The Fenced Land
After supper I resumed me story from before...
'Beannaithe awoke when the sun dimly peaked through the foliage of the trees and the darkened sky above. It were goin' to be a grim day.
Mac Énbarr happily munched some grass while the lass broke in two one of the wafers the Fair Folk had provided. She ate half of the wafer while sippin' some fresh water. After they'd had their fill, Beannaithe strapped the horse armour onto Mac, checked her own gear, then mounted.
The pony galloped swiftly in an easterly direction along the paved road. Beannaithe could feel her heart beatin' just a wee bit faster as they advanced toward the Fenced Land nigh to the White City.
Soon Beannaithe could hear battle cries and the clash of weapons. She took a deep breath to calm herself before settlin' into her stirrups. She lightly placed her right hand on the hilt of Claíomh Solais.
When she emerged from the crumbled wall that encircled the Fenced Land she could see a pitched battle between thousands of combatants. There were goblins, of course, as well as trolls. Swarthy Big folk with dark hair and dark eyes, allies of the Fomorians, had come from lands to the south and the east to battle their mutual foe.
Also on the field were enormous creatures with long tusks projecting from their mouths...'
'What were they?' asked Darowva.
'Eilifintí,' I answered.
'What's that?' asked Diolun.
'The Big Folk call them "oliphaunts". They are great four-legged creatures with large floppy ears, a long snake-like trunk that acts as both nose and arm, stout feet that could trample horse and rider in a single stomp, and thick, impenetrable skin...'
'Oh, my!' exclaimed Darowa.
'I want to ride one!' said Daibhidh.
'...Kneelin' atop the oliphaunt's back were warriors who threw spears or shot arrows at their opponents below. Also, the oliphaunts made a deafenin' trumpetin' sound with their trunks that terrified both Big Folk and beast...'
'"Beasts" meaning the horses?' asked Darowva.
'Aye,' I answered.
'Oh, no!' me granddaughter cried. 'What did Beannaithe and Mac do?'
'Upon enterin' the field of battle the lass drew her shinin' sword and were prepared to begin fightin' when she remembered the words of the Lady of Light:
"Before the Battle upon the Fenced Land is over, my granddaughter's betrothed and his companions will arrive by ship. They will join the battle once their ships have docked at the haven just beyond the eastern side of the encircling wall. They will be a great boon to those that fight upon the fields, if they can reach them in time. I desire that you meet them upon their landing."
Beannaithe and Mac swiftly rode across the great fields, avoidin' foes as best they could, strikin' only to defend themselves.'
'Were they successful?' asked Diolun.
'Aye, that they were,' I replied.
'And it's time for this lot to safely find their beds,' said me daughter Ériu.
'Not yet!' said Diolun.
'Aye, it were just gettin' good!' said Daibhidh.
'You may hear about the rest of the battle tomorrow evenin',' said a smilin' Banba.
'Come, love, it's time for bed' said Fódla to her sleepin' daughter Beacha.
'You've heard your mothers, me wee darlin's. Oíche mhaith!' I said to me grandkids.
'Good night, Granda,' they replied with voices full of disappointment.
