Hey guys! ^_^ Here's my newest fanfic. :) It's another one for Song of the Sea. :D This one was really hard to write, I thought I was going to go blind typing it. *wiped forehead* You won't believe how much research I did for this fic.
This fanfic tales place in 2019. Do the math. The movie takes place in the 1980's, specifically 1987. The year Saoirse turned six. That would mean she would be thirty-seven at the moment. And yeah, Ben turns forty-two in this story.
Everything will be explained at the end. Check the bottom once you finish reading this story. As always, read and review.
"Are we there yet, Mom?"
"Almost, mo ghrá."
Saoirse looked through the rearview mirror at her daughter, who was watching with excitement. She was a beautiful child: straight black hair to her chin, rosy cheeks, but what made her more unique were her eyes. They were a beautiful shade of amber. Saoirse smiled as she turned her eyes back to the road. The small seaside town in view. They were almost there.
Today was her brother's birthday. He was turning forty-one today. She was also looking forward to seeing her father again, and her twin nephew and niece, Oryn and Aviva. She could see the quaint seaside town surrounded by the sea and the majestic green hills. Offshore of the town was the lighthouse. Her childhood home. Where her brother was.
Saoirse looked back at the rearview mirror, seeing Ula looking out the window of their rental car.
The town came into view. Buildings past her as she drove towards the dock. This place was just how she remembered it. It was like...a city in a snowglobe. Saoirse saw the pub her father used to frequent. Another two blocks back was the clothing store. And the pastry shop next to it.
She saw the ferry and its ferryman waiting for her on the dot. Saoirse drove onto the bridge and she was on the main deck of the ferry. She turned off the car as the horn blew and the ferry got ready to make its voyage toward the island up ahead. Ula jumped out of the car and sprinted toward the railing, her ebony hair blowing in the wind. Saoirse took the car out of the ignition and slipped out of the car. As soon as the car door was closed she waltzed toward her daughter.
"It's been years since I've been here," she said. Ula looked up at her mother. "I miss this place." Saoirse sighed.
Footfalls resonated from behind, Saoirse turned around, standing before her was Kian. Aigéan's grandson.
"Hi, Saoirse," he said.
Kian was all a ferryman exuded: his granfather's raincoat over his red sweater, dark brown pants. A pair of black rain boots completed the look. His muddy brown hair clipped intricately and slicked back, exuding a piny aroma. In short: he was every bit of Aigéan back in his day. Now it brought back childhood memories spent ferrying her and Ben to the mainland and vice-versa.
"Hi, Kian," she quipped, turning around, leaning against the railing.
Kian noticed the girl beside Saoirse. "Who is this little miss?"
"My daughter, Ula," replied Saoirse, she patted a hand on her daughter's head.
"Hi, Ula," said Kian, holding out a hand. "I'm Kian."
Ula coyly looked at Kian, unsure whether to shake hands with him or not. To make things move along, she quickly shook hands with him while keeping her eyes on his face, never breaking eye contact.
"A shy one, aren't we?"
Ula shrank back and retreated back to her mother's side. Saoirse chuckled.
"So, how's life's been for you?," asked Saoirse.
"Oh, just the usual," replied Kian, "ferrying your brother and back. And those kids of his running around on the deck." He chuckled. "Grandpa said and you and your brother used to be the same."
"Yeah," said Saoirse.
"Is it true you didn't start talking until you were six?"
Ula glanced up at her mother with a brow arched.
"Yes, yes, I did." She sounded like she was trying to give a report.
"Grandpa was afraid you'd never learn to speak, that you'd be mute for your whole life."
"Right." The tension between them deepened, pressure accumulating like a storm cloud.
"So, uh," he said, as a way to change the subject, "how's life in the States?"
"It's wonderful," responded Saoirse. "I have a great job there, I have my friends... But most importantly, I have my daughter." She glanced over at Ula, who smiled from ear to ear.
Kian smiled, which faded quickly when he heard a noise resound. All three turned around and sidled over to the other side of the ferry. Seals poked out of the water, their barks chorusing together.
"Look, Ula, seals," crooned Saoirse. Ula smiled and chuckled.
"They're funny," said Ula.
The seals swam alongside the ferry. Saoirse knew it was because they remembered her. And she remembered them. She remember when she put on her selkie coat and swim with them. Of course, she was a selkie for about a day. That was a long time ago. A lifetime ago since her mother took her sealcoat, and Saoirse became fully human.
"If Grandpa were alive he'd be happy to go to your brother's birthday," uttered Kian.
"Yeah."
Kian walked up the stairs back to the wheel. Ula looked back at the sea and the seals. She waved at the seals.
"I used to spend so much time on the beach watching the seals dive out of the water." Saoirse watched the island, that was coming into the view. Memories of childhood were flickering like a slideshow.
"Get in the car, Ula," instructed Saoirse. Ula got in the backseat and her mother got back inside the car. Starting the ignition, she idled in her car, prepared to go full speed once the ferry anchored.
In about ten minutes, the ferry was already anchored on the island. Saoirse opened the car window.
"Are you staying for the party?," she called, peeking out the open window.
"I wish I could, but I've got my rounds to do," replied Kian, stepping out do the wheelhouse. "Tell Ben I say happy birthday."
"Will do!" She waved to him as she revved up the car and drove off, Ula, who also opened her window, waved to Kian.
Saoirse drove up the hill, excitement bubbling in her very being. Soon the house came into view and her brother, along with his wife and children stood waiting. Her father came out of the house as soon she turned off the car.
"Aunty Saoirse!," peeped Aviva. She ran up to her aunt just as she was coming out of the car.
"Hi, Aviva," said Saoirse. She embrace her niece. She finally noticed Ula, who had gone visibly unnoticed, who was also getting out of the car herself.
"Hi, Ula!," said Aviva.
"Hi, Aviva," she piped. Aviva broke the hug and lifted Ula into the air. The younger girl burst into giggles.
"Aunty!," chirped Oryn. He ran up to his aunt and giddily wrapped his arms around his aunt.
"Hi, Oryn," said Saoirse. "How are you?"
"Good," replied Oryn.
"Doing alright in school?"
"Aunty, it's summer vacation," reminded Oryn.
Saoirse chuckled. "Oh right. I forgot. My bad."
Her nephew and niece were like their father: same blond hair, but their eyes were green. Like their mother. Saoirse saw her approach her.
"Saoirse," she said, arms open for a hug.
"Ezlyn."
The two women hugged.
"It's been too long," said Ezlyn as she pulled away.
"Same here," agreed Saoirse. Ezlyn's attention turned toward Ula.
"Ooh, there's my favorite niece!," she chirruped, breaking away from Saoirse to focus her attention on Ula. The little girl jumped into her arms and her aunt lifted her up in the air. "How are you?"
"Good."
"Say 'hi' to your Uncle Ben."
"Hi, Uncle Ben," said Ula, waving to him.
"Hi, Ula," greeted Ben.
"Dad." Saoirse approached her father, who was in need of welcoming greeting.
"Hehe, there's my girl," he said. Saoirse and her father hugged.
Conor had been getting on in years. His hair had gone completely white along with a beard, not like Aigéan's, but less thick. He was dressed in a pair of dark green overalls with a cream shirt under. He had on a grey coat over his outfit and he donned on a pair black boots. Her father had retired four years ago and returned to his old house in the city, leaving Ben keeper of the lighthouse. Of course that wasn't all her brother did. Her brother was also a painter. His paintings were usually sea-based with undertones of fantasy.
"Good to have you back, dear," said Conor.
"Glad to be here, Dad."
"Grandpa!" Ula chirped.
Conor looked over at Ula. "Eh hey, there." He broke the embrace and went over to greet his granddaughter. "Look at you Ula," he continued, "you've gotten so big." The little girl chuckled.
"The party, Mom," said Oryn, tugging on his mother's arm.
"Be right there, son," said Ezlyn. "Help me with the cake." She and Oryn drifted into the house, her mousy brown hair flying behind her like a banner.
"What did you get me for my birthday?," queried Ben.
"That's for me to know and for you find out," retorted Saorise, raising a brow. Ben chuckled.
"Same old Saoirse."
"Now go," she said, "I'll bring your present out onto the beach."
"Dad, come on quick!," called Aviva, waving.
"Coming," said Ben over his shoulder. "Well I'm up, see you down at the beach." Ben jogged over to his daughter and they both sauntered down the stone steps that lead to the beach. It was now Saoirse, her daughter and her father.
"Mom would've loved to be here," uttered Saoirse.
"I know, dear," said Conor. "But she's always with us, in here." He patted his chest, indicating his heart. Saoirse smiled.
"Well, I'd better get Ben's gift out of the car," she replied, pulling out the keys from her pocket. She walked over to the trunk, opened it and rummaged through, pulling out her luggage, then her daughter's, and finally the present she got her brother.
"I'll take these up," offered Conor.
"Thanks, Dad," quipped Saoirse, handing him her luggage and her daughter's. "Come on, Ula." She held her daughter's hand in her own.
No sooner did Conor open the door did Ezlyn and Oryn strode out, with the cake in tow.
"Aunty, look at the cake," hooted Oryn. The birthday cake was frosted a light blue with white to represent sea foam. On the sides were seals drawn in a grey frosting that Saoirse had no idea how they managed to mix into that perfect shade. To finish the touch, it had a miniature lighthouse topper with the number forty-two on the cupola.
"That looks pretty," commented Ula.
"Yes, well, let's get down to the beach, shall we?," said Ezlyn, winking.
The four strolled down the stone steps with Oryn running ahead of the three women. Ezlyn gingerly held the cake as to not drop it while Ula kept her eyes glued on. The little girl licked her lips in anticipation, tempted to sneak a lick of frosting. Once the three reached the bottom the party could commence. Atop the same boat Saoirse rode for most of her childhood, which was overturned to be used as a makeshift table, was already layered with three different soda flavors: orange, green apple and strawberry. There was a tray of cupcakes in white frosting, balloons tied to each end, six more were tied to rocks. The presents were placed on the boat, all wrapped in pretty colorful gift wrap.
"Happy birthday, Dad," said Oryn, running up to his father. He hugged him once they were in arm's reach.
"Happy birthday," said Aviva.
"Happy birthday, hun," said Ezlyn, placing the birth cake at the center of their makeshift table. She planted a kiss on her husband's cheek.
"Happy birthday, you little tachrán," smirked Saoirse.
"Saoirse!," piped Ben.
"Sorry, sorry," apologized Saoirse, "force of habit. Granny used to call you that."
"I know, I know."
Another set of footsteps approached their party, prompting everyone to turn around. Conor came, in his hands, a picture frame and a photo album.
"Dad," said Saoirse, "you brought the family album. I haven't seen it in years."
"I thought it was a good time," explained Conor. He held up the picture frame, the picture frame with her mother's photo. Conor placed it on the boat. "I thought your mother would like to be a part of the party."
"She would've love to be here," quoth Saoirse, putting her hands on Ula's shoulders.
"I'll go start the timer," said Ezlyn.
Ben kept the old tripod camera even after his sister left for the United States in order to follow her dreams. Even though his children had iPads and smart phones, he preferred to keep things old fashioned. It was how he liked it. Ezlyn started the timer and rushed over to the group. Conor thrusted a small birthday candle onto the cake and lit with a match.
"Now, on the count of three," instructed Ezlyn, "smile everyone."
"One..."
Fifteen seconds.
"Two..."
Ben took a deep breath and held it in.
"Three!"
The camera flashed, Ben blew out the candles and everybody was all smiles.
"Happy birthday, Uncle," said Ula.
"Thanks, Ula." Ben patted her on the head.
Conor sidled up to the tripod camera, taking the photograph out of the slot. He waved it, held it up to the light and watched the picture appear. All seven of them gathered round, a smile everyone's face. He opened the album to the final pages and placed it in. The album was almost complete.
"There we have it," said Conor, turning the album over.
"Hey, we all great there," commented Ben.
"Yeah, well," replied Conor, turning it over. He paged through it, turning to the first few pages.
"Hey, look!," hooted Aviva, pointing. Everyone turned to the water to see a pod of seals watching them.
"Aw, look," cooed Ezlyn, clapping her son and pointing at the seals.
"Whoa." Oryn's eyes widened.
"Let's go see them," announced Aviva.
"Oh, honey—" Before Ezlyn could finish, Aviva started taking off her turquoise blues dress, revealing a cobalt two-piece swimsuit. She slipped off her sandals.
"Hey, wait up," peeped Oryn. He quickly took off his slip-on sneakers, his plaid shirt, his white undershirt until he was in his shorts and followed after his sister, who had already jumped into the water.
Ben chuckled. He turned his attention to Ula. "You want to join them?," he queried.
"No," she replied, "I can't swim very well."
"You never know until you try it."
Ula shrank back.
"How 'bout some cake?," suggested Ezlyn as a way to distract her niece.
"Yes, please," said Ula, nodding.
Ezlyn cut up a piece of cake and placed it on a plate. She handed it to the little girl, who thanked her enormously. She then cut up a piece for Saoirse. Then one for Conor.
"Here you go, honey," said Ezlyn, handing him his piece.
"Thanks, love," he said, pecking her cheek.
"I'll just go up and get some towels for when the kids get out."
Conor chuckled as he took a bite of cake. As soon as Ezlyn was walking up the stone steps, the conversation started.
"How's work, Saoirse?"
"Hectic," replied Saoirse with a groan as she slid down to the and and slammed her back against the boat. She nibbled at her cake. "I spend more time in the ocean than I do on land. But I love it. It's what I always dreamed."
"And spending time with the sea life." Ben pointed out.
"Right."
Ula craned her neck, curiously eying the photo album. "Can I see?"
"Sure." Conor sat on his haunches, showing her a picture in the first page. "That's your mother on her sixth birthday." The photo showed a young Saoirse with her face covered on cake icing, her father pointing at and glaring at Ben, the sheepdog Cú and their grandmother giving Ben a cold look.
"My brother dunked my head into the cake," said Saoirse, taking a bite of cake, "just as I was about to blow out the candles."
"Yeah, I was rebel then." Ben sheepishly scratched at the back of his head.
"I got to pay him back a year later." Saoirse turned the page to show the next photo. It was Ben on his eleventh birthday and his face was covered in frosting with Saoirse, Conor, Granny, Cú and the ferryman laughing.
"Hehe, well; it's the unofficial law of siblings," said Ben.
"I was thinking of doing the same to you again, in fact," smirked Saoirse.
"Aren't we too old for this?," snapped Ben.
"Not for me."
"Come now, settle down," reminded Conor. "I'm too old for this as it is."
"Sorry, " said Ben and Saoirse in unison.
"Remember the day after?," asked Saoirse. "When Granny took us to live in the city?"
"I don't think you can count it as moving since we were only there a day," clarified Ben.
"What happened?," queried Ula.
"It's a long story," said Saoirse.
"Tell me."
Saoirse darted her eyes back and forth, her fork holding a piece of cake, which she didn't know whether to eat or not.
"Well..." She set her plate down on the overturned boat. "It was the day after my birthday, and it all happened after Granny Mildred saw me washed ashore—" she pointed to water's edged. "—right there, in that spot. I snuck out for a swim and I was having so much fun with the seals."
"Really, Mom?," cooed Ula, eyes wide.
"Really." Saoirse beamed. "In the morning, Granny and Dad started packing everything for the move. Only, my brother was being really stubborn." She shot a playful smirk at Ben.
"I didn't want to, I insisted on staying with Dad," said Ben. "I kept insisting to stay, but Dad wasn't having that. And we left. I wanted to take Cú with me, but Granny wouldn't let me."
"I'm back!" Ezlyn was strolling up to them with fresh towels in tow.
"Hey," said Saoirse.
"What were up you all talking about?," she asked.
"We were just reminiscing," replied Ben.
"Ah really?" Ezlyn spotted the photo album and took a seat next to her husband.
"We were just talking about the time we ran away from Granny's house," said Saoirse.
"Oho, that," chuckled Ezlyn, placing the towels on her lap. "How did you two make it all the way from the city to here?"
"It was hard," responded Ben. "When we got to Granny's house—"
"Mom!"
Oryn and Aviva, both soaking wet, were running up the group, water dripping from their hair, legs, everywhere. They left fresh footprints in the sand.
"Hello, my loves," said Ezlyn, rising to her feet. She handed a towel to Aviva, then to her son. "Did you enjoy your swim?"
"Yeah!," chirped Oryn. "The seals were really playful."
"It was like we were all connected," chimed Aviva, drying her blond hair. "Like they could communicate with us." She wrapped the towel around herself and sat down on a stray rock.
"It was fun," declared Oryn. Aviva nodded.
"What were you all talking about?," queried Aviva.
"Your Aunty and your father were telling me about the time they ran away from their grandmother's house."
"Ooh, tell us," piped Oryn after helping himself to a slice of cake. He plopped down on the sand, ears perked up.
"Anyways," began Ben, "we arrived at Granny's house. It was typical as you'd expect: her bird in its cage, pictures of Christ, leathery furniture, her old radio. She served us tea while she sang along to a song I didn't like. I put on my headphones and listened to my Walkman. And then..." He paused to look at Saoirse. "Why don't you take it from here?"
"Me?" Saoirse arched a brow.
"Yeah, tell them what you did."
His sister laughed as she tried to contain her composure.
"Alright, alright," she said, "well, you see, I got up to go to the bathroom, and instead I went into Granny's room. I looked into her wardrobe, and I found her fancy fur coat." She let out a peal of laughter. "I...I put it on and went into the bathroom, and—" Saoirse chuckled. "I turned on the bathtub, the tub was overflowing and the next thing I know Granny barges in and she just loses it."
There was a chorus of laughter among everone.
"Why did you do that, though?," questioned Ula.
Saoirse blushed. "I, uh...wanted to turn into a seal."
"A seal?" Ezlyn quirked a brow.
"I...I always loved the stories of selkies," quoth Saoirse, twirling her hair nervously, "and Granny's coat had white trim, and I wanted to turn into a seal really badly."
"I think we all made that mistake once in our lives," quipped Ezlyn, cackling.
"What happened next, Mom?," asked Ula.
"Well, Granny took the coat from me, gave me a bath and sent me and Ben to bed," said Saoirse.
"And it wasn't even four o'clock!," interjected Ben.
Oryn and Aviva let out a giggle. Aviva took a swig of green apple soda to keep from choking on cake.
"Then what?," asked Oryn. "What did you and Aunty do?"
"Ooh, well," began Ben, "I snuck out of bed and jumped out the window and headed down the street. Little did I know, my sister caught up to me. She wanted to come home with me, I wanted her to stay with Granny. She kicked me in the leg and I let her come. I had drawn a map while on our way to Granny's.
"We got on the bus and rode from there. Then," he shot a smirk at Saoirse, "your aunt stopped the bus by opening the emergency exit and the bus driver sped off. We were near a forest, and we just walked from there. I'll be honest, I was pretty scared. It felt like something was watching us. Like something was going to catch us. I heard a noise, and I hid behind a broken TV.
"Your aunt just stood there. I kept telling her to hide, but she didn't budge. Then, he jumped out. Cú, our dog. I couldn't believe it, he came all the way from the lighthouse to find us. Th three of us travelled together until it started to rain. We found a holy well, only there was a bed of stinging nettles to pass through. I carried Saoirse on my back and I ended up getting my legs exposed. Good thing your aunt found duck leaves to relieve the itching. We waited for the rain to stop and then we continued with the journey.
"We hitched a ride from an old lady and asked her take us to the lighthouse. It was nightfall by the time we arrived and we got on the ferry. The old lady rode with us to explain to Dad what happened. Dad was shocked to see us back, he didn't even know Cú had gotten off his leash and swam across the sea to get to us. And then, later that night, Granny arrived. She was in her nightgown and she—she was just scared half her wits. She didn't know we snuck out, not until she woke up that night, and came driving at full speed." Ben stood up, poured himself a cup of strawberry soda and took a swig. All that talking left him parched.
"Then what happened?," asked Aviva, grabbing a cupcake. Ben smiled at his daughter, then snapped his head to face his sister. "Saoirse?," he said.
"Well, you see, I could finally talk after that," she said. "Granny declared that it was the nettle tea and gooseberry buns. But I didn't eat them. I gave the gooseberry bun to Cú, he didn't like it. I often wondered if Granny was trying to kill us with her cooking."
"Ah, your grandmother wasn't a dab hand at cooking," said Conor, which was the first thing he's said since the storytelling began. "But she was happy to hear you talking, Saoirse."
"What happened after that?," queried Oryn.
"Granny stayed with us for a week after," said Ben. "The ferryman came over more often, wanted to hear how Granny was and all. After Granny went home, Aigéan became more interested in Granny and before we knew it, two years later, Granny and he got married."
Aviva's mouth fell open; Oryn's eyes bulged.
"Show them the picture," said Saoirse to her father. Conor turned the page in the album, and turned it over for the twins to see. It was the wedding photo: Granny in a full wedding train and Aigéan in his black tuxedo. On Granny's side was Conor and Ben and Saoirse. On Aigéan's side was his adult son and his wife and Kian.
"That's Kian," hooted Aviva, pointing at the photo.
"Yeah," said Ben.
"I wish Kian could come," sighed Aviva, frowning.
"Don't worry," crooned Saoirse, "we can send Kian a piece of birthday cake." This brought a smile to the blond girl's face.
"Can I give it him personally?" Aviva's green eyes twinkled.
"Of course."
"Mom," spoke Ula, she set her empty plate on the overturned boat. She eyed the picture frame containing Bronagh's photo. "What about her?"
"Oh, that's your grandma, Bronagh," said Saoirse.
"What was she like?"
Saoirse's found she couldn't work her mouth. "She, uh...died giving birth to me." Ula frowned, then turned to look at her grandmother's photo.
"Why is her tummy big?," she asked.
"That's because she was pregnant," responded Conor.
"With me," interjected Saoirse proudly.
Ula didn't respond. Either she didn't have anything that would correspond with their answers, or simply because she didn't have anything to say. She just gazed at the raven-haired woman.
"I wish I could've met her," said Ula dolefully.
"Me too," agreed Oryn.
"And me," said Aviva. "And I wish I could've met great-granny Mildred and great-grandpa Aigéan."
"I know, kids," said Ben, standing up. He patted them on the backs. "But they're always with us." He patted his chest, indicating his heart. "In here. They're in our stories and in our songs."
"Yeah," uttered Aviva.
"I like the song you always sing us," replied Oryn.
"I know which one you're talking about," said Saoirse.
"It was sad what happened to them," said Ezlyn, she looked at Ben, "and to your mother. I still can't believe she gave birth in the water."
"She was desperate," spoke Conor, rising to his feet. "There were complications with her pregnancy. The ferry wasn't running at night and there was nothing we could do." He picked up his wife's portrait, holding it to his heart. He sighed.
The cool sea breeze blew in from the west, promoting the seven to look at the horizon. The sun was settling for its slumber, hidden behind a later of thin clouds, painting the sky a soft shade of orange with tints of pink purple and gold.
"I didn't realized how late it'd gotten," said Ben.
"It's getting late," announced Ezlyn. "Time to turn in."
She and Ben cleared the boat, their twins picking up the plate of cupcakes; Aviva carrying two soda bottles under her arms and she followed behind her mother who had the leftover birthday cake.
"You coming?," queried Conor.
"Nah, you all go ahead," responded Saoirse, "I'm going to stay out here."
"Suit yourself." Conor, carrying the photo album and Bronagh's photo, trudged his way to stone stairs. Ula trotted behind him, only to be stopped by Saoirse.
"Ula, could you come here, please?"
Ula sprinted up to her mother, taking a seat beside her on a rock lower than hers.
"Yes, Mom," said the little girl.
"There's something I need to tell you," quoth Saoirse. Ula gazed at her quizzically. Saoirse looked on at the water's edge, and, to her surprise, spotted about five or six seals, poking their heads out of the water and watching her and her daughter. With all her might, she continued speaking, "I...I used to be a selkie," she said it without difficulty.
To her expected surprise, Ula's eyes widened. Saoirse smiled and brushed it off.
"But..."
"What I said is true," she said plainly. "But my mother didn't die. The reason she had me in the water is because I was born a selkie, like her." Ula was once again left speechless.
"Why did she stay in the sea?," asked Ula.
"She was afraid," said Saoirse gravely.
"Afraid of what?"
Saoirse closed eye resolvedly. When she opened them again, she said, "She was afraid she would die if she stepped out of the water. But I believe she was afraid to get turned to stone."
Ula furrowed her brow. Saoirse saw this was a good time to continue.
"Do you remember when we talked to your cousins over on the computer?," asked Saoirse. Ula nodded. "Well, then I guess you remember the mural in their room. My mother painted it with Ben's help. You know those fairies on the mural? Mac Lir? Macha? The Daoine Sidhe? The selkie? And the Great Seanachai? Well, they're all real." This got a wide-eyed look from her daughter. "Macha the Owl Witch, she...turned the fairies to stone, and she started with her son, Mac Lir."
"Why?," questioned Ula.
"It...was a long time ago," said Saoirse. "Ben told me when he saw a memory in the Great Seanachai's cave."
"The Great Seanachai's cave?," uttered Ula, exhilaration pumping in her system.
"I'll get to that later, Ula," reassured Saoirse, holding up a hand in a gesture for peace. "Anyways, my brother told me he saw the memory of Mac Lir crying a sea, and then Macha's owls turned him to stone to ease his pain." She then gazed at the horizon, or rather, at the island that was out at sea. "That's him."
"Huh?" Ula turned her head at that direction. She saw the island with its rockery resembling a face. And that face looked as though he were asleep.
"He's long gone now," quoth Saoirse. "I saw his spirit awaken and cross the sea to the fairy world."
Ula looked at her mother, then at the island and back. She just stared at the island, hoping the island would turn around and look at her.
"The reason your great-granny took us is because she found me washed up ashore late at night. And I only swam with the seals because I found my selkie coat," said Saoirse isth a hint of nostalgia in her voice.
"What was it like?," cheeped Ula.
"It was wonderful," replied her mother, "especially when I turned into a seal. It was like I've known them my whole life. And they were happy to see me."
"What happened when you and Uncle Ben went to the city?"
Saoirse chuckled. "Well, what your uncle said was true. We did sneak out, but we did leave out a few things." Her daughter stared. "You see," continued Saoirse, "I had my mother's shell horn, and I played it to pass the time, and these lights appeared. Those lights lead me to find my selkie coat in my father's closet. Those same lights appeared in the city and then the Daoine Sidhe arrived and they took me to their fort in the city.
"Once we were in the fort, they entertained me with their songs, and I played my shell horn. And because they found Granny's fur coat, they thought it would give me my voice in order to sing and send them home. But you see, I couldn't and then your uncle arrived and told them I was mute. Then Macha's owl showed up and attacked us. They turned the Daoine Sidhe to stone. Your uncle and I escaped and got on the bus
"I did open the emergency exit, only because the lights were leading me to the right direction. Ben and I hiked through the forest. And we did find Cú, and we traveled together till we found the holy well, only..." Saoirse paused, grabbing her bearings. Ula watched her patiently, silently guessing what she would say next.
"I...," began Saoirse, "I saw the lights floating in the water. I gave my brother the shell horn, and I dove into the well. Ben and Cú dove in after me. Only, Macha's owl found me and took me to her home, where they turned me half to to stone. I was only stone from the waist down. I had Cú to keep me company. The owl's found him, too. I waited and waited, I felt every emotion slip away."
"What about Uncle Ben?" Ula spotted the orange soda bottle next to her, and picked it up. She grabbed a paper cup for herself and for her mother. She poured the soda into the cups and handed one to her mother. Saoirse took a drink.
"Your uncle," said Saoirse, "was in the Great Senachai's cave. He told Ben about the selkie's coat and how it gives her her voice. Without the coat a selkie will die."
Ula gasped lowly.
"So, your brother followed the hair strand that lead him to me," continued Saoirse, "he also saw our mother the night I was born. She did give birth in the water, and Ben said that your grandpa went after her, but he came back with me. And Ben, who was even younger at the time, he wasn't thrilled to see me..."
Ula wanted to say something, but didn't feel like it was appropriate. Saoirse smiled cupped her daughter's chin.
"That's all in the past," she said, "your uncle and I are closer than ever." She shrugged and continued. "Ben arrived at Macha's, he heard Cú barking, he charged up the stairs, and he tried to open the door. Once he did, he had Cú sit on it, so Macha couldn't get in. The room was filled with all these jars. The jars had Macha's emotions in them. Ben tried to break them, but they couldn't be broken by force, they could be shattered by music.
"Ben gave me the shell horn, but I was too weak. That was when Ben apologized, and he sang the song to encourage me. I gained enough confidence to play the horn. The jars began shattering and Macha's emotions were returned to her. By the time I finished, the shell horn broke into pieces, and I was no longer turned to stone. Macha, with her emotions returned, apologized for wasting our time, and offered to help us.
"Macha had a jar that housed Mac Lir's dogs. Ben and I got on Cú's back and with Mac Lir's dogs we made the journey home in no time. Cú literally jumped in the water to cross the sea and we made it to the lighthouse. Ben went to find the coat, only find out that Dad threw it in the ocean. All four of us were on the boat—" she patted the overturned boat that was used as a makeshift table. "—and then your uncle did the unthinkable. He dove into the ocean and swam to the bottom of the sea to get my coat. He found it, and put it on me. I could finally speak.
"Mac Lir's dogs knocked the boat over, and the four of us, with the help of the seals, swam to Mac Lir island. I had my seal coat, but I wasn't recovering. Ben knew that I had to sing the song. And so I did. I sang the song, I was healed, and the portal to Tír na nOg was opened. All the fairies were returned home, and then, your Granny Bronagh showed up. She wanted to take me with her, but my brother and your grandpa didn't want me to go.
"And so I made my choice. I chose to stay, and took off my coat, and I lost my selkie powers." Saoirse poured herself another cup of soda and drank. "Mom said goodbye to us and told us she will always love us. And the portal was closed and she was gone." Saoirse looked over at the sunset, admiring how the sun's light reflected on the water. She smiled.
"Mom," uttered Ula.
"Yes?"
"Um," she looked back and forth, not sure how to articulate her question. Her mother decided to speak for the both of them.
"I don't regret my decision, mo ghrá," she said, cupping her cheek. "I don't regret giving up my coat to stay with my brother and father. I don't regret any of it." She beamed. "My biggest regret would be not having you."
"Really?," cooed Ula.
"Really."
"But if Granny Bronagh is still alive, why—"
"The portals haven't been opened for over thirty years." Saoirse sighed. "I would've had to stay a selkie in order for the gates to reopen."
"What about Uncle Ben?"
"Your uncle can never turned into a selkie, but he has selkie blood in him." Wistfully, she said, "Your cousins, I don't know if they have connections to the sea or not, but when they talked very fondly about the seals..." Her smile faded as quickly as she came up with her nest answer. "But I doubt they'll ever turn into seals."
Ula opened the soda bottle and poured herself more orange soda. She spotted the seals watching them. The seals' eyes were friendly, welcoming. It was like they knew her, saw something in her that Ula couldn't see in herself. Saoirse turned around, smiling at the seals. All those fond childhood memories came rushing back to her.
"The song," said Saoirse, "is all around you, Ula." She looked at her surroundings, from the sand to the skies. "It's in the shore, in the sea, in the shells, in the rocks, in the sky, it's even in the seals."
"Really, Mom?," uttered Ula, looking up at her mother.
"Yes, mo ghrá." Saoirse knelt down beside her daughter, clasping her shoulder. "All of us are connected. Each and every one us was born to live in harmony with those of sea and shore. And the songs and stories are what bring us closer together."
Ula smiled. She snapped her head over at the seals. Two of them went back in the water, three of them barked. The last one jumped out of the water, followed by another one diving after that one.
"I'm glad we have friends in the sea, Mom," quoth Ula. "Because they tell us things that no one else knows."
"That's true, ghrá," agreed Saoirse.
"And my favorite thing about the sea is being able to swim with the seals and the fish." Ula paused to take a drink. "Though I need to swim better."
Saoirse chuckled. "Right. You have your cousins to teach you; we're going to be here all week."
"Yeah."
Ula and Saoirse sat together on the sand, watching the descending sun and the waves rocking back and forth. The calm of the sea surrounded them and nothing could break them from their bliss.
Yeah, in my headcanon, Saoirse becomes a marine biologist and lives in the United States. Which means she had her daighter in America. Hey, my headcanon, my rules.
Also, I gave Granny a name. Mildred seemed to fit her, and I couldnt think of another one. And yeah, she and Aigéan got married when Ben was twelve and Saoirse eight. Aigéan's grandson Kian is at least three years younger than Saoirse.
The name Ula means "gift of the sea." And Oryn means "golden." Aviva means "spring." And Ezlyn means "one who lives bear water." Yeah, a lot of symbolism here.
Conor retired in 2015, and went back to live in his old house in the city. Granny died in 2002, and Aigéan died in 2006, years before Oryn and Aviva were born.
And if you're wondering where Cú is, he died in 2003. What, did you expect me to include him there? I can't do everything, I'm only human.
This story is not meant to be a sequel of "Of the Land and the Sea." I repeat, NOT a sequel.
The cover I used was a screenshot of the movie. I found it on Fancaps.
Oh, and Ula is seven years old. Forgot to mention that. ^_^