Song Of The Irish 1

(A/N: Should I go with the name Dylan, or with the name Danny, I wonder?)

Once Upon A Time In Ireland

Nan sat in her bedroom, humming and brushing her hair. She fixed it up then rose, gracefully going down the stairs of her house and humming a traditional tune. She walked out into her garden and bent, beginning to tend to it. "Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does yer garden grow? With silver bells and cockle shells and pretty maids all in a row," a voice sang gently to her.

She shivered and grinned, smelling a flower she'd plucked. She rose and turned to see the young man leaning over her fence and looking so lovingly at her that she was hardly aware of anything else. "Oh Danny boy, the pipes the pipes are calling," she sang to him. She giggled and went up to the fence.

"Keep singin' love. Ya know I can't get enough o' yer voice," Dylan insisted, lightly stroking her cheek with a finger. She grinned at him adoringly then walked back to her garden, leaving him at the fence. Not that he minded. She was fully aware that he was perfectly satisfied just watching her at work; and she admitted, sometimes she played it up prompting a soft chuckle from him. And a chaste kiss on the forehead, if he was feeling daring. Soon enough she'd gathered her apron full of flowers and rose, bringing them to a barrel. She would sell them later to help her family with money problems which were hitting Ireland harder and harder these days. It was getting more and more difficult to scrounge out a living with all the cats that had been invading recently. Starvation and poverty were widespread here these days.

She returned to him with three flowers, cradling them. She gave him each one. "Backwards, love, I know, but I don't care," she said before he could speak. "Yer worse off than even us." He ruefully smiled. He couldn't argue that. She had her parents still. His had died some time ago without leaving a will. The only thing he still had was the house, and even that was iffy.

"Nan, is that Dylan?" her father agitatedly called from the porch. Nan frowned cutely and turned.

"Aye papa," she replied. Dylan smirked affectionately at her. It was no secret her father wasn't a fan of his. He had little regard for minstrels, let alone penniless ones. Only the best for his little girl; but she would have none of it when it came to him. Her father could give her a palace and her devotion would stay with the poor boy from down the lane. Princes and kings were nothing to the peasant mouse.

"I told ya lad, not ta come 'ere anymore," her father said, coming down to the fence looking displeased. She looked sadly down. She loved her father dearly, but his treatment of Dylan was intolerable. Dylan watched unhappily. He hated seeing her looking sad.

"Me apologies sir, I'll be on my way then," Dylan replied, tipping his hat respectfully. Nan looked sadly up at him. He smirked at her and lightly kissed her hand. "May the road rise ta meet ya, Nan," he said. She felt him slip something into her other hand. With that he walked away.

AAT

"No good poor boy," her father growled.

"We aren't much better off papa," Nan said calmly. Her father walked back inside where her mother was. She looked into her hand and saw the note Dylan had slipped there. She smiled softly and opened it. She grinned. Meet him in the fields by the hills. She closed her eyes lovingly, holding it close. She tucked it away in her apron pocket then walked inside.

"Must ya be so cruel ta poor Dylan?" her mother was asking her father.

"'E's no good far our daughter," her father replied.

"We 'ave nothing! With no dowry we're lucky a man is even interested in 'er!" her mother shouted. "She's a gorgeous wee thing, but that don't mean nothin' if she aren't gonna bring anythin' with 'er."

"Dylan 'as nothin'. The boy is starving to death himself! 'Ow can 'e take care o' 'er? What kind o' life can 'e give sweet Nan?" her father protested.

"A happy one, papa," Nan quietly said from the door. Her parents turned and looked at her. Her father sighed deeply.

"Nan, 'e's a good boy," her mother said. "And 'e's been nothin' if not chaste in their courtship," the woman pointedly told her husband. "They rarely go anywhere without a chaperone, 'e addresses 'er as Miss, 'e stands between 'er and the road, 'e's never taken 'er inta 'is bed. 'E 'asn't even kissed her anywhere but the hand and the cheek if someone's watchin'. What more do ya want in a son, 'usband?" Her father remained silent and walked from the room. Nan looked sadly down. Her mother went to her and held her, saying, "There, there love, 'e'll come around."

"Yes mama," she replied, smiling at her mother.

AAT

Nan walked from her house. There were no secrets between her and her parents. She had told them in all honesty she was going to meet Dylan. Her father had said nothing but goodbye and be careful, of course. Her mother had said the same. She hurried towards the hill they always sat on together. She spotted him leaning against a tree looking out over the fields. She smiled and moved gracefully towards him. His eyes were closed, a small smile on his lips. He was thinking about something, she knew, a song most likely. He never heard her coming. She sat silently next to him then leaned against his side, resting her head on his shoulder, nuzzling his neck.

Dylan softly chuckled and grinned, nuzzling her back, eyes still shut. "I love ya, Nan. So much," he whispered to her.

"Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy I love you so," she softly sang.

"Keep on darlin'," he prompted in a whisper.

She giggled and obliged, singing:

Oh Danny boy, the pipes the pipes are calling,
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side;
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying,
'Tis you 'tis you, must go and I must bide.

But come ye back, when summer's in the meadow,
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow;
And I'll be here, in sunshine or in shadow,
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy I love you so.

And if you come, when all the flowers are dying,
And I am dead, as dead I well may be;
You'll come and find the place where I am lying,
And kneel and say an Ave there for me.

And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me,
And all my grave will warmer sweeter be;
For you will bend, and tell me that you love me,
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.

AAT

"Lass, yer voice is unmatched," he softly said. He tilted her chin up and gently pecked her nose. "I will die befar I let anythin' happen ta ya. May I be the first ta go if ever the time comes." She looked worried. Where had this come from? Why was there a look in his eyes…?

"May we die together," she corrected, eyes becoming worried at the thought of his death. He laughed lightly. She cutely frowned, saying, "I mean it Dylan. I don't want ta live a day without ya."

"I… I 'ave somethin' ta tell ya lass," he remarked, absently plucking at the field. She said nothing, just waited. He closed his eyes tightly. How could a simple confession be so hard to murmur? Taking a deep breath he looked at her and said, "They… they came again."

Her eyes widened in fear. "No…" she said, shaking her head. The fighter's. They'd been looking for recruits in the village, and their sights were set on the minstrel.

"I plan ta go," he finally said, voice quiet and apologetic.

"No, Dylan, no! You're 'ardly a young man, please!" she pled desperately.

"This 'as gone on long enough, love. I can't watch me country, Ireland, fall apart like this and stand idly by while the cats 'ave their way," he declared firmly leaving no room for argument.

"You'll die," she said, voice cracking.

"Promise me that if I do, ya shant do a thing ta yerself Nan, far my sake. Live on, love, until old age take ya. Go on livin' yer life. Mourning ends though pain might stay, and I'll wait far ya 'til the end o' yer days," he seriously added.

Tears in her eyes she leaned into him and sobbed, clinging tightly to him. He wrapped his arms tightly around her and held her close. "If ya promise me the same, I'll promise you," she finally answered.

He was quiet a moment. Finally he replied, "Aye lass. I promise."

"Then I promise as well," she declared. "I don't want ya ta die," she softly breathed. "I can't lose ya Dylan."

"Hush love, hush. There's no use worryin' 'bout it now. We're safe 'ere. We 'ave time left yet," he said softly, kissing away her tears. Gently she picked a beautiful flower. Smiling weakly she tucked it into his vest. He nuzzled her once more.

AAT

All at once they heard screaming from the village and alarms. They gasped and looked sharply back. "The cats!" Nan exclaimed as they shot up. He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the town. They paused, however, on the top of the hill and looked down. Nan screamed and pulled into him. The cats were destroying everything and anything! They caught and devoured mice from below right in front of their eyes. "Mama, Papa!" Nan screamed, seeing her parents' house on fire.

She tried to run, but he held her back begging, "Nan, no! Stay 'ere! There's nothin' we can do!" She sobbed, falling into him. Quickly he pulled her out of sight of the cats. They waited for hours until finally all got quiet. They looked back, fearful and clinging to each other. He rose, bringing her with him, and quickly they ran down the hill towards the now ruined village. They came into it and looked around in horror at the carnage and ruins. Survivors were wailing and calling to loved ones or digging through rubble desperately. Others sadly looked at their ruined homes or clung to their lucky families tightly.

"Mama, papa," Nan numbly said as they neared her house. Dylan didn't dare let go of her hand. They ran towards the home quickly. She threw open the gate and raced inside. "Mama, papa!" she screamed. A beam cracked and Dylan gasped, pulling her back out of the way. She screamed and clung to him fearfully. It was then that she saw her mother. "Mama!" she screamed, running to the woman. Rather, what was left of her. "Mama, mama, no!" she screamed over and over, bursting into tears and pulling her mother's body close. Her clothes were covered in the woman's blood, but Nan didn't let go.

AAT

Dylan looked around in shock. This reminded him too much of his own parents' demise. He swallowed over a lump in his throat. He heard a groan and gasped. All at once he spotted her father under a pile of debris! "Nan, yer papa, 'e's alive!" Dylan called, racing to it.

Nan gasped and lowered her mother's body racing over to Dylan. "Papa!" she exclaimed, taking the man's hand.

The man coughed and opened his eyes. "Me little Nan," he weakly said.

"Papa, I'm 'ere," she said through tears. "I'm 'ere papa."

"I approve," he suddenly said.

"What?" she asked. "What are ya talkin' 'bout, papa?" she asked.

"I approve of yer choice," he said, gesturing to Dylan. "And if 'e so wishes it, I give 'im me permission ta marry ya."

"Papa…" Nan meekly said.

"Thank ya sir," Dylan softly said, tears in his eyes.

"I love ya papa," Nan said.

"I love ya darlin'," he replied. Quietly he fell asleep in death. Nan sobbed, leaning into Dylan miserably.

AAT

The village had recovered relatively well. Houses had been rebuilt, the ones that couldn't be saved torn down. The dead had been buried and things were relatively back to normal. Nan was still in mourning, though, and her misery hurt Dylan deeply. He'd brought her to his house letting her stay there. He wasn't about to let a lady stay in a place like the shelter. It wasn't proper for unmarried couples to live together, so that left him in the building. He'd done everything for her. He'd sung to her, brought her flowers, and slowly her pain was healing. He made her laugh and smile and where she didn't think it was possible, she loved him more and more.

She was in the marketplace selling her flowers to passerby's. She had a decent sum from her parents' will, but not too much. Dylan watched her lovingly. She knew he was watching. She kept stealing glances over at him. He crossed the street and reached her saying, "Tonight, love, on the hill."

"Forward, aren't we Dylan?" she said, smiling lovingly at him.

He chuckled lightly and kissed her hand. "I 'ave a question far ya," he hinted, smiling adoringly. She caught her breath blushing deeply.

She covered her mouth saying, "My gods…" He smirked mischievously and hurried off before she could say anything else to him. "'E's goin' ta marry me. 'E's goin' ta marry me!" she exclaimed excitedly to her recent customers, spinning a stranger around in a circle. Eyes were watching that day, though, very closely. And ears were hearing what they had no right to. Her fairy tale would end in tragedy.

AAT

She did her hair up beautifully, weaving flowers into it. She hummed and danced around the room, clothing herself in her finest garments, doing her makeup to perfection. She couldn't have anything spoil this. She softly hummed the song Danny Boy, as she got ready. She put on her best hat, took a parasol, and walked out of the home heading towards the hill. She never sensed the danger following her so closely.

She reached the hill. He was there, standing on it and looking nervous. She grinned and snuck towards him. He heard, though, and turned quickly. His breath caught in his throat on seeing her. "N-Nan," he barely managed to squeak out.

"Hush darlin', hush," she said, putting a finger to his lips.

"Y-ya're beautiful lass," he gasped out. She modestly blushed, lowering her head.

She took his hands and fingered them saying softly, "Relax, love, relax."

She felt him immediately loosening up. All at once he knelt in front of her and produced a small box. She grinned, beaming, longingly waiting for him to ask. "Nan, I've loved ya since childhood lass. You've been in me dreams since I was a lad. I cannot wait anymore far ya. Nan, will ya marry me?"

"Yes," she said, laughing and kneeling down to him. "Yes, yes, and a thousand times yes," she replied, sobbing and hugging him tightly. He produced the ring and slid it onto her finger gently. "Oh Dylan!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck.

The two rose to their feet and Dylan pulled her into a hug again. "Oh how I love ya lass," he murmured, rocking her gently back and forth.

"I love ya too," she answered, beaming. Oh immortals, she never wanted to let him go. "Come on love, let's tell the village the good news. Let's tell the world!" He laughed at her eagerness as she grabbed his hands and pulled him back towards the town. He scooped her up and spun her around, both laughing. He put her down and they gazed into each other's eyes. Smiles becoming gentle they moved in and softly kissed each other's lips, chaste and lightly. They pulled apart beaming, and she drew him slowly towards the town. There was no rush, after all. They would enjoy what time they had left before he went.

AAT

All at once a shadow covered them and they gasped, looking quickly up. Nan screamed in terror, pulling back into Dylan. Dylan stared up at the figure in horror. A calico cat! Both shaking, he pushed her quickly behind him and seized a sharp stick from the ground, backing away. "Dylan," she breathed fearfully. He said nothing, just shook his head. There had to be somewhere they could run to escape!

The cat laughed coldly, saying, "What have we here? Two young mice on a lover's stroll, perhaps?" He swiped a paw at them. Dylan viciously stabbed it. The cat yowled in pain, pulling back. He hissed at the young mouse and his bride to be, teeth bared. "You stupid boy," the cat spat.

"Get down to the village, Nan," Dylan said firmly.

"What?" she asked in fear.

"Go, I'll 'old 'im off," Dylan said.

"No! I won't leave you!" she cried in terror. Immortal fates, please no! She'd lost her parents, her home, her everything! If she lost him too she would die!

"Oh how precious," the calico taunted. He swept at them with a paw again. Dylan stabbed viciously as the two mice backed away from the cat. "You're taking the fun out of this," the cat growled. All at once it pounced. Dylan gasped and shoved Nan to the side. The cat grabbed at him with his paw. He darted from it but it pounced, seizing him!

AAT

"Dylan!" he heard her scream. He whirled in time to see teeth coming at him! All at once the cat howled in pain. Dylan looked passed it. Nan, looking terrified, had stabbed the cat's tail! Dylan pulled desperately away and ran for her. Taking her arm he urged her along ahead of him as they madly dashed for the village.

All at once the cat leapt in front of them. Nan slid to a stop with a horrified scream. The cat leapt, grabbing her! Dylan bit him viciously. The cat dropped Nan and struck at him. This time the paw met its mark and Dylan flew back, striking his head on a rock and crying out in pain. "Worthless pest," the cat growled.

"No!" Nan screamed as the cat advanced on her injured lover. She ran at the cat and bit him viciously. The cat screamed in pain the whirled, seizing her and slamming her onto the ground. "Let go of me!" she shrieked desperately. She looked back at Dylan. He still wasn't moving. No… No! What if… It couldn't be. She saw him stir and sighed in relief. Odd, since she was in the cat's grasp. The cat saw, however, and he leapt ahead. Dylan shook his head and gasped, seeing the feline pounce. He tried to dodge, but the feline caught him and knocked the rock onto the mouse. Dylan cried out in pain and tried to struggle free, but he couldn't! "Dylan!" Nan shrieked, terrified for him. She didn't care what happened to her, just him. "Leave 'im be!" she pled to the calico through tears. "Leave 'im be!"

He gasped, paling. What was she doing? "Let 'er go! You 'ave me already!" he shouted at the cat

"Let her go? I can't have fun with you like I plan to with her," the calico hinted, pinning Nan onto the ground and drawing a claw, lifting her skirts. Dylan paled and struggled desperately. Curse the blasted rock the cat had trapped him with!

"No!" Dylan cried desperately. Nan sobbed in terror.

"No, no, no! Help me!" she shrieked desperately as she felt the cat's claw.

"Nan!" Dylan shrieked in terror. Gods, let him wriggle out already! She screamed in pain as the cat viciously attacked. She burst into tears screaming for help, for mercy, as the cat grinned excitedly the whole time. He loved seeing pain. "Gods, no!" Dylan cried. He sobbed as he kept struggling. He knew it was hopeless, though. He knew he wouldn't get out from under the rock, but he couldn't stop trying. He couldn't!

Finally the cat stopped. Nan was sobbing softly, lying prone on the ground, humiliated and dishonored. She could hardly breathe anymore. The cat laughed coldly and Dylan froze stiff of seeing the look in the beast's eyes. "No…" he said again helplessly. All at once the cat snatched her from the ground. She shrieked and desperately struggled, gazing up at it in horror. He heard bones breaking in the feline's jaws. "Nan!" he screamed desperately. Then all at once she was silent, then all at once she was gone. The cat cruelly laughed, glaring at the mouse trapped beneath the rock. In a last cruel irony he let her tail fall from his mouth in front of her trapped love, then turned and walked away.

AAT

He remembered losing himself in time. He remembered being freed by other mice from beneath the stone, pale and quiet. He remembered people wailing over the tail, but he'd just stared. He remembered that there was no wake. How could there be a wake without a body? There was a memorial, a burial, and all this time he'd said and done nothing. He'd just watched dully, almost catatonic. And when everyone had left the graveyard he'd just looked down at the fresh grave and fallen to his knees, resting a hand on the dirt. He drew the flower she'd given him from his vest. How had it not died in all this time? He felt his eyes burning and replaced it. Her song for him came back word for word. Gently he sang, "And if you come, when all the flowers are dying. And I am dead, as dead I well may be. You'll come and find the place where I am lying. And kneel and say an Ave there for me. And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me. And all my grave will warmer sweeter be. For you will bend, and tell me… that you love me. And I… I shall sleep in peace until you come to me."

That was when he'd finally given in. That was when he'd burst into uncontrollable tears. He hadn't left the grave for days after. He hadn't slept, he hadn't eaten, he'd only prayed for death every passing moment, prayed the calico would return and finish the job he'd started, begged every immortal and myth he knew of to come and end his misery. But of course the calico never came back again; of course no immortal answered his pleas. And finally, when he felt his body dying from lack of water, he'd remembered the promise he'd made to her. Miserable, he rose, kissed the headstone, and returned to the town.