The River-woman's Request
Once again it were time to tell me grandkids a bedtime story. They were anticipatin' what Beannaithe and her new found pony might accomplish together.
'Late one night, Beannaithe heard a familiar voice whisper her name. It were the voice of Áine, her Sióg Mhaith ("Fairy Godmother").
"Beannaithe, you must fulfill a mission of great importance. You will receive it from a great lady called 'The River-woman'."
As one might expect, all sorts of questions began to form in Beannaithe's mind.
"Quiet your thoughts, little one," said Áine. "All your questions will be answered in due course."'
No longer able to contain her excitement, Darowva asked, 'What happened then, Granda?'
Putting aside her question for the moment, I continued, 'Beannaithe slept quietly through the night until the sun began to peek its face above the eastern horizon.'
Then I paused.
'Is that all?' asked Diolun.
I said nothin'. The room remained quiet with anticipation. I let the moment linger for as long as I could before finally breakin' the silence.
'No, of course that's not all!' I said with a laugh. Me grandkids sighed with relief followed by nervous laughter.
'You had us for a moment there, Granda!' said Daibhidh.
'I did, didn't I?' I said with another laugh.
'After a hearty breakfast...'
'With rashers?' asked Diolun.
'Aye, as always,' I answered him. The lad loves his rashers.
'After a hearty breakfast,' I began again, 'Beannaithe went about her daily chores which now included caring for her pony whom she named Mac Énbarr, or Mac for short.
"Why don't you take him for a ride, lass?" her grandfather the farmer suggested. He need not have asked her twice.
Beannaithe thought they'd merely go for a casual ride about the village. Then, however, a thought struck her, "I best put on me armour. Mac may decide he wants to go a wee bit further than the village."
Mac trotted through the village as calm as could be. Beannaithe rather liked that. Mac then trotted through the entrance to the village and down the path towards the Great River. The pony increased its pace to a canter as the path wound down the hill. His pace became a full gallop as he crossed a ford in the river. Beannaithe was glad that she'd donned her armour!
Mac's speed increased yet again on the eastern side of the river. So much so that Beannaithe had to duck her head and close her eyes as the wind stung them when they were open. She could hear the air whistle through her helmet. Before long Mac slowed his pace to a canter, then a trot, before finally comin' to a full stop.
"Where are we," Beannaithe wondered, "and why are we here?" She dismounted then walked to the calm spot in the river to a sip a handful of water when she beheld a strange and beautiful woman.
The River-woman says to Beannaithe, "I know why you have come. You are the one of whom the prophecies foretold."
Beannaithe was stunned when she heard this!
"My daughters are in very great peril," the River-woman said, "and with them the lives and well-being of the land and all that inhabit it."
Beannaithe solemnly and respectfully bowed her head. She could hear the pain and anguish in the River-woman's voice.'
'What's a prophecy?' asks Diolun.
I looked to Darowva to give an answer but, to my surprise, she merely shrugged.
'A prophecy,' I answered, 'is an inspired prediction of what will occur in the future.'
'Inspired by whom?' Dooli asked.
'By the gods,' Darowva answered.
'Is this true, Granda?' Diolun asked.
'Aye, it is,' I answered him.
'Oh!' me grandkids exclaimed in awe.
I continued me story...
'"You must visit each of my daughters," the River-woman said, "and resolve whatever conflict they face. Some of these conflicts may be quite challenging. You must use what resources you have to set things right. Do you understand?"
Beannaithe solemnly nodded her head in acknowledgement.'
'How will Beannaithe know where to find the River-woman's daughters?' asked Diolun.
I glanced at Darowva to still any sharp remark she might make.
'Intuition,' I replied, 'that is, her own good sense.
'Will Áine help her?' the lad asked.
'Aye, very likely so,' I answered.
Diolun smiled in relief.
'Are we all ready for bed?' my daughter Ériu asked.
'No!' me grandkids replied.
'Well, best make yourselves ready!' Banba said with a laugh.
'Come along now,' said Fódla. 'Granda needs his rest as well.'
'Oíche mhaith, me wee darlin's,' I said as me grandkids were guided to bed by their mothers.
'Oíche mhaith, Granda,' they replied.
