The Legends (11 page)

The world into which Ferdia was delivered appeared remarkably similar to the one from which he came. Looking around anyone would have sworn that he or she was out of doors rather than in an incredibly massive cavern. The only apparent difference was that what appeared to be the sky was not blue but, rather, a dark shade of grey, not unlike a rainy day above ground. That sky seemed to be a long way off but, of course, that was an optical illusion created by the Dé Danann. Although the roof of the cavern was a great distance from the floor it was patently not as endless as the sky. Like the sky above them, the world the Tuatha Dé Danann created was a remarkable collection of illusion, science, metallurgy, mechanics and magic.

The Tuatha Dé Danann enjoyed daylight during waking hours, just as they had when they were above the ground, thanks to an intricate series of glass and mirrors that stored, reflected and magnified light. This light, and heat, was solar in origin and entered the cavern from any number of minute openings to the world above. Because time passed more slowly under the earth, solar light was stored and then displayed to reflect the passing of days and nights under ground. The same was true with air that entered the underworld. Ireland was and is covered with rocks and mounds of rocks many of which protect vents into the land of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Even today, as these rocks are taken away by humans, who are concerned with tillage or developing a nice garden, other rocks are pushed up to take their place.

And, of course, there are hundreds of what are known to surface residents as “Fairy Forts” sprinkled across the Irish Countryside. It is said that to interfere with these fairy forts will bring great misfortune. The reason, quite simply, is that these mounds are not forts at all but are portals or suterrains into the land of the Tuatha Dé Danann and to interfere with these portals would threaten the existence of the people of Dana. To protect themselves the Dé Danann employ their black magic against those who would threaten their existence by tampering with their fairy forts.

With air and light, cleverly harvested from above the ground, and water from underground lakes and streams, the Tuatha Dé Danann were able to grow crops and raise livestock necessary to sustain their lives. When not threatened by the intrusions of the race above ground, they live a highly cultured existence in peace and harmony. They work to live but always appreciate the arts, poetry, music and dance. Numerous occasions were marked by grand celebrations of culture or “Feis Ceoils” at which, in addition to music and dance, great quantities of food and drink were consumed because without question the people of Dana had not lost the great art of fermentation.

The sudden presence of Ferdia was hardly an intrusion because he was not a threat to the people. Ferdia had been invited into the underworld by no less than Lugh of the Long Hand. The infant was slowly passed from one person to the next as each marveled at his perfect form and remarkable good nature. Even by Dé Danann time passage it had been a long time since many of the people had even seen an infant, never mind holding him in their arms. One might have thought that the presence of this child could cause Dana’s people to regret what they lost when they entered their new world, but that was not the way of the people. Rather, they celebrated what that had and did not regret what they had lost. The presence of this child was most certainly a cause for celebration.

Lugh ordered that a Feis Ceoil be organized and immediately scores of people proceeded to their designated tasks. Lugh reclaimed the child and looking into his bright blue eyes said “Now what am I going to do with you?”

An old woman named Muroad stepped forward and gently chastised the great Lugh. “What are you like? Of course you haven’t a clue about such a tiny one, even though he is your grandson. I will tend the child and you can preside over the celebrations.”

Lugh looked at the woman with a wry smile, “And how long has it been since you held a wee child?”

Muroad reached out and took the child, “Will you go away out of that? Sure didn’t I tend you when you were about this size? Some things are just not forgotten.”

Lugh put his hand up in mock surrender, “But of course dear Muroad. I wouldn’t doubt your skills even for a second.”

With that the old woman took the child away to be cleaned and fed and Lugh turned his attention to the Feis. At his direction great quantities of food and drink were prepared and laid out, and the musicians were organized to play in shifts so that the music would never stop. A massive tent was erected, not so much to protect the celebrants from the elements, which were never a problem, but to ensure that the party did not wander from place to place. Long tables were set to hold the feast and other tables were arranged around the perimeter of the great tent for drinking, dining and resting. The tent was extravagantly decorated with flags, banners and bunting adding an amazing array of color. Finally the solar light store was opened so that there would be no darkness while the celebration was in full swing.

When all the preparations were finalized and the musicians, instruments tuned, took their places, Lugh took his grandson to the head of the tent and holding Ferdia high, announced in a loud voice. “This is my grandson Ferdia who I have vowed to protect from the forces of evil which occupy the upper world. This child represents the continuation of our race and culture and so we celebrate his birth, his life and his presence among us. I declare that this Feis Ceoil be opened.”

With the pronouncement the crowd roared, the music began, the drink began to flow, and the party began. Although time passing was difficult to determine, because there was no darkness to divide days and nights, the Feis unquestionably continued for many Tuatha Dé Danann days. Each person who attended demanded his or her opportunity to present their own tribute to Ferdia, be it in song or story, poem, recital or dance and the sheer number of participants ensured a long and memorable Feis Ceoil. No one needed any urging to take the stage and present their performance because in a world where life was celebrated frequently, every person’s efforts were sincerely appreciated. Between presentations the music and dancing never stopped and the food and refreshments were never allowed to run low. Occasionally someone, particularly an older person, might slip off for a bit of sleep but they soon returned delighted that the Feis was still in full swing.

Ferdia and his grandfather were in constant attendance. The infant was usually found in the arms of Muroad who held him so that he could see the proceedings. She was relieved occasionally by Lugh himself who proudly described the festivities to his grandson and introduced the child to everyone who came forward with a tribute. Although he occasionally napped, particularly after he was fed, Ferdia seemed completely attentive to everything that transpired before him. Just as had been the case when he was in the great hall of Conchubar, the Dé Danann found it amazing that such a small infant would seemingly appreciate and understand the strange world around him.

Eventually, after everyone paid his or her tribute to the guest of honor the Feis began to wind down. When it was all over the entire people agreed that this was a party that would be well remembered, and itself celebrated, among the Tuatha Dé Danann for a long, long time. As the panels of the solar store were closed, the light in the underworld dimmed and the people, exhausted from their extended celebration, slept deep and untroubled for a long time. Ferdia, adapting completely to his new environment, also slept peacefully in the watchful presence of Muroad.

When dawn in the underworld finally broke the people of Dana came to life and returned to their normal daily tasks. The name Ferdia and the magnificent tributes that had been paid to him seemed to be on everyone’s lips, and the little fellow was never short of visitors. Apparently, their experiences during the Feis convinced the people that this infant child, remarkably, could understand what they were saying and each of them had some wisdom or advice to offer to Ferdia. The child appeared to listen intently committing the sounds and sights of the underworld to the recesses of his memory.

About three underworld weeks after Ferdia was delivered to his grandfather, life in the world of the Tuatha Dé Danann returned to normal. Muroad, who had assumed the role of nanny for the infant, was his constant companion. She was convinced that the Ferdia was abnormally perceptive for a child of his age, and she never tired of sharing her life, experiences and the history of the people of Dana, with him. Ferdia did appear to take it all in occasionally even nodding his head when asked if he understood. Muroad had never encountered any child quite like Ferdia and she was always ready to describe the infant’s special gifts to anyone who would listen.

After a time, however, her audience diminished because having heard what the old woman had to say, further explanations seemed repetitious. This troubled Muroad but for a long time she couldn’t quite put her finger on the reason for her concern. She did know that even people who are always happy and respectful might tire of an old lady’s ramblings but that was not what concerned her. It was something about the child and his life, and she hoped that if she thought about it long enough, the answer would come.

Eventually, after many hours of holding Ferdia, rocking him in her arms, singing the songs of the people to him, feeding the infant and, of course, cleaning up after him, the answer came. Muroad arranged an appointment with Lugh to discuss the problem.

“You know, Lugh, that I love your grandchild as if he were my own flesh and blood and I only want what is best for him,” Muroad began.

Lugh replied stroking his long facial hair, “I have no doubts whatsoever on that score.”

She continued, “I also know that you took him here to protect him from the evil which threatened his life in the world above the ground.”

“That I did,” Lugh stated.

Muroad paused looking down as she wove the end of her shawl around her hands, “Your motive and actions were without doubt both understandable and appropriate.”

Lugh looked at the old woman with a quizzical expression, “But?”

Taking a deep breath Muroad looked the king in the eye, and the words poured out of her, “But…what kind of a life will Ferdia have here among the people. Of course he will be safe and well loved, but he will never be more than an infant because his age is virtually frozen here, as is all of ours. He will never develop into a boy and into a man and while he might absorb everything we tell him, he will never be able to pass these things on to his own sons and daughters. Is this what you want for your grandson?”

Lugh sat with one arm across his chest and the other continuing to stroke his luxurious moustaches. He thought about what Muroad said and after some time he responded, “I too have given a great deal of thought to the future of this child and I cannot argue with anything you have said. As much as I value the presence of this child among us, he is only an infant and to keep him here will deprive him of an opportunity to live a full life and experience all the things that we knew during our years above the earth. On the other hand, in accepting this child, I swore an oath to protect him from the evils that threatened his life and I must be true to my oath.”

Muroad nodded her head in agreement, “It is a difficult matter to balance the two.”

“Actually,” Lugh continued with a smile, “not so difficult. Let me see whether I can work this out. The evil, which originally threatened Ferdia in the world above, has undoubtedly long since passed. In that world nearly two thousand years have passed since Cathbad presented the child, and Maeve, her sons and grandsons, and all the enemies of the child’s father have long since died. Unfortunately, although the specific evil that brought Ferdia here is gone, my pledge was to protect the child from evil that threatens him in the world above ground, not just the specific evil that threatened him when he came among us. And so, it seems to me, as long as there is evil in the world above, I have not completely delivered on my pledge and the child must remain.”

The old woman sighed, “And since there will always be evil in the world above, the child will never be able to leave your protection.”

Lugh smiled, “Not necessarily. There are other components to my pledge, the first being that the evil must threaten his life and the second is that the protection was only to apply until he was able to protect himself. Because of that second component we must accept that my pledge anticipated that this child would grow and mature so that one day he could protect himself. That would not be the case if he never left our world. If there were to come a time when society above the earth was relatively safe and Ferdia could grow to manhood with little fear for his own life, he should be returned to the land above the ground.”

“So you would allow Ferdia to grow into manhood,” Muroad said with a smile.

“Of course I would, and I will.” Lugh replied patting the old woman’s arm. “I will study the world above and determine the appropriate time and decide what mortals might best foster my grandson. When the circumstances are properly aligned, I will deliver Ferdia to a world where he will grow and mature and fulfill his own destiny.”

Muroad hesitated for a moment and then spoke again, “But Lugh, he is your grandson. If he were to leave, you would never see him again. He will be gone and in a short time, as it passes in our world, he will be dead. Will that not bring you great sorrow?”

Lugh smiled at her concern, “It will of course. But Ferdia has his own destiny and as it cannot be fulfilled here, the only other possibility is the world above the earth. I would be less than a proper grandfather if I were to deny him his destiny for my own selfish reasons. Beside, one never knows. Perhaps one day he will return to us.”

“Thank you my king,” Muroad replied as the tears filled her eyes. “The child will be ready when the time comes.”

The elderly widow stood on the paving stones outside the farmhouse where she had spent most of her adult life. The June morning was bright and the woman basked in warmth of the early summer sunshine. The paving stones hardly required the brushing they had just received but Margaret O’Neill loved the feel of the broom in her hand and the bit of fresh air and exercise was a small pleasure she truly enjoyed.