‘I think you should take off your clothes,’ she said, primly.
He did so, and when he held her again he found that his hands were trembling. He ran his fingers across the skin of her back, marvelling at the texture and the perfection of her form. It seemed to him then that he had never known such exquisite joy.
The lovemaking, despite Eriatha’s tutoring, was at first clumsy and inept. At one point Tae started to giggle, and Conn found himself laughing with her. It was the release they both needed and for several hours they lay together on the broad bed, sometimes touching, sometimes talking, but mostly just enjoying the harmony and the heady sense of union.
As the night wore on Conn rose from the bed and dressed.
‘Where are you going?’ she asked him, surprise in her voice.
‘To the Wishing Tree woods.’
‘The Seidh woods?’
‘Aye. Do not worry. I am invited there. I am going to see the Thagda.’
‘But he is Demon Seidh. He will kill you.’
‘He did not kill me the last time we met.’
‘Are you mocking me?’ she asked him. ‘You have truly spoken with the Thagda?’
‘Aye. He appeared to me outside Seven Willows. In fact he berated me for not asking you to walk the tree with me.’
‘And you swear this is true?’
‘I am not lying, Tae. He asked me to go to the Wishing Tree woods on the night of Samain.’
‘I’ll come with you.’
‘That would not be wise,’ he said. ‘I know little of the ways of gods, but what I do know is that they should not be treated lightly. He told me to come. No other. But I will be back soon.’ He kissed her, then threw his cloak about his shoulders and walked out into the night, crossing the field past the few revellers still awake, and on across the meadows towards the distant trees.
There was a fresh breeze, and the air was cool and clean, filled with the scent of grass and leaf, tinged with wood smoke from the feasting fires below. As he walked, Conn glanced up at the rugged outline of the Druagh mountains and felt a wave of pride ripple across his soul. The land was beautiful and Conn felt privileged to be allowed to live upon it.
As he approached the woods he saw the Tree man waiting for him, moonlight making his lichen beard glow a strange, luminous green. Without speaking the Tree man turned and walked deeper into the woods, his cloak of leaves rustling in the breeze. Conn followed, and found himself walking down to the bramble thicket where first he saw the fawn.
‘How close to death you were on that first day,’ said the Thagda.
‘Instead you rewarded me with a knife.’
‘I have to say that I liked the child, especially when he carried me from the thicket. The touch was gentle. Do you remember checking my body for wounds, before telling me to find my mother?’
‘Yes. Are there any real fawns in the woods?’
‘None. Riamfada sends you his love. He is happy here.’
‘He is Seidh now?’ asked Conn.
‘No, not Seidh. You cannot become a Seidh, Connavar. Any more than you can become a dog, or a horse. We are different races. But we have imbued his spirit with some of our powers.’
‘He can walk now?’
From the Thagda came a deep, rumbling sound Conn took to be laughter. Then he changed the subject. ‘Tell me, how is your new bride?’
‘She is beautiful. I thank you for helping me save her.’
‘It was a small matter.’
‘May I ask another favour?’
‘You may ask. I do not say that I will grant it.’
‘Could you give Vorna back her powers?’
The Thagda was silent for a while. Conn did not disturb him. When at last he spoke his voice had softened even further. ‘I liked the child you were,’ he said. ‘I like the man you have become. You remember your promises. I have known few men who do. And I have lived a long time. Very well, I will allow your request. Tell me, Connavar, what will you say if I make a request of you?’