"Your Majesty, you asked which portal we used to enter your kingdom.
"In our world, we entered through a tomb near Gortnavern.
"But then we traveled for more than a week to reach your home. It is now 10 days since we first sought you."
"And we still have more to do here..." Aoife said. "Would you be okay with waiting? Since we must still get the sword, save Ruadhán's wife, and find the spear." She tried to explain.
Aine nods and smiles, "I will wait at Gortnavern and wish you safe travels until then. Take what you need. The road ahead will be long and arduous..."
Aine very ably hides her interest and curiosity when Aoife mentions the spear. She seems surprised but apparently prefers to say nothing of it.
Sister Cobhlaith looks around at the remaining food.
"Your Majesty, one favor.
"As you may have noticed, we were ravenous when we first met you. Is there some way to sustain ourselves while we are in your country?
"Even a trip back to Gortnavern from here is beyond our current capabilities, to say nothing of the other quests we need to finish before we return. "
Carefully opening her bags, Sister Cobhlaith stows the two vials among her other healing potions.
At least they will be a bit obscure should someone go looking for them without permission
"More food would be a boon indeed, Your Majesty."
"Take what you need," she offers with a benevolent smile.
"Thank you." Aoife said with a smile. It was the first real smile she had given in a while.
They pack as much food as they can realistically carry, thank the Queen, and get on their way. Beaga is a five-day march through lands that have proven inhospitable, but with Sister Cobhlaith's unerring, supernatural guidance and Thorun and Ruadhan's know-how, they make good time and reach the peninsula without hindrance. Leaving the flat plains of Limerick behind and climbing into the rolling hills of Kerry, they cannot but fear that this test will be the direst of all.
The Sword of Light... Even while travelling in these magical lands, the idea of finding this legendary treasure is baffling.
Daire is in good cheer.
Which considering the prior journey, is a small miracle in itself.
"Let us lay out what we are going to do. I suggest that I down a potion out of sight of anyone but us, for a start."
Aoife's spirits seemed high when they leave. It seemed their short time there was enough to lighten her heart.
"Why out of sight?" Aoife asked.
Sister Cobhlaith looks over from where she is saying her prayers.
"I agree with Daire. In fact, we need to discuss how we are going to deal with the Chailleach."
She puts away her Pater Noster beads and sits on a rock.
"To be most believable, Daire needs to approach her as her husband Lir.
"No matter how powerful the potion, it will be easier for her to believe that Daire is Lir if she does not see him transform before her eyes. So taking the potion out of her sight is a smart plan."
Cobhlaith sighs
"And having thought of that, it would also make sense if none of us saw him after he drinks the potion. Once he does, we will all see him as he is not: instead he will appear to be our beloved. One of us might not be able to hold back our exclamations or stop ourselves from rushing to him.
"We need to be wily, like Odysseus.
"To safely listen to the Sirens' song, he had his men stop their ears with beeswax so they couldn't hear. And then they lashed him to the mast so he couldn't divert them from rowing past the Sirens."
She looks around at her friends.
"Like Odysseus, it would be best if we could be kept from acting on our impulses. The only solution I can think of is for us not to see Daire in his transformed shape."
"You grasp my intent, good Sister. Though I wonder what you would *hear* if I should shout for aid? Will you hear me or your beloved?" , he muses out loud
"I have no idea who... this Odysseus is." Aoife said with a shrug.
"But if Daire takes the potion away from all of us... then how will we know it is Daire? If we see him change at least we might be able to some what know it is him. Also I think Daire will need the other potion too. A gift for the hag, from her "beloved" would go over a lot better than us handing it over. You could even ask for the sword from her, saying you'll give it to another to carry on so that you can remain with her." Aoife said. "Then you can bring it to us and we get out of there as quickly as possible."
"Now you are thinking, Aoife. And brave, because you *know* that even with knowledge of the potion, the sight of its effect will hurt to the marrow."
"I'm always thinking." Aoife said. "And that is often what gets us all into trouble..." She reminded them some what bitterly.
"Oh yes. Lir/Daire will offer the potion to restore her youth in exchange for the sword. Even if it's just a "Thanks for holding onto my sword for me; I've brought you a little present" kind of exchange.
"But should he have to negotiate further, we're going to need to count on him to be nimble with his mind, tongue, and perhaps even feet."
Her forehad wrinkles.
"But what good will it do for us to stand around during this intimate moment? Shall we call ourselves Lir's seafaring crew? What reason will she accept for us being there?"
"We should see what he becomes." Thorun says. "If things go south and Daire needs us, we do not want to be lead astray by trickery and not know the truth of what we see. Even if it is painful."
The heroes of Largay find a safe spot some distance from their destination and steel themselves for what is to come. As they watch Daire consume the potion, they cannot but wonder what truths will be revealed to them...
Daire drinks the sweet potion and fully expects some grandiose magical effect. But the drink provides no euphoria, not even tingling in the tips of his fingers. Only the wide eyes of his companions speak to the great power of Aine's magic.
Aoife stood there solid as stone. Her face a mixture of shock and a deep sadness. "How...?" Aoife muttered before she turned away, placing her hand over her mouth. She seemed like she was trying to keep herself from throwing up.
Sister Cobhlaith has a look of awe on her face.
"It's as if I have two selves. My mind *knows* this is not real, but my heart wants to believe so badly.
She smiles
"It is the Chailleach we seek, not our own heart-dreams.
"Daire, you lead the way, and we will follow at a small distance to see how she receives you."
Thorun stares at Daire as he drinks the potion, watching the transformation. But even being ready for what he knew would happen, once Aoife's form appears his heart feels like it is trying to crack his sternum. Such an intense longing and intense pain pulls at him. I know it's not real...but this is my last chance to see her. He stands and starts staggering forward towards Daire.
The heroes knew what would happen and yet the experience proves troubling, to say the least. Each of them is confronted in some way by their heart's desire and each of them must contend with loss and hope and heartbreak and all the pains that love inspires.
Daire senses the turmoil of emotions that has overtaken his companions and he wonders if they will keep their composure and properly play their part in the subterfuge that must convince a goddess to give them her husband's sword.
Daire immediately begins to move.
Best that they appear to be fey-besotted fools, than their true longings left bare to the world to see.
Daire keeps moving on the direction agreed, ready to speak.
Ready to lie.
Continuing their way west in the valley of Lough Fadda, they approach Ballycrovane Harbour with anxious anticipation. The peaceful bay is sheltered from the storms and would surely be an ideal spot to anchor.
In the hill above the bay, they see her. The Hag of Beara. Standing near a stone in which is planted a sword, she faces the sea without moving. Covered with dust, her hair a tangle, her wet robes stuck to her almost skeletal form, she seems more dead than alive, like an ancient statue worn by the wind.
Daire glances south, then west, as if expecting to see something...
Sister Cobhlaith looks toward the Chailleach.
"There she is, waiting for Lir to return from the sea.
Daire, what are you looking for?"
Daire seems to fade in and out, sometimes replaced by a radiant figure, a burning light, as large and as high as a mountain, divided at its summit as if into many tongues
Before heading up the hill, Daire takes the time to find a still pool to gaze upon his reflexion...
As Sister Cobhlaith looks upon Daire and interrupts his reverie, the seemingly petrified hag comes to life. Ever so slowly, she turns towards them. When she sees Daire, she gasps and falters.
"My love," she whispers in the wind, her hand reaching for him.
For a moment, Daire turns towards Sister Cobhlaith and looks as if he is about to reply, a hint of sadness visible in his eyes.
And then the hag reaches for him, seeing Lir.
And he turns to embraces the hag, delight clear upon his face.
He takes her into his arms and embraces her.
"I have returned to you, my love."
God bless you Daire.
Sister Cobhlaith turns to her other companions, leaving her facing away from Daire and the Cailleach.
"Come, let us leave them to their conversation. Whatever they need to say to each other, it is not for our ears."
She tries to slowly press them back, away from the embracing pair.
Aoife nodded quickly and didn't say a thing. She looped her arm to Sister Cobhlaith's arm and allowed the woman of the faith to removed her from the situation.
At least they won't have to witness this., Daire thinks as his woman comrades walk away.
"It has been far too long. But I returned! I see that you have kept my blade safe, I will need that. And-", he smiles as if keeping the best for last, withdrawing the potion, "-something that I think will make you feel a great deal better about yourself, my love. A potion to restore the beauty of your youth!"
Lir has upon his face kindness and the hope of a man who has brought his dearest that which he believes she most desires.
.
.
.
.
..
As Daire's companions step away to allow him to play his part convincingly, he cannot but consider that this could very well prove to be his final mistake. Even with Aine's enchantment, convincing a goddess that he is her long-lost husband seems an impossible and dangerous scheme. Still, he faces the impossibly ancient crone with a most convincing smile and, his eyes bright with love and admiration, he professes his love and hands her the potion.
The hag seems only too eager to reclaim her youthful beauty. Without even a word, she drinks the brew and, lo and behold, within moments she is transformed into the most beautiful, enchanting, seductive woman he has ever seen!
She stares at her hands incredulously, then up at her lover with pure joy and adoration.
"How long I have waited for you!" she exclaims, throwing herself into his arms with tears of joy running down her rosy cheeks. She really loves me, he thinks to himself, seduced for a moment by this woman's extraordinary beauty. "But you are here now, and we shall never again be apart!"
She looks up at him expectantly, her eyes expressing pure happiness, her lips trembling with anticipation...
She really loves me.
Careful, Daire, careful.
"My love, there is a task that I must attend to. It will not take long, and I could have attended to it on the way here. But that would have delayed me from your arms, and from giving you the potion. I must be away for the briefest of times, a few days at the most. Make ready a place for us to lay together, and we shall enjoy to it to the fullest when I return."
Oh, to enjoy her here and now! But it would be the end of me. And there are others counting on me to get out of here.
Daire, as Lir, smiles at the rapturous vision of a woman as he casually walks over to the sword, to take it in hand.
"I will come with you," the goddess decides. "I lost you once and I will not be without you again. And we can lay together in the fields and meadows as we once did, long ago!"
She smiles mischievously and Daire easily understands that it will be near-impossible to changer her mind.
As he reaches for the sword, he expects her to stop him. But she doesn't. He expects awe-inspiring magic to envelop him. But it doesn't. He pulls the blade from the stone and finds it to be perfectly balanced and exquisitely decorated with ancient runes and motifs. He is holding Nuada's Sword, the Sword of Light!
Sister Cobhlaith's head turns sharply as she hears the words 'I will come with you.'
She suddenly stops moving, almost tripping Aoife with her maneuver. Her expression fleets through fear, then amusement.
"Oh, great. A *goddess* traveling with us. Enamored of Daire. What will we do when his potion wears off and she has lost both Lir and the sword? An *angry* goddess!
She turns to face Daire
"We must leave and use the sword for its intended purpose, Lir. Perhaps we could have you lead the party while we women travel together behind you."
If we can give Daire a way to hand the sword off to Thorun, we might have a chance to reach Gortnaven alive.
By God! This sword!
And then *she* speaks.
"Of course you can come, my love."
Damnation. More trickery it'll have to be.
And then the Sister speaks.
Thank God for His servants!
"That makes sense. My love, I will take the front, and you will have female company."
I imagine it has been some time!
Daire makes to move ahead of the group of women.
The enamoured goddess is more than happy to watch her love from afar as he leads his retinue. As they embark on the next leg of their journey, she turns her attention to Sister Cobhlaith at her side, "I welcome the company as it has been hundreds of years since I spoke to anyone!"
She takes her arm and smiles. "Tell me about my husband's adventures. Surely, he must have faced great perils to reach these shores? And how did he come to travel with humans?"
She really seems quite nice, Sister Cobhlaith thinks to herself. Behind them, Aoife worries about what will happen when the enchantment fades. Surely, the goddess will not look kindly upon those who tricked her!
Daire walks ahead with Thorun and Ruadhan...
Aoife cleared her throat and offered the goddess an answer. "War mostly." Aoife began. "Follish mortals doing foolish things. I'm sure that is something you're use to though?" She asked
"When we got here the travel we've been on has been... difficult. For myself at least, I cannot speak for all."
Thorun stares at Daire as they walk. There is such a deep look of longing and pain that it's hard to watch. It looks like he would rip off his own arm for the woman he sees. And having it so close and seemingly right within his grasp, but as tangible as air, only seems to give him an even more haunted expression.
"Mortals do have an obsession with war," she concedes with a generous smile. "But my people could be said to be no better. It's a pity that we always resort to swords when words would suffice."
She shrugs and turns her perplexed attention to Sister Cobhlaith, "there is something about you – a light – that I have never seen before..."
"A light?"
A perplexed frown crosses her brow.
"I am a mere scholar. I can think of no reason I should glow with light."
Sister Cobhlaith brushes her hands down the length of her habit, as if to wipe away any unusual dust or pollen.
"But you, dear lady, are the epitome of shining youth and radiant love. How beautiful you look. No wonder he had to return to you!"
Daire thinks of the nearest place where he could round the corner - and Thorun or Ruadhan could seize the blade. He also casts his eyes about for the same.
Scanning the nearby countryside, Daire finds little opportunity to step out of sight. However, he recalls that the forest becomes denser away from the coast... Nervously, he bides his time.
"Thank you!" the goddess answers with a charming twirl and a bow. "But you do glow. I assure you!"
She seems quite content to be travelling alongside them and nothing suggests the wrathful fey of legend. She is pleasant and vivacious, sharing stories of old and inquiring about their own adventures with genuine interest. She admits to having been lonely and welcomes the company, and they wonder if she might understand their plight and forgive their subterfuge...
When they reach thicker woods, Daire glances at Thorun and Ruadhan, with a look warning them to be ready for anything.
As the sun sets behind them, Aoife and Sister Cobhlaith notice Daire's appearance shimmering ever so slightly. The enchantment is fading!