It was over thirty cycles later that two horsemen arrived at the gate under the cover of darkness, pursued by enemy soldiers.

Tethra ran to the main foyer of the palace. The two exhausted men had collapsed but were demanding to see him when he arrived. He ran over and put his arm under the tired man’s shoulders. The other was carried to the infirmary, an arrow protruding from his shoulder.

“What is it soldier?” he asked… “what news?”

“Tuatha…coming… next new moon,” he said, and then fainted.

Tethra carried him to an empty bed, laid the man’s head on a provided pillow gently and quickly went to share the news with the others.

“Why that’s in four cycles,” he thought. “They are indeed coming.” He instantly sent alerts to the generals to begin preparations quietly, so Ruad would not be alerted that something was up. The siege towers were nearly complete and Amerghin had been waiting for the right time. But now they would be able to strike first before the towers could be used.

Tethra knew what to do, he had studied these tactics with Tuatha and Ruad all those cycles ago. They would fight as one, having not even discussed the situation they were in, not even the landscape would prevent them knowing each other’s moves. Simple bugle blows were all that was needed to convey a message of battle movements. Ruad would know what they meant but they were coded and Tuatha had sent the code to Tethra with the riders. They did not know but, in the words, Tuatha told them to speak was the hidden code he would use. Later when the men had recovered, Tethra had learned this.

That evening Tethra sat with his new and old friends. His heart ached for Devorgill when he saw Fiall reclining in Ardan’s arms. But he found comfort with his sister, Caer Omaith sitting close to him, and she leaned against him, her head on his shoulder, also seeking comfort from her loss of Rus. Fernmaige sat on the other side of his sister whom he loved so very much.

Naoise sat close too, he could sense the pain and felt helpless to offer any sort of comfort. He just wanted to fight, and his fingers itched to feel the sword in his hand, so he could avenge his new friends’ pain and loss.

Naoise was pursued regularly by girls and ladies in the city. He was admired by many of them, despite his dark, quiet, and brooding nature. He was yet to find a woman who he felt he could love and settle with. But his mind filled more often with the coming battle. Those pleasurable things would have to wait.

Tethra dreamed of the time when he could hug his best friend. He had faith in Riangbra, that the prophecy would happen in his lifetime. He hoped with fervent desire that these coming days would culminate in the promised time of peace.

They sat like this long into the night, taking comfort and building their bonds that would be needed in the coming days of battle. For it was these bonds that would make them stronger.

Two days passed and it was the following morning the battle would commence; the new planet rise had arrived. That night Riangbra’s only visible planet, a large red satellite appeared larger than normal and did not have the usual light and dark shadow from the two suns. Rather, it was brightly lit from the larger of the two suns that Riangbra circled over the course of a sun cycle. It provided plenty of light for the positioning of the troops at all the gates of the city where they would stream from and attack the encampment of the dark lord.

At the instant the first of the two suns appeared on the horizon, the gates were opened by the stewards, and the troops marched out forming ranks before the dark lords’ forces.

Ruad watched from his tent as lines of soldiers formed. Surely, they will not pre-emptively strike, he thought to himself. That is a death warrant. This was just a sortie, and they would attack and then retreat into the city.

But the lines grew, and he began to feel tinges of anxiety. This was a full-scale attack. He ran down to the barracks and began to send out orders to form up. His mind could not fathom why Tethra was doing this. Were they desperate? Were they expecting help? He stopped, fear coming over his face and he ran to Amerghin’s tent.

“My lord,” he shouted, running into Amerghin’s tent. “They are expecting help, we must send out scouts.”

Amerghin scowled. “Nonsense,” he said. They are simply desperate, probably running out of food. We will repel them and take the city today!”

Ruad became annoyed, his voice taking on a sarcastic tone. “You know everything do you?” he said, “You don’t know them, I know Riangbra…”

Amergin turned and slapped Ruad hard on the side of the face with the back of his hand.

“Never…” he screamed “Never utter that word,” he finished through gritted teeth.

Ruad fell to his knees clutching his face dripping with blood. Amerghin’s ring had cut his cheek deeply and his teeth were visible through the gaping wound.

Ruad stumbled from the tent, furious and desperate.

He went to the generals’ tent, but they looked at him with disdain. Amerghin had told them to ignore him.

He ran to a viewpoint and laughed loudly in frustration. The entire army of Athlethan was running and the roar of their voices as they attacked grew loud. Then was drowned out as the roar of their own army also began to attack. Ruad stopped and took a breath. What could he do? The outcome of this battle was not his to control anyway. Ruad decided to surrender to his fate.

Never, since the first great battle, had so much blood flowed off a battlefield. The streams that ran through the area now flowed with the mingled blood of the two armies. Tethra watched his men slowly push back the armies of the dark lord, he saw them falling and his heart bled with sadness. Why was war the only way to stop evil and greed?

The battle raged all morning. And the dark lords’ soldiers had suffered great losses. Amerghin commanded the reserves to flank them and push from the sides. He felt a victory, despite the losses.

In the distance he heard a faint bugle note. Then a louder one from the walls of Athlethan and he trembled when he remembered what Ruad had said.

Tuatha and Laegaire with Celthair and Aillel behind them in shining armour appeared first over the rise that was the last one before the city of Athlethan appeared. Before them was the vast army of the dark lord with the smaller army of Athlethan being flanked. One of the generals of the flanking soldiers spotted them and had turned part of the army in their direction.

Tuatha raised Salchah the bane of Sennol and it flashed in the rising of the bright second sun. He shouted and pointed the sword toward the battle. From each side of him there appeared a line of twenty Anakim. Massive and dark, with swords, longer than a man was tall. They roared with their deep resonant voices and ran toward the battle. Behind them there appeared a line of dark-haired men with large shields and spears, the army of Dun Cluana.

As they ran down the hill towards the attacking flank, Amerghin ordered a full defence.

The giants reached the advancing soldiers and ploughed through the flank attack. Soldiers in dark leather could be seen flying in all direction as the huge hammers and swords of the giants swung in huge arcs through the ranks of the soldiers. When those at the rear saw what was happening, they had begun to stop their push, even retreating in fear, then falling over each other in their haste to get away but they ran into the line of Athlethan’s warriors, finally they threw down their weapons and surrendered.

On the other flank it was not going quite so well, the losses were increasing rapidly for Athlethan.

Stolen story; please report.

Then, from the north, through the trees a line of horse men appeared. The Rochad horse men, led by general Findtain. They had left two days before from the rear of the city, walking their horses which were wearing cloth on their feet to deaden the sound. They formed a flanking manoeuvre of their own and now were attacking the north flank which had now also diverted their attention from the army of Athlethan and were running toward the riders. When they clashed the horse’s momentum ploughed them into the lines of soldiers, the horses armour sparking where they hit the swords and armour of the enemy. It was not long before they had created chaos out of the orderly lines of Amerghin’s forces.

Tuatha and Laegaire along with Ainnle, Celthair and Aillel, had barely had anything to do but to clean up behind the giants, any soldiers that survived and were attacking from the rear.

The battle raged into the night under the light of the still bright and full planet and stars.

Amerghin tried everything to push them back into the city, but this tiny army of Athlethan was like a steel wall. He screamed and fumed, pacing with frustration till he was as exhausted as the men on the front line.

Early in the morning, he sounded a retreat and the armies stopped fighting, leaving behind them the fallen bodies of those who had died in battle.

Most of Athlethan’s forces who had been along the front line dropped to their knees too tired to walk. There were still warriors who had still not fought, but were tired from the strain of holding back, frustrated that they could not help their comrades.

Those who were able, picked up the dead and wounded and carried them back to the city for burial or healing.

These warriors would be the defence for the next battle. They streamed back into the city and slept where they found a space. The people of the city came out, bathing and feeding them, giving them their pillows and blankets, and dressing their wounds as they slept. Many men and women found the love of their life that night. The intimacy of this time of showing care and love, wearing through any barriers of shyness or nervousness that existed between people under more normal circumstances.

The giants administered their healing abilities long into the night and many who would have been incapacitated the following day, were immediately ready for battle.

Soon it grew quiet, and they too slept.

Tuatha and Laegaire with Celthair and Aillel, Ainnle not far behind, finally entered the city and made their way to the white palace of Athlethan.

Tuatha had mixed emotions, joy at seeing his beloved home again. He cried as he came to the steps that he had walked down all those cycles ago on his way to seek his destiny.

As he took a step upwards from under the arch Tethra, Ardan, Naoise and Fiall appeared. He cried out and ran up the steps meeting his closest friend at the top in a tight embrace. Tears streamed down both their faces. The others crowded around, patting them both on the back. When he had said a few words to Tethra, he turned to his two old friends. Clasping their hands to his chest and looking into their eyes, his face showing relief and gratitude, before pulling them both into an embrace. He bowed and kissed Fiall on the cheek giving her a message from her Father and mother that made her cry with happiness.

Ainnle had also now run up the steps and was now talking with his brothers after a hearty hug, joyous at their being reunited.

Tuatha looked at Tethra again, his heart bursting with the things he wanted to share with him. “I have someone you need to meet,” he turned Tethra toward Laegaire and his two children. “My wife, Laegaire, daughter of Queen Dagemar,” he said.” My children Celthair and Aillel.”

Tethra bowed and took her hand “My lady,” he said, “you are most welcome to Athlethan as my lord’s lady and queen,” then he kissed her hand. She smiled at him. “I like you already,” she said. “I already feel we shall be good friends.”

Tuatha introduced his children and Tethra introduced his own two, Mairghread and Fillan to them. They walked off together already forming the bonds of friendship that they had seen between their parents.

Tethra told Tuatha of his love for Devorgill and her death and they wept together, Tuatha hugging him again and crying with him at his loss.

They walked into the palace and joined Fernmaige and Caer Omaith, making all the introductions for those who had not yet met. Caer Omaith had once thought she was to marry Tuatha, but meeting Laegaire, it was quickly forgotten and wondered what her destiny yet had in store for her.

Tuatha bowed before Fernmaige and Caer Omaith, and she pulled him back up. “You are our king, Tuatha,” she said laughing lightly, “and I don’t want it to be formal between us.” She hugged him and immediately knew he was going to be a very close friend, as they both laughed. Before long Caer Omaith was arm in arm with Laegaire and looking toward Tuatha and laughing. Tuatha rolled his eyes and grinned stupidly at them.

Tuatha talked briefly with king Fernmaige of Enna Aignech. “We have much to discuss,” said Fernmaige. “But we will leave it for another time,” Tuatha bowed before him on his knee, as he was not yet a king of Athlethan and he had not been announced as king of Dun Emain.

Tuatha turned to Ainnle, pulling him forward by the arm, introducing him to Caer Omaith. The minute he had seen her, when they first arrived, he was breathless. He faltered and stuttered his introduction, his words awkward at first. Ainnle was completely devastated by her. He could face an Anakim in a duel but looking into Caer Omaith’s eyes completely unsteadied him. Yet he took her hand and held it, looking into her eyes. It did not take long and Ainnle lost all his awkwardness. Caer Omaith looked into the eyes of this gentle and kind man and saw similarities to her Rus, whose loss still sat heavily in her heart.

Before long they were holding each other’s hands and talking deeply and long into the evening.

Ardan and Naoise looked at each other knowingly.

“Gone!” said Ardan. “Lost!” said Naoise, and they chuckled.

Ainnle listened to Caer Omaith speak of Rus Fiacha, how he was tragically lost in battle. He knew it would take time for her to move on and love him the same way, but he was graciously happy to take the place as her friend until this time. She did not tell him, but Caer Omaith already loved Ainnle as much as Rus was in her heart. She knew Rus would like this man she had chosen; to give her, what he could no longer offer. But Rus would forever be in her heart.

Tuatha abruptly turned to Tethra. “I must go to my father?” he asked. “Come with me.”

Tuatha and Tethra left the noisy group and made their way to the throne room. He pushed open the great doors and walked toward the old man sitting on the throne, his advisors sitting each side of him. He had heard his son was back and was prepared to welcome him back officially.

King Aillel De Daanan Findabair, son of Emain the third stood as his son came closer and tears streamed down his face.

“My son…,” he cried. No words would come for a few moments.

Tuatha took off the Scabbard of Athlethan with Salchah in its place and placed it across his two open palms bowing on his knees and presenting it to his father.

King Aillel took it up and held the scabbard, looking down at it in awe. With a quick movement he withdrew Salchah and held it aloft. It was like a light went along the bade downwards into the hand of the King and down his arm into his face and shone resplendent before all that witnessed it. The visible power of Riangbra moved into the body of the king who had borne it and easily accepted it. His countenance changed and his posture straightened. It was as if he became younger and regained his strength once more. The Scabbard of Athlethan was home.

The king lowered the sword to the top of the head of Tuatha and spoke a pledge of honour.

“By Riangbra’s power I bestow upon you, Tuatha de Dannan Findabair, fifth in line to the throne, the rank of General of the armies of Athlethan and my future heir, a worthy king.”

He slid the sword back into the scabbard and offered it to Tuatha, the now permanent owner. He took it, stood, and strapped it ceremoniously back onto his belt.

Then the king stepped forward and hugged his son.

All Tuatha’s friends and family had arrived behind them and witnessed the ceremony of Tuatha’s validation.

There was another man there that Tuatha had not yet seen, but now stepped forward.

When Tuatha saw him, he cried out. “Lord Fergus!” he ran to his friend.

When King Aillel heard this, he too exclaimed loudly. “My old friend. You rascal, how long have you been here without telling me.”

Fergus bowed before Aillel.

“Get up you old fool,” said King Aillel.

“My king, I was awaiting the return of your son to make this announcement.” He began loudly so all could hear.

“Your son, Tuatha De Daanan Findabair Emain. Is king of Emain Macha, your ancestor’s kingdom to the north. He was crowned king by our lords and people. We are all now, one kingdom under the crown of Emain and his two living descendants”.

King Aillel sat heavily on the throne his mouth agape. He looked at his son and back to Fergus.

“My son is the… not since Emain the first,” his mouth opened and closed as he tried to take in this new truth.

Fergus laughed at his stunned appearance. “You old fool, he is a worthy king.” Fergus stepped forward and walked to Laegaire. “And this is our queen.” He held Laegaire’s hand and walked with her up the steps to king Aillel. King Aillel took her hand from Fergus and looked at her in the eyes for a few moments, not saying anything, his face showing no emotion.

Still holding her hand, he looked at Tuatha inquisitively.

“She is Dagemar’ s child and daughter of Amerghin,” he stated with a look of surprise at his own knowledge.

“She is,” he began.

But Laegaire stepped in front of his gaze toward Tuatha and looked at King Aillel in the eyes, bowing low.

“My king,” she began. “I am your new daughter and your son’s wife and queen. I am no longer daughter of Amerghin, but the daughter of my husband’s father and his beautiful queen, whom I regard as my mother, her loss I share with you both with great pain in my heart. I plead with you for my mother Dagemar, who has always been there for me and your son and has guided us with care and love to this day, thanks be to Riangbra.”

King Aillel listened to her and looked into her eyes for a few moments. She looked back into his eyes with trust, and he saw her love and kindness and marvelled at her beauty.

“You are indeed a remarkable woman, like your mother whom I know very well,” he said. “But I had to be sure. My son and you have chosen well, and I welcome you into my family as Queen of Emain and future queen of Athlethan.” Then he took her in his arms and hugged and kissed her with tears, pulling his son into their embrace and talking quietly with them.

The king, when he had finished talking with his two children, turned to the people present.

“My people, loved ones, we are not done with this dark lord and his puppets Amerghin and Ruad. We still have much to do. Tomorrow, we drive them back to Sennol from whence they came. Now, go and sleep, for at the rising of the first sun, we fight for what we have been given by Riangbra, our creator.”

Quietly they all went to their beds and slept in the trust they felt in Riangbra and the strength of the love they all felt between one another. Comforted by the reuniting of old friends and the hope created in new ones.

For the night at least, the joy and love, drove away the fear and strengthened the faith in people’s hearts for Riangbra and its heroes.