Manannan's Magic Page 24

  I have always been happy with Edan. Yet if I had been free to choose, I would not have spent my life with him. Often, in dreams, I lie in McLir’s arms and my spirit wanders with him over the deep waters of the world. These visions are bittersweet pleasures, which come to me but rarely. I share them with no one, although I think Edan guesses. If he does, he says nothing. He’s always honoured McLir’s memory and accepted the fact that he was my first love.

  The village is different now, in so many ways. Marriages are common among my people and the Norsemen. Babies have been born who are like Edan, children between two races. Others, like Fritha’s daughters, play with mine just as we used to, so long ago. Life goes on in almost the same way it did before the strangers came to change our world forever.

  I have never forgotten the knowledge McLir taught me. I have used his mixtures many times to heal those who are sick. I am called a wise woman, a caillagh, and people from miles around come to me seeking relief from their troubles. I give my help freely to all, as he did, but the wisdom and the treatments are not really mine. McLir has never ceased to be my beloved Máistir. Often I call out to him for aid, if the problem is beyond my skill. Sometimes I believe he answers me, for a memory returns and I remember what to do. I treasure all the things he taught me. I use them and I have passed them on to my children and to the others who want to learn. I know this is what he would want me to do, as his father did before him.

  I have grandchildren now and, at night, when the wind blows and the torches flicker, we gather round the fire to listen to the storytellers. Lately, the bards have been telling the story of Manannan McLir, but it is not the tale I know. Few people are old enough now to remember that I once knew him well. So I smile, listen to the stories and say nothing. Manannan, they say, is a mighty sorcerer, who wields a sword called Fragarach. He covers this island with his mists to hide us from our enemies. They speak of his ship, Wave Sweeper, of his wife, Fand, and even of his daughter, Niamh of the Golden Hair. McLir never spoke of her to me, or of any other children but I am glad a child of his walks on this earth, even if she can’t be mine.

  When McLir went away, the bards say, he turned himself into a fiery wheel and plunged over the cliffs at Dhoon. He returned to the bosom of the sea from whence he came - for he is the god of the sea. All creatures that live in the deep waters pay him tribute and so must we. When they tell us such things, Edan and I look at each other and smile. We know who pushed that fiery wheel into the water.

  Sometimes a tear trickles down my cheek, as the nonsense brings my memories back. I do not cry because I miss the magician, or the teacher who showed me such great wonders. He made me understand so many things, about the world, about myself and about love, itself. I cry because I still miss the man, his kindness and his smile. I ache for the way he held me that last day among the heather. I weep because he truly cared for me in his heart, as I have always cared for him. More tears fall, because he has never come back in all these years and I have no knowledge of his fate.

  I have always hoped that, one day, he would be able to walk again on those green hills he loved. If he could not be with me, I prayed he would find his peace in the island to the west, his home.

  Fare you well, Manannan McLir, wherever you may be. In time, may you find the ending you wished, in your own land or, if God wills it, in mine. My life has been richer for knowing you and poorer because you are not with me now. I will never forget you, down all the rest of my days.

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  : email: riverscourt@gmail.com

  About Michèle McGrath

  Award winning author, Michele McGrath, was born on the beautiful Isle of Man in the middle of the Irish Sea. She has lived in California, Liverpool, France and Lancashire before returning home. Living in Paris and Grenoble taught her to make a mean ratatouille and she learned the hula in Hawaii.

  Michele is a qualified swimming teacher and manager, writing self help books on these subjects. Although she writes in many genres, her real loves are historical romance and fantasy. She has won numerous writing competitions, had second places and been short-listed many times. She has had tens of thousands of sales and downloads.

  **Visit her blog at www.michelemcgrath.co.uk

  **Follow Michele on Facebook at www.Facebook.com//michele.mcgrath.10. She loves to chat with readers.

  **Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/benvoirrey

  What others are saying about Michele's books:

  "From the very first and magical sentence, I was hooked on this novel."

  Eddie on Kindle, reviewing Manannan's Magic.

  “Set in post-revolutionary France, Duval and the Infernal Machine captures the atmosphere of suspicion and intrigue that reigned in Paris at the time. The author does a splendid job of immersing the reader into the darker corners of the city." Simon on Kindle reviewing Duval and the Infernal Machine.

  “I have been terrified of the water ever since nearly drowning in Lake Michigan. My wife has tried to teach me to float - with no success - for 40 years. The techniques outlined in this book are easy to follow. Maybe finally, after all these years, I'll be able to swim and NOT be afraid of the water. Thanks Michele, wish you lived in the States so I could get private lessons." Steven on Kindle reviewing Learn to Swim, even if you are terrified."

  “An intriguing and haunting short story, which the author says is based upon a real wartime experience. The fitting and satisfying ending will stay with me for a long time. An excellent story."

  Gunnar on Kindle reviewing Five Lamps.

  “Beautiful! Just 12 short pages, but it left me in tears. The author has such a delicate, lovely way with words that the sentences and sentiments were whispered over the pages. I will save this on my kindle to read again."

  Tina on Kindle reviewing The Carpenter's Bench.

  Books by Michèle McGrath

  Easy Business Skills:

  Easy Business Skills Box set

  Easy Self Confidence

  Easy Time Management

  Easy Assertiveness

  Easy Communication Skills

  Easy Presentation Skills

  Swimming:

  Learn to Swim Even if you are Terrified

  *Amazon Bestseller*

  Teach your Child to Swim: The Easy Way.

  *Amazon Bestseller*

  Novels:

  The Manannan Series (Historical Fantasy)

  Manannan’s Magic: Manannan McLir flees from a blood feud in Ireland and finds a tragic love with a young Celtic girl, Renny. Betrayal, a Viking invasion and a narrow escape all feature in this novel.

  *Amazon Bestseller*

  Niamh of the Golden Hair: Niamh is captured by Viking raiders and unexpectedly falls in love with her captor. When he is badly injured, she must find her father, Manannan, who may be able to cure his wound.

  *Amazon Bestseller*

  Emer’s Quest: Emer, Manannan’s granddaughter, dreams that her father will be shipwrecked. She rides after him to prevent him leaving but she is too late. She persuades friends to follow him. On her journey she meets Atli, a trader who offers to rescue her father if she will marry one of his sons. Unfortunately his son Hari does not want her.

  *Amazon International Bestseller*

  Manannan Trilogy:Box Set

  *Amazon Bestseller*

  Ghost Diaries Series (Paranormal Romance)

  Gigi’s Guardian: A romp through an unusual sort of Heaven and Swinging Sixties London. Ariane helps Gigi choose the right man to marry, after many trials and tribulations. A comedy romance with serious overtones.

  Duval Series (Napoleon’s Police)

  Duval and the Infernal Machine: Rookie police agent, Alain Duval investigates the attempted assassination on Napoleon Bonaparte. The book features romance, terror and an unexpected ending.

  Duval and the
Empress’s Crown (Coming in March)

  Duval at Waterloo: The last Duval book. Duval travels to Paris and gets caught up in the preparations for Napoleon’s last battle.

  Regency Belles & Beaux (Coming Shortly)

  Lady Alice’s Dilemma: Lady Alice is enjoying her first London Season until her disgraced brother appears in disguise.

  Books for Children:

  A Night at the Manx Museum: Meet Manannan, a Manx cat, the great deer and many more characters.

  Stories for Seven Year Olds: Three stories in one. A magical harp takes Shannon far away to a land of magic carpets and evil viziers. Rory is scared of heights, which is a problem because he is a robin who needs to learn to fly. Sun Sun Lau is a Chinese dragon who wakes up to find himself in the British Museum and has to escape from those who want to put him in a zoo.

  *Amazon Bestseller*

  Short Story Collections

  Baker’s Dozen: Thirteen short stories in a range of genres including romance, fantasy, crime and history.

  Bible Women: Four short stories of women in the New Testament, starting from the birth of Christ until his death.

  *Amazon Bestseller*

  These books are or will be on Kindle and Kindle apps.

  Look out for free days and promotional offers.

  Gigi’s Guardian, A Night in the Manx Museum and Manannan’s Magic are available in paperback through Amazon and booksellers on the Isle of Man.

  Find out more on:

  Amazon / Kindle

  http://www.michelemcgrath.co.uk

  I would love to hear from you:

  email: riverscourt@gmail.com