Page 46 of Rise of the Morrigan

PART III:

The Morrigan

20

I heard himcry as his body hurled to the earth. Even a warrior so renowned as Forgall, who'd faced death a hundred times in the heat of battle, was afraid for the half-second it took for his body to crash to the ground.

His death, from my perspective, was but collateral damage. Still, I strive to be a just goddess. He paid his life that I might advance my scheme to make Cú Chulainn mine. I owed him.

I stood there, doing my best to communicate empathy with a kind smile, as he approached the cauldron of rebirth.

"Noble Forgall," I said. "For most of your life, you fought honorably. But when you deceived the young warrior that he might flee you brought your own death upon yourself."

Forgall collapsed to his knees and, with tears in his eyes, looked up to me in desperation. "Divine Morrigan, It was only my intention to give Emer, my daughter, a life better than that of a warrior's bride."

I nodded and extended my hand. In truth, I was already impressed that he knew who I was. Whatever I'd done, in my short time since the Dagda had made me what I am, had garnished me something a reputation. He took my hand and I helped the warrior to his feet.

"I cannot fault you for your actions, Forgall. A good father will go to any length to protect his daughter." I winced as I said it. I thought of Fionn, my own father... how he'd gladly given us up to the Dagda that he might become a dragon, that he might secure vengeance on the druid who'd taken Grainne from him. Emer begrudged her father for betrothing her to a king, and a tyrant no less. But a woman could do worse than become a tyrant's queen provided he wasn't the sort of king who'd demand his wife's head if he thought her out of line. But Forgall had acted out of love.

I was jealous of Emer, now, on two accounts. First, because she intended to marry my beloved. And second, because she'd had a loving father...

Still, lest my jealousy might turn to envy, I had to temper my rage. I had a plan. I'd certainly see it through.

"I was wrong," Forgall said. "She loved Cú Chulainn... dare I say more than he ever cared for her. I've known warriors like him all my life. He may have desired my daughter. He might have had affection for her. But he didn't love her. Not the way she did him."

I nodded. Forgall was right. Cú Chulainn's heart was still set on the faerie Fand, the one whom he'd barely encountered and quieted his soul. I'd heard his thoughts. He tried to convince himself she'd been a dream. But she was real and he knew it.

Still, intervening in Cú Chulainn's attempt to wed Emer was going to be a challenge. Cú Chulainn might not have loved her fully, but he did desire her. He had more affection for Emer than he ever did for Aife.

But Emer did love the young warrior... she was taken with him. I was powerless to change that, the Dagda was clear. I was not to interfere with a human's will. Nonetheless, I could answer petitions of the dead. If such a petition might at the very leastcomplicatethe relationship between Cú Chulainn and Emer, so be it. If I offered Forgall a simple request...

"Tell me, noble warrior. What would be your final request before you enter the cauldron of rebirth?"

"Do you regularly grant all the fallen such requests, goddess?"

I shook my head. "I do not. Suffice it to say I am in a generous mood. Question me again, and my disposition is likely to change."

Forgall nodded and, stroking his beard, looked at me with wide tear-filled eyes. "Can you make my Emer fall out of love with the warrior?"

I shook my head. "I cannot interfere with such matters of the heart."

"I didn't think so," Forgall said. "It was worth asking."

"Think, warrior. You know your daughter. I cannot manipulate her heart or her will, but is there something that might occur, that might befall her and would cause her to consider casting Cú Chulainn from her heart?"

Forgall stood and, staring in the cauldron, pondered the question for a moment. "I would rather not test or tempt my own daughter. However, if you might test the warrior's affections... he clearly loves another, though I know not who. If you can discern it, afford the warrior a simple choice—a chance to be with the one whom he loved before my Emer and the chance to stay with Emer himself. Should he choose my daughter, so be it. I will resign the matter to the fates. If, however, he should choose to entertain his love for the one upon whom his heart has always been set, perhaps my daughter will see his heart belongs elsewhere and will leave him of her own accord."

I pressed my lips together. I could not manipulate Cú Chulainn's will. And if I could not affect a human heart, still less could I ever direct whom a faerie might love. Did she even remember the mortal? Alas, there was little in my power to do. But Forgall's request was simple. I should simply afford Cú Chulainn and the faerie achance...an opportunity... how either of them might act on such a chance was up to them.

"So be it, noble Forgall," I said, extending my hand that he might take it as he stepped into the cauldron. "May your journey from death to life anew be a peaceful one."

Returning to the earth I took the form of a raven, spread my wings, and took to the skies. I had work to do...

Aife had answered my call before, perhaps she would answer my plea a second time. I could use her, still, to accomplish what had to be done in an effort to win my beloved's heart.

? Cú Chulainn

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