Moss ONiall
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The throbbing of my banged head faded to a dull throb. This was because Feargus immediately fetched me several flagons of wine, set them in a row before me, then dismissed the old hag who was making such a fuss. Her poultice probably did a lot to help the swelling, however. My dear husband was the brunt of so much jesting and joking from his comrades that after he saw to my comfort, he returned in a hurry to the warrior's table to defend his wounded pride. Certainly there is nothing wrong with a war chief having a hard head! I laughed and joined in the fun from where I sat, out of harm's way. The charm from the bannock I held tightly in my hand.

I turned it over and over, wondering what it really meant. Feargus disagreed with me on the interpretation. Perhaps he does not want to think about children yet. I should have set the charm aside, but the possibilities kept nagging me. So I sent a boy to fetch the druid.

It was the lady druid, the one with the tangled hair and dirty face who looked like she had spent all summer in the forest. Despite myself, I felt a cold shiver when she turned to look at me. Then she drifted across the hall like a pillar of smoke, her feet barely touching the floor.

I did not even have to speak. Already she knew my question. Her strangely luminous eyes went to the charm I held. A mere trace of smile played around her thin lips. I held my breath and waited.

"Sometimes a spear is just a spear," she mumbled. So Feargus was correct. A heavy sigh escaped me, part disappointment and part relief.

The druid patted my arm as if in consolation. Then she directed me to a woman with a limp, who was just sitting down at the table next to mine.

Happy for something to take my mind off my own pain, I arose and went to the woman to see if I could help her.

She smiled and removed her slipper, explaining how someone had trod upon her toes at the bonfire. I asked her to show me her other foot, so I could compare them. Indeed her toes were swollen and the nail on her largest toe was deep purple. Gently I felt for broken bones but there were none.

"Stay off your foot as much as you can tonight," I advised her. "Your toes are all bruised, the big toe is the worst. But there are no broken bones. If you avoid dancing, it will feel better by tomorrow!"

As I spoke, I noticed a silver ring on a ribbon round her neck. "Ah! So you've got the ring from the cake!" Her eyes widened and she glanced left and right, as if to see if anyone else heard. So, a secret? Politely, I wish her well and turn back to my own table.

The dancers are staggering a bit and the music is dragging. Soon the festivities will be over for another year. I look for Feargus and find him in a circle of warriors, all of them immersed in their cups and fascinated by yet another tale.
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Posted on: 2:32 pm on Nov. 12, 2001

MaryIceni
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Lady Moss asked me to show her my other foot so she could compare the two of them.

"Stay off your foot as much as you can tonight. Your toes are all bruised, the big toe is the worst. But there are no broken bones. If you avoid dancing, it will feel better by tomorrow!" Lady Moss advised me. I smiled.

"Thank you, Lady Moss," I replied.

"Ah! So you've got the ring from the cake!" Lady Moss said, smiling. My eyes widened as I realized she'd seen the ring! I glanced to the left and right of the three of us as Lady Moss quietly wished me and returned to her table.

I turned towards my brother to see if he'd heard Lady Moss and to my relief, he was deep into his cups, telling tales.

"...dagger straight into the man's heart with her back turned away from him!..."

Then I realized he was talking about the time I'd killed a man to save my friend Crisiant's life after one of the man's companions had kidnapped our mutual friend Grania.
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Posted on: 3:53 pm on Nov. 12, 2001

Feargus
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One of the drunkest men at the table struggles through his simple tale of a battle last summer. I must admit that we are barely listening to the tale and paying more attention to the difficulty he has in choosing his words. The man is far beyond hope of finishing this pained story, though he himself is quite entertaining.

I look up from the table as Moss passes near, just in time to reach out and pull her into my lap. The drink has left me in high spirits but I can still recognize the painful lump on my wife's forehead. I kiss it gently before moving on to her lips with a different intent.
"You are the most beautiful woman here, even with the mark left by your husband's hard head."

I take Moss's fist and carefully unfold her fingers, revealing the bannock charm. Leaning forward, I kiss her palm and the charm before folding her fingers back around it. I look into her clear green eyes and smile.
"mo chroi"
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Posted on: 12:13 pm on Nov. 13, 2001

Ainvar
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This has indeed been a memorable Samhain! If it were not for my wife's insistence that I go with my sister, I would never have come here with Mary.

Indeed, even Mary looks like she's been having more fun than I've seen her have since her wedding...except when the Druid stepped on her foot. Well, sometimes those things happen.

When the Elven lass with flame colored hair reacted badly to my half drunken marriage proposal and tossed aside the ring, I should have taken it as a signal to return to our table and help my sister.

Eventually, I returned to our table and a healer arrived there to look at my sister's foot...
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Posted on: 2:42 pm on Nov. 13, 2001

Broom NiaFer
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The festivities are slowly tapering to an end, despite the brave efforts of the weary musicians and the determined ramblings of a few storytellers. As I gaze around the bruighean, my memories bring back to life those whose names were called out at the bonfire, the ones who are present here in spirit, not in body. Once again I hear their laughter, see their faces, and sense their presences in the shadows. Soon this sacred night will end. But the remembrances will remain for season after season, year after year.

There is only one sip of wine left in my cup. I cannot take another swallow. The last drops I leave for those thirsty souls who linger unseen in the empty spaces.
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Posted on: 2:57 pm on Nov. 13, 2001

MaryIceni
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As my brother and I finish our food, I start feeling sleepy and my brother helps me to a warm corner to sleep...as soon as possible after the dawn comes we will leave to head home.
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Posted on: 3:54 am on Nov. 14, 2001

MacMorna
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The faint light of false dawn tinted the eastern sky. The musicians had long ago laid aside their instruments and the storytellers had mumbled off into sleep. Most of the torches and candles had guttered out, leaving the bruighean in a kind of subdued twilight. The soft snores of the merry-makers, an occasional snort or hic or belch, were all there was to be heard.

I rose and stretched, and walked to the open window. I sipped from my flagon, now filled with fresh spring water, as I gazed out into the semi-darkness. From far off, I heard the howl of a solitary wolf. Hmmm... That's strange! The Brothers of the Forest usually do their singing in the earlier hours of the night. Nearer, another took up the song, then another and another, until it seemed all the wolves in the world were calling. The sounds seemed to be coming nearer the bruighean. Several of the sleepers began to rouse.

I lighted a fresh torch from the embers on the hearth and stepped out the door. Gromm and Flidais were stationed out there to protect us from the evil spirits, but I feared for their safety midst a pack of wolves. Stepping away from the building, I held the torch high over my head. Reflected in its light was a solid ring of golden eyes, not more than twenty paces from where I stood. To either side of the doorway was a guardian Druid, wrapped in cloak and blanket against the chill.

I turned to my left, recognizing her robe. Is aught amiss, Flidais? I inquired. Our furry friends seem to be somewhat upset!

Slowly she stood and looked about. The Brothers are telling us there has been a passing of one who has been a friend.

I turned to Gromm, knowing his history as a protector and advocate for the wolves of the forest. Gromm? I questioned. GROMM! I reached out to jostle him awake, but knew the truth of the matter before ever my hand touched his shoulder.

I shed a single tear before looking back to Flidais and to those who had gathered in the doorway. Softly, I announced, It looks as if our good friend and wise teacher has passed into the Summerlands within the hour.
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Posted on: 5:05 pm on Nov. 14, 2001

Broom NiaFer
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I must have drowsed off into a dream. The forest creatures were all singing, their voices raised in a lament. In the dream, I turned to our druid, Flidais, for reassurance. She did not reply but only smiled sadly and pointed to the starlit sky.

Then I heard MacMorna's voice, hushed with sorrow, saying Gromm's name.

I awoke with a startle to find myself huddled on the floor of the bruighean, covered snugly with my wooly brat. The first light of a new day haloed the open door. No longer dreaming, I could still hear the animals singing. In a daze of uncertainty, I arose to peer outside.

A handful of people, including MacMorna, were already by the door, their breath wreathing each of their heads in pale mist.

Every person seemed equally awestruck, staring at the gathering of creatures who had come out of the forest to add their voices to this strange song. A pack of wolves stood nearest, along with a huge elk, a family of red deer, a pair of foxes, and many others whose presence was only known by the shine of their eyes. Nightbirds called out, mixing their cries with the morning calls of linnet and dove.

As in my dream, again I heard the voice of my bard intoning the name of the gentle druid, Gromm. Gods, how I wished I were still only dreaming..
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Posted on: 10:23 pm on Nov. 14, 2001

MaryIceni
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The sound of wolfsong jolted me awake for I had been dreaming of my half-wolf dog that I had raised from the time she was a tiny pup...but now she had whelped her own litter of pups recently.

Curious as to what had aroused the wolves to sing this late at night, I roused my brother and he helped me hobble towards the door of the bruighean to look about along with several others. A large pack of wolves stood near the door of the bruighean along with the birds of both morning and night, red deer, an elk, foxes and raccoons.

"What is going on, sister?" my brother asked in my ear, quietly. I made the silencing motion towards my brother.

"It looks as if our good friend and wise teacher has passed into the Summerlands within the hour," I heard the bard, MacMorna, say of the same Druid who the night before had accidentally bruised my foot. I merely felt saddened by his death.

As my brother and I watched, I heard the name Gromm repeated. Now I knew his name and wished Gromm all speed to the Summerlands... .
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Posted on: 3:17 am on Nov. 15, 2001

Gazesby
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A lone man on a horse came into the camp, he was recognized and greeted with nods, none of which he returned. His horse came to a halt and he dismounted in front of Etain sitting in the grass.

Etain looked up at him and he nodded, leaning forward whispering in her ear. "Gromm is walking in the stars now. Come and we shall take our leave. Come home with me..."

Etain let herself be lead onto the horse behind the big warrior and she held on to him as the horse began it's way out from the camp and away. Home...
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Posted on: 4:47 am on Nov. 15, 2001

Flidais
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Gradually, the sunlight warms the small cluster of people who were drawn outside by the sound of the animals' farewell to Gromm. Instinctively, I begin the blessing-chant of the Daystar, lifting my arms to embrace those broadening beams of light. At first the song sticks in my throat, as I feel a sudden emptiness where Gromm's voice used to weave its melodious harmony with mine. Then I take a deep breath and stretch my arms higher, raising my voice to sing as I've never sung before, releasing the bright ribbons from my heart that once bound me to my druid brother. As I let go, I call the golden radiance down upon us all, to fill the emptiness, to give strength, to guide us onward, and to bring peace upon this day.

While I sing, the forest creatures melt back into their realms, having paid tribute to kindred spirit. When the chant is done, everyone stands awkwardly silent, no one wanting to be the first to speak. One by one, folks go back inside to gather belongings for the homeward journey.

Already a few riders depart. The Iceni lass with the sore foot is helped along by her brother, surrounded by kinfolk as they mount their horses. I catch a glimpse of Etain, who had danced with Gromm at the bonfire. She leaves swiftly in a cloud of dust. Her hood covers her hair, shadowing her face. She does not look back. I thought she shared a special bond with my brother, the way they danced together at the bonfire, and I am saddened that she has gone so quickly, without even a single word or gesture of farewell.

Shrugging it off, I turn my attention back to preparing for the funeral rites. The only ones remaining are the Rian of NiaFer and her bard, who stand quietly in the doorway of the bruighean.

"Gromm would have wanted a simple ceremony," I say to them, forcing my lips into a consoling smile. "These grounds are sacred, a fitting place for him to rest. Bard, will you make a praise poem for him? Tonight at sunset we say our last goodbyes."

Abruptly I turn away to hide my tears. Life is eternal, we druids are taught, as eternal as the rolling wheel of the seasons, the whirl of the winds and the rushing of the waters. Round and round we go, birth and death and rebirth ever swirling, ever returning from the cauldron of mysteries. Today I find little comfort in those lessons. Like a talisman, I will carry this ache, this emptiness, until my brother and I meet again on the shores of TirNanOg...
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Posted on: 3:38 pm on Nov. 15, 2001

MacMorna
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By ones and by twos, the festival-goers came from the bruighean, to stand quietly and pay their respects to Gromm. Woodland creatures, great and small, crept or flitted closer to wish their friend a safe journey. Flidais moved a little apart and sang up the Sun, starting tremulously but finishing with great strength. As the song ended, I looked up to see the animals and birds had all quietly disappeared back into the forest. The rest of the assembly filtered back into the bruighean to pack and prepare for their own homeward journeys.

Gazesby, a warrior known to most of us, rode into the clearing on horseback. I made as if to speak, but he rode on by without so much as a nod. He centered on Etain, a dark-haired woman whom I had seen dancing with Gromm only last eve. He hoisted her onto the pillion, remounted, and rode off without a word. She seemed quite distraught.

Throughout the morning, the celebrants left in groups, small and large. With each going was a promise to meet again at Beltaine.
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Posted on: 8:33 pm on Nov. 15, 2001

MacMorna
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By mid-day we were alone, the Druidess, my new Rian, and myself. Quietly, I suggested to Broom that she might offer to help Flidais with the preparation of the body. I took two large buckets down to the spring and filled them with fresh water for the washing. I built up the fire and set the water to heating in a great cauldron.

Searching the bruighean, I finally found the tools I needed. I set to work, digging a grave near the edge of the clearing. Four hours I dug in the stony soil, saving the largest rocks in a pile to one side. Finally, I had what I considered to be a fitting resting place prepared. After washing up in the chill water from the spring, I went back to the bruighean to see how the ladies were faring with their task.

Gromm was laid out on top of one of the banquet tables, wrapped in his best cloak. Hair washed and tied back, he looked in perfect peace. Broom and Flidais were chatting quietly by the fireside, and did not notice my entrance. The sun was nearing the horizon. I cleared my throat to announce my presence. Ladies! I think the time draws nigh. I lifted Gromm onto one of the long benches, and thus we carried him to the gravesite. Just at sunset, we said our last farewells and laid him in the ground. As a parting gift, I gave him a small stag, carved from bone. Broom clipped a prized bronze brooch to his cloak, and Flidais placed a mystical amulet around his neck.

We stepped back a pace or two and I, as the only Bard present, spoke the Lament I had composed while I was working.