by Jana LaPelle
Looking over to my sisters in arms, I see how beautiful and how fierce they look. They are ready, but am I? Sighing, I say, “It’s time. They are waiting for us. Thank you everyone. Those of you that are staying, the druids and witches have worked together to ward this valley. You will be safe here. We hope to see you soon.”
As we walk out of the tent, I don my own cloak and Lexie and Jasmine flank me on either side. The day is cool, so much so that our breaths form plumes of vapor in the air around us. It’s easy to hide behind the paint on my face, but truth be told, I’m far from ready for this day.
Lexie is the first to speak, “Ash, we have not heard from Morgwais. I thought for sure that she would have been here by now.”
“I know, Lexie. It’s okay. It was crazy to think that an old witch would be the key to bringing The Morrígna down. It would not be so bad if we had obtained the Spear of Lugh, but that was not to be. We must be prepared for the outcome. Whatever that is. If we must retreat to fight another day then we will.”
Jaz is not at all thrilled with that pronouncement and she counters, “Ashlinn Ryllae Faerondarl… we end this today. You know it. I know it. We all know it. What is up with your indecision?” She demands, her hands on her hips as she rounds on me, her eyes sparkle with a fierce determination.
“I don’t know?!” I counter, my agitation clear, “How about the fact that we don’t have the Spear of Lugh?! They have the power of three?! Morgwais should be here but she isn’t? The Morrígan has cursed and brainwashed her followers? Jaz, it’s all of the above. That… and I have a sinking feeling about what I’m about to learn of my prior relationship with the phantom queen. So, don’t be surprised by what we learn today. Because I don’t think that it will be pretty.”
“Ash, we’ve got your back. No matter what.” Lexie takes my hand, and I squeeze it in my own. Drawing comfort from her touch.
“Yeah, that’s right. We’ve got your back.” Jasmine takes my other hand and I struggle with the tears that threaten to fall. I blink them back, as we walk to the front of our not so meager army.
Letting go of their hands, I put on a brave face and smile at them both before saying, “Thank you. Stay safe. Please. I don’t know what I would do if I lost either of you.”
Jasmine smirks, “No worries, Ash. I promise pixie dustings for all that stand with the wicked witch. Super ninja Tinkerbell at your service, ma’am.”
I laugh, “Thank you for that, Jaz.”
It doesn’t take very long for us to mount up and head toward Lár Domhain. With every mile we cover the more anxious I become. I look back to see that we have a motley crew at best, but it warms my heart to see all matter of races coming to our aid. The Horde is represented, the Underworlders, and light fae, along with quite the number of minor gods and goddesses that have taken up arms to save the realms.
Alaric gains my attention, “Mo grá, we will arrive in a few minutes. Are you ready? It’s okay if you are not. We can stop.”
I inhale sharply, looking up at the sky, before replying, “What time of day is it?”
“We have not yet reached mid-day. Do you want to stop?”
“No, Alaric. We need to push on. Everyone here is ready for what is to come.”
“It’s okay if you need time to gather your thoughts, we can take a few minutes. I can sense through our link to one another how tumultuous your thoughts are.”
“I know, Elf-Man, but ten minutes or ten days is not going to prepare me for what she has to say to me. So, we might as well get on with it, you know? Like ripping the band aid off. I want to get this over with.” I lean over Storm and pat her neck, taking comfort in her presence. Her and my handsome kindred. Smiling back at Alaric, I say, “I love you. Don’t ever forget that. No matter what you hear today.”
“Never, mo grá. Never…” My handsome Elf-Man lifts my hand to kiss my knuckles. “There are no words for what I feel for you. Never doubt that. I’m here for you and I will protect you and help you through what is to come.”
Nodding, I hesitate to urge Storm on, even though I know that everyone that stands with us here today are waiting for my lead. The next few steps are crucial. Once we appear over the crest of the rock-strewn hills there will be no turning back. From a distance, I can hear The Morrígna’s assembled army waiting just over the crest of the hill. They are loudly banging their weapons on their shields and from their cries, they are ready for war. Inhaling deeply, I nod, steeling my resolve. I urge Storm forward and as we reach the apex of the hill. I’m greeted by a massive army on the opposite side of the field. One that has been brainwashed by The Morrígan, and my heart almost stutters to a stop at the sight. Her army has all matter of dark fae that have not joined with their king, Fomorians in their berserker form, trolls, even some of the dwarfs have joined her, and what looks like the walking dead. Daerok and his lich stand off to the ride side and I have to wonder what their role will be here today. No doubt it will be majically inclined. To the left I see a mighty king flanked by more Fomorian warriors. The resemblance is uncanny, even from this distance. The regal ruler is Tarron’s father, the King of the Southern Territories. I wonder what he will think of his son’s rise in rank amongst the rulers of Faerie and then again, I wonder what he hopes to gain here today. The Morrígan’s intentions are clear, there will be no other ruler of The Realms but her, and her alone.
Then my gaze moves to the center of the army before us. I see my nemesis and her sisters in the distance, The Morrígna. They are clearly staged at the center of their masses and appear at the highest most point on the knoll. They are obviously in charge here, their black and silver embossed banners flying for all to see. The Morrígan looks to be thriving but her sisters look a little worse for wear, which surprises me that she would drain her sister’s power so close to the battle. I don’t know why I find that so surprising, they may be her kin in this lifetime, but her agenda has, and always will take precedence. I had expected to come upon a valley but the field in front of me reminds me of the battleground that we fought on back in Ireland. The grass is green and there are rocks and small boulders that litter the field before us. Goldenrod and Chicory flowers are swaying gently in the cool breeze, and in the distance to the north a large tranquil lake glitters under the attention of the sun. My cloak billows behind me as the wind picks up. It has a biting edge to it that is out of place this time of year, and a chill races through me as I take in all that lies before me. This place looks like somewhere I would picnic, not a battleground, but then my attention is drawn back to The Morrígan, to refer to her as Morríganna seems too personal. She is wearing her obscene obsidian crown and is clad all in black, her cape and loose hair flowing out behind her on the whipping wind. The now darkening sky her backdrop. Cú Chulainn is by her side. Ever her vigilant warrior. Her protector. So clueless. I’m surprised that he has not rebelled by now, but then again, he is still under her influence, and I for one feel sorry for him.
The phantom queen is in her element now that we have arrived. She displays for all to see her deranged madness when she begins to clap and laugh hysterically. She points at me and in mere moments she has morphed into hundreds of ravens, majically pulling Cú Chulainn with her. Their ravens transform once more in a mass of swirling dark mist until she stands before us on neutral ground, waiting for us to join her and her chosen champion. Looking over to Alaric and Dagda, our small contingency dismounts and we stand together before we trace. We find ourselves standing in front of the masses. We are accompanied by Tarron, Lugh, Nemus, Declan, Lexie, Jasmine, and all of my Guardians. The Morrígan paces in front of me. Her agitation is clear, she is so antsy to get things underway. Cú Chulainn stands vigilantly by her side, although there is an air of indecision about him, if I’m reading him right. He wields the Spear of Lugh. Alaric unsheathes the Sword of Light and the two posture against one another brandishing their weapons in clear invitation, a promise for the battle to co
me.
Dagda intervenes and announces to everyone in attendance. His voice is amplified across the grounds. It must be majic. “We are here today to defend The Otherworld! We are here to oppose those that threaten life as we know it. Morríganna, you are guilty of exposing our realm to The Mortal Realm and creating a rift between all Realms that threaten our very existence! What say you?” He demands.
“What say you?!” Her mocking maniacal laughter rings out. “I have done what I must, what is best for Faerie. This forum is a farce!” She gestures wildly around. “This is beneath me! I, and only I, have what it takes to rule this realm. You have grown weak, Dagda! You are no longer fit to rule The Otherworldly realm. I mean to take your place. Soon my forces will defeat you. Those that stand against me will fall! I will not bow down to this childish-”
“Childish?!” Stepping forward, I demand. “How about self-centered or self-serving?” I ask sarcastically.
“I will do what it takes to accomplish my end goal! Whatever that may be. I will take down all that stand in my way. Including you, little goddess. You are but a child in this realm, lacking experience and knowledge of the way of things. You are unfit to your post.” She sneers.
Needing to know the answer, I demand, “Why do you hate me so? Why so much animosity? It’s like I set you off, every time you see me.”
“You, my dear, have no memories of our time in The Overworld. How very convenient for you. A conscious decision on your part, I’m sure. Such the little coward. You chose not to remember that we were sisters. Born from the same angel-fire. Just like Michael and Lucifer, and we see how that ended. Michael was the one to drive Lucifer from Heaven. He cared not that they were brothers, he mindlessly did our father’s bidding. They were polar opposites, just like you and me, light and dark. I refuse to follow their lead! I will not allow you to thwart me in this realm.” She announces, her voice devoid of any emotion. She cocks her head and watches me. Her eyes are dark pools of animosity.
My voice hitches, barely above a whisper, “Are you telling me that we were… we were born sisters?” I hear several gasps behind me, and I feel Lexie and Jasmine reach for me, each laying a gentle hand on either shoulder as Alaric squeezes my hand.
Her calculating eyes take in all the devotion and support that I’m blessed enough to have before narrowing her eyes and announcing in her piercing voice, “Yes! Why is that so difficult to comprehend? We were closer than close, but I was not content. So, I chose to leave The Overworld. Why didn’t you just stay there?!” She screams at me, her face contorting in hatred. “Why did you have to follow me here?!” She demands, her anger a tangible thing. “Why would you, my sister, make it your mission to stand in my way?!”
I’m stunned, my mind reeling, and I can only stare at her in disbelieve. Deep down in my heart, I know what she is saying is true, and I look up at the monster that she has become in her insanity and her need to rule by whatever means necessary. Suddenly, my mind feels as though it is going to explode, as a splintering pain lances behind my eyes, I clutch my head as images of our time together in The Overworld threaten to engulf me. I watch as we walk, stumbling, hand in hand from our birth, as flames lick around our entry into The Overworld. We stand together as angel fire threatens to swallow us once more before stumbling forward. We were younglings, barely able to walk. Our heavy wings dragging behind us. Laughing, and light-hearted, we come to stand before our Creator, and he smiles down at us and it’s almost as if I’m there in front of my Overworldly father as he showers us with his beautiful blessing. My heart warms and the two of us laugh, the tinkling laughter of children. My memory shifts to a memory some time later, we were attempting to take flight for the first time, together hand in hand, our giggles lift to the wind as we raced toward a cliff. That day we learned to glide. Images of us growing older together race through my mind. Memories of my sister’s discontent. Memories of her berating me for not being more adventurous, for not being more like her. Then I watch my sister, choose to turn her back on me and leave me, without a backward glance. My heart breaks, because I don’t want her to leave me behind. She is all I know. She has been my whole world. I watch as our father bestows his blessing and she transforms, leaving me alone in The Overworld, and I weep for her loss. Because I loved her so much. That’s when Danu stepped in, but she, like my sister, was drawn to this realm. Our relationship was more like a mother daughter relationship, and I missed her dearly as well. Her wise counsel helped me through those dark times after my sister took up her mantle as a goddess in The Otherworld. It was at that moment that I decided to follow them both. Suddenly, everything has become crystal clear in a matter of mere seconds.
I look up and accuse, “You left me… Why? You didn’t even talk to me about your decision. You just decided and left.” I accuse.
“So… now you remember. Why now, Ashlinn?” She demands, her hatred of me written across her face.
What have I done to warrant such loathing? I can’t help but wonder, but answer her, “I don’t know. I remember being so distraught after you left, knowing that...”
She laughs cruelly, mocking me, “Get over it. I have. You no longer matter to me. I left you behind ages ago. You made me weak!”
“Believe me, you have made that perfectly clear with every encounter. I get that, but I cannot allow you to wreak havoc upon these realms, just because you have grown bored once more. That’s why I’m here. I will stop you. No matter what it takes.” I declare, and my heart breaks into a million fragmented pieces at the implications of what it will take to accomplish her demise, to remove her as a threat to all the realms.
“I doubt that. You don’t have the Spear of Lugh. You certainly don’t have the power of three to boost your abilities, and you would never stoop so low as to have an army that is bonded to you to do your bidding without free will.” She declares triumphantly. Cú Chulainn shifts behind her and he eyes her curiously. I believe that something has just clicked into place for him. My attention is drawn back to Morríganna as she continues her tirade. “So, as I see it, you’ve lost this battle before you even began. Oh… and let us not forget that I have the banished Druid Luminary and his lich followers on my side.” She gestures to what looks like the walking dead that steps forward to bow before their new ally, and my stomach drops. Daerok smiles an evil smile ruining his almost perfect facade. His followers looking ghastly behind him. Switching my gaze back to my nemesis, she levels me with a glare, and says, “You don’t have to do this. Just call it a day, Ashlinn, before it’s too late. You don’t want anyone you care for to die here today. Do you?” She goads me.
Looking back at those in attendance, that stand ready to fight, I gather my wits and I announce, “Morríganna, either you stand down or you will be taken down.” I declare for all to hear.
She laughs, and says, “Have it your way, little goddess.” Sarcasm dripping from her words as she turns her back on me. My inner animal takes offense at the slight, and I can barely contain the growl that threatens to erupt from my throat.
As she turns away from me, I hear a familiar voice approaching from my far left, her voice raised for all to hear, “Ye, be wicked evil… Ye will corrupt the realms. Ye seek to do harm to anyone that be in yer way, so ye must be stopped, and I be here to make sure that ye do not succeed in yer self-serving endeavors.” I look over to see Morgwais making her way toward us. Lexie and Jasmine step forward to stand on the other side of me. Morgwais continues our way, her gait is no longer hindered by her age, her steps are fluid and she stands tall and proud. I’m not sure what to make of her transformation, she is literally glowing and looks at least twenty years younger than the last time we saw her.
The Morrígan turns her way and begins laughing, “What are you going to do? You are nothing more than an old hag!”
“Am I?” Morgwais demands. Sounding uncharacteristically unlike herself.
Morríganna narrows her eyes as she watche
s Morgwais walk to me, Jasmine and Lexie. She asks, “Who are you? Do I know you?”
Morgwais cackles, her odd laughter ringing on the breeze, but her mirth does not reach her cold calculating gaze as she eyes Morríganna wearily.
I smile at my dear little friend and welcome her into my arms, she whispers, “Don’t be mad at Morgwais, for I be keeping secrets from ye all. It be necessary for us to get to this point. I love ye, all of ye. It’s time for me to shed this disguise. I be waiting for a very long time. Just remember, that I be the same person that ye met all those months ago.” Turning back to Morríganna she demands, “It be well past time that I take back what was stolen from me all those centuries ago! You thought I would idly sit back and allow you to continue down this destructive path and do nothing? Well, you underestimated me!” As she speaks, a transformation has begun.
The Morrígan scrutinizes Morgwais and declares, “Neamhain? Is this what became of you?” Her maniacal laughter rings out over the ridge. “You’re an old hag! Have you learned nothing, sister? Have you not learned to never go up against me? I am The War Goddess, The Phantom Queen, and my sisters and I make up The Morrígna. You cannot stop me!”
“That is where you are wrong! Your arrogance will be your downfall!” Morgwais brings her arms straight up in front of her and she claps her hands together. A deafening sound rings out across the field and with that one motion I see my dear old Morgwais begin to morph into this stunningly beautiful young woman. The air around her shimmers and dances as the transformation takes place. Where Morríganna and her sisters all have midnight black hair and alabaster skin tones, Morgwais or Neamhain is the polar opposite in her appearance. Gone is the long wavy gray hair from before and in its place is hair the color of spun gold. This woman before me stands tall, she is willowy in stature, her skin glows a golden brown. She is stunning and exudes power. How she could be related to the goth girls in this life I have no idea.