An Unlikely Steed
I continued me storytellin' to the grandkids...
'The next mornin' after breakfast Beannaithe packed up her things in anticipation of her departure.
Grimbeorn came to her sayin', "I might lend you a pony, but you would only be permitted to ride to forest's edge. Instead I will persuade another of my friends to carry you to visit the Elves of the Greenwood."
This caught Beannaithe's attention as few things would.
The Bear-man escorted Beannaithe beyond the gate to his compound and strode some distance into the meadow beyond. He reached into the pouch that hung on his belt and pulled out a handful of somethin'. What it was Beannaithe could not see.
The great man put his finger to his lips signalin' Beannaithe to be silent. He then sat on the turf with his long legs folded in front of him. He motioned for Beannaithe to do the same. When the lass had done so Grimbeorn rested his thick hairy arms across his legs, and opened the palm of his right hand facin' upwards. Beannaithe could see that in his hand he held some grain.
Within a few minutes a hart, a hind, and two fawns came over the hill. The hart sniffed the air then, supposin' it were safe, strode towards the Bear-man. Grimbeorn smiled then winked at Beannaithe. He spread the grain across the turf. The hind and fawns began eatin' the grain while the hart kept watch.
Grimbeorn reached into his pocket for more grain, and held his hand out to the hart. The hart hesitated a moment before approachin' the great man. Then, after sniffin' the air, the hart ate the grain from the man's hand. Grimbeorn gently reached out with his left hand to stroke the hart's proud neck.
Then Grimbeorn did somethin' even more surprisin' to Beannaithe. While the hart continued to nibble the grain the Bear-man slipped a leash around the hart's neck. Speakin' softly and calmly, Grimbeorn said to the lass, "Slowly stand and take this leash." She did as the man asked. "Now climb onto his back as you would a pony." The lass looked doubtful, but after a brief moment did as the man asked. To her great surprise the hart did not bolt.
"There you are, lass," he said. "Treat him gently and with great care, and he will carry you as far as you like. I will care for his doe and fawns until he returns from the forest."
Beannaithe smiled and gave silent thanks to Grimbeorn. Then with a wave of her right hand, the one not holdin' the leash, she waved and was off.'
'A lovely story, Granda!' gushed Darowva.
'Aye, 'twas grand, Granda,' said Dooli. Daibhidh and Diolun agreed.
'Good night!' I said to them. I lifted wee Beacha and carried her to her bed.
'Thank ye, Da,' said me daughter Fódla.
'Oíche mhaith, me darlin' daughters!' I said to the three.
