"Bricriu and Nemuin" by Danielle Agar

"My name is Labraid," said the strange man. "I have come from the island on the sea to tell of a geiss that has been placed on you. For the three days before Samuin, three days after and Samuin itself, you must not leave the rooms that have been built for you here at Mag Muirthemni. If you do, you may not return and your husband will be lost to you."

"Are you Labraid Luathlam ar Cladeb, king of the island on the lake? What have I done to deserve this geiss? Must I miss the feasting and drinking and entertainments of this great assembly?" Mugain asked, but Labraid did not reply. He stood up, kissed her hand and left the room. Mugain followed him but when she reached the doorway she found the man had disappeared.

The queen of the Ulaid was very concerned. She went immediately to her husband, Conchubur, and related Labraid's strange message. "This is a very serious matter," said Conchubur. "I will seek advice from Cathub." The druid came and advised them thus, "Mugain must remain in her rooms. Food and drink and entertainment may be brought here, but she must not leave. Neither must the walls be moved or the shape of the rooms be changed. The geiss upon her is most serious."

Mugain was deeply sorrowful. She remained in her rooms but spent all her time watching the champions and the young boys playing and competing on the fields that she could see from her windows. Food and drink and fools could not cheer her. She wanted only to be out celebrating with her people. The day of Samuin arrived and Mugain lay in bed late into the afternoon. When she finally stood and went to the window she saw the most beautiful bird on the lawn, a huge swan with feathers that shone like pearls and a beak like gold, large enough to feed three fifties of men. She decided that only the capture of that bird could compensate for her disappointment. She called out to the champions on the field. The bird flapped its immense wings, creating a great wind, but the champions noticed neither Mugain nor the bird. She called to the king who was playing fidchell with Fergus. The bird honked loudly, but the king noticed neither Mugain nor the bird. In her frustration, Mugain leaned far out the window, and fell outside.

The moment she was completely outside, the massive bird picked up Mugain and carried her out towards the ocean. The bird screamed such that all the people of Eriu heard it and their hearts were filled with terror.

Conchubur was frightened for his queen. He sent for his champions and prepared to lead a search in pursuit of the swan. But Cathub the druid told him that he must not go, because Labraid's warning said that Mugain's husband would be lost to her, and if Conchubur attempted to find her she would never be found. It was decided that the greatest champions of the Ulaid would attempt the dangerous trip to rescue Mugain. Among their number were Cu Chulaind son of Sualtaim, Fergus son of Roech and Conall Cernach son of Amorgen. Bricriu son of Carbad said, "By the gods my people swear by, no woman in Eriu is worth so much risk. Why does not the king simply find a new queen?" In response, Conchubur ordered Bricriu taken away and placed under guard until Mugain was restored.

The champions set out to sea following the flight of the bird, but before they had gone far a thick fog rolled in. The mist was so thick the heroes could not see their own weapons and crashed into each other on the deck as they attempted to sail. The ship finally ran aground and the mist cleared. The warriors disembarked to take a closer look at their surroundings. Cu Chulaind looked at the land and recognizing the place, informed the others that they had only moved a short distance down the coast. The dejected warriors came together to devise a new plan. As they were talking, a white deer approached the shore. Conall Cernach spotted the deer first and said, "Let us capture this animal that we might present it as a gift to Mugain when she is found."

Having no horses with them, the heroes had to chase the deer on foot, but they were so fast that the animal was never out of their sight. The deer led them up and down the countryside, through hills and forests, and finally to a lake where it ran into the water and disappeared.

"Do you know this lake?" Fergus asked Cu Chulaind. "Yes," Cu Chulaind answered, "but never before was there a house near the shore such as there is now." The heroes approached the house. "Truly, this building was not here before," said Conall Cernach. They knocked at the door and the white deer they had chased to the lake greeted them. It had a silver chain around its neck. "Welcome to the house of Nemuin daughter of Sainrith son of Imbath," said the deer. "Come inside. I will fetch my lady."

The deer led them into the house then passed into the room where Nemuin was waiting. She sat in a large red chair. Her hair was long and dark. She was wrapped in a thick green cloak, folded five times. Her skin was bright as snow and she had a soft rosy blush in one cheek and an angry scarlet blush in the other. A cauldron of dark red liquid was at her right hand and a large white swan at her left. All around the room animals of different types rested or played: dogs, cats, deer, cattle, sheep, horses, pigs, and many birds linked together with white gold chains. All of the animals were white, some with red ears.

Nemuin asked the deer who had come into her home. "Surely it is the champions of the Ulaid, lady. They have come to seek Mugain, wife of Conchubur their king." "Who was the first man to enter my house?" she asked. "I am afraid I do not know, my lady. But he is strong enough to pull up great trees by their roots. He is tall and fair and walks with all the honour of a great chieftain," said the deer. "That is Fergus son of Roech, one of the chieftains of the Ulaid. Send him to me that he may plead his case."

"Who are you and what do you seek?" Nemuin asked when Fergus entered the room. "My name is Fergus son of Roech, one of the chieftains of the Ulaid. I have come to seek Mugain. She is the wife of Conchubur, my ruler and great partner in battle." Nemuin nodded and offered him a drink from a silver goblet. The drink smelled sweet and refreshing, so Fergus thanked his hostess and drank. In the next room, Conall Cernach and Cu Chulaind heard the squeal of a pig. "What kind of woman keeps such animals in her house?" asked Conall. "A very strange woman," answered Cu Chulaind.

"Who was the next man to enter my house?" Nemuin asked the white deer. "I am afraid I do not know, my lady. He is very handsome. He has fair yellow hair that falls in long, soft curls. One of his eyes is as blue as the sky and the other as black as a beetle's back," said the deer. "That is Conall Cernach, the most handsome of the champions of the Ulaid. Send him to me that he may plead his case."

"Who are you and what do you seek?" Nemuin asked as Conall entered the room. "My name is Conall Cernach son of Amorgen. I seek gentle Mugain, the wife of our good king Conchubur and queen of the Ulaid." Nemuin nodded and offered him a drink from a goblet of white gold. The drink smelled sweet and refreshing, so Conall thanked his hostess and drank. In the next room Cu Chulaind heard the mewling of a cat. "It is a very strange woman indeed that keeps animals in her own room," he said.

"Who was the next man to enter my house?" Nemuin asked the white deer. "I am afraid I do not know, my lady. He is a small, sad man with dark brows. His cheeks are blood-red and he juggles three fifties of swords while he waits," said the deer "That is Cu Chulaind, the strongest and most skilful champion of the Ulaid. Send him to me that he may plead his case."

"Who are you and what do you seek?" Nemuin asked as Cu Chulaind entered the room. "My name is Cu Chulaind son of Sualtaim. I seek the beautiful Mugain, wife of Conchubur, our strong king and my foster father." Nemuin nodded and offered him a drink from a golden goblet. The drink smelled sweet and refreshing, so Cu Chulaind thanked his hostess and drank. The white dog that had been Cu Chulaind barked three times.

Nemuin called the white deer to her. "Who was the next man to enter my house?" she asked. "There was no other," the deer replied. "What do you say? Where is Bricriu Nemthenga son of Carbad, one of the chieftains of the Ulaid?" "I swear, my lady, there was no other man." Nemuin flew into a rage and knocked over the great cauldron at her right side. With that, her house and all inside it disappeared.

At Mag Muirthemni, Conchubur and his people mourned the loss of the queen and their champions. Suddenly, a white deer wearing a silver chain walked out of the forest and approached Conchubur. "Nemuin daughter of Sainrith son of Imbath has sent me to find Bricriu Nemthenga son of Carbad. If Mugain is to be returned to her king, Bricriu must come to the island on the lake."

Conchubur was only too glad to order Bricriu to take the journey on pain of death. Bricriu grudgingly followed the white deer across the countryside. As they were walking, a white boar came out of the trees and followed close on Bricriu's heels. "Why does this animal follow me so?" asked Bricriu. "This boar was once the great and proud Fergus son of Roech," answered the deer. "He has obviously failed to rescue the queen," said Bricriu.

When they had walked a while longer, a white cat emerged from the brush and followed close on Bricriu's heels. "Why does this animal follow me so?" asked Bricriu. "This cat was once the great and handsome Conall Cernach son of Amorgen," answered the deer. "He has obviously failed to rescue the queen," said Bricriu.

As they were approaching the lake, a white dog ran down the beach, barking, and followed close on Bricriu's heels. "Why does this animal follow me so?" asked Bricriu. "This dog was once the great and strong Cu Chulaind son of Sualtaim," answered the deer. "He has obviously failed to rescue the queen," said Bricriu. "If all these great champions have failed to rescue the queen, what more should be expected of me? Let me return home that the Ulaid might salvage what is left of the festivities of Samuin." "Surely not, Bricriu Nemthenga. The lady Nemuin has requested your presence and if you do not fulfil her request she will bring woe to your people for nine generations and the blame will be on your head."

When they arrived at the beach, Labraid came in a boat of bronze across the lake and met them at the shore. "Hail, mighty heroes of the Ulaid," he greeted them. "I am Labraid, king of this island. It was my cousin Nemuin who placed the geiss on Mugain, wife of Conchubur king of the Ulaid and rendered the champions into animals. It was her wish that all the champions of the Ulaid attempt to rescue their queen. I have promised to bring to her Bricriu son of Carbad." "I am he whom you name," answered Bricriu. At that, Bricriu and the four white animals entered the boat and crossed the lake to the island. Labraid led them to a house on the island identical to the one that had disappeared from the shore.

The white deer went into the house. "What kind of man is at my door?" Nemuin asked it. "He is a strong man with limbs as thick as trees. He has skin as bright as snow and a soft rosy blush in one cheek and an angry scarlet blush in the other. He has dark bristling hair and is always quick with a response." "That is none other than Bricriu Nemthenga son of Carbad." Nemuin ran to the door and welcomed him in. "Welcome Bricriu, the one who can incite son against father with his poison tongue. Why did you not follow with the other heroes to rescue your queen?" "I swear by the gods my people swear by, no woman is worth this much trouble."

Nemuin laughed. "But certainly you must attempt to rescue the champions of the Ulaid from the lowly forms they have found themselves in. They are not women, nor should they be animals." "This is true, lady, but it is you who has given them these forms and it is you who must restore them." "If you can restore the heroes, I will in turn restore the queen of the Ulaid." "I have no wish to see that done. However, if you will consent to be my wife, I will make certain the champions of the Ulaid are restored to their proper forms." "Agreed," said Nemuin.

Then Bricriu stood and made to leave the house. "Where are you going?" asked Nemuin. "I am going back to Mag Muirthemni to celebrate Samuin," he answered. "Are you not going to rescue the champions of the Ulaid, save the queen and win yourself a wife?" "No," he said, "that no longer interests me." He yawned so wide it seemed as though he might swallow all of Ulster. "But surely you must stay and enjoy my hospitality." "No. I think I will return home now." Nemuin offered him a drink in a goblet of red gold. "No, lady," said Bricriu. "Do not offer me your drink, for I myself have offered health and poison in one cup such as this. Also, it is said that those who eat or drink in this place may never return." "How might I convince you to stay?" asked Nemuin. "Perhaps," he said, "if you restore only one of the champions for me now, I will remain a while longer and attempt to save the others." Nemuin narrowed her eyes to black specks like spear points. "It is done," she said. The pig that was Fergus gave a loud squeal and a shaken, but human warrior stood in its place. Nemuin waved her hand and the giant swan at her side carried Fergus from the house. "He will remain with Mugain until you have completed your task," Nemuin said.

When the giant swan returned Bricriu shrugged and again made to leave the house. "Where are you going?" Nemuin asked. "Are you not going to rescue the champions of the Ulaid, save the queen and win yourself a wife?" "No," he said, "that no longer interests me." He yawned so wide it seemed as though he might swallow all of Eriu. Nemuin offered him a champion's portion of food and meat. "No, lady," said Bricriu. "Do not offer me your food, for I have also offered richness and poison on one table such as this. Also, it is said that those who eat or drink in this place may never return." "How might I convince you to stay?" asked Nemuin. "Perhaps," he said, "if you restore only one more of the champions for me, I will remain a while longer and attempt to save the others." Nemuin narrowed her eyes to black specks like spear points. "It is done," she said. The cat that was Conall howled and a shaken, but human warrior stood in its place. Nemuin waved her hand and the giant swan at her side carried Conall from the house. "He will remain with Mugain and Fergus until you have completed your task," Nemuin said.

When the giant swan returned Bricriu made his away again to the door. "Where are you going? Are you not going to rescue the champions of the Ulaid, save the queen and win yourself a wife?" "No," he said, "that no longer interests me." He yawned so wide it seemed as though he might swallow all the world. Nemuin offered him three large stacks each of silver, white gold and red gold. "No, lady," said Bricriu. "Do not offer me your riches, as goods from this place will disappear when I am home again and I will never enjoy them." Nemuin frowned, then she wrapped her arms around his neck. "If you but stay a while longer, I will give you a kiss," she said. "No, lady," said Bricriu, "for never have I received a kiss from a lady but trouble followed. How much more trouble would follow a kiss from one such as yourself?" "How might I convince you to stay?" asked Nemuin. "Perhaps," he said, "if you restore simply one champion for me, I will here as long as you wish." "As long as I wish?" Nemuin narrowed her eyes to black specks like spear points. "It is done," she said. The dog that was Cu Chulaind barked three times and a shaken, but human warrior stood in its place.

Bricriu laughed. "That is the third and last of the champions who came to rescue Mugain. I have succeeded in the task you set me. You must now return Mugain to her people and come with me as my wife." Nemuin cursed and flew into a rage. The great swan flew away and returned with Fergus, Conall and Mugain unharmed and in good health. "You have tricked me!" Nemuin shouted. She again knocked over the cauldron which cracked in half and Nemuin fell unconscious. All the white animals who had once been human were released from Nemuin's curse and a great legion of people returned with Bricriu and the other champions. That year the celebrations at Samuin were the greatest that were ever seen or have ever been seen since in all of Eriu.

Bricriu carried Nemuin back to Mag Muirthemni where she became his wife, angry but not unhappy. All the Ulaid agreed that they were strangely well-matched and some wondered if Nemuin had lost her contest at all. Conchubur richly rewarded Bricriu for his success in rescuing the queen Mugain. However, during the feasting that followed the rescue, Bricriu and Nemuin set the Ulaid arguing as to which of the heroes would have been the most difficult to tame as an animal. Violence broke out between the warriors until finally Bricriu and his wife were forced out of the feasting hall. By the end of the Samuin celebration, everything had been restored and the misfortunes of the Ulaid were again forgotten for a time.