Noting the bundles against the older man’s chest Conchubar said with a smile, “Are you putting on a few pounds there, Father?”
“I’m afraid it is you that will be putting on a few pounds,” Cathbad replied as he produced young Fergus and Ferdia.”
“And who might these little fellows be?” Conchubar inquired pushing the children’s gowns down so he could have a better look at their faces.
Cathbad replied, “These are your grandnephews, Fergus and Ferdia, sons of Cúchulainn and Emer and grandsons of your sister Dechtire. It seemed the prudent choice to take them from Dundalk and deliver them into your protection.”
“Indeed,” the king replied taking one child and looking down he was captivated for a moment by Ferdia’s strangely intense blue eyes. He then looked over at Fergus offered with extended arms by Cathbad and stared into an identical pair of eyes. “And I wasn’t aware of the existence of any child of my nephew except that young lad Connla who was killed at that unfortunate incident on the seaside.”
Cathbad looked at his son with a raised eyebrow. Although he said nothing he thought that “unfortunate” was an interesting choice of words considering it was Conchubar himself who ordered Cúchulainn, despite his champion’s objection, to kill the young man. It was only while Connla, a brave young warrior, was in the throes of death that Cúchulainn discovered his adversary was actually his son by Aoife a princess Cúchulainn had dallied with before marrying Emer. Cúchulainn was so completely distraught at the thought that he killed his only son, that it had taken Cathbad months to bring him out of his depression.
Rather than reminding the king about the details of that unfortunate incident, Cathbad replied. “It seems that Emer eventually bore Cúchulainn not one but two sons that they always dreamed of but when she died rather than living without her husband, these young lads were left orphans. Since Conall has avenged Cúchulainn by killing Maeve’s son there is a very real concern that she will want to avenge her son and these little fellows are likely targets. That is the reason I decided to deliver them to your protection.”
Conchubar again examined the child. “I see,” he replied, “but considering my age and state of health, I’m not sure how long or how well I can protect the children. What happens if I can no longer undertake the children’s protection?” As if to emphasize his state of health, the old king was suddenly wracked by a long fit of coughing.
“A fair question,” Cathbad responded, “but one for which there is no simple answer. I suggest that we discuss the matter further when I have had an opportunity to rest and reflect on what I have seen. Perhaps then the best interests of these children will become clear.”
Conchubar agreed and ordered that the elderly women who lived under the king’s protection and were responsible for taking care of infants and small children should be called. After identifying the twins and explaining the importance of their protection, the little fellows were passed into the delighted hands of a group of the women who took turns examining and cuddling the sons of the great Cúchulainn. They were visibly impressed with what they saw and began marveling at the intelligence of their expressions and their muscular constitution. Amidst the oooing and ahhhing over the babies the two men exchanged mock expressions of exasperation, although they were pleased that the women, who had tended so many infants, were so obviously taken with their most recent charges. And then first Ferdia and then Fergus smiled, winning the hearts of the women as well as their approval, and another chorus of ahhhs rose to the rafters.
Some hours later Cathbad, feeling rested and refreshed, left the fortress and wandered into a sacred oak grove not far from Emain Macha. Such groves were the natural cathedrals in which the great druids communed with nature gaining the strength and insight that would enable them to instruct and guide their people. There, in the quiet and solitude of the forest, Cathbad sat on a large rock, closed his eyes and seemed to enter into a trance. For several hours he sat without moving and if anyone had happened across the druid in this state, they might have assumed that his spirit had left his body.
It was nearly dark when Cathbad finally opened his eyes. Slowly he turned his head to the right and left, stretched his arms, and pushed himself to his feet. The combination of the bone-jarring ride and the extended period of motionless meditation left the old man stiff and sore. As he moved awkwardly through the forest he muttered to himself, “I am getting entirely too old for this nonsense.”
His mind refreshed by his solitude, Cathbad returned to the hill fortress to meet with the king and his advisors. After Cathbad announced his intention, runners were sent out to gather as many nobles as were available on such short notice. When the meeting convened a short time later in the great hall, nearly all of the wise men and women of Conchubar’s court, including Sencha, his chief advisor, Amerigan the poet and Morann the chief judge, were present. Also included were several champions, Red Branch Knights, pledged to protect Emain Macha and Ulster, an assortment of druids and druids in training as well as older people who were valued for their wisdom. Many other subjects who had not been invited to the conference gathered outside in the courtyard waiting whatever proclamations might come from the meeting. When everyone took their place Cathbad made his appearance to the greetings of all present.
Conchubar opened the proceedings by stating, “I have gathered you here this evening to discuss a matter of grave importance. As you know, our greatest champion, my sister’s son Cúchulainn has been treacherously slain and his wife, Emer, has died of a broken heart. While we mourn these tragic losses, the life cycle continues as Emer has given us Cúchulainn’s sons, Fergus and Ferdia, who are now orphans.”
The king paused, coughed into a cloth that he held in his left hand and took a drink from a goblet at his side. Meanwhile the murmuring among those gathered announced that the presence of an heir to the great Cúchulainn was still very much a surprise to many of the advisors. After a few seconds, Conchubar took a deep breath and continued. “Under normal circumstances there would be no question as to the fosterage of such children. I fostered these boys’ father and hundreds of other young men who subsequently served Ulster with courage and dignity, the greatest of whom have become Red Branch Knights. I have little doubt that Cúchulainn’s children are destined for great things and there is nothing I would rather do than foster these children.”
When he again caught his breath, he spoke in a quiet voice, “Unfortunately, my time on this earth has almost run its course and I sincerely doubt that I will see the children’s second year, never mind their twentieth year. For some weeks now, I have heard the voices calling for me and while once they were distant echoes, each day the voices grow stronger and more impatient.”
Again he paused and this time shouts were heard from the back of the hall, “No… no… Conchubar will live a thousand years.”
The king raised his hand to quiet the group and then he continued, “I have no fear of the next life. I have lived a full life and I am tired. It is nearly time for me to go and none of you should begrudge me the right to die in peace and dignity. However, this conference is not about me or my impending death, rather it is about two lives, new lives, the lives of my grandnephews Fergus and Ferdia. I will not be here to see them become men but a decision must be made by those who might. I have invited all of you to listen to what Cathbad has to say, consider this matter carefully and give whatever counsel and advice you may consider important.”
With that, Conchubar slumped into his chair; quite clearly the old and tired man he professed himself to be. Taking yet another drink from the goblet, he turned to his father extending his hand to pass on the proceedings to the chief druid.
Cathbad acknowledged the gesture with a small bow and addressed the gathering. “Well my young son,” he began with a smile, “if you think you are old consider that I was old when you were born.”
The statement brought an uneasy laugh from the gathering and even Conchubar was forced to smile. “Perhaps,” he remar
ked, “if I had spent more time communing with nature and less time trying to avoid having my head lopped off, I would be left to face my later years in a bit healthier state.”
This brought a more robust laugh from those gathered who, in better times, had become accustomed to the exchange of witticisms between father and son.
Cathbad, himself leaned his head back and laughed heartily before he continued, “No truer words were ever spoken and I do know that neither of us are what we once were. I would never question that you have heard the voices because that is personal to every one of us. I too, have heard the voices for some years now but so far, they remain distant. I know that while I, and indeed all of us, am eternal in one respect, that eternity will not be experienced forever on the plain that we now share. The day will soon come when my soul will also leave my body and I will not be here to see my daughter’s grandsons reach the fullness of age.”
Cathbad continued, “My king, however, has spoken the truth when he said that we are not here to consider the end of one, or even two lives on earth. That is a matter for some future gathering. As for Cúchulainn’s sons, I have held Fergus and Ferdia in my hands and I have not only looked into their eyes but I have done everything in my power to discover their future destinies so that we might properly determine our present course. I will relate what I have seen and perhaps our combined wisdom will discern what it means.”
Cathbad paused for a moment and those present held their breath awaiting the next words.
“I am sorry to say,” the druid began, “that only parts of my vision are clear and even some of those visions defy my attempts at interpretation. I present them at this gathering in the hope that together we can determine the appropriate path.”
Those gathered in the room looked at each other in amazement. This was certainly a departure from what they had come to expect from their chief druid. In all the years he had counseled them, his words were spoken with confidence and they never doubted the wisdom, or indeed truth of his predictions or advice. In fact, much of the younger druids’ and druidess’ knowledge had been acquired at Cathbad’s knee because he was the teacher as well as the practitioner. Now, for the only time in any of their memories, Cathbad was admitting before the entire assembly, that his vision was unclear. Perhaps he was getting old and nearing the end of his life on earth, but in deference to all that he meant to them, those present listened carefully hoping that they would have the right vision that, surprisingly, their teacher could not see.
Cathbad understood the confusion his revelation caused but he also knew that to assert a course about which he was not certain would not be honorable and might even result in the death of Fergus and Ferdia. It was better that the gathering thought him less a druid than he bring dishonor to himself or his profession after so many decades of seeking the truth.
Raising his hand for silence, Cathbad surveyed the gathering for a moment and then began. “First and most importantly, let there be no doubt but that I have seen greatness in the eyes of our youngest champions Fergus and Ferdia sons of Cúchulainn. They will live the lives of champions as befits their blood lineage and in the fullness of time, like their great father before them, Fergus and Ferdia will acquire a status, legendary among men and among all the generations that follow. These things I see as clearly as any vision the gift of sight has ever bestowed upon me.”
The gathering responded with an appreciative sigh of relief. Cathbad raised his hand and once more the room again fell into silence as he continued.
“Perhaps that is enough. Perhaps one should be satisfied in knowing that these young children will be blessed with extraordinary powers, but what of their destinies? It is here that my sight grows confusing. I do not see blue sky and green grass rather I see black skies and a grey firmament. I do not see horses, swords and chariots but strange beasts that whine and rumble. I do not see mountains and fields and forests but peculiar man-made structures of every size and configuration, rising into the sky. I do not recognize this place and I do not recognize anyone who occupies this place where I have no doubt that young Ferdia and, perhaps Fergus as well will be crowned in glory.”
The room fell silent as everyone considered what had been said. Finally an elderly druid spoke, “My friend, Cathbad, is there anything in your vision that you do recognize which might help to clarify the vision?”
Cathbad replied, “In truth, I do see a hurley and ball but I see them in the hands of a young man, perhaps Ferdia or Fergus, so I do not know whether they will become part of one or both of their legends. Perhaps they are mere reminders of the twin’s legacy.”
The other druid then asked, “You have said that you don’t see anyone you recognize. Do you see any other druids with whom we might communicate?”
“No,” Cathbad responded, “I see no druids or any other person with whom I might even consider communicating. The people in my vision are strangers with strange dress, strange manners and a strange language. I have never heard or seen the likes of them and as you would well know, I have seen many things in my life.”
The room again fell silent as everyone thought about the answer. After a time, a young druidess timidly rose to speak. “I am sorry if what I have to say may seem silly as I have only recently completed my training, however as I have been invited here, perhaps I might say something.”
“Of course,” Cathbad replied with a smile.
“It seems to me,” the young woman said, “that Fergus and Ferdia are to become great champions however perhaps they will achieve their destiny in a land that is far away from Ireland.”
“You have spoken wisely,” Cathbad responded. “I too have considered the possibility of another land. Perhaps all of the strange things I have seen are not to be taken literally but only represent a culture and society that is totally alien to our own. On the other hand, there are many ways to reflect a foreign land but this vision was so strange and unbelievable that I questioned the possibility that their destinies lay in another land. After all, despite my travels and meetings with people from all over the world, I have never met anyone who has described a land that remotely resembles the land and people of my vision. Despite this, you may well be correct, but that is what is entirely unclear to me.”
Prompted by the reception received for the young druidess’ suggestion another druid rose to speak. “Father Cathbad, perhaps rather than another land, the twin’s destinies are to found in another world. Perhaps there is a world that none of us have ever seen that has been shown to you in your vision.”
Cathbad pondered the young man’s observation, “Once again, thank you for your comment. I will not say you are wrong, because I do not know. I too have considered the possibility of another world. We know that Cúchulainn was conceived in the land of our ancestors the Tuatha Dé Danann far below the earth. The boys’ grandfather is Lugh of the Long Hand, so called because he was a great king whose hand was always extended to help his people. It was Lugh who took his people into a kingdom beneath the earth when the Milesians overcame them many decades ago. It does follow that the sky beneath the earth is black, the firmament grey and perhaps the Tuatha Dé Danann still enjoy hurling. All of that might suggest that the destiny of this child is to be found in Tuatha Dé Danann or some similar world about which we know nothing.”
“However, although none of us have seen this world, legends do not suggest that there is anything strange or peculiar about these people, at least not to the extent of those I have seen in my vision. After all, the people of Dana were once like us and there are those among us, including these children, who are direct descendants of these people. What you say, however, is not without merit and once again, I must admit that I just do not know.”
Over the next several hours many of those gathered rose to offer their opinions and suggestions, all of which were respectfully received by Cathbad and the other wise people gathered in the hall. It was nearly dawn when Morann, the chief judge rose from his seat and announced, “We have spent the
night discussing Cathbad’s vision and we are no nearer to an answer than we were when we began this discussion. Perhaps Cathbad might suggest some course of action to test these theories. It has taken great courage for Cathbad to state that his vision is not clear and each of you has assisted in whatever manner you thought appropriate. Surely neither Cathbad nor any of us can be faulted if, after all of this, the wrong course of action is chosen.”
“As befits your station Morann, you have spoken wisely,” Cathbad responded. “We should all retire and consider what has been said. I will also retire and in the morning I will once again seek the wisdom of the universe. When we reconvene in the evening, I will announce the course I intend to take and unless all of you believe it to be improper, I will proceed.”
The plan met with general agreement and everyone retired for the remainder of the night. There was no sleep for Cathbad, however, and he knew the decision he must make would be the most difficult of his long and distinguished career.
The great druid walked silently into the nursery where Fergus and Ferdia lay together in a double crib and looked in on his great-grandsons. Mairéad, who had apparently not delayed in travelling to Emain Macha and asserting her position as the primary guardian of the children, rose and greeted him.
“Thank you for your diligence, old sister, Cathbad said.
Mairéad bowed her head and replied, “It is not only my destiny but also my privilege. The children are well.”
The little fellows were indeed sleeping peacefully and Cathbad uttered a silent prayer that whatever decision he made would be correct. Most of all, however, he prayed that his decision would not harm the only surviving sons of the great Cúchulainn. Just as he was about to leave, Cathbad took one last look at the boys who chose that moment to simultaneously open their big blue eyes. Fergus and Ferdia looked up at the old man and both smiled.
The Legends Page 4