Free The Legends by Robert E. Connolly Page A

their grandfather, the immortal Lugh of the Long Hand, without appropriate gifts. Fergus and Ferdia were, after all, not paupers but wealthy in their own right by virtue of their inheritance from Cúchulainn. Although much of that wealth would, in the children’s absence, revert to the king, Fergus and Ferdia would not go into the underworld, hat in hand, rather they went as the sons of a Red Branch Knight.
    In addition to the finest robes, several intricately carved gold bracelets and amulets were fashioned at the direction of Cathbad. The pieces were Celtic in design so that, as they grew, the children would be reminded of their origins. Two gold goblets, inset with jewels, were specifically included as a gift for Lugh of the Long Hand. To remind the children of their father, the fallen hero’s great sword was also to travel with them to the land of eternal youth.
    Finally, to protect the children during their journey, two stone cribs were fashioned from slabs of granite. The massive rocks were carefully carved and polished into a large oval shape after which the tops were hollowed to accommodate each child. Even then, it took two strong men to lift each crib. A soft mattress of goose down feathers lined the bottom of the hollow and when Fergus and Ferdia lay deep in their rock chariots, a cloth cover was fitted over the top to protect the children from the elements.
    When the preparations were completed all that remained was the trip itself. The festive atmosphere in the fields around Emain Macha grew in intensity as Beltaine approached but within the confines of the great hall, it seemed that the residents knew that the day of Fergus and Ferdia’s departure was imminent. At times the hall became unusually quiet and somber and each day everyone looked to Cathbad in anticipation. Those present, particularly the women who attended the infants, realized that they would probably never see the twins again and they keened for their loss. Fergus and Ferdia, perhaps understanding their sorrow, did not protest as they were passed around and around and smothered with hugs and kisses. Their bright blue eyes moved from one face to another and into each corner of the great room, as they seemed to commit to their memories the sights, sounds and smells of Emain Macha. As dusk settled, they closed their eyes to the quiet weeping of the wonderful family the boys acquired in only a few short weeks.

CHAPTER NINE
    The first of May dawned, and when Cathbad strode purposefully from his retreat in the forest with a heavy travelling cloak draped over his arm, word quickly spread that the day Fergus and Ferdia would depart had finally arrived. The morning was blessed with bright sunshine, much to the relief of many who looked to the skies for some sign that the decision to offer the children to their grandfather was proper.
    In Conchubar’s stronghold, as Mairéad attended to her morning tasks in caring for the children she noticed that Fergus was abnormally fidgety. On closer examination she felt that his forehead was particularly warm as perhaps he was running a slight fever. Mairéad immediately send word for Cathbad and Áine, a woman trained in the healing arts, to examine the child.
    It took Áine only a few minutes to confirm Mairéad’s suspicions and she announced that Fergus was not only feverish but appeared to be developing a cold. Cathbad stood aside stroking his long beard considering the impact of the diagnosis. He knew that it was certainly not in the best interests of Fergus to send a sick infant on what could be a long and difficult journey. Alternatively, he was confident that the time for delivering the children to their grandfather had arrived and delay was not appropriate.
    Ultimately Cathbad recalled that when he foresaw the strange futures, which awaited the infants, he recognized that their destinies were not identical and so, perhaps, this was the sign that the two children should be separated. As reluctant as he was