The Secret of Her Forest

by Meemie

It's been five years since Brendan returned to Kells. The abbey is booming in population and everyone is looking ahead to the future. However, as time marches on, Aisling refuses to walk with it. She grows more protective of her forest everyday as the villagers expand their territory into her territory. As the war between the abbey and Aisling rages on, her past reveals itself.

13. Chapter 13: Sidhe

Chapter 13

Sidhe

The rays of the afternoon sun dance downwards and shine on her beaming face. My hand caresses her soft hair and my fingers weave in between her streaks of gray among the white locks, flowing across the ground like a river. Her curious eyes dart in an attempt to capture anything that moves. I simply pay attention to the beautiful girl in my arms. My back is leaned against the roots of a small oak tree, young but growing everyday like her. She nestles comfortably further into my arms. I let out a big breath. I've been fearfully anticipating this moment ever since the Milesians announced our relocation to sidhe. In fact, I have known this would happen for a while. I should have been more prepared, but nothing can prepare you for saying goodbye to your own child.

"Aisling, my dear?"

"Yes, mother?"

"I... I have something to tell you. I'm going away for a while."

"Okay, mother." She replies, not even flinching at the news.

"This won't be like other times where I leave and then come back, my dear." Aisling doesn't say anything. Instead, she watches a light green leaf with brown curling the edges flutter down to the grass. "I... I'm not sure that I will ever be coming back." Aisling turns her attention away from the leaf and gazes right at me with the most innocent look on her face like a newborn pup.

"Whaddya mean?" I swallow hard.

"Well... according to legend, this world is not the only one said to exist. There is a place called sidhe that is known as the Otherworld. It is similar to the world we live in now. That's where I am going. However, it might not be for a while so I will get to see you before then." She stares at me blankly, the concept of a new world escaping her grasp entirely.

"Okay. If you're going away, we should do something fun as long as you are here. Right, mother?" I shake my head slightly in shock as tears bubble up into the corners of my eyes. I have to quickly blink them away. Oh, the innocence of a child. She has no idea what this means for her, for me, for all of the Tuatha de Dannan. It is all a game, a fairy-tale to her. She has no idea that she will be alone in a matter of weeks.

"Yes, Aisling. You're right. We should."