I wait patiently on the shore for the little boat to fetch me across the lough to Inis án Ghaill. The midwinter sky is gray, blue and white with an occasional blinding flash of sunlight from behind scattering clouds. My good woolen brat is old but still warms me well enough. I pull the hood closer around my face against the slashing gusts. The white banner that signals the ferryman flaps like the wing of a wounded bird that is struggling to fly away. From where I stand, I can just make out the round roof of the hostel on the island where Auntie Freedom now lives.

"Will she remember me?" The wind cuts into my eyes and I let the tears come. "Will she still be strong?" I ask the two faithful companions who wait here with me. The pony, Roisin, pricks up her ears at the sound of my voice but keeps her head lowered to the sparse grass, grazing calmly where she is tethered. The wolfhound, Thorn, puts his head to one side. His tongue lolls out in a comical grin. Usually this would make me giggle but not today. I pat his head absent mindedly. Across the water, I see the ferryman moving towards us at last.

The journey from Inver Colpa was easy compared to other travels I've had. I was overjoyed to see the old crannog was still standing. A stranger greeted me at the gate and answered my many questions. Feargus? The chieftain's name is remembered but no one knows of him now. Arwen? Eldrich? Both gone to TirNanOg. When I inquire of Ladee, the stranger just smiles and nods. Brandubh? Auntie Freedom? Aye, still with us. The old warrior is at the hostel on Inis án Ghaill and Brandubh is somewhere about...

I feel a chill at mention of Inis án Ghaill. When I lived at the crannog before, the island was a refuge for those folks who no longer wished to live among us, for whatever reasons. Now, I am told, there is a house there for the elderly and the ones who cannot be healed. Those who cannot be healed. I wonder if I could try.

There is no time for more thoughts. The ferryman is here, a handsome young man whose face is red from the lashings of icy weather. He looks at me with eyes as blue as the lough itself. "Manannan," he says gruffly, holding out his hand. I gasp and take a step backwards, almost falling over Thorn who is always close to me.

The ferryman frowns. "Dunno if the wee boat can carry horse, dog and the two of us as well," he shrugs and glances back across the water with a doubtful scowl. The familiar lilt of my kinspeople burrs in his voice, putting me more at ease.

"Oh, your name is Manannan!" I realize, feeling stupid. "I thought -"

He shrugs again and stares at me curiously, probably wondering if I am going to Inis án Ghaill as a visitor or a resident. "Well? Do you want me to take you across?"

"The horse and hound will stay here," I mumble. I reach into my bundle for the little pouch of trinkets I kept to offer in trade but Manannan assures me there is no need. I take his hand, he eases me into the curragh, and we glide briskly away.

Landing on the other shore, Manannan points out a path to the hostel then he leaves me on my own. I easily find the way and am welcomed in. A healer no more than twenty summers old smiles when I ask of Saoirse.

Nothing could prepare me for this reunion. As I come around the corner, I hear her voice. It is cracked and raspy as it ever was but there is the same commanding tone.

“I dinna feel no pain, lass, nor do I wanna sleep. I jes want to go home.”

Swallowing hard, I step into the room. Auntie Freedom glares at me. Her face puckers into a horrible grimace. I fear she doesn't know me. "It's Moss," I force myself to smile and fight back the tears. "I've come home and you were the first one I wanted to see..."