Fate/Curadh Beag

Chapter 24: Fergus and Conall's Return

FATE/CURADH BEAG

"Little Champion"

Chapter 24: Fergus and Conall's Return

At the same time Connla spoke with Mini Cu and Morrigan, Naoise and Deirdre were resting in another room. Once the excitement of the moment passed over, that was when the young woman started to realize how unusually fatigued she was. Naoise couldn't blame her; being freed of Conchobhar's control, then traveling the distance between Leabharcham's cottage and Emain Macha, combing the town in search of Naoise, and suddenly witnessing Fir and Fial's deaths certainly would cause a great deal of strain for her.

Naoise helped her lie down in bed first before getting undressed to join her side. However, Deirdre appeared despondent as she stared at the ceiling with a vapid gaze. He immediately knew something was wrong and asked, "What is the matter, love?"

"Naoise... I don't truly understand why I feel this way," she murmured. "Perhaps it's the shock of watching the twins throw themselves into that fissure."

"Yes, that is understandable. That's nothing no one should ever have to witness."

"But I don't think it's just that. I just cannot explain it, but... I'm feeling a much greater deal of fatigue than usual."

"You must be more exhausted than you realize, and only now is it catching up."

"Maybe," she replied, then turned her eyes toward him. "We did agree to accompany Connla on her journey to stop the blights, but I'm not so certain if I can keep going on."

"That is worrying. After all, there is just one more to deal with."

"Perhaps I should just bear with it so I don't slow the rest of you down."

Naoise shook his head in refusal. "I won't let you do that. What would happen if you collapsed during a critical time? I couldn't forgive myself if I wasn't able to protect you a second time. That's the one thing I'm most afraid of in all this world – enduring a repeat of my failure to keep you safe from a villain's ambitions."

"Maybe I should remain in Emain Macha? Or even stay at Leabharcham's cottage until you return?"

"I can't leave you alone like that. You had the children before, but it'd be inexcusable for a prophesized beauty such as yourself to be left on her own. I cannot cease my imaginings of you being stolen away by some new ruffian who wants to own you for himself."

"Yet, I don't wish to hold you back from helping the others," Deirdre said in a forlorn voice. "Ah... Perhaps this is the source of my melancholy. I truly cannot decide what to do."

Naoise leaned in and stared directly into his wife's eyes as he assured, "Then I will make the choice, and inform everyone of it."

"Will you? Pray tell, what is it you have decided to do?"

"As far as I am concerned, it is an easy solution."

****

Back in the inn's living room, Connla started to feel unwell the moment she heard about what happened to the Cloak of Mists. An awful migraine caused her to lose her sense of balance, and she thought she was going to be physically ill. Mini Cu told Morrigan to hold off on explaining the details until the child warrior was feeling better. Connla didn't want to think about the mission for now, so she tucked herself back beneath the covers and closed her eyes to get some sleep.

Mini Cu and Morrigan sat upon the table near the fireplace. They kept their idle chatter as quiet as possible while they played several games of fidchell to pass the time. About an hour after Connla fell asleep, that was when Naoise gently opened the door and stepped through as silently as he could.