DAMEISELE CWĒN
At The Court Of Tir-Nan-Og
An older Fae couple walked in the garden one spring evening. The female Fae, known as Deidra, was of royal blood but the man at her side, Dagda was not. They walked in silence until they reached the stone bench under the rose arbor. Deidra had news for her warrior husband that would change their lives forever.
They were members of the ruling family of the Tuathe Da Danaan. Deidra was the youngest sister to the current Queen. Dagda was one of the captains of the warriors. It was a prestigious placement for a man that had come from the common people.
“What is on your mind, my sweet?” Dagda asked. “I know something is troubling you.”
“I have something to tell you.” Deidra said. “I don’t know how to do it. I am not sure how you will take it.”
“Tell me.” Dagda took her hands in his. “I will take it as best as I can. I am a warrior of the realm. I have courage.”
Deidra smiled. “It isn’t that dreadful that it needs your courage. Just your patience is required.”
“That I am running out of, so tell me quickly.” Dagda smiled at her.
She nodded. “After all this time, we have finally had our prayers answered. I am with child.”
“I thought we would never be blessed.” Dagda was confused. “Is that not what the old healer told us?”
“He was mistaken. I will give birth in the early harvest.” Deidra said. “We will finally have the child we have prayed for.”
“We must make offerings to Danu at the great temple for the child’s health and for an easy birth for you.” Dagda said. “I must make arrangements right away.”
“There is time, my husband. Right now I just want to let it sink in to our hearts.” Deidra brushed away a tear. “I have watched my sister have so many children and I admit I have been envious of her.”
“They all male children save one and that one is a spoiled little twit.” Dagda said.
Deidra laughed. “That little twit will be your Queen someday.”
“Danu, save us all.” Dagda swore. “I should get you inside there is a chill in the air still.”
Deidra wrapped her arm around his. “Yes. Let’s go inside. I need my rest and you have training to attend in the morning.”
“This batch is even younger than the last. Deidra, I fear for our borders. There are rumblings of war.” Dagda told her.
“There are always rumblings of war. Just go to the public house after the ale runs out.” Deidra laughed.
“I am serious. There have been several uprisings already in the far villages. They are not happy with the Queen or her taxes.” Dagda said.
“I remember the same thing happening when our mother was Queen. It will be put down with little effort.” Deidra said.
“That was when the Queen had better warriors than the old men and young boys she has now. I know you think me a worrier but I have a feeling a dread in my gut lately.” Dagda admitted.
“That may just be because it is growing.” Deidra laughed.
“As will yours soon.” Her husband teased back.
They walked back inside and went to their chambers.
The news of the child was met with little fanfare. The child was well away from the Crown even if it was a girl there was no way it would rise to rule.
“My Lady, you called for me?” Deidra asked the Queen as she bowed before her. She straightened and looked at her older sister.
“Sister, I have heard that you are with child. Has the Seer told you what the child will be?” The Queen asked.
“I haven’t gone to the Seer. I know it is the custom for Royal births but my child means nothing to the succession of the Crown.” Deirdre said.
“That is true but it is still expected for the Seer to be consulted.” The queen said. “Go to her now and return with her predications.”
“Yes Majesty.” Deidra bowed again and did as she was told.
She was ushered into the Seer’s chambers by one of the veiled slaves that acted as servants in the castle.
“Come in Princess. I have been expecting you.” The Seer said. The gnarled old Fae was sitting on a silk cushion in front of a scrying bowl. “The Queen tells me you are with child.”
“I am.” Deidra said as she sat on the silk cushion on the other side of the scrying bowl.
“The Queen also tells me she has plans for this child. That is if she is a she.” The Seer told her.
“She said nothing to me.” Deidra said as she realized she had been set up by her sister.
“The Queen wishes to make an alliance with the Midsummer Court. They have a prince newly born.” The Seer said.
“I will not allow an arranged marriage.” Deidra said.
“She is the Queen. She does not need your permission, Princess. Give me your hand and we will proceed.” The Seer instructed.
Deidra held her hand over the scrying bowl as the Seer sliced into her finger with a silver dagger to draw the blood that would bring the visions
The blood dripped into the bowl and a flurry of images started to appear. The Seer passed her hand over the bowl to slow them down.
“She is a she.” The seer furrowed her brow. She passed her hand over the bowl again. “This cannot be right.”
“What is it? What do you see?” Deidra demanded of the woman.
The Seer looked up surprised. “She will be Queen. I see her on the throne at a young age.”
Deidra shook her head in disbelief. “That cannot be. the Midsummer Court has a female heir.”
“The Court is a White Court. She will be a Tuathan Queen.” The Seer looked up at the woman in front of her. “The child will be in danger. You must take her far from this place before she is of age.”
Deidra nodded. “You must never tell the Queen.”
“I will do this for you, Princess but you must do something for me.” The Seer asked.
“What is it that you want?” Deidra asked.
“I want peace.” The Seer said. “Bring me a potion made of blackwort.”
“That is poison. You want me to bring you poison?” Deidra said.
“Yes. Bring it to me by sundown tonight and I will keep what I have said a secret.” The Seer said.
“You will have it.” Deidra stood up and left the room.
Deidra went into the Throne Room and bowed before the Queen. “My Lady, I have come to tell you that my child is female.”
“Good that is what I wanted to hear. There are too many males in this Court. Too many indeed.” The Queen didn’t mention her plans but there was a gleam in her eye.
Deidra bowed once again before she left to do as the Seer requested.
An hour later, Deidra walked into the forest past the iron gates to find the plant. She took out her knife and took more than enough for a single dose of potion. She took it back to her room and made the potion. It took her a short time until she had it prepared. She was careful to clean the knife and the pot before she went back to bring the Seer what she had requested.
The veiled slave let Deidra in and she walked up to the Seer and pulled the potion from her bag at her side.
“Here is what you have asked for. I will not ask why you want it. I do not wish to know.” Deidra said.
“A wise decision.” The seer said.
Later that evening, one of the young princes was found dead with a flask of spirits in his hand. The veiled slave of the Seer confessed to the crime. She claimed that he had been forcing her to do unspeakable things to him for his pleasure.
Deidra kept her tongue and said nothing as the slave was put to death. She did believe the girl but he was of Royal blood there was nothing that could be done to save her.
True to his word, Dagda prepared a wagon full of offerings for the Mother Goddess at her temple at Tara. They traveled as soon as the weather warmed enough to dry the muddy roads.
Deidra was blooming into motherhood by the time they had made the trip to the temple at Tara. She and Dagda knelt in prayer for hours after they made the offerings to the Mother Goddess.
Dagda had been pleased with the news of a female child. He had asked for the greatest blessings that could be bestowed on his daughter. He was sure the Mother Goddess would comply. Had he not made more than the usual offerings at her altar?
They traveled back to the Court the next morning.
The months of preparing for the birth of their daughter flew quickly by and soon the time had come for the newest of the Royal family to make her debut.
Princess Taralen Deidra came in the middle of the night screaming as she entered the world. Deidra held her daughter and remembered the warnings given to her from the Seer. Deidra wondered how such a little thing would be Queen when she wasn’t even in the line of succession herself.
As soon as she was able to travel Dagda insisted that she be taken to the temple at Tara and blessed by the High Priestess there.
“Please wife. She is a gift and we should let the Mother Goddess know that we feel her blessing deeply.” Dagda pleaded.
“I will do it. I know your faith is very important to you I hope she will see it as a comfort as you have.” Deidra said.
“I will teach her the goodness of the Mother Goddess. I will take her to the temple to make offerings and say prayers as often as my duties allow.” Dagda said.
Deidra smiled. “That is what should be. I worry what will be.”
“Is there something wrong?” Dagda asked.
“The Seer had some confusing visions that is all.” Deidra said.
“The old crone cannot see her own shadow what makes you think she can see the future.” Dagda said.
“The Queen believes she can and that is all I am concerned with.” Deidra said. “I will not trouble you with it again my husband. I know it will never come to be.”
The journey to the temple was on a bright sunny day in late fall. Taralen was bundled well and quiet for most of the journey. The only sound she made was the scream she gave in the middle of the blessing by the High Priestess.
Dagda smiled. “She is speaking to the goddess already. It is a good sign when a child cries at the blessing. It means great things are in store for her in the future.”
Deidra smiled but didn’t tell her husband that the little child in his arms would be a Queen someday according to the Seer. She let him believe that she would have the things a father would have normally wished for her.
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