Dagda's Harp

“Mo anam Cara, I do not see you as a whore. You are my wife. I just need you to beguile them with your beauty. While you distract them, I will take the cauldron and then we can deliver it to my father, then we can properly be married in the eyes of the Gods.”

I understood what he wanted, yes, I did overreact. I should not have acted that way, but I guess I was being overly sensitive about the fact that I had unwedded sex and now I am with child. It just goes against all my beliefs that my family and the village that I live in instilled in me. He laughed, brushing my neck with the slightest of touches.

“You look like a kept woman marked.”

I held my neck, as if that would cover the markings up.

“I am not sorry for letting the world know that you are mine. I would kill anyone that touches my possession. You are my everything Mo anam cara, remember that.”

If I was being honest, I did not know what I was doing. I had never had to beguile anyone before let alone a supernatural race of giants. It was difficult to walk upright without slouching as all I wanted to do was slink away and not be here, just crawl away and sleep. I knew that I had to come across as confident, the future of Ireland was counting on it. As I walked closer to the three gentlemen, I noticed some slight differences compared to human beings. They were taller than the average human, at least eight foot in height. I thought that Aengus, a god was muscular, with all his tight muscles on his fair skinned body. These men like creatures were massive in width, muscles upon muscles, dark chocolaty skin, smooth and rich. Around the campfires we were told stories about the giant pirates, how they had goats’ heads or only one eye. But two of these men were beautifully symmetrical, the third had the one eye. Next to their feet where they were sitting, helmets that were in a shape of an animal. I do not know why they were talked about being monstrous, though maybe that might have been that if they were known to be beautiful then they would come across as more attractive. You would approach them; they would not seem as scary. The only thing monstrous thing about them would have been their height and how muscular they were. I approached them with some grace and a little more confidence once I could see that they were not as cruel looking as I was led to believe. Their heads were close together, gathered around the cauldron, talking among themselves. Obviously about something that was of the upmost importance. My foot stepped on a twig; the slight snap made all three of them look up from their intense conversation. I do not know how awkward they felt but on a scale from one to ten, I was at the ten of awkwardness. They just stared at me, I guess just trying to figure me out. What was I even doing there in their camp spot? I was too far away from my village, was I any type of danger to them. Which, I guess just seemed silly to me as these supernatural beings were giants and I was just a waif like creature with no skills of fighting whatsoever. One of the men stood up from his post, from far away he was an attractive being, symmetrical and chocolaty smooth but as he approached me, getting closer to my being, I could see all the scars that graced his face, arms and chest. I did not know what to expect, but I did not expect him to lightly touch my neck. His touch was smooth, cloud like or what I imagine what a cloud would feel like.

“You have a master?”

I could only assume he was referring to the bruises that splattered my neck. Why Aengus felt the need to mark me, I do not know. He knew that he would be sending me into the lion’s den. His voice thundered throughout my body; his deep tenor voice vibrated to the core of my being.

“Yes, I have a master.”

He grunted in response.

“What are you doing alone, without him?”

I was not good with lying, uttering untruths made my soul hurt.

“He abandoned me, I disobeyed him, after he had his way with me, he left me. I do not know where I am, I could smell food, I wondered over here to where the smell led me.”

Another grunt from this loquacious man Again, he surprised me by holding out his hand, grabbing mine. Guiding me to where the fire and cauldron sat, lifting me onto his lap as he sat next to the two other men. There was just silence as they filled a bowl up with stew, handing it to me, nodding their heads and grunting, giving me the okay to eat. If they were not the dreaded Fomorians that people spoke of next to campfires if there was not the stealing of the treasures. I would have been easily lured by their generous hospitality. As I was eating, there was a growing uneasiness residing in the pit of my stomach. Even though they were being cordial, my body knew that there was danger and that I would have to ready to either fight or take flight. He was playing with my hair, drawing circles on my neck with his fingertips. To someone who had never had any physical interactions with a man, to having been touched by two within one day. I felt like the whore that I proclaimed to be.

“What is your name child?”

“Dana, what is yours?”

I did not believe that these supernatural beings laughed. But low and behold, they did. I did not know what was so funny, but they were amused amongst themselves.

“You are a breath of fresh air, lass. My name is Elatha, while my companions next to me are Goll, he lost an eye awhile back, but his sight is better than mine. Then there is this strapping young lad, Conand. My companions and I are here for Samhain. What better way to do that then with the stones that are the gateway to the Otherworld? I feel closer to the dead already.”

I waved my hands towards Goll and Conand. “It is nice to meet you, thank you for letting me share your food and your heat.”

“You intrigue me lass, your beauty and your sweetness. I hope you do not hold what I am about to do to you against me.”

“I don’t understand.”

As he was playing with my hair with one hand, his other hand tied both of my hands behind my back. I did not recognise what he was doing until it was too late to even attempt to do anything about it. If I were not imprisoned by him, I would be in awe and gushing about his agility. He tapped my nose with the tip of his finger, ripped some cloth from the bottom of his pants, placing it over my mouth.

“I am going to pick you up and lay you down next to the fire. You will be coming home with me tomorrow. I cannot take the chance having you unrestrained. I do not want to lose that special that you have lass.”

For a pirate, he was awfully nice. Stupidly I am unable to be mad at him. I did not give him much of a choice, considering who they were and the situation. He had been gentle in his dealings with me. There was no reason for him to be that way towards me. He is somewhat like a God, and I am just a mere lowly human. The ground was somewhat bumpy, especially this one little rock that was situated just above my bottom. I was unable to sleep, just staring off into the depth of the fire, wondering when Aengus was going to come and rescue me and the cauldron. Who knows where they are going to take me and if I will be able to get back home? It seemed as if hours had passed. The fire was toasty and warm, but I was beginning to feel all numb on one side of my body, both arms and hands. I needed to get out of this rope. The rope was scratchy on my skin, cutting into my wrists every time I tried to get out of the knots that was wonderfully tied around my delicate wrists. I could hear snoring next to me, well when I say snoring, it sounded as if the Gods were fighting, throwing lightning bolts at each other. While I was contemplating what was worse, snoring Fomorians or being tied and forced to lay on a hard ground with rocks underneath, something sharp bounced off my head. Maybe to top off Samhain, the sky was falling, my escape was to be crushed by the heavens above. It was a comforting thought, I guess, considering the alternative. Which obviously being enslaved by a bunch of supernatural pirates. Another sharp object bounced again off my head. My name was being whispered in the wind, the crisp air carried it throughout the leaves off the trees and the grassy hills of Eire. “Dana” Aengus voice was a musical prayer, mt pleadings to the Gods were answered from a divine being himself. “Dana.” I did not know how to get his attention without alerting Elatha or his other two companions. There was one idea, I had no idea if it would work or not, but I did not exactly have a lot of options.

“Elatha.” I whispered his name out towards him. “Elatha.” Hopefully, I did not upset him too much with disturbing his sleep. There was a pause to his thunderous snoring. If I were not to have Aengus as my husband, I would have been in awe by the sound of Elatha’s groggy, sleep awoken voice. It was gravelly and strong.

“Dana, sweet lass. I am asleep, so should you.”

“I need to relieve myself.”

“Relieve yourself?”

“I could always go where I am laying but I am sure that would be a detriment to all three of you.”

There were a few grumbling words that I could was coming in his direction. A curse erupted by the time that he reached my body. “Kick your toes?”

“Would it make you feel happier if I said that I did knock my toe on a stone?”

“It would make sleeping on rocks not so bad.”

“Anything to make a pretty lass happy. If I untie you, can I trust you not to leave. I will escort you away from the camp, I will leave you to your privacy.”

The only thing that I could do was nod my head. I did not feel comfortable lying to him. He sat me up, this position felt weird, my body was stiff, my joints creaked as I changed position. His fingers ran down my arm, he stopped at my wrists, picking up my hand he kissed each finger. When he came to my thumb, he put his mouth and sucked, swirling his tongue around the tip. I can see that you are going to make for an enjoyable slave. I have only tasted your fingers and you are already the most delectable thing that I have ever tasted. I closed my eyes, praying that Aengus would come soon. I felt dirty with every touch that he gave me. His voice, even though sexy, was grating on me. After his love making to my thumb, standing me up, dusting the dirt and the small rocks that were clinging to my rear. Holding my hand as if we were two newly wed lovers, He escorted me a few strides past the stones.

“Alright lass, do your business and then you come back to me, and we will go back to sleep.”

He turned around and left, leaving me to my business just as he said. I was alone, now to try and find Aengus. Snagged from behind, I was pulled back, again, my mouth was being covered by a strong man’s hand.

“Sshh, my Dana, it is just me, don’t make a noise, I do not want them to know that I am here.”

“I do not have too much time Aengus; he is trusting me to quickly relieve myself and go back to him.”

“We will not be too long sweetheart; you just have to play a little bit longer.”

“Well, I hope so, because I do not know how long I can endure another man touching me. I hope you do not mind a used woman.”

Grabbing a hold of the back of my neck, pulling me in closer, kissing me hard and strong.

“You are not a used woman Dana. You are brilliant and strong. That is why we were brought to be together. You are my match, my soulmate, you are pure and perfect. My Dana.”

Oh my, be still my heart. I closed my eyes and held my breath, making my way back to Elatha. He was standing next to the fire; his back was towards me. I had no idea what the plan was, what I was meant to be doing, what Aengus was going to do. I was just praying to all the Gods that no blood would follow.

“I am extremely glad that you came back to me lass. I would have hated to hunt you down, cut some pieces off you. I doubt that running away from me the first-time warrants death.”

“I do not know what I should be grateful for, me being obedient or you, being such a lenient master.”

He tied my wrists back up with the rope, but unlike last time he placed my head on his chest and wrapped his arms around me. His body was encasing me, trying to keep me from those stabby rocks. His heart was beating rapidly, I could hear and feel his life coursing through him. His blonde hair was fanned out against the dirt and grass.

“Goodnight my lass.”

He kissed me on the forehead.

“Goodnight my Elatha.”

Those were the last words that I spoke to Elatha. My God in not so shiny armour but in gold cloth came to my rescue like he said he would. While I was being enslaved, I guess I could call him my husband. When he left after I made my way back to Elatha, Aengus went to his father. There was something that he possessed that he needed to be able to take back the cauldron, therefore save Ireland. Uaithne, The Four Angled Music. Apparently, the harp is meant to inspire moods. It plays three different types of music. The music of sorrow, the music of joy and the music of dreaming. When Dagda stroked the strings of the harp, a soft dream song played, and the people around him fell asleep. During the war when Dagda came with the golden harp, The Fomorian men laughed. This is what the Tuatha had to win this battle against them? It was laughable. But then as the music of dreams played, they bowed their heads and dozed away into a dream. The Tuatha stole away into the night, going back into their homes in victory. Why we did not just call for Dagda once we found the cauldron was beyond me. I could have forfeited the uneasiness with being in the clutches of another being. But I am sure that he had his reasons, well one would hope that he had his reasons. I could see shadows emerging from the stones as I laid on Elatha. The moons light reflected off the harp’s golden soul. Holding my breath, I waited for the music of dreams to call out. I had no doubt that I to would be affected by its charms. The sound that lulled its way to the unexpected ears of the intended. Its ethereal sweetness brought calm and tranquillity to my tense body. Swirls of blues, pinks and yellows danced in front of my eyes. Stars, planets, galaxies emerged as one. Everything had a place and made sense. I held all the knowledge of the universe within me.