The crowds stayed all day within sight of the palace as was the custom after victory. Food was shared with others, and no-one was alone. They were there to be involved in the customary events of the day. It began with a solemn dedication of the fallen and thanks given to Riangbra.
Then there were awards for bravery given out. There was the oath of the king who was ordained and made monarch of Muirthemne. Pacts and trade promises were made with Esclarmonde, Dun-emain, Don Cluana and Muinremar. To cap it all off there was to be a marriage of the next king and queen of Esclarmonde, Ainnle and Caer Omaith.
The Leviathan arrived on the walls of the city perched like protective gargoyles all around the perimeter. The people visited them and bought them gifts of food and jewel laden neck bands and bracelets.
Later in the day Fernmaige presented King Tuatha and Queen Laegaire, dressed in their royal attire walked out onto the balcony. The crowds cheered once more for their heroes, then cheered even louder when their children, then all the others joined them. They stood waving at the people and then went down to the streets, walking among the people accepting their hugs and bows.
That evening the friends along with the generals and captains of all the armies, gathered in the hall. Caer Omaith in a beautiful gown was followed by Ainnle down the middle of the hall toward the steps that led to the throne of Fernmaige, king of Muirthemne.
Fernmaige held a crown, inlaid with the red stones of Esclarmonde, bought from Port Usnach by the army that had joined them in the battle. Each side of him stood Naoise and Ardan with Fiall. Fiall cried as her friend walked majestically toward her. She wept as she realised her lifelong friend had met her destiny as future queen of Esclarmonde, she would miss her terribly. Tuatha and Laegaire sat on thrones to the left, joined by Fergus and his father.
It was tradition that she was made queen before she married a king. Caer Omaith reached her brother who smiled at her. She kneeled in front of him, and he placed the Tiara on her head. “Princess of Muirthemne, now Queen of Esclarmonde” he announced. “He looked at Ainnle. You may now come and meet your bride. Ainnle looked at Caer Omaith, taking her hands in his. “My Queen, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
She looked at him, the excitement dancing in her eyes. “I Caer Omaith, daughter of King Magach, would very much so love to be your wife.”
Everyone laughed, delighted at her little personal addition to the oath. Fernmaige looked sternly at her, then softened, and shook his head. “So typical of you, my sister, so rebellious!” he looked at Ainnle, “watch out for her, she will create trouble for you.”
“I certainly hope so,” replied Ainnle laughing and unable to take his eyes off her.
“I Fernmaige, king of Muirthemne, present to you, the king and queen of Esclarmonde.”
And so ended a day of glory that left many with joy in their hearts for many cycles after.
Word had now been sent across the Deep Lands of the victory. And the celebrations extended across all the nations.
A full cycle of celebration finally ended. They had been with their families and enjoyed the peace that had finally arrived.
It was on the anniversary of the end of the great battle that they all gathered for one final time in the city of Enna Aignech: Tuatha, Laegaire, Tethra, Naoise, Ainnle, Caer Omaith, Conail and Freysia, Ruad and Morann, Ardan and Fiall. Dray Goen sat outside his titan chin resting on a large windowsill nearby.
Their children sat in a separate group chattering loudly, Aillel, Celthair, Dare, Imchad, Mairghread, Fillan, Dom, and Dreya.
Tethra went and sat near Ruad and glared at him. Ruad shifted nervously in his seat. Tethra still disliked Ruad immensely but he knew he had to make it right between them.
“We are never going to be the best of friends Ruad,” said Tethra, “but I want you to know I have no hard feelings for Tuatha’s sake. I will not allow myself to harbour this grudge I feel in my heart.”
Ruad got to the floor and bowed at the feet of Tethra, tears in his eyes.
“My lord,” he said, “I feel personally responsible for the loss of your wife. Out of respect for her I am not worthy to say her name. I beg fealty to you so that I may make up for what I personally did to you and your children.”
Tethra put his hand on Ruad’s shoulder, “Look at me.” Ruad looked up hesitantly. “Devorgill would be honoured by your words, and no-one must ever not be able to speak her name, she must ever be remembered as a warrior and for her love and loyalty. Now, get up and sit here.” He motioned to the empty seat next to him. “There is no need for fealty, Ruad, I only ask that you serve Tuatha and continue to be the warrior you are.”
Stolen novel; please report.
They spoke long into the evening mending the rift that had been between them for so long.
Then Ruad opened to Tethra his own private battle. He revealed that he was dying. The constant exposure to the Triune gas had given him a sickness that only led to one thing, death. “You must tell the others,” Tethra whispered. “They will be only a strength and support to you.”
He nodded. The others listened in silence as Tethra told them the news, and they cried for Ruad and Morann and their children. “We must leave soon,” said Tuatha. “I am sure Rhiannon, and my mentor Cathabad can find a cure.” Ruad smiled at him with gratitude.
Tethra, his arm around his shoulders, pledged an oath to him to protect his children alongside Morann, after his passing. Ruad had never felt so grateful for the love and support he felt. Something he had never thought possible before.
It was in the early hours of the morning that they were sitting around in a close group, there was a sad and tense atmosphere.
“Why are you all so melancholy?” Laegaire asked them all quietly. “We have enjoyed peace; we will soon see our families again.”
Caer Omaith and Tethra had tears running down their eyes and she saw them. “Don’t you start my loves,” she said, “You will start me off.”
Before long, the friends were hugging and crying quietly together, saying their fond farewells. Already looking forward to a time when they could all be together once more.
After a few days, Tuatha and Laegaire, Ruad and Morann, Dare and Imchad, along with Tethra and his children, prepared to leave for Athlethan, to begin their lives as kings, queens, and lords.
“I will travel with you,” said Dray Goen to Tuatha. “I will never be far away from you. Just call and I will hear you and come. My brothers and sisters will go back to their warm home once more on Dungerness, but I pledge my protection and allegiance to Athlethan.”
“I do not hold you to your pledge Leviathan,” answered Tuatha, “You may come and go freely, as you please. I will always be happy to see you again.”
Caer Omaith and Ainnle went with them, and then later they would travel onwards to Esclarmonde. There they would claim the right to the throne.
The Rochad horsemen left to take the horses back to Fernmaige Island, where they would rest and be reunited with their herd and get the well-deserved rest they needed.
Fiall and Ardan would go north to Muinremar to be reunited with king Furbaide and Queen Celthair. From there they planned to eventually go back home to Esclarmonde. But they stayed in Muinremar, and after the death of her father, they became the next king and queen.
Fergus was titled Grand lord of Dun Emain and would be the king’s representative and ruler. Tuatha also chose a name for the un-named city. He told Fergus it would forever be Magach. Named in honour for the fallen king of Enna Aignech. And so, the united armies of Muinremar and Dun Emain left amid cheers from the people. Many gifts were given by the people of the south to the soldiers of the north.
The next day of celebrations and gift giving did not end as the ships of Don Cluana left along with the Anakim. “We are never far from your shores, Tuatha,” said Conail with Freysia alongside him. “We are especially grateful to you both for your support over the last few cycles,” said Laegaire to Freysia. They hugged and boarded the ship waving. Their children cried to see their friends they had grown up with and shared so much, leaving. Aillel was standing close to Dreya and surprised everyone by kissing her on the lips and she did not look surprised. Aillel turned to his father. “I am leaving too,” he said. Laegaire and Tuatha looked shocked, they had not expected this, as Tuatha and Aillel had grown distant of late, with differing personalities and the business of war had driven a wedge between them. Tuatha quickly composed himself and thought back to the day he had left as a boy from the gates of Athlethan. “Go my son, find your way and come back to us one day,” he said. Tuatha and Laegaire hugged Dreya, welcoming her into their family. Laegaire and Celthair wept and threw their arms around Aillel. He had just taken a leap step toward maturity. Laegaire was filled with joy that he had chosen a girl they all loved so much. Then Dreya excited and smiling grabbed his hand, pulling him onto the ship.
There would be many journeys between Athlethan and Don Cluana over the coming cycles. No one had any idea of what was in store for this young man, next in line for the throne of Athlethan. Much is written in book three of the Chronicles of Athlethan of the destiny of Dreya, daughter of Conail and Freysia, along with Aillel, son of Tuatha De Daanan Findabair Emain and Laegaire daughter of Dagemar.
The giants took their leave and made promises of trade with all the lands of the south. They would also now contact Muinremar and form an alliance that would become the great power of the north. It was in the following cycles that the giants along with the armies of Muinremar, made an end of all the piracy of the outer world and formed new trading routes with other lands on Riangbra.
A few days later, Tuatha, Laegaire and their company, left for the long journey back to Athlethan. It would be slower than the rush over a cycle ago, when they had chased the armies of the dark lord from east to west.
It was in Rochad that Ruad finally succumbed and collapsed, unable to go on. In his dying breath he asked Morann if she found Tethra to be a suitable husband and stepfather of their children. They had all grown close over the journey and there was a close friendship between the three of them. Ruad felt no jealousy, only relief that Morann and Tethra were close. Morann nodded and agreed that if Tethra wanted her as a companion and wife, she would marry him. When Ruad asked Tethra to take her as wife, Tethra agreed. Ruad, lord of Athlethan, died feeling peaceful and happy, his children Dare and Imchad holding his left and right hand.
They buried Ruad in the gardens of the palace of Rochad. On his stone was engraved. ‘Here lies Ruad, lord of Athlethan,’ engraved in the ancient tongue, Faodaidh aon an-còmhnaidh atharrachadh airson math ma thogras iad sin, which translates to “One can always change for good if they so choose.”
It was not till they reached Athlethan that Tethra son of Rigdond – Lord of Athlethan, married Morann niece of Magach king of Muirthemne, the cousin of Fernmaige king of Enna Aignech, city of heroes. They had a child, a half-brother of Ruad’s children, Eoghan.
Celthair daughter of Tuatha and Laegaire became firm friends with Fillan, son of Tethra and Devorgill.
The children of these warriors of lore inherited their parents destiny.
Book two of the Chronicles of Athlethan have much to say of Celthair, daughter of Tuatha and Laegaire along with Mag’s daughter of Tethra and Devorgill, destinies that would herald an event, the coming of the white eternity, through the light of the Anakim.
END