The Meeting Of The Humans
I gently adjusted my tiara, as I look in the mirror to see, if I looked properly for the meeting. It had been a day, since the humans had entered our lands, and my father had immediately ordered the guards, to go to the council members and tell them that he was holding a meeting, to discus the issue concerning the new humans.
The council was a group of the wisest/noblest and highest-ranking citizens of the Tuatha Dé Dannan. My father always calls them, whenever he has a summit or meeting. They help him keep track of everything, which has happened in the land and forests, help him maintain order and harmony, and help him whenever he needs an opinion on a critical matter.
As I get ready, I cannot help but notice, that I was actually looking forward to this meeting. This is a bit strange considering most of the time, we had a meeting or summit, more than often I would try to avoid them or try to convince my parents not to take me with them. Of course neither had ever worked. But this time, I was actually a bit excited for this one, and what decision the council would take. It could've been that after so long, I've finally started to think, that they were a lot more exciting than before. Or it could just be that after attending so many of them, I've just gotten used to them by now.
But I personally thought, that it was because of the humans, in general. Up until now, I had never seen one in my life. I've heard a few stories about them and how they lived, and my father had told me much about them, and there were a few human villages not far from our forest, but for so odd reason they never seem to ever enter the forest. So after finally seeing them in person, it made me really interested in knowing, what we would do with them. I hope the council would not be too angry or hurtful to them.
"Aisling, are you ready yet? The meeting is about to begin," Father called from outside my room.
"I am almost done father," I answered, before adjusting a few stands of my hair that were covering my eyes. After that I briefly checked in the mirror, to see if everything else was in place. When I sure that it was, I turned away from the mirror and stepped out of my room, where my mother and father were waiting.
"Well, now that you are ready let us go," Father stated, as we walked towards the meeting room. The room was located at the center of the tallest tower, in the castle. It was a few minutes walk from my room to there, but nothing we could not tolerate. As we approached the doors leading to the room, we could already hear that several members of the council were already arguing. The two guards by the doors saw us, and quickly opened it. As the doors opened, everyone stopped arguing and turned to face us.
"Presenting the Royal Family! King Lug, Queen Eriu and Princess Aisling!" The guards announced loudly, as we quietly walked inside the room. No one in the room said a word, as we sat down at the center of the table, surrounded by the members of the council.
As we got comfortable, my father cleared his throat and said: "Now, let's begin. I believe you are all, well aware of why I summoned you here."
"It was because you wanted to discus, what should be done about the new humans," councilwoman Janet answered calmly. I had been to enough of these, to memorize the names of all the council.
"How dare more of these miserable savages, invade our land! It is bad enough, we have multiple tribes of them, infesting our lands all ready, now we have to deal with another," councilman Keiran muttered under his breath, just barely hearable. This caused some of the council; to give him dirty looks while others gained a barley visible smile. My parents and I just ignored him.
"Indeed, Janet," Father answered, as if he had not heard Keiran's earlier statement. "As many of you are aware, several more humans have recently entered our forest, for the first time a long time. I am sure all of you have heard the stories, and know quite too well of what they are capable of. If we do not do something, they could easily cut down the rest of our forest, not all ready occupied by us and the other villages."
"However we do not wish, to risk starting a war with these humans, or the other ones here. We would be endangering their lives as well as ours," Mother continued.
"Why not? I'm sure everyone in this council knows, that we would win," councilman Deaglan proclaimed frustrated.
Before Mother could answer, councilman Eirnin answered for her: "Because Deaglan, while we might have the advantage in many factors, these humans alongside all of the others on the land, could easily outnumber all of is. If we attack them, we severly risk doing more damage to the forest, then good,"
"We can just grow it back. I'm sure we, have more than enough power, to restore it if necessary," councilwoman Sorcha countered.
"How can you say that? Do you not care at all about what happens to this forest? Is it just something that you feel, can so easily be thrown away and replaced like it is meaningless?!" I shouted at the Sorcha.
This caused all of the council's eyes to turn to me. They were all looks of surprise and confusion. I, too, was surprised at what had just happened. For the first time since I'd been to one of these meetings, I had actually said something. Normally, I would I just sit down, not say a word and just wish that it was over. The only reason I even paid attention to them was because Father forced me to so I would be ready for when I inherited the throne. So the fact that I had actually voiced my opinion in one of these things was unexpected to say the least.
The surprise didn't last long, before the council recovered, and Janet turned to Sorcha and supported: "The princess has a point. And besides, it takes years of practice and a lot of magic, in order to restore just one tree. It would take several days, maybe even weeks before we could restore it completely. And after that, it could possibly drain out powers for equally as long."
"Well, we most do something! If we do not, these humans and the others will be uncontrollable! They will cut down the trees, and make the forest nearly unlivable. It will not be long, before they try to take our own homes. They will stop at nothing!" Councilman Deaglan exclaimed.
"So we could just kill them? Have you not ever considered, that the humans need the forest too? They have emotions too! They need shelter, food, heat and safety in order to survive! Do you not think, that they also deserve to protect themselves and their loved ones?" Fergal shouted, angry at the statement.
"And besides, that guards informed us that most of these new humans, were injured. Some of them are even, close to dying! Are you honestly suggesting, that we should attack them, when they need as much help as they can get? Have you no compassion?" Eirnin shouted angrily, taking Fergal's side.
It wasn't long before the whole council, started arguing. As the council kept on arguing, with tempers rising, voices being raised, everyone being too stubborn to change opinions and not even considering any other view-points and my parents trying to maintain order, I was quietly sitting in my throne deciding not to take part in any of this.
However while I was ignoring them, I was beginning to wonder why I had spoken out, earlier today. To be honest, I did not know myself why I did it. Though I had a very good theory.
These humans. I might not have known them, but I still felt sorry for them. The moment I saw them, I could not help but be sorry for them. These people had no doubt, been through a lot of pain and suffering. They looked like; they had been forced out of their homes and lost many of their loved ones. I did not want to see them be killed or be left without any hope of a new future. However at the same time, I loved the forest. Many of my best memories, came from all the time I spent there. Whether it was all of my lessons with my mother or all the times my friends, my family and me had played there. All the fun we had and joy we felt, was still important to me today. And of course I cared for the plants and animals that lived there. I had even managed to be friends with them. I do not want to lose those memories and friends or even want to leave many of the animals homeless and the plants cut down. There must be an even ground, we could all agree on!
My thoughts were interrupted, as a loud howl echoed through the hall. Everyone immediately stopped arguing and turned to the source. It was my mother. She had turned into her wolf form and was currently howling to get everyone's attention. Once she was sure that everyone was done arguing, she turned back into a Tuatha Dé Dannan and sat down.
My father sighed relived and turned to my Mother. "Thank you, Eriu."
"You are welcome," Mother answered, before turning back to the council. "Now that these ridicules arguments are over, we can get back onto the subject. I know both of you, have your own opinions, but you must be aware that this situation is not simply black and white, and while you have important concerns, we must see each others view-points."
"We cannot let the humans destroy the forest. This is the home and land of our people, plants and animals. However at the same time, we cannot go to war with them. They need the forest just as much as we do, so that they can survive and protect themselves," Father joined in with mother. "And that is why we turn to you, our council. Do any of you have any ideas, which do include war or possible harm to our forest?"
The council members did not answer. They were stood still in empty silence, while thinking of a suggestion. "Can we not, just use some spell to send them out off the island?" Sorcha asked, breaking the silence.
Father sighed, and calmly answered: "While we do have the magic to do so, it would not make much of a difference. For one, they would tell other humans of the island, and more will come back to it. And besides, the amount of magic necessary, to teleport the amount of humans on the island AND that far away from the island, would be enormous. We could be drained of much of our magic."
"We could turn the humans into Tuatha Dé Dannan," Keiran suggested.
"Keiran, you know that spell was forbidden! The Tuatha Dé Dannan may rule the forest, but we have NO right, to forcefully change forms of others. We are an exception, as the animal forms are a natural part of our race. We were willingly taught this ability by our parents and we were not forcefully transformed into them," Mother sternly lectured/barked.
"I have an idea."
Once again, everyone immediately stopped talking, as they turned to the source of the voice. Me. Yes indeed, here I was not only voicing my opinion for the first time, but I had actually given out an idea to then, for the first time. I wasn't exactly surprised by their reaction, but I was a bit put off with seeing them all steering at me like that. I suppose after so many meetings, summits etc., I had just gotten used to everyone, looking at me in such a tiny space.
After a short while, of everyone looking at me, father finally recovered and asked: "Well, what is it Aisling?" I could see, that there was a small look of pride in his eyes.
I wasted no time, as I calmly and proudly explained: "Well I thought, that these humans must need all the help they can get, in order to survive. Why do we not take them, to one of the other villages-" I never got to finish, as some of the council members, began to bitterly rise to protest against me. However before they could go any further, my father raised his hands up, to silence them all. They quickly stopped their arguments, and sat down. My father turned to me, with a look that told me, to continue. "Please, just consider it! I know that many of you do not care, for humans. You do not wish to help them, for all of the things they've done to the forest. Bit these villages have existed for years, and if what I have heard of them is true, I know they would be more than happy, to take these people in and help them. I may not know humans that well, but it would be unthinkable for them to leave these poor people, to fend for themselves. I have seen these new humans first hand. I've seen their broken bodies and pained emotions. They would not attack us. They just want a new home. Somewhere, where they can be safe and live in peace. All we most do is guide them to one the villages. They'll be grateful for our charity. They will not attack us nor will they speak of us. We will be at peace, and they will have their home. There will be no bloodshed and no war."
After explaining my idea to the council, they all started whispering to each other, most likely talking about their opinions. The ones I could hear were: "What do you think?" "Will it work?" "How do we know, if they will not attack us, once they are fully healed?" "I can not believe, the princess finally got involved."
My father cleared his throat, this time louder, and the whispering stopped. "I am sure, many of you would like some time to think about, or some other possible ideas. Therefor, I recommend we take a small break. We will return to the subject, once you have had enough time, to form an opinion," My father stated calmly. Everyone nodded, rose up from their seats, and left the room, leaving only father, mother and I alone in my room.
As I looked closer, at the expressions of my parents, I noticed that mother had a look of confusion, and my father had a stern and yet prideful look. I gulped nervously. I was afraid, if I had spoken out of term. That I had said something I should not have. Still nervous, I turned to my father and quietly asked: "Is everything alright? Did I say something wrong?"
There was a small moment of silence, before my father started chuckling. My look of nervousness changed into one of surprise and confusion. After a short while, father finally recovered and looked at me with a proud and happy look. "No Aisling. In fact, it is quite the opposite. For the first time, you have actually gotten involved. You have listened, voiced your opinion and given out a good idea."
Mother smiled warmly at me, and joined in, in a warm tone: "We never thought, we would see the day. Your father and I are very proud of you dear."
I giggled, as she began ruffling my hair. As she stopped, I turned to my father who asked me, in a bit of a serious tone: "Aisling, I could not be prouder that you, have finally gotten interested in these matters. However, I cannot help but wonder, why are you so interested? I know, I always tell you to pay attention, but even then you have never stated your thoughts, or even suggested any ideas."
I sighed gently, as my smile faded away, before turning to him and quietly answering: "To be honest, I am not entirely sure myself. Though I think it has to do, with the humans I saw yesterday. I do not know why, but I feel strangely drawn to them. I do not know why. I have never seen or meet a human, and while there are several villages shattered around the land, I've never really bothered to go look for them. And yet, I feel sympathetic for them. They looked so weak and injured, I did not want to see them be killed."
Father sighed softly and softly said, "Ah, yes, humans, such fascinating creatures. They have the power to tear down entire forests, and yet they care for the life in the forest and sometimes grow plants for the benefit of both them and nature. They take from people who are higher or equal to them, and yet to give to those who need more than they. They hunt down and kill animals and eat their meat, and yet they keep some of them as companions and care for them. They kill each other over the simplest of tings, and yet they love each other and will help in whatever way they can. I have seen them; quiet a lot of times before. So much like us, and yet not."
"What do you mean, that they are much like us and yet not?" I asked both confused and curious.
This time, it was my mother who answered: "Well Aisling, it is actually not that difficult. They share much of our appearances, but they have different colored hair, skin, languages and beliefs. For example, you know that when a Tuatha Dé Dannan dies, their souls go to Sidhe yes?" I nodded, as mother continued: "Well some of the humans, believe that when they die, their souls go to a place similar to Sidhe. Others believe that when they die, they will be reborn as an animal or a plant. And there are some who believe that when they die, they simply rut away and become dirt. They also lack the level of connection to nature that we have, and are unable to use magic or talk to the animals and plants."
"But I would say, one of the biggest differences between us, is how different they are morally," Father joined in. "The Tuatha Dé Dannan, do not kill one another and consider each other friends. We do not eat meat, and consider ourselves equal to the animals. We do not forcefully take from each other, nor do we judge others on what their appearances. Humans on the other hand, are a bit more complicated. As I said before, there are many of them that do take from one another and kill and judge, but there are also some of those who give their possessions to the needy, help heal and protect the innocent and injured and try to stop anything they think is wrong. Many of them destroy and ruin nature for their own greed and personal desires, while others do it because it is ultimately for the great good. These different types of humans, have fought a lot of times before, over what they believe is right and wrong. This has lead to war and hate for each other. However when they are working together, and find it in their hearts to stop fighting each other, they would have the ability to change worlds."
"How?" I asked curious, as I listened closely.
Father went on: "They may lack magic, but they certainly do not lack creativity. I have heard several stories of them. How they have managed to invent and think of the most extraordinary things. Whether the intent they are used for, be it good or evil, you cannot deny that the human mind is brilliant. So is, their courage. Humans will not stop, until they achieve what they believe is right. They will fight for what they believe in, even if it means they will die. I do not think, that there is any creature, more fascinating, brave, intelligent, dangerous, persistent or loyal than humans."
I nodded as he finished his speech, content with what my parents had told me. "Thank you father. I never knew you thought of humans, so highly."
My father chuckled and smiled sadly: "My father used to tell me stories, about humans when I was young. I loved those stories and I wanted to, know as much about them as possible. And as I grew older, my fascination of humans grew more and more, even as they first came to land. I suppose in a way, you have inherited that," he explained warmly. As he did, I noticed a small tear falling from his eyes. Before I could do anything, there was a knock on the door. "Come in."
The door opened, and a guard stepped out and turned to face us. "Your majesty, the council would like to join you again."
"Well then, tell them they may enter so the meeting can resume," Mother order the guard happily.
Later That Night
The meeting afterwards, went swimmingly. After several other ideas were passed around and suggested, ultimately the council decided that my idea was the best course of action to take. I was now walking along side my mother and father, as well as a few guards, towards the place where the humans were last spotted.
It took a while to get there, but we arrived at the human campsite soon enough. From what I could see, the humans were already looking better than before, but they weren't looking good either. The most injured of them, were inside small tents, being treated by the ones who the looked healthiest of the group, including a young red haired woman and a large, bearded red haired man. Some of them were eating fruit, which had most likely been plucked from the forest. The children and elderly, all stood tightly close to each other, trying to keep warn by a small place of fire. Some were picking up axes and other bladed objects, no doubt about to cut down some trees. I could tell from their expressions, that they all looked miserable and sad.
As we got closer, mother summoned a thick mist to move, inside the campsite of the humans. She then enchanted the mist, so that it would translate their languages, incase it was different from our own. As we stepped from the shadows, they turned to face us. When they saw us, most them quickly ran into their tents for protection, while several of them went of their weapons, which ranged from a few axes and knives, the bearded man even pulled out a large sword, in order to defend themselves. The guards were about to attack, when my father raised his hands to stop them, turned to the humans and calmly announced: "We have not come, to bring you any harm. We wish only to speak, with your leader."
"And how de we know, you are not lying!" one of them shouted, not believing us.
"Because we have known of your presence for some time now. If we wanted you dead, you would not have made it this far," Father answered sternly.
This caused the humans, to lower their weapons and attack less defensive. After a short while, a few of the humans moved aside, as a male human stepped fourth. He was a few feet shorter than my father, and had light skin, though it was not as white as a Tuatha Dé Dannan's, grass green eyes, short brown hair and a goatee and was dressed in a red rope and had a bright gold lunula hanging around his neck. He tried to hide his fear from my father, as he calmly said: "I am the leader of these people. My name is Garret. What do you want from us?"
My father bowed down gently, and calmly introduced himself, as well as my mother and I: "I am Lug. This is my wife Eriu and my Daughter Aisling. The rest of my people and we, have lived in this forest for many years, and have heard of your troubles. As such we wanted to help you all with your troubles." Father left out any mention, of us being royalty or even not human. He and the other councilmembers had agreed, that it would be best with they did not know, of our true nature so they and the other villages, would not attack us. As such, he left many of those details out.
Upon hearing this everyone's eyes widened. I could see several glimmers of hope, in them. Garret upon hearing this, beamed with joy as he wrapped his arms around my father (much to his surprise and my amusement), and joyously exclaimed: "Oh thank the lord! We're saved." After he let do of my father, he held his hands together, and pleaded desperately. "I apologize for the that, but we sincerely thank you, for your help. Please, if you truly wish to help, allow us to take refuge in your village. The Norsemen have destroyed our homes, killed many of our people, we were lucky to even survive! We fled to this land, hoping to find our brothers, but we have yet to find any of them. My people need all the help they can get, and we do not have enough for everyone. Please. I peg of you!" Garret pleaded, as his eyes began to water.
I was both horrified and shocked to hear this. I knew that there must have, been a reason for the humans to come here, but I never thought it would be that terrible. To have your homes and lives destroyed, and no doubt having to see your loved ones, massacred in front of your own eyes. Whoever these "Norsemen" were, they would pay! I clenched my hand into a fist, as I thought about it. I turned to my parents, and saw looks of sympathy and sadness for this.
My father sighed, a deep and sad sigh, as he turned to Garret and answered: "I am afraid, that for reasons we would rather not mention, we cannot allow you to stay in our homes," as soon as he said that, humans started becoming sad and hopelessness. Some of them looked angry and wanting to hurt my father. However before anything serious happened, my father continued: "However, we do not wish to see your people, in such a state. Ours is not, the only town in this land. There are several others, hided throughout this land. We will escort you, to one of them not far from here. The people there will be more than happy to take you in and help any injured you may have. I know it is not much, but I hope you it is enough."
Immediately everyone's spirits started lifting up. Many of them were overjoyed, others looked like they weren't satisfied and some looked as if they wanted out land. Garret looked both relived and happy, with the news. As small tears formed in his eyes, he happily cried: "Oh thank you! Thank you so very much."
"Do not worry about it. We are simply happy we could be of aid," Mother kindly told him.
My father nodded, as he smiled gently as he calmly yet warmly said: "Follow us, we will lead you there."
Garret answered: "Of course. However I am afraid, that many of us are badly wounded and ill, and are unable to walk. I know this might be asking too much, but could you kindly help carry some of our injured, until we reach the village?"
"Not at all," My father said, as he monitored his guards, to help carry the injured. As they went, he turned to my mother and calmly asked her: "Eriu, would you mind getting Aisling to bed?"
"Do I have to go?" I asked, annoyed that I couldn't spend more time with the humans.
"Yes, young lady. It is passed your bedtime," Mother stubbornly reminded me. Knowing that there was no point, to try and argue I sighed sadly, and followed her back home. However as I walked, I turned ever so often to catch a glimmer, of my father and the guards, walking with the humans towards their new homes.
Well, that was the chapter. I hope you all enjoyed reading it. When I wrote the meeting scenes, I did not want to offensive or rude to humans, which is why I had several of the Tuatha Dé Dannan, speaking to defend the humans. If you were offended or something like that, I do apologize. Also, just in case your curious, about the whole Sidhe thing. Well in the original tales of the Tuatha Dé Dannan, Sidhe was the place were they agreed to withdraw to, while the Milesians went on to dominate the planet, after a battle between them. However since SOK, flat out says what happened to the Tuatha Dé Dannan, I've decided to make it so that Sidhe is their afterlife (kind like Heaven).
I should also mention, that from now on the chapters, are going to get a little darker. Not to the point, of an M rating, but still darker than the previous chapters. Just thought I'd mention that. Anyway hope you all enjoy this, and continue to read on. See you all next time.