Preview : Mamm of Dunnottar

Mamm of Dunnottar has paused in her Story.

‘Mamm?’

‘Yes, Rua?’

‘Is that infant Mamm, is she YOU?’

‘Well, yes.’

‘Are you sure? Because, you know, you’re pretty old to be an infant.’

And Rua stops, blushing as red as her hair.

Mamm laughs.

‘Ah, that’s true enough, Rua – but you know, that infant was born a long time ago and has had plenty of time to grow up!’

Rua runs this through her little red head and nods.

A quiet goodnight hug is shared, a moment with the Mother, Father, and Son, and it’s off to sleep Dunnottar goes.

The next morning of this 488 Summer Solstice Blessing time dawns quicker than any would have thought possible and the day is another one filled with activity.

Aine’s tutelage shows itself superior as the Younglings of Dunnottar take all honors in their age divisions of the archery contests. The quality of their bows and arrows has helped; Aine has many requests for teaching her secrets, which she is happy to share. She puts her older pupils in charge of the younger ones of other communities and practice begins immediately.

The practice sessions don’t last very long on this day as there are other events to watch and others to participate in; still, a good beginning is made. Plans are drawn for further lessons and Aine is justifiably proud of her students.

On this afternoon a mock battle takes place in the open area between the cropping plots and the forest.

Even Beyond laughs as it becomes apparent that this is a re-enactment of the previous year’s ‘attack by Beyond’. The original ‘attackers’ are not the least embarrassed to assume their former roles and laugh as they come riding around the south end of the forest on this day. They no longer fear the Grove but reverence it with joy.

And so, on this day, the ending of the ‘attack’ is quite very different from the original.

After the ‘battle’, and a meal, warriors and observers quickly prepare themselves for the evening’s ceremony in that very Grove.

As the gloaming fades into dark the fire within the Grove is bright and warm, welcoming all to surround it.

Dunnottar, with Mamm at its head, leads the way. All follow in their now accustomed order:

Here is Mamm of Dunnottar, tiny but more Powerful than a person would think possible in a woman of her many years.

Here is little Rua of Gaul carrying Saorsa – the five year redhead and her infant kin-cousin.

Here is Brann bearing Colum, blond six year head bent to the dark one of his first cousin.

Here is Dothann struggling to carry Dedan on his back, dark head damp with the effort and dark eyes deep with the focus of this seven year as he fights to maintain his hold on this dark-haired and dark-eyed little who is almost as big as Dothann’s small self.

Here is Corrbed with Saba, having an easier time of it. He is eight years and his strong young form is already well-muscled; his dark eyes gleam beneath the dark curls that drop onto his forehead, legacy of his Andorra family.

Here is Diann the blond-haired grey-eyed nine year kin-cousin from the Northern tribes come to Dunnottar, like both Rua and Corrbed, for education – and for safety.

Here is Merri who is eldest of the Younglings at eleven years and she strides with pride on the long legs of her.

Here is Aine of the star-sparkling eyes next to Kalann whose dark ones also sparkle.

Here are Caileen and Talorc, the coppery gold highlights in her chestnut hair and eyes emphasizing the darkness of his close cropped locks and expressive big dark eyes.

Here are Sass and Thann; they walk tall and with a grace as natural as breath, her golden tresses confined in braids while his dark ones flutter and flow with the slightest breeze.

Here are Alianora and Drustann a well-matched pair with dark hair; her dark eyes are often caught by the deep purple-blue of his.

Here is the empty-looking space which is occupied by the invisible but very much present Danann and Sidhelagh. Since we can’t see them it might not matter what they look like, but they are both fair although Danann’s head glows as though with sunlight more than a foot above that of Sidhelagh’s, which might have caught a moonbeam; copper eyes has he and hers are as changeable as the many greens and blues of the sea.

And here, bringing up the rear is the tall, lean, bald-headed TavishUllin of Iona carrying the Queen Harp cradled in his arms wearing the white and purple silk of his rank.

Into the Grove of the Holy Mother Spirit files Dunnottar in silence.

The Younglings of Dunnottar gather themselves into a group near the fire while the others separate themselves male and female to circle and counter-circle, weaving protection for those who attend this celebration.

Stonehaven, Northwest, Beyond, Southwest, Forest, and South gather in a blended mass behind the circle Dunnottar forms around the fire and all stand in silence for a good many moments, hands joining and holding fast one to another as heads bow in silent prayer and contemplation.

Not all share the exact same faith of Dunnottar but all have the faith given them by the Holy Trinity, in whatever form best suits – and all are welcome in the Grove of the Mother Spirit on this evening of the Summer Solstice of 488.

Mamm’s soprano Voice begins softly and sweetly the Song of Choice, bringing the thoughts of all to choices they have made as individuals, as families, as communities, as a united people . . .

On this night Danann’s booming Voice is quietly thoughtful as well; he matches the slower more reverent pace of Mamm as he Sings the Spiral. Into the hearts and minds of the people come thoughts of the ancient marvel of Creation, of the progression of Life, of the inevitability of Death, of the miracle of Eternity. . .

Sidhelagh keeps the pace as she raises her Voice to Sing of the Peace which is the gift of the Mother to each and all; as the words flow over, around, and through them, the people remember how precious is this Gift, and are grateful for it …

Alianora and Drustann Sing of Faith and their Voices carry all along with them into what their Faith means to each, the joy of it and the sometimes painful price that has been paid. . .

When the Voices of Sass and Thann rise together in the Song of Healing, tears vie with grins. These two know what Healing is all about in ways that few will ever experience; as they Sing their hands join automatically and without thought, as always. . .

Talorc and Caileen keep the pace of the Song slow and contemplative, giving all time to bring their minds around to the Future, and to Hope. Their gentle Voices are steady and true reminders that Tomorrow will follow Tomorrow and that Hope will forever carry us from one Tomorrow to the next. . .

Kalann and Aine are not lacking in reverence. They have, however, gotten a bit of a poke from the Mother and the contemplation and soul-searching come to a rousing conclusion as they raise their Voices enthusiastically with an upbeat tempo in a joyful Song of Love.

As Dunnottar swings into a second round of blending melodies, the Queen Harp adds her Voice with TavishUllin at the strings and his own deep Voice Singing of Unity.

Each and all of the people add their Voices and Sing whichever of the melodies is given to them by the Mother on this night. The ceremony in the Grove ends in happy laughter when Dedan and Saba, of all people, suddenly burst their own little Voices onto the scene with a hearty bout of quacking!

It goes without saying that the Younglings of Dunnottar are quick to add their Voices to the growing din as Diann and Merri snatch the littles Dedan and Saba from Dothann (who breathes a resounding sigh of relief which sends Dedan into fits of laughter) and Corrbed; and break tradition by themselves leading the way out of the Grove with their backsides waggling like crazy and their Voices quacking to high heaven.

A merry laugh is heard above them in the branches of the Grove and Danann’s booming laugh comes also from somewhere or other as he joins Sidhelagh in her happy laughter, knowing as he has always known and will know always, that she laughs.

Watching and listening to the joy of their people, the two of them give mighty quacks that have even the Younglings of Dunnottar taking an extra step in their waddling!

And so, back to the roundhouse for a midnight meal troops all of Dunnottar with their backsides swinging to and fro and their friends and neighbors right behind them, laughing and smiling with the joy of this Summer Solstice night.

Once more gathered after all others have retired for the night, Dunnottar takes not the time to change from their dress whites but gathers itself together to share a big hug of happiness before taking their seats.

Dothann Speaks.

‘Do they know, Mamm? Do you think they know, those who have gone on ahead, that we are here tonight, in this place, and that we are happy?’

Danann is the one who answers.

‘Ah Dothann, how can you ask such a question? It is known, believe me! The love and joy of Dunnottar is known by all who have an interest in it, and you would be surprised at how many are pleased by it.’

‘Well, that’s good then. It makes it even better to know that. Thank you Danann, for telling me!’

‘You’re so very welcome, Dothann!’

As they settle in, Mamm asks her now-traditional question.

‘Where were we?’

It is time for the evening story of the history of her heirloom under-bed storage chest, and its Keepers, to continue.

Merri has an answer and a request.

‘LittleMamm and David are finally going to follow their Call to the Far Western Lands. We were there in the Story, but could you start where they take Ataulf and Mamm to Dunnottar?’

‘Of course.’

           

It is on Dunnottar that David and LittleMamm dedicate these their two youngest to the Mother Spirit and to the Holy Trinity.

     It is on Dunnottar that David and LittleMamm remain for the first years of the training of Ataulf and Mamm. They have begun before birth with the training of the both of them and now remind them daily of what they have already heard while yet in the womb of LittleMamm.

     Always the Call to the Western Lands is hard upon their hearts and spirits; they battle it with the aid of Dunnottar and still it prevails within them, refusing to loosen its hold.

     From before their births Ataulf and Mamm have known about the Call their parents will one day be required to Answer.

     Even so, when the time comes, the parting is painful.

     Mamm of Dunnottar is but yet a youngling when LittleMamm takes her in silence to the Grove.

     It is within this our very own Grove of Dunnottar that LittleMamm of Iona again tells to her only daughter the story of the under-bed chest which she has carried with her on this morning.

     Trained in the ways of Memory from before birth, Mamm of Dunnottar has no trouble repeating the long story accurately and thoroughly. Mother and daughter go through it several times, breaking not even for a mid-day meal.

     In between tellings and re-tellings, the two of them, mother and daughter, Sing and Sing again the Songs of the Holy Trinity. Until LittleMamm is sure of her small daughter’s grasp of not only the words but the meanings that lie beneath them, they Sing.

Mamm of Dunnottar is well-trained already and fully knows and understands both words and meanings; yet she delays and hesitates on this day. She knows what this day is all about and wants not for it to end.

And yet . . . end it must sooner or later, and it is much too soon for mother and daughter on this day that the shadows grow long and the gloaming comes stealing over Dunnottar.

Finally, when it is almost too dark to see, they stand together beneath the limbs of the oaks of Dunnottar’s Grove, mother and daughter.

LittleMamm of Iona pulls small Mamm of Dunnottar into her arms and holds her warmly close for a very long time, the heirloom under-bed chest lying on the grassy floor of the Grove at their feet.

          

         Together mother and daughter sink to the grassy floor of the Grove of Dunnottar where the under-bed chest waits.

     Picking it up, LittleMamm of Iona places it into the arms of Mamm of Dunnottar.

     ‘Into your Keeping, daughter mine, Mamm of Dunnottar. Keep it well.’

     Accepting the under-bed chest from her mother is the hardest thing Mamm of Dunnottar will in her long life ever do, but accept it she does.

     Her tears fall in almost exactly the same place that her mother’s tears fell so long ago, adding their bits to the tearstains in the wood that remain to this day.

     While mother and daughter have been thus occupied, David and Ataulf have also been occupied – not in the Grove but down on one of the beaches, the one with the steep path that runs up to the Grove.

     They are building a curach and it has to be one tough little boat so they take their time and put their backs into it.

     Ataulf well knows what this vessel is for; he is torn between wanting to delay its completion and wanting it to be the hardiest curach ever constructed. In the end he goes with making it as strong as he and his father can possibly make it.

      David, having had considerable experience over the years with the construction of these little vessels, knows what is required to ensure that it is sea-worthy. He teaches Ataulf as they go along and the youngling pays strict attention so as to never NEVER forget this, the last lesson he may ever get from his father.

This curach is bigger and stronger than any of the ones he has before constructed, so David takes the time to explain as they build.

‘We will be out at sea for a very long time,’ he tells Ataulf. ‘We will need protection so we’re making this curach deeper than usual; a covering can go over this part here, see? And it has to be bigger so we can carry with us fresh water for the journey. There will be rains, so see how this part here can be funneled to collect the fresh rain-water? We will need that. And of course the whole must be big enough to carry Caht and Sidheach as well as your mother and me.’

Ataulf does indeed see how it will all work but has a question.

‘Where will you store your food? Even if we made it twice this size there would be not enough room to carry the food you and mother will need for this journey.’

‘Ah, our Sea-Friends have promised to bring us what food we will need. We have only to bring along what we want of our favorite things.’

As they hear the Singing coming from the Grove above them, they too raise their Voices and Sing along, unheard by LittleMamm and Mamm of Dunnottar, yet Singing along until Ataulf also knows every word of every Song in the medley.

Meanwhile, LittleMamm’s big red-headed twin cousin guards, Samm and Sarr, have hied themselves off to Stonehaven.

They too know what this day is all about and have no intention in this world of allowing LittleMamm and David to take off on an adventure to the Western Lands without their protection.

The two red-heads raise a ruckus in Stonehaven that has the place talking about them for generations to come.

They want a ship and they want it NOW. Not only do they want a ship, they want most of the reserve provisions of Stonehaven stowed in the hold of said ship and they want it done NOW.

They want so many water vessels that an envoy is sent to Northwest to get more. When even that is not enough, the same envoy hurries to Forest for as many barrels as they’ve got on hand.

Finally the cousin twins are halfway satisfied with the water situation and go to collecting and ordering stowed in the hold every scrap of fabric and raw wool the surrounding communities can come up with. They order it all put aboard NOW. The same goes for every last ounce of iron and other metals, whether still in bars or made into anything useable.

They wrack their brains and order four pairs of each kind of livestock brought aboard, the best of the best. Further brain-wracking brings orders for every last little thing available to be stored on their ship; so baskets and nets, dishes and utensils, cookware and bedding, musical instruments and tools of all kinds, carts and chariots, dyes and paints . . . all of this and more . . . gets loaded and properly secured for the journey.

When several of the local youth ask if they can be the crew they are accepted, men and women alike. More are recruited quickly from South, and the ship is ready to set sail.

Wanting to get a head start as the ship is heavily laden, Samm and Sarr immediately set sail along the north coast and are shortly near Aberdeen.

Back on Dunnottar final farewells have been made.

Ataulf and Mamm of Dunnottar watch David and LittleMamm raise the small sail of their curach, more than half-wistfully wanting to go along with them on this their adventure of a lifetime.

They paste grins on their faces and wave cheerily as their parents head out. It is only later that the two of them hold close and tight and weep at their loss.

LittleMamm and David do NOT head north along the shore toward Aberdeen but rather go south to go around Britannia for a last stop at Tara of Eire.

By the time Samm and Sarr realize that the little curach isn’t following along after them, they’re well up and around the north of Albann and cut south to check in with Iona to see if they know where the missing couple, wolf, and wild cat might be.

TallUllin laughs and points out to the south-west where David and LittleMamm are just now sailing into view. They have stopped at Tara on Eire and now they too are coming to Iona, for a last farewell.

And so it is from Iona that the adventurers finally set sail.

Iona being Iona, word has gone to Chattan and to Perth as well as to the Fienne and Tarnos well ahead of time.

And so it is that David and LittleMamm have a final visit with all of their kin (yes, including Mamm and Ataulf who have ridden with the Warrior Twins on the fastest horses the Fienne can provide). Their older sons Davidson of Chattan and LittleEthan of Tarnos are there as well to say goodbye and Godspeed.

A merry meal is shared by all and David and LittleMamm set sail for the Far Western Lands, at last answering that Call, with the blessing in their ears: ‘Go with the protection and blessing of the Holy Trinity – wherever you travel – in safety and in joy!’

‘Is that the part you wanted to hear, Merri?

‘Yes, thank you for telling it again, Mamm. What with the Summer Blessing and having to stay in the chapel, and all the busy-ness of the days just lately, it helps me to remember what’s going on in the Story to hear it caught up to date.’

‘You’re so very welcome, Merri,’ says Mamm with a twinkle in her grass-green eyes. ‘It has been a busy time for all of us, hasn’t it?’

Coll snorts.

‘You can say that again! I’m looking forward to some peace and quiet for a change.’

Saille looks at her husband.

‘Good luck with that. Tomorrow you’re going to be helping me move the flocks and herds to new pastures.’

Coll groans and Dunnottar laughs.

Sass brings the laughter to an abrupt halt.

‘Don’t be laughing too loud or too long. You’re all going to be helping.’

‘Ha. We’ll let the dogs do it,’ says Thann. ‘Me, I’ve got stuff to get done in the smithy tomorrow. The fittings for that new cart you want aren’t going to make themselves, you know.’

‘Nope. The dogs have other plans for tomorrow. We’re taking the pups swimming.’

‘What! You get to go swimming and we have to herd sheep? What kind of deal is that?’

‘I happen to think it’s a mighty fine deal.’

‘Well, of course it is – for YOU.’

Sass laughs.

‘No. The dogs are going to help and so am I. We’re all of us going straight out from breakfast and get them moved before it gets too hot. They need to be closer to the forest where they can get shade at this time of year. Don’t worry; the dogs have their work cut out for them, keeping the stock out of the crops and from going too far into the forest. They’re going to be busier than us!’

‘Okay. I can live with that I guess. It won’t take all that long with all of us working together; I can do the smithy work when we get back.’

‘And,’ says Coll, ‘there goes my peace and quiet. You make that smithy ring, Thann!’

‘Ah, well. Cope as best you can, Coll. Take a couple of the younglings and go fishing.’

At this suggestion the Younglings of Dunnottar look at each other with grins.

Coll’s next words wipe the smiles off their faces.

‘Yep. It sure will come in handy to have them around when it comes time to clean and process all those fish we’re going to catch.’

And Dunnottar laughs at the crest-fallen faces of the younglings.

Talorc makes them feel better when he comes up with another suggestion.

‘How about we all go fishing when we get back? We’ve got some new curachs to test out, don’t we? We can pack our dinners and fish until our boats are full. Then come back and,’ with a pointed look at Coll, ‘we can all do the cleaning of them.’

And Coll laughs.

‘Well, that sounds good to me. Kalann, how do you feel about having a fish-fry for supper tomorrow night?’

‘We can do that,’ answers Kalann with a grin. ‘We can have a cook-fire down on the shore.’

Come the dawning, the stock gets duly moved and the fishing that follows provides a meal that has everyone patting full stomachs and patting each other on the back in appreciation.

And so the days go by on Dunnottar in this time just following the Summer Blessing.

MAMM STRETCHES AND YAWNS, smiling to see Catan do the same. Of course the effects are somewhat different.

Mamm of Dunnottar is a quite small little woman whose morning’s contortions are the result of a good night’s sleep and the welcoming of a new day.

Catan, on the other hand, is a quite very large Wild Cat of Chattan whose morning’s contortions are the result of a good night’s hunting on the mainland from which the mass of Dunnottar juts into the North Sea. The great cat has just come back across the narrow neck of land between the mainland and Dunnottar – she is ready to curl up her black and grey striped body, wrap her fluffy tail with its wide black stripes around her face, and go to sleep.

‘Oh no you don’t, Catan! Not today. Today I need your help.’

A resentful glare from golden eyes meets the adamant grass-green ones of Mamm.

‘Well, did I not tell you last night that today would be important? You’re the one who went off skulking in the night, not me.’

Now Catan is insulted.

She does not SKULK.

She may stalk, she may twine sinuously through the forest, she may gracefully pounce on unwitting prey, she may pad silently – but she has never once in her many long years skulked. It is beneath her dignity to do any such thing. Felines of her royal lineage do not skulk.

Yawning hugely to expose to Mamm the threat of her sharply dangerous long fangs, Catan watches for a reaction out of the sides of her big round Wild Cat eyes.

Mamm simply smiles and gets herself ready for this day.

When she walks out the door of her little house, Catan is at her side, growling a bit deep in her throat – but she is at the side of Mamm of Dunnottar.

‘Don’t worry, Catan. This won’t take very long; you’ll soon be curled up by the fire.’

This day has been set aside for the area folk who wish to consult with the Dunnottar folk about various things.

Entering the roundhouse Mamm pauses for a moment to appreciate the bright colors the sun is throwing onto the walls though the big open east window. This window, and the matching one on the west side of the roundhouse, is strung with many colored glass balls, beads, strands of jewels, and small bells of gold, silver, brass, and even glass. All refract the sun’s rays, sending sparkles and shards of rainbows throughout the roundhouse.

Sighing quietly, Mamm goes to join the group already gathered at the table.

Breakfast is quiet on this morning, quickly over and quickly cleared.

None of them are going to particularly enjoy this morning’s tasks, but they smile at one another and get on with it.

In through the back door come two from Forest, the community that lives spread out through the hardwoods and pines just to the west of Dunnottar.

As they enter, they wash themselves – faces, hands, and feet – before coming on in to sit at the table.

These two are neighbors in the forest, and they have a dispute which they want Dunnottar to arbitrate for them.

After hearing their story, it is Drustann who Speaks for Dunnottar on the matter.

‘The tree remains standing where it is. Neither one of you really needs it at this point so there’s no use arguing over which is entitled to fell it. You have been friends and neighbors for many years; are you now going to let one tree come between you? No.’

Alianora adds her own take on the situation.

‘Lest it become again an issue between the two of you, how about you go together through your people and see who DOES need such a tree? When you are both all caught up with your projects, fell the tree together and give it to the one who can use it.’

Smiling, the two friends agree – and off they go arm in arm, already thinking of their people and coming up with suggestions about whom to visit first.

Kalann gives a grin.

‘Well. That was easy.’

Most of the other cases they listen to on this morning are just as simply solved. Their friends and neighbors are mostly a good-natured lot; none want really to hurt any other and so are pleased to hear of peaceful solutions to their problems.

In only one case do the faces of Dunnottar harden.

A couple from the community of Beyond are brought before them by the leader of their community.

‘These two have brought shame upon themselves and upon our community.’

‘What have they done?’ asks Caileen. ‘Is it really as bad as all that?’

‘They have, not just once but several times, taken too much mead and wine – and then fought each other like wolves. This last time they drew their knives against one another.’

‘Oh,’ says Caileen, ‘yes, it is really that bad.’

And she looks at the man and the woman before her, a married couple.

Shamed faces flame and turn down to bare feet.

Caileen is not to be put off.

‘Look at me.’

Miserable eyes look into the concern in Caileen’s coppery gold ones.

‘Do you hate one another, and your friends and neighbors?’

‘No.’

‘You know this cannot be allowed.’

‘We know.’

‘Do you have a solution to offer?’

‘We could, maybe, stop drinking mead and wine.’

‘Do you want to know what we think?’

‘Yes.’

And Caileen Speaks for Dunnottar on this matter.

‘The two of you are to go each of you back to your own families where you are to stay for a full year.’

‘But we have younglings.’

‘Daughters go with their mother; sons with their father.’

‘But that splits our family!’

‘You have split your family already. Here is a chance to mend it.’

‘What if they won’t take us in?’

‘I don’t think that’s going to happen but if it does, they will come before Dunnottar themselves.’

‘And no mead or wine for either of us for that full year?’

‘No mead or wine for either of you ever again. Should you fail in this, you will quickly come to know what loneliness is.’

‘You would banish us?’

‘You will be banished, yes.’

And the two fighters look at one another and then at Caileen.

‘As you say.’

‘So says Dunnottar.’

When these last two have retrieved their footwear from beside the door and gone on, the table of Dunnottar is silent.

A rustling comes from the balcony.

Talorc gives a wry little smile.

‘You may as well come on down.’

And the rustling increases as the Younglings of Dunnottar come to stand before the table.