Chapter 21 Dead Men Tell...

 

Chapter 21 Dead Men Tell …

In which the court of the Sidhe assembles and in which Lugh delivers a judgement.


After the hours of darkness broke much that was hidden was brought to light.

The enormous black bear turned out to be the Cailleach Beara who, on seeing the Fomorian fleets departure, had made her way by ice and water onto Ireland’s Eye. When she observed the green light of Maedhbh’s magic flashing from the roof of the Tower, she realised that Cúan would be revealed. So the Cailleach,using her druidical powers, had transformed herself into the Great Bear of Bere Island, Ireland’s last remaining bear. Digging her powerful claws into the stonework of the tower she had laboriously scaled the outside to the top where she overcame Maedhbh with one enormous hug.


Once unconscious, Maeve Naughten was placed into a deep magical sleep and carried down to her throne room awaiting her awakening for judgement and sentencing. She was slumped in a throne like chair under the watchful eye of Lugh who sat facing her.


There in the room the body of Manus Cullen was laid out in state on a broad oaken table with two silver helmeted swordsmen of the Sidhe standing guard at the head and the foot of the table. The Cailleach returned to human form. Then she personally had washed and arranged Manus’ body cleansing the blood and softly keening over his loss all the time while doing so. Now she tended to the big fire heating up the room through the night casting sods of turf upon the flames and sat beside it smoking her pipe.


Alex and Carl Cullen were shackled in chains down below to the wall of the cavern with Scátha watching over them to make sure they didn’t escape. She alternated between her wolfhound form and that of the Shadow warrior so they couldn’t tell with the growling from the shadows if a spear or fangs was to be their fate if they attempted to escape.


Mannanán had brought Scuab na Mara the Wavesweeper in to the jetty landed ashore. Then Aoibheann,a bandaged but determined Aoife, Gráinne, Lee, Lochlann and Malachi were brought through to wake the remains of Manus. The two boys were in utter tears after all their adventures with the old man.


Through it all Dermot and Gráinne Cullen sat together holding hands and intimately whispering comfort to each other. Aoibheann and Aoife also sat holding hands as if they wished never to be separated again. Lee had finally got a tobacco pipe off of Mannanán as promised and sat opposite the Cailleach blowing out enormous clouds of tobacco between coughs. Ferdy sat on a bench alone against the wall awaiting the sitting of the Court of Judgement of the Sidhe which was arranged for the dawn.


Cúan wandered over to Ferdy swinging the Gaebolg idly now that it had returned to its hurl form and sat down on the bench beside Ferdy. “I’m glad I didn’t have to kill you Ferdy” he muttered to his friend. “Yeah me too,” replied Ferdy looking very serious, then the slow Ferdy grin grew and he added “I’m halfway through a storybook and I’m dying to see how it turns out.” Cúan gave him a punch on the shoulder playfully and any awkwardness between them evaporated. “Hi Cúan. I’m with Meadhbh now prepare to dye... your hair blond” croaked Ferdy evilly.


Cúan glanced over at Aoife and instantly realised that there was never going to be any romance between him and her. Then he felt ashamed of his surge of jealousy. Aoibheann deserved someone like Aoife in her life, not just someone who had saved her life but someone who could also share it. He wasn’t the most modern kind of thinker, rather he was still at the ‘Lynx’ stage of development. Aoibheann called young hurlers like him the ‘missing Lynx’. Despite all that there was a world of difference between his friendship with Ferdy and the special bond of love growing between the two girls. He wished them well.


Ferdy followed his gaze. “Could be a problem for the Debs if they both have the same dress though.” commented Ferdy, “and who brings the chocolates and flowers?” “It’ll be alright,” said Cúan “they know who they are and that’s all they really need.” “Hey,” said Ferdy, “How about they ask us to go as their dates. Who do you want, Aoife or your sister? Can I have your sister or better still,can I have Aoife? I’m easy but you better have Aoife or people will talk like!” The two girls glanced over at them.Cúan punched Ferdy in the arm really hard. “Shut up about my sister right and shut up about Aoife. Idiot!”


As dawn broke many nobles of the Dedannan began gathering to witness the trial. Noblemen and noblewomen clad in Iron Age clothing stood on the stone flagstone floor about the room. They became hushed when they saw the body of Manus laid out against the Western wall with the two Sidhe swordsmen standing stiffly at port arms with the bare blades resting against their shoulders to honour a fallen comrade in arms. A deeper silence fell over the Assembly when three chairs were placed on a raised area beneath the window facing east. As the sun rose at dawn a rose fingered light probed about the room illuminating and highlighting colour flooding back into the world after the darkness of night.


Cúan looked on in wonder as first Mannanán Mac Lir, Lord of the Sea,now in royal robes and wearing his crown, took the left hand Throne. Next Lugh the God of the Sun took the right hand Throne leaving the centre Throne empty. Cúan looked around to spot the Most Senior Lord of the Sidhe. The crowd parted and then, like some old washerwoman from a comedy book, the Cailleach’s broad black bottom appeared as she dragged a large aluminium tub full of water backwards into the middle of the room before the three thrones. Then to Cúan’s amazement she turned, mounted the dias and sat in the central Throne. Removing her still smoking dúidín she proclaimed, ”Right let’s get this started. The seven hundred and twenty ninth sitting of the Court of the Sidhe is now sitting.”


At once there was a respectful silence and the Cailleach nodded toward Mannanán who stood and spoke out loudly and clearly. “They say that “Dead men tell no tales…” but you see here a dead man, Manus Cullen, a direct descendant of the legendary line of Cúchulainn. This man, his death and how it occurred, has a strange tale to tell us all. It is a tale of honour and of betrayal, of heritage and of heroism, of Love but also of Hate. We, The three Lords of the Sidhe, acting as one now wish for a moment of silence to honor him.”


A long minute of silence, like a dark man in a deep black cloak, entered the room and cast its powerful dark shadow over the assembly. Every heart beat anew and valued its own vital pulse and how it quickened in the presence of the absence of life in the room. When Mannanán cleared his throat the silence, death’s herald, gently folded his black cloak and turning on his swift though silent heels stepped to the door and with one backward glance stepped outside and was gone.

“Now,” came Mannanán’s ringing tenor we have certain rites according to the Christian and Druidic traditions to fulfil. Please step forward Patrick.”


From the back of the crowd came a tall, serious looking, red bearded man. He was dressed in a plain spun simple brown knee length tunic. He wore a dark navy and green tartan blanket sashways over his left shoulder and his belt was brown leather inlaid with crosses carved and painted yellow in the leather.Around his neck was a bright silver crucifix suspended from a fine chain. His feet were in sandals and tied to his calves with criss crossed leather thongs. He carried no weapon instead he was bareheaded and held a leather bound book in one hand and a small brown wooden cup with water in the other.


He blessed Manus in Latin with the sign of the cross “in nomine Patri, et Filius et Spiritus Sancti” Here and there in the crowd Cúan saw a few people bless themselves so he and his family followed suit. Then Patrick marked Manus’ forehead with holy water in the sign of the cross and offered prayers in Latin and Irish commending Manus’s soul to God’s care. Cúan felt a huge emptiness opening up in his heart and he stared daggers at the sleeping Maeve Naughten wanting to scream and shout and attack her recumbent form. Soon Patrick turned to the crowd and made a blessing over the assembly.


“God isn’t Patrick looking well all the same for a one thousand and six hundred year old?” whispered Ferdy with a smirk, “I’d say he lives in terror of going to blow out the candles on his birthday cake each year.” Cúan grinned at the picture and couldn’t help thinking that Ferdy could find a silver lining in even the darkest cloud and had a gift for being a wit or maybe at least being a half-wit.


Then Lugh stood and proclaimed “Nobles of the Sidhe, a warrior of Muirthemne has fallen. He offered his life for the light without fear or hesitation. The heroic manner of his sacrifice has honoured us all. Will you raise a cairn to mark his last resting place in this world?”


Then the Nobles each took out of their pockets and satchels and sparáns small stones from their native fairy forts. Beneath his body against the Western wall the cairn grew and grew until a beautiful Hebridean princess led Lochlann and Malachi to lay the last three stones from Islay, Skye and Mull. Then Lugh raised a clear yellow stone in his hand and a shaft of sunlight broke through the eastern window and fell full on the body of Manus. In its golden light a silvery mist arose from the body and the stones of the cairn all glowed as if lit by an inner fire. Then the mist streamed across the room within the golden light of the sunbeam and disappeared through the eastern window. Lugh lowered the stone, the sunbeam disappeared and Lugh said “It is accomplished.” He looked tired and he sat in his seat and closed his eyes to rest.

“Now husband,” intoned the Cailleach ”It is time for her highness’s bath.” Mannanán stood and pointing a druidical willow wand at the sleeping Maeve Naughten chanted this chant.

“Le cumhact na mara agus draoicht na dtonn,

Glan an fuil , bain dì an fonn,

Glac san uisce an Banrion Draoi

Le cur i láithir i measc na Sidhe.”

(With power of sea and magic of wave

Clean the blood, her sound, remove.

Take in your waters the magic Queen

Make her present among the Sidhe,to be seen.)

Upon the completion of the chant a purple haze emanated from Maeve Naughten and floated across the room to the washtub. Into the water it dipped and up from the water rose the image of the Witch Queen that Cúan had seen in his first vision.


She was furious! Her eyes flashed and her arms gesticulated. All over her skin tattooed flocks of crows flew about in disarray while snakes writhed and squirmed biting and constricting each other. No sound could be heard as she shouted and screamed in the silent soundbooth of Mannanán’s spell. Coupled with this was the obvious fact that her feet were locked solid to the water as if frozen in ice.No matter which way she tried to turn or writhe she could not shift or move from the spot where she was imprisoned and had to hear and see all without being able to escape.


The Cailleach said “sound the Bodhráns to summon the first prisoner.” Then all around the hall and down the steps into the cavern the Silver Sidhe warriors bodhráns were sounded. In the still silence that followed there was the clanking of chains as Alex O’Leary, shackled hand and foot was brought up into the Court Chamber. He looked scared and frightened and could not bear to glance in the direction of Manus’ remains. Aoibheann and Aoife visibly stiffened as he came in. He was followed through the door by the scowling Scátha who leaned in the doorway half in and half out of the light. In the shadows you could almost forget she was there.


“Remove that lad’s chains,” commanded the Cailleach “with Maedhbh suppressed and Fergus Mac Roich vanished he’s no threat now.” A tall warrior of the Sidhe stepped forth as an officer of the court and in a few moments had freed Alex who was soon rubbing his wrists where the marks of the manacles could still be seen. “Now Lugh,” instructed the Cailleach “could you read the list of charges against Alex.”


Lugh stood up and picked up one of three tanned vellum scrolls that lay on a side table set before the thrones. He unrolled it, glanced at it once and then looking at Alex proclaimed in a loud clear voice, “Alex O’Leary, you are accused of threatening bodily harm to two girls namely Aoibheann Cullen and Aoife of Skye, You are charged with assault and attempted murder of Cúan Cullen during a hurling match, of freeing a convicted multiple murderer, one Philemon O’Leary, from lawful custody. You are charged with actual assault and bodily harm including abduction of the same two girls. You are accused of attempted murder of Cúan Cullen here on the roof of this tower. You are accused of unlawful carnal knowledge against her will of one innocent, Maeve Naughten. How do you plead?”


Alex just shook his head and said “Not guilty. It wasn’t me. That was all Queen Maedhbh and Fergus MacRoich. I was trapped in my own body witnessing these things. I had no choice and it was horrible.“ “Now read the other charges, Lugh” commanded the Cailleach looking directly at Alex.


Lugh looked down at the parchment and said “That you did wilfully and of your own free will, cause members of the five lamps gang to bully and oppress younger pupils in St. Daniel’s college, that you yourself did attempt grievous bodily harm against Cúan Cullen with a weapon, namely one knife, without provocation and for no other grounds than that he was younger, he was a newcomer to the school and that you did fear he might challenge you in the schoolyard or your place on the school team.”


“Now,” said the Cailleach “How do you plead?” Alex knew he was cornered and his head bowed even lower. “Guilty, I suppose.” was his husky admission. “Aye,” replied the Cailleach “so you thought that nobody cares or notices what happens in a schoolyard. Then you brought in a knife, a knife you tried to use. Now hadn’t Maedhbh’s crows you well spotted and the word of your cruelty and arrogance brought her to your door. All your troubles did not begin with her but within yourself. However your guilty plea means there is some small admission of your faults and some remorse. We can work with that.”


Here the Cailleach paused and looked at Mannanán. “Have you anything to say in mitigation of his offences?” Mannanán stood up and went over to Alex and took his hands and studied his palms intently. Then he looked deep into Alex’s eyes for a moment. Then turning to the assembly he began. “This young man is on the cusp of turning into a fully grown man. There is much fault in him. His thoughts are still all for himself and his self preservation. He has realised that our world would have afforded him power and domination over others , a domination that he mistook for freedom, for coming of age. The possession by Ulaidh’s Fergus Mac Róich,an arrogant bully who gave up service of his own people and province to indulge his own pleasure, may have completely departed but it has left a memory of the selfish, the jealous and the brutal within Alex. Maedhbh too has inscribed her overwhelming desire for riches and power into his memory.


Now some will blame Philly O’Leary, his father, for failing to be a steadying hand or a model presence in Alex’s formative years, nor did he even provide a foster father as is our custom to pass on wisdom. Most regrettable of all is that there is little time now to repair the harm. He has also learned much about our existence and our powers and abilities. If he wishes to remain in the Tír faoin Grian he must prove himself worthy of our trust, capable of reform and willing to take responsibility. Only if he is willing to do these things and to be sworn by magical geasa to keep our secrets can he find mercy in this court. He has fought against us but remember he has not killed and he has not maimed permanently. He has not committed an unpardonable crime.”


With that Mannanán turned, shuffled back to his throne and sat.

The assembly muttered among themselves and Cúan caught sight of Aoife staring angrily at Alex. “Does anyone wish to speak before I give judgement?” asked the Cailleach.


“I do,” came Gráinne’s strong voice. The assembly looked over to where she sat. “I have wanted to see the person who kidnapped my daughter and her friend punished for the pain and agony I have been put through. But I have a son too, a son who needs the support of a family. I understand Alex has been a bully and has been allowed to run wild. I want to see him corrected, not punished. In the long ago past ages he would have had to work hard physically to earn his keep and find food. He would follow the hunt and serve the warriors at board or in camp.

Now I saw the incredible change in Cúan when he came back from Skye. Could Alex not be taken and trained in your world until he is worthy for ours?”


At this a murmering arose and the Cailleach raised a hand for silence. “Alex O’Leary, listen well to the wisdom of a mother. You have two choices. The first is that you will be exiled from this Tír faoin Grian and spend your days with the Fomorians in another world where you will always be a stranger. The second is that you accept Scátha here as your tutor and learn to serve the Sidhe loyally as a warrior in whatever task we set you. What is your choice?”

Alex looked over at Scátha and realised that he had a chance to undo the harm he had done. “The Second , I wish to learn to be a warrior and serve the Sidhe.” “So be it” said Scátha “but I warn you I am no gentle Maedhbh. My lessons are harsh for the heedless and the vain. If you cross me prepare to suffer like you have never suffered before.”


The Cailleach pointed her duidín at Scátha.”Go now Alex, stand behind your new mistress. Whatever she asks it will be as if we are asking. Serve us well.” Then the Cailleach waved her pipe in the air again and declared “sound the Bodhráns for the next prisoner.” This time the thunder of bodhráns sounded deeper and more menacing.


Soon it was Inspector Carl Cullen of the Organised Crime Division of an Garda Siochana who was brought into the room in chains. Two swordsmen stood on either side of him and the Cailleach looked at him for a long time until finally Carl looked at the floor and gave a fake yawn as if he wasn’t trying to compete at all. There was no offer to remove his chains after all he was a killer.


There was no sign of remorse or shame although Cúan noted that Inspector Callan was reluctant to look across the room, and with just cause for there lay the body of a good man who had never harmed him, a defenseless man that he had shot down. Cúan realised something he had heard his father say once; 'that a man may smile and smile and still be a villain.’ Now he understood as he saw Carl Callan standing there smiling at everyone.

At a nod from the Cailleach Lugh took up the second scroll. “Inspector Carl Cullen of an Garda Síochana, you stand accused of crimes mainly against the members of the Cullen family. Firstly you participated in the perverting of the course of justice by granting access to Queen Maedhbh to enslave and possess the freedom and soul of Chief Superintendent Brendan Breslin leading to his death and that of his secretary one Áine Tuite wife and mother of two baby girls. You then knowingly facilitated Queen Meadhbh in the placing of poison in the Cullen home attempting to murder your own sergeant Dermot Cullen. You participated willingly in the abduction and torture of Aoibheann Cullen, the attempted murder of Scátha of Skye and finally killed Manus Cullen. How do you plead guilty or not guilty?”


The Cailleach pointed at the silent figure of Queen Maedhbh and said to Callan “See there, that is the one whose bidding you have been doing all this time. She cannot help you now. As an officer sworn to uphold the Law you will understand the difficult position you are in. I would advise you now to cooperate with our court.”


Callan replied “I do not recognise the authority of this court. It’s very easy for me to argue my case. Firstly I am not of the Sidhe but a citizen of Ireland and I demand that I be brought before a tribunal under the constitution of Ireland according to the Law. I see here Sergeant Dermot Cullen who has taken an oath to uphold the Law and I charge him with defending my rights. Secondly, I present the defense that I was only acting under orders,although not quite magical compulsion, of my immediate superior officer Chief Superintendent Brendan Breslin and did my duty as instructed. Hold him accountable for my actions. Finally in the matter of Manus Cullen I acted in self defense without intention to kill. The gun went off unintentionally and the unfortunate death was accidental.”


Dermot started up in his seat and stared at Callan with amazement and would have responded had not Lugh raised his hand for silence.


“Carl Cullen, to answer your objections. In the matter of the jurisdiction of this court I present to you the recognition in your own constitution of Eriu as a nation. We of the Sidhe qualify by language, by origin, by birth, and by residence as members of the nation holding all rights and responsibilities for that nation and especially in matters of national security and the safety and protection of that nation. Nowhere in the constitution does it make mention of the constitution being constrained by time so our court abides by the requirements of even your own highest laws. In the second instance you have conspired with Queen Maedhbh and aided and abetted her in summoning Balor of the Evil Eye to possess and control your immediate superior Chief Superintendent Breslin. Under your own official code of conduct that would be an offense carrying with it a sacking and arrest followed by trial and charges of perverting the course of justice. You cannot deliver your superior into the complete control of a murderer and criminal and still expect to hide behind his authority afterwards. You are directly guilty of suborning him and therefore indirectly equally accountable for all his unlawful orders. Finally we have witnesses in the person of Dermot Cullen and Scátha of Skye to the shooting of Manus Cullen and they dispute your account of claimed self defence. ”What do you say?”


Carl Callen smiled and said “of course they would be lying. Dermot has a rapid promotion to gain with me out of the picture which is his motive. He fired first and I returned fire but he was hiding, like the coward he is, behind his old man. You cannot take Scátha’s word for anything. She has betrayed you once already when she brought an Claiomh Solais to Maedhbh. It is her that should be on trial.So at best she is an unreliable witness who would say anything to get back into your good graces.”


Lugh nodded as if this response were exactly what he expected.

“I don’t suppose you have heard of the Children of Turenn nor of how they killed my father Kian?” Callan shook his head silently. Lugh gave a little smile and replied “Among us druids nobody ever really dies until their full truth is told as was the case with my father.The land of Eriú is an ancient and magical land. The earth and stones of it remember our deeds, especially the more extreme ones. I have one last witness to bring against you, the stones of the earth itself. Fortunately we stand in the very room where Manus Cullen was killed.”

Here Lugh strode down the room to a place near the door. “This, I believe is the very spot where he died.” Now Lugh flourished his druidical wand and pointed at the flagstone floor. Then he spoke

Manus Cullen I summon your eternal voice by the power of the light to dispel the darkness cast by the man who killed you with the light of the truth.”

Out of the stones beneath their feet in Manus’ own voice the following lay was heard.

“Unarmed I came to save my son,

This killer laughed and fired his gun

A chance to live he left me none.

This is the truth and I am done.”

Cúan could see that Callan was rattled as he stood frowning and biting his lip.

Lugh continued, “even in your Irish Law the confession of a dying man is accepted as truth and among the Sidhe we know that the dead cannot lie. It is not true in our court to say ‘dead men tell no tales’ for indeed as you have heard, they definitely do.”

With that Lugh returned to his seat and went silent.


Now the Cailleach called on Mannanán to step up “Have you anything to say in mitigation of this man’s defense?” Again Mannanán went up to Callan and studied his hands. He looked deeply into his eyes. Then he turned towards the Cailleach and said. “ I am looking into the soul of one who has no wife, no child, no brother nor sister to show him Love. His heart is a wasteland of hurt and frustrated ambition. He has confused having with being and advancement with acceptance. He has understood how to manipulate, dissemble, lie and cheat all those around him. I see no hope or light left here.”

The Cailleach nodded and said “ That’s about the size of it alright. Does anyone wish to speak before I give sentence?” as she looked around the court.


Slowly Dermot Cullen stood up “I do.” The Cailleach glanced at the body of Manus and with her clay pipe waved Dermot to continue.

“I know Carl Callan better than everybody here,” began Dermot, ”And there is nobody here whom he has hurt more than I. He killed my father Manus. He abused the welcome of my home by knowingly allowing poison to be planted where my children, my wife or I could be killed. It was only your efforts Cailleach, that saved my life. But as Carl said I am an officer of the law and I require for my satisfaction that whatever punishment Carl faces is in keeping with the humane treatment of prisoners. I do not hold with the death sentence, nor torture, nor maiming by chopping off parts of the body. However I could not get a conviction for Carl in the courts of my country because much of what has happened has happened through magic, through possessions and without evidence that would stand up in a court. My conclusion as one who builds cases is that I cannot get satisfaction or justice in my own case because of the existence of all of you, the mythical Dédannan and your magical world. I appeal to you to find some way of keeping Carl from escaping justice and make him pay for his crimes and the deaths we must lay at his door, especially those of Chief Superintendent Brendan Breslin and my father Manus Cullen.”

With that Dermot sat down and the court broke into light applause.


“My judgement,” the Cailleach began in a serious voice “is that you Carl Callan cannot be allowed to walk free from your actions without the loss of significant freedom and severe punishment. I have also heard a plea for leniency hidden in Dermot Cullen’s words. You are too dangerous a person to be allowed remember our existence nor that of the Fomorians. Our magic and weapons will always remain a lure to your ambitions. We have the means of removing all memory of what has happened in the past few days. You shall be returned to your world but affected as if by a stroke as a result of the strain you have been under with the death of your superior. As you have no family your future care and custody will lie in the hands of Dermot Cullen whose hospitality, though abused, has withstood the most severe testing through your actions. Dermot Cullen are you willing to accept the responsibility of the prisoner?”


Dermot stood looked at Carl Callan for a long time and said “I am.”

“Well I bloody well am not,” broke in the snarling Carl Callan. The Cailleach gazed at him and arched an eyebrow “No prisoner is ever allowed to decide his or her own fate, just as your victims were not allowed to choose theirs.” And with that the Cailleach closed one eye and stared at Carl Callan with the other. He stood rigid then went pale. His hands began to shake , then his whole body and finally his face went red and flushed and he collapsed in a heap on the ground. Mannanán went over and picked him up. When he arose Callan seemed to have grown very old and feeble. He was distressed and didn’t know where he was or indeed who he was. Two of the noblewomen of the Sidhe led him out of the courtroom and down the stairs to comfort him in his distress as he whispered,

“My Mama, I can’t find my mama anywhere. Where is she gone?“


“Now,”said the Cailleach “Sound the bodhrans for the final prisoner.” At that a veritable storm of bodhrans erupted as if a thunderstorm were contained within the room or as if some mythical Scots giant were beating the tower with a stone hammer or if the very crack of doom were being opened between heaven and earth.Eventually when quiet had resumed Mannanán, Lugh and the Cailleach all stood and each pointed a finger at Queen Maedhbh’s apparition and said “Labhair” and at once as Queen Maedhbh’s shrill voice filled the chamber the court grew even more tense.


For once all eyes were on Queen Maedhbh who, nothing daunted, glared about herself brazenly and unabashed. Here she was, the cause of all the suffering, staring them down like the royalty that she was and saving the greatest of her hatred and distain for Cúan and his family.


“You all know who I am, Queen Maedhbh of Crúachan, Ruler of Connaught. I am of the Royal Household of King Eochaid Feidlach. Husbands and Kings I have had as many as I please from the first Conchubhar MacNessa of Ulaidh to the last ,Ailill MacMata of Connaught. Yet little honour do you show me imprisoning me and depriving me of my rights according to your own traditions. Well I see that the poison and bitterness of men and especially of that disrespectful youth Cúchulainn, has infected and degraded the hospitality of the Sidhe. The lust I can clearly see in every man’s eye upon me here betrays your foul intentions. If not my royalty nor my beauty can move you to respect me then my womanly weakness deserves your gentle and compassionate sympathy.”


Lugh stood and faced the Queen. “Good Lady, if the welcome you have found is something lacking in our court, it is not alone the history between our races that has taken from the old ways of hospitality and the acknowledgement of status, rather it is a full awareness and appreciation of your own determination and capacities that necessitate how we must strive to protect ourselves. Despite the mercy and compassion shown to your royal personage even at my own insistence in the past, in the sparing of your life and the escape from offering humiliation on account of your highborn blood and eminent intelligence, we find ourselves here again to sit in judgement of your desires and motives, your methods and your means, of those that serve you and of how they are served by you.”


Here Lugh walked over and indicated the spellbound sleeping Maeve Naughten.

“Here we have a human child, indeed one of your own descendents, implicated and contrived within a curse you uttered long ago against the line of Cúchulainn.

“ I curse you Cúchulainn, Hound of Ulster.

I curse your Sons and Daughters until your line or mine is driven from this land.”


‘Your line or mine’ were your very words. No child should have to pay the price owed by their ancestors and have their innocence and lack of guilt torn asunder by the willful exploitation of one's own kith and kin. Often you yourself have railed against how your marriage as a political alliance destroyed the flower of love in your heart. Your hunger for the seeking out of that delicate bloom blasted by the contract your own father bound you to has led from dalliance to unfaithfulness, from intrigue to infanticide, from malice to mass murder. The world you have won for yourself in possessions, lands and power are never enough and no limit will you set upon yourself noris there anyone that you would not harm in your way. You are a raging forest fire of need in a whirlwind stormy night. Beautiful yes, but ultimately the death of all caught up in your flame.”

Lugh pointed now at Mannanán. “Again it was the magical words of your very own evil curse that sealed your fate.

“until your line or mine is driven from this land.”

You left us no choice but to exile you from this land, from the Tír faoin Grian to the Tír faoi Tonn, the land beneath the waves, sealed and ruled by Mannanán MacLir, God of the Sea himself and our King. How little you obeyed his royal prerogatives and authority in allying yourself with the cruel Fomorian warriors, with my own grandfather Balor of the Evil Eye and my cousin Bres. Through the dark magics and practices of possession you entered into this realm through blood and bitterness, evil and enmity, by serpent and by scavenger you have betrayed us all.”


Then Lugh took up the last of the three parchments and held it up to read it in a clear ringing tone. “Maedhbh of Crúachan, you stand accused of High Treason insofar as you have attempted to overthrow the peaceful government of Eriu under the protection of the Sidhe. For this purpose that you did with malice aforethought conspire against the family of Cúan Cullen. By illicit use of dark magic that you did take possession of Maeve Naughten, Brendan Breslin, Alex O’Leary, Philemon O’Leary and Ferdinand Ferguson. You also used their bodies for your own gratification and caused them to conduct crimes namely murder, attempted murder, aiding escape from prison, kidnapping, assault and torture. You are accused also of the summoning of evil spirits of Fergus MacRoich and Balor of the Evil Eye, You are also accused of the freeing of the Fomorians from their captivity in an Tír faoi Tonn and directed them in the invasions first of the Island of Skye in an attempt to kill Mannanán and acquire the Claiomh Solais leading to many deaths.

Then, in breach of the guards and borders we ourselves established to avert all out destruction between the De Danann and the Fomorians, you transported Bres and his warriors to present day Eriu to invade and kill the inhabitants of Beann Eadair and Dubh Linn. In defence of Eriu Cúan Cullen, our young warrior of the light had to brave death to light the Bonefire of the Sidhe to raise the hosting of the Sidhe.


Here Lugh stopped reading to elaborate upon the charges.

In the Cath Binn Eadair many warriors of the Sidhe and many of my kin among the Fomorians who walked the worlds, who spoke and sang will walk and talk and sing no more. Their blood is on your hands, their blood speaks out against you and the sacrifice of their bloodshed must be paid for. How do you plead?”


Queen Maedhbh ran an elegant tattooed hand through her mane of hair and replied haughtily.

“Many are the faults that lie at your hands and at the hands of the Sidhe. Remember that I am Milesian by birth not Fomorian nor one of the De Danann. In the manner of your court trial against Alex O’Leary and Carl Cullen you silenced me and denied me the right to defend myself when their actions were left at my door. Who decided that you and the Sidhe should sit in judgement and decide my fate? Is it not only by the trial of arms that the supreme spirit allows the victors to interpret and to decide the fates of the vanquished? If that is so, where is the court of appeal for a rash, revengeful and repressive decision if not upon some other battlefield of the vanquished’s own choosing?


Much you have made of the generosity of your actions of exile of Balor and the Fomorians who these long ages have felt heartsick at the loss of their lands. You who never suffered the wrench from its hills and valleys, its rivers and lakes nor its bogs and shorelines. Who are you to judge me? As for my taking of souls, possessing them through magic arts and artefacts with which to protect myself, is that any more evil than what you the three Lords of the Sidhe acting as one do, controlling the Sun and the Oceans and claiming ownership of the very land we walk upon. Is it not you who are the invaders, the exploiters, the workers of magic whose very arrogance decides what is our right and responsibility but find it is a crime when someone other than yourselves wishes to exercise the self-same freedoms. If you wish to find a guilty party look to yourselves.”

Then Queen Maedhbh raised an accusatory finger and pointed at the three Lords of the Sidhe and proclaimed.


“I demand my rights as a Royal Personage for my case to be decided according to your own laws agreed after the bloody Battle of Moytura, namely that the warrior of light must defeat three warriors of darkness chosen and summoned by me.I claim the right of trial by combat. I summoned and sent as my first warrior Fergus Mac Róich armed with the Tarnhelm but he failed, I summoned and sent Balor of the Mighty Blows armed too with the Tarnhelm but he too was defeated in single combat. Lastly I chose Ferdy Ferguson as my final warrior of the dark. You yourself Cailleach violated the terms of truce agreed after Moytura’s bloody field. Until the third warrior is defeated my guilt or innocence remains undecided. Do you deny me my rights?”


At this speech Lugh looked uncertain for the first time. He looked at Mannanán and the Cailleach. Mannanán stood and stretched out his arms in appeal to Maedhbh. “Surely O Queen you must realise that either result will go hard for you. Should the warrior of the light prevail you will receive a punishment all the more harsh than before, yet if your warrior prevails killing his best friend needlessly, it will mean war between us again in which case where is your army?”


Maedhbh just laughed in an evil cackle “Forces and powers of mine you cannot imagine are none of your concern; give me my rights Old Man of the Sea.”


The Cailleach spoke “You no longer control the one we call Ferdy Ferguson. Do you expect him to willingly take up weapons in a fight to the death with his best friend Cúan?”


“Oh,” mocked Maedhbh “no, I expect him to die. Either way my curse upon the house of Cúchulainn is accomplished. Cúan must either kill or be killed to decide this matter, nothing less will do and there is nothing more to be said.I demand the royal right of trial by combat and Ferdy is my chosen champion.”


The Cailleach looked at the assembled nobility of the De Danann. Here and there among them she could see the effect that the Queen’s words had had upon them. A voice spoke from the back of the room “Trial by combat. Three traits the Warrior must show purity of heart, strength of limb and to keep his word. He has promised to keep his word to defend the light even if it be against a friend. Trial by combat. He must defeat the three.” The man who spoke was tall, with long hair and a huge red beard. He was tattooed like a fomorian and armed with a knobbled warhammer.


Over the basin Queen Maedhbh rubbed her hands in anticipation of her revenge. The Cailleach looked troubled and indicated with a nod to one of the Sidhe to bring weapons to the tower. “But he has already defeated the third warrior!” came a young voice. At once there was a hush in the room and everyone turned to look at the youngest person in the room who was Malachi. Even Queen Maedhbh was staring, grinding her teeth and clenching and unclenching her hands. “Who challenges my rights?” She screeched, “Who is the liar that seeks to prevent the trial by combat?”


The Cailleach made a beckoning motion “step forward Malachi of the Hebrides and explain what you mean.” Even Cúan was surprised and not a little relieved that he might escape without having to fight or kill Ferdy. Malachi stepped up before the assembly and announced “I just mean that Cúan already fought someone else besides Fergus and Chief Breslin. He killed one of the Fomorian warriors on the island of Skye when they were invading. Ask Lochlann or ask Cúan.” Lochlann nodded his head in agreement “Cúan beat him by using a trick he got from Malachi. He killed him with the Gaebolg.”


With that Cúan recalled the man with the tattoos and the war hammer that had tried to kill them on the path back to Mannanán’s Cave. “It’s true,” he said, ”does he count?”


Lugh smiled a warm smile. “The young warrior asks does a full grown ravaging fomorian, armed and hostile, defeated by him in a surprise attack, does he count?” Then whirling around he pointed at the figure of Queen Maedhbh. “See how the most innocent, the least considered in your plans finds a way to upset you. I hold that this unnamed Fomorian warrior summoned by you to seek out and kill, came across the warrior of light and tried to kill him. This event qualifies as a challenge, a challenge which the warrior of light has faced and has won.”


Lugh turned to the Cailleach and said “Judge now whether the warrior of the light has kept his word, judge what is to be the fate of this evil woman.”


As the Cailleach stood to pronounce judgement, Queen Maedhbh snarled and took out a dagger wherever she was and cut open her own left arm in a deep incision. A black snake tattoo flowed swiftly over her body and entered the gash then another and then two more. There was a sudden scream from Maeve Naughten as an identical gash opened in Maeve Naughten’s arm and the four black snakes spilled out.


One made straight for Cúan and latched on to his arm with its venomous fangs before the Gaebolg could transform in time to slice its body off. The second made for Mannanán but as it leaped through the air he pointed a wand and froze it in a block of ice. The third leaped at Lugh but as it passed through a sudden shaft of sunlight the shaft solidified into an arrow and pinned it to the floor. The final snake leaped through the air toward the Cailleach only to be grabbed right before her face by the hand of Patrick who dashed it to the ground and stamped on its head with his sandals.

“I hate snakes, they are the devil’s brood.” Patrick growled.

“Your warrior is defeated, I claim his blood as mine!” screeched the hated Maedhbh.

Suddenly behind the Queen another figure appeared. It was Cúchulainn as Cúan had seen him in the waters around the Claiomh Solais on Skye. “Hag of Connaught” came his booming voice “Long ages I have sought to protect my line from your curse. In the form of a Red Kite Mannanán has taken Cúan’s blood and cast his protections over it. I being the greatest protection of all. Prepare to face the warrior of light.


In opening up this passage to your spirit through his blood you have admitted me within your protections. Until your line or mine is driven from this land was your curse so let it be yours.”

And with that Cúchulainn brandished the Gaebolg in that other place, despite the fact that Cúan still held it in his hand, and lopped the head off the evil Maedhbh. Cúan saw her horror at her mistake, he saw the head topple from the shoulders and then Cúchulainn held up the bloody head with its staring eyes for all to see as the apparition slowly faded,faded and was gone.

“She lost the head entire-lee.” commented Lee drily. The Cailleach shook herself, looked at Cúan and Ferdy and then at the court. “There’s an ending I didn’t foresee anyhow.” Then she announced “Judgement is served, Queen Maedhbh is found guilty.The sentence is death and so she is finally gone. Cúchulainn of Muirthemne, ancient warrior of light has exacted the sentence through trial by combat as she requested. She finally realised that it feels very different when you have to be your own champion and have no one to hide behind. This sitting of the court of the Sidhe is pronounced closed.”




Ferdy and Cúan looked at each other, one more relieved than the next. “Phew,” remarked Cúan “that was a close one.“ “Yeah,” replied Ferdy “I narrowly avoided being promoted to centre forward on the Fenians under sixteen team because you wouldn’t be allowed to play without a helmet ..having no head to put it on like,” Cúan shook his head . Typical Ferdy, never lost for a slag.


Over by Maeve Naughten the Cailleach was binding up the girl’s wound and trying to deal with the trauma of snakes coming out of her. It was clear that Maeve remembered nothing after going home on the day her stallion died. It would take a lot of magic to get the freaky snake invasion out of her memory.


Suddenly Cúan felt tired, very tired. He looked at the Gaebolg transforming back into the hurl. “ And you were a lot of help...not!” he said, showing the fang marks on his arm to the Gaebolg. The Gaebolg looked guilty and blinked apologetically. “Apology accepted. You were probably aware that Cúchulainn was hiding in you waiting to ambush Maedhbh but you could have warned me.”


Then his mother and father came over and hugged him. His sister threw her arm over his shoulder and said “So Cúan, apparently you’re the one to blame for all the troubles around here. You are going to have to work so hard to make all this up to me.” And then the four of them walked down the stairs, out of the tower and into the new day.