The Legends (8 page)

Convinced that her goal of capturing Cúchulainn’s sons was in sight, Maeve sent the spy back to the Ulster stronghold with instructions that he notify Fineen as soon as he knew when the children would be moved. Maeve also sent a messenger to Fineen informing him of her instructions to the spy and ordering him to move on Cathbad’s entourage as soon as it left the protection of Emain Macha.

In Conchubar’s stronghold, Cathbad had indeed decided that the first of May would be the day that Fergus and Ferdia would be offered to his grandfather. Beltaine had always been considered a day of good fortune and people throughout the Celtic world marked the occasion with festivals and celebrations.

Cathbad was shrewd enough to know that the trip to the Boyne was a risk to the children’s safety, however remote that risk might seem. Since Beltaine was a holiday nearly everyone would be celebrating with family and friends and, perhaps, be less inclined to threaten the babies. With the excitement and confusion of the festival marking the beginning of summer, Cathbad thought it might be easier to slip away and complete his mission. Also, by not announcing the date for his departure to anyone, Cathbad might further reduce the risk because it would be more difficult for an enemy to plan an attack. Cathbad decided that there was no reason to expose the children to any risk, however slight, which could be easily avoided.

In the weeks between Cathbad’s pronouncement and the first of May, Fergus and Ferdia grew stronger as those around them grew more despondent at their eventual departure. Mairéad and their other adoptive grandmothers were particularly sad but they never expressed their sorrow in the presence of the children. Knowing the children as they did, Fergus and Ferdia’s minders were confident that the boys would be well equipped to face whatever perils lie ahead and that gave the minders a measure of comfort.

Celtic tradition required that all travelers be welcomed so even before the Beltaine festival began, the butchery, bakery, granary and kitchens in Conchubar’s stronghold were a beehive of activity. In more normal times the residents of Emain Macha would eat little more than bread, porridge and dairy products but these were not normal times. The influx of travelers meant that the celebration began several days early. Conchubar ordered that food be prepared and drink provided, as normally it would have been only for the great holiday itself.

Great joints of meat were stewed in wood-lined holes which held water heated by hot stones. Game was cooked over open fires; oat and barely loaves were baked while wheaten ale and honey mead were served to visitors and residents alike. Each night the great hall was alive with the sounds of bards and musicians rendering honor to their long serving King as well as to Cúchulainn, their fallen champion. In addition, special songs and poems were written honoring Cúchulainn’s orphaned sons and wishing Fergus and Ferdia good fortune in the destinies that awaited them.

Even as the celebrations began, preparations for Fergus and Ferdia’s departure were completed. At Cathbad’s prompting, Conchubar ordered that a collection of valuable treasures be gathered. Cathbad explained that it would not do for the sons of Ireland’s greatest hero to call on their grandfather, the immortal Lugh of the Long Hand, without appropriate gifts. Fergus and Ferdia were, after all, not paupers but wealthy in their own right by virtue of their inheritance from Cúchulainn. Although much of that wealth would, in the children’s absence, revert to the king, Fergus and Ferdia would not go into the underworld, hat in hand, rather they went as the sons of a Red Branch Knight.

In addition to the finest robes, several intricately carved gold bracelets and amulets were fashioned at the direction of Cathbad. The pieces were Celtic in design so that, as they grew, the children would be reminded of their origins. Two gold goblets, inset with jewels, were specifically included as a gift for Lugh of the Long Hand. To remind the children of their father, the fallen hero’s great sword was also to travel with them to the land of eternal youth.

Finally, to protect the children during their journey, two stone cribs were fashioned from slabs of granite. The massive rocks were carefully carved and polished into a large oval shape after which the tops were hollowed to accommodate each child. Even then, it took two strong men to lift each crib. A soft mattress of goose down feathers lined the bottom of the hollow and when Fergus and Ferdia lay deep in their rock chariots, a cloth cover was fitted over the top to protect the children from the elements.

When the preparations were completed all that remained was the trip itself. The festive atmosphere in the fields around Emain Macha grew in intensity as Beltaine approached but within the confines of the great hall, it seemed that the residents knew that the day of Fergus and Ferdia’s departure was imminent. At times the hall became unusually quiet and somber and each day everyone looked to Cathbad in anticipation. Those present, particularly the women who attended the infants, realized that they would probably never see the twins again and they keened for their loss. Fergus and Ferdia, perhaps understanding their sorrow, did not protest as they were passed around and around and smothered with hugs and kisses. Their bright blue eyes moved from one face to another and into each corner of the great room, as they seemed to commit to their memories the sights, sounds and smells of Emain Macha. As dusk settled, they closed their eyes to the quiet weeping of the wonderful family the boys acquired in only a few short weeks.

The first of May dawned, and when Cathbad strode purposefully from his retreat in the forest with a heavy travelling cloak draped over his arm, word quickly spread that the day Fergus and Ferdia would depart had finally arrived. The morning was blessed with bright sunshine, much to the relief of many who looked to the skies for some sign that the decision to offer the children to their grandfather was proper.

In Conchubar’s stronghold, as Mairéad attended to her morning tasks in caring for the children she noticed that Fergus was abnormally fidgety. On closer examination she felt that his forehead was particularly warm as perhaps he was running a slight fever. Mairéad immediately send word for Cathbad and Áine, a woman trained in the healing arts, to examine the child.

It took Áine only a few minutes to confirm Mairéad’s suspicions and she announced that Fergus was not only feverish but appeared to be developing a cold. Cathbad stood aside stroking his long beard considering the impact of the diagnosis. He knew that it was certainly not in the best interests of Fergus to send a sick infant on what could be a long and difficult journey. Alternatively, he was confident that the time for delivering the children to their grandfather had arrived and delay was not appropriate.

Ultimately Cathbad recalled that when he foresaw the strange futures, which awaited the infants, he recognized that their destinies were not identical and so, perhaps, this was the sign that the two children should be separated. As reluctant as he was to separate twins, he also considered that if the children took different paths, the chances that at least one of them would survive would be increased. Summarily, two things were certain; the day had arrived for the children to be presented to their grandfather and he was not prepared to risk the life of Fergus who was obviously ill.

Turning to Mairéad, he announced his decision. “Prepare Ferdia for the journey as planned and instruct Áine to attend to Fergus. He will not be travelling with his brother.”

Although she was also disheartened at the separation of the twins, Mairéad quietly accepted to wisdom of the decision andshe watched as Áine removed Fergus from his crib. The little fellow seemed to look over at his brother, perhaps for the last time, and it seemed that a tear slid down from the corner of hiseye. Ferdia watched until his brother, wrapped in Áine’s arms, disappeared across the room.

Hiding her own tears, Mairéad fussed over the remaining infant in an attempt to distract him from the fact that for the first time in his life, Fergus was not at his side. Ferdia was taken from his crib, bathed and dressed for the last time, at least among the people of the upper earth. Mairéad then passed the child among all of the women who had been entrusted with his care and for the last time the little fellow was showered with affection while sweet endearments were whispered into his ears. Ferdia apparently knew that something different was about to happen. His eyes seemed to reflect a slightly quizzical expression, particularly at the sight and sound of the women’s tears and weeping. In a short time, however, he seemed to accept whatever change was to transpire and the questioning look disappeared. After all present expressed their love and affection, Ferdia was adorned in the gold jewelry that had been crafted at Cathbad’s direction.

With the preparations completed and farewells whispered, Conchubar himself took the child in his hands and kissed his forehead. “Godspeed my littlest knight,” he whispered as the eyes of even the most hardened fighter teared over.

Conchubar then returned the child to Mairéad who tenderly placed Ferdia in his rock crib for the first time. The infant placed his hand on the cold stone looking around with interest at his new surroundings. Satisfied that everything was in proper order, Ferdia closed his eyes and slept. Mairéad adjusted the infant’s mattress and tucked a woolen blanket between the mattress and the stone. Satisfied that her charge was comfortable, she pulled the cover over the granite crib.

The heavy crib was the placed on a litter for its journey to the fairy hill located not far from the hill of Knowth near the Boyne River. The weather remained fine if a bit chilly but as the morning progressed, gathering clouds made it quite clear that although the beginning of the long journey might be pleasant, the end would probably be a different story entirely.

A procession was formed led by Cathbad the Druid adorned in his white robe trimmed in gold. In deference to the chill and coming storm, the robe was covered with an animal skin travelling poncho. Cathbad was followed by seven other druids and druidess of lesser status, similarly clad. Following the druids, seven of Conchubar’s handpicked champions led the litter bearing Ferdia as well as second litter carrying the remainder of the treasures that would accompany him to the land of the Tuatha De Danann. Following the litter, providing additional protection, were seven more champions. At the end of the procession were seven men and seven women, representatives of the people, who would witness whatever might transpire.

First among these women was Mairéad. Cathbad gently suggested that perhaps the journey would be too much for the old woman and that, as she had so selflessly and loyally performed her duty, she should remain behind. It was clear in the face of the determined Mairéad, that there was no chance that she would agree. “My destiny,” she quietly but firmly insisted, “is with the child.”

As the entourage emerged from the gate of Emain Macha, hundreds of well-wishers lined the path leading from the fortress. Maeve’s spies, stood among the throng and when the last witness passed they slipped away to complete their mission. The first spy was off to Cruachan to report to the queen while the other made his way to Fineen’s encampment.

Throughout the morning the procession steadily snaked its way to the south and east toward a sacred site on the Boyne. As the day progressed all signs of blue sky disappeared and although the weather warmed slightly, the clouds darkened. By early afternoon the first drops of rain began to fall. The steady progress of the entourage was slowed as many slipped on the wet grass and rocks that marked their path. Remarkably, the one person who seemed totally unaffected by the weather was the ancient Mairéad, who walked straight and strong like a healthy girl sixty or seventy years younger.

It was evening when the hill of Knowth came into view. By that time the weather was perfectly miserable as the darkening sky appeared even blacker because of storm clouds that were not likely to lift in the near future. The rain thickened from a mist to drizzle and finally to a persistent downpour. As a result the procession slowed to a crawl as each participant, soaked to the bone, trod carefully to avoid turning an ankle on the slippery surface. Their progress was further delayed because while most of the journey had been over flat ground, they were now climbing from the Boyne Valley.

Although nearly at their destination, Cathbad had no choice but to order a brief rest so that everyone could catch their breath and prepare for the final climb.

Fineen and his detachment of Connaught champions were also forced to halt their progress after several hours of hard riding in their war chariots. The heavy rains left the ground so sodden that even the relatively light chariots sank nearly to their axels. Fineen cursed his luck, which left him mired in muck rather than celebrating the successful completion of his mission. Of course it all began with Maeve’s insistence that his contingent remain in the field for literally weeks while she awaited word of Cathbad’s movements.

Unfortunately, he had his orders from his queen to remain in the field and he knew better than to question, or even worse to disobey those orders. On the other hand, the last thing he wanted was an armed confrontation with a superior force of Ulster Champions and he knew that his lingering near the Boyne did not go unnoticed.

Reasoning that Maeve would not know exactly where he established camp, Fineen decided to move his force south, deeper into Leinster. That province was allied with Connaught so his presence would not be seen as a threat. If anyone asked, he could always say that he was on a training exercise on the queen’s orders. Although the move would take him some distance from the Boyne, he knew that his chariots could move quickly back when the word came. He reasoned that a short delay was a small price to pay to ensure that his troop was not engaged before he could carry out his mission. Fineen then ordered that a couple of trusted men remain in the vicinity of his original camp so that the spy reporting from Emain Macha would find his way to the relocated camp.