I remember...

The wind whispers her name everyday. As I stand on the cliffs of Mohnan where I had stood so many years before. It is where I first heard my Destiny. I can see her strength in the ocean's pounding waves. I miss her and I long to be with her.

"Cat." I say her name out loud as if just by the words I can summon her spirit.

So many regrets.

Life.  If I had it to live over again I would have not wasted so many years afraid of telling her I wanted her. When she went to the Otherworld it was too late. I have suffered with those mistakes everyday of my life since. My soul ripped in two.

I'm getting old. My bones ache as much as my soul. My life has been long. I have a wife whom I care for but do not love, a son that has children of his own... a strong chieftain. I damned myself ever time I wished that he could have been *our* son. But I do. I can't help it.

She isn't the only one I ache in my soul for.

I miss all my friends. I'm the only one left. I feel Utterly alone without all of them. I am alone.

My memories of late have been lacking but my memories of those days when my journey had just begun are becoming fresher every passing day. I welcome it. It brings memories of my comrades as clear as if I were in that moment with them right now. A sign the sleep that is to come?  Despite all that I have I would leave it now. I'm ready. I feel so weak, so tired.

I feel something coming...

What is the vibration I feel under my feet? The low rumbling that is coming closer? I remember it ... from somewhere long past. As the vibration enters me I close my eyes, welcoming it ... it has been so long.

I'm crossing over.  My time to be free. Finally!

I open my eyes to see the ocean is as it had been. Sadness fills me. I am still here. Alive, and I had thought my time had come.

A warm hand grips my shoulder comfortingly. I turn to see her before me. Smiling. My mind whirls and I can barley hold myself upright. Can this really be? Please tell me I am seeing this as a reality and not another dream where I wake up without them once again.

"Cat?" the name catches in my throat. She is as beautiful and young as if all the years had never happened. As I reach out to her I see my own hands. They are no longer aged, even my clothing are as many years before. I'm confused.

"Welcome home Conor." She smiles the wide smile I have longed for all these years. Could it be? I look past her shoulders and meet a continually pleasing site. Fergus, Molly, Tully... all here, with me again looking no different then they had years before! My heart leaps as they surround me all welcoming me and Fergus with that damn grin of his. How I have missed it.

I have crossed over. This *is* the Otherworld! But this nothing like I had expected but all that I had hoped for. I laugh, "It is great to be home!" I shout and I melt into this new life like it had never left me.
 

~*~The End~*~