Goldberry
I began me next evenin' of storytellin' with one of Beannaithe's grand journeys...
'Mac carried Beannaithe far away to a dark and dense forest filled with ancient oaks. The forest were divided in two by a windin' willow-lined stream. Beannaithe dismounted when the growth of the trees became too thick to ride safely. She followed the stream until she came upon a small pool of water. There sat a beautiful golden-haired woman
in green gown, flowing hair, sitting in the rushes,
singing old water-songs to birds upon the bushes (1)
Beannaithe were entranced as if she were herself one of the birds listenin' to the woman's water-songs. She stood there so long that night had begun to fall. Now the Old Forest were dark even when the sun were high in the sky. When nighttime came it were even darker.
The wee lass lit a torch with flint and steel as Fikta had taught her. Then, resistin' her natural shyness, approached the beautiful woman.
"Greetings, little one," the woman said. "I wondered when you would approach." The woman laughed lightheartedly. "I am Goldberry, the River-woman's daughter. What brings you to my pool? Have you come to gather water-lilies?"
Beannaithe blushed, shaking her head "no" to Goldberry's question. The lass did not know whether the River-woman's daughter could hear her thoughts but decided to give it a try.
"I am Beannaithe, and this is Mac me pony," Beanaithe said in thought.
Mac nickered and nodded his head in greetin'.
"I am happy to know you both," said Goldberry with a laugh. "So you have not come for my water-lilies, but are here for some other purpose?"
Beannaithe nodded her head. Mac whinnied.
Goldberry thought for a moment. "My mother sent you, did she not?"
Beannaithe nodded again. Mac snorted.
"You may inform my mother that all is well here in the Old Forest, my husband Tom sees to that, but you should visit my sister Willowsong. Things may not be so well with her," said Goldberry. "She may have some tasks for you to perform."
Beannaithe curtsied her thanks then, taking Mac's reins, turned to leave.
"She is not far from here," Goldberry called after Beannaithe. "You will find her near the Silverwell."
Beannaithe smiled and waved as she began her way back to the Great East Road.'
'That were an odd encounter,' remarked Darowva. 'Very odd indeed!'
'Who is Goldberry?' Dooli asked, 'Or rather, what is she?'
'She is a maighdean mhara,' I replied.
'Like a mermaid? You didn't mention that she had the tail of a fish,' said Diolun.
'That is common misconception,' I said. 'No, she is not a mermaid but a river-maiden, daughter of the River-woman.'
'Well that clears that up!' Dooli said sarcastically with a roll of his eyes.
'Lad, do you recall our conversation about enigmas?' I asked him.
'Aye, a wee bit,' he replied.
'Supernatural beings are complex, and are not easily understood by we mere mortals,' I explained.
'I see,' Dooli said, 'so it's natural that I should be a wee bit confused.'
'Aye,' I replied, 'and so are we all. If we understood everything about them they'd be less mysterious and, therefore, far less interesting.'
'That surprin'ly makes sense!' Diolun gushed.
We all laughed together.
'It's time for bed,' said Banba who'd just finished washin' up after supper.
'It is indeed,' agreed her sisters Ériu and Fódla.
'Come along now,' said Fódla. 'We'll see you to your beds.'
'Oíche mhaith, me wee darlin's,' I said.
'Oíche mhaith, Granda!' they replied.
(1) J.R.R. Tolkien, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil
