Inside the city walls, Celthair awoke, rubbing her head that throbbed painfully from the rock that had been where she fell. She remembered sections of her journey there, in the grasp of the giant. She had gone in and out of consciousness and had even seen her friends behind them, running and galloping as fast as they could.

Now she was on the floor inside a large hall, the ceiling so high it looked dark. The Emim seemed to be in council, and they were discussing her. She felt for Mac Roth in the scabbard on her side, but it was gone. She suddenly felt a great sense of loss. Like she was missing something in her very soul. She slowly got up and took a drink from her water pouch on her side, to which Mags had kindly added some Aetherclaw liquor. She felt better and looked toward the council of giants, who ignored her. She noticed one of the giants was holding Mac Roth, she felt rage rise in her. She roared and leaped at the giant, her foot connecting with his lower back. It fell forward and collapsed, dropping Mac Roth in the process. Landing on her feet, in front of the surprised giants, she leaned down and picked up Mac Roth. She looked around at each of them, her eyes flaming with anger.

“Don’t you know who I am?” she said in the language of the Anakim.

“I am Celthair, daughter of Tuatha the giant killer. Granddaughter of Lord Amergin.”

The giants looked surprised to hear her speak their language in the dialect of the Anakim, which was very similar, so they could understand her.

The giants stared at her for a moment and then one by one they began to laugh.

“You are nothing but a bug to be squashed, I’m going to punish you for killing my brother.” said the largest Emim.

He leaned down and put his finger toward the top of her head. She quickly dropped Mac Roth and reached up as his hand came down and she felt him try to push her into the floor. She had considered using the sword to remove his hand but did not want them getting angry, the mood of the room was not anger but frivolous. Celthair resisted and to the giants surprise he could not push against her. He pulled away but she quickly grabbed his finger and suddenly pulled, he lost his balance falling forward. As his face came closer, Celthair, punched him in the chin with her fist and he grunted in pain, his head thrown back with the force of the punch.

The Emim soldier, lay stunned.

Celthair leaned into the giants ear. “I am sorry for your brother; it was self-defence.”

The other giants guffawed at their friend’s humiliation.

Celthair knew she was strong but had never tried it out in a fight. Her Riangbra training has taught her control, but now she felt powerful, Celthair picked up Mac Roth and it hummed in her hand and her confidence hit her like a drug.

“Who is next?” she said. “Who will take on the daughter of the great Tuatha?”

They looked at her with renewed interest. Some still laughed at her bravery, believing it was luck that gave her advantage.

“I like your tenacity,” said another Emim. “But this is your final goodbye.” He placed his fist above her and slammed it downwards on top of her, as if the squash her with force.

Celthair raised her arms and took the brunt of the force in her arms, feeling it jar through her body. The Emim grunted in surprise. It was like hitting a brick wall. The giants laughed again and the Emim whose fist was above Celthair lifted his hand again. Scowling in frustration. This time he tried to grab her by the legs. She jumped and ran rapidly up his arm gaining momentum, then she leaned back and lunged at his chin with her hands clasped together in a double fist. The Emim grunted and his head spun sideways with the force of her punch. Then Celthair jumped down to the ground panting, watching the giant rubbing a large bruise forming on his chin.

Now the Emim giants were very interested. One of them picked up a heavy hammer and placed it in front of Celthair.

“Pick it up,” he said.

Celthair looked at the hammer, it stood as tall as she was and the head of it probably weighed nearly the same as she did.

She reached out and picked it up. It took a lot for her to swing it around her head, but the giants roared, cheering and laughing at her amazing strength.

Celthair looked around. The room was large and at one end there was an elevated platform on which was obviously a throne, ornate and very large. Sitting on that throne was a female Emim giant wearing a crown. She had been watching the proceedings with interest. When she saw Celthair looking at her she beckoned to her. The giants parted to let her through. She placed the hammer down and jumped up the steps. Each step was higher than her knees.

When she had reached the top, she bowed and looked at her in the eyes.

“I shall call you Ekaitza which means tiny storm,” laughed the giantess. You are indeed a tempestuous little human. I am Queen Darya.”

Celthair felt this Queen was vaguely familiar to her.

She bowed and answered the queen, loudly, so the whole room could hear.

“I am honoured, O’ Queen Darya of the Emim, to be given an honourable name of your people. I ask that I may be your servant and give fealty to you. Serving you as I journey through your lands seeking salvation for my own people.

The Queen looked at her with suspicion having heard her words about her grandfather.

“My father sided with your grandfather in the great war. We sent our best warriors to help him fight against the kingdom of Athlethan.” The Queen looked at Mac Roth hanging at Celthair’s side.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“I know that sword, do you come again, seeking an army to fight for you, like your grandfather once did?”

“It is not why I come,” said Celthair. “War is past us now, I am merely passing through your lands, looking for a cure to save my people. I am looking for your brethren, the Anakim.”

The queens face paled, and a dark cloud passed across it.

“They continue to harass us because of what happened in the past. We try to reason with them, but they do not listen. They do not trust us and find every reason to quarrel with us, picking a fight. You witnessed a battle that was meant to be a discussion about peace. We are not as intelligent as them, nor are we as strong. But we were family once. We no longer wish to fight, nor do we want to keep remembering the past. We want to move on.”

Celthair listened to the Queens words carefully and her heart swelled within her chest. The words of the queen struck a chord with her and the conviction that she spoke with, melted her heart.

“Come with me,” said Celthair suddenly.

“Come to Imchad and meet Ariadne. She will listen to you, I am sure.”

The Queens face paled. “They would kill me,” she said.

“I would never allow that,” said Celthair. “They know me and respect my father, every Anakim would recognise me and listen to me. As I grew up amongst them.”

The queen sat back on her throne and looked up at the ceiling. Celthair could see she was thinking and remained silent. Waiting for her to speak.

Suddenly she arose and without a word or a glance back, strode out of the giant hall and through the doors.

Celthair shrugged and sat on the steps.

“Hey,” an Emim leaned over and pointed to his chin. “You hit my friend, and he says you pack a punch. I don’t believe him.”

Celthair shook her head at his stupidity.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

The giant nodded, “Come on, hit me, I bet it’s like being hit by an insect that flies into me.”

Celthair, put all her strength into a massive uppercut and the giants chin went up, he stood, tottered backwards and fell backwards, knocked out, cold.

The rest of the giants laughed uproariously, not unable to see how stupid he had been.

The most elaborately dressed Emim came over to her and bowed.

“I have been commanded to give you lodging. My name is Baal-Ed, captain of the queens guard.”

As he spoke there was a commotion at the entrance to the hall and Baal-Ed turned.

A giant called out to Baal-Ed.

“Sir, there is a squadron of Anakim at the gates. They are demanding to see you.”

Baal-Ed quickly ordered a group of his elite guard to join him and then stormed toward the gates, looking grim.

Celthair ran to keep up, worried that another battle involving her friends would ensue.

She reached the gates just as they were opening them. There were nearly fifty Emim that streamed out, led by Baal-Ed.

Celthair quickly squeezed out through a small gap and ran to get in front of the Emim giants who from their faces, looked like they were ready for a fight, snarling and growling, advancing toward the Anakim threateningly.

Celthair ran in front of the Emim and jumped in front of Baal-Ed.

He looked surprised to see her again.

“Stop, she commanded, “wait here a moment.”

He complied, holding up his hand to stop his guard’s advance.

Celthair ran toward the Anakim and held up her hand.

The leader of the soldiers, with a large beard, his head covered with a large helmet, smiled upon seeing her. She could see his teeth through his beard.

“My dear Celthair,” said the Anakim, removing his helmet revealing twinkling eyes and a large red nose.

Celthair suddenly recognised him.

“Bophorus,” she exclaimed. “I didn’t recognise you.” She said as she ran toward him, then she leaped into his arms. He picked her up like she was a child and spun her around.

“Did they treat you well?” he asked, “are you okay?”

“They are not okay,” Celthair giggled. “I taught the bullies a lesson.”

“That’s my little Celt,” he laughed.

“You must not fight them; they are not like they once were. I have met their queen, and she might come with us the see Queen Ariadne.”

Bophorus’ eyes narrowed, “They can’t be trusted,” he began.

“Nonsense, you stinky old poo stick.” She interjected. You giants are so set in your ways, it’s like a persistent fog to your one-track ways.”

Celthair looked back at the Emim giant Baal-Ed and smiled.

“Now what I want you to do is to walk toward him, place your weapons on the ground and introduce yourself. Make sure you shake his hand.”

Bophorus scowled.

“He’ll chop of my head.” He whined.

“Shut up, no he will not! If you say that again, I’ll do it for him.”

Bophorus did as Celthair asked and placed his weapons on the ground. He stepped over them and walked toward Baal-Ed, his hand outstretched. Celthair walked behind him, smiling.

Baal-Ed looked suspiciously at the massive Anakim walking toward him, a head taller than he was and no weapon, with a grumpy scowl that a child might have after being told to do a chore.

He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and Bophorus halted.

“Hey,” said Celthair. The giant looked at her and she shook her head at him. He quickly removed his hand.

Instead, he moved it to meet Bophorus’ hand and for the first time in hundreds of years, and Emim and an Anakim touched with an intent of peace instead of war.

They stood like that for a few moments, looking at each other.

“I like this,” said Baal-Ed.

Bophorus nodded in agreement.

Then, to the surprise of everyone who was there, including Queen Darya watching from atop the wall of the city, they pulled in and hugged. Patting each other on the back.

When that was over, which wasn’t long because after all, they were big tough giants and captains of their armies. They turned and commanded their soldiers to lay down their weapons and go to meet their distant family members. Soon handshakes and hugs were being shared around and Celthair ran to see her friends who looked relieved to see her again.

She turned to Ciaran and leapt into his arms, leaning up to kiss him.

Dom looked slightly disappointed but soon was lost in the celebrations as Anakim were led into the city by soldiers and some Emim woman who seemed to be swooning over the larger and better looking Anakim.

When the celebrations and the late celebratory dinner was over, the darkness of night was advanced, and many had fallen asleep. Celthair was leaning against Ciaran, her head on his chest. Baal-Ed came over to her.

“The queen summons you.” he said.

Celthair arose and pulled Ciaran to his feet.

“You too,” she said, “I’m not wanting to be apart from you right now.”

Ciaran grinned happily.

“You look stupid with that grin,” she scolded, “Look normal...now!”

Ciaran pulled his face into a stony look.

Celthair looked at him, and grimaced.

“Now you look dumb, okay you can keep grinning.”

Ciaran laughed at her attempt to control him. He pulled a face at her.

“What about this, will this do?”

Celthair giggled, stopped herself and harrumphed walking off, still holding his hand and pulling him along roughly.

“Just follow me and keep quiet. I don’t want you embarrassing me,” she tried to hide the smile on her lips as they followed Baal-Ed along the corridors.

They arrived at the massive hall that Celthair had first been taken to. Queen Darya was once again on her throne. She smiled to see Celthair again.

“My dear,” she said, “I have decided to come with you to see Queen Ariadne, I think it’s time for us to talk of peace. Baal-Ed will come with us.” She said smiling. “You have been a blessing to us, and we will be eternally grateful for what you did today. The whole city of the Emim is talking about it. There is hope in their hearts.”

Celthair bowed and her brow furrowed.

“What is wrong?” asked the queen.

“Alas, I have lost time, and we must leave early tomorrow. My people are suffering with an illness of my making. I must get to the Anakim to find a cure.” Celthair told her.

Queen Darya nodded.

“We shall leave as the sky lightens from the first sun.” she said. “Goodnight, you go and rest now. I will make sure the trumpet sounds for us to awake and the second sounding we shall meet here and leave.”

Celthair and Ciaran bowed and took their leave, following Baal-Ed, making their way quietly and sleepily to their beds. Celthair felt exhausted, not a feeling she was familiar with. “I’ll feel better after a good sleep,” she thought to herself.