Halos And Rainbows

Celtic Fairy Tales

 Connla and the Fairy

Connla of the Fiery Hair was the son of Conn of a Hundred Fights. One day he saw a girl in strange clothes.  "Where are you from?" he asked.

"I come from the Plains of the Ever Living, where there is no death or sin and it's always a holiday, we need no help in our joy and in all our pleasures there is no strife, because we live in round green hills men call us Hill Folk."  The king and court wondered at the voice but only Connla saw the girl.

"Who are you talking to son?" asked King Conn and the girl answered,

"He talks to a young lady whom neither death nor old age awaits. I love Connla and call him to the Plain of Pleasure, Moy Mell where Broadag is king and there has been no complaint or sorrow in that land since he has been. Come with me Connla of the Fiery Hair. A fairy crown awaits your handsome face. Come now and your loveliness will never fade."

King Conn was afraid and called to his druid.  "Coran of Many Spells I ask for your help, or I fear we will loose Connla to a woman's wiles and witchery," Coran chanted spells and she disappeared, but she threw an apple to Connla.  For a month Connla wouldn't eat or drink except from the apple, which grew whole as he ate it and all that time he felt a great longing to be with the girl.  On the last day of the month Connla stood with his father King Conn on the plain of Arcomin and they saw her again.

"'Tis a glorious place and a shame Connla stays amongst mortals waiting to die. The fever-living folk of  life, beg and bid you come to Moy Mell, the Plain of Pleasure, for we have got to know you from seeing you at home with your loved ones."   King Conn sent his men to fetch the Druid Coran again. The girl said, "Oh mighty Conn, Fighter of a Hundred Fights, your druids power is not loved and he has little honour. One day there will be Law that will end your Druids black spells that come from a false black demon."

Conn the King knew that since he had met the girl Connla had spoken to no-one else and asked him. "How is it to your mind what this woman says?"

"It's hard for me, for I love my own folk above all things, but I long to be with her."

The girl heard this and said," The Ocean is not as strong as the waves of your longing. Come my curragh, (the crystal canoe) waits. Soon we'll reach Boadags realm. The sun is sinking but we can reach it before dark. There too is a land worthy of your journeys, a joyous land to those who seek it. Only wives and maidens live there, if you want we can seek it and live in joy."  Connla of the Fiery Hair rushed and sprang into the curragh.  Then the king and his court saw it glide away over the sea to the setting sun, away and away until it could no longer be seen. Connla and his Fairy Maiden went out to sea and were seen no more.