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Then someone... something... appeared in front of him. Only Fand, of all the creatures he'd ever seen, human or otherwise, exceeded this figure in beauty. She was tall—taller than he was, even when under the ríastrad. Her skin had a purple hue to it as if this creature belonged to the night itself. Her hair, long, black, and flowing... she wore golden armor as if she were a warrior of a sort. But her face. She looked upon him with kindness. With affection, even.

"Cú Chulainn," the woman said. "You must flee and return to your beloved. For the Fomorians have been dispatched to kill her on account of her love for you."

"What?" Cú Chulainn said. "How is this possible... what is happening... and who are..."

"I am the Morrigan," the woman said.

"The Phantom Queen?" Cú Chulainn asked. He'd heard her name referenced amongst warriors as of late. He figured she was something of a superstition. Lesser warriors were known to invent deities of their own, powerful but imaginary beings that they claimed would come to their aid in battle. Never did he think once that she wasreal...

"This is not the first time I've appeared to you, my love."

My love? Not only was this a goddess—but she loved him? Certainly, not a romantic sort of love. Why would a goddess love him in that way? Rather, it was the kind of affection a god or goddess might have for a mortal whom she cherishes, who for whatever reason, she has seen it fit to protect. That had to be it.

"The raven... you are the raven..."

The Morrigan nodded. "I am."

"You were there at the wall when Forgall fell."

Again, the goddess nodded. "I was. For when a warrior falls I appear that I might usher him into life thereafter."

"And at my wedding... you wouldn't stop crowing."

The Morrigan smiled wide. "My apologies for the disturbance. I only meant to warn you of the approaching army."

Cú Chulainn took a deep breath. "You could have been a bit more obvious about your warning. Why not appear then as you are now?"

The Morrigan shook her head. "Perhaps I could have. But I did not want to interfere with your wedding. And my appearance tends to unsettle most mortals. There were many people gathered that day."

"Then why come to me now, to tell me that I might go and rescue Fand—the creature who has held my heart since I was barely a man?"

"It is not my place to tell you whom you should love, my love. I did not wish to interfere in your marriage, nor do I wish to see the faerie Fand die on account of Manannán mac Lir's jealousy."

"But if I go to save her, how will I know what I should do? Should I follow my heart and remain with Fand? Or should I do the honorable thing and remain with my wife?"

"As I said..."

"It's not your place. I know. But a little wisdom wouldn't hurt."

"In matters of the heart, young bard. We are all but fools."

That this goddess had addressed him as a bard, not a warrior, made him smile. Yes, this goddess saw him for what he was. Not for the role destiny had forced upon him. Cú Chulainn chuckled to himself.

"Are even the gods fools in matters of the heart?"

The Morrigan pressed her lips together. The question had perturbed her. Cú Chulainn hadn't meant to cause offense, certainly not against this goddess who'd mysteriously appeared and spared him from the sorcerer's spell.

"My apologies," Cú Chulainn said. "I spoke out of turn."

The Morrigan turned back toward Cú Chulainn, a kind smile now splitting her face. "Think nothing of it. But I cannot hold time still forever. You must run. Escape this place and rescue the faerie... for once I resume time, you will not have much of it before the Fomorians attack."

Cú Chulainn nodded in gratitude and turned to run—carried along by the vigor of the ríastrad. He still didn't know what he would do, whom he would choose... but he did know he couldn't allow Fand to die. He had to save her. And he was grateful that this strange goddess had given him such a chance.