The Legends

by Robert E. Connolly

  The shocked silence of the discovery was soon replaced by amazed pronouncements and in seconds everyone began speaking at once. The conclusion was universally accepted. Undoubtedly Lugh of the Long Hand had taken custody of his grandson, Ferdia son of Cúchulainn and the treasures of the infant’s inheritance.

  As the impact of their discovery became clear, a silence again descended on the group and their attention was redirected to the unconscious form of Cathbad the Druid. One of the lesser druids propped him up; sitting Cathbad against a stone while another prevented his head from lolling to one side or the other. An older woman, skilled in the healing arts examined his head and determined that he was alive but had undoubtedly been knocked unconscious by a blow to the head. She directed that a wet cloth be applied to his forehead and she began to mix a potion from the bag of herbs tied at her waist.

  When she finished preparing the concoction, she mixed it with water and forced some of the mixture into the old druid’s mouth. The remainder was held under his nose. Either the vile taste or the vile smell had the desired effect because almost immediately, Cathbad spat out the liquid and moved his head from side to side to escape the odor.

  In time, the druid blinked, opened his eyes and slowly regained full consciousness. He looked around at the group and quietly spoke. “I have seen Lugh of the Long Hand. He has taken his grandson and discharged us from our duty to the child. He has promised that the child will be placed in good hands and treated in a manner appropriate to his station. Ferdia will be protected for as long as his safety is threatened by those who would seek to do him harm and for as long as he is unable to protect himself. It is finished.”

  With great effort, the old druid was assisted to his feet and was draped with the skin that had once covered Ferdia and the treasures. The remainder of the group quietly gathered their belongings and prepared to return to Emain Macha. After the initial shock of witnessing such an amazing event, it seemed that each person retreated into the silence of his or her own thoughts. All that remained was the musical night sounds of a peaceful spring evening.

  A moment later, however, the stillness of the evening was broken by the grasp of one of the women witnesses. “Mairéad!” she exclaimed.

  All eyes turned to the form of the old woman who slowly sat in the wet grass and then fell on her side before finally lying on her back. Cathbad and the woman who had treated him, rushed over to her side. As they knelt beside Mairéad, she closed her eyes and a smile lit her face.

  “Old Sister,” he said, obviously distressed. “Can you hear me?”

  Mairéad’s eyes fluttered and opened slightly. “Yes my brother, I can hear you. You are speaking loud enough to wake the dead.”

  The remark brought smiles to the faces of the entire group and Cathbad pressed on, “Mairéad, have you hurt yourself? Are you in pain?”

  The old woman continued to smile as she replied, “No, I am not in pain. It is just that my light is growing dim and I am being called from this life.”

  Cathbad put his hand on the old woman’s cheek and with tears running down his own face said, “I am sorry I agreed to your joining this journey. Certainly it was too much for you. What have I done?”

  “Hush, my friend,” Mairéad gasped. “This was my destiny and this is the only way my life on this earth could have ended. I knew when I held that child for the first time that our destinies were bound to each other and so it is proper that we depart this world together. I have no fear of the next world; perhaps I will see Ferdia again. Know this, my brother, I am at peace.”

  With that Mairéad closed her eyes for the last time.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  In a blink of young Ferdia’s eyes, the granite crib and chest of treasures were transported to the land of the Tuatha Dé Danann far beneath the surface of the earth. They settled on a table in the middle of a great field where scores of people gathered. A moment later, the cloth covering the crib was drawn back and child found himself staring into at least six pairs of amazed eyes leaning over his bed. After taking in the scene, Ferdia smiled and let out a gurgle of delight. This broke the silence of the moment and everyone began to smile and laugh.

  One pair of eyes remained fixed on the child and a moment later Ferdia found himself being lifted into the air by a tall and powerful man. The stranger had two long blonde moustaches flowing from each side of his upper lip and down over his mouth to where they joined his beard which was groomed well down onto his chest. The man’s nose was long and pointed, his eyes, not unlike Ferdia’s own, were large and blue and he was dressed in a purple robe trimmed with gold.

  “This child my friends,” announced a smiling Lugh of the Long Hand, “is my grandson!”

  As so it was that Ferdia, Son of Cúchulainn and Grandson of Lugh of the Long Hand came to reside with the Tuatha Dé Danann. These people of the goddess Dana were a cultured and highly civilized race. They were extraordinarily skilled in all measure of arts and crafts specifically including magic and the black arts. So great was their power that subsequent races and peoples who inhabited the earth’s surface regarded them as gods and goddesses.

  The Tuatha Dé Danann conquered Ireland well over a thousand years before the birth of Christ. Unlike other conquerors, the Tuatha Dé Danann did not sail to the coast of the country, armed and ready for battle. Rather they arrived in what seemed to be a dark cloud sailing through the air and they landed on a mountain in Connemara. When they blacked out the sun for three days the Firbolgs, who controlled the country at that time had no choice but to fight. A great and famous battle determined the fate of the Firbolgs who fought bravely for four days but in the end, were no match for the magic and skills of the Dé Danann. The Tuatha Dé Danann ruled Ireland for many decades controlling lesser mortals with their amazing power. However, they also shared some of their secret crafts, including the ability to refine metals like bronze and gold, and they introduced science and poetry to the people they ruled.

  The Tuatha Dé Danann were regarded as kindly and beneficent rulers and some of the people of Dana even married or had children by lesser mortals. This practice caused a great deal of debate among the elders of the Dé Danann and it ultimately led to the end of their rule in Ireland. These elders were justifiably concerned that if the people intermarried with lesser mortals all of their secrets would be disclosed and they would lose their identity. As a result they would have no power over subsequent invaders.

  In time other races, including the Milesians, threatened to conquer Ireland and the Tuatha Dé Danann made a remarkable decision. After a great conference at which everyone had an opportunity to be heard, the majority of the Dé Danann’s adult population decided to withdraw from the human race and create their own world deep under the crust of the earth. This move would ensure that the Dé Danann blood would remain pure and that the secrets of their power would not fall into the hands of people who might misuse these gifts.

  A large number of the Dé Danann chose not to withdraw from the surface of the earth and so remained behind. Some had established relationships with other peoples and did not want to leave their husbands, wives or children behind. Others with children believed that regardless of their probable status as a conquered people and no longer the ruling class, the best interests of their children lay in the sunshine and fresh air of the Irish countryside. Still others had grown to accept the cycle of life as is unfolded on the earth’s surface and were content with birth, life, aging and death.

  When the Milesians ultimately invaded Ireland, the Tuatha Dé Danann who remained above on the surface of the earth offered only a token resistance against the invasion and were defeated. In time they mixed their blood with that of the Firbolgs, Milesians and subsequent invaders of Ireland. Thousands of years later, traces of that Dé Danann blood are still reflected in the poetic and artistic nature of the Irish people.

  The Milesians, who were the forefathers of the Celtic race, conquered Ireland rather easily because the most of the Dé Danann had re
treated into a world where they could perfect and practice their arts and skills in peace and security. That world has been the subject of innumerable myths and legends, which became part of the Irish tradition, and they are still discussed three thousand years later. In these Irish legends the world to which the Dé Danann descended became known as the “Land of Youth” or “Tir na nÓg,” a peaceful and beautiful place with no sickness or death where the people were always happy and time stands still. Even in modern times legends about the leprechauns or “little people” are associated with this remarkable race. In truth, the world created by the Tuatha Dé Danann was not significantly different than the one described in myths and legends.

  Quite apart from building an alternative world, perhaps the greatest skill the Tuatha Dé Danann perfected was the ability to slow the passage of time almost to a standstill. A second of human time became many hours beneath the earth and an hour became years and as a result the people of Dana effectively became immortal. The population of this alternative world remained static because although few died, no one was born. The cycle of life was frozen in time and there was no sickness or death.

  In the decades that followed their descent, the Dé Danann built their own world increasingly isolating themselves from the human race on the surface of the earth. Occasionally, particularly in the early days after the Milesians took control of Ireland, some of the Dé Danann, still interacted with the surface people.

  The reason for this interaction was that the Dé Danann had a great deal of respect and affection for the race they had abandoned. Because of marriages while they were still above ground, many of those who lived on the surface of the earth were, in part, people of Dana and were related to those who chose the land of eternal youth. Cathbad the Druid’s remarkable skill, for example, could be traced to his royal blood. The Tuatha Dé Danann also believed that an occasional infusion of their own blood would further ensure the survival of these lesser mortals. Thus, Lugh of the Long Hand sired Cúchulainn. In time, this connection became more and more remote, particularly because generations changed so quickly on the surface of the earth. In time, the Tuatha Dé Danann rarely appeared above ground.

  The world into which Ferdia was delivered appeared remarkably similar to the one from which he came. Looking around anyone would have sworn that he or she was out of doors rather than in an incredibly massive cavern. The only apparent difference was that what appeared to be the sky was not blue but, rather, a dark shade of grey, not unlike a rainy day above ground. That sky seemed to be a long way off but, of course, that was an optical illusion created by the Dé Danann. Although the roof of the cavern was a great distance from the floor it was patently not as endless as the sky. Like the sky above them, the world the Tuatha Dé Danann created was a remarkable collection of illusion, science, metallurgy, mechanics and magic.

  The Tuatha Dé Danann enjoyed daylight during waking hours, just as they had when they were above the ground, thanks to an intricate series of glass and mirrors that stored, reflected and magnified light. This light, and heat, was solar in origin and entered the cavern from any number of minute openings to the world above. Because time passed more slowly under the earth, solar light was stored and then displayed to reflect the passing of days and nights under ground. The same was true with air that entered the underworld. Ireland was and is covered with rocks and mounds of rocks many of which protect vents into the land of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Even today, as these rocks are taken away by humans, who are concerned with tillage or developing a nice garden, other rocks are pushed up to take their place.

  And, of course, there are hundreds of what are known to surface residents as “Fairy Forts” sprinkled across the Irish Countryside. It is said that to interfere with these fairy forts will bring great misfortune. The reason, quite simply, is that these mounds are not forts at all but are portals or suterrains into the land of the Tuatha Dé Danann and to interfere with these portals would threaten the existence of the people of Dana. To protect themselves the Dé Danann employ their black magic against those who would threaten their existence by tampering with their fairy forts.

  With air and light, cleverly harvested from above the ground, and water from underground lakes and streams, the Tuatha Dé Danann were able to grow crops and raise livestock necessary to sustain their lives. When not threatened by the intrusions of the race above ground, they live a highly cultured existence in peace and harmony. They work to live but always appreciate the arts, poetry, music and dance. Numerous occasions were marked by grand celebrations of culture or “Feis Ceoils” at which, in addition to music and dance, great quantities of food and drink were consumed because without question the people of Dana had not lost the great art of fermentation.

  The sudden presence of Ferdia was hardly an intrusion because he was not a threat to the people. Ferdia had been invited into the underworld by no less than Lugh of the Long Hand. The infant was slowly passed from one person to the next as each marveled at his perfect form and remarkable good nature. Even by Dé Danann time passage it had been a long time since many of the people had even seen an infant, never mind holding him in their arms. One might have thought that the presence of this child could cause Dana’s people to regret what they lost when they entered their new world, but that was not the way of the people. Rather, they celebrated what that had and did not regret what they had lost. The presence of this child was most certainly a cause for celebration.

  Lugh ordered that a Feis Ceoil be organized and immediately scores of people proceeded to their designated tasks. Lugh reclaimed the child and looking into his bright blue eyes said “Now what am I going to do with you?”

  An old woman named Muroad stepped forward and gently chastised the great Lugh. “What are you like? Of course you haven’t a clue about such a tiny one, even though he is your grandson. I will tend the child and you can preside over the celebrations.”

  Lugh looked at the woman with a wry smile, “And how long has it been since you held a wee child?”

  Muroad reached out and took the child, “Will you go away out of that? Sure didn’t I tend you when you were about this size? Some things are just not forgotten.”

  Lugh put his hand up in mock surrender, “But of course dear Muroad. I wouldn’t doubt your skills even for a second.”

  With that the old woman took the child away to be cleaned and fed and Lugh turned his attention to the Feis. At his direction great quantities of food and drink were prepared and laid out, and the musicians were organized to play in shifts so that the music would never stop. A massive tent was erected, not so much to protect the celebrants from the elements, which were never a problem, but to ensure that the party did not wander from place to place. Long tables were set to hold the feast and other tables were arranged around the perimeter of the great tent for drinking, dining and resting. The tent was extravagantly decorated with flags, banners and bunting adding an amazing array of color. Finally the solar light store was opened so that there would be no darkness while the celebration was in full swing.

  When all the preparations were finalized and the musicians, instruments tuned, took their places, Lugh took his grandson to the head of the tent and holding Ferdia high, announced in a loud voice. “This is my grandson Ferdia who I have vowed to protect from the forces of evil which occupy the upper world. This child represents the continuation of our race and culture and so we celebrate his birth, his life and his presence among us. I declare that this Feis Ceoil be opened.”

  With the pronouncement the crowd roared, the music began, the drink began to flow, and the party began. Although time passing was difficult to determine, because there was no darkness to divide days and nights, the Feis unquestionably continued for many Tuatha Dé Danann days. Each person who attended demanded his or her opportunity to present their own tribute to Ferdia, be it in song or story, poem, recital or dance and the sheer number of participants ensured a long and memorable Feis Ceoil. No one needed any urging to take the stage and presen
t their performance because in a world where life was celebrated frequently, every person’s efforts were sincerely appreciated. Between presentations the music and dancing never stopped and the food and refreshments were never allowed to run low. Occasionally someone, particularly an older person, might slip off for a bit of sleep but they soon returned delighted that the Feis was still in full swing.

  Ferdia and his grandfather were in constant attendance. The infant was usually found in the arms of Muroad who held him so that he could see the proceedings. She was relieved occasionally by Lugh himself who proudly described the festivities to his grandson and introduced the child to everyone who came forward with a tribute. Although he occasionally napped, particularly after he was fed, Ferdia seemed completely attentive to everything that transpired before him. Just as had been the case when he was in the great hall of Conchubar, the Dé Danann found it amazing that such a small infant would seemingly appreciate and understand the strange world around him.

  Eventually, after everyone paid his or her tribute to the guest of honor the Feis began to wind down. When it was all over the entire people agreed that this was a party that would be well remembered, and itself celebrated, among the Tuatha Dé Danann for a long, long time. As the panels of the solar store were closed, the light in the underworld dimmed and the people, exhausted from their extended celebration, slept deep and untroubled for a long time. Ferdia, adapting completely to his new environment, also slept peacefully in the watchful presence of Muroad.

  When dawn in the underworld finally broke the people of Dana came to life and returned to their normal daily tasks. The name Ferdia and the magnificent tributes that had been paid to him seemed to be on everyone’s lips, and the little fellow was never short of visitors. Apparently, their experiences during the Feis convinced the people that this infant child, remarkably, could understand what they were saying and each of them had some wisdom or advice to offer to Ferdia. The child appeared to listen intently committing the sounds and sights of the underworld to the recesses of his memory.