Finally by popular demand- another chapter 😀
Niamh’s Encounter with the Morrigan
This new landscape though beautiful, felt strange to Niamh. The forest road was worn with the tracks of footsteps and horses hooves. She knew she was traveling in the lesser known sphere of men so she stayed hidden by the stream, keeping close to the trees and the wild, woodland spirits of her childhood.
As she approached a small bridge, she saw an old woman on the bank washing clothes. The woman rose up imperiously from her chore, and Niamh realized that she was in the presence of no ordinary mortal. Flourishing a cape of black raven feathers the woman greeted Niamh by name.
“You are far from home little daughter”, she called out. “That which you seek is near and by your father’s wish I will give you a gift of perception, but first you must give me the dream that you hold so dearly in your hand.” Niamh recoiled instinctively and her hand tightened. “It will be returned to you,” said the woman reassuringly, “you must trust me in this!”
Green glens of Ghaoth Dobhair
The Rider (Chapter 28)
Niamh instantly understood that the woman was the Morrigan, the Great Queen of prophecy and magic; both the foreteller of doom and the Lady of the Lake, who escorts slain heroes to the other side.
Refusal was not an option, and so with a sense of foreboding Niamh reluctantly handed her the shining object that had morphed into the shape of a teardrop in the grotto of her palm. The Morrigan took it solemnly and stepped back. She became a wolf, dissolving through the shadows with the precious dream held in her jaws. Niamh sat down in resignation, and waited for the spaces between time to unfold.
In the distance she heard pounding hooves and peering through the brier she saw a man come riding. The dark mane of his hair swept over the wind and there was something about him that seemed curiously familiar.
Background: The Morrigan was sometimes called a goddess, but seemed to be one of the Tuatha, and even a Beansidhe. She took many forms, including that of a raven and a wolf and has been associated with the moon and the Lady of The Lake. She sometimes was seen as an old woman washing the clothes of whoever was to die. Symbolically she represented the transition between life and death, insight, prophecy and magic. It was she, who as a raven, sat on the hero Cuchulainn’s shoulder on the day of his death in battle.
deviant art model by Liancary Art
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
The story progresses! I love “and waited for the spaces between time to unfold”. It’s so evocative! Great job!
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thank you once again Lizzie for your wonderful encouragement!
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‘waited for the spaces between time to unfold’ – I love that. And I’m always attracted to the crone goddesses, like the Morrigan.
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yes, she is very interesting!! and thanks so much for reading and your comments Andrea!!!
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Always a delight. Savoured.
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I’m always so pleased when you visit fairyland!! Thank you Peter!! I look forward to reading more from you too. Hope all is well!!!
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All is well, Cybele. Thanks. I already put up a story. The Tree Hugger. You can look at it when you have time.
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will do!!! 🙂
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Id like to say ‘ditto’ to the last comment.
A joy to read always fabulous photos 🙂
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I am so glad you are enjoying the tale!! Thanks muchly for stopping by!!! 🙂
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Always a pleasure stopping by… and yes I’m definitely enjoying the tale 🙂
Glad you found your muse.
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Great pics and story!…
I also loved learning about The Morrigan as a female symbol for the transition between life and death and as Cuchulainn’s protectress goddess…
Thanks for sharing. Best wishes dear Cybele,
Aquileana 😀
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thank you Aquileana!! I knew you would love the mythology behind it.
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What a beautiful flow of words that carried me away to some other place far from this. The images add another element to a completely magical story.
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Coming from you that is so very appreciated!! Thank you Suzanne. ( happy day!!)
🙂
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Amazing photos! And the words swept me up too.
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thank you so much for your wonderful comment Christy!!
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Love this story. I’d hate to give up my dreams, too. Your photos are fabulous! 🙂
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So glad you enjoy the tale Linda!! Thanks for your positive comments!
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Oh, dear. I don’t envy anyone having to hand their dreams over to The Morrigan.
I love that sentence “Niamh sat down in resignation, and waited for the spaces between time to unfold.” You can so feel the weight on her shoulders growing heavier with every minute that passes, with each minute seeming longer.
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My poor Niamh!! Yes and more to come and a little touch of humour hopefully amidst the sadness!! Mythological themes to me seemed always to have rather tragic twists especially the Norse and celtic. Thank you for your thoughtful comments!!
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Love the photos… Dreamy
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thanks Raj!!
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Lovely dreamy images Cyb 😊
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thank you Mark! They seem to go with the story!
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Fantastic! Such a joy to read… And the photos? A dream as always.
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thank you so much for reading and for your comment!!
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