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Authors: Robert E. Connolly
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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.
CHAPTER SEVEN
In the Court of Queen Maeve, her spy returned from Ulster and reported his intelligence. To his relief,
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.
CHAPTER SEVEN
In the Court of Queen Maeve, her spy returned from Ulster and reported his intelligence. To his relief,
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