A stór Doireann,
I know you are beside yourself, as with the rest of our family, wondering what has become of me. So much has happened, I cannot begin to explain it all as of yet. But know this: I am safe now, though I am far from Tara. I will try to write you often to ease your worries, but things are very different now, and I must keep careful care of my words...you will understand why soon enough.
For now, I must implore that you not reveal this to anyone. It is essential that you say nothing of my letters, and give the greatest care to my messenger, for he is also of our blood.
Roisín
~~~
A stór Doireann,
It has been many months since my first letter was sent; I pray that you and ours are well. I will now reveal more of my journey, though still I must ask you to keep my secrecy.
You know that it was often my habit to go to the lake and visit with the swans. One afternoon, I followed one of the swans away from the shore and became lost in the woods beyond our borders. There I met Aidan, an Ulsterman. He was also lost to his lands, and in pledging to bring me safely home, we fell in love. But a man had been poaching in the woods beyond the lake, and he stole me away from my love. This evil man desired me, and took me away to his castle hidden in the mountains. He was powerful and beautiful, and by magic he lulled me into compliance. Though I suffered there for many nights, by luck or fate, one of the swans had witnessed my kidnapping and followed us to the fortress in the mountains. There he contrived to help me escape, and led me to where my Aidan waited.
The Lord of the mountain fortress was enraged, and pursued us relentlessly. Ionúin deirfiúr, we were forced to flee Ireland, and I live in dread that I may be again discovered. Though we are across the sea now, there is still one thing that keeps me tied to the Lord of the Mountains, and I fear that he will use it to find us. He placed an enchanted ring on my finger, and I am unable to remove it. I have tried to no avail, and it requires all the magic I know to keep him at bay.
There is one more thing I must confess, Doireann. When Aidan and I departed Ireland, I was with child. He believes the child to be his own, and I will never tell him otherwise. I must stop here for now, but know that my love will keep me alive, and that you are with me always.
Roisín
~~~
A stór Doireann,
Much has passed since I last wrote to you. Aidan and I have married, and settled in a Roman town on Britain's coast. We have a beautiful daughter named Ciara; I wish so desperately that you could be here to know her. She is nearly a year old already...time passes so quickly here. I know that our family would never approve of this life I have chosen, but I assure you, I am as happy as I could ever dream. I wake up each day with two great loves, my husband and my child, and nothing could complete me more than this.
Ciara is as beautiful and perfect as the dawn. My only regret is that she will grow up without the knowledge of her heritage. It is for our protection, and yours, that we leave all traces of Tara behind forever.
I have no doubt that if the Lord of the Mountains knew of our hidden home, you and all of Tara would be in great danger. Such is the power of his magic, and the malice of his will. Make no mistake, Doireann; this man calls himself Niall, but he has more than one name. He is Fomorian; no other race could weave a spell as strong as that which circles my finger. And there is more to tell, I fear. He has discovered the Lia Fail, lost to us for so many centuries. He cut a gem from it to set in the ring he forged to bind me. He believed that to marry me with the power of the Stone would ensure the return of his kingship. I do not know if his plan would have succeeded. But since I have escaped him, and by my own magic kept us safe, the Lia Fail cannot express its ultimate power. For this alone, he would have me dead, and anyone else who stands in his way.
Doireann, you must not tell the others about the Lia Fail. It is powerless, as long as I (with the ring) am far from Niall, and I do not believe the ring will leave my hand while I live. I fear there will come a time when my life will be forfeit for the return of the stone to Tara. But until that day, be in peace, and keep us in your prayers.
Roisín
