PART 1 – WARM WELCOME

Unaware of the battle raging in the south, Tuatha, Laegaire and their company said farewell to Dun Emain and entered the forests. Lord Conrad of the deer herders was their guide through the confusing array of tracks and paths. They would have become very lost without him. He led them to the pass to the north of the Sleive swamp and waved farewell, going back to his people to prepare for going in aid of Athlethan.

To their left there was the mountains and to their right cliffs and beaches. At times from high on a sea cliff they could see the sea stretching into the distance flanked by the land of dun Emain and Muinremar.

When they finally reached the great northern road, they were delighted to see their beloved horses, Cethern, Fintan, Factna and Sencad standing under the shade of a tree. Their feet were sore from walking, so, they thanked the woman from Dun Emain who had gone to fetch them, weeks before. She reported they had been stabled, and well cared for in the small village on the edge of the Sleive swamp where they had been left. The reunion was joyous as the horses pranced about, nuzzling, showing their approval of being once more reunited with their beloved friends.

As they still had a way to go to find a place to camp, they hurriedly loaded the horses with their belongings and leaped into the saddles.

Tuatha once more rode Sencad, and Laegaire light in stature sat behind Tuatha, riding with him, her arms around his waist.

The trip was uneventful. Tulpha gangs wisely kept their distance when they saw these warriors in splendid gold plated and silver-plated armour, shining in the sun, sitting atop majestic stallions.

The hills were beginning to turn into grassy plains and as they travelled, each day the grasses became sparse till rocks and sand became visible. Eventually it would become the edge of the great desert which formed an impassable barrier in the middle of the Deep Lands.

They missed Fergus terribly as his guidance and experience had made an enormous difference to their comfort whilst travelling. But they had remembered a lot, and they were coping well. He has stayed back as his work was now the preparation of the armies and training extra soldiers before the ships of Muinremar arrived. His people had been generous in providing provisions for the army, such was their support of this effort to destroy the evil that threatened even their existence even though it was so far away. A volcano had begun to erupt in the mountains, a sign that even deep in the ground there was tumult, as if the whole planet knew what was coming from the things that had occurred in the south under Mount Triune.

The road became more well-kept as they got closer to Muinremar. At one stage they could see desert to the south and forests to the north.

It was when they were a minor sun cycles journey from Muinremar that they were spotted by people on horses, they approached them hesitantly. It was a scouting party from the city. After introductions were made, the scouts galloped off, back to the city.

When the city finally came into view, The scouts had told the authorities and warriors on horses arrived ahead of a welcoming procession of Lords and Ladies. The people of the city had come too cheering and shouting as they rode past, they ran to them offering sweet biscuits and fruit. Laegaire was given a beautifully made silk robe that was fastened at the neck by golden clasps. She put it on, and the crowd cheered, impressed by her honour she gave them in taking their gift. Children stood on the side of the road and gaped for a while then ran after them. Their imagination running wild of adventure and princes and princess warriors from afar.

It wasn’t long before they saw another procession approaching them. It was a welcome party in full splendour, shining golden armour and long pikestaffs with the flags of both Muinremar and Athlethan, a symbol of their long-lasting and ancient relationship. Loud music was played by a band. The soldiers surrounded them, smiling and forming a guard of honour they slowly made their way up the main road of the city leading to the palace on the hill which functioned as a centrepiece of the golden city of Muinremar.

After entering the city and marvelling at its splendour and the happiness and generosity of the people, they arrived at the palace steps. A man walked down the steps, toward them. At first, Tuatha thought he was a servant who would guide them but on closer inspection the simply dressed bearded man was wearing a crown.

He smiled and spoke. “Welcome to our humble city O Tuatha de Daanan Findabair, son of Aillel. He bowed toward Tuatha and then went to Laegaire’s horse, held the reigns, and held out his hand to her, she took it and dismounted. “My lady, he said, I am your humble servant. Please ask me what you require, and it will be supplied.”

Laegaire glanced at Tuatha over her should and motioned “WOW” with her mouth.

“It is I who should be your servant, my king” she said.

Still holding her hand, King Furbaide Ferbend looked at Tuatha. “Where may I ask, did you find this amazing warrior princess?” he asked. “I thought I had found the only one in existence.”

He motioned up the steps to a tall smiling woman at the top of the steps.

Laegaire gasped. She had never seen a queen like this before. Her mother was a remarkable sight, but this woman was on another level. She came down the steps toward Laegaire and took her hand from the kings. “Take no notice of the king,” she said, “he is smooth tongued, a real devil.” She said in a laughing singsong sort of voice that all there were quite speechless from hearing, making them want her to speak again, just to hear it again. This was the mother of Fiall, the epitome of what Fiall desired to be, yet was afraid she could not be.

Tuatha dismounted and bowed to the king of Muinremar.

“My king, said Tuatha, I come on urgent business involving the war in the south.”

“I know why you come” the king said. Preparations have started but there are things we all need to talk about. So, we are ahead of schedule. But first let us make you comfortable, we have prepared refreshment and rooms for you to wash away the grime from your journey. We will have time in the morning for these things.”

He turned to the three brothers following respectfully behind. “Do not think you are unknown to me warriors of Esclarmonde,” he said, “your bravery and names are well known here. Please, come up here with us, you are part of this as much as I.”

The three brothers bowed and seemed visibly amazed at this king and his queen.

“Walk with pride,” King Furbaide said, “you are prince of Muinremar while you are here, welcome!” He turned and looked at them all, “Do any of you know my daughter Princess Fiall?” he asked.

Ardan was the first to speak. “We do not know her, but Tuatha has told us of her.”

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The king looked at Ardan. “You are the oldest” he said, “My daughter is companion to Princess Caer Omaith of Muirthemne. If she will have you, I should like her to be your wife. I would so like to have a good affiliation with the people of Esclarmonde. This would unite our two nations and make us both stronger. It was my desire that she would marry Tuatha, but he has already chosen well, and so has Laegaire,” he smiled at her again and she smiled back.

Tuatha felt a tinge of jealousy at this but wiped it away when he could see how much love this king had for his queen and his open honesty and charm.

For the king to ask this of Ardan was not a surprise. Kings often found partners for their sons and daughters, as was the tradition since their arrival to this land. A King that knew his children was trusted by his children to suggest a bride or groom. King Furbaide saw in Ardan the qualities that would please his daughter. But marriage was never forced upon the children of a king.

The beauty of this country and its people made Tuatha feel very much in love with Laegaire and everyone in the party felt that this country had to be the most romantic one in the whole of the Deep Lands.

After a few moments, Ardan nodded to King Furbaide, “As you wish my king and as Princess Fiall wishes.”

“Well said my man,” said King Furbaide, “she will be furious with me for asking this of you without her knowledge, but once she has met you, I know she will see what I see.”

Ardan bowed, “Sir, it will be my honour to even just meet her, for what Tuatha has said, “I would be a very happy man if she agrees.”

Laegaire, looked around in wonder, shaking her head as if to clear it, this place was like a dream for her. Its people were kind and loving, to the point where one might imagine it would fade away because it was not real. Every person respected the other, and in fact seemed to put others on a pedestal above themselves and it started with the king who did not even regard himself as the most important person there. If the king could, he would have every man woman and child at the decision table. But this attitude made him the most trusted leader that had ever existed, and he only ever had their wellbeing at the foremost in all the decisions he made.

As if in a dream she walked hand in hand with the breathtaking queen, who looked sideways at her, smiling every few seconds as if the check on her wellbeing, that she was always comfortable.

“My name is Celthair,” she said in her silky voice.” I just know we will be friends.” She leaned close to Laegaire’s ear. “You are with child” she whispered, squeezing her hand, and winking at her. Laegaire looked at her with amazement, she had suspected such but was not sure, yet this miraculous woman had seen it with such clarity it almost felt alarming. These people were like gods, such was their calmness and control of themselves. Laegaire had not felt a safe as she did now. She decided she would name her child after this queen if she had a girl.

When they got to their rooms, the queen handed Laegaire to Tuatha. “Take care of her she seemed to say as she looked at him. She is a gem amongst gold.” But Tuatha already knew it and took his love into their room.

PART II – NEWS FROM THE SOUTH

After the meeting with the king was complete and preparations were underway. News arrived from the south and Tuatha, Laegaire and the three brothers eagerly listened as the herald, read the scroll that had been sent by runners across the continent.

They heard of the battle of Enna Aignech and shed tears at news of its fall. The bravery of the Rochad horsemen and the retreat to Rochad.

The loss and saving of Princess Caer Omaith.

The death of king Magach and his two sons and the loss of Morann, presumed dead also. There was nothing further to tell and as, yet no one knew what the outcome of the battle of Caer Omaith and Fernmaige would go.

Tuatha and Laegaire walked back to their residence hand in hand and Laegaire could sense a melancholy in Tuatha.

“What is it?” she asked, “why do you look so worried?”

“I feel helpless and guilty. I feel I should be over there helping them. I am here, in this safe place and it seems so unfair. Why do I get to be here, and they are all suffering? it doesn’t seem right.”

Laegaire stopped and looked into his eyes. “Tuatha, your journey is more difficult than theirs. You must prepare the armies of the known lands and make them move to the south and help destroy the evil there. Your time will come where you will join them. It’s a heavier weight on your shoulders knowing all you must do, not knowing if you will succeed.” She smiled at him, seeing the fear and worry in his eyes, growing. “But you have us,” she said brightly, turning and looking at their friends walking and talking behind them. Tuatha looked as well and felt the strength in their presence. “Together we will help fulfill your purpose and prove that you are indeed the next king of Athlethan,” she said. Tuatha nodded, grinning faintly.

It was not only Tuatha who felt this way. This news had put them all into a state of melancholy for a while, but it wasn’t long before the place they were living worked its magic and bought their mind back to the present.

Two weeks later, the reality of his destiny hit him hard. The rest had done wonders, and his mood was improved. Tuatha was lying in the arms of Laegaire they were both dozing in the warm sunshine in the gardens of the palace of Muinremar. He had needed this rest, and its healing gave him the strength for what was to come. Time moved on and their time of rest was over.

It began like a small black dot behind his eyelids, like one gets after looking at a candle flame and the residual light fades and then goes dark. He felt his mind going dark and he was powerless to stop it. The fear rose in his chest. His eyes would not open. Laegaire unaware, dozed at his side.

But it was different, there was no pain like last time. It was a warm feeling in the black, not cold, and dreadful like when Amerghin had tried to cloud his mind and body. Then a foggy form drifted into the blackness becoming brighter and more in focus. “Tuatha” he heard a woman say. “It is I Dagemar.” His mind relaxed a little allowing her in, her voice becoming stronger. “Listen, she said, I don’t have much time. Go to Emain Macha, you will find help there. Do not fear it, we will see you again.” The voice became fainter toward the end and just before it faded, he heard, “Laegaire is missing…” then it faded away completely and Tuatha awoke to Laegaire speaking into his ear, “Tuatha wake up come back to me.” She was holding him tight again and a look of fear on her face. When he opened his eyes, she looked at him with concern. “Was it him again? she asked.

Tuatha shook his head trying to clear the fogginess from his mind. “Don’t worry, it was your mother. Trying to tell me something.”

“What did she say?” asked Laegaire eagerly.

“We are going to Emain Macha,” said Tuatha simply it is time. That was all she told us to do. “Oh, and she does not know where you are, I do wish I could have replied.”

***

In the early days, just after the creation of the Deep Lands by the Riangbra, there were giants that lived amongst the men and women. They were the healers and protectors. But over time they had withdrawn themselves from men and been pushed away and disappeared beyond the desert, sea, and mountains to the northwest. The only giants that had been seen were Emim, and some halfmens’ who were still massive, and these were the ones that had joined the Dark Lords forces and had already attacked Enna Aignech and Rochad.

This place was called Emain Macha as a warning by King Emain the first himself. It meant ‘Emain do not enter.’

But nobody believed they existed. Men who had ventured west from Muinremar had never returned. After that no one really was interested in going there to find out.

***

“My poor mother” said Laegaire sadly, “It takes a lot out of her to enter minds, I have often seen her sleeping for days after she does it, I hope she is okay. I hope father is being kind to her, I hope to see her again soon.”

“How does she do it?” asked Tuatha inquisitively.

“She told me once, continued Laegaire. “It is a gift very few have had in her family” It is not power she uses like my father; it is an ability she has worked hard to build on. She often calls me to dinner using her mind, but over long distance it takes a massive toll.”

“She also said she uses it to converse with a friend of hers. Another woman called Rhiannon, a Riangbra scribe and keeper of the Chronical prophetica.”

Tuatha looked at her in surprise. “Old Rhiannon the scribe? Yes, The keeper of the books of Riangbra.” He thought about it for a while, and they sat in silence. Suddenly Tuatha sat up making Laegaire jump.

“Of course! That makes sense now. She is telling your mother to pass on to me where to go next and new prophecies. That’s why she told me to go to Emain Macha.”

“Don’t jump up like that when I’m sitting on you, please,” she murmured, putting her head into the crook of Tuatha’s neck. They sat huddled together for a few moments, their minds wandering over what they might experience over the days following, what was their destiny?

“When should we leave?” asked Laegaire a concerned look on her face.

“Why are you looking worried?” asked Tuatha.

She looked at Tuatha, her eyes wide. “I am with child” she said. Tuatha leaped from the seat he was in. His arms high and a cry of pure joy escaped his lips. He pulled the now laughing Laegaire to her feet and spun her around, leaping around her like a mythical faery. “Oh” he said quickly, his face full of concern, gently placing her carefully back on her couch. She laughed again. “Oh Tuatha, I am neither weak nor ill. I am a warrior, able to carry children into battle.”

Tuatha’s face filled with horror, “over my dead body,” he said! Then once again pulled her to her feet and danced wildly with joy. Till he was breathless, then he took her in his arms and danced her around the room slowly, their foreheads together, smiling happily.

“Will we stay here till they are born” he whispered.

Laegaire nodded, “Yes my loves,” holding Tuatha and her slightly swollen belly.