The Legends (7 page)

Cathbad paused allowing those present to consider what he said and again there were general murmurs of agreement. One young trainee druid rose and timidly asked, “But if the children’s destinies are to be great champions, how can it be that they might be killed by Maeve, or anyone else for that matter, before they attain that destiny?”

Cathbad was more tolerant in his response than, perhaps, others might have been. “You will learn, my young brother that one’s destiny does not develop in isolation but rather is bound up with the lives and actions of others. Because of this there is no guaranty that that each person’s destiny will be fulfilled. Young boys, like Fergus and Ferdia, might be denied their destiny if those who are responsible for their growth and development, make choices that do not foster and protect their destiny and indeed their lives. Their destiny is particularly at risk while they are unable to make decisions for themselves.”

“I see,” the young druid said as he sheepishly sunk back down into his sitting mat.

“It may well be that ultimately, delay is the only course available and the threats to the twin’s lives, are risks that must be taken,” Cathbad stated. “However, the course I have chosen allows for the possibility that these children are being called by their grandfather Lugh of the Long Hand, to discover their destiny in the land of the Tuatha Dé Danann. If that is the case, we may never see these boys again. Sad as that may seem if the world of my vision is the kingdom beneath the earth, that is their destiny and we have no right to deny them what is meant to be.”

“My decision,” he concluded, “is this. I will first examine the stars to determine a day that is particularly fortunate for these children. On that day, I will take the children to a fairy fort on the banks of the River Boyne and call on Lugh of the Long Hand to take the Cúchulainn’s sons to the world beneath the earth, if that is what is meant to be. If Lugh does not take the children, I will return with them to Emain Macha. Upon my return and we will designate stepparents who will rear and train these boys and chose champions to protect them. If Fergus and Ferdia’s destiny is not to be found with the Tuatha Dé Danann, and we will leave that choice the children’s grandfather perhaps it will then be revealed in the fullness of time.”

Most of those gathered agreed that Cathbad’s decision was proper, but Mairéad asserting her role as the boys’ protectress, asked in a loud, clear voice, “How do you propose to offer these children to Lugh? If, as you say, Lugh is not interested, I would hope that you will return with a happy and healthy Fergus and Ferdia.”

Cathbad smiled, “Ah old sister, do you take me for a barbarian? There will be no bloodletting and no harm will come to the children. The choice will be left to the Tuatha de Danann. We have all heard stories of people who were invited into the fairy forts and no physical harm is involved in the process. So it will be with Fergus and Ferdia. They will be presented at the fairy fort and if an invitation is not forthcoming, they will be returned to Emain Macha in the fullness of their health.”

“I knew a fellow,” a very old man who was prone to storytelling began – to the groans of many present – “who was invited into a fairy fort. He spent one entire night dancing and singing and drinking the finest mead, and when the morning came he awoke with a ferocious headache, lying in the grass outside the fairy fort.”

A number of those gathered had undoubtedly heard the story on any number of occasions, but out of respect for his age, the old fellow was allowed to continue. “Most peculiar thing though, when he went home to his wife he found that she had been dead for nearly fifty years, so she was. And, the wee children he knew before he went into the fairy fort were now old people. So it seemed that one night with the Tuatha Dé Danann was like many, many years on this earth. Sure didn’t I meet the man himself some years back? What do you make of that?”

Cathbad responded with a tolerant smile. “Well spoken my friend. I know we are offering Fergus and Ferdia to a world that is so strange we cannot understand even how time passes. But it is also a strange world in which I have seen the boys’ future so we must take whatever steps are necessary to allow them to fulfill their destinies, even if they are to be found in so strange a world. And one thing further, if Lugh of the Long Hand offers his hospitality, the children will be beyond the reach of Maeve and her revenge.”

For several minutes after Cathbad concluded his remarks, those present spoke among themselves. Cathbad stood looking around the gathering waiting to see if anyone had further questions or comments but it appeared that most of the conversations affirmed the wisdom of his decision. After several minutes Cathbad nodded toward Morann. The chief judge leaned over and spoke quietly to Conchubar who inclined his head to more clearly hear what Morann had to say. After some minutes of contemplation, the king rose from his chair and the entire room was immediately silenced.

Conchubar looked around and spoke simply, “So be it.” With that, he left the hall.

The word of Cathbad’s decision to offer the children to their grandfather, Lugh of the Long Hand, quickly passed from the great hall into the courtyard and it soon became the principal subject of conversation throughout the countryside. When Maeve’s spies arrived a few days later they had no difficulty discovering what had been decided. They knew that Maeve would be delighted to hear that the children would be taken from the security of the stronghold. Unfortunately, they would also have to report that no one, even Cathbad himself, knew when the infants would be moved. That, they knew well, would infuriate their queen. They would also have to report that the chance of snatching the children would be remote at best because of all the attention the infants were attracting as they awaited their journey. After some discussion the two men drew lots to determine who would return to Cruachan with the potentially fatal news while the other waited for further developments. As soon as the sun rose, the unfortunate spy headed west to Connaught.

As the word of the druid’s pronouncement spread everyone gathered at Emain Macha accepted the wisdom of Cathbad and the decision of Conchubar. However, the thought of losing the children as they had lost their parents weighed heavily on those who embraced the responsibility for their care. While there were many tears, Mairéad and the infants’ other caretakers were determined to make the most of the time they had with the little fellows. When they asked Cathbad whether he could tell them how long the children would remain in Emain Macha, they were told simply that the day was nearly upon them so the children should be made ready to travel. Knowing this, each day the old women spent with the children became even more precious.

Fergus and Ferdia had been alive for only a couple of weeks and already they had lost their parents. Now they faced a future so uncertain that even the identity of the world where they would grow to manhood was entirely unclear. Of course, being infants no one would really expected that they would appreciate their great loss or the nature of the future they faced.

Surprisingly, however, it appeared that Fergus and Ferdia were aware of far more than might have been expected. The young boys, whose bright blue eyes displayed remarkable awareness for ones so small, appeared to absorb everything that was said in their presence. As a result, it seemed that somehow they knew about their impending trip into the underworld.

As their principal caretaker, Mairéad attempted to control the gossip, at least in the children’s presence. She tried to explain that Fergus and Ferdia knew what people were saying and the talk could be causing the boys unnecessary worry. This statement was met with a few raised eyebrows and remarks about the old woman’s sanity. However, to keep the peace and in deference to her age and authority, that specific topic of conversation was no longer discussed in the infants’ presence.

Despite their concerns for the infants’ future, Fergus and Ferdia’s attendants showered them with constant love and affection. It was as if these adoptive grandparents meant to ensure that wherever destiny might take the children, their earliest days would be filled with joy and happiness. Perhaps somehow they would remember and be fortified by this love. During every waking minute, Fergus and Ferdia found themselves snuggled in warm embraces of one old woman or another as each would look on the infants with rheumy but unquestionably loving eyes. The women would serenade the children with songs and stories, including the epic adventures of the infants’ own father. Other members of the court were also frequently in attendance paying their respects.

Rocmid, the court jester, arrived one day, more out of curiosity than anything else, but when he noticed the Fergus and Ferdia smiled happily at his antics, he made several return visits. If there was one thing Rocmid understood, it was an appreciative audience. Mairéad supervised the attention, understanding that whatever about the close and occasionally stagnate atmosphere of the great hall, Fergus and Ferdia would not want for love and affection.

Cathbad the Druid and Conchubar the King also frequently looked in on the infants, holding each child and reminding them of their lineage. For each of the elderly men, this was a new and different experience because normally powerful leaders did not even see infants, much less hold them in their arms and speak quietly to them. They both realized that as the two old men moved toward the end of their earthly existence, they might never have a similar opportunity. Fergus and Ferdia were not babies who cried out or squirmed at a strange touch or voice, rather they seemed to accept that everyone who came in contact with them could provide a new and important experience.

In the Court of Queen Maeve, her spy returned from Ulster and reported his intelligence. To his relief, the queen took the news with relatively good spirits so for the moment he would live to see another day. Although the children were completely secure in Emain Macha, discovering that they were to be moved was a stroke of good fortune that brought a twisted smile to Maeve’s face.

Maeve called for her chief druid Lugain and explained what her spy had reported. “So, my learned friend,” she asked, “if you were Cathbad what day might be particularly fortunate for offering Cúchulainn’s whelps to Lugh of the Long Hand.”

The last thing that Lugain wanted to do was make a pronouncement that would prove to be incorrect so he answered, “It is very difficult to say without knowing everything about the children, including their exact birth date and time.”

The queen had grown accustomed to such waffling so she assured her advisor with a sneer, “I am not going to hold you to anything you might suggest so perhaps you could give me some idea, even without all that information you so desperately require.”

Although still suspicious and concerned for his own welfare, Lugain responded, “Well I would think that the date would be sooner rather than later. Perhaps someday around the first of May since Beltaine is generally considered a lucky day.”

“Now that wasn’t too difficult,” Maeve responded. “Sooner rather than later. And tell me; without further study might you be able to give me some idea as to where Cathbad is likely to offer this sacrifice to the gods.”

Lugain’s complexion turned dark red with rage at the queen’s goading but he knew better than to respond with any comment that might be deemed to be impertinent. He simply said, “I would assume somewhere near the banks of the Boyne but I am aware of at least a dozen possible places stretching for miles along that river. Then again Cathbad might know of some other place entirely so I wouldn’t be able to say with any certainty.”

Maeve closed her eyes and shook her head, “I wish I could figure out why I keep the likes of you around. I can’t remember the last time you said anything useful. Please get out of my sight before I become ill.”

Turning an even darker shade of red, Lugain said nothing but turned and departed. Did she not know of the mysterious and magical powers possessed by the druids… well most druids? Although Lugain was well trained in the druidic arts he knew that he did not possess the natural instincts that enabled the great druids like Cathbad to exercise amazing power, like controlling the elements. Lugain’s training gave him a moderate level of knowledge and practical skills but he wished he had been blessed with true power. There was nothing he would rather do than laugh in Maeve’s face and leave her with a curse that would destroy her world. Unfortunately that was only wishful thinking and he was forced to grovel before her to maintain his position in her court.

Assuming that she could rely on the sketchy information Lugain provided, Maeve decided that the fates might be arranging themselves to her advantage. As it happened, her champions under Fineen’s command were ideally located, encamped not far from the Boyne. Maeve doubted that Conchubar would send a large force to support those transporting the children because he had no reason to suspect that she was planning to intercept the twins. As a result, her champions should be able to grab the children after Cathbad’s entourage was out of range of Emain Macha’s support and before they reached their destination.

Since she didn’t want to leave Fineen and his men in the field longer than necessary, “sooner rather than later” was also encouraging. Hopefully Fineen could conclude his mission before his continuing presence so far from Connaught became too suspicious.

Finally, the idea that Lugh of the Long Hand would take Cúchulainn’s whelps into the lands of the Tuatha De Danann struck Maeve as preposterous. She never heard of such a thing happening before, nor had any of her own druids or advisors. In fact, they laughed at the whole idea. Cathbad might be a powerful magician but she wondered if, perhaps, he was beginning to act the fool in his old age. After all, he was Conchubar’s father and Conchubar was ancient. Even if the old druid were able to deliver the children to the banks of the Boyne River before he was intercepted, his plan would certainly fail. Lugh would undoubtedly scoff at the whole idea or ignore him completely and Cathbad would have a long trip back. In that case the druid and his entourage would be an easy target for Fineen and her champions.