I met the Love-Talker one eve in the glen,
He was handsomer than any of our handsome young men,
His eyes were blacker than sloe, his voice sweeter far
Than the crooning of old Kevin's pipes beyond in Coolnagar.
I was bound for the milking with a heart fair and free –
My grief! My grief! that bitter hour drained the life from me;
I thought him human lover, thought his lips on mine were cold,
And the breath of death blew keen on me within his hold.
I know not what way he came, no shadow fell behind,
But all the sighing rushes swayed beneath a faery wind,
The thrush ceased its singing, a mist crept about,
We two clung together – with the world shut out.
Beyond the ghostly mist I could hear my cattle low,
The little cow from Bellina, clean as driven snow,
The dun cow from Kerry, the roan from Inisheer,
Oh, pitiful their calling – and his whispers in my ear!
His eyes were a fire; his words were a snare;
I cried my mother's name, but no help was there;
I made the blessed Sign; then he gave a dreary moan,
A wisp of cloud went floating by, and I stood alone.
Running ever through my head, is an old-time rune –
"Who meets the Love-Talker must weave her shroud soon."
My mother's face is furrowed with the salt tears that fall,
But the kind eyes of my father are the saddest sight of all.
I have spun the fleecy lint, and now my wheel is still,
The linen length is woven for my shroud fine and chill,
I shall stretch me on the bed where a happy maid I lay –
Pray for the soul of Maire Og at dawning of day!
He was standing under the shadows of the willow tree. He looked relaxed and I wondered if he could even see me, for how could such beautiful eyes look upon my ordinary face; his irises were like pools of black water, I wanted to drown in them; my gaze was lost in their cold beauty.
He raked slender fingers through golden curls; my heart stopped as he turned towards me, his expression bemused, causing a small gasp to escape from my quivering lips. I started to retreat, my pace quickening as he walked silently towards me, leaving no shadow on the sun-drenched ground.
"Quiet." He growled; the sound didn't match his golden features, it was a dead sound, dark and…cold.
"L…L…eave me alone." I stuttered, catching myself as I tripped on a fallen branch. I suddenly felt the urge to run, his eyes were boring into mine and a small sob escaped my throat.
"I want you." He was intoxicating and I felt dizzy as if I would faint. He grabbed my arm and I screamed.
"BE QUIET!" He slapped me round the face and I tasted copper.
"Get away from her!" He left me so fast that I fell. My head met the ground at blinding speed and I felt warm liquid drip from my temple. As life trickled down my neck, strong arms pulled me from the ground, they felt warms and safe.
"Give her back human."
-But how could I be safe when he was still there.