, but as she ate Eriu cried more tears. The memories of her friends that Eriu kept secret within her memory from Danu by not thinking of them at all suddenly sprang up with every bite she took of Danu¡¯s confections in the basket.


    In her mind''s eye, Eriu watched as she and the young Nymphs frolicked in the ocean waves and collected shimmering shells along the beach. She recalled joyfully tumbling down the rolling hills of lush green grass with her dear friends, landing in beds of fragrant rainbow colored flowers below. Eriu missed those long past days and her lost friends more and more with every bite she took from their apples.


    Eriu felt disgusted with herself that she had eaten her friends on her own. ¡°This was what you wanted wasn¡¯t it, you sick trout!?¡±, she rose up and screamed out at her mother over the side of the boat. ¡°This is what your aim was! To abandon me and force me to eat my happiness and my friends away! Bitch!¡±, she screamed at her mother who could not hear her.


    Eriu turned back to the basket and seized it and chucked it and all its contents into the flat and still sea. The shredded wicker basket hit the water and exploded it contents out where Dr?mn?l had fallen before and sank like stone to join Eriu¡¯s spear at the bottom of the motionless sea.


    Eriu fell to her knees and sobbed at her sadness and how pathetic she felt. Even from all the way at the bottom of the ocean Dr?mn?l pulled at her and her pain and made both worse. Eriu cried and cried. She realized she felt her spear pulling at her, even from deep below. She realized that now that she had discarded Dr?mn?l there was nothing really special about her anymore. She was just Eriu, a Tuatha with no strength, no conduit, and no chance to prove Danu wrong. Suddenly Eriu couldn¡¯t stand that.


    Tears streamed down Eriu''s cheeks as she now yearned for the return of Dr?mn?l. She called out to it repeatedly, her voice filled with desperation. "Dr?mn?l! Please rise up from the water, you stubborn rock!" But her harsh words yielded no response; Dr?mn?l remained lost in the deep stillness beneath the sea. Sorrow and guilt overtook her, and she spoke more gently this time, hoping to coax her spear back to her. "Dr?mn?l, I''m sorry for throwing you down there! Please come back to me so we can find a way off this boat together! You might make a good paddle too, I didn''t think of that before! Please, come up now!" Her cries echoed off the sea, but only the gentle sound of water lapping against the side of the boat answered her.


    Eriu distressed that Dr?mn?l would not come to her. She began to climb out over the rail of the boat thinking of jumping in after Dr?mn?l, but just as she about to think about jumping the calm and still waters began to churn up under the barge into great waves all around Eriu. The waves tossed the swan barge which continued to always remain above the breaking waves no matter how high the waves had become. The barge held in a steady level as it rose and fell quickly to the churning sea. Eriu was forced to cling to the railing of the Swan Barge to keep from soaring off and over the side of the boat into the wild ocean waves.


    Eriu heard in a booming voice that shocked the air like a clap of thunder, ¡°Who threw that spear at me?!¡±, the voice boomed out from everywhere questioning Eriu who clung to her mother¡¯s barge in fear, ¡°Was it you who did it?!¡±. the voice clapped out from below the violent waves.


    Ogma''s massive form emerged from the roiling, angry sea, his size making him seem like a mountain rising from the depths. His skin was rough and mottled, like the surface of a weathered rock, and his limbs were thick and muscular capped with ancient stones of black shoral and brighter stones of topaz and lapis lazuli. He towered over Eriu and the barge, his head almost reaching the clouds.


    Ogma emerged from the tumultuous sea, his enormous body rising higher with each powerful wave. He stood tall and imposing, towering over the barge and Eriu who watched in shock as he rose up, grasping tightly onto the railing. His skin as he grew from the sea became slicker and the color of a clear sky at noon, but still adorned with barnacles and seaweed. His eyes glimmered like lightning as his voice boomed like thunder.


    ¡°Why do you not answer me imp?! Do you know who you have assaulted with your spear?! I am Ogma, cloud rider! I am a brother of Delb¨¢ed of Mag Itha, true King of Fomorians, and I will have your due respect little Fal Bolg!¡±, the giant screamed, and as he did roaring lighting exploded from his eyes frightening Eriu who clung to her barge with her eyes shut to the force of wind coming from Ogma¡¯s shouting.


    The fierce winds coming from Ogma¡¯s shouting rocked the swan barge and drowned out Eriu''s screams with Ogma''s own powerful shouts. Despite the chaos, and Ogma''s swift movements, he followed Eriu and her barge. With his massive arms he captured the rolling waves and kept them from sweeping Eriu too far from him. The churning waves Ogma made with his arms trapped the graceful swan in a wide circle around Ogma as he rose up from below, creating a massive whirlpool in the water that tethered Eriu and her barge in a path around his enormous body.


    ¡°Do you want to begin our ancient and bitter war anew, little fool?¡±, Ogma the giant yelled out into the clouds which blew away from his mouth with his screaming. ¡°I think your kin will not last long if you should be thinking to do that by throwing this spear at me, and what a little prick you are for dumping a basket of food on me after you assaulted me with your spear! I should step on you and your boat, and I think I will you cretin!!¡±, the Giant threatened as the sea churned up under Eriu¡¯s jumping barge.


    Ogma continued his shouting as he quickly approached Eriu, ¡°I was minding my own down there watching the clouds pass by! I took no care of you and your little boat till you decided to be a rude little cuss! I will stomp you good, Fal Bolg Imp! Come here to me and let me stomp you!¡±, he insisted as he jogged after Eriu¡¯s barge soaring along in the whirlpool he had created. Each step Ogma took made the waves leap up in his path.¡±


    Eriu clung to the boat and pleaded to the giant Ogma. ¡°Please, Ogma, Cloud Rider,¡± she begged, ¡°I am no Fal Bolg, and I did not mean to harm you with my spear Dr?mn?l! Forgive me please! Don¡¯t stomp me, please! I didn¡¯t know you were even there on the bottom! I¡¯m sorry I hurt you!¡±


    Ogma grew more insulted at her words, ¡°What do you mean you harmed me, you little insignificant sardine! I am unharmed here! You only insult me with your lies and your rude stick you tossed at me! No one comes here to where the sea currents come to die! Only I ever do! You must have come to attack me, Imp!¡±, roared Ogma out into the sky as he stomped his feet and made Eriu¡¯s boat soar high and higher. The swan barge ascended with the waves smoothly into the clouds, maintaining a level course and never tilting even as it rose higher and higher into the sky.


    Eriu clung to the railing and screamed out her lungs, ¡°I did not mean to offend you, Ogma, Cloud Rider! Have mercy on me, I¡¯m begging you, please! I am telling it true! I didn¡¯t know you were down there to hit with Dr?mn?l!¡±


    Ogma stomped his feet harder trying to make Eriu fall from the swan and into the sea so he could stomp her into a seed. The waves grew higher and higher as Ogma stomped and Eriu clung to the swan barge and screamed. Ogma stomped so hard and his anger was so great he did not realize Dr?mn?l had fallen from his powerful grasp and back to the churning sea. Ogma continued churning the waves that now towered up like mountains at Ogma¡¯s furious stomping under Eriu¡¯s soaring barge


    Ogma cruelly laughed at Eriu as she screamed in fear, ¡°You¡¯re worse than the barnacles in corners of my toenails to get off! Let go of your barge so I can stomp you to seed, little Fal Bolg! I promise to feed you a drop of Theia¡¯s water maybe in a thousand springs from now when I¡¯ve cooled off some about you throwing your blunt little stick at me!¡±, Ogma laughed out, making the waves spill out from around each of his mighty guffaws.


    Ogma¡¯s joyous and cruel laugh echoed out across the sky like rattling thunder. He screamed out loudly as a threat which made the heavens quake with his voice cracking out in fury, ¡°Let your seeding be a warning to all Fal Bolg that Ogma, Cloud Rider, brother of Delb¨¢ed will suffer no insults from lowly Fal Bolg clown-fish! I will not suffer your antics or your games!¡±, he screamed out loudly into the sky as he stomped his feet. ¡°Fall, damn you, little Fal Bolg! Fall and bother me no more!¡±, the giant Ogma said screaming at Eriu clinging still to her barge at his assault of waves threw her small swan barge high up into the sky.


    Ogma was consumed with thoughts of revenge, so much so that he and even Eriu failed to notice Dr?mn?l rolling between Ogma''s toes as he stomped his massive feet beneath the sea''s surface. The tiny spear, smaller than even a splinter to the giant Ogma had lodged itself in the barnacles on his toes and stabbed his foot like a pin. Dr?mn?l¡¯s blade pierced deep and Ogma wailed out into the sky making the clouds roll with his wailing, ¡°Ahhhoowwwww!!!¡±


    Ogma let out a loud cry as he frantically lifted his leg in an attempt to reach Dr?mn?l, but the weight of the water held him back from reaching out to it. Despite his efforts, his leg could not rise high enough to extract Dr?mn?l from between his sensitive toes.


    ¡°Blast you, damn water! Why is it always the sea that¡¯s the one to pester me the most! Danu you will not best me this time!¡±, he vowed before whining out, ¡°Oooooh!¡±, over his sore toes. Ogma wailed as he hopped and tried desperately to reach Dr?mn?l between his toes, but Ogma¡¯s big and his stony fingers could not reach Dr?mn?l poking him. ¡°Oh, this is an evil trick you did! You¡¯re a foul Fal Bolg, indeed! Where did you learn such devilry, imp? How did you find a weapon that can pierce my thick hide?! Speak it!¡±, the mighty Ogma demanded as a hiss of lightning from between his lips as he struggled to remove Dr?mn?l from between his toes, ¡°How do I get this little splinter you gave me out, you mean sprite!¡±


    Eriu did not know what the injured Ogma meant really. She knew that her spear stabbed him, but Ogma mentioned Danu. Eriu instead of being afraid suddenly became furious with Ogma whose stomping and jumping still caused her such panic. Eriu screamed to Ogma an angry accusation, ¡°Did my mother Danu send you to pester me, giant?! Is that why you were hiding under my boat? You were waiting to torment me for her, weren¡¯t you?¡±, said Eriu meanly.¡°You¡¯re a cruel giant! I am glad my spear makes your foot hurt!¡±, she announced proudly to the waiting Ogma whose ears perked at the mention of Danu¡¯s name again.


    Ogma slowed his leaps of agony and turned to face Eriu, his Fomorian eyes sharp as diamonds as she soared through the clouds. He watched her descent on a tall wave, still screaming in anger at him. As the wave shortened, he reached out with his hand and caught Eriu. Ogma felt a small smile spread across his face despite his pain. Ogma stopped jumping and carefully placed his sore foot at the bottom of the sea on his heel to avoid stepping on Eriu''s spear again.


    ¡°What do you want from me giant?!¡±, said Eriu squinting her eyes hatefully and blocking the shine of light refracting as rainbows off of Ogma¡¯s sharp eyes. Eriu gritted her teeth furiously looking up at Ogma from her barge in his palm. ¡°I have nothing!¡±, she admitted flatly to him. ¡°Nothing of value! The only thing I have you already keep between your toes, giant! Return it to me if it pains you so!, she insisted loudly up at him. ¡°It¡¯s worth nothing! It¡¯s a useless rock, but my mother Danu you also complain of gave me that stupid rock so it is mine! Return it, Ogma Cloud Rider!¡±, she screamed furiously shaking her head as she did.


    Despite the pain coursing through his body, Ogma couldn''t help but burst into loud laughter at the words coming out of her mouth. She was so small next to him, yet she was furiously screaming at him. He let out a deep laugh reminiscent of thunder and replied, "Haha! What a clever jest! You believe a mere rock can harm a Fomorian? But we are made of rocks ourselves!"


    Ogma furrowed his brow, disapproving and disappointed as he began to speak in a booming voice. "In the ancient past before the first great war ended, we tore all the stones you find from our own fallen kin to use them as weapons against the Fal Bolg during The Making of the Stones! Didn''t your mother Danu ever tell you about their origins?!" Ogma asked, suddenly feeling offended. "With old Dagda around, you''d think you would know more about our history and songs, little starlight!" He added with a touch of kindness in his tone, for reasons unknown.


    Eriu''s anger was evident as she yelled at Ogma while clinging to the marble railing of her mother¡¯s swan barge in fear of falling into the sea and under Ogma¡¯s big feet."Do you really think those two would tell me anything? They hate me," she cried out, her voice full of raw emotion as she told the giant of her parents. "Dagda won''t even look at me or share one of his stories with me, and Danu, that hateful shark of a woman, abandoned me here with a basket full of my friends whom I could not bear to look at! I apologize for it falling on you, but I can''t even use the spear she forced upon me that bothers you so much. And now, because of all this, I have been cast out by Danu to wander aimlessly on her sea and to be bothered by you, Ogma Cloud Rider!" Eriu''s words were filled with fury as she vented her rage at Ogma holding her in her palm.


    Unbeknownst to Eriu her venomous serpent created from her spear, manifested from her rage and spewed a venom into Ogma¡¯s toe. The unsuspecting giant fell to a knee in pain, sending rolling waves out from him as he caught his balance from falling over. He almost dropped Eriu, but he managed to not. Eriu remained clung to the swan and the rail in Ogma¡¯s enormous palm.


    ¡°Oooooh, Ahhhh! That stings, it does!¡±, he complained and pouted over his sore toe as he struggled to stand back up from the water. ¡°Please don¡¯t assault me, little Starlight! I am sorry I made you cross!¡± Ogma¡¯s eyes began to drop tiny blue and clear topaz gems from the corners of his eyes at his pain as he yelled, ¡°Please do something about your spear sticking in me, little one! You¡¯re burning me with it!, I beg you.


    Eriu gazed down at Ogma, his tears sparkling like jewels in the sunlight. Despite causing her great distress, she couldn''t help but feel sorry for the giant. She saw how her spear pained him, and how he cried. She also saw how Ogma, despite his struggling, could not lift his body fully from the sea. Unsure of how to react, she remained seated atop her majestic Swan and observed him crying. She debated whether or not to intervene, considering his previous rudeness.


    She considered also though the fact that she had accidentally injured him with Dr?mn?l and spilled her basket of her friends over him. Ultimately, she reluctantly offered her assistance by saying to Ogma with a warning tone, "I can try to retrieve Dr?mn?l from your toe, but only if you promise not to stomp me. I will leave it otherwise!", she promised the sobbing Ogma who looked at her expectantly now.


    With a deep, rumbling voice like thunder, Ogma asked, "Would you do that kindness for me, little one?", he asked happily now as he rumbled the still waves beneath him with his every word. ¡°I swear I would not harm you if you do remove the spear! It stings like a fire on my foot! I swear on my honor as Ogma, Cloud Rider, Brother of Delb¨¢ed of Mag Itha, that I will not crush you, little one! You have my word!¡±, Ogma said placing his giant hand over his heart as he promised to Eriu he¡¯d not crush her for helping him.


    Eriu was still hesitant, unsure if she should trust Ogma''s words. After all, he had been rude to her earlier trying to stomp her to death. But the sight of him crying and in pain tugged at her heartstrings. She knew that she couldn''t leave him with Dr?mn?l stuck in his toe. Eriu was beginning to regret throwing her spear, and she even missed Dr?mn?l by her side a little.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Ogma released a sigh of relief and gave a nod of his mountainous head. He spoke in his booming voice, "I swear to you, little Starlight, I will not harm you. But how do you plan to help me with your spear stuck in my toe?" There was sincerity in his tone as he spoke on, "My foot is firmly planted on the ground and it''s quite deep for someone as small as you. Even if I lift my leg as high as possible, it''s still a perilous dive down. Can you truly manage it?", he asked with genuine concern etched on his face and evident in his low yet powerful voice.


    ¡°I can handle diving down if you can simply balance on one foot and not topple over!¡±, she said giving Ogma a serious look of her own, ¡°I''ve swam with my mother''s Nymphs before - they go deep into the sea, and so can I. I am not as weak as you seem to believe, Ogma Cloud Rider!¡±, she declared proudly yet also feeling insulted by Ogma suggesting she would struggle to help him. ¡°Just stand still with your foot up, like a proper giant, while I retrieve my spear from under it!¡±, she commanded in her small but fierce voice, glaring at the towering figure of Ogma who couldn''t help but smile at her courage. Eriu added firmly, ¡°And after that, I want an explanation for why you keep calling me starlight - we are not acquainted, Ogma Cloud Rider!¡±, she insisted before releasing her grip on the railing of her mother''s barge and diving into the frigid and tumultuous waters below.


    The icy water crashed against Eriu''s face, the impact feeling like a rough rock. She dove gracefully from her mother''s swan into the water, but the currents were strong and threatened to pull her the wrong way down along Ogma''s legs . Despite this, Eriu was grateful for the secret diving lessons she had with her friend Elen on the secluded beaches of Brasil as she curved her body to catch a better current of water moving down to follow.


    As she dove Eriu couldn¡¯t help but think of Elen more. Elen and Eriu would often bask in the sun, discussing with one another how they¡¯d one day escape from Brasil and Danu. They both yearned for freedom, and as they lay there, Eriu couldn''t help but feel like she was diving into the unknown, searching for a giant''s toe along his thigh. His skirt of hulking green seaweed and hefting metal pteruges cast from every kind of metal imaginable glinted sharply in Eriu¡¯s eyes under the faint sea light, the dark depths only added to Ogma¡¯s imposing figure. ¡°I hope this giant honors his vow while I¡¯m diving this far down for him. I don¡¯t think I could get away if he tried to stomp me now. He¡¯s so enormous!¡±, she thought as she dove further down.


    Eriu felt the urge to look back and see how far she¡¯d come, but she did not as doing so would have disrupted the current carrying her down into the dark depths beyond her. ¡°How tall is this giant Ogma?!¡±, she thought as she ran out of current and had to begin to kick her way down along Ogma¡¯s femur searching for his toe waiting at the end of it.


    Eriu noticed a flickering light near Ogma''s feet in the water below. His long, twisted braid dangled and churned like smoke, creating bolts of lightning as it tangled around a massive anchor resembling a golden mountain. The braid wrapped itself tightly around the anchor, securing Ogma to the ocean floor. ¡°That¡¯s why he cannot reach his feet and my spear! He¡¯s tied down!¡±, she realized looking at Ogma¡¯s feet in her free dive down to near the ocean¡¯s bottom.


    Eriu swam towards Ogma''s toe with determination, her hair flowing around her like a dark cloud in the water. Her chest was starting to feel the strain of her breaths, and the depth of the sea weighed on her. The currents were strong and she had to use all her strength to push against them, but she refused to give up. She was determined to retrieve Dr?mn?l and fulfill her promise to Ogma Cloud Rider.


    The cold sea was an abyssal black, enveloping everything in its depths. The only source of light was from the glinting reflections off of Omga''s Pteruges skirt, shimmering in the darkness like a beacon from high above her.


    The deep, dark sea seemed to swallow everything in its reach, stretching out into endless abyss. Eriu could barely see her hand in front of her face, but above her, she could make out the faint glint of light reflecting off of shimmering metal strips hanging from Ogma''s skirt. The light cascaded down like a dazzling waterfall into the black depths below.


    As she reached Ogma''s toe, she could see the glint of Dr?mn?l embedded in the giant''s flesh. Without hesitation, Eriu grabbed hold of the spear and pulled with all her might. The giant''s braid tightened around the anchor as he struggled against it, causing his whole body to shake. ¡°Don¡¯t fall stupid giant!¡±, she thought as her eyes widened at Ogma¡¯s shaking at her pulling her spear from his toe.


    Eriu clung tightly to Dr?mn?l, all while Ogma wriggled his toes and tried to shake off his sudden discomfort. ¡°I must really have hurt Ogma when I threw Dr?mn?l.¡±, she thought feeling bad for the suffering giant. She couldn''t help feeling sorry for Ogma, imagining how painful it must be for him. In her mind, she spoke kindly to her spear, pleading with it to stop hurting the gentle giant. ¡°Dr?mn?l, please stop hurting the giant Ogma. I think he might be a nice giant!¡±, she insisted, meaning it and pulling hard with all her strength.


    As Eriu pulled on Dr?mn?l she felt a surge of power coursing through her body. She didn¡¯t really understand why or how, but in that small moment of her pleading with Dr?mn?l she was able to rip both Dr?mn?l and the barnacles that had been stuck in the corners of Ogma''s toes out of from his rocky toenails where Dr?mn?l had been lodged. She cracked the barnacles and they fell away from Ogma like brittle sand all in one mighty pull!


    Eriu was pushed back through the currents by the strength of her powerful tug, sending her and Dr?mn?l flying backwards into the dark sea. She felt relieved to have retrieved her spear, but as she floated in the water with it, she wondered, "How did I manage to control Dr?mn?l? Why did you help me now, but never any other time!" Eriu questioned her spear feeling frustrated that Dr?mn?l was so picky and choosy about helping her, but as usual, there was no response. The shimmering light emanating from the weapon faded into darkness once again. ¡°Ugggh! Stupid rock! Why did I come rescue you?!¡±, she thought loudly at her spear as she got ready to ascend up along Omga¡¯s legs.


    But just as Eriu thought she had succeeded in freeing Dr?mn?l from Ogma''s toe and was about to be free from the cold sea, the giant suddenly lost his balance and began to fall backwards into the water. Eriu and Dr?mn?l were swept up and pulled along with him by the force of his fall.


    She struggled against the strong currents and managed to swim out from under Ogma before he hit the ocean floor. Eriu managed to grab hold of Ogma¡¯s skirt of Pteruges. She clutched hold of a coppery stud on one of the hulking strips of metal. She looked up in shock as Ogma''s massive body crashed down in front of her, creating a cloud of sand and debris that made it nearly impossible for her to see anything.


    Amidst the chaos, Eriu held onto Dr?mn?l tightly in her hand. She struggled to comprehend what had just occurred as the pteruge she clung to bounced up and down on Ogma''s skirt, colliding with the other pteruges. The force of the collision launched Eriu off the stud she was holding onto, propelling her upwards and away from Ogma and the ocean floor. Despite feeling shaken from the impact, Eriu was given a stroke of luck: a wave caused by Ogma crashing into the sea floor propelled her closer to the surface as the water was displaced by the giant''s fall.


    Eriu''s vision blurred as she tumbled through the water, her eyes desperately searching for any glimmer of light that could lead her to the surface. The darkness of the ocean seemed to swallow her and she could barely make out the shapes of Ogma''s massive body and the floating debris.


    As Eriu tumbled through the water, she strained her eyes to see any glimmer of light in the dark depths. The murky water swirled around her, making it difficult to see, but she kept her gaze fixed on looking for the surface, hoping for a way out of the churning clouds of sand.


    In her tumbling through the water Eriu watched closely for any sign of light coming for the surface, ¡°Elen would tell me look for the light and don¡¯t lose it! Look Eriu, Look!¡±, she implored herself as she tumbled through the cold water looking for the way back to the surface and air. She was rapidly losing air. The shock of the pteruges had made her lose her breath and almost Dr?mn?l as well, but she managed somehow to still cling to her silver spear.


    Eriu''s vision blurred as she tumbled through the murky water, but she still strained to see any glimmer of light from the surface that Elen had taught her to look for. The distant sunbeams filtering through the water seemed unreachable, mocking her as she struggled to find her way back to the surface. In her hand, she could see the glint of her silver spear, a small source of hope amidst the chaos.


    ¡°Help me, please, Dr?mn?l!¡±, she begged her spear in her mind, but Dr?mn?l did not respond to her thoughts or fear. ¡°Stupid rock!¡±, she shouted at it, ¡°I might die like a Fal Bolg here! I don¡¯t know if Tuatha become seeds! Help me!¡±, she begged again, but still Dr?mn?l refused to help her. ¡°Fine! I don¡¯t need you to help me!¡± she thought harshly at her spear, ¡°I can help me better than you ever have, dumb rock!¡±, she complained as suddenly a break in the debris appeared.


    A small ray of light flew past Eriu¡¯s eyes, ¡°There! It¡¯s there!¡±, Eriu thought happily as she kicked for the light and the surface. Eriu felt her fatigue plateau suddenly from struggling to swim, Eriu forced herself to move towards the faint glow ahead. But her limbs felt heavy and her vision dimmed as she realized that all this time that she had been screaming at Dr?mn?l in her head and searching for the light in the dark she¡¯d been in a state of suffocation. She began to choke on the salty sea water she struggled to breathe in her panic. Her vision went black, and as it did a hand of a giant came up from below the darkness and seized her in its grasp.


    Eriu was whisked through the water and up she emerged with the giant¡¯s fist to the surface of the water. The breakwater poured over the giant¡¯s hand and over from Eriu and Dr?mn?l against her as she was lifted up and through the air to face Ogma, with a look of guilt on his face.


    ¡°Are you okay, little one?¡±, Ogma asked, concerned. Ogma opened his fist and saw Eriu lying there motionless still gripping her now glowing spear. A shielding aura of light held around the unconscious Eriu from Dr?mn?l who protected Eriu from Ogma¡¯s grasping her from the water when she fainted.


    Ogma peered at Dr?mn?l with his sharp and exacting gaze and he let out a little moan, ¡°Hmmmm. Yes. I see.¡±, he hummed as he examined Dr?mn?l and the aura protecting Eriu in the giant¡¯s palm. Omga let out a small sigh as he stood up to his full height from the water carefully so he didn¡¯t drop Eriu back into the water. Ogma exclaimed as he rose up from the seabed, ¡°You¡¯re a good spear, but you¡¯ll be needing to free her from your barrier. I need to help her breathe! You¡¯ll have to trust me. I didn¡¯t mean to fall on her. I swear I didn¡¯t!¡±, the Giant Ogma professed to Dr?mn?l who glowed angrily at Ogma for harming Eriu, but its shine began to dull and the barrier around Eriu faded.


    Ogma let out a sigh of relief, making the clouds disperse from around his head. "I''m grateful that you trust me," he said, sounding a bit more at ease as he addressed Dr?mn?l before placing his massive finger on Eriu''s tiny stomach and gently pressing down. Eriu coughed up sea water onto Ogma''s blue fingertip, eliciting a gasp from her as she struggled to catch her breath. Ogma smiled down at her with an expression of relief. "Thank goodness! I was so worried about you, Little Starlight! I thought I may have accidentally crushed you when I slipped. How did you manage to pull my foot so hard? I¡¯m not exactly the smallest of the Fomori!" he asked chuckling, but his happy eyes looked at Eriu with a hint of suspicion, "How did you even do that?" he added softly as Eriu continued to cough up water onto his large and open palm.


    Eriu looked up at Ogma as she spit out more briny seawater into Ogma¡¯s hand. Her glare was scathing as she looked at the happy towering giant looking at her with his wide grin on his face, ¡°Who are you to be bombarding me with all these questions when you just nearly fell on top of me! You said you wouldn¡¯t!¡±, she exclaimed furiously between her gasps for air and struggling to catch her breath. Her lungs burned her and she began to choke more making her fall forward, but she caught herself with Dr?mn?l¡¯s hilt before she fell the full distance.


    Eriu took some deep breaths into her stinging lungs and calmed her mind a moment before returning her angry eyes back to Ogma and exclaiming loudly despite her shallow breathing, ¡°Why do you keep calling me Little Starlight? You aren¡¯t my father, and even he has never once called me that, so why should you?!¡±, she accused Ogma as she then pointed Dr?mn?l at him accusingly. ¡°Answer that before you begin to bombard me with all your questions, Ogma Cloud Rider, light of foot!¡±, she added venomously, still glaring fiercely at the giant Ogma who smiled at her.


    Ogma let out a shallow chuckle that caused ripples in the sea below him. "I apologize for being so formal," he said, "but I''ve known your mother for many years. It feels like I''ve known you since birth, but of course, you wouldn''t remember me at all. I have not seen you since you were very small, indeed! Though you have not grown overmuch since I last saw you.", Ogma said with a curious look on his face as he examined Eriu closer with his strong Fomorian eyes that can see through even the thickest of stone. He nodded his head as he spoke, "Would it bother you if I called you Little Starlight? I won''t if it offends you, my young one," Ogma said in a more relaxed tone to ease Eriu as he continued to examine her and Dr?mn?l in her hand.


    Eriu thought on if it did offend her that Ogma called her Little Starlight, and she decided that it really didn¡¯t. She even really liked it a little that Ogma did call her Little Starlight. It felt paternal and fatherly to her a little. Eriu had never really had a father before. Dagda was no father to her, but she felt a little embarrassed she did instinctively feel that way about Ogma whom she just met calling her that, so she said, ¡°Call me what you will, Ogma Cloud Rider! It matters not to me, but know my name is Eriu! You can always call me that!¡±, she said with a hint of aggression as she crossed her arms and watched Ogma looking at her with a peculiar look on his enormous face, ¡°What are you doing, Ogma? Why are you looking at me like that?¡±, she complained, feeling uncomfortable suddenly under Ogma¡¯s diamond sharp gaze.


    ¡°Hmmm..¡±, he began as he examined Eriu in his palm, ¡°Did you know you have a knot?¡±, he asked pondering over Eriu as he looked on at her glaring at him angrily. ¡°How long have you had it, your knot, do you know?¡±, he asked Eriu sincerely as he watched her face, gauging her response as she spoke.


    Ogma chuckled and shook his head. "No, little one, I did not hit my head," he said, still holding her in his palm. "I am talking about the knot in your heart!"


    Eriu''s eyes widened in confusion. "What knot? I have no idea what you are talking about!"


    "Everyone has an aura, little Eriu.," Ogma explained patiently. "It determines who we are and who we will become. But yours is different than most."


    Ogma shook his head again and smiled reassuringly at her. "I do not think you are broken, child of Danu. I think you are a puzzle yet solved, but I know someone close by who loves puzzles and games!¡±, he declared to Eriu with a kind smile.


    Eriu felt a mix of emotions flood through her - fear, excitement, curiosity. She had never heard of such a thing before as someone having a knot in their heart, and this new hope of finding someone who could help with it sent Eriu into a fit of happiness. Dr?mn?l shined in her hand with her excitement though Eriu seemed to not notice it doing so.


    "How do you know all of this?" she asked Ogma with her young and expectant smile beaming on her childlike face. Eriu clutched Dr?mn?l against her as she looked to Ogma for answers.


    "I am a Cloud Rider," he replied simply, ¡°Or once long ago I was, anyway. A cloud rider must have sharp eyes to see where they are going and what lies below them.¡±, Ogma said with a smile as he began to walk through the deep water towards the east and the setting sun.


    Eriu looked at him expectantly for further explanation as they strode together through the waves, she sitting now comfortably in Ogma¡¯s upturned palm.


    "We Femorians are beings that can see the knotted roots of Akash. We follow her roots deep into the earth and beyond, even.," Ogma continued, his voice taking on a far-off quality as if lost in thought. "Some Femori can help guide those knotted roots that are tangled or unclear, but I don¡¯t think I possess the power or knowledge to undo your knot, but I know others who may have those gifts. I will take you to Atlantis and your aunt Brigid. She may have answers for you, little Eriu. If anyone would, it¡¯d be her.", Ogma said sounding sure of his decision to bring Eriu to Atlantis and her aunt Brigid.


    As they walked, and Ogma carried Eriu in his palm through the deep ocean, Eriu couldn''t help but feel a little scared at the mention of Atlantis. She had heard stories about the legendary city from her mother, but she had always dismissed them as just that - stories. But now it seemed like she was actually going to visit this mythical place she¡¯d only ever heard of.


    An excitement suddenly took Eriu as she shouted up at Ogma¡¯s smiling face, "What is Atlantis like?" she asked Ogma, trying to hide her anxious fear with curiosity.


    "Well, I have only visited a few times myself, but it is quite magnificent. It is ruled by your aunt and¡­ Well.. Someone else," Ogma replied with a somewhat terse, but otherwise fatherly smile. "It''s a city built entirely of crystal and light, with towering buildings and beautiful gardens. The city is built on three rings that turn in the sky above three rings that lay in the sea. The people who live there are just as magical as the city itself. Well¡­", he paused a moment to collect his words before continuing speaking, ¡°Most are anyway. There are some who are lacking in that regard who are welcomed into the city, but they are few and kept far from where those belonging to the Sidhe reside. You will understand better when you witness it yourself, little Eriu.¡±, said Ogma, letting his voice trail off into the cloudy sky.


    Eriu watched how Ogma struggled to move quickly in the water. ¡°Ogma, you never answered why you are tied to an anchor! Can we undo it? You will walk faster if we do, but don¡¯t fall on me if we try to untie you!¡±, said Eriu pointing her spear Dr?mn?l accusingly at Ogma who looked perplexed at Eriu asking again about his braid being tied to an anchor.


    Ogma shifted uneasily, struggling to find the right words when asked about his peculiar braid being tied to an anchor. Ogma¡¯s eyes shifted to the far horizon as he stuttered out, ¡°I.. Um..Well..¡±, he stammered.


    "Are you tangled up with the anchor by accident?" asked Eriu out of the blue. "If you''re embarrassed, it''s fine. You don''t have to explain how it happened. But I can dive down and try to untangle you if you promise not to accidentally fall on me again!"


    ¡°No, no! Don¡¯t go trying to touch it! It¡¯s a foul thing that¡¯s tied to my braid, little Eriu. I..uh.. I made your grandmothers upset a long time ago. They had my braid tied to that anchor of Oricalculm for something I should not have done. The knots of my braid cannot be undone, little Eriu, but thank you for wanting to help me. You are very kind, indeed.¡±, said Ogma graciously as he bowed his head in thanks for Eriu¡¯s offer of assistance.


    Eriu''s only response was a soft "oh." Watching Ogma limp through the sea, trying his best to help her reach Atlantis and undo the knot in her heart that he had told her about, she felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. She had accidentally injured him with Dr?mn?l and even spilled her basket of food on him, yet he still persisted in helping her.


    "Ogma, I could go back to my boat. I''ll figure out a way to get to Atlantis on my own. You don''t have to keep fighting the sea for me. You''ve already done so much. Thank you!" she exclaimed, attempting to ease her feelings of guilt.


    Ogma chuckled heartily at her naivety and her hesitation to accept his assistance. After finishing his jovial laughter, he flashed a wide grin with a mouth full of rough diamond teeth and proudly declared, "Once upon a time, I soared among the sky. That''s how I gained my name, Ogma Cloud Rider - that''s what my brethren called me." He took a deep breath of the sea air and let out a sigh so powerful that it created great waves that reached up to his waist. Once the ocean settled, Ogma collected his thoughts and continued speaking to Eriu, who listened patiently from the palm of his hand.


    "In those ancient times when I still soared through the heavens, we Femori were at war with the treacherous Fal Bolg. They were not the shadows and fiends you know now," he said with a shake of his head. "No, in those days, the Fal Bolg were formidable creatures belonging to nature. They wielded mighty magic, and their sorceress priestess Ole Gran was a force of destruction and calculated horror for us Femori.¡±, Eriu watched Ogma struggling to walk through the ocean as he told her more of his tale, and her guilt grew more with his every word.


    ¡°We were nothing more than slaves to our Wyrd mothers who commanded us as loyal warriors.", said Ogma as again his crystal blue tears fell from his eyes into the sea. ¡°I lost many fellow Cloud Riders trying to breach the walls of Fal Bolg temples and their strong holds for the Wyrd. I have brought countless Fal Bolg to return to seeds again with these hands that hold you.¡±, he laughed weakly now as his eyes drifted away in his remembering the past as he spoke on, ¡°I am no innocent with these hands stained with the blood of my friends and the Fal Bolg, so any good I can do to balance the scales I try to achieve. Think no more of my trying to help you, little Eriu. It is really just me being selfish.¡±, Ogma said smiling his fatherly smile again at Eriu who looked away from his smile in her feelings of guilt.


    Eriu was at a loss for how to feel. All she could do was sit and listen as Ogma shared his emotional story of his past. His tears pained her, and she desperately wanted to help her new friend, but she didn''t know how. "How can I be of any use when I''m so small and weak? I can''t even wield my spear properly," she thought sadly, feeling powerless. "Mother would say I''m useless and incapable of helping anyone, especially a giant like Ogma," she mused in frustration. But then, Eriu remembered Ogma''s mention of knowing her mother Danu for a long time. This sparked a new curiosity in her, and she suddenly blurted out, "Hey, Ogma! You said you''ve known my mother for a while now. Was she always so mean? Did you know her when she was young?" Eriu couldn''t resist asking about her mother''s past behavior in her youth.


    Ogma shifted nervously before starting to speak. "Back when I was younger and I had the pleasure of knowing your mother better," he began, his words carefully chosen. "She was a vibrant soul who adored music. She had the kindest heart I''ve ever known." He looked away, fixated on the waves below instead of meeting Eriu''s gaze as he spoke about Danu. "She and your aunt Brigid were the only Tuatha who truly showed us Femorians any kindness. We even considered making her our queen at one point, but it never came to fruition. I believe she still carries the pain of that rejection." Ogma wiped away more tears of blue crystals with his free hand. "I know many Femori still carry that sadness to this day, but choices were made. That is fate¡¯s design," he said, giving Eriu a weak smile as his eyes glistened with tears of topaz.


    Eriu''s mind was in turmoil as she processed Ogma''s words. She couldn''t reconcile Ogma¡¯s kind, loving description of her mother with the woman she had known all her life. "That''s not my mother. That''s not Danu!" she thought bitterly to herself. "Danu isn''t kind to anyone, and she isn''t vibrant, just violent." Her heart ached at the realization that there may have been a different version of her mother, one who could have shown her love and kindness. ¡°Why was she never kind to me if she was kind to Femorians?¡±, she thought as her own tears began to sting her eyes thinking of her mother.


    But even as this new information stirred something within Eriu, her hatred for her mother still burned strong. She couldn''t let go of all the pain and hurt that Danu had caused her throughout the years. The memories flooded back- harsh words, punishments for no reason, neglect and abandonment. Eriu felt herself getting angry again and she shook her head in disbelief. "No," she said firmly to Ogma. "I can''t believe that my mother was ever kind or loving. I don¡¯t know that Danu."


    Ogma sighed, understanding Eriu''s struggle to accept this new information about her mother. He knew that it would take time for her wounds to heal and for forgiveness to be possible. But he also knew because he was older than the stones that holding onto anger and bitterness would only bring more pain in the long run. "I understand your feelings, my dear Eriu," he said gently. "But I hope someday you can find it in your heart to forgive your mother, and I hope she can learn to love again. It sounds like you both need to relearn that particular lesson, maybe."


    Through tears, Eriu spoke loudly and with a flat tone. "I can''t forgive her," she said. "There''s too much to forgive, I don''t even know where to begin." She cried bitterly, as she gazed at the waves below while sitting on the edge of Ogma''s palm next to Dr?mn?l, her feet dangling over the edge.


    Ogma sympathized with Eriu''s anguish and her reluctance to forgive Danu. He could see the pain etched in her eyes and understood that it would take time for her to recover. All he could manage in response was a quiet, "I understand," before his attention was drawn back to the rolling waves of the ocean. As they made their way to Atlantis together, Ogma''s large legs dipped into the blue sea, causing ripples around them as they limped their way across the vast expanse of water towards Brigid and her potential solution to help with Eriu¡¯s troubled heart¡­


    As they made their journey through the shining waters of the sea Ogma grew uncomfortable with Eriu¡¯s sad face and the uncomfortable silence between them and he began to tell her another story. ¡°When I was a young stone back in Mag Itha I remember a time your mother had a long face like yours, little Miss.¡±, Ogma said down to Eriu who looked up to him with teary eyes.


    ¡°Why was she sad?¡±, Eriu asked genuinely interested in knowing more about her mother from her youth.


    Ogma looked to her with a small nod as he began, ¡°There was a time before your mother had her pretty crown she wears and a time when she was just a girl,¡± Ogma said smiling, ¡°Once Danu had made the Wyrd very cross when in a moment of silly desperation.¡±, he said now shaking his head, ¡°Your mother took one of the wyrd¡¯s Bobbins from their loom Kismet they guard so jealously.¡±, Ogma stated darkly, ¡°She claimed, to me at least, she wanted to change the future so we Femorians did not have to live so far from Tir Na n?g.¡±, he laughed at remembering, ¡°She thought she could use the bobbin to move Mag Itha, our ancient stronghold at the bottom of the sea. She wanted to set Mag Itha below Tir Na n?g¡¯s waves. She thought if we were all closer she could see us Femori she cared for every day, but she didn¡¯t accomplish what she set after. Kismet only has one master and that¡¯s the Wyrd.¡±, Ogma said with tears clinging to his eyes now. ¡°She just wanted us to be more visible and less forgotten in court. She was kind.¡±, Ogma said then smiling down at Eriu. ¡°You¡¯re kind like Danu, too, little one. You just have to remember not to lose that light in you like Danu sounds like she may have.¡±, Ogma said weakly and with a frown, ¡°You should be proud of what you did today. That was very brave, and I am grateful to you, little one.¡±, he said smiling at Eriu who looked up at Ogma feeling confused by his kindness to her.


    Eriu asked, baffled. "Why are you being kind to me even though I accidentally threw a spear at you? Shouldn''t you still be angry with me?" Eriu genuinely didn''t understand Ogma¡¯s kindness and his willingness to help her.


    Ogma only laughed at her as if what she had asked was funny, ¡°You must return kindness, little one!¡±, he mused, ¡°Kindess is like a stone on a hill, and it stops when we stop digging the hill that stone called kindness rolls down. It¡¯s up to each of us to make the stone roll and see it never stops, little one!¡±, Ogma said nodding. ¡°I¡¯m just doing my part. You were kind, too! You saved my toes and even got the gunk between them out! I couldn¡¯t be more grateful, little one!¡±, he said beaming as they strode through the waves and a warm breeze blew off the ocean and swept Eriu¡¯s long black hair as she smiled back at Ogma from his palm.


    Eriu grew curious and asked up at Ogma casually, ¡°What is your home like, Ogma? You said you live under the sea, so it is dark?¡±, she asked, looking up with her interested eyes to wait for Ogma¡¯s reply.


    Ogma smiled his fatherly smile down at Eriu who he carried. He looked at her and said, ¡°No, Mag Itha is not so dark, little one. We have the light from Akash¡¯s roots to warm our halls and grow our fields. They grow twisted in the secret places down below, and we Femori harvest Akash¡¯s sap for the court.¡±, he said more darkly. ¡°Our great halls extend deep into the darkness of the world and we follow the roots and her sap wherever we find it, little one.¡±


    Eriu listened to Ogma¡¯s words with wonder as she said, ¡°I want to see Mag Itha and Akash¡¯s roots. Do you think I would be able? I cannot even Ascend, so do you think I can go see the roots of Akash and your home?¡±


    ¡°Oh yes!¡±, he said excitedly as he carried her with him through the sea, ¡°I will take you the the shining halls of my brother someday, little Eriu! It would be my honor to bring you to our court to greet my brother Delb¨¢ed. I think he would be very happy to meet you, little one!¡±, said Ogma jovially bounding along in the waves thinking on their journey they would have to Mag Itha, but he said with a more stern look crossing his face, ¡°First we need to take you to your aunt. I think she will want to meet you as well, little Eriu. You need to be meeting her too to take care of that knot.¡±, he said nodding and bounding a little quicker with more of a sense of urgency to his limping steps.


    ¡°We''re getting closer to Atlantis, but I''ll need a break soon,¡± he explained as he stretched his neck trying to see beyond the horizon. ¡°There''s a lagoon nearby where the Mer reside in a palace made of coral. They call it P¨¦arla Br¨ªde and their stronghold stretches from the island into the depths of the sea. You''ll find their history and culture fascinating if you continue your journey all the way to Mag Itha.¡± He smiled warmly as he shared this information, ¡°The Mer share many of our Femorian customs and are like cousins to us. It will be a good place for you to gain insight into life in the deep sea and see how my brothers live in Mag Itha.¡± He nodded enthusiastically, revealing his rough diamond teeth once again to Eriu.


    Eriu smiled back at Ogma who turned his head to look back out to sea. Eriu grew so excited. She had never been anywhere, and now this Ogma was promising to take her to see all these new places. He was going to help Eriu with her knot, even. Eriu was overwhelmed with joy as she bobbed along with Ogma in the sea. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see this P¨¦arla Br¨ªde, and Atlantis after! I wonder what my aunt will be like¡± she thought as she laid back in Ogma¡¯s palm and let the sun bathe her in its warm glow.


    Eriu leaned up on her elbows and turned to Ogma, inquiring, "Do you know anything about my aunt? I''ve only seen her once." She couldn''t help but remember the elaborate veils her aunt wore, and how she would giggle while her handsome husband Bres insulted her and Danu before the court. ¡°She wasn¡¯t very nice and she wore a lot of veils when I met her. I don¡¯t think she liked me much then.¡±, Eriu said with a lilt of worry to her tone.


    Ogma stopped in his tracks and glared at Eriu hard, shaking in a near rage as he spoke in a furious whisper, ¡°That¡¯s not your aunt! Don¡¯t ever confuse them!¡±, he shook more as he said, ¡°I don¡¯t know what black art or sorcery Bres did, but that thing that sounds like your aunt that he parades at court under those veils is not her!¡±, he shouted and the clouds boomed away from him as he gasped in and exhaled deep furious breaths of wind that shook the waves.


    Eriu was forced to stand as the waves began to swallow up Ogma¡¯s palm in his panting. ¡°Ogma! Ogma please calm down! You¡¯re making me all wet, and I might get swept away!¡±, Eriu begged as she clung now to the outside of Ogma¡¯s thumb.


    Ogma calmed his breathing and raised his hand higher from the water for Eriu as he sighed out, ¡°I am sorry, little one. I did not mean to get so upset, but what my brother has done is unforgivable!¡±, he declared shaking his head, ¡°But that¡¯s a matter for adults.¡±, he said smiling his diamond smile at Eriu, ¡°But do know your aunt is not what you might have thought of her. You will love her when you meet her,¡± Ogma said reassuringly, ¡°We all love our Queen Brigid!¡±, he announced quite loudly into the heavens as if he was speaking to someone other than Eriu in his palm.


    Eriu didn¡¯t really understand, but she settled back against the skin of Ogma¡¯s palm with Dr?mn?l in her hands. She refused to let her spear go again until they reached land, and so she laid with it in her arms and let the sun warm her. She laid her head in the crook of skin between Ogma¡¯s thumb and his index finger. The fold of it cradled her and Dr?mn?l from moving too much as the sun shone above. The warm light made her lull.


    Eriu was tired from surviving her perils under the water, and all the questions and new information Ogma had given her swirled in her head. Eriu laid back and wondered what it would be like to see this P¨¦arla Br¨ªde and then Atlantis. Eriu began to dream about what her aunt might look like and what Mag Itha was like below the sea. She even wondered about her mother and her stealing from the Wyrd for the Femorians as Ogma had told her.


    ¡°I wonder what it would have been like to know her then? Would she have liked me? She doesn¡¯t now, so probably not.¡±, she decided with a pout, but still she dreamed of a kinder Danu and of seeing all the places Ogma had promised to show her. ¡°I hope my aunt Brigid can fix my knot.¡±, she said to Ogma from her lying comfortably in his palm, ¡°I don¡¯t want my mother to hate me forever.¡±, she said then, ¡°I would like to see her the way you said she used to be.¡±, said Eriu as she began to yawn from her warm comfort.


    ¡°Me too, little one. Me too¡±, said Ogma smiling at Eriu as she slipped off into her dreaming in Ogma¡¯s hand, and as he continued to walk his way out to sea towards the enchanted island of P¨¦arla Br¨ªde...

 Morrigans Ascension into Court

    Morrigan ran after her father Dagda trying to catch up to him. He strode through the grass so fast. Morrigan felt so slow moving through the grass carrying Uaithne who sapped her strength for silencing it. ¡°Won¡¯t he slow down? This harp is heavy!¡±, she thought as she heaved Uaithne¡¯s glittering bulk against herself. ¡°I can barely keep up in this grass. It¡¯s so thick on my feet!¡±, she thought as she carried her fathers harp.


    The long and sweet smelling grass before the citadel drank her strength as she carried Uaithne after Idunn and her father who were growing further and further ahead of her. Morrigan felt herself slowing nearly to a crawl as she carried her father¡¯s harp in her arms.


    Idunn and her father far ahead of her seemed to be unbothered as they pushed their paths through the waving violet grass. Idunn herself seemed particularly unbothered as she glided through the grass who bowed in reverence at Idunn¡¯s passing. Idunn looked back to Morrigan struggling with Uaithne and said kindly to her, ¡°Morrigan, my darling, perhaps you should release the harp? You will move easier through the grass, and I believe Uaithne can travel under her own power.¡±, she said with a sweet smile and the voice of birds.


    Dagda barked at Idunn, ¡°Morrigan is to mind my harp! Say no more on it, Idunn!¡±


    Idunn bowed her head low to Dagda as they traveled together, ¡°Apologies, Sovereign, I only saw her struggle. I defer to your will in all things, my king.¡±, Idunn said in a fleet of chirps.


    Dagda did nothing more but grumble and walk faster forward, ¡°Hurry on! You said the Wyrd are waiting!¡±, he barked again at Idunn who followed dutifully behind the Tuatha king.


    ¡°Yes, of course, my King!¡±, said Idunn smiling as she waited for Morrigan to catch up to her. Idunn smiled at Morrigan and knelt down for her and said, ¡°Climb on my back. I will bear you to the citadel. We must hurry before the Wyrd become too cross at our being late.¡±, Idunn said kindly as she helped Morrigan on her back with Uaithne.


    Morrigan sat upon Idunn''s back, her long ebony hair blowing in the wind as they traveled bounding through the grass. Idunn¡¯s legs were tall and graceful branches that made Idunn float through the tall billowing grass, her steps moved effortless as she practically danced through the ever changing and beautiful landscape of Idunn¡¯s garden.


    As they followed the path, they passed a field of sunflowers. The cheerful flowers were always facing towards the bright sun in the sky, their petals radiating with warmth and light. Morrigan couldn''t help but giggle at the sight of them. Their happiness seemed to fill the air as she and Idunn walked through the tall grass below the sunflower¡¯s towering height. Birds of every color flew out from their petals gleaming with dew in the sunlight.


    But soon, the sunflowers gave way to a different kind of beauty. Willows of every color sprouted from the ground, their long branches swaying gently in the breeze. They created a curtain of colors that rang out joyous chimes as they rustled against each other, blending with the sound of the grass beneath their feet.


    High above them, songbirds like jewels flew between the leaves, their wings beating in a glittering display as they followed along with Idunn and Morrigan''s journey. Their songs added to the already beautiful symphony of nature surrounding them in Idunn¡¯s garden.


    Dagda rushed far ahead of Idunn carrying Morrigan, his strong posture exuded the power and authority of his kingly office as he glowed brilliantly in the coming twilight. A small creek ran down behind him into a spring at the bottom of a tall hill, surrounded by silvery myrtles that sprang golden blooms from their branch in bundles that chimed as the wind made them wiggle in the fading sunlight. Wildflowers whose petals were smooth and shined like rainbow glass grew in the thousands in the meadow which was fed by the ancient spring beyond.


    Morrigan sat upon Idunn''s back, her long hair flying behind her as they hurried through the grass. Morrigan marveled at the beauty of Idunn¡¯s wild garden and said, ¡°You care for all of this with only an apple? You¡¯re astounding Idunn!¡±, she said truly impressed and smiling at Idunn who bore her to her father.


    Idunn smiled proudly with her rosy lips curling happily, ¡°Oh yes. I have the other Fal Bolg to help, but yes, it is mostly me!¡± Idunn nearly blushed at Morrigan as her ivory blossoms in her braids hinted a shade pinker at Morrigan¡¯s compliment. Most never noticed Idunn¡¯s beauty, and Idunn was somewhat unused to being reminded of it as she blushed to the compliment.


    ¡°Thank you for saying so, little princess. You¡¯re most kind!¡±, said Idunn smiling back at Morrigan on her back as they arrived near Dagda at the creek overlooking the beautiful meadow and spring. Idunn stopped and sat Morrigan, with Uaithne still clutched against her, on the grass. Idunn leaned in as she sat Morrigan down and she said in a low and quiet buzz, ¡°Remind me little Princess to show you something special later since you enjoy my garden so well!¡±, said Idunn in a delighted hum. ¡°Just lets keep it a little secret between us. Are you good with secrets?¡±, she whispered low to Morrigan.


    Morrigan''s wide, moon-like eyes lit up at the sight of Idunn¡¯s beauty, and she gave a discreet nod so her father wouldn''t notice her excitement. Idunn didn''t say anything further either, but her smile towards Morrigan showed her joy at Morrigan¡¯s understanding. Idunn¡¯s full lips were tinted with the soft pink of spring roses as they curved elegantly into a smile, but her eyes suddenly lit with an odd light Morrigan did not fully understand. Idunn¡¯s eyes glowed with a silent but hungry ambition.


    Idunn graciously guided the stunning Morrigan to Dagda who climbed ahead down towards the spring without them. The fabric of Morrigan''s dresses cascaded down her slender thighs, resembling delicate rose petals flowing from her waist. Her lustrous black tresses draped down her back, extending all the way to her knees and leaving behind shimmering ribbons that faded into bright white light at the tips as she traipsed behind Idunn down the hill after her father holding Uaithne to her.


    As Morrigan arrived at the foot of the babbling spring, Idunn took the lead, gliding through the shimmering flowers that surrounded them. Each flower seemed to radiate joy as she passed by. With a graceful gesture, Idunn summoned her sparkling red apple ¨²ll, which hovered in front of her as a swirling portal emerged up from the babbling waters of the spring. The portal created a perfect mirror, reflecting a magnificent golden throne room through it.


    Idunn bowed to Dagda who did not wait for words as he stormed through the mirror and into the Wyrd¡¯s throne chamber. Idunn smiled kindly at Morrigan as she arose from her polite bow and looked at Morrigan holding Uaithne. Morrigan¡¯s knees shivered under her gowns. She began feeling unsure if she even wanted to cross into the portal after her father.


    Idunn looked at Morrigan curiously and stated kindly, ¡°You don¡¯t really want to make them all angry at you for being slow and not bearing Uaithne to court as your father charged you to do, do you? They do love their little offences at court. They cherish each one very well.¡±, Idunn warned Morrigan sweetly chirping. ¡°I would rush after your father, little Princess. Don¡¯t keep him waiting.¡± Idunn smiled her blushing smile again at Morrigan.


    Morrigan nodded vigorously and held tight her father¡¯s harp in her arms as she hopped into the spring and barreled into the shimmering mirror after her father. Idunn simply shook her head and laughed to herself a little chirp from her rosy lips as she followed through the golden mirror behind Morrigan and Uaithne.


    As Morrigan stepped into the mirror, she was greeted by the breathtaking sight of the Wyrd themselves seated on their magnificent golden throne among the stars. From high above, their three sets of eyes gazed down upon the court below, emanating a radiant glow that filled the room like sunlight through the breaking branches of the forest grove that sheltered the Tuatha Dea and their attending Fal Bolg from burning under their mother¡¯s all seeing gaze.


    Moire, seated on the highest throne and with a vantage point to witness all that unfolds in the present, spoke up. "Dagda, you have come late before us! I am aware of the reason why, and you need not say it, but know we are displeased about it none the less!," she called down from the celestial realm above the grove. ¡°You did not bring all your children as we asked you to!¡±, Moire shouted, ¡°Where is your eldest with her fine spear we have given to her? Why does she remain with Danu on Brasil and not here in our keeping as we asked you?!¡±


    Dagda curled his lips into a hard frown at his Wyrd mother Moire shouting at him. He shouted back up at his mothers, ¡°Should you not already know the reason why, Mother Moire?! You three see all! You already know I will not disgrace Tir Na n?g and Akash by offering her weak children to her groves!¡±, shouted Dagda with a fist held high in defiance before the Wyrd, ¡°You most of all despise the weakest of us! Why should you want Eriu to come join us here?!¡±


    The golden Moira who sees all that comes from the future, seated on the glimmering throne to the left of Moire, screamed out in frustration. She had witnessed all that was about to unfold and could take no more of the pointless yelling between Moire and Dagda below. Moira yelled up to Moire high above her, ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry too much about it, Moire! Eriu is where she is needed!¡±, she said petting her chin slyly.


    Moira turned her gaze downward and smiled down at Dagda with a warm glow and said, ¡°You did well to bring us your two glowing daughters. They will bloom in our garden like spring flowers in our light. We will see to it, Dagda.¡± Moira brimmed with a radiant shine of furious power as her focus turned away from Dagda and she shouted down at the Fal Bolg servants attending her Tuatha children in the grove below, ¡°You dim and foggy shades go find me Bres! Bring that glowing idiot to me now! He¡¯s in the forest somewhere I see, but it¡¯s dark and he¡¯s not wearing his helmet?!¡±, Moira said as she raised her hands to her eyes trying hard to see Bres better in the dark, but she could not. She screamed out from her throne above the cowering Fal Bolg, ¡°Go get him!¡±


    The Fal Bolg assembled quickly and leaped over the ornately set tables under the trees, not caring about the food that was scattered in their wake. They pushed aside chairs and obstacles in their path, following the Wyrd Mother Moira¡¯s orders to exit the throne room. The trembling Fal Bolg stumbled and tripped over one another as they rushed towards the portal beside Morrigan, donning their worn and dark armor in a frantic attempt to find Bres, the king of Atlantis, missing in the ancient and sprawling woods beyond the glass.


    Morrigan observed with mild amusement as the Wyrd commanded the Fal Bolg to gather and transform into a neat and swirling mist. The ancient soldiers clad in their failing and misty armor then charged out through the main corridor, on a mission to find King Bres in the ancient grove beyond the Wyrd''s palace.


    Morrigan then turned her gaze towards the court, its golden magnificence shining before her. Above the starry canopy of trees that surrounded the court hung long, flowing tapestries like flowing shrouds of sparkling starlight. These tapestries depicted the stories of all that the Wyrd had created and overseen, woven by the Wyrd themselves upon their loom Kismet, into intricate patterns of ancient runes that Morrigan didn¡¯t know. Each tapestry swayed gently in the breeze, hanging from the branches of the starry forest trees making Morrigan¡¯s studious mind more and more curious.


    Morrigan struggled to decipher the stories and symbols written in the ancient runes, but they seemed to dance away from her gaze. Idunn leaned in behind her, watching as Morrigan attempted to make sense of a nearby tapestry that hung lower than the rest. "Only the Wyrd can truly understand Kismet''s runes," she whispered, a hint of smugness in her voice. "Don''t waste your time trying to solve them. Your grandmothers hold the secret to unlocking their meaning jealously, but they are quite skilled at weaving them into beautiful patterns, don''t you think?", said Idunn as she chirped and smiled sweetly over Morrigan''s slim shoulder.


    King Dagda marched before Morrigan and Idunn with a proud gait, King Dagda''s presence loomed over Morrigan and Idunn. The Tuatha watched him arrive with a mixture of impatience and respect. Canta, second brother of the Tuatha and physician to the Sidhe Court, impatiently tapped his foot and frowned while standing in front of the throne of the Wyrd mothers that seemed to reach up into the heavens. Standing beside Canta was his son Miach, who held a stern yet attractive smile as he looked at Morrigan from beside the throne and his father, Canta.


    Canta''s expression was reserved, but his voice displayed clear annoyance as he spoke, "You''re late!¡±, spoke Canta at Dagda in a manner verging on being ungracious. ¡°We had to begin without you!¡±


    Dagda¡¯s younger brother Canta scowled over his long, neat beard that grew down from his cheeks and chin like shards of frozen glass until it tapered into a sharp point at his chin. Adorned in dark cerulean robes that emitted swirling patterns of light, Canta stood before the thrones of the Wyrd mothers exuding authority. His golden sword dangled from his hip, encased within an ornate scabbard crafted out of intertwined branches. Hidden within the scabbard lay the dormant golden blade Excalibur, awaiting its master''s hand to grasp it.


    ¡°So the mothers above us have already said Canta!¡±, said Dagda even more annoyed than he already was beforehand. His patience withering rapidly as he approached his scowling brother. ¡°You don¡¯t need to repeat them to me!¡±, Dagda shouted out annoyed. ¡°Why is Bres not with us but in the woods, Mothers?¡±, he questioned up at the Wyrd seated high above.


    From her vantage point above, Moiri, who sees all that has happened before, called down to Dagda with a bright and annoyed glow. "I have witnessed that Bres refuses to stand before us at court! He brings no good news from Atlantis, but this is unacceptable! He must explain why our treasury is empty and why our oricalculm is still not here as promised!" Moiri shouted at Dagda. "The Fal Bolg will bring him before us soon enough to answer why he defies our will. Enough of Bres! Summon your daughters so we might see them clearer!"


    Dagda bowed low as he answered his mothers above him, ¡°Mothers, I have only brought one daughter with me for now.,¡± King Dagda announced before the magnificent throne of the Wyrd. ¡°The other daughter displeased me, and I refused to reveal your grandeur to her until in the morning light. Morrigan, come forth!¡± he commanded.


    ¡°Hmm..Oh, yes!¡±, said Moiri, looking to her sisters holding her hand to her lips in embarrassment, ¡°I see that now that I¡¯m looking at it directly!¡±, she admitted, ¡°That did happen before Bres ran away crying from the courtroom before. I was so distracted I replayed it in my mind awhile.¡±, she mused to her sisters, before Moiri looked over at Moira and said, ¡°You really should try to be nicer! You can be so scathing sometimes! He wouldn¡¯t have ran away if you hadn¡¯t shouted so loudly, I think.¡±, she accused Moira.


    ¡°Well, you just always focus on what was! I have to look ahead, and he must do as he is told, Moiri! Listen to me instead of always looking back all the time!¡±, Moira insisted to her sister.


    ¡°Well then I would be blind, you fool!¡±, said Moiri as the three sisters laughed together on their thrones. Ignoring Dagda who was beginning to fume at their bantering.


    "Mothers, I bring Morrigan!", he announced, raising his voice so that the three Goddesses above could hear him. "She is prepared to prove herself and join your court," he stated firmly, bowing to his mothers as they looked on with joyful expressions. As Dagda began to speak again, trying to say something about Morrigan, but the Wyrd spoke over him booming out their voices with thunderous joy.


    ¡°Welcome Granddaughter! We¡¯re so happy you¡¯ve come to us here!¡±, the three of them boomed together from their thrones above Dagda, talking over him much to his annoyance. ¡°Come forward to us! Let us look at you!¡±, they said in the same voice together.


    With hesitant steps, Morrigan made her way towards the Wyrd''s throne. She couldn''t help but feel even more apprehensive than she already had as she gazed up at the imposing figure of her uncle Canta, his cold blue eyes fixated on her. They seemed to pierce through her with a starry light that chilled her to the bone, like two frozen nebulae lost in time.


    As Morrigan curtsied low before the Wyrd''s throne, her heart raced with fear and awe. The power emanating from the Wyrd Mothers above was overwhelming but also exhilarating to her. She smiled to herself and gripped Uaithne who hummed quietly against her in protest.


    Morrigan looked upwards and was overcome with a deep sense of reverence for her grandmother¡¯s eternal reign over them all. At the power glowing off of them. Morrigan wanted in that moment to join with their light, and to even supersede it one day! Morrigan silently basked in a light of ambition that spilled out from the power of the Wyrd above her.


    Uaithne, who she clung to tightly, wiggled in her grasp as if sensing the Wyrd''s presence and Morrigan¡¯s ambition. Morrigan smiled sweetly up at the mothers above, trying to hide her fear and awe with a coy smile. She knew that she had displeased her father on their trip here, and she could only hope that the Wyrd would show her mercy for it if they had seen it in their visions. She knew she must demonstrate her success at Ascension before the court, and she would! ¡°I¡¯m going to give them a dance to remember.¡±, she thought then to herself looking at her grandmothers. ¡°I will show them all how bright I can shine, and how high I can rise!¡±, she thought, feeling determined to show her worth to the Tuatha Dea and the Wyrd.


    "Hello, little one," Moiri spoke with a kind voice, smiling down at Morrigan from her throne. "I am glad you are here. Your father has brought you before us to see your abilities firsthand. I, for one know you can perform the steps, but I saw them only from afar. Show us your path to Akash now, sweet child of Dagda. We are all excited to see you Ascend!" Moiri looked up and tugged at Moire¡¯s robes, ¡°Don¡¯t you love it too? Watching the babes glow for the first time?!¡±, she said excitedly.


    Moire looked down with her sisters shared excitement, ¡°Oh yes! I love when our wee lambs grow their first fleece. They have such a fine shine at that small age.¡±, Moire said booming above, glowing out her happy light into the starry void haloing her. ¡°Let us see you shine, child!¡±, said Moire even more excitedly than Moiri had sounded before.


    Canta choked up at Moiri and Moire telling Morrigan to Ascend. He coughed loudly out before the Wyrd. ¡°Exalted Wyrd Mothers, I think we should instead adjourn to the holy apple groves of the Achad Abla! Balor waits already there with his daughter Macha awaiting the Unicorn to arrive with Aiden from the forest path. Balor is impatient for the Unicorn to run and for your prize you say you offer to the winner. Do you offer your prize to any contestant, or only those not past their Rite of Calling?¡±, said Canta looking to his mothers expectantly.


    From her throne, Moira''s voice rang out, "You understand our courts customs, Canta! Only the pure-hearted children of the court are allowed to participate in the Rite of Calling. Your son has already completed it before, and we will not allow him to do so again! Do not ask it again!", the starlit goddess screamed as she shone brightly from her throne.


    Canta humbly knelt before his shining mothers and responded, "I understand, I will follow your wishes. I only hoped that Miach could have a better experience this time around. As you already know, he fell during his previous ride on the Unicorn, even if he did manage to call a Unicorn to him and pass the calling. I thought it would be a kind gesture from his grandmothers if he could redeem himself by riding tonight. But I will certainly comply with your commands.", Canta said bowing before the Wyrd.


    The three Wyrd¡¯s voices in unison descended in a burst of brightness, crying out "No!" as they faced the kneeling Canta who seethed with anger at their decision regarding his son.


    Canta''s jaw was clenched as bowed, and his fists balled into cracking ice as he rose from his bowed position. His eyes were cold and hard, the anger in them barely contained.


    Despite his anger, Canta stood tall and composed, his eyes cold with fury as he looked up at the shining thrones of the Wyrd. His broad shoulders were tense and his jaw clenched in determination, but his voice remained measured and kind as he said, ¡°Of course, your will be done, mothers.¡±


    Moira stood tall on her shining throne, her golden hair cascading down her back and her eyes glittering like two stars with determination. As she called out to the court, her voice echoed through the halls, commanding the Tuatha feasting below¡¯s attention. The Wyrd, three golden and triplicate figures, stood up from their thrones together, their faces glowing with an otherworldly light. Together, they pointed to a grand golden gate that appeared before them, adorned with columns of unicorns rearing up on their hind legs and the doors of the gates became golden falling leaves as they opened to allow the courts passing through the Sepulchre of Akash into Achad Alba beyond.


    Moira stood tall and mighty on her shining throne, as she looked down at the court below. ¡°Adjourn to the Sepulchre and then on to Achad Abla! There we will see Dagda¡¯s daughter perform Ascension while we await the Unicorn to appear!¡±, said Moira calling out her demand like the crashing of a star. The Wyrd Moiri and Moire, with their luminous robes and sparkling eyes, joined their golden sister and pointed the way to the Sepulchre and together they cried out their command of, ¡°Go!¡±, before vanishing in a shimmering ray of golden light.


    Canta near the throne turned away at Wyrd¡¯s command to leave the throne room and venture through the gate. His eyes suddenly froze over Morrigan as he passed her leaving the dais before the throne. He turned back and addressed Dagda accusingly with a voice as cold as a winter¡¯s wind, ¡°Why is she carrying Uaithne, Brother Dagda? Can not Uaithne fly on her own?¡±, Canta said as he looked over Morrigan holding her father¡¯s harp. ¡°Are you so weak and frail now brother you cannot make Uaithne glide? Give her to me if you¡¯re too old to lift your harp.¡±, Canta said as jape, but Morrigan saw the raw hunger in Canta¡¯s eyes as he watched her holding Uaithne. His gaze made her knees quiver unexpectedly below her gowns.


    Morrigan''s body stiffened as she gripped Uaithne tightly in her arms, her face paled. She felt her moonlit eyes certainly widen with her fear. Canta''s cold and calculating eyes bore into her, his lips twisted into a mean blue sneer as he looked down at her. Morrigan''s own eyes, usually bright and vibrant as moonlight, now seemed cloudy and dim as her confidence faded rapidly under Canta¡¯s frigid blue eyes.


    Dagda spoke up loudly and irritated, ¡°Don¡¯t you jest with me today, Canta! I¡¯m in no mood for your wild ambitions!¡±, Dagda said grasping his head as if he was coming into a headache. ¡°Don¡¯t pester Morrigan she does as I ask! Don¡¯t pester me, either! I am still your king, Canta!¡±


    Canta''s eyes flickered with a faint blue light at Dagda''s reminder that he was king. Canta was all too aware of his brother''s position as ruler over him and the other Tuatha, and he resented it deeply. However, he forced a cold smile onto his face and bowed in false humility as he responded, "As you and the Wyrd have proclaimed, Brother, you are indeed king, but I implore you to never forget how you came to be so." Canta said as he smiled, but his eyes gleaned with malice.


    Dagda ignored Canta''s hostile glare and continued towards the gate, gifted to them by the Wyrd. Dagda waved off Canta¡¯s words with a hand as he stormed passed him and down the dais steps. The entire golden court rose from their feasting tables and beautiful hall of floating shrouds to follow their adored king Dadga.


    Canta gave Morrigan one last suspicious look before storming off and joining the rest of the court through the gate, Morrigan caught a glimpse of Idunn following behind her father with the court. Morrigan, herself, was left alone on the dais with only Uaithne and Miach, son of Canta.


    Morrigan caught a glimpse of Miach''s blue eyes as he smiled and walked past her. He resembled his father, but his features were gentler. While Canta possessed the strength of an icy tempest, Miach exuded the charm of freshly fallen snow, inviting others to come and explore its frozen beauty. Morrigan was enticed by the blue light of his aura as Miach passed her, but she said nothing. She only watched as he passed her, but he stopped and he suddenly gave Morrigan his brightest smile.


    "I apologize if my father caught you off guard," he said sympathetically. "He may come across as brusque and sharp as a pin, but he has a good heart." Miach spoke kindly, bowing deeply and taking Morrigan''s hand in his own. He pressed a gentle and polite kiss to it, as was customary at court. Despite the flutter in her chest, Morrigan maintained her composed smile as she held onto Uaithne. She did not let her emotions show on her face.


    Miach looked up from his kissing her hand with his blue eyes shining kindly, ¡°I¡¯m excited to see your Ascension. I expect it will be as lovely as you are, Princess.¡±, Miach said with his smile glittering like freshly fallen snow at her. Miach¡¯s glittering beauty nearly took her breath away, but Morrigan stayed calm and only smiled as she said, ¡°You¡¯re over kind! I¡¯m truly nervous, really. I hope that it won¡¯t reflect in my steps.¡±, she said feeling a little more worried despite Miach¡¯s happy smiling face before her. ¡°I do not want to disappoint anyone by not shining bright enough.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think anyone could possibly think of you as disappointing, but I can imagine feeling nervous. I am used to that feeling myself.¡±, he paused and thought for a moment with a sigh, ¡°What sometimes helps me is if I just let go of it and ride the feeling. It usually goes away soon after. At least, that¡¯s how it works for me, anyway.¡±, he said smiling as he began to turn away towards the Wyrd¡¯s gate. ¡°I wish you great success, Morrigan. I will see you at Achad Alba.¡±


    Miach began to take a step away from Morrigan but stopped. He turned back and asked, ¡°But do you need an escort through the gate?¡±, he said slyly as he held out his arm and smiled kindly. ¡°I make a fine escort in a pinch.¡±, Miach said smiling at Morrigan as he winked at her with his arm outstretched awaiting her to accept his invitation to join him through the gate.


    Morrigan looked at his arm and wished she could grasp it, but Uaithne misbehaved and wobbled in her grasp. Morrigan sighed and shook her head as she said, ¡°Thank you, but I can manage to Achad Alba.¡± She lit up thinking suddenly, ¡°But can you maybe walk beside me as we go?¡±, Morrigan asked shyly as she looked to her feet then back up into Miach¡¯s silvery blue eyes looking at her. She said then quietly but so Miach could hear her, ¡°I cannot take your arm you offer. I am sorry for that.¡±


    Morrigan held Uaithne even tighter as she half lied, ¡°It would upset my father if I were to come to the sacred grove on another¡¯s arm. He says I must travel through the Sepulchre alone, but I would not mind the company of you if you trailed near by me as I do.¡±, she said smiling as Uaithne jumped in her arms and made the faint sound of a lamb braying at each of her lying words.


    Miach looked around suddenly confused at hearing a lamb and said, ¡°Did you hear that? Did old Fidget let a lamb in here to cause a scene?¡±, Miach said laughing as he looked around for both the lamb and this Fidget that Morrigan did not know. ¡°Where is he and his sheep? I heard it I thought?¡± Miach looked at Morrigan with confused eyes, ¡°You heard it too, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    Morrigan said nothing as she did not want Uaithne to sound out again. Morrigan shook her head side to side as she smiled and walked past Miach towards the gate. ¡°I am going through the gate now. Are you coming?¡±, she said smiling back at Miach as he still looked for the missing lamb in the great banquet hall beyond the Wyrd¡¯s throne before giving up and just joining with Morrigan at the gate.


    As they walked together through the gate and into the Sepulchre of Akash, a grand foyer welcomed them, reminiscent of the cella of an ancient temple. The walls were adorned with intricate golden patterns of the Wyrd¡¯s runes that changed and moved, and columns of gold reigned down magnificently from the air like beams of heavenly light. In the center of the cella stood a golden root, spanning high into the celestial ceiling above and curling into a single great star that shone down brilliantly over all.


    Morrigan''s eyes widened in wonder as she took in the magnificent sight expanding out before her. Beside her, Miach wore a look of reverence while also glancing over at Morrigan to see her reaction to seeing Akash''s root for the first time. The mighty root reached towards the sky, connecting them to Tir Na n?g and everything in between with its shining light. As they stood there, Morrigan couldn''t help but feel a surge of excitement at the thought of all the possibilities and connections that existed within Akash''s root.


    Morrigan held her breath as she and Miach both made their way towards the shining root of Akash. As they approached it, Morrigan could feel a pulse emanating from it ¨C as if it was alive and breathing. She reached out to touch it but hesitated when she noticed small buds sprouting from its surface. The flowers shimmered a golden shine as they bloomed open and released their floral beauty all throughout the chamber.


    ¡°They smell like apple honey and amber,¡± she said in amazement.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Miach replied. ¡°Akash is constantly growing and changing, much like our own souls are. Her blooming like that is lucky, did you know? I think she is excited for your Ascension, too.¡±, Miach said giving Morrigan his charming smile again.


    Morrigan smiled and nodded at Miach¡¯s kind words and continued to study the root before them before bowing reverently with Uaithne and saying to the root, ¡°Bless you, Mother of Mothers, and thank you.¡±, before she bowed to the mighty Akash then turned and began to follow after the rest of the court already leaving towards the apple grove of Achad Alba.


    Miach followed Morrigan as they passed by Akash''s roots and arrived at a gate guarded by a line of towering silver Fal Bolg. The priestly Fal Bolg statues standing beside the high silver gate held long golden staves that were ablaze with sconces of rainbow flames, casting a mesmerizing dance of colors across the ever changing patterns of the golden walls around the gate.


    Morrigan observed the Fal Bolg priests and looked to Miach, ¡°I am surprised these were left here this way. Did not the Wyrd demand that all Fal Bolg effigies and ruins be destroyed? I think I recall my fathers saying so once.¡±, said Morrigan looking curious at Miach for answers.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    Miach beamed his charming and icy smile next to Morrigan, confidently revealing the answer from all the years he had spent studying under his father''s tutelage, ¡°These were left here for one reason only.¡±, he said almost giggling about it.


    ¡°Morrigan looked to Miach with her moonlit eyes expectantly and asked with a smile, ¡°Well? What was the reason?!¡±


    Miach leaned down and whispered into Morrigan¡¯s ear softly so no other could hear him say, ¡°The fires burn the smell of the roots of Akash away from entering the Wyrd¡¯s loom chamber. They say the smell of Akash can become so strong a smell the Wyrd cannot weave on Kismet if the fires do not burn.¡±


    ¡°They tried to change the look of the statues to your father and mine, but somehow they always return back to Fal Bolg priests. These Fal Bolg cannot be removed nor changed no matter how it angers my father that his effigy does not stand guarding the gates to Achad Alba.¡±, he mused with a smile concealed behind his hand.


    Miach smiled wider behind his hand and whispered far lower as he revealed his suspicion, ¡°I think Idunn, the grounds keeper, I think she makes the statues somehow always change back to Fal Bolg. Though no one has ever caught or accused her of doing so, these two statues remain one of our many little palace mysteries we¡¯ve yet to solve. Perhaps only the Wyrd know the truth of it.¡±, he said laughing a little in Morrigan¡¯s ear.


    Morrigan looked back at Miach as he pulled away from her ear and for a moment they locked eyes. Morrigan became enchanted with Miach¡¯s cool gaze, but Uaithne jumped in her arms and broke the gaze suddenly.


    ¡°I should hurry¡±, Morrigan suddenly said. ¡°I¡¯m expected to Ascend now!¡±, she said nervously as she held tightly to Uaithne in her arms and ran ahead through the gate as she felt her cheeks blush from having locked eyes with Miach in such a way. Her heart skipped with her steps thinking on him and his words to her as she stepped through the silvery portal gate into the garden orchard of Achad Alba.


    The air when she entered the fabled gardens of Achad Alba were alive with the sweet scent of wild flowers and apple blooms as Morrigan and Miach strolled from the path from the gate further into the garden to where the court awaited them.


    The air around the garden as they walked carried a sweet and earthy scent, the lingering aroma of the blooming flowers and the fresh, new growth of Akash''s root mingled in the night.The air was filled with a subtle floral scent, the tender aroma of the blooming buds on Akash''s root spilled out along with roots themselves into the garden of tall and silver apple trees, but the golden trees bore no fruit Morrigan noticed as she looked out over the garden before her and breathed in its fresh perfumes.


    ¡°Have the trees not bloomed?¡±, Morrigan asked Miach as they walked together down the path of starry flowers growing up from the trimmed and velvety grass at their feet.


    ¡°Soon they will when Inis F¨¢il passes over and by then the apples will grow. Then they will bloom, but only as half as lovely as you already have.¡±, said Miach looking to Morrigan with his blue eyes that made her heart skip beats for some reason. Morrigan felt herself blushing as she turned her head so Miach could not see her smiling because of him.


    ¡°Ah, I did not know.¡±, she said shyly as her eyes shimmered without her knowing and she smiled bashfully, her cheeks glowing. Miach¡¯s full smile stunned her so that Morrigan turned her face away from Miach towards the apple trees beyond. ¡°Will Inis F¨¢il come soon?¡±, she said turning back to Miach with a more austere smile replacing her more giddy one she¡¯d concealed from Miach.


    ¡°Soon, yes.¡±, he said showing Morrigan his most charming smile and his wintry white teeth in response to her unchanging smile she always wore. ¡°When our grounds keeper, the Idunn I mentioned earlier, when her son Aiden arrives from the forest with his Fal Bolg then Inis F¨¢il will grace the orchard.¡±


    Miach looked ahead and saw Idunn standing near the King Dagda whispering something to him over his shoulder. His charming smile dipped suddenly looking at the beautiful Fal Bolg Idunn. He leaned into Morrigan and whispered into her ear, ¡°Have you met Idunn yet, by chance?¡±, he said lowly as Morrigan and he continued down the silvery path of flowers to greet the court.


    ¡°I did.¡±, said Morrigan in a whisper behind her hand so no other could hear her speak either, ¡°Why do you ask me?¡±, she said feeling a little concerned now as she looked at Idunn ahead with her father. ¡°She seems very kind.¡±, said Morrigan in Idunn¡¯s defense.


    Miach nodded at Morrigan and whispered low to her, ¡°Oh yes, she is, but there¡¯s always something about her kind smile that I find alarming, but you could say the same of anyone at court.¡±, Miach admitted with a terseness to his voice that betrayed his unchanging smile. ¡°I just would like you to be careful is all. I would hate to see Dagda¡¯s beautiful daughter gone astray because of a silly Fal Bolg.¡±, Miach said as his truly charming and refreshing smile returned to his eyes and his face at his complimenting Morrigan who blushed wildly as he called her beautiful.


    Morrigan didn¡¯t at all know what to say. She had never been called beautiful by anyone other than her parents before and other adults, and even then only rarely when she had truly earned it from them to say so. Morrigan was aflutter with butterflies inside her at his complimenting her, but also she wanted to remain cool and level headed like her father had always carried himself.


    She replied simply, ¡°Thank you. I am glad you enjoy looking at my glory.¡±, she said proudly as she strolled past the smiling Miach, and as she took two steps past him she turned and whispered to him, ¡°I hope you continue to keep looking and enjoying doing so.¡±, she said with a sly grin as she walked away suppressing the giggles building up inside her for Miach¡¯s pleasant smile as she hurried with Uaithne held against her wiggling at her joy in her arms.


    Morrigan walked into the orchard, making her way towards Dagda and Idunn who were already seated on the grass under the silver apple trees. The ground was covered in golden daisy flowers, creating a soft blanket beneath them. As they waited for Inis F¨¢il''s arrival and the unicorns, they also waited to see Morrigan demonstrate her Ascending before the Wyrd.


    Morrigan''s hands trembled slightly as she walked through the orchard towards Dagda, her eyes catching the glint of golden starlight reflecting off the Wyrd Mothers seated on a floating cloud high above the court dangling their three sets of feet over the side as they lounged above the orchard grove waiting.


    She could see her father¡¯s stoic expression looking at her holding his harp and felt a flutter of anxiety in her chest as he said, ¡°Hurry over there now!¡±, he said pointing through the trees of the grove, ¡°Don¡¯t make me and your grandmothers wait!¡±, he commanded Morrigan. ¡°Give to me my harp. You¡¯ve done well with Uaithne.¡±, he said suddenly smiling a little. ¡°Go beyond the trees. Your grandmothers will tell you what to do. Now go¡±, Dagda said as Uaithne sprung from her grasp and fled over to her father who took the harp into his own arms like an inviting hug to an old friend.


    Dagda leaned in close, speaking in a hushed voice that no one else could hear. "Don''t make a sound," he whispered to Uaithne. "I''ll give you extra attention later when I tune you if you behave, and I¡¯ll throw in some tickles!" Uaithne''s soundboard seemed to glitter in response, promising its full cooperation with Dagda who winked to Uaithne as his only response.


    Morrigan turned herself and followed her father''s instructions and headed towards the trees, turning around to make sure she was going in the right direction. With her eyes shining with anticipation, she scanned the trees for Miach. She soon spotted him seated next to his regal father, both of them surrounded by a patch of beautiful shining blue bells. As Morrigan turned back around, she couldn''t help but feel excited at the opportunity to show off her abilities to the handsome Miach. Her nerves had left her entirely as she raced under the glittering apple branches above her.


    As Morrigan emerged from the trees, she found herself in a large clearing. The sky was open and free of the orchard and its branches, allowing one to Ascend high into the heavens. The ground beneath her feet was covered in shimmering violet grass that hugged Morrigan¡¯s legs as it swayed against her, heightening her senses and grounding her to the roots of reality.


    Above her now floated the cloud and the Wyrd. They hovered seated above Morrigan as three shining figures of golden light, their forms almost ethereal as they gazed at her with wise and all-knowing eyes.


    "Morrigan," they said in unison, their voices like music to her ears. "We have been waiting for you! Welcome to our garden of Tir Na n?g, Daughter of Dagda!", they said sweetly together.


    Morrigan approached them slowly, feeling a sense of reverence wash over her again standing in her Grandmother¡¯s light. She knelt down before them, bowing her head in respect even as the violet grass tickled her nose and made her want to giggle.


    "Rise," Moiri of the Wyrd Mothers said kindly. "We will explain now the Rite!"


    Morrigan stood up, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling inside her. She knew this was a great honor bestowed upon her that the Wyrd would invite her to court and ask her proving Ascension before the whole Sidhe, but she looked beyond through the trees with a sideways glance and couldn¡¯t help feeling a small disappointment her mother Danu wouldn¡¯t see her Ascend. Morrigan bit her lip silently and tried to not let her disappointment affect her showing her glow as the Wyrd explained the rules of the Rite.


    "We will guide you through the steps," Moira, Wyrd Mother said instructively,"But it is up to you to call upon Akash and show us your strength and connection to the divine Root of Mothers!"


    Moire called out then to Morrigan her instruction, ¡°You must Ascend to our feet, if you can.¡±, she said slyly, ¡°Only then will you be proven worthy to grace Tir Na n?g with your light¡±, yelled down the ancient goddess of destiny from high above.


    Morrigan looked up at her grandmother, nodding in understanding. Morrigan closed her eyes and took a deep breath, focusing all her attention on the energy within herself. She thought of Miach''s smile, a happy memory that made her giggle. "Just enough of him to make me glitter a little," she thought with a smile and biting her lip coyly over it, recalling his wintry beauty.


    The music began to play for Morrigan. It was a sound more beautiful than Uaithne had ever sung to her short memory, but it existed only for Morrigan and her thoughts. Morrigan swayed to an internal rhythm that only she could hear, she saw roots springing up like starlight along the ground. Morrigan welcomed the roots to bind to her legs and the light of Akash led her steps through the grass. She could feel Akash''s gentle vibrations pulsating through every inch of her body, waiting to be released as she walked on the flowering golden roots that sprouted out under each of her steps hoisting her into in the air.


    She took the first step of faith one must take to rise above and greet Akash as she ascended into the air from her dance that began in the grass. Her gait took the form of moonlight snowing silver white rose petals under each of her steps as she thought once more of Miach¡¯s glittering white aura touching hers as they had walked together to Achad Alba. Morrigan swayed to the music of new love in her mind and climbed through the air, ¡°Higher! I can rise higher still!¡±, she urged herself in a beautiful scene of dips, bows, and twirls as she danced her way across the moonlight of her happiness and up into the stars.


    As she climbed higher, runes and circles of glyphs began springing up in her mind and appeared as intricate weaves of glowing sigils in the air around her steps, their runes glowing with an otherworldly light. The ancient Fey runes danced and swirled, creating a mesmerizing display that seemed to come from within her as she danced above the glittering branches of Achad Alba, shining with her dazzling power.


    As Morrigan climbed higher and higher, she could see circles of words forming in her mind. They glowed with a soft, otherworldly light, swirling and dancing before her. The meanings of these words were both familiar and foreign, as if from another time and place. She watched as they weaved together, like intricate patterns of ancient Fey runes, shimmering in the starlight as she reached out to them, hoping to grasp a string of the runes in her hands from her dreaming.


    As Morrigan danced and glided higher and higher, the intricate circles of words in her mind formed into swirling patterns of light, each one pulsating with its own meaning and power. These words, though familiar to her despite her not really comprehending them, held an otherworldly quality that excited her as she chased after and danced with each rune trying to order them into a meaning she could understand. The dream-like images that played in her mind were like a tapestry woven from the threading roots of Akash, each one adding to the beauty and complexity of the scenes of silver grass she saw playing inside her.


    Morrigan lifted above the clouds, her body glowing silver as she weaved powerful glyphs in the air. The court watched in awe as her runes took shape and cast intricate circles of light into the night sky. As she ascended higher and higher, her brilliance only grew, until she was nearly reaching the height of the Wyrd on their cloud high in the stars.


    In her mind, Morrigan galloped through the tall grass atop a majestic unicorn. The creature was crafted from stars and the essence of time itself - a magnificent steed. She rode Dub Sainglend through the astral landscape, soaring over silver hills and chasing after the wind. A joyful grin stretched across her face as she clung to his powerful neck, swept away by the thrill of her dream.


    Morrigan was dreaming and dancing under Akash¡¯s power and never noticed how her dreams spilled out from her and into the runes that spanned across the sky and court. The Wyrd themselves watched her runes with much interest as Morrigan arose higher and higher.


    Idunn who sat beside Dagda watching and could read every rune Morrigan made in the sky smiled a subtle smile as she turned to address her king, ¡°She is a marvel, your Morrigan, your Radiance! I don¡¯t think I have ever seen such a pure light as hers. Not for some time, anyway.¡±, she said coyly smiling at her king.


    Dagda who only knew the basics of the ancient and forgotten Fey could only read a little, but it was enough for him to grow a scowl watching Morrigan¡¯s runes as he said back to Idunn, ¡°She did not glow quite this brightly for her mother and myself on Brasil. Perhaps the Wyrd are to blame?¡±, he whispered to his favored advisor in her ear hoping his mothers would not notice while they watched Morrigan¡¯s display above. ¡°I do not think my daughter even knows those runes. It must be them meddling somehow.¡±, he said scowling up at his daughter in the sky.


    Idunn looked surprised as she looked at her King Dagda who looked upwards at Morrigan glowing above in suspicion as Idunn chirped worriedly, ¡°You think they did something to your daughter, my King? Why would they?¡±


    ¡°Who knows the will of my mighty mothers other than they themselves, but I recognize their scheming when its in front my eyes.¡±, he said flatly in a whisper, ¡°Not with my children will they go on with their scheming.¡±, he vowed then watching Morrigan¡¯s runes glittering above him.


    ¡°I would never presume to know the minds of the All-Mighty Wyrd, nor your own, my king, but it seems to me your child is simply very gifted. Perhaps Tir Na n?g is the reason she shines so, all ancient leylines converge upon the Isle. Perhaps that is the only reason she shines brighter than she did once in Brasil.¡± Idunn smiled as she played with her braid in her hand while she watched Morrigan dance above, ¡°You must be very proud of her, my king.¡±, chirped Idunn politely from beside her sovereign, her lips curled in their usual sweet smile. ¡°She really is astounding to watch.¡±, buzzed Idunn as her smile widened some watching Morrigan¡¯s runes shine above.


    ¡°Yes, I suppose she is, but I wish she¡¯d have held back some of her light.¡±, said Dagda annoyed as he looked around the court and saw everyone whispering over the runes shining above Achad Alba and the court. ¡°I think she might give others the wrong idea the way she¡¯s shining.¡±


    Dagda cast his eyes over at Canta sitting upon his seat of faintly glowing blue bells beyond. He felt a cold rage watching his younger brother smiling ambitiously at Morrigan in the sky. ¡°What do you think Canta will do over this?¡±, whispered Dagda to Idunn in her small pointed ear.


    Idunn subtly looked over to Canta smiling at the sky, ¡°I imagine Canta will do what Canta always does when there¡¯s a bone near. He¡¯ll gnaw at it like the hungry hound he is, my King, but I think his hands are bound from doing anything too rash.¡±, Idunn scoffed, ¡°He has his duties for the Wyrd. He must again go and insist for more Fomorians to dig the roots in Atlantis. The Fomorians of Mag Itha refused Bres and his orders to dig, or so a bird once told me¡±, Idunn chirped smiling her sweet smile to Dagda.


    ¡°Good. I¡¯m glad the Wyrd finally dispatched him. He can be Bres¡¯s problem now, but I am glad there will be a quick solution to our orichalcum problem. Canta will see those Femorians know their place in the Sidhe. They grasp too high!,¡± said Dagda harshly into Idunn¡¯s ear before returning his attention back to Morrigan ascending in the sky.


    ¡°Indeed, your Radiance.¡±, said Idunn playing with her silver braids in her lap and watching Morrigan¡¯s beauty spill out from her across the darkened sky, her eyes lighting with their light of ambition as her smile widened into a lovely curve on her heart shaped face.


    As Morrigan continued to ascend, her body moving in fluid, graceful movements as she focused on her dream, she was unaware that she had reached the same level as the powerful Wyrd Mothers. They all looked at her with a mixture of anger and suspicion as Morrigan''s runes flowed over them, smashing against their runes hovering invisible in the air.


    ¡°Who does this little one think she is? Rising above us all, shining like a star?¡±, whispered Moiri to Moire and then to Moira in a line, their whispers filled with disdain for Morrigan who Ascended and did not stop.


    ¡°I do not know, but I do not trust her. She seems too ambitious for such a young child! No other would dare fly above our heads!¡±, replied Moiri with a frown.


    ¡°What could she possibly want up there?¡±, said Moira pointing up, ¡°Does she think she can reach the realms of the Akash over us?¡±, exclaimed Moira in disbelief.


    Morrigan continued to dance and twirl in the sky, completely oblivious to the Wyrd Mothers¡¯ disapproval in their gaze and their whispering. Morrigan¡¯s dreams were too big for the Wyrd to understand, too wild for them to control. Morrigan¡¯s will reached far out past Achad Alba, and nothing was going to stop her from reaching for the stars as she rode Dub Sainglend up an arching path into the heavens to chase after those same stars she reached out to.


    The mothers continued to watch Morrigan with both fear and fascination. They had never seen anything like this before. A child who shone so brightly and reached such great heights above them was unheard of, unthinkable!


    Morrigan gasped out as she was suddenly yanked out of the air and pulled down towards the Wyrd Mothers. She looked up in shock and fear, her dreams forgotten as she saw Moira''s hand engulfing her, holding her tight.


    "Let me go! What are you doing?! How did I offend you? I am sorry I did so, Grandmothers! Mercy on me please!", Morrigan cried out, struggling against Moira''s searing grasp.


    Moira''s grip only tightened as she and the other Wyrd stared hard at Morrigan together, their eyes burning with gold light as they examined her very soul. "You dare to rise above us? To shine brighter than even the Wyrd Mothers? What trick did Danu teach you when we were not looking?", she hissed in a whisper to Morrigan, her voice filled with jealousy and anger.


    "You are but a child," said Moiri, joining in on the scolding. "You have no place among us here unless we grant it! How dare you shine over us!", she hissed as her light scalded Morrigan¡¯s eyes from between Moira¡¯s fingers.


    "And yet you think you can reach beyond us and grasp the heavens?!" added Moire, looking down at Morrigan with disdain as she whispered harshly at Morrigan who trembled in Moira¡¯s hand.


    Morrigan could feel tears starting to form in her eyes as she realized that her grandmothers did not understand or approve of her dreaming. Morrigan had not meant to soar so high, but the dreaming had carried her away into the heavens. She stopped struggling and hung limply in Moira''s grasp, feeling defeated and small.


    Moira released Morrigan from her grip between her fingers but kept a pinch on her shoulder, squeezing it harshly. "We will not tolerate such disobedience! We will be merciful, Granddaughter, but you will not rise so high again!," she warned. Moira squeezed Morrigan¡¯s shoulder tightly and groaned angrily at her, ¡°Swear it!¡±


    Moira¡¯s squeezing hurt Morrigan terribly as she fell to a knee at the pain and swore, ¡°Anything you ask is yours from me, Grandmothers. I am your most loyal subject! Please forgive me! I will not soar so high again!¡±, she begged her mighty grandmothers on her knees.


    ¡°No, you will not!¡±, the Wyrd said together as all three of them reached up and pulled from the air a fine and thin golden shroud that they together cast over Morrigan. The shroud formed and bound to Morrigan like a mist over her skin and clung to her as a pall. Morrigan immediately felt weakened and tired as the mist clung to her body. ¡°You will bear that mist until we decide you mean your vows and the words you say!¡±, said Moira furiously.


    ¡°How do you hide your future from my sight!? We know of your present and your past, but your future we cannot see! How have you hidden it from us, little sprite?! What were those runes you cast out?! How did you come to know that forgotten tongue, child of Dagda?! Did Danu teach you those runes?!¡±, the Wyrd Moira shouted at Morrigan who already was weeping in confusion.


    ¡°I do not know what you even mean, grandmothers, don¡¯t you see all? I know no runes, nor do I know what you mean! I swear I don¡¯t!¡±, she said weakly looking down to her own feet. The golden shroud sapping her will away by the moment.


    Moira grew furious and whispered harshly with sparks searing Morrigan¡¯s little ear, ¡°Don¡¯t be coy with us, little sprite! You know how you¡¯re hiding your light from our sight!¡±


    Moire frustrated, spoke out in her voice like cracking fire and said, ¡°I think she tells the truth that she does not know.¡± Moire looked to Morrigan with a hard stare behind her starry eyes and stated to her, ¡°You will not remember that we have asked you these questions, and you will not remember the shroud we have placed upon you. Go from us now to your father below! Begone!¡±, Moire said waving her golden hand as Morrigan fell through the Wyrd¡¯s cloud and down fast to the pasture below.


    As Morrigan tumbled from the cloud where her grandmothers watched over her, she became disoriented in the open sky. The winds whipped around her as she plummeted downward at an alarming speed. She gazed down and saw that the shimmering shroud, cast by the Wyrd Mothers over her, was fading away along with her power, dreams, and memories of what had just transpired between her and the Wyrd Mothers.


    Just as Morrigan, who was now half awake under the Wyrd¡¯s spell, succumbed to Moire''s control and fell fast and uncontrolled through the sky. She fell like a meteor down, to her benefit a giant patch of golden marigolds sprouted up and caught her as she landed in a burst of light over Achad Alba, creating a cloud of shimmering pollen that spread throughout the orchard. The falling light from Moire''s enchanted shroud over Morrigan was obscured by this fog of gold as it slowly vanished from sight all together and into the tumbling pollen filling the pasture.


    Idunn rose up as she saw Morrigan falling fast from up high up in the starry heavens above the orchard where the court of Sidhe watched on.¡°What has happened, your Radiance? Did you see?¡±, tweeted out Idunn in a series of fast chirps, ¡°I could not see it all for your daughter¡¯s beautiful glow, but did she almost ascend over the Wyrd, and why did she fall so fast?!¡±


    Dagda ignored Idunn¡¯s series of questions and her concerned look her on her flowery face. He heaved himself up from the golden daisies he sat on with his harp Uaithne in his arms. He sprinted out from the orchard of apple trees and ran to Morrigan. Others of the court did as well, including Canta and his son Miach.


    As he sprinted through the golden pollen mist and under the apple trees, all Dagda could think was, "What has happened? Is Morrigan okay?" His heart pounded in fear as he imagined what could have transpired between the Wyrd and Morrigan. "The light was blinding," he thought to himself, "I couldn''t see a thing!" His mind raced as he made his way towards Morrigan, who was resting atop the golden Marigolds.


    Morrigan drifted in and out of consciousness, her head swimming and a constant ringing whistled in her ears. She couldn''t hear Dagda''s calls as he lowered her down from the Marigolds, and she was too lost in a weightless dream to notice him holding her in his arms.


    In this dream that clouded her mind, it felt like she was falling through a golden cloud, but she couldn''t remember what had led her there or what she had said to the Wyrd. The only thing that lingered in her mind was a bright veil of light that brought her a fair amount of fear in her dream. She fled from the thick clouds of golden pollen in her thoughts that burned her to even think on. She fled from the dream as her eyes began to flutter open in her father¡¯s arms.


    Morrigan''s eyes slowly fluttered open as she felt herself being lowered from the golden marigolds. Her head spun and there was still a faint ringing in her ears, making it difficult for her to focus. She could hear Dagda calling out to her, but it sounded distant and muffled by the ringing as she tried hard to understand the words.


    As she was gently placed on the soft grass by her father''s strong arms, Morrigan tried to sit up, but her body felt heavy and weak. She looked around groggily and saw Canta¡¯s cold eyes and Miach¡¯s kind ones standing nearby, their cunning blue faces looking down at her.


    "Are you alright, my daughter?" Dagda asked with concern in his voice as he stroked Morrigan''s disheveled hair.


    Morrigan tried to nod in response, but her head was still spinning. She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Slowly, the ringing in her ears began to fade and she could hear more clearly, but a deep grogginess remained in her head.


    Dagda exchanged a look with his brother Canta before turning back to Morrigan. "You fell from the Wyrd''s cloud," he explained gently. ¡°Canta, you are Physician of the Sidhe, do you know what could have happened? Did you see anything transpire that I did not from my view?¡±


    Canta from his spot behind Morrigan said, ¡°I did not see why she fell, but only that she did.¡± Canta smiled a little as he asked Morrigan flatly, ¡°Did you insult the Wyrd somehow, or did you just fly too high and trip on a root, princess? Were you trying to impress us or something?¡±, he said now laughing under his breath at Morrigan¡¯s delirium.


    "I don''t remember falling," Morrigan said with confusion, suddenly. Her head was beginning to hurt some as she clung to it. ¡°What was I doing before?¡±, she asked in her haze.


    Dagda, giving his brother the worst of looks, responded before Canta could, "You were performing the Wyrd''s Ascension, Little Moon." Dagda then turned to Morrigan and inquired kindly, "Do you recall what occurred? You ascended so high! It was breathtaking, but how did you end up falling down?"


    Morrigan struggled to remember, but a golden mist clouded her thoughts and she couldn''t recall what she was even trying to remember in the first place. "I finished my Ascension, right? But didn''t we just come from the throne room? I haven''t done the Rite of Ascension yet...have I?" she asked Dagda, feeling increasingly disoriented and confused.


    Morrigan nodded slowly, trying to make sense of everything that had just happened. She remembered feeling happy when surrounded by the Wyrd''s light, but also afraid to venture too far into it. ¡°And then there was a dream of running away...but from what?¡±, she thought as she suddenly even forgot what she had even tried to just recall. ¡°What was I just thinking about?¡±, she tried to remember as a small scowl crossed her face.


    While Morrigan thought over what had just transpired a voice came croaking out from beyond the dark forest trees behind Morrigan and those gathered by the Marigolds observing Dagda holding his confused daughter.


    Fidget, the small Fal Bolg, came bounding down from the benighted trees of the forest shouting out urgently, "My King! My King! I bear the worst news!" His voice was strained and frantic as he approached the group gathered by the giant Marigold patch. The others turned to face him, their expressions growing more concerned as Fidget continued croaking out his words.


    "Your daughter, Princess Titania," Fidget gasped for breath before continuing as he arrived to stand before Dagda, "She has been stolen from our host by Aiden, son of Idunn!" He shook his head in disbelief at the betrayal of his fellow Fal Bolg. ¡°We all tried our best to stop him, but we are but shades to his silver light, my King! He swept your daughter away with promises of riding the Unicorns! A dastardly plot he came up with after being charmed by your daughter¡¯s beauty when she took his hand before, no doubt!¡±, Fidget croaked, shaking his head in shame over Aiden¡¯s betrayal.


    Dagda¡¯s expression darkened as he listened to Fidget''s words, and he had ordered Uaithne to silence with promises of tickles and a good tuning. Dagda knew Aiden well, and had thought him to be a loyal member of his court as his mother Idunn had become, ¡°I see the Wyrd¡¯s hands in this.¡±, he grumbled low before he adverted his eyes to the little toad Fidget who dabbed his eyes with an apple leaf he had torn from an unsuspecting tree to remove his feigned tears.


    "And what of the unicorns?", The Sidhe King asked with a cold edge to his voice. ¡°Where did he take my daughter with the Unicorns you say he¡¯s stolen?¡±, Dagda asked the Fal Bolg Fidget with his voice taking on an icy edge. The breath of all present and standing near Dagda could be clearly seen as his rage became an icy chill in the air around him. ¡°Where is my daughter, Imp!?¡±, Dagda shouted as ice began to form from Fidget¡¯s running rose.


    ¡°Aiden, my King, he ran off and retreated west from here! I think he means to hide in the darkness of the woods beyond the citadel! I have my men out looking still, my King! Only I bear the news!¡±, Fidget said as Uaithne tried vibrating in Dagda¡¯s keeping, but Dagda held Uaithne silent for fear his mothers would hear its false notes and scold him for letting Titania damage Uaithne. Dagda never knew that Fidget lied about everything as Uaithne sat silent next to him.


    Canta let out a hearty laugh, ¡°I see glimpses of Danu in your daughters, Dagda. They certainly know how to stir up trouble at court.¡±, he laughed as he moved to join Fidget.


    Dagda looked over from where he was kneeling beside Morrigan who listened in silence and disbelief that her sister had been kidnapped. Dagda snapped back, ¡°Shut up, Canta! Do your duty and go seek my daughter in the forest!¡±, Dagda commanded as his eyes glowed a bright gold in his fury. ¡°Bring me Aiden alive!¡±, Dagda also commanded. ¡°I will question the boy!¡±, said Dagda as he turned back to Morrigan and picked her up from the grass into his arms as he stood up.


    ¡°Danu would be proud of them is all I meant! They certainly aren¡¯t boring your daughters! Take no offence, Brother Dagda!¡±, Canta exclaimed with amusement before turning his icy gaze onto Fidget. ¡°Imp!¡±, he barked with authority, ¡°Come with me, little Fal Bolg! We will search for our missing Princess together, and we may come across Balor as well to join us. He''ll definitely want to hear what you have to tell us. He may even be the most concerned about the unicorns and our fair Princess being missing,¡± Canta added with a dark humor in his voice as he turned away and marched off into the dark trees.


    Dagda gave Canta a scathing look, but his brother was already strolling away towards the shadowy trees and didn''t see Dagda''s disapproval. Canta''s son, Miach, approached Dagda as he made his way to the forest with Fidget and his father. Miach paused when he saw Morrigan looking up at him with her striking silver eyes; she seemed more Fal Bolg than Tuatha now looking at him, stripped of some of her glow.


    Miach looked at Morrigan with pity as her light faded around her, but her eyes sparkled in the harsh light of Dagda''s anger, and she alone seemed spared from the cold wrath pouring off of Dagda. Miach himself stood a few steps away from Morrigan and King Dagda, trying to keep himself from shivering in fear at Dagda¡¯s freezing glare.


    ¡°We will find your daughter Titania, my king! We won¡¯t fail you!¡±, Miach swore as he knelt to his king. ¡°Please keep our Princess Morrigan safe in your keeping, Sire. She is a marvel with her brilliant shine. I am certain she¡¯s a blessing from Akash to us all!¡±, Miach claimed on his knee before Dagda who was losing his patience holding Morrigan and listening to flowery words.


    King Dagda barked at the Miach kneeling before him, ¡°Save your pretty words and find my daughter! Get up and get out of my sight until you find her!¡±, Dagda commanded as he lost his temper.


    Morrigan placed a hand on her father¡¯s chest softly and said with a kind smile that she used on both Miach and her father, ¡°He¡¯s only trying to help, father. Don¡¯t be cross with him. They will find Titania. I am sure she is only playing a game with Aiden and the unicorn, Father. You know she loves to play little games.¡±


    Dagda softened with Morrigan¡¯s words and her touch. He nodded at her with a weak smile as he said to her, ¡°I am certain you are right, Little Moon. You are usually right in these matters with your sister.¡±, Dagda said as he kissed his daughter¡¯s forehead sweetly.


    Miach stood up, his stance as rigid and disciplined as a soldier''s. He responded to Dagda with determination, "I will do it, my king. I swear." Miach smiled at Morrigan, who was in her father''s arms. He bowed respectfully to them both before running after his father through the shadows of the trees.


    Fidget felt a sense of satisfaction as he followed Canta through the dark trees. ¡°This is going so well! Easier than I even anticipated it being! Uaithne didn¡¯t even sing my words away!¡±, Fidget thought happily to himself as he hopped after Canta ahead of him. His plan was working perfectly ¨C he had successfully gotten Dagda and the others to go after Aiden, leaving him free to search for Titania on his own soon. He couldn''t wait to get his hands on her and take her back to Dagda, who would surely reward him handsomely for his loyalty. ¡°This will teach that prick Aiden from kicking me and always treating me like garbage, and that glowy bitch from stomping on me!¡±, he thought to himself under his greasy smile.


    As they walked deeper into the woods, Fidget couldn''t help but grin at the thought of their inevitable reunion with Aiden. ¡°Oh that pretty boy is going to be much less pretty soon!¡±, he thought as his lips continued curling up and up at his excitement. ¡°He might even be uglier than me after Balor skins him.¡±, he laughed a quiet laugh to himself as he hopped along. He hoped that the boy would put up a good fight when Balor did skin the boy ¨C it would make things all the more interesting.


    Suddenly, Canta came to a halt and turned to face the Imp Fidget. "Imp," he growled, "You know these woods better than most, lead on!"


    Fidget scrambled up and over a large rock, eager to obey Canta''s command to hurry. He awkwardly bowed as he passed by his Lord, leading him through the dense woods. As he ran, Fidget nearly tripped over a tree root that seemed to lift itself up in an attempt to trip him. Fidget had once angrily sheared off all of this particular tree¡¯s leaves when he was upset with Idunn one day, but later regretted it and only cleaned up the front of the tree so she wouldn''t notice his outburst, but Fidget had left the back clean of leaves so this tree would shiver in the breeze. Many of the trees in Idunn¡¯s forest shared similar stories, and the whole wood took part in the delight of the small revenge of trying to trip Fidget as he passed by.


    The tree glimmered with a fierce determination to seek revenge against the terrible imp. Fidget watched as a branch lifted itself and he effortlessly leaped over it, a sly grin on his face as he yelled out to Canta, "Don''t worry, my Lord Canta! I will locate this thief, this villain who mistreats Unicorns and steals Princesses! We Fal Bolg will ensure that he is found for you. Please do not lose even a single strand of your magnificent beard over it, my Lord!"


    Canta looked at Fidget uninterested as he trailed behind, idly inspecting his long sharp nails that resembled claws. "Just finish it already, Imp!" he barked out in a semi-impatient tone before stretching his arms behind him and yawning. "This better not take too long, or that pesky thief Aiden will face my anger instead of Dagda or Balor¡¯s," he chuckled to himself before calling out to Fidget once more: "Hurry up!"


    Fidget scampered ahead, his short legs carrying him swiftly through the thick underbrush of the forest. He could hear Canta''s voice growing distant behind him as the Lord grew impatient with his slow pace. Fidget grinned to himself, knowing that he was only pretending to take his time in order to annoy Canta. Oh, how he loved to vex and irritate the serious and powerful Physician of the Wyrd when there was an occasion to do so.


    Fidget hopped along at a leisurely pace, pretending to be in a hurry. He wore a greasy smile and his eyes gleamed with cruel joy as he thought of finding Aiden. He began bounding happily over rocks and dodging gleaming roots that seemed to rise up and try to trip him on purpose, Fidget''s one goal was to find Aiden and the runaway Titania in the darkness beyond, but not before seeking out Balor!


    Fidget moved slowly, still pretending to rush as he bounded over the roots that obstructed his path. His smile was covered in its usual grease and his eyes gleamed bright with their cruel joy as he thought, "I''m on my way, Aiden. We''ll find you soon!" He grinned as he easily leapt over another root that seemed to shine in the darkness trying to trip the bounding Fidget off guard, but Fidget looked ahead sharply for the missing Titania and the Unicorn beyond in the darkness. He noticed the sparkling light of the roots moving and easily dodged their trying to trip him again. ¡°This will be so simple now. Juicy like a berry even!¡±, he drooled as he guided Canta through the dark of the forest in their pursuit of the lost Unicorn.


    *****


    Dagda watched Miach run away from him and into the darkness. Dagda turned and looked up at the Wyrd above in suspicion and disgust. ¡°I know they did something, but I don¡¯t know what they did to my Little Moon!¡±, he thought furiously as he looked to the heavens scowling. As Dagda stood there scowling, Idunn and another from the court, Bartabus, an emissary of the Femorians of Mag Itha, approached him from the shining Orchard.


    Idunn''s face was filled with fear and confusion as she turned to the enraged king. "What has happened? Why did everyone run into the woods, and why did that imp accuse my son Aiden of stealing the Unicorns? He would never do such a thing!" She shouted out in defense of her son, her voice buzzing with worry. "He would never disrespect the court or the Wyrd like that, my King! I swear it on my loyalty to you both!" She protested loudly and fiercely.


    Dagda turned to face Idunn and Bartabus, his expression still filled with anger. "Aye, that imp did indeed claim that Aiden stole the Unicorns," he growled out, his voice rumbling like thunder. "But I do not believe it for a second," he added after a moment of thought. ¡°This is someone¡¯s plot, I think¡±, he whispered as he raised his eyes up in suspicion of the Wyrd who remained oddly silent.


    Bartabus, who had been standing behind Idunn, stepped forward to join the conversation. He was unremarkable in his dark green robes of moss. The most notable feature of Bartabus was his long and elegant beard. Each strand of his flowing and braided beard was a different type of precious stone, and his every movement cast rainbows around him from his spectacular beard.


    Bartabus spoke in a low, gravelly voice reminiscent of old stones. "We need to locate Aiden and prove his innocence," he suggested calmly. "He''s our most skilled tracker, and I believe he will be able to find the missing Unicorns, and more to the point I don¡¯t believe he¡¯s stolen them!¡±, he said stroking his marvelous beard, ¡°I have crossed paths with the boy before, and I do not believe he is a radical. He is a kind and good person, if that helps ease any concerns." Bartabus ended his words with a respectful nod towards Idunn, who smiled at him in gratitude for defending her son.


    ¡°Thank you, old friend.¡±, Idunn chirped with her own respectful bow and a friendly smile before she turned her eyes back to Dagda who still glowered up at the Wyrd silently fuming at them for the all the meddling they had ever done to him as he held a now unconscious Morrigan in his arms.


    Idunn, impatient with the king asked again, ¡°My king, may I be dismissed to join the search? Please!¡±, Idunn crowed out like a furious hen.


    Dagda''s voice boomed through the trees as he shouted, "Go then!" His anger was evident in the swaying branches. "Find him and bring him to me! Prove your loyalty to me!" He glowered at her with a fierce scowl. ¡°Prove you¡¯re still my friend, Idunn!¡±


    Idunn bowed low in respect along with the grass around her as she faded into it to join with the roots and the soil of Tir Na n?g itself in pursuit of Titania and her son in her dark woods. ¡°I will find both our children and bring them both before you, Your Radiance. You¡¯ve my word on it, my dear friend.,¡± Idunn chirped as she faded into the grass and her voice became the whispering of the wind in Dagda¡¯s ear.


    Bartabus trembled with nervousness as the events unfolded before him. His jeweled beard shone in the light of Dagda''s flames, creating a colorful dance around him with each shiver. The king''s anger was palpable and Bartabus felt uncomfortable just standing there. He cleared his throat and suggested, "If you would like, My King, I can take the child to a safe room in the palace for you." He looked towards the direction where Canta and the others had gone and added, "Perhaps you would like to join the search yourself?" He bowed his head respectfully towards Dagda, who was still seething with fury.


    Dagda gave the plain looking Femorian a sharp glare, but his expression softened as he turned to Bartabus. Dagda was well aware of the old man''s kindness; many at court had been helped by him in some way or another. With a nod of his head, Dagda spoke in his kingly and diplomatic tone, "Thank you, Bartabus. Your presence is invaluable to my court." He handed over the sleeping Morrigan to Bartabus and added, "Please ensure that no one disturbs her while she rests."


    Dagda then surveyed the grove, he noticed everyone watching him and the scene unfolding from behind every orchard tree. Even the Wyrd, who were unusually quiet, had their eyes fixed on him. Their piercing gazes only fueled his anger, but he managed to remain composed. ¡°Many will want to examine her and her gifts after that odd display, and I do not want them touching her.¡±, Dagda growled low through his teeth as he felt the eyes of the Wyrd on his back.


    Dagda, standing before Bartabus, thanked him with royal kindness. Dagda then lit himself by a halo of golden light, Dagda then lifted himself high into the sky and soared above the forest, searching for his daughter in the darkness of its trees.


    Bartabus, now less nervous that Dagda had flown off into the forest with his oddly silent harp. Bartabus ceased his false shivering and shaking. As he held Morrigan in his arms he looked at her with a small and fatherly sort of smile and said in his gravelly whisper,¡°You two daughters of Dagda truly do take after your mother, don¡¯t you? You both, like Danu, love a good and memorable entrance into court!¡±, he laughed his gravelly laugh. ¡°I suppose we¡¯re off to find a room then.¡±, he said smiling under his glittering beard as he said to the sleeping Morrigan, ¡°Let¡¯s be off then, shall we?¡±


    Bartabus adjusted Morrigan in his arms so she was somewhat easier to manage as he carried out into the glittering orchard of Achad Alba. He would find her a room to lay in while he found out what made the Wyrd grab the girl. He was curious what the old hags had up their golden sleeves this time, and Morrigan was Bartabus¡¯s best clue.


    A smile crept onto his face, hidden beneath the jewels of his beard. "They can''t deceive me," he thought to himself. "I saw them take the girl from the sky, but why?" He promised himself that he would ask her when she regained consciousness, before anyone else could get to her. With a sly grin, concealed by his bejeweled beard, he made his way towards the citadel and to a private room where he could wait for Morrigan to awaken from her sleep.

 Lord of Salt

    Under the scorching sun, Lugus''s eyes burned with a familiarity as he woke up from his dreams of suffocating Danu with his fists gripped around the coral raft he had created, trying to choke it. He realized suddenly he was in the middle of the sea. He remembered he had grown his shared raft from a floating piece of fire coral he¡¯d spotted floating in the water after rescuing the Doe Elen who jumped from a tall cliff and nearly drowned. As he gasped for air upon waking, Lugus screamed out to Danu, "What do you want? I don''t have your cursed harp yet!" But each word was stifled by the collar of silence that his sister had placed upon him. He coughed and sputtered as the words fought their way out, like dusty grains clawing their way up his throat.


    Elen casually mentioned to Lugus, "You shouldn''t try to talk with that thing on your neck. It will choke you." She rolled her pretty amber eyes at him as he struggled to clear the dust from his throat and spat it out into the sea, Elen sat nearby on a piece of coral, hugging her knees close to her body. The two were adrift together in the water aimlessly, and had been for awhile.


    Elen had been awake for a while, watching as Lugus slept soundly beside her. "You were out for quite some time. Take it easy when getting up," she advised him calmly as he coughed and slowly regained consciousness. "It took me a moment to steady my own legs when I woke up. You''re probably dehydrated." She was suddenly curious and asked, "Do Tuatha Dea get dehydrated? Or do you never feel thirsty?" She turned to Lugus with interest, examining him like a fascinating specimen. "I guess you can''t answer with Danu''s collar on, can you?" she said, losing enthusiasm. "Isn''t that just my luck? Just when I have the opportunity to ask a real Tuatha Dea questions, they''re silenced by a collar and we''re stuck on this small chunk of coral, drifting aimlessly in the sea." Elen laughed at the irony and added, "Just typical."


    Elen¡¯s piercing gaze turned towards Lugus as she spoke, ¡°It rained a day ago, and I got to drink then. You¡¯ll have to wait unless you can summon a rainstorm like Danu can.¡± Elen looked back at Lugus expectantly, with an angry glare, ¡°How are you going to get us off this piece of floating coral you wizard up?!¡±, she suddenly yelled at Lugus from no where, ¡°How are you going to fix it mighty Tuatha, Procter of the Wyrd¡¯s words or whatever proud nonsense you said to Danu before she strapped that collar around your gob! You know Eriu is still missing?!¡±, she laughed at Lugus who was turning red fuming, ¡°Will you smite me now with that angry scowl you¡¯re wearing?¡±, she said rolling her eyes at Lugus, ¡°After you went through the trouble of saving me and losing Eriu and the boat you were on!? That was a clever move, Mister Hero! You should have just left me to the sea. Danu would have come for me sooner or later. She keeps the water enchanted and deep so we can¡¯t escape now that Dagda fled Brasil with her children.¡±, Elen said flatly to Lugus with her scathing eyes glaring him down from across the coral.


    Lugus, was reminded that Eriu was supposed to be with him, and began to frantically scan the endless horizon of the sea for her. But she was nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, Elen watched Lugus''s futile search with annoyance before rolling her eyes and offering to assist. She took a deep breath and bellowed into the void, "Eriu! Where are you? Answer us from wherever you''ve flown off to on Danu¡¯s barge! Your uncle is very sorry he lost you! Come home now to our coral adrift at sea!" Her tone dripped with sarcasm as she stopped shouting and saw Lugus''s furious gaze upon her with his piercing golden eyes. Unfazed by his anger, Elen simply said, "You''re welcome," with a sweet smile before settling back against a comfortable patch of coral.


    Lugus couldn''t contain his anger at Elen''s sarcastic remark. He thought bitterly, "How could she be so ungrateful when I was the one who rescued her? I sacrificed my chance to reach Tir Na n?g and to get this stupid collar off me! You¡¯re the reason I lost Eriu! You!" he fumed internally, clenching his teeth and fists unable to shout at Elen.


    Eriu was gone, and he had missed his chance to retrieve Uaithne before the Queens meeting on Inis F¨¢il when Uaithne would be alone upon Tir Na n?g. Lugus didn''t even know which direction to go in order to return to land. ¡°If I could find land, perhaps I could ask the birds for directions. They are sure to know the way to Tir Na n?g.¡±, he thought anxiously planning as he watched Elen, who seemed unaware of his presence as she lay against the coral, anger surged within him. But he refrained from yelling at her; the collar of silence around his neck reminded him to control his emotions. Instead, he clenched his teeth and held back his fury.


    Lugus smirked to himself as he watched Elen laying against the coral. ¡°I don¡¯t need to stay where I¡¯m not wanted.¡±, he said to himself with a smile, ¡°I can just fly away.¡±, he thought then as he began gathering his will and his thoughts to change into a bird again.


    Lugus hesitated for a moment before transforming into a sea hawk and took off into the sky. He didn''t want to leave Elen alone in the open sea, but he also didn''t want to stay where he wasn''t wanted. ¡°She¡¯ll be fine. She seems to be able to manage herself.¡±, he thought bitterly as he watched her still ignoring him even as he changed his form to a sea hawk with silvery wings. ¡°She won¡¯t miss me a moment.¡±, he thought grinning within as he silently took off and into the sky.


    Elen couldn''t help but notice Lugus as he suddenly took off into the sky, his wings beating loudly. She called out to him, "Hey, don''t leave me! Who will speak for you? We can''t find Eriu without each other!" Her pleas fell on deaf ears as Lugus continued flying higher and further, following the waves in search of land.


    With a loud shriek, she hurled her anger at Lugus. "You''re such a prick, Lugus! Danu was right about you, and you''re just a stupid bird!" Her voice echoed after him as he flew off into the distance and disappeared beyond the sea and the horizon.


    Ignoring Elen''s accusations, Lugus flew away from her, confident that she would be safe on the raft he had left for her. He needed to find Eriu and that barge, and he also knew it was necessary to inform the Wyrd Mothers of what had transpired. But deep down, he couldn''t help feeling bitter about the potential shame and teasing from his brothers for being fooled by Danu, and how the Wyrd had yet to intervene on his behalf. "I''ll have them handle it discreetly. They may just be waiting for me to contact them before they aid me with this collar.," he thought darkly to himself, hoping.


    As Lugus soared above the ocean, he couldn''t help but notice how the waves grew more turbulent and rapid beneath him. He let out a quiet sigh as he realized that he had been flying for hours without finding any trace of land. His wings were starting to ache, and he knew that he needed to rest soon.


    Despite the discomfort and agony of his wings, he pushed himself onward towards the horizon in the distance. "I must be getting closer to land," he told himself, scanning the area for any signs of solid ground. As regret crept into his mind, he wondered if he should have stayed with the raft instead of venturing off in anger. But he quickly shook off those thoughts and refused to give in to hopelessness. "There has to be land somewhere. I won''t give up," he declared, pushing through the air with renewed determination.


    As he gazed out at the ocean''s horizon, Lugus couldn''t help but wonder if he was getting close to land. The current was picking up speed and a faint earthy scent lingered in the air, giving him hope that there was land nearby. But his thoughts soon turned to Elen, alone on the raft he had left her with. He prayed she would be safe until they both finally found solid ground. Yet, guilt gnawed at him for leaving her behind. "She will be brought in by the tide in a day or two," he reminded himself, trying to push away his growing sense of remorse at leaving her alone. ¡°She¡¯ll be fine. I just hope Eriu is alright.¡±, he thought, looking for her on the waves, but not finding her as he insisted again to himself everything would be well as he pressed on across the waves, still searching.


    As he searched the distance for any sign of land that wasn''t just a blur of water, Lugus tried to soothe his guilty conscience. "They''re both brave," he thought, trying to convince himself that everything would be alright. But deep down, he knew that half-believing was not enough. "I should have stayed with her. We could have searched for the girl together. Why didn''t I just stop and think?" he scolded himself, feeling angry and determined to find land as he continued flying on his unknown path over the rolling waves.


    As the sun began to set behind him, Lugus noticed a change in the ocean''s scent. A stronger earthy aroma filled the air, giving him even more hope that land was nearby. With renewed determination, he pushed forward towards the source of the deep scent of moss and soil that rapidly began to mix itself with the sea breeze. ¡°I knew it! There¡¯s land here!¡±, he thought excitedly as he flew toward a dark smudge on the horizon.


    As Lugus neared, he could see the silhouette of an island looming in the distance. The trees and land floated up on a massive ring-like platform. This mysterious flying island seemed to emit a faint glow against the dark stone formations jutting out from the sea. Despite his eager anticipation, Lugus couldn''t shake off a feeling that something was amiss about this place. The trees atop the jutting atolls appeared twisted and gnarled, surrounded by an eerie aura. A white mist and shadows seeped out from the roots of the Alder trees growing on the rocks, engulfing the high cliffs and atolls that encircled the main shore in a cloudy darkness.


    The island was surrounded by a thick veil of fog that only parted in the direction Lugus was approaching from. As he gazed at the strange Alder trees, he couldn''t help but marvel at how unique they were. Despite all his travels, he had never come across this particular island before. He wondered where exactly he had ended up with the makeshift coral raft he had built. "What secrets are waiting to be discovered here?" he thought excitedly, greedily considering the potential rewards and recognition that awaited him. "The Wyrd will surely reward me for this discovery!" His thoughts then turned to Danu and his desire for revenge. "She will regret silencing me, and the Wyrd will punish her if I bring back something truly valuable as a bribe."


    Lugus descended onto a nearby rocky outcrop, grateful for a moment of rest after flying tirelessly. With his keen eyes, he scanned the cliffs and shore for any signs of movement. But all was still; even the wind around the island seemed to have stopped. From this elevated position, he could see the thick barrier of trees surrounding a second floating island at its center.


    In the middle of the island, towering above everything else, was a massive Oak tree emitting a soft silver light from within. Its branches extended into the darkness, casting shadows and beams of light in all directions as it slowly rotated at the heart of the island. The starkly white and glowing tree was surrounded by a ring of pitch black stone, completing its otherworldly presence.


    ¡°It looks almost like Lia F¨¢il only smaller. What is this place?¡±, he thought a little worriedly. ¡°What have I stumbled on now. It looks like something from before the wars ended..¡±, he thought as he took flight again to gain a closer view. A sense of unease crept over him as he pondered what this place could be and what secrets it held within its borders. With determination, he took flight once more to get a better look at this enigmatic location.


    His curiosity piqued, Lugus decided to explore this strange island further. But as he took off again towards it, dark clouds suddenly appeared from nowhere and blocked out the sun''s dying rays, closing him in. ¡°I suppose I can¡¯t go back now, can I?¡±, he thought feeling a sense of unease as he flew closer to the floating island¡¯s outer ring.


    As Lugus neared the shoreline, his gaze was immediately drawn to the boats neatly arranged in rows along a strip of beach shore below the turning rocks. "There must be someone living or hiding here," he thought excitedly to himself. His eagerness to impress the Wyrd with a new secret bubbled up inside him. He knew that the Mothers would reward him for this discovery. A warm smile filled his heart as he pictured their immense gratitude, and the sweet vindication he would gain by using it against Danu. "I''ll show her that I''m not one to be toyed with. We''re adults now, and I won''t allow her to intimidate me any further!" He thought, shouting in his mind in frustration as he landed on a branch of a faintly glowing blue Alder on the outer edge of the mysterious misty island.


    As Lugus gazed into the distance, he noticed a vast expanse of towering mushrooms hiding beneath the clouds that hung at the interior of the two hovering land masses, their eerie shadows casting an otherworldly aura as they bobbed in tandem in the clouds. The mushrooms stood far above the circular platform on which he sat, their roots digging deep into the ocean floor below. In the distance, he could make out a magnificent tree, its radiance captivating in the darkness as it loomed over everything and disappeared into the clouds of misty sky. Its somber silver light blanketed the entire island, engulfing both the tree and the land itself in its otherworldly and ethereal luminescence.


    The mushrooms swayed gently in the breeze, emitting a soft, bell-like sound that echoed through the air. Lugus looked at the enormous stone ring that circled the glowing tree, watching as ancient Fey runes appeared from the mist and burned into the ring''s surface. He didn''t understand what the symbols meant. "I shouldn''t be here," he thought to himself, taking in the sight of the rotating ring and surrounding fog. "What have I stumbled upon?" he wondered as he gazed at the onyx stone structure floating above the sea and encircling the luminous tree.


    Lugus spread his wings and soared through the air, the powerful beats of his wings carried him closer to the ominous circling ring. He scanned the ring¡¯s path for any signs or hints that could assist him in his mission. The dark stone beneath Lugus''s wings radiated a warm heat, inadvertently lifting him higher than he intended to fly. The heat from the ring caused the surrounding air to condense into a whirl of clouds. Below, the ocean roiled and twisted, creating a sluggish vortex at the island''s base where a luminous tree stood, cradling a towering and glowing crystal in its roots.


    Lugus flew through the sky with ease, his wings beating rhythmically against the air. Suddenly, he spotted a massive glowing limb of the tree below him. His curiosity piqued, he dove down into the clouds and noticed an unusual light emanating from the trees ahead. As he drew closer, he saw a ghostly altar hovering in the sky like a tower. Shimmering in silver light and ethereal in form, it was suspended in the clouds with a rainbow staircase expanding over the massive crystal of salt containing a glittering forest within. Intrigued, Lugus steered towards the altar for a closer look.


    Lugus landed gracefully on one of the glowing branches of the immense silver oak tree towering above him near the arch of steps where he could see everything. He watched with intense curiosity as he saw figures walking up the bends of the shimmering rainbow staircase. One figure caught his eye - a strange, silver-masked being draped in elegant ribbons of black, purple, and silver cloth. She emerged from the darkness of the floating forest beyond the tree, ascending the stairs with a shining star crystal in her hand. As Lugus observed this mysterious figure, he couldn''t help but think, "She reminds me of Idunn how she shines! But who is she? And where am I? Why does she possess an Arcana stone? Those are forbidden!" His anxiety grew as he watched the masked figure approach him from the rainbow staircase.


    The robed and masked figure glowed a silver light halo around their body, they shined while holding a true Arcana stone in their hands before them as the figure ascended the ethereal staircase. The masked figure led a procession of ghostly Fal Bolg warriors along with a mix of true Fal Bolg warriors up the arching rainbow steps from the forest. Lugus watched in worry as they passed by, wondering who these mysterious Fal Bolg were and how their warriors seemed to have just bathed in Inis F¨¢il''s pools.


    Lugus watched in awe as the Arcana stone glowed with powerful energy, held aloft by the mysterious figure before him. Feeling the raw energy spilling off of the stone, Lugus couldn''t help but feel inferior to his brothers, Canta and Dagda, who possessed incredible magical abilities that he lacked. Panic overtook him as he realized he needed to leave quickly before being discovered.


    Frantically, Lugus scanned his surroundings for a discreet way to exit from the branch he had perched on. His heart sank as he saw the Fal Bolg horde approaching up the rainbow steps towards their altar. "No birds nearby," he thought in frustration, "If only I could fly away." Desperate thoughts raced through his mind as he weighed his options. "I''m too big to fly away without being seen, and if I transform there will be a blinding flash and they''ll know it''s me. Damn it!" Lugus cursed himself for getting so close without considering the risk of being seen. "I should have been more careful and thought about someone spotting me instead of just focusing on finding something," he scolded himself quietly.


    Perched on a low branch of the towering oak tree, Lugus observed carefully while attempting to remain hidden under rolling clouds. He was well aware that he stood out against the bright backdrop of the clouds around him, his silhouette easily visible to any passerby. Any sudden movement could give him away, so Lugus remained crouched low on his branch and prayed for stillness in the wind. "Maybe they won''t notice me?" he hoped desperately. "If I can just stay perfectly still, maybe I can get through this." His heart raced as he tried to suppress the fear rising in his throat, afraid that even a small sound or disturbance would reveal his presence. As he watched, Lugus could only listen to the haunting melody of the Fal Bolg gathering at the silver altar with their masked leader.


    ¡°Hail Thee Now Our Queen of Light,


    Ringing out, Shining Brightly!


    Our hearts to your defense!


    Take us all now by our hand,


    show us Glory we can understand!


    Your might above us reign!


    We are the children of your seed,


    and we shall see our mother freed!


    Our hearts to your defense!


    Theia, our hearts to you we give!


    Banish from us from Tuatha might!


    Return your children their silver light!


    Our hearts to you we give!


    Theia, our hearts to your defense!¡±


    The Fal Bolg marched confidently up the stairs, their voices ringing out in a defiant anthem. The sound of reed pipes and aged lyres filled the air as they danced like a joyous celebration or a powerful uprising up the towering steps after their masked leader. Their determined melody echoed through the air and forests below as the mysterious figure carrying their sacred arcana stone ascended the altar steps to face the spinning black ring around the towering oak beyond the floating and Silver ornate altar.


    The masked figure raised their arms high, holding their shining arcana stone and shouting to the reveling Fal Bolg climbing the stairs towards the Altar. "Hail to you, holy Oak of Salt, C¨ªrdan Oak!" The masked figure called out in a woman¡¯s voice, the arcana stone shining even more brightly in her hands. "We praise your name and your purifying ring of Dubh ¨ªonachta!" The figure''s rasping and deep voice rang out over the crowd as the host of Fal Bolg continued to ascend filling all available space on the steps leading up. "May our spirits and the seeds of our ancestors be purified in your mighty roots, just as you have done since time began, oh holy Oak!" She cried out, her voice rasping and echoing desperately to the towering tree and its glowing ring.


    "Preserve our bodies in the salts of the briny sea, proud C¨ªrdan Oak! Purify all things in your burning salts! Purify our lands of our enslavement and our destitution at Tuatha hands, holy Oak of Ages!" The figure''s voice grew harsher as they held up their glowing arcana stone above their head for all to see and shouted, ¡°Free us Lord of Salt! Accept out sacrifice in grace, mighty C¨ªrdan Oak!¡± The other Fal Bolg watched and bowed before her, as if she were a deity or goddess before them as she ascended with her shining arcana stone before her like a holy relic.


    Lugus felt a chill run down his spine as he listened to the words of the mysterious woman and caught sight of her shining arcana stone. "That''s not possible," he thought, "The C¨ªrdan Oak was destroyed and the island of Dubh ¨ªonachta sank when Balor killed Ole Gran. The Wyrd said it themselves! How is it here, now?!" He screamed in his mind, trying desperately to stay hidden on the branch and avoid being seen by anyone. But then, the ring began to emit flames. Lugus could feel the heat reaching towards him, but he remained still, hoping against all hope that his feathers wouldn''t catch fire from an errant ember in the wind.


    Tears of radiant light streamed down the priestess¡¯s mask as she reached out towards the towering C¨ªrdan Oak. It stood tall and bright against the tumultuous clouds before her, and she wept through her steaming mask to the magnificent tree in front of her. "We offer our tears, our hearts, our souls, and our bodies to you, great C¨ªrdan Oak. You are the Salt Mother, Severed Root of Theia, preserver of all things! Liberate us with your purest salts," she cried while her tears burned through the silver metal of her mask and dripped onto her skin. But she did not cry out in pain. She endured each fiery tear with grace, as if she were impervious to the molten metal searing itself onto her face


    The figure in a mask shed tears of fire as she raised her arcana stone up high, its light matching the blazing ring around Lugus below. He shrank back on his branch, trembling. "With your mighty wheel, break and remake us when Theia''s silver grace returns!", she cried out to the tree. Then, she turned to face the Fal Bolg and spoke with fervent and hoarse words, "May our seeds thrive under your sacred light as the Tuatha Dea and their golden root of Akash are forever shattered by your ever-turning wheel! Let all Fal Bolg once again know freedom beneath your sprawling branches, C¨ªrdan Oak, Guardian Tree of the Oceans," declared the woman behind her steaming mask''s eye holes with a weakened but still commanding voice full of pious rage.


    Lugus couldn''t hold back his frustration any longer. "I have to find a way to escape and inform the Wyrd of everything! Forget Danu, this is too crucial to keep hidden!" As he watched the Fal Bolg army begin their chants of "Praise the Lord of Salt!" and "Praise our triumphant return! Death to the Wyrd! Death to Tuatha Dea!", Lugus knew he had to act immediately before it was too late. ¡°If only I could catch a glimpse of the face behind that mask!¡±, he thought to himself as he hid on a nearby branch, observing as the weaker Fal Bolg were brought out one by one to face the mysterious woman with her burning arcana stone.


    ¡°Confess!¡±, she called out to the first of the Fal Bolg who was brought to face her. It was a small and elderly Fal Bolg who resembled a turtle with a shell far too big for him and full of holes that looked like they were made from many arrows piercing the shell. His face was weathered and scarred, and he looked nearly dead already. His bones poked horribly from his loose skin. He nearly fell over carrying the items he bore in his arms to kneel before the masked figure. She spoke again, more commanding, pointing with her fingers at him like long slender claws, ¡°Confess and be purified in C¨ªrdan¡¯s salt, my child!¡±, she said piously.


    The tiny Fal Bolg lowered his head in a deep bow, struggling under the weight of the turtle shell on his thin body. With great effort, he managed to stand upright and offered a bundle of three long white ribbons tied with silver strings to the shadowy Priestess before him. "What should I confess, Mother?" he asked, his eyes watching the turning wheel in front of him with uncertainty. "I don''t know what to say... After living for so long and witnessing countless wars, and my whole family crushed, burned, or starved away," he cried at her feet, "my entire family was annihilated by the Femorians and the Tuatha Dea!¡±, he sobbed out at the woman¡¯s feet while she glared at him with her steaming eyes. Weighing his every word he spoke silently.


    The poor broken Fal Bolg wept at her feet, clinging to the bundle he held tightly against his chest. "They destroyed everything. Our homes, our temples, our families, our whole way of life lost to their greed," he sobbed, pausing to kiss the two wrapped seeds in his arms. He looked up at the towering and imposing woman before him and continued weakly, "I am the last survivor of my clan, the once proud Druin who roamed freely in the lush lands where sparkling lights danced upon still waters. But now those lights are gone, and I am no longer welcome in my family''s ancient lands. The Tuatha claim it as their own. I have no home to return to.", he sobbed at the dark Priestess¡¯s feet.


    The little Fal Bolg hung his head low and held tightly onto the two bundles wrapped in clean white linen. "I saw my son and wife go to seed from starvation. Our Tuatha master refused to provide us with food, and our fields and groves no longer yielded any bounty. None that we could claim! It belonged only to the Tuatha whose hands planted none of it!¡±, he shook his head furiously as he sobbed out in anger, ¡°They wasted away before my eyes, Mother! They just faded away, and now I bring their remains with mine before I perish as well!" He gazed up through tear-filled eyes with hopefulness. "I swore I would reunite with them when Theia blesses us again, and now I will finally join them forever, won''t I Mother? C¨ªrdan will purify us!?" He directed his words towards the silent figure. She said nothing, but only nodded and pointed to the ledge beyond.


    The Fal Bolg then rose from before her and walked stiffly with her to the ledge she had pointed to. The Fal Bolg looked out to face the blazing wheel turning in the sky, he proclaimed loudly, ¡°Please, Theia, make us whole again! I miss them dearly, but what must I confess on their behalf?" He shook his head in disbelief and sorrow. "Words cannot express the immense grief I carry. Please let me be reborn with my clan! With my wife and son," he pleaded, sobbing as he bowed down before the towering masked figure radiating with intense light from her burning stone.


    The priestess in the silver mask unraveled each of the white ribbons given to her by the Fal Bolg. As she unwrapped them, they were filled with words written in a strange language that the man did not recognize. The words seemed to appear on the ribbon as it hovered between the Fal Bolg and the woman. Each ribbon started turning black as it bound and mingled with the ribbons from the woman''s flowing robes.


    "You need not worry," she rasped kindly to the sobbing Fal Bolg at her feet, lifting him back up to his feet. "Our Silver Mother hears all our prayers. I will bear your story, as well as those of your wife and son, with me for the rest of my days. It is my honor and my promise." She helped the tiny man stand up and said, "Go now, my son. Return to your clan of Druin." She led him with his bundles to the edge of the altar.


    With a feeling of horror, Lugus observed as the Priestess guided the small Fal Bolg towards the edge of the altar. "Surely he won''t jump?" Lugus thought to himself, unable to tear his gaze away from cycling between the churning sea below the ring and the tiny Fal Bolg shivering and clutching his family¡¯s seeds against himself. "The energy of this ring will destroy him.", thought Lugus feeling anxious and nervously excited, Lugus watched as the small Fal Bolg wept and clung onto his bundled packages tightly. ¡°Don¡¯t do it!¡±, he wanted to cry out, but knew he couldn¡¯t.


    The Fal Bolg leaned in for comfort from the masked woman, confessing to the tall and imposing robed woman, "Mother, I am terrified. Maybe I can wai¡­" He wanted to explain his doubts, but before he could finish his sentence, a scream escaped his lips as he fell into the void. The woman had slyly pushed him off the ledge while pretending to listen to his fears. From the altar, Lugus witnessed the entire act with a mixture of fear and disgust, trembling beneath his feathers. He couldn''t comprehend how this monstrous woman was capable of such cruelty. ¡°They¡¯re her own people, but why? This feels so wasteful!¡±, he couldn¡¯t help thinking.


    Lugus cowered on his branch, terrified as he watched the unknown woman snatch ribbons from the trembling hands of her devoted Fal Bolg. ¡°Who is this mysterious figure behind the mask?¡±, Lugus watched her and her glowing stone with fascination and a sick sort of wonder. ¡°And what did she have planned for the Tuatha Dea?¡±, he thought to himself. ¡°She¡¯s going to intend to use that stone,¡±, Lugus thought gravely. Shaking his head in disbelief, Lugus struggled to understand the motives of these people. They willingly stepped forward to confess their wrongdoings and face certain death. But why? The intentions of the woman were completely baffling to Lugus. "What could she possibly gain from all of this? What do these people thrown screaming off this ledge gain?" he wondered, trying to make sense of the situation.


    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    The masked figure turned towards the waiting and jubilant Fal Bolg behind her, raising her arms in triumph with the assembling mob on the staircase. The horde gathered on the rainbow steps leading to the altar erupted into cheers. A cry of rapture filled with devout fervor escaped her lips as she proclaimed, "They have been purged! Praise C¨ªrdan''s mercy! Praise Theia!" She then turned to take hold of another Fal Bolg''s ribbons for purification. "Come forth, my children! Embrace C¨ªrdan''s purity into your hearts!" she beckoned with outstretched arms, before turning and lifting her rasping voice to the rotating ring once more. "Renew us all, Theia! Cleanse us once again in your eternal glow!"


    ¡°This is like something from one of Dagda¡¯s horror stories of the war.¡±, thought Lugus, ¡°I was young when it ended, but I know Fal Bolg magics are terrible and powerful! The Wyrd, mighty as they are, fought an epoch against them! They are formidable! My brothers need to know this is here. That SHE is here, whatever SHE is!¡±, Lugus thought in his terror as he watched more Fal Bolg willingly jump from the ledge after confessing to the masked Priestess. Lugus watched as each time their white ribbons and their final stories were bound to her gowns after they said their last words to her before being thrown from the ledge falling and screaming down into the crushing sea below.


    Lugus was ready to flee, but he still didn¡¯t see an opening, but he did see something familiar, or rather someone¡­.


    Lugus¡¯s heart nearly jumped from his chest when he saw Elen being carried up the stairs by the Fal Bolg who appeared to have just bathed in Inis F¨¢il¡¯s silver pools of power. ¡°Why is she here?!¡±, Lugus¡¯s earlier guilt came crashing on him again, ¡°I knew I should not have just left her! Now I have to save her, and this hiding spot was working, though barely!¡±, he admitted to himself, ¡°I need to get her. When they push her!¡±, he decided then, ¡°I¡¯ll fly down and snatch her from the clouds then we can flee!¡±, he decided and nodded as he watched Elen be brought out before the masked woman.


    *****


    Elen was carried forward up the rainbow steps. Elen shook looking at the enormous Fal Bolg dressed in ornamental armor and bearing weapons that hummed with a power not unlike Sruth did on Danu¡¯s brow. Elen watched the one with the two long dirks floating beside her and observed her robes bearing the marking of the Sc¨¦ala¨ª, but all Elen knew of the Sc¨¦ala¨ª was what all Fal Bolg knew of them and their ancient order. She knew it was destroyed by Dagda. ¡°They¡¯re supposed to be just stories..¡±, she thought feeling more terrified by the minute, ¡°They aren¡¯t supposed to even exist anymore! Who are they?!¡±, she couldn¡¯t help asking herself despite knowing she didn¡¯t know the answer.


    ¡°I told you to leave me in the sea!¡±, Elen screamed from where she was suspended midair between her two guards, ¡°I don¡¯t want your help! I could have found land without you!¡±, she shrieked at them both as they ignored her every word.


    The female guard, armed with two sharp dirks - one with a gilded hilt and the other with a silver hilt - gave Elen a menacing stare as she spoke. "You are to greet Theia and offer yourself to the C¨ªrdan Oak," she said through her clenched teeth, "But first, you will give us your story. Our priestess has returned from the realm of shadows, and our powerful C¨ªrdan Oak has bloomed once more in the sea!¡±, she stared hard at Elen over her pauldron like an asp and she hissed at Elen, ¡°Rejoice, Nymph! Soon your master will bend their knees, and you can know Theia¡¯s rebirth firsthand!" The guard spoke cruelly to Elen with her fang like smile glaring at Elen, who was still confused by her words. With a furious devotion, the guard continued, "Soon, our Lord of Salt will protect us against the Tuatha, and we will be freed! Freed from them and those who serve them!" She laughed at Elen''s bewildered and fearful expression. As Elen felt helpless and the tears came to her eyes, the guard''s laughter only grew louder.


    Elen could not escape. The Fal Bolg woman had bound Elen¡¯s arms when her Fal Bolg soldiers forced Elen from off her coral and into their boat. They had tied her arms with a coil of rope that felt heavier each time she tried to pull herself free from it. Elen¡¯s arms pulled between her legs and forced her to haunch uncomfortably as she floated up the wide steps between guards. ¡°Would you untie me, please?! This is so unbearable!¡±, pleaded Elen feeling miserable.


    ¡°You would only try to bite someone and try to flee from us again. You are to meet the C¨ªrdan Oak, traitor¡±, the woman guard said coldly, ¡°You bear our false king¡¯s markings at your throat, as I told you! We will suffer no traitors or knee benders in our pastures, our forests, or our seas! You are likely both!¡±, she said to Elen and gave her a decidedly knowing look before saying reassuringly, ¡°You will feel the C¨ªrdan Oaks purity clean you of your traitor sins and you will provide for your people instead of groveling on your knees before our oppressors! Rejoice, Nymph!¡±, she shouted furiously at Elen as the other Fal Bolg moved out of their way to allow their passing, but the mob of reveling Fal Bolg took heed of the woman¡¯s words and of her saying Elen was a knee bender and a traitor. The mob began to spit on Elen as she was escorted up the stairs.


    Elen was defenseless as the mob screamed out at her, ¡°Traitor! Knee bender! Feed our Lord of Salt! Feed the C¨ªrdan Oak!¡±, the mob cried at her as they pulled her messy brown hair and pinched and spit more on her as she was brought up the grand and opulent rainbow steps to the silver dais floating out before the towering and glowing C¨ªrdan Oak.


    Elen begged, ¡°Please let me go! I¡¯m no traitor! I have never even seen the war!¡±, she confessed and cried for mercy as the mob ignored her cries and carried her up the steps to see their Priestess who loomed above. Elen had never heard of or seen this being before and was terrified as she was being floated up along the steps towards their plateau and the waiting open arms of the towering and smoldering Priestess and her smoldering and melted mask of silver.


    Elen shook in fear as they crested the last step to the altar. Elen had been raised among the Nymphs in Danu''s court since childhood, and she barely knew the ways of the Fal Bolg. As she looked up at the towering figure of smoking ribbons and glowing metal, holding its burning stone that floated in midair before her, Elen pleaded to be released and allowed to go back home. ¡°I don¡¯t belong here! Throw me back into the sea! Let me return home!¡±, she begged.


    ¡°Soon, soon!¡±, laughed the woman guard with her shining dirks circling her head as if joining in her humor at Elen¡¯s words, ¡°You must tell us your story first!¡±, she said with her smug smile beaming at Elen and her misery.


    Elen sobbed and felt her back stretching painfully from the weight of the rope. She had pulled too much in fear of the mob, and now the rope was a terrible torment pulling her body down with it¡¯s weight while she was forced to float up the steps to the dark Priestess who waited for her. ¡°Please let me go home!¡±, she sobbed in her misery. She longed for Brasil, her fellow Nymphs, and even the familiar fear of Danu; anything would be better than facing this unknown entity with burning tears streaming from its smoldering eye sockets that Elen caught a glimpse of as the towering shadow of the Priestess engulfed Elen at the Priestess¡¯s aproach.


    The priestess took hold of Elen¡¯s long brown hair and tugged her face up by a chunk of it and shouted at her. ¡°Confess!¡±, she hissed and rasped as if each of her breaths was a great labor to her. ¡°Confess and be purified in salt!¡±, the dark priestess moaned out into Elen¡¯s terrified face.


    ¡°I have nothing to confess! Let me go!¡±, Elen said shaking her head and again fighting the ropes tied to her wrists. ¡°I didn¡¯t agree to any of this!¡±, she charged the Priestess who hovered over her and gripped her hair painfully. ¡°I am no traitor!¡±, Elen claimed once again to the horror that held her tight in her shining and gnarled hands like knives.


    The priestess released Elen¡¯s hair and gestured to her guards, and the woman guard released Elen to the ground suddenly making Elen fall on her chest and knees against the iridescent platform that shimmered in the air. Elen¡¯s arms were freed from their tight restraints upon her falling, they had crumbled away like dry vines once she hit the floor.


    The priestess spoke softly to Elen as she then pet Elen¡¯s head softly with her claw, "You are not a traitor.¡±, but then she turned and addressed the mob piously, ¡°Before the C¨ªrdan Oak, there are no traitors - only those seeking salvation." She lifted her arms towards the crowd of Fal Bolg who erupted into cheers at her words. ¡°Be purified in salt, my dear!¡±, exclaimed the priestess as she grabbed Elen and half-dragged her to the edge of the altar where others had fallen to their fate in the sea below. Elen could still hear their screams echoing in her mind, and she felt her legs trembling at the thought of soon joining them. As she stood on the glassy floor of the dais, her legs gave way and she collapsed to her fear.


    ¡°Confess!¡±, hissed the hulking shadow made of billowing ribbons through its massive and melted silver mask. The Priestess reached out her glassy and decrepit hand with her nails like long thin crystal knives and presented Elen a roll of the white ribbon tied with its silver string. With the other hand she stroked Elen¡¯s cheek gently with her nail and drew a drop of blood from Elen¡¯s cheek letting it drop on the white ribbon. ¡°Say your words!¡±, The Priestess commanded Elen with her voice rasping heavily, ¡°Profess your guilt, your sadness, your last testament before our mighty Lord of Salt! Profess and know peace, my child.¡±, claimed the towering Priestess over Elen who shook and cried holding her bleeding cheek which was beginning to sting under her hand.


    ¡°I told you I have nothing to confess! I am just a servant! I just cook, clean, and try to stay alive like any other Fal Bolg or Nymph! You¡¯re evil doing this!¡±, she said gesturing out to the mob as she accused the Priestess, ¡°You should confess and be purified or whatever lunacy you¡¯re telling these people!¡±, Elen screamed at the Priestess who made herself tower over Elen and the other Fal Bolg as the winds whipped her ribbons around her shadowy body like banners ready for war.


    ¡°How dare you speak ill of our Theia and her sacred Rites?! They have been passed down by our ancestors since the beginning of time!¡±, roared the Priestess at Elen, who cowered in fear. Ole Gran grabbed Elen''s hair and dragged her on her knees towards the altar, shoving her head over the edge. Elen was forced to look down and see the powerful current of water churning beneath her, moving with the rotation of the massive flaming ring in the sky. ¡°You are a traitor, corrupted by your master''s lies! You must be cleansed and return to our Mother Theia to learn her truth, pitiful creature!¡±, exclaimed the Priestess with furious devotion. ¡°C¨ªrdan Oak, Lord of Salt, purify this infidel of her ignorant sin!¡±, yelled the Priestess of shadows out into the clouds as the crowd shouted out behind her in celebration of her words.


    The priestess took the ribbon with Elen¡¯s blood and unfurled it before the ravenous Fal Bolg who called out for Elen to be purified. The ribbon floated out between Elen and the towering Priestess who waited with outstretched arms for the ribbon to change its shade. The ribbon floated and revealed itself as a shining silver ribbon hovering between the beastly Priestess and Elen.


    Elen could feel herself trembling in fear as the Fal Bolg chanted and called out for her to be purified. She tried to struggle against the Priestess¡¯s hold with her cold and glassy clear hands, but the old Priestess was too strong for her. The ribbon with Elen''s blood floated between them, glowing with a silver light that seemed to pulse with power.


    "Who are you?", the Priestess rasped desperately, her grip tightening around Elen''s body. "Who are you?!" She shouted louder, her voice filled with more desperation and anger at her asking again.


    An ancient looking Fal Bog like a withered Fox who had appeared once to have broken his back called out, ¡°I know that shade! She¡¯s a An Ch¨¦ad Bl¨¢thanna! She is a Silver Flower of Theia!¡±, cried the Fox with excitement behind his pained eyes. ¡°She is our Queen!¡±, he announced to the Priestess, ¡°Do not give her to our Lord of Salt, Sc¨¦ala¨ª! I beg you! She is our gift from Theia! C¨ªrdan has given us a true An Ch¨¦ad Bl¨¢thanna! Our deliverer has come!¡±, he pleaded as he nearly fell over at his excitement looking at the silver ribbon joining to the Priestess¡¯s robes.


    ¡°Deliverer!¡±, the Fox cried from the crowd, ¡°Give her Theia¡¯s water! Let her grow!¡±, he begged the Priestess who glared at the broken Fox on the ground pleading with her.


    The mob around the Fox listened, and they too had seen the silver ribbon. Very few Fal Bolg had lived so long as to have seen a true An Ch¨¦ad Bl¨¢thanna, but all knew in silver light you¡¯ll find Theia¡¯s might. Elen¡¯s ribbon still shone silver against the shadows of the other ribbons on the Sc¨¦ala¨ª Priestess¡¯s flowing robes.


    They began to chant with the Fox, ¡°Deliverer! An Ch¨¦ad Bl¨¢thanna, Deliverer! Give her Theia¡¯s water!¡±, the same Fal Bolg who had spit on Elen now begged. ¡°Make her grow!¡±, they cried out! ¡°She will save us! Praise our Lord of Salt!¡±, they chanted at their Priestess who looked on in silence.


    The steam on the Priestess exploded at the mob."There are no more An Ch¨¦ad Bl¨¢thanna left! Theia¡¯s line has been destroyed - our sacred land turned to ash, our powerful stronghold demolished by the Femorians and betrayed by the Tuatha. I even salted the ruins of F¨¦arach F¨¢s with the C¨ªrdan Oak''s salt myself and my own tears! Their ruins are lost to us now!¡± The Priestess then turned on Elen shouting, ¡°Who are you?!" The Priestess demanded Elen, her eyes blazing with fiery determination as she grabbed Elen and pulled her away from the edge of the altar.


    She ordered her guards to take Elen away from the mob who cheered still for Elen, trying to touch her as if doing so would bless them somehow. ¡°Get her away from here!¡±, the Priestess demanded her men, pointing at Elen with her claws like glass. The obedient guards quickly grabbed Elen and marched her back down the stairs, following the smoldering Priestess''s directions. "I need to interrogate her further before she can be purified," said the Priestess as she snatched more ribbons from her followers'' hands, making sure to take the Fox''s ribbon first. She pulled on his tail and bent his crooked back harshly, forcing him to the edge of the altar and causing him to yelp in pain. Ignoring the distraught Fox, the Priestess commanded her guards loudly, "Take her below!" They immediately complied, dragging a confused and tearful Elen away back down the rainbow staircase.


    *****


    Lugus watched confused as the soldiers quickly took Elen away. He had not heard all that had transpired between Elen and the Priestess. The mob had grown too rowdy in their cheers of, ¡°Deliverer! Praise Our Lord of Salt! Praise Theia!¡± The whole woods and beyond echoed with their determined cries.


    Lugus watched the Fal Bolg warriors carrying Elen away and he began to panic, ¡°I have to help her somehow!¡±, he thought as he looked out over the Fal Bolg on the steps near him. No one had seen him through the cloud cover yet, the Priestess began to fume after her encounter with Elen. Something had changed within the dark and towering figure when Elen¡¯s ribbon had changed to silver when it joined to the shadowy figure¡¯s form and her other floating ribbons.


    The dark Priestess seemed more agitated to Lugus as she snatched up ribbons into her gnarled fingers from her grovelling worshipers who awaited to confess to her before throwing themselves down into the churning sea below. ¡°Elen upset her somehow. Why did they not throw her over the ledge like the rest? Why did that thing get so upset seeing Elen¡¯s ribbon?¡±, Lugus wondered as he watched the soldiers drag the screaming Elen back down the steps. ¡°I have to follow them somehow,¡±, he decided as he looked down into the churning waters below him.


    He gulped as he thought, ¡°I have to just fall into the clouds. I won¡¯t be able to see anything, but I might get away if I can navigate through all those chiming mushrooms growing down there.¡±, he thought as he took a deep breath an rolled himself off the branch and fell into a passing cloud.


    ¡°What was that?!¡±, yelled out a short Fal Bolg from the steps. ¡°I saw something fall!¡±, the Fal Bolg announced to a soldier near him, and pointed his stubby finger at Lugus who quietly fell into the churning clouds. ¡°I think it was a big bird!¡±, he said to the soldier who waved him off and ignored him as the mob began to move up the steps to approach closer to the altar.


    The soldier snatched the weaker Fal Bolg by the scruff of his neck in a rough manner and dragged him up the steps. He bellowed, "You''re next for confession! Praise Theia!" while raising his hand in salute. The disoriented little Fal Bolg was pulled along with the guard as they ascended the stairs, but Lugus had already disappeared into the clouds.


    When Lugus, had tossed himself into the cloud cover, Lugus used his tunic and his art to form himself into a tiny sparrow as he flitted around the chiming mushrooms hidden under the thick and briny clouds steaming up from off the exposed roots of the C¨ªrdan Oak. ¡°It¡¯s growing.¡±, Lugus thought to himself as he watched the white shining roots expanding out into the sea. ¡°I have to get that fool and then get out of here! Dagda and the Wyrd need to know this is here!¡±, he thought as he desperately tried to avoid the glowing and chiming mushrooms that kept following his every movement like they were trying to trap him in their glow.


    Lugus darted around their stems and easily avoided them trying to trap him as he descended away from their chiming bulbs, but he had lost a lot of height doing so, and the air vortex of the ring might have thrown Lugus too far up again now that he was small, and this time into the fire that illuminated from the turning ring around the C¨ªrdan Oak. ¡°I will have to fly to the other side of the outer side ring and fly through the forest. I will have to double back to find that dumb deer!¡±, he complained to himself. ¡°How does she go about getting herself in this much trouble when she was left by herself in the middle of the damned ocean!? How can one person cause so much mischief!?¡±, he wondered to himself as he flew up and grabbed on a rock ledge to rest his wings and gain an understanding of where he was in relation to Elen.


    He saw the steps the guards had taken her down, and saw that there was a platform hovering like mist at the bottom of the steps moving with the outside ring. The Fal Bolg hopped from the outside ring to the misty platform. ¡°I just need to wait until the ring turns the full way round and I can follow the Fal Bolg through the trees!¡±, he realized. He began to smile in his mind, ¡°Oh this will be easy now! I just gotta wait.¡±, he thought calmly as he hopped up the rocks of the ledge and gripped them with his sparrow talons, working his way steadily up to the correct height to fly off the flying rock he clung to.


    A loud, blood-curdling scream echoed through the air as another Fal Bolg jumped into the sea behind Lugus. The sound sent shivers down Lugus''s spine, despite the warm breeze blowing off the burning ring. He couldn''t comprehend why they continued to do it. Trying to distract himself from the screams, he focused on the misty platform that was approaching him, it slowed the air with its size allowing Lugus to fly. With a powerful flap of his wings, Lugus launched himself off the rock and allowed the warm currents to carry him towards the trees hanging over from the outside of the forested ring.


    With a gasp of relief, Lugus managed to land on the branch rather than being swept away by the strong winds. As more Fal Bolg continued to fall into the ocean below, the ring encircling the C¨ªrdan Oak grew hotter and brighter, it even hummed faintly in its turning. The spinning ring created a powerful storm, causing the sea water to churn beneath it.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what their aim is, but I have to find a way to stop this!¡±, he decided as he shook his fear of being burned by the expanding band of fire swirling off the black ring. He readied himself and looked at the path the Fal Bolg took to reach the platform. Lugus could see their shadow lights flowing through the forest. ¡°I just need to follow them from above in the trees. I¡¯ll be unseen.¡±, he thought gleefully as he soared up into the canopy of glowing Alder trees.


    Lugus flitted through the branches and watched as the Fal Bolg made their pilgrimage to the steps through the forest. He followed the path searching for any sign of Elen. He did not see her, but he did hear her screaming still for the guards who carried her to free her. She cried out, ¡°You can¡¯t do this! Didn¡¯t you see my ribbon was different I¡¯m a Bl¨¢thanna, or whatever that Fox called me! Let me go!¡±, cried Elen loudly enough for Lugus to hear her through the trees.


    ¡°I¡¯m coming Elen!¡±, he thought then as he raced through the Alder branches to find her. Lugus beat his wings hard and came to face a pool of crystal clear water that bubbled up from the ground and decanted into a silver basin. Lugus landed on basin¡¯s lip and looked around for Elen. He had heard her voice coming from somewhere nearby.


    ¡°Let me go you idiots! I want to go home!¡±, shouted Elen¡¯s voice from out of the water of the basin.


    Lugus was shocked at Elen¡¯s screaming voice erupting up from the water of the basin. He leaned over and looked again into the bottom of the silver pool. In the reflections on the bottom of the basin Lugus could see a chamber and Elen was bound up in it against a wall of rock-salt.


    Lugus watched Elen struggling against her restraints in the water, and in an act of bravery he took a deep breath and dove into the vision after her. He sank into the water which pulled him down into the reflection and spit him out into the water of a trickling spring that flowed somewhere deep in the earth through a darkened chamber lit by only one sconce with a pale flame.


    Lugus tumbled out of the spring and into a series of interconnected pools that emerged from a single, large pool leading towards Elen, who was suspended against the salt rock. Disoriented and soaked in the chilly seawater, Lugus flapped around in confusion, trying to figure out his surroundings. Eventually, he hopped onto the salty dry edge of one of the pools and shook off the water from his tiny sparrow body as he surveyed his surroundings.


    Elen glared at him from where she was bound to the wall, ¡°Is that you, Lugus?! Did you come to rescue me?!¡±, she whispered somewhat loudly at him, ¡°I take it back. You¡¯re not a stupid bird! I¡¯m so glad you¡¯re here! Help me get free!¡±, she insisted. Elen looked over her shoulder to another spring ahead of her and said in a hushed voice at Lugus, ¡°They just left, but they might come back. That big one with the scary mask said she had questions for me. We need to get out of here!¡±, she said looking at Lugus with her pretty doe¡¯s eyes full of fear.


    Lugus let himself revert his form to a Tuatha. He had not been in his Tuatha form in some time, and he found his back and arms were sore when he changed, ¡°I¡¯m too old for this nonsense.¡±, he thought clutching his aching back as he hobbled over to Elen and took a look at her restraints.


    Lugus noted that Elen was bound to the wall by a thick layer of salt rock. Lugus tried pulling at it, but it wouldn¡¯t budge. Elen rolled her eyes at him trying to pull it with his hands as she said, ¡°Aren¡¯t you Tuatha Dea sorcerers? Shouldn¡¯t you just be able to vanish this rock away?¡±, Elen asked pointedly as Lugus scowled at her question.


    Lugus shook his head angrily at Elen before stepping back to see if there was anything lying around to strike the rock with, but he saw there wasn¡¯t. Besides Elen and himself the room was empty beyond its two large pools and a sconce burning for light. He thought about dousing the sconce and using it, but he thought better of it since he still needed light to figure out how to exit from the chamber through the pool. Water enchantments he knew usually only flowed one way unless you knew the key rune, and Lugus was unsure of the other pool and where it might lead.


    Lugus reached out and tried to take hold of the salt rock with his mind and tried to force the rock apart with his will, but the salt in the rock felt confusing and dazzling when his mind touched the salt. The feeling left a static and pleasant ringing in his ears at touching the salt with his mind. Lugus almost collapsed at the sound he heard before he quit touching the salt with his thoughts. ¡°What was that?! Where am I?!¡±, was all he could think of as his head spun to the remaining ringing sounding in his mind from grabbing the salt with his thoughts.


    ¡°Lugus!¡±, Elen cried out as Lugus clutched his head in pain unable to express what he was experiencing, ¡°Are you okay, Lugus?! Look at me so I know you¡¯re okay!¡±, Elen begged Lugus who floundered around the chamber stumbling over himself at colorful hallucinations that crept into his mind following the ringing in his ears.


    Lugus was lost in a dream world, deaf to Elen''s words. He soared through the clouds with Sruth on his brow and Danu clasped tightly in his talons, ready to release her onto the unforgiving ground below. The Wyrd bestowed upon him their blessings and the harp Uaithne from Dagda as they declared him king of the entire Sidhe court. In this blissful vision, all of Lugus'' desires came true, and he was filled with confidence and determination, he proudly proclaimed to Elen, ¡°I will be..¡±, but his voice stopped in his throat as his words seized up on Danu¡¯s collar sending him into a fit of coughing.


    ¡°What are you even going on about?!¡±, Elen shouted at him, ¡°You have to get me free, Lugus! Are you okay? You¡¯re not acting right!¡±, she accused him in her worry. ¡°They can come back anytime, Lugus! Please hear me!¡±, she begged Lugus as he fell to his knees and started shaking his head hard against his illusion. The fit of coughing had forced him from his dream and he began to hear Elen screaming at him, ¡°Lugus! Get up! Hurry and get up! The water is starting to move faster! Someone is coming! Turn into a bird and hide!¡±, she commanded Lugus whose head wobbled.


    He somehow heard Elen well enough through the ringing in his ears to understand she told him to hide somewhere. Lugus nodded and tried not to cough more as he tweeted out a small chirp when he turned into a sparrow once again and flitted into the inside a pocket of Elen¡¯s linen tunic she wore. He nestled into the empty pocket and hid as he tried to recover from touching the rock salt with his mind.


    Elen saw Lugus flit into her pocket and she grew worried for them both as the waters of the spring the Fal Bolg soldiers had taken to leave began to bubble and flow freely. The water poured out the forms of the same two soldiers from before who had harassed her and stolen her off her coral raft at sea.


    ¡°Stay away from me!¡±, Elen screamed at them both, ¡°Free me now!¡±, she yelled at them both as they both only looked annoyed that Elen would be difficult for them again.


    ¡°Which is it? Do you want free, or us to go away? I have to get near you to let you go, you know?¡±, said the female guard sarcastically.


    Elen''s voice was laced with anger as she screamed at the guards. "How could you be so cruel to innocent Fal Bolg?" But they simply rolled their eyes in response, seemingly unfazed by Elen¡¯s angry outburst. "How can you stand here, drenched in Theia''s water, and throw our people into the sea?", Elen continued to fume at them. "What kind of twisted place is this? And who do you think you are, wearing those forbidden robes?", she demanded, her hatred for them evident in her burning gaze. "The Tuatha will come and destroy this whole wretched place! I have met them, and I know what they will do to both of you!", Elen warned the guards, determined to protect her kin.


    ¡°We don¡¯t fear them!¡±, the male guard with his twin axes that glowed eerily laughed, ¡°We are not afraid of the Tuatha and their Sidhe! Our Sc¨¦ala¨ª Ole Gran has a plan for their whole court of fools!¡±, he laughed out at Elen in his boisterous laugh that made Elen fume, turning her cheeks a flaming red in her anger.


    Elen''s frustration boiled over as she glared at her captors. "I couldn''t care less about you and this so-called Ole Gran! If she truly cared, she wouldn''t toss innocent Fal Bolg into the ocean to drown," she spat out angrily, receiving only smug smiles in return.


    The Fal Bolg woman shook her head disapprovingly at Elen and addressed the male guard with twin axes on his back, who moved through the room like a shadow leaving a trail of black fog. "Can you believe this apostate, Sc¨¢th?", she said, gesturing towards Elen. "She''s been on her knees for too long!" The woman glared at Elen, her eyes filled with contempt. "Listen to her way of speaking! Where is the lilt on her tongue?! She knows nothing of our ways." The woman charged towards Elen and pointed her finger in Elen¡¯s face hard as she shouted at her, ¡°All I see when I look at you is a less shiny Tuatha. You¡¯re only worth your salt!¡±, she hissed.


    ¡°Sandinni! Enough!¡±, Sc¨¢th commanded her as he grabbed her arms and pulled the furious woman warrior, Sandinni, away from Elen.


    ¡°No, Sc¨¢th! Ole Gran cannot accept someone into our fold who is a false Fal Bolg! She wears her master¡¯s mark on her throat and in her heart! She is not true Fal Bolg!¡±, the warrior Sandinni claimed furiously.


    ¡°Shut-up and do as you¡¯re told!¡±, he barked in Sandinni¡¯s face. ¡°Ole Gran wants her brought to the Coill na Sc¨¦ala¨ª! Do you really want to face her and tell HER of all creations that you couldn¡¯t stomach following HER orders?¡±, he warned Sandinni who looked at him crossly.


    ¡°You heard that foolish Fox¡¯s words!¡± she snapped at Sc¨¢th. ¡°He called her an An Ch¨¦ad Bl¨¢thanna! I refuse to address someone who kneels to a Tuatha and wears their mark as a Queen of us! We could just offer her as a sacrifice to the Lord of Salt and be rid of her. We don¡¯t even need this stranger,¡± she added, glancing at Elen with disdain. Elen might as well have been trash or an insect in this Sandinni¡¯s eyes.


    "We need to take her to Coill na Sc¨¦ala¨ª," he stated calmly, yet his tone held a touch of resentment as he went on. "Ole Gran is the one giving the orders, and I''ve been serving her longer than anyone. I''ve learned to listen when she speaks. If you want to avoid being turned into a seed, that is." He gave Sandinni a pointed look, hoping Sandinni would understand his words and comply with their task.


    Sandinni snarled at Elen as she stabbed through the salt rock with a single one of her long dirks, cracking it in the middle. The salt then fell off of Elen¡¯s wrists and around her shoulders as Sandinni seized Elen¡¯s hair and drug her by it over to the pool the guards had come from.


    Elen yelled at Sandinni, "Stop pulling me! I can walk perfectly well on my own!" But Sandinni paid no attention to her, unfazed by Elen¡¯s biting, punching, and futile attempts at kicking her armor.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go then.¡±, Sandinni said to Sc¨¢th, holding Elen hostage by her hair. Sandinni looked bored and rolled her eyes at Elen scratching and kicking. Sandinni was bigger and fully armed for battle. Elen could not harm her as Sandinni sighed at Sc¨¢th, ¡°I got her. Let¡¯s take her and go to Coill na Sc¨¦ala¨ª, but know I think we should just chuck her in the sea with the rest!¡±


    Sc¨¢th rolled his eyes both Sandinni¡¯s smug words and Elen¡¯s useless fighting, ¡°It¡¯s noted. Let¡¯s go then!¡±, Sc¨¢th growled as he made his way to the spring to join Elen and Sandinni. ¡°This should be something, but probably nothing good.¡±, he chuckled, ¡°But what is these days?!¡±, he remarked with a deep but mild laugh, ¡°Let¡¯s go see what Ole Gran is gonna cook up with this one!¡±


    Sc¨¢th looked down at Elen, locking his gaze with hers as he spoke in a low voice. "Don''t mistake our lack of casting you out to sea for mercy," he stated, a grim smile on his face. "You should show us a bit more kindness and fight less. Because believe me, Sandanni and I are really your best option compared to what Ole Gran will likely cook up for you." He let out a chuckle, a glint in his eye. "Be nice, and I can be nice too. Do you understand?" He knelt before her, waiting for her response.


    ¡°Look how fast she gives up! A knee bender in her heart, through and through.¡±, Sandinni said snidely at Elen who was so furious she began to weep.


    ¡°Shut-up, Sandinni!¡±, groaned out Sc¨¢th rising up from his knee. ¡°Release her hair, and let¡¯s get this nonsense over with! Let¡¯s go!¡±, he announced as he marched his way to the middle of the spring and fell through it and into its hidden depths.


    Sandinni let out a disgusted sigh and rolled her eyes at Elen before releasing her hair. Instead, she grabbed onto Elen''s shoulder and forcefully pulled her down through the watery portal, Lugus still secretly in tow¡­.


    The unlikely group emerged from the pool of water and stepped into the covered garden of Coill na Sc¨¦ala¨ª. The ground was covered in a layer of salt, sparkling like glass, with a carpet of silver grass growing on top that swayed gently in the salty breeze. The garden sat atop an atoll that rose above the churning waters below, with crystal-clear Alder trees adding to its unique beauty.


    A thin layer of sparkling crystal light hung suspended in the air, shimmering with every quick glance. It was nourished and formed by the blinding rays emanating from the roots of the C¨ªrdan Oak, which enveloped all of Coill na Sc¨¦ala¨ª in a dazzling salt crystal.


    Elen had never seen such beauty before. Her mouth hung open in marvel at its elegance and at the flow of power radiating even in the air. The smell of the salt made her feel dreamy and relaxed as she was led forward by her shoulder and Sandinni.


    ¡°How is this all possible?¡±, she asked feeling relaxed by the salts and forgetting for a moment who Sandinni really was to her. ¡°How did you make this?¡±


    Sandinni turned from Elen and bowed low to the silver sphere adorned with intricate runes in strange patterns hovering above the crystal forest below. Elen had never seen anything like it before; the sphere hummed and glowed, suspended high above them in the center of Coill na Sc¨¦ala¨ª. From its depths, a thin stream of salt flowed into an ornate fountain below, eventually building as it fell from the decanters of the fountain and became a waterfall of salt that flowed through the crystal forest into the sea below.


    Sandinni forced Elen¡¯s head down into a bow before the sphere as she said to her, ¡°Honor their sacrifice. No matter what you think about it now that it has happened.¡±, she said piously looking up at the humming silver sphere hovering before them both pouring out salt. She said with a reverence, ¡°Those Fal Bolg who cheered for you are seeds now, so honor that they lived and seeded here! Respect that if you won¡¯t respect Theia¡¯s gifts to us!¡±, she said in a hushed sneer.


    Elen didn¡¯t really know what to think as her head was meanly shoved down, but she didn¡¯t feel like saying much of anything as the salt made her feel dizzier the more she breathed in of it. She certainly didn¡¯t appreciate being mishandled and preached at while she was feeling so confused and sad.


    She couldn''t help but think about the Fal Bolg, with their aged and fragile bodies. She thought of all her kin who were denied a portion of Inis F¨¢il''s light from Dagda and his Tuatha, unlike her for serving Danu. She remembered how they plunged to their deaths into the fiery waters below the ring, their screams echoing in her ears. She covered her ears as she still heard them crying out in the hum of the silver sphere, their sacrifice played in its hollow song.


    Elen wept then for the Fal Bolg who had fallen. For the ones she knew would fall still, and she wept at how helpless she was to end any of it. As the sphere of silver and salt hung before her and hummed she bowed her head then, lower than Sandinni pushed it. ¡°I am sorry.¡±, she said, meaning it. ¡°I don¡¯t have the words..¡±, said Elen weeping under Sandinni¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Then say nothing and kneel.¡±, said Sandinni, as she rose from her own bowing and stated coldly, ¡°But do what you¡¯re good at later. Ole Gran waits for you.¡±, she said snatching Elen and dragging her after Sc¨¢th who waited beyond leaning on a crystal tree waiting for Ole Gran to arrive.


    ¡°She will be a while yet. Dawn is coming, but not for a bit.¡±, he said looking at Elen. ¡°Have a seat in the grass or against a tree and wait. She will be along, and don¡¯t try to rush her at all!¡±, he warned Elen with his eyes expanding with his warning. ¡°You¡¯ll be wishing for the sea if you vex her, and she¡¯s already got your ribbon.¡±, he said giving her his squarely grim smile.


    Sandanni looked hard Elen¡¯s weeping and then at Scath, ¡°I still say we throw her down into the sea with the rest before Ole Gran comes.¡±


    Sandanni¡¯s eyes, slit like a serpent¡¯s hissed, ¡°This is a fools errand! Just like us waiting here! We should strike when our prey does not suspect!¡±


    Scath sighed a dark breath, ¡°Yes, this is foolish!¡±, he sighed but he looked hard at Sandinni with his benighted eyes, ¡°It is foolish how we managed to fish the only An Ch¨¦ad Bl¨¢thanna from the sea from atop a piece of damn coral. It¡¯s foolish that Fox said anything about her ribbon.¡±, he looked at Elen, ¡°It¡¯s foolish this one is still with us, here in Coill na Sc¨¦ala¨ª of all places.¡±, he laughed dryly, ¡°But what are the odds, Sandinni?! Maybe it is a blessing from the Lord of Salt as the fool fox said?!¡±, Scath shook his head in disbelief, ¡°What were the odds Ole Gran would rise from the sea and so would Dubh ¨ªonachta!? Explain it if it isn¡¯t Theia trying to rise once more!?¡±, he charged Sandinni who doubted Elen, with her piercing green eyes glowing in her distrust.


    ¡°I believe in Ole Gran!¡±, stated Sandinni bluntly, ¡°I believe SHE can make Theia rise, but this..¡±, she looked at Elen like she was garbage once more, ¡°That thing is barely worth the salt in her.¡±


    Scath sighed once more, ¡°Very well, Sandinni. It¡¯s NOTED!¡±, he half shouted, ¡°Drop it, and slither off somewhere that isn¡¯t where I have to listen to you moan about not wanting to DO WHAT YOU ARE TOLD!¡±, he shouted out suddenly. Scath shook off his sudden anger, ¡°I have the girl. You just stop talking and stand over there.¡±, he pointed to a crystal tree further on, ¡°Go wait for Ole Gran in the shade, eh? Cool off some.¡±, he said flatly as he rested his back against a crystal tree. He sighed at Elen, ¡°You relax, too. You won¡¯t get much relaxing when Ole Gran gets here from snatching up ribbons, best enjoy the peace now.¡±, he mused as he leaned back against the glistening crystal Alder tree growing in the salty and silver glen.


    Elen''s breath caught in her throat as Sandinni''s intense green eyes locked onto hers. She couldn''t help but tremble under the formidable presence of the Fal Bolg warrior, donned in shining silver scales. Without saying a word, Sandinni marched to where Scath had pointed, her unflinching gaze fixed on Elen as though she could strike at any moment with her gleaming dirks aimed menacingly at Elen who cowered in the grass near Scath and far from Sandinni and her horrible glare.


    Elen tried to relax in the grass. She could feel Lugus hiding in her pocket still, but she didn¡¯t dare whisper a thing to him, and Lugus couldn¡¯t speak anyway. Elen sighed to herself as she waited with the disoriented Lugus in her pocket, ¡°I just would rather be home with Danu yelling at me and the other nymphs to be amusing for her. I miss home.¡±, she thought as more tears came to her eyes as she was held prisoner with Lugus in the garden of Coill na Sc¨¦ala¨ª.