Rundimahair: A new hero for a new adventure

by Larry Forkner

  “I have, and It’s not too surprising to find that his troubled mother is descended from our lineage.”

  Fergus and Eamon spoke almost in tandem, saying, “Why did ye not tell us?”

  “I’ve only just learned the truth an hour before the meeting started,” she said. “I wasn’t sure you wanted to share it with the entire council just yet, so I thought I’d tell you two in private.”

  “Do you know where she joins with us then?” Eamon asked.

  “She left our people at least a thousand years before we fled to the Oregon Coast. Her name was Orlagh. “I’ve not had time to read all of her family history here, but it was said that she was always fascinated with the human world. She disappeared without a trace one night and was never heard from again.”

  “How can you be so sure Sean is related to her?” Fergus asked.

  Ashling appeared to be a bit embarrassed and hesitated before finally saying, “I borrowed a bit of Sean’s DNA and put my gifts to good use in searching his family tree.”

  Fergus looked troubled for a few moments, before he finally said, “I approve of this risky and highly unorthodox approach to finding the answers we seek. I also realize that only you can find the answers we desperately search for. Be all that as it may, lovely Ashling, you’ll be asking my permission before trying a stunt like that in the future. Am I making myself clear?”

  For one of the few times in their long friendship, Ashling read disappointment in Fergus’ eyes. She stepped in and hugged him close as she said, “Aye, clear and true, my dear, Fergus.” She stepped back, but kept a firm grip on his hands, as she added, “I swear on the blood of me ancestors, it will never happen again.”

  “See that it doesn’t, young lass,” Fergus said, as he slowly smiled. “Pursue your search with all haste and keep Eamon and I informed. The three of us will discuss when and what to share with the entire council once we have more answers.”

  “That I will, Fergus. I should be able to find answers quickly enough, since one or more in Orlagh’s family line must have been extraordinarily powerful to produce a wizard like Sean.”

  Chapter Ten

  The test of the heart is trouble and it always comes with years.

  And the smile that is worth the praises of earth

  Is the smile that shines through the tears.

  ~ Old Irish Saying ~

  Ashling was searching in earnest for the origins of the woman named Orlagh. She was convinced that the mystery woman had to be Sean’s ancient ancestor. While tracing Orlagh’s life story, she became increasing entranced by all she found. As the days passed, it almost become an obsession.

  After working through a full weekend, Ashling was interrupted by Eamon standing at the open door to her office.

  “I’d have sworn that door was closed and locked,” Ashling said, when Eamon stepped into the room.

  “Locked doors have never been much of a hindrance to your dear old Da’,” Eamon said, smiling.

  “True enough, but your darlin’ daughter is trying to get something done–hence the locked door,” Ashling said, trying to hide her annoyance.

  “I can see you’re working your fingers to the bone on that computer,” Eamon said. “In truth, that’s why I’m standing here.”

  “To watch me work?” Ashling said, without looking up.

  “To encourage you to cease and desist for the night is more what I had in mind.”

  Ashling sighed heavily and stopped typing, as she said, “Was it not you and Fergus who gave me the directive to seek out Orlagh’s history with all haste?”

  “Aye, so we did, and you know as well as I do that we didn’t mean working ‘round the clock without a rest,” Eamon said firmly.

  Ashling heard the tone change in her Da’s voice and understood it would do no good to argue further. “Very well, I’ll stop after one more hour.”

  “It’s past midnight and you’ll stop now,” Eamon said.

  She’d never enjoyed having someone give her orders–even if he was her Da’. “I’ve not been a child for many long years, Father. I’ll go to bed when I’m good and ready.”

  “You’re right in thinking I shouldn’t order you about as your father, and I’ve no intention of doing so,” Eamon said calmly.”

  “So you say, but isn’t that what you just did?” Ashling said with growing irritation.

  “Nothing of the kind, dear girl. I ordered you to cease and desist as your direct superior on the council.”

  Ashling glared at him for several long moments, while she tried to think of a way around his order. All the while he was waiting patiently with a slight smile fixed in place. She finally gave up and rolled her eyes as she shut down the computer.

  “Thank you, dear girl,” he said softly, as she stood and walked toward him.

  “Don’t be complaining to me when the descendants of Danu crash through our shields because my Da’ sent me off to bed before I could find the answers we need!” she said testily, as she tried to step around him.”

  Eamon grabbed her arm firmly and pulled her back to him. He looked her in the eye for several moments without speaking, while he struggled to control his own temper. Finally, he said, “You’ll see things more clearly after a good night’s rest, dear Ashling.

  “So you say,” she replied petulantly.

  “Not only are you the spittin’ image of your saintly mother, you also inherited her fiery temper,” Eamon said, smiling kindly. “Still and all, I wouldn’t change a thing about you, even if I could. I loved your dear mother, fierce temper and all. I love you too–all the more so because you’re the only child we were blessed with.”

  Ashling wanted to stay angry, but when she saw the tears in his eyes, her anger melted away. She embraced her father and said, “It’s true that I’ve always been grateful to be so much like Mom, but to tell it true, I could have done without inheriting her fiery temper.”

  “It helps keep you humble and, we all know you have very few things to feel humble about,” Eamon said, chuckling.

  She stepped back, looking into his warm eyes. Finally, she leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. “No wonder Mom married you, Da’. You’re as full of the blarney as Sean is–maybe more so!”

  “I think by the time he’s my age, he’ll be known far and wide as the king of all blarney,” Eamon said, smiling. “Off to bed now, me darlin’.”

  Ashling began falling asleep as soon as she climbed under her covers. She had been burning the midnight oil for too many days in a row, and her mind and body desperately needed the rest.

  She’d been putting in even longer hours since Sean had gone back to Portland a few days ago. It had been her idea to have him spend some time at work, while she was busy researching his family tree. It would keep anyone at his job from wondering where he was. Even though time worked more slowly in Rundimahair, Sean would need to spend some time at his home and work in Portland.

  The truth was, she was missing him a great deal more than she could have imagined. Her long hours of work helped pass the time until he returned. She struggled against the notion that she needed Sean in her life, but she could no longer deny that she was developing strong feelings for him. Ashling kept telling herself it wasn’t a good idea to become too attached to him, but so far her heart was ignoring her warnings.

  She drifted off to sleep, wishing Sean would be there when she came down for breakfast in the morning. Her thoughts of Sean gradually shifted to the search for his ancestors, while she fell into a deep, dream-filled sleep. In her vivid dreams, Orlagh’s story began to come to life.

  * * *

  Orlagh had lived in ancient Ireland nearly two-thousand years ago. Her people were descended from the Sidhe, an angelic race sent to earth to assist, guide and comfort humans through the challenges they would surely face due to their mortality.

  For thousands of years, the Sidhe lived peacefully in the mountains of Ireland. Because of their nature as immortal beings, the Sidhe were not visible to humans un
less they wished to be seen.

  Their home was in the high peaks of Mt. Carrauntoohil, the highest peak in all of Ireland. The entrance to their city was under the calm waters of what is today known as Devil’s Spy Glass lake. It was impossible for mortals to locate the entrance since it was ten feet underwater and protected by powerful enchantments. The Sidhe also had a variety of magical shields which frightened away any local citizens who might venture too near the lake.

  The Sidhe were experts in the use of what mortals came to call white magic. They used their powers to benefit mankind, helping them develop skills and invent tools, which allowed them to progress as a society. They also taught mortals that living as families was the surest road to happiness.

  Though the Sidhe remained invisible to mortals, they often walked among them. While mortals slept, their immortal guides would plant thoughts and ideas in their minds. Often the idea had to be planted several times before it took root and began to grow. Many of the great inventions of mankind grew from suggestions the Sidhe planted in human minds.

  During the days of Orlagh’s youth, there began to be a division amongst the Sidhe. A mighty man among the Sidhe—named Donal—revolted against traditions the Sidhe had lived by for thousands of years. He was tall, agile, and well-muscled, as well as exceptionally handsome. Donal had also been blessed with the gift of eloquent, persuasive speech.

  Donal, who was a direct descendant of Danu, used his gifts to draw some of the Sidhe to him. He began a campaign to make himself leader of the Sidhe. His secret ambition was to replace their current leader, Faolan.

  Many of the Sidhe were distantly related to Danu since she had been a part of the Sidhe in ancient days. While a few were aware of Donal’s kinship to Danu, most were unaware of how pure the blood line was. That bloodline gave him the same desire to rule over the Sidhe as Danu once had.

  In the beginning, he kept his ambition to overthrow Faolan secret from others, because he knew that Faolan was beloved above all others by the Sidhe. He had been their leader since the very beginning and taught harmony and love for each other as guiding principles. Because of Faolan, the Sidhe had lived in harmony and stayed true to their calling as spiritual guides to the human race.

  As time passed, Donal secretly convinced more of the Sidhe to follow him. He taught them that they were never meant to be servants of mankind. Donal’s goal was to rule over humans and establish himself as king of the Sidhe.

  Contention grew among the Sidhe, and many were misled by Donal’s flattering words and promises of great power. He assured his followers that they were meant to be great leaders who would force the human race to serve them and obey their every command. He promised his followers that this would be for mankind’s greater good, since the humans would be forced to obey the laws which Faolan had given.

  Those who remained loyal to Faolan informed him of Donal’s subtle treachery. For the good of the Sidhe, and mankind, Faolan removed Donal from the leadership council and forbade him from preaching against the council’s teachings.

  While he pretended to abide by Faolan’s ruling, Donal secretly gathered his followers and revolted against Faolan’s leadership. It was a terrible battle that was unlike anything the Sidhe had ever experienced.

  The bitter, brutal rebellion lasted for many years. Eventually, Donal and his followers were defeated and cast out into the mortal world. While they were free to roam amongst the humans, they soon realized that they could not take the life of a human, nor could they rule over them.

  From that day forward, Donal made it his mission to cause as much misery and sorrow as possible among mortals. His passion was to persuade them to ignore the teachings of Faolan and think only of their own power and wealth.

  The followers of Donal persuaded mankind to think only of their desires and pleasures, while the Sidhe sought to persuade them to love one another and work hard for the common good. This great battle for the souls of mankind continues to this day.

  While Donal, Faolan, and their followers were immortal, they were all eventually called back home to their Creator. Whether that was a joyous day depended upon whom they chose to follow.

  Fergus and Eamon, along with all residents of Rundimahair, were direct descendants of Faolan. Like their ancestors, they were here to persuade mankind to live up to their great potential.

  Donal’s ancestors strove to cause wars and acrimony amongst humans. Their goal continued to be the destruction of the Sidhe and domination over humans.

  Eventually, Ashling’s dream followed the path of Orlagh’s ancestors, who were among Donal’s posterity. Orlagh was a direct descendent of Donal but had conflicted feelings about the darkness of her ancestor’s teachings.

  As time passed, she chose to live among the humans. She had always been drawn to mankind and eventually met a good man, who was a leader among mankind.

  They lived in the human world together as man and wife until he died at eighty-eight. Soon after, Orlagh was called home to be judged by the Creator of us all.

  She had lived a good life, having rejected the teachings of her ancestor, Donal. Her descendants had great hope that she would be viewed kindly on her judgement day.

  Among her descendants was a beautiful woman named Kerry. All her days, Kerry struggled to decide where she belonged. She lived among the humans, but the blood of her ancestor, Donal, called to her. Eventually, she chose another descendant of Donal as her husband, and they had three children.

  Ultimately, her husband left her because of her reluctance to completely embrace the teachings of Donal. Her children would face the same struggle. Some chose to follow Faolan’s teachings, and others let the darkness of Donal’s example be their guiding star.

  That battle between darkness and light raged in the heart of Sean’s mother, causing her much sorrow and pain. Although she had the blood of Donal and Faolan running through her veins, she eventually let the darkness destroy her life.

  She abandoned her son, Sean, to the mortal world, and was never heard from again. Having mixed blood running through her veins eventually drove her mad. She took her own mortal life through a drug overdose in her thirty-sixth year. Her spiritual being lived on and returned home to the waiting arms of her Creator.

  * * *

  Ashling awoke early the next morning, feeling weary and sad. While she’d slept the night through, the troubling dream didn’t allow for a deep, refreshing sleep. She now had the answers to Sean’s family history, but she felt sorrow over his mother’s troubled life.

  While she showered and dressed for the day, Ashling wondered how she could explain her dream and Sean’s mother’s sad life story. Even though Sean could guess that her history would not be a happy one, it would still be difficult to be faced with the truth. Anyway one tried to justify it, there was no way around the fact that his own mother had abandoned him.

  Ashling told her Da about her dream, without going into too many details. They decided to invite Fergus to their home for lunch to discuss it further. After going over the basic history of Orlagh’s life, and her ancestors, they discussed their best course of action.

  “It’s a great blessing to have among us a dear girl who has the gift of dream sight,” Fergus said, between bites of dessert. “If you throw in that she can also cook like the Creator’s own personal chef; well, it hardly seems fair to the rest of womankind,” he added with a charming grin.

  “Aye, she’s got her sainted mother’s gift for creating heavenly culinary delights,” Eamon said.

  “How is it you’ve maintained your boyish figure all these years, with this type of cookin’ in the house?” Fergus asked.

  “I’m sure I don’t know, since I eat like a starving grizzly bear most of the time,” Eamon said with a smile.

  “That he does,” Ashling said, as she touched her father’s hand. “The only man I’ve ever met who could eat like Da’ is Sean. He can put away a month’s worth of groceries in a single meal, so he can.”

  “Now I’m two times
jealous, since Sean is as fit as a fiddle too,” Fergus said.

  “Look who’s talkin’,” Eamon said. “Yourself is as skinny as a lamppost.”

  “Maybe so, but I must watch what I eat, to stay in fighting shape,” Fergus said, laughing.

  I can see that is true,” Eamon said in a teasing tone. “You’ve kept a close eye on both of your helpings of my dear Ashling’s strawberry cheesecake, so you have.”

  They all shared a laugh together, enjoying Eamon’s quick wit. When the laughter died down, Fergus said, “Thanks again for the very fine meal, dear Ashling. As much as it pains me to say so, I suppose we’ve put off talking about your amazing dream as long as we should. I know you’ve told us the basics of what you saw. Will you be kind enough now to give it to us in fine detail?”

  Ashling nodded her agreement and proceeded to explain her fascinating dream in great detail. Both men listened carefully, only occasionally interrupting to request clarification. When she finished her story, all three of them sat back and sipped their tea.

  “Tis a sad story to have to share with Sean,” Eamon finally said. “No young fellow should ever have to hear his own mother left him on someone’s doorstep, so to speak.”

  Fergus nodded his head and said, “Aye, you’ve got the truth of it there. To know your dear mother took her mortal life must feel like the ultimate rejection. In the end, all we can take with us is our hard-earned experience, and the blessed family ties we’ve developed in this life. To have the bond with your own mother lost in this way is a terrible tragedy.”

  “And poor Sean, with no other family ties at all,” Eamon said.

  “Not completely accurate, Da,” Ashling said. “Bill and Eva Stanton may not have been his blood relatives, but they treated him more like their own flesh and blood son than many parents do the children born to them.”