Beannaithe Returns to Lyndelby
I began me evenin' storytellin' with Beannaithe's return to Lyndelby...
'"This is your new home, Mac," Beannaithe said in thought to her new pony friend, "but don't become too comfortable as we'll be leavin' soon to fulfill our purpose. Before we leave, however, we'll say a proper good-bye to me family."
The villagers stopped and stared when they saw the lass ridin' bareback on her pale pony.
"Who's that?" they asked each other, "What's she wearin'? and "Where'd she find that pony?"
The children of the village marvelled at the beautiful white pony, and thought that Beannaithe looked grand sittin' upon it.
"Hooray for Beannaithe!" they cried.
Beannaithe blushed when she heard the lads and lasses cheerin'. "Are they makin' this fuss over me? Nay, it must be on your account, Mac." She stroked the pony's fine neck to reassure him that everythin' was all right."
"What a beautiful pony!" cried the lasses of the village. "Wherever did you find him?"
Beannaithe merely smiled and blushed.
"Would ye look at that armour!" said one lad to another. "Where'd ye suppose she got it?" asked another. "Do you suppose the Fairies gave it to her?' asked a third.
Beannaithe waved and smiled while gently proddin' the pony to move along. The lass were much relieved when her grandfather's farm finally came into view.
Her mother and aunties rushed out to meet the lass. Her grandfather set down the hoe he were holdin' to mop the perspiration from his brow. He smiled to see the lass, but were goin' to leave the fuss makin' to his daughters.
"Where have ye been, lass?" asked her mother. "We've been worried sick that ye might've become lost--or worse!"
Beannaithe hugged her mother warmly, and smiled reassurin'ly to let her know that she were all right.
The farmer led the pony to the stable, and saw to it that it were fed and watered before joinin' his family inside for a cup of tea.'
'That's all for this evenin', me wee darlin's,' I said to me grandkids. 'Your mams will take ye to your beds.'
'Good night, Granda!' they all said.
'I wish I had a pony like that!' Darowva said to her brothers and cousins as she was bein' led away.
'Oíche mhaith,' I replied.
This is the end of Part 4.
