An Enigma
I began straight away tellin' the next chapter in Beannaithe's saga durin' me grandkids' evenin' storytime...
'When Beannaithe awoke early the next mornin' she crawled out from under the covers and peaked beneath her bed. She unwrapped the blanket that lay there to see whether her gift from the Lord and Lady of Dreamflower was there along with Claíomh Solais, the Sword of Light. Much to her delight and amazement it was!'
'A moment, if you please,' interjected Daibhidh. 'Didn't you say that Beannaithe could only have had the Bow of the Wood-elves if she'd traveled there in truth and not in dream only?'
'Aye, I did,' I answered.
'Then it follows that if she'd travelled to Dreamflower in dream only,' Daibhidh mused, 'she would not have had the scabbard the Lord and Lady gave her.'
'You're forgettin' somethin', lad,' I told me grandson.
'Aye, what's that?' Daibhidh asked.
'This is a fairy-story in which many strange and wonderful things may occur,' I said. 'This particular occurrence is somethin' we call an enigma.'
'E-nig-ma?' he hesitantly asked.
'Aye,' I replied.
'What is that?' he asked.
I turned to me granddaughter Darowva. 'Lass, would you care to explain it to him?'
'I'd be delighted!' Darowva exclaimed. 'An enigma is a person, thing or situation that is mysterious and difficult to understand.'(1)
'And clearly,' Daibhidh said with a frown, 'a way of explainin' away any inconsistencies in storytellin'.' He crossed his arms in front of his chest to emphasise his point.
Sometimes me grandkids were too clever for their own good. I decided it best to ignore me grandson's comment and crack on with me story.
'Beannaithe's day went the way that most of her days in Lyndelby did. She enjoyed a hearty breakfast...'
'With rashers?' asked Diolun.
'Aye,' said I. 'May I please continue me story without further interruption?'
'Aye, sorry, Granda,' Diolun replied.
'...weedin' in the farmer's garden, a dinner of roast chicken, spuds, and carrots; more gardenin', wash-up, then finally supper.
Beannaithe were not as fortunate as ye all are, as her granda were not much of a storyteller. However, they did enjoy singin' a few favorite songs by the hearth before takin' to their beds.'
Despite great temptation, I could see it in their bright faces, me grandkids made no comment.
'While she were sleepin' Beannaithe heard the voice of Áine say,
"Little one, to accomplish the tasks that lie ahead you will need a steed of great speed and strength. Travel to White Horse Hill in the Vale of the Long River. It is there that you will find a steed of great worth. Be wary, for the way is fraught with peril. Many enemies prowl those lands. Keep Claíomh Solais at the ready. Farewell!"
Beannaithe had many questions that she wanted to ask of Áine but, to her great disappointment, she had not the opportunity.'
'It seems to me that Áine is one of them enigmas you were talkin' about, Granda,' observed Daibhidh.
'She is indeed,' I said. The lad were beginnin' to understand.
(1) Source: Oxford English Dictionary
