Nuada mourned for hours even when Lugh's body turned to stone Nuada couldn't let him go. He craddled him back and forth Not leaving the spot where Lugh has breathed his last. His court had to drag him away from Lugh's stone body, He just couldn't let him go.
Having his wife and little brother die infront of him will always hunt Nuada and his hatred for men grew and manifested further into a poisonous grudge that effected his personality and appearance. Nuada was no longer the man he was before the truce.
Nuada sat by himself infront of a small fire outside the Solitude while his Court members brought Lugh to the ship.
He still couldn't believe it His best friend is gone forgood. They just played in the water a week ago and now he's taken from him too.
"My dearest Brother. Tir Na Nog has put another hero to rest. If only I could pass this mission to someone else and be with you Lugh. But I must continiue what I have started and avenge my race".
Nuada felt his world crumble down again as he thought back about their friendship. They day they met. Played and trained together. Lugh was a great support to him when his Mother died. Even offered Nuada to live with him and his Family for a while when he noticed that Nuada started to blame Balor for it as years passed.
They had wonderful adventures together as children even when his duties were doubled bcause Balor wants to train Nuada to become his successor he still found a way to skip out on it and came along with Lugh against Balors wishes. Nuada is a rebel at heart and never had any interest taking the crown.
Nuada also thought about the warm moments they shared where they grew closer to eachother. Nuada always wanted a Brother despite his love for his twin.
And Lugh was like a blessing from the Gods despite Lugh's childish behavior Nuada wouldn't want to change anything about him.
"I'm sorry Brother Nuada said gentle I should have never let you come here..I should have sended you back to Father...Then you would have still be alive".
"And be there with me setting our people free so that people won't be telling stories about your heroic deeds,because you would be alive to tell them yourself".
"I should have taken care of you better instead of wasting time mourning for the ones who are already gone. I failed you like I failed everyone else"
"I'm not worthy of being your Brother"
"It's not your fault Nuada" Centa said behind him kneeling down to Nuada's level who still sat on the ground with his eyes sadly focused on his hands that rested on his knees.
"It's is my fault" Nuada said with a small voice. " If I had my armor on then he didn't have to jump infront of me" "I was the one who should have died not him" Nuada said with eyes brimming with tears.
"Nuada..Centa spoke up grabbing his shoulders shaking him gentle. "You are not the blame for this..Blame the humans..They did this to him not you"
"And Lugh knows that"..Centa said serious.
"Why do I always fail to protect the ones I love?" Nuada asked his older friend.
"No matter how much we try to keep our loved ones safe It won't guarantee anything. "If you had your armor on then The humans would have aimed for your head and Lugh would still take the fall for you"...
Nuada finally made eye contact,his face had tiny purple vains accross his face gray ish eye bags with blue and purple-ish colour like a black eye that in it's healing progress. Nuada looked Ill but eerily,Like evertime he loses someone his bitterness shined from the inside out.
But Centa didn't say a word knowing that his changes are mostly because of the Banshees curse.
More court members came into Nuada's den interrupting Centa's comfort. "The burrial ceremony can begin now" Wink said.
Nuada said nothing and stood up following his Court outside of the valley. Lugh had great respect for Thor's traditions and when he perishes in battle he would like to have a funeral like the Norse Elves did.
Nuada's court traveled over the sea to the grand river where the Norse Elves do their Ceremonies to say goodbye to the ones who felt the mortal plane.
Chewy climbed on Nuada's shoulder as they traveled towards the Large rivers waterfall. It needed comfort and Nuada was the only one who had alot of Lugh's scent over him. It was faint but Chewy could still sense it.
It's been so long since he traveled further than the forest. But he couldn't remain in exile he had to break his vow to leave exile until the forest gods are reborn to say proper goodbye to his younger brother.
Chewy remained silent since Lugh's death until now it lost some weight and hasn't chewed on anything at all. This little dragon knows Lugh has passed away and mourns about his loss just like the rest of Nuada's court.
. Nuada placed Chewy underneath his armour against his chest just like Lugh does when the dragon is scared or dis spirited.
Chewy purred for once in weeks and attentively listened to the rythm of the prince's heart.
Lugh's stoned body was placed on the ship. a red blanket was placed over his body but they didn't cover the head just yet. They all gave a short Goodbye hoping his spirit will depart from the mortal plane to rest in peace allong with the fallen warriors.
He'll always be remembered as the witty soldier who will always be young at heart.
Nuada felt the lump in his throat tighten in sorrow and gave a light kiss on Lugh's forehead and let the blanket cover his face and head.
"Goodbye my dear Brother" "maybe the Gods guide you to the land of Tir Na nog"Nuada choked out and backed away collecting himself as Centa and Macha pushed the boat into the water.
Nuada's court moved towards the hill where they could see the boat sail towards the large waterfall. Chewy poked his head out of Nuada's armour he looked into Nuada's distraught eyes that focused on the boat and climbed out sitting on the ground close to Nuada's leg.
The Fays litted their arrows on fire and they all aimed at the ship. They waited until Nuada fired the first one but he hesitated his hands shook and it traveled to his legs. Nuada tried to remain strong but felt the waterfall of tears threatning to flush over his face It was so hard to do setting the ship on fire with his brother inside.
Nuada lowered his bow slightly and couldn't keep his emotions at bay anymore his eyes blurred with tears and his whole chest hurt.
Centa came behind Nuada and tried to comfort him.
"Nuada it's okay..."Centa said gentle.."I can fire that arrow if you can't do it." but before centa could place a hand on Nuada's shaky shoulder he fired the arrow right away.
it touched the red blanket and the fire spreadded over the blanket the arrows of the others followed the arrows flied towards the boat and the wood started to catch fire and it was like a large candle light floating on the crystal clear blue water.
Nuada slowly colapsed on his knees he could finally let his emotions out he didn't care that he's crying infront of his court since all of them were in tears aswell.
Centa kneld close to him and hugged Nuada from behind Centa squeezed his eyes shut mourning in silence. Chewy watched the ship sail near towards the end. Chewy grumbled and flied towards the boat.
Centa noticed chewy fly away and rubbed his eyes dry first he thought he wanted to fly back to the dragon realm since there is no reason to stay here but then he realised he's going the wrong way.
"Chewy" Nuada said softly in confusion .
Nuada's gasped when Chewy flied towards the roaring flames. "No wait come back!" "Don't! "Nuada cried out but Chewy didn't turn back.
"Oh no"Centa breathed and tried to get Chewy's attention trying to stop him.
Chewy went right through the fire and let itself catch flames and died without making a sound Chewy couldn't imagine living thousands of years without his Master. Lugh was by his side since Chewy hatched from his egg and wants to be by Lugh's side after death. The burning boat fell and slided down the waterfall.
Nuada couldn't believe what Chewy just did..he felt so bad for chewy and grieved for the dragon a brief second.
Nuada felt like he could have prevented chewy from taking his own life if he kept an eye on the little dragon better. but then a cloud of smoke filled with sparks of fire rised all the way up. the smoke faded but the sparks remained in the air longer than it should.
Nuada rised to his feet when he thought he saw Lugh's form in the sparks of fire for a short moment and the image slowly faded into nothing. Nuada didn't feel as devastated as a minute ago when he witnessed that.
Lugh's spirit has entered Tir Na Nog..Nuada knew it as he felt Lugh's presence that filled his body with warmth and strength when the sparks remained in the air.
Nuada stared at the horizon as night almost came. Nuada sighed sadly and tried take comfort that he no longer suffers from the poison and rests in the land where Beauty and warmth flourishes endlessly.
"Wait for me at the green grass field..I will see you there soon brother" Nuada spoke.
"I love you ..I always will".
A/N: Lugh's burial ceremony is inspired by the Norse Mythology. Bodies will be set on fire after they are slain in battle to have their sould send to Vallhalla.
killing Lugh off was difficult since he's not an O.C but a real character from Nuada's court.
Until next time
Light Gaia
