Delayed Celebration

A minor character falls but recovers.

Kent stepped outside from his rock-built home. Clouds are rolling in. The Celebration is tomorrow. Everything is getting the final planning check. So much fun and food, and especially drinks. Eimear followed her son outside.

"It will be a great Celebration. Children given to us out of love and duty. This will be you and your sister's 15th season." She hooked arms with her son, who now stood taller than her. She wondered how that happened.

"It will be a day. The sacred tree is growing nicely. The villagers are well. We have enough. So why do I get this feeling that something is not right?"

"You have had this feeling around Celebration Day in the past. Nothing came of it."

"I know. There was some laughing from the villagers." Eimear hugged closer to her son.

"The same seeing gift my mother had. She kept quiet about it. I was not given that gift. You were." Moments of silence passed.

"Can you explain the feeling?"

"That is just it, I cannot. I don't know how to start to talk about it. We have lived on this land, surrounded by water for 15 seasons now. It has only been one or two seasons, during this time of Celebration, when I get that feeling. It overtakes my life sometimes. Then, after Celebration, that feeling leaves. And nothing more, until Celebration time arrives, next season. I do not understand."

"You will, when the time is ready. We need to go inside. The air is heavy. Your sister is cooking today." Kent smiled. He gazed out upon the vast water puddle, grey, above and below. Something. He turned and followed his mother to the house.

"So, what will we be eating tonight," Kent said, smirking? Aine shot a glare at her brother.

"Your 15th season tomorrow. We are very proud of you both," Ronan said, as he smiled, looking to his wife. The family sat at the table and held hands.

"Let us bow our heads Great Ones, this is the time of season, when thanks are given to ALL, our friends as well as our enemies. Let this season show the spirit and strength we all share as a clan." Hmmmm came from the group.

They were eating and laughing when Gil let out a low growl. He moved closer to the door. The eating halted. They knew the positions to take. Ronan stepped slowly and light footed to the door. His left arm outstretched, with a flat hand to Gil, the quiet command. Gil laid down, quiet, but at full attention.

A small sound, knocking at the door. Ronan turned to see that his family was ready. He slowly opened the door.

"Maye, what are you doing here? Where is your family?" The group breathed some relief. Gil, still at attention.

"Come in. What can we do for you?"

"She fell and is not moving."

"Who fell?"

"Grandmother. She didn't wake up when I called her or pushed her."

"Ok, we will follow you home and help."

"Thank you." Ronan and Eimear grabbed the sacks near the hearth. Food was put in a bowl and secured in a sack.

"We will return. Watch over." The twins nodded. They watched as their parents followed Maye. Ronan glanced around to see if there were other issues. Nothing. Kent closed the door after letting Gil out to see and sniff what was going on. All good.

"I am hungry."

"Let's eat. Nothing more we can do now."

"Gil is happy."

"Ha, ha, he knows we give him scraps." The three ate, though still at a quiet alert.

"Still have that felling?"

"Yup."

"So you are a seer."

"Only once a season? Suppose to be an all-season gift I thought. That is what other's do."

"Yes, but no denying, there is something."

"Last season, same feeling, and what? Nothing happened, outside of normal events."

"I know. villagers were starting to talk."

"Can't stop that." They finished their meal in silence.

"Oh, remember that elder woman, way back? She would say scary things."

"Oh yes. Those messages as she called them. They didn't make any sense at the time."

"Some villagers were frightened of her. The woman with child due soon said that one message really scared her. She believes that to be the reason her child was born a bit odd."

"I remember. Our parents would talk about this. They did not know I was listening."

"It will be getting dark. I hope they come home soon."

"So do I. They will return when their work is finished. We know what to do." Aine nodded. Kent was getting concerned. He was not going to show that to his sister.

"They will return."

"A feeling?"

"Yes. All will be well. Just taking more time. I hope grandmother will be ok. She must have hurt herself more than thought." Aine nodded. She walked to the hearth to clean up the area.

Past midday. Kent and Aine had projects that were put off. Now is a perfect time to finish them. Keep their minds busy and not of concern. The day turned into dusk. Gil sat up and looked at the door. He growled. The twins went on alert. Then the familiar knock. Kent rushed over to open the door.

"Just us." Gil ran over, tail wagging. Aine joined the group hug. Mom closed and latched the door.

"Grandmother fell very hard, between the hearth and a table. Hit her head on a stone. She was breathing but not awake. We took over, doing what needed to be done. I know you two would be okey, so I did not send a messenger." He winked.

"We were fine."

"Yes but getting a bit worried." Eimear hugged her children.

"Proud of you."

"Will she be well for Celebration?"

"Oh yes. We made sure the neighbor will stay with her. Grandmother did not want any fuss over her."

"Of course."

"I am hungry." Eimear nodded. The siblings prepared food and drink for their parents. Gil got a few more scraps as well. When done, the table area was cleared and cleaned.

"So, back to preparations for Tomorrow night's Celebrations. Everything is just about set up. The food preparation and some extra decorations and all will be done."

"I am excited. It is my turn to light the darkness away," Aine said.

"Especially when you will be alongside the neighbor's cousin." Aine squinted her face toward her brother.

"Ok, ok, we have to go to the Gilham's home, get the rest of the food ready. We will stop by grandmother's house to check on her."

Grandmother's family was there now, taking care of her and thanking Ronan and Eimear for their help. On to the Gilham's house. Four families gathered, final prep, along with some drinking.

The final check was complete. There was much excitement. Goodbyes were exchanged. The families walked to their homes with low light lanterns. Close to home, Kent heard Gil growl, but he stopped when he heard familiar voices. The family was home, safe.

Excitement buzzed before dawn. However, Kent was very nervous, packing back and forth.

"I have never seen him so upset", Eimear whispered to Ronan.

"I see this. I truly do not know what to do."

"Only one option, let it play out."

"And hope we survive whatever it is."

"Or whatever it is not." Eimear gave her husband that look.

Breakfast finished quickly. The beginning of the special day's events had begun. Kent walked outside. The family looked at each other. They continued to package up foods, drinks and decorations to take to the sacred place. All was moving along smoothly. Then Kent ran inside.

"I knew it," he yelled, "I knew it." He ran for the long glass, grabbed it, then ran outside. The family followed him.

"Look! Out there, see them? I knew it, something. I could feel it." Ronan looked through the long glass. There were the Tall Ships, two, sailing toward their island.

"The Celebration will have to wait," Ronan said, " we know what we have to do." The doorway entrance was covered with old cloths. Aine made sure to secure the edges with heavy stones. Kent and Gil raced to every home warning them of the Tall Ships and to prepare their homes. After, they are to go to the dugout with the others. This was not the first time the island went on lock down. Everyone knew what needed to be done.

The villagers were safe in the dugout. As safe as they could be. The adults gathered together, discussing business. The young adults were together, just chatting about life with occasional giggles. The young were playing. Kent looked around. did he do enough, he thought. Time did not exist. The group settled in and rested.

Kent woke with a startled look. He quietly walked to the door; Gil followed. Quietly he opened the door and peered out. No ships. He stepped outside, quietly closing the door after Gil. He looked out to sea. The ships were sailing off to another island. They did not land at their island. He walked back to the dugout. Ronan was at the door.

"They are gone. The ships have sailed past us. We are safe."

Ronan rushed to Kent's side and saw the ships sailing away in the distance. Father and son smiled, then hugged. The sun was warming up the ground. The day was started.

"I will tell the others," Ronan said. He walked back to the dugout. Villagers were filing out now and asking what was going on.

"The ships sailed past the island. We will wait till they are completely out of sight. Then the Celebration will begin." There was a loud cheer. Ronan looked with pride at his son. Kent smiled.

The Villagers filed past Kent, bowing as they passed him. This will be a great Celebration!