Trapped.

Aed paid no attention to the others, he just couldn’t shake the feeling. He never could shake it when he was stuck down here. Only the thought of being outside offered him some reprieve.

“Game,” declared Dagda happily as he peered down at him, “I win. You lose.”

Aed flung his cards on the table with disdain, “Yep, I lose,” he said sighing.

Dagda gathered up the cards and began to shuffle once more.

“Another one?”

“No.” Aed snapped, “I’m not playing another card game. Anyways why can’t we just go outside? For a while at least.”

“Is it night already?” Cecht asked. He yawned loudly.

“No,” Aed gritted his teeth as the old man next to him grabbed roughly at his shoulder. “It is hardly past noon.”

Cecht snorted, “Then why are you talking about going out? It’s Samhain yes, fair enough, but there’s still loads of sun out there yet.”

“Yes, thank you for that uncle. I am aware how night and day work. Just because I live in a hole does not mean I’m stupid.”

“It’s not a hole Aed,” Dagda countered doggedly, “it’s a bunker.”

“Oh yes a bunker sorry, sorry. Are they really that different though? Both are dug into the ground and both are used to hide things which you don’t want. Or need. I’d say the humans were happy enough seeing us bury ourselves down here. Must have saved them a fair deal of time and manpower.” Aed kept his gaze on Dagda as he spoke.

Dagda raised his eyes but said nothing, instead focusing on dealing out the cards between himself and Cecht.

“I’m heading out, I don’t care if it’s not dark. I want to go out.” Aed didn’t wait for approval but threw on his cloak.

In a flash Dagda’s hand was on his chest barring his path.

“You’ll stay here with us if-”

“Oh leave him, leave him Dagda,” Cecht interrupted him with a wave, “Let him off. He’s protected isn’t he, he’ll be fine.”

Aed stopped a moment, he still didn’t quite understand what the protection was which Cecht spoke of and the others refused to tell him about. One of the many things they refuse to tell me about. All he knew was that it kept him and the other Gods safe whenever they did choose to venture out. Though of late it was only ever Aed who needed that. The others seemed content to wallow away inside their own areas of the bunker, alone and distant from everyone else. Solitude was not such a curse to them. In fact it seemed to Aed that he was the only one not content with the way things were. For the past 100 years it had been like this, ever since Aed could remember. Humans. Well, one group of humans really. Milesians. As Aed and the others wallowed underground the humans meanwhile had grown, and fast. Their human kind had infested and eventually overrun the land and now ruled Aileann in perpetuity.

Pressing his hand onto the stone carvings he felt the rush of blood as the door interacted with him and then slid open noiselessly. He covered his eyes as the open door revealed the intrusive glare of the sun in all its flaming glory. Aed breathed in the chilly, fresh, morning air and wrapped his cloak tight around him.

The day was cold but pleasant, moving at a brisk pace he soon came to the outskirts of the village of Chairn Dun. Now a quiet, sleepy town, it had once been a prosperous place, full of people who paid homage to the true rulers of Aileann and were granted favors in return. The people living there were still mostly made up of the old kind, the humans which had lived in the land before the Milesians had come and set them on the wrong path. They had called themselves Cruthins backs then. They were a decent folk for humans, or at least they once were, lately they had been veering altogether too close to the Milesian ideals for Aed’s liking.

He crept carefully around the village making his way to the small thatched cottage at its end. Though barely past midday there were few people about, most Aed knew would be gone to the Winter market at Aonach. Tadhg wouldn’t be though. Good ol Tadhg, he really was a fine fellow. He’d always stayed true to the old ways and never swayed. Ever since Aed had first came across him years ago while out hunting they’d been strong friends and companions. He knew what was best for Aileann, the island would be far better off without the Milesians in charge, if all went back to how it once was.

Not hesitating Aed unlocked the door grimacing at the noise it made as it creaked open . Inside he saw Tadhg sitting alone on a stool by the fire. He turned suddenly, mouth wide open, “Aeed? Wha yo doiin errre?”

Tadhg held a bowl of what looked like stew in his hands and his mouth was full of it. Swallowing he tried again, “Aed. What are you doing here?” He peered out the window, “Bit early no.”

Aed closed the door carefully behind him and picked up a spare stool to warm himself by the fire.

“Ahhhh don’t worry about it. I’m here now. Not hunting no?”

Tadhg shook his head and slurped up more of his stew. “Nah couldn’t be arsed, too cold, besides the hart I got last week will see me for a good while. I needn’t rush out. You want some of it actually? It’s nice.”

Aed looked up over into the bowl and shook his head.

“Ahh no, no I’m good. I’m not hungry to be honest. Drink?”

With a flourish Aed pulled out a large bottle from under his cloak. “It’s the one you liked from before.”

“Oh yeah, yeah I remember that one,” said Tadhg, his eyes lighting up at the sight. “It’s lovely. What’s it called again? Uis Bath?”

“Uisce Beatha,” Aed corrected, “Or Water of life the way ye’d say it.”

“Water of life,” Tadhg rubbed his hands together enthusiastically, “Been looking forward to this.”

Aed took a long swig himself before handing it to Tadhg. “So go on then, any news? How’s your Milesian King doing.”

Tadhg paused with the bottle to his lip and lowered it slowly, “I’ve told you Aed, he’s not my King. I’m no Milesian, I am a Cruthin. Big difference, big, big difference. We were here way before them. Only man I listen to is Brandubh. He’s my only Lord.”

He took a sip but quickly stopped himself seeing Aed’s stare, “What? Oh okay then my only human Lord. You know what I mean.”

He nodded to himself, “Cruthins have respect for tradition. We know our history. Tuatha de Danann were good to us.We don’t forget Aed. It was the Milesians messed everything up.”

He handed the bottle back to Aed. “Oh and yes there is news actually. Right good news. A milesian caravan was caught by the Insurgents last week. The boys got a fine bit of stuff from it.”

“Insurgents? I thought they were Freedom Fighters?”

“Noooo, no, no that’s old now. The Insurgents sounds better.”

“Does it? I suppose it does yeah. So….the Insurgents, they are still going strong? Still no sign of giving in?”

“Of course not, you think they’d give in? Just like that?” enquired Tadhg cheerfully.

“No I suppose not.”

Tadhg rubbed his sleeve over his mouth and sighed gratefully as he examined the bottle.

“Ah yes and then there is to be a Royal Parade next week. The Queen has another one coming.” Tadhg scratched at his beard, “Think that will be her second one. There is going be a full military march going through the streets of Gaillimh next week. Whole town is going.”

Aed eyed Tadhg sideways as he ushered the bottle back, “The whole town?”

“Well, bar me obviously. I’d ruin the mood sure. Bastards.”

Aed clapped him heartily across his back, “Your time will come my friend. I’ll make sure of it. We’ll get it all back. Me and you. And when we do I’ll make sure you are well looked after.”

“Been thinking about joining up with Brandubh and the others again lately. Though it will be fairly difficult to get in with him.It has to be better than this anyways. I’d need something to impress them though. Show them I’d be useful to have around the place.”

Aed ignored Tadhg’s stare.

“Still no then?” Tadhg slurped up more of the stew.

“Still no. I don’t want you using me just to get in with them.” Aed threw another log onto the fire. “Would it not be better to get in there on your own merit? Long term it surely would.”

Tadhg chuckled at that, “On my own merit? What kind of merit would that be? I’ve no training or anything.”

“I told you I’d train you. You are too lazy Tadhg. We could go out right now and I’d show you a few things.”

“Now?” Tadhg glanced out the window, ‘It’s freezin now. No look we’ll think more about it later.

Aed ran his fingers through his long hair, he began twirling one of the many strands of green which ran through the black.

There was a long silence. The only sound was the swish of the bottle as they passed it back and forth.

It was broken after a long while by Tadhg humming, he stopped abruptly to look at Aed.

“When the rest of your family do decide to get rid of the Milesians with us. What will happen to me? Can you make me-”

“Ah look don’t start this again.” Aed sighed raising a hand to interrupt him, “I told you before, I will make sure you are high up, but even I can’t make you a Prince. There’s more to it than that.”

“Fair enough, fair enough. Just checking.”

Tadhg belched loudly and raised the bottle, “A toast. To the future and the return of the Tuatha de Danann.”

Aed nodded emphatically as he took back the bottle once more.

“I don’t get it,” Tadhg waved a hand in the general direction of the window, “I don’t get them.”

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He shook his head sadly, “They don’t care about being free. Only if they have a bit of money leftover to drink and have fun on Mass day.”

“Well that’s all they need to worry about. They don’t think too far ahead really.”

Aed looked at Tadhg who was now staring sleepy-eyed into the fire, his head bobbing up and down. He himself felt the effects of the alcohol dulling and relaxing his mind and body, Tadhg seemed to be feeling the same effects but to a far greater extent. Aed puffed out his cheeks and took the bottle back from Tadhg.

“You seem happy enough though?”

“What?” Tadhg’s face wrinkled. “Happy with what?”

“I don’t know, just like in general, you’re happy?”

“Yeah.” Tadhg looked at him with a raised brow, “Why?”

“I don’t know I’m just asking, why are you being so defensive?”

“I’m not being defensive, it’s just a weird question.”

“Alright then sorry.” Aed raised his hands in mediation. “Maybe it is weird.”

“Maybe? It is weird.”

“Okay, okay sorry. Anyways did you see that-”

“Is this about Big Bertha?”

Aed shook his head laughing, “What? Is what about Big Bertha? Who’s Big Bertha? Tadhg I honestly have no idea what your talking about.”

“Fuck you.”

Aed rubbed both hands over his face. “Look I don’t know what-”

“She’s gone. Left me. Don’t know where she is. Think it’s probably over between us.”

Aed nodded his head slowly, “Fair enough. If you don’t know where she is then there’s a good chance it’s over alright.”

Tadhg looked at him carefully, “I haven’t had much luck with the women around here lately.”

“Lately?” Aed raised his own brow.

“Yes lately.” Tadhg fixed him with a determined stare. “I’m sick of them anyways.”

Aed regarded Tadhg with a straight face but groaned internally, he’s going to go off again. Time to go.

He stood up, a little too fast, he had to quickly steady himself. He swiped the bottle from the table and downed what was left of it.

“I better head off, if I’m not back soon they’ll be out looking.” Aed stopped to stare into the fire. “They don’t trust me being out alone. I am too careless apparently.”

Tadhg murmured an agreement, but whether it was because it was time to be off or Aed being careless he wasn’t sure.

He clapped Tadhg on the shoulder, however the drink really had effected him, instead of a friendly pat he knocked Tadhg straight off his stool.

“Oh shite, you alright yeah?”

Tadhg lay unmoving where he’d fallen with the stool alongside him. With a grunt he grabbed it and pulled it in close to him. Almost immediately he began to snore.

Aed smiled, “Uisce Beatha.”

He strolled quietly over to the door and gingerly made his way outside. The cold hit him like a brick. The icy breeze engulfed his body entirely. Squinting he was confused to see a host of bright lights standing before him. “Shhhhittt,” he mumbled.

“See, I told you,” the voice of a young girl reached Aed’s ears. “The freak has been in talking to the fairies again.”

“Talking to the what?”

Aed forced himself to focus, the bright lights it turned out were a collection of torches held aloft by a circle of villagers. At their front stood a little girl with one finger pointing accusingly at Aed.

Instinctively Aed reached for his blade, he always kept it strapped to his back when he went out. “Shit, shit. Shit.”

He cursed himself as he groped searchingly and realised that he had indeed forgotten it. He cursed himself too for his carelessness and for ignoring the time and rules for being outside. He’d never been caught so bad as this. He sighed deeply and straightened himself, steeling his mind and body for what was to come.

If the humans wanted to kill him then he wouldn’t be responsible for what happened next. Dagda and the others be damned. They would rage he knew. Berate him for his foolishness and recklessness. Lecture about how the killing of humans was wrong and only drew attention to themselves. He didnt care. He saw some of the villagers had pitchforks, axes and even a sword or two among them. No matter he thought, even with his bare hands and drink taken he’d crush them in an instant. I’ll let them make the first move. Absolve himself from blame.

“He’s one of them mutes is he?”

The gruff sound of a burly man’s voice stole Aed from his thoughts, he recognised him as the town blacksmith.

“OI FAIRY MAN. DO YOU SPEAK? SPEAK? YOU?”

A few laughs broke out in the group.

Aed was stunned, he’d expected a lot of things, hate, anger, fear, shame, maybe even reverence. But not this. The villagers seemed interested yes, but not worried and certainly not afraid. Almost annoyed, irritated by his presence.

“I….I speak. I’m not a mute.” Aed cleared his throat and adopted a stern expression. “If you mean to hurt me then know this. I am Aed of the Tuatha de Danann, any hand raised against me will soon see the fury and power of mine own hand.”

Aed smiled happily to himself, glad to have finally been able to use the line he’d practised so many times before.

The blacksmith nodded nonchalantly, “Yes yes, I know. We all know. Anger the fairies and no crops will grow, the soil will harden and the wells dry. We know your tricks Fairy. We don’t want any trouble now. In fact we don’t want anything to do with you. You or the others. We don’t want any problems but you can’t be hanging around here. Tadhg’s his own man and that’s fine, if he’s a friend of yours then that’s yere business. But you can’t be meeting up so close to our homes. If the Milesians find out there’ll be trouble. So go on now, you have to get out of here. Get out of the village and back to your home.”

Aed opened his mouth wide, wordlessly he stood there for a long time. Stunned. Slowly, heavily and without thinking he walked towards the people, they parted ways as he lumbered past them. His mind was empty, frozen. He felt he should be doing something, anything. Certainly not this. And yet, he was doing it. It was not until he had left the village far behind and was safely concealed in the forest that he finally closed his mouth. His mind whirred back to life and a ball of emotions erupted inside of him, humiliation, shame, shock and anger, all came on him in a flash. Aed swallowed hard, with a roar of fury he launched himself at a nearby tree, the oak was old and its roots dug deep but a single punch from Aed sent it flying through the air.

“They….they sent me. They sent me home. Aed, Aed of the Tuatha de Danann. A few villagers sent me home.” He paused and his face creased, “They called me a fairy.”

Howling Aed ran his feet a blur as he raced home to the bunker. He wasted no time and burst into the main chamber panting breathlessly.

Inside he was greeted by the familiar sight of all of the other Tuatha de Danann gathered together around the central table. They always held meeting like this without him. It infuriated him further. But he was glad of it too, he wanted them all to hear what he had to say.

“What are we? Huh?”

He didn’t bother with greetings, he didn’t want to feign happiness or formality.

“Are we really Tuatha de Danann? Are we Gods or are we less than the men? Why is it they look down on us? Look down on me. Do you know what just happened to me?”

“Are you drunk Aed? Again?”

Aed shook his head annoyed at his Mother’s glare and statement. Lady Morrigan. She was exactly what someone would imagine the chief Goddess to be. Powerful, intimidating and unreasonably strict and proper.

“NO I’m not drunk mother. I am very sober in fact. Do you want to know why? I was ambus…I mean… I…I came across a group of villagers. And did they cower at the sight of me? Did they fling themselves onto the ground in awe before me. Did they raise their arms in fear? NO. They didn’t. Do you know what they did?”

Aed looked expectantly and waited but no one responded to him. He shook his head, “They…they laughed at me,” Aed felt a flush rising to his cheeks, “they humiliated me. They called me a fairy. A fairy.”

Aed’s voice broke as he raised his hands in confusion, “Why would they even call me that?”

“Ah,” Cecht stepped forward wagging a finger knowingly. “Well that fairy thing I can explain. Seeing as it was my idea and my magic.”

Aed saw the others throwing up their eyes and arms in unison, Dagda put his hands up to his face, “Not now Cecht, he doesn’t need to know.”

“Ahhh let him know,” argued Lugh. He was the next youngest to Aed, and he acted as something of an annoying older brother to him.

“He’ll figure it out soon.” Lugh tapped his chin thoughtfully, “Well maybe not soon. But he will. Eventually. I think.”

“Figure what out?” Demanded Aed.

Dagda sighed but waved Cecht forward, “Go one then.”

Cecht bowed happily and theatrically, “You see Aed, as you know I am something of a master of illusions. When we were driven underground by the humans, Dagda tasked me with finding us a way to safely conceal and protect ourselves whenever we went out. To ensure no one suspected us of still being a threat and to ensure our bunker was not revealed. One which would be known to the humans but also one which wasn’t a direct enemy. One that they wouldn’t be too eager to go chasing down. I chose fairies,” he announced proudly. “They don’t even mind us using them.”

He frowned, “In fact the they believe it is a basic illusion. They even find it entertaining that the humans can’t see through it.”

“Fairies?” Aed whispered putting a hand to his mouth, “Oh my Gods, you made us all look like fairies.”

“Ahem,” Lugh coughed, “Not all, I wasn’t too keen on looking like a fairy either brother. I changed my illusion to a Dragon. Trechend to be precise, you won’t remember him but he used live up Slieve Bearnagh, he’s long ago flown away now but humans like a legend or two. And so long as Trechend isn’t burning down villages or stealing maidens then they are happy for the legend to continue.”

“A Dragon?” Aed protested, “Ah that’s bollocks, I want to be a dragon.”

“Oh don’t be ridiculous,” cried Cecht, “We can’t all be dragons. And besides that is a once off thing for Lugh. One which I didn’t care for. It’s a waste of magic and time if you ask me.”

“And everyone else? You are okay being fairies? We are supposed to be Gods.”

“Oh there is nothing wrong with fairies Aed,” Mother said, “they work just as well as anything else. They’ve served us well so far. And anyhow, you seem to be the only one that needs the illusion. How you can be uncovered by the humans is beyond me.”

“Yes but fairies-”

“There is nothing wrong with fairies Aed. Or have you got a problem with them? Is that it.” Cecht’s tone was somewhat prickly.

“It does sound like he’s got a problem with fairies,” added Lugh raising a brow.

“It’s a bit close minded Aed,” continued Cecht, “having a problem with fairies I mean. They are beings too you know.”

“What. NO,” Aed shook his head vigorously, “I don’t have any problems with fairies. Fairies are a fine folk, fun and happy. They’re great and everyting. But,” he puffed out his cheels, “we aren’t fairies. We’re Gods. Or we’re supposed to be. Why can’t we just be ourselves.”

Mother sighed audibly, “Come now Aed. You are almost 105 years old now. It’s time you grew up a little. How many of us are left?” Aed didn’t respond.

“Aed. I am talking to you.”

“21.” Aed muttered.

“21,” Mom repeated emphatically, “Including you. And what happened 100 years ago? What happened to us?”

Aed felt fury building inside of him, humiliated twice in one day. Oh this is low. Even for me.

“We were defeated by the humans Mother. The Milesians.”

“Yes.” Mom nodded. “So now we must wait. Humans are humans, they will wipe themselves out sooner rather than later. We just have to wait. Patience dear. Patience.”

“Yes Mom.” Aed mumbled.

“Good boy.”

Aed stood motionless for a moment, however none of the others made any move either, instead they all just looked at him expectantly. Taking the hint Aed trudged towards the stairs and down towards his rooms below. He felt a tear building on his cheek and quickly wiped it away. The humans would pay for embarrassing him. He didn’t care what the others thought. It wasn’t fair, they were all several thousands of years old, even Lugh was 2000. The others were twice that. They had been around long before any humans had ever set foot on Aileann. And when the first humans did eventually arrive, the Cruthins, they had worshipped them. For two thousand years. It wasn’t until the Milesians showed up 200 years ago that everything was ruined. But the others had had their fun. Patience was easy for them. They were probably glad of the rest. But me, all I’ve had is brief excursions outside, a prisoner, an exile in my own land. Waiting is a fool’s game. I’ll act and they’ll have to follow. I’ll leave them no choice in the matter. They’ll thank me for it once it’s all over. They’ll all acknowledge me. I’ll not be a kid anymore. No, I’ll be a real Tuatha de Danann. I’ll be the one to set things right. Even Mom and Dad say I was a miracle, an anomaly, they weren’t suppose to be able to have any more kids. Then I came. It must have been for a reason. It must. The name Aed will go down in history. Me. I’ll be remembered long after everyone else is forgotten. Long after.