Edith Pattou - Fire Arrow

"I do not need it. I have enough books here," she said, gesturing at her head.

"Thank you," said Brie, taking the book. Hanna leaned, over and they held each other tightly for a moment. "I will miss you, Hanna."

"And I you," Hanna said gently, releasing Brie. "But you will be back, Bren-huan."

"Perhaps," Brie replied, doubtful.

"No. You will return."

"The hiraeth?" Brie asked. She recalled the long-ago conversation with Aelwyn about the heartsickness that exiled Dungalans feel. "Like a knife in the heart," Aelwyn had said.

"Yes, hiraeth, and because you are queen."

Brie smiled. "Little queen. It is just a name, Hanna."

Hanna shook her head, face serious. "No. You are queen. Sago knew. And Yldir. Seila is Fionna."

Brie stared at Hanna. "No."

"When Queen Fionna disappeared, she must have gone to Eirren and had a family. There is a story there. When you return, you will tell it to me."

Brie shook her head.

"Yes, Biri," responded Hanna matter-of-facdy, "when the time comes, you will return to Dungal, as queen."

***

As they rode through the foothills of the Blue Stacks, Collun gazed sideways at Brie. "You are quiet. What did the Traveler say to you?"

"Nothing of importance," Brie replied absently. She sifted through Hanna's words with wonder. She had never known the Traveler to tell an untruth. And yet, queen?! It was not possible. She would tell Collun later; perhaps they would laugh over it together at the campfire tonight.

They rode in silence for a time, comfortable, easy in each other's company.

"Where do we go now, Brie?"

"Cuillean's dun?"

"Perhaps," Collun said, but he did not sound enthusiastic.

Brie wondered if he was thinking of Renin's burial mound.

"We could visit Talisen at his bard school," Collun suggested.

"Or Nessa in Temair."

Neither one said anything for several minutes.

Tir a Ceol, Brie heard in her head, and laughed.

"What?" asked Collun.

"There is one among us," Brie said, "probably three, who would enjoy a journey to Tir a Ceol."

Fiain let out an enthusiastic whicker, and Fara came loping up next to Ciaran.

"I always said I would return to Tir a Ceol for my father's bow when my journey was done," Brie mused.

"You gave it to the Ellyl Ebba to keep?"

Brie nodded.

"Then let it be Tir a Ceol," responded Collun with a grin. "We can see what torments Silien has devised for Monodnock. And perhaps we could return to Cuillean's dun by harvesttime, not that there will likely be much to harvest..."

They passed a shepherd whose dogs set up a frenzied barking at the sight of the two Ellyl horses and the faol. Waving a greeting, Brie and Collun rode on.

"I was just thinking, Collun, of all the names I have had."

Collun nodded.

"Brie, Breo-Saight, Bren-huan, Breigit, Biri..." She ticked them off on her fingers. "'Oona, moona, mollopy, mite...' I hardly know which of them I am anymore. Oh well. Perhaps I shall be nameless," she said with a grin. "I am without a home, after all; I might as well be without a name."

Collun was silent and his face was unreadable. Finally he spoke. "Brie is a very good name," he said slowly. "And you shall have a home at Cuillean's dun for as long as you wish."

Brie flushed. "Even if I do overwater the harebell and pull up the sweet william thinking it a weed?"

"Even then," Collun said, his voice level. Then Ciaran, with an innocent sidelong glance over her shoulder at Brie, suddenly swerved in very close to Fiain. Smiling, Brie reached out her hand and Collun took it in his.