Gaeilge - Irish
Bearla - English
Tosaíonn ár scéal le sliocht ón Dragan Mór
Our story begins with a word from the Great Dragon
1
Níl a fhios againn cén chinniúint go bhfuil againnse féin. Ní féidir linn léamh cad go mbeidh i ndán dúinn, is cuma cé mhór go mbeidh ár bpáirt sa scéal. Go mairimid agus go bhfoghlaimímid chomh maith le gach duine eile. Inseoidh mé an scéal céanna daoibh faoi mórdraoi óg a bheidh ag teacht ar na ngeataí Chamelot ar ball beag. Is é an t-ainm atá air Merlin agus buachaill a bhunóidh seanchas atá ann.
No young man, no matter how great, can know his destiny. He cannot glimpse his part in the great story that is about to unfold. Like everyone, he must live and learn. And so it will be for the young warlock arriving at the gates of Camelot, a boy that will, in time, father a legend. His name: Merlin.
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Téann Merlin go Camelot
Merlin goes to Camelot
2
Fadó, fadó chuaigh Merlin go Camelot. Bhuel, shiúil sé chuig an gcathair agus teangacha a bhróg ag longadán anonn is anall agus é ar a bhealach ann. Ní raibh ann ach stócach bocht thart faoin am sin agus ní raibh a fhios aige cén dóigh marcaíocht ar chapall a dhéanamh, agus ní raibh capall aige fiú!
Long before the days of yore and once upon a time Merlin went to Camelot. Walked, rather, the tongues of his boots swaying back and forth as he made his way there. He was only a young lad at that time and hadn’t the faintest idea how to ride a horse, but fortunately for him, he didn’t own one!
3
Ba bhuachaill deas is cairdiúil é Merlin. Bhí sé ard tanaí agus bhí gruaig dhubh, súile gorma, agus cluasa móra air. É sin ráite, níor éist sé le daoine eile ar chor ar bith – agus fadhb i gcroí an scéil seo a bheidh inti sin, déanta na fírinne. Mar sin féin, ní hionann sin ‘s a rá go raibh sé ag déanamh amaidí gach lá. Thuig sé rudaí praiticiúla, mar shampla: ná bí i do shuí ar do thóin nuair a bhuaileann tú le díbheargaigh sa choill, ná hól uisce as an áit naofa agus rudaí mar sin. Cé gur thuig sé é sin, rinne sé a rogha rud freisin. Tugadh am crua dó, ach b’fhearrde sé é gan dabht.
A nice, friendly boy Merlin was, tall and thin with black hair, blue eyes and sizeable ears. Not that he used them to listen to anyone else – a truth which, I dare say, will be the problem at the heart of this story. Be that as it may, he wasn’t one to make a complete fool of himself either. He knew such practical things as not to sit on his arse when he happened on bandits in the forest, not to drink water from a sacred well and things like that. Still, Merlin was rather prone to do as he pleased. It nearly always made his life more difficult, but what great test of character that turned out to be.
4
Chaith sé éadach glan buanfasach. Éadach donn a bhí i gceist den chuid is mó, ach bhí léine ghorm is scaif dhearg iontach deas aige freisin. Ní raibh ach mála beag amháin aige chomh maith le pocán fíona, a luasc nuair a ghlac sé gach céim, agus éadach olla áisiúil ar chodail sé air.
He wore clothes which were clean and durable and mostly brown to my recollection; yet he did have a blue shirt and a wonderfully lovely red scarf as well. With him he carried only a small rucksack, a wineskin which rocked to and fro as he took each step, and a handy, woollen blanket to sleep on.
5
Bhí sé an-ghaofar nuair a chuaigh Merlin thar na sléibhte ar an mbóthar gainimh, ach mhothaigh sé an ghrian ar a aghaidh. Bhí sé te go leor. Bhí lá breá geallta don lá, rud a rinne radharc an tírdhreacha i bhfad níos áille. Bhí féar glas agus rosáin bheaga ag fás taobh le cosán an tsléibhe, crainn ghiúise ina sheasamh ar charraigeacha na n-aillte, sruthanna beaga sneachta ag soilsiú ar cheann an tsléibhe agus néalta geala ag síneadh go bun na spéire. Ní fhaca sé Camelot fós agus bhí tinneas cosa air, ach níor chuir sé sin moill air. Le fírinne, bhí an-dúil ag Merlin sa turas mór agus bhí sé sásta, is dócha.
A strong wind blew as Merlin traversed the mountains on the sandy road, but the sun on his face shone warm enough. The day was proving, as promised, to be a fine one and that made the view of the landscape even more beautiful. Green grass and small shrubs grew along the mountain path, fir trees towered on the rocky cliffs, little streams of snow glistened on each mountain peak and bright clouds stretched as far as the eye could see. He could not yet see Camelot and his feet grew weary, but his pace never slowed. Truth be told, the journey was quite enjoyable for Merlin and he was generally content to be on it.
6
Diaidh ar ndiaidh, d’éirigh móinéir an tsléibhe clúdaithe le crainn agus tháinig Merlin go tobann ar choill mhór. Bhuail sé craobhacha amach as a aghaidh agus chuaigh sé de thruslóg thar na craobhacha briste a bhí ar an mbóthar.
Gradually, the mountain meadows filled in with trees and Merlin suddenly found himself in a large forest. On he pressed, knocking branches away from his face and jumping over the broken ones that lay along the route.
7
Bhí an bóthar fada go Camelot, ach thuig sé go raibh sé in aice leis an gcathair nuair a chonaic sé ridire amháin ar dhroim capaill ar chosán na coille, é ag caitheamh clóca dearg as Camelot ar a chulaith chruach. Ba í Camelot an chathair ní ba shaibhre sa cúig thír agus rinne na ridirí patról ar líomatáiste go minic ar mhaithe leis an ríocht. Chonaic Merlin geataí na cathrach mhúrtha den chéad uair nuair a d’imigh sé faoi dheireadh thiar thall as an gcoill. Dhírigh sé strapaí leathair a mhála gur thosaigh sé ag tabhairt faoin chuid deireanach dá thuras. Chuala sé daoine ag comhrá agus rinne sé miongháire nuair a tháinig sé ar an bPríomh-Gheata.
The road to Camelot was long, but Merlin knew he was close to the city when he passed a single knight who was riding on horseback, a Camelot red cloak wrapped over his hauberk. Since Camelot was the richest city in the Five Kingdoms, it was within a knight's duty to go on patrol at its borders for the good of the realm. It was then, upon finally making his way out of the forest, that Merlin saw the gate to the walled city for the first time. Straightening out the leather straps on his bag, he set off on the last leg of his journey. The chatter from inside the walls reached his ears and a great big smile spread across his face as he arrived at the Main Gate.
8
Bhí an buachaill ag smaoineamh fós gurbh fhiú go mór é a bhí ann de réir mar a bhí sé ina sheasamh ag an bPríomh-Gheata, é ag stánadh suas ar chroí na cathrach: a caisleán mór cloiche. Ní raibh an bealach ar eolas ag Merlin, ach ní bheadh sé an-deacair an caisleán a aimsiú mar bheadh sé cinnte ar cheann na sráide, ag barr an chnoic.
The boy stood at the Main Gate, already certain that his trip had been well worth the effort as he stared up at the heart of the city: her great stone castle. He didn’t quite know the way, but locating the castle wouldn’t be too difficult, since it would, in all likelihood, be found at the end of the road, on top of the hill.
9
Shiúil Merlin trasna leac an dorais le gáire ar a bhéal. Agus tháinig sé go díreach ar an tsráid mhór. Bhí an Príomh-Gheata lonnaithe sa mbaile íochtar a bhí dubh le daoine an mhaidin sin. Seanscéal agus meirg air i ngach cathair mhór, ach níor thug Merlin cuairt ar chathair mhór roimhe. Chuir saol na cathrach uafás agus iontas ar an mbuachaill tuaithe. Chonaic sé buachaillí ag rith sa tsráid, máithreacha ag dúl tríd an margadh, agus greim láimhe acu ar a bpáistí, ‘s daoine de gach aois ag obair ó luath ar maidin.
Merlin walked across the threshold with a smile on his face, heading directly into the main street. The Main Gate was located in the lower town, which was teeming with people that morning. It’s the same old story in every large city, but Merlin had never visited one before. The life of the place filled the country boy with wonder and awe. He saw boys running along the street, mothers walking hand in hand with their children towards the market, and people of every age working as they had been since the early morning.
10
Bhí muintir Chamelot an-gnóthach. Thug Merlin faoi deara
go raibh boscaí lán de ghlasraí agus arán ar a cguaillí agus go raibh siad ag tarraingt a gcairteacha féin le hearraí agus tuí is rudaí mar sin. Bhí sicíní ag gocarsach i gcliabháin in aice leis na tithe agus bhí ba agus asail ceangailte go dlúth le daoine. Níor labhair Merlin le duine ar bith de réir mar a chuaigh sé i dtreo a cheann scríbe, ach bhreathnaigh sé thart arís is arís, dóchasach go raibh saol nua roimhe i gCamelot.
The people of Camelot were dreadfully busy. Merlin observed them carrying boxes full of vegetables and bread on their shoulders, pulling carts of their own filled with cloth and hay and other things. A stone’s throw from the houses, chickens squawked in cages, and cows and donkeys weaved in between the crowd. Merlin didn’t speak to anyone as he made his way towards his final destination, taking in all he could of Camelot, the city where a new life awaited him.
An bású
The execution
11
Seinneadh trompaí agus drumaí nuair a bhí Merlin ag teacht ón mbaile íochtar go dtí an gcaisleán sa mbaile uachtair, ach ní ceol dearfach a bhí ann. Bhí an clós an-mhór agus lán le daoine. Bhí cách ag fanacht go tnúthánach ar ardán cearnógach i lár an chlóis ar sheas gardaí armtha timpeall air. Ní raibh a fhios ag Merlin cén saghas seó a bhí le tosú agus ní raibh am ar bith aige tuairimiú faoin gceist ach an oiread. Ag an am céanna, chonaic sé go raibh beirt ghardaí ag tabhairt fir trasna an tslua chuig an ardán. Iarnaíodh an fear taoibh a dhroim agus bhí na gardaí ag coinneáil greama crua ar a uillinneacha.
Trumpets and drums played as Merlin headed from the lower town to the castle in the upper town, but their tune was far from happy. The spacious courtyard there was packed with people, all of whom were waiting expectantly around a square platform flanked by armed guards. Merlin didn’t know what kind of spectacle was about to begin, nor did he have much time to speculate on the matter. For at that very moment, he saw two guards leading a man through the crowd towards the stage. The man was clapped in irons behind his back; even so, the guards still kept a firm grip on his elbows.
12
Buaileadh na drumaí go mall agus bhí Merlin ar tinneall nuair a fuair sé amharc ar cheap an bhásadóra ansin.
The drums beat slowly, and Merlin tensed up as he caught a glimpse of the executioner’s block present there.
13
‘Foghlaimímis as seo,’ arsa glór fir ón bhalcóin os cionn an chlóis caisleáin. Chaith Merlin agus an lucht féachana súil ar an bhfear, agus bhí sé ag caitheamh ionar donnrua veilbhite, léine chruach, siogairlín ríoga fada agus coróin óir ar a cheann.
‘Let this serve as a lesson to all,’ said a man’s voice from a balcony which overhung the courtyard. Merlin and the other spectators turned towards him, a man donning a rust-coloured velvet jerkin, coat of mail and long royal pendant, a gold crown resting on his head.
14
Ba é rí Chamelot agus bású an seó a bheadh ann.
He was the king of Camelot, the spectacle – an execution.
15
‘Breithnítear go bhfuil an fear seo, Thomas James Collins, ciontach as comhcheilg draíocht agus geis a úsáid,’ a dúirt an rí, agus é ag déanamh macalla ar fud an chlóis. Bhreathnaigh Merlin ar an rí agus eagla ar a aghaidh. Rinne an buachaill iarracht slogadh go neirbhíseach ach bhí a bhéal tirim.
‘This man, Thomas James Collins, is adjudged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic,’ said the king, his voice echoing throughout the courtyard. Merlin looked at the king, fear written on his face; nervously, the boy tried to swallow, but his mouth was dry.
16
‘De réir dlí Chamelot, fógraímse, Uther Pendragon, le fada an lá, go gcuirfear chun báis duine ar bith a chleachtaíonn draíocht,’ arsa an rí, agus bualadh na drumaí go tapadh. ‘Is rí cothrom macánta mé, agus iontach bródúil as, ach nuair is asarlaíocht atá i gceist, ní ghearrfaidh mé ach pionós amháin.’
‘And pursuant to the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death,’ the king declared, and with that the pace of the drums began to quicken. ‘I pride myself as a fair and just king, but for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass.’
17
Sméid an rí a cheann agus chas Merlin chuig an bhfear a daoradh chun báis é. Cuireadh an draoi ar a ghlúine agus cromadh a cheann ar bhloic adhmaid. Bhí ciseán beag ann a bhéarfadh ar a cheann gearrtha. Ansin rug an básadóir greim ar chos na tua. D’ardaigh sé suas san aer é go díreach nuair a chuir an rí a lámh chlé suas. Agus, le smeach dá rosta, bhí an t-asarlaí marbh.
The king nodded his head and Merlin turned to look at the man who had been condemned to die. The sorcerer was brought to his knees, his head bent over the wooden block, a small basket waiting beside it to catch his severed head. With that, the executioner took firm hold of the handle of his axe, lifting it in time with the king’s left hand. With a flick of the wrist, the sorcerer was dead.
18
D’iompaigh go leor daoine ann a súile ón bású. Níor chuala Merlin tuairt an chinn ar an ardán, mar gheall gur tharraing na breathnóirí anáil dhomhain ag an am céanna. D’fhéach Merlin go doicheallach ar an rí agus chan na préacháin os cionn na cathrach de réir mar a bhí an rí ag tosú a chainte arís.
Many of the onlookers turned their eyes away from the downward swing of the axe. Merlin did not hear the thump of the head on the scaffold, not over the collective gasp which the crowd let out at the same time. Merlin looked coldly at the king, the crows cawing out above the castle as the man began to speak again.
19
‘Nuair a tháinig mé go dtí an tír seo, bhí an ríocht ina cíor thuathail. Ach le cabhair mhuintir na cathrach agus na tuaithe, díbríodh draíocht as an ríocht. Mar sin de, fógraím féile chun gabháil an dragain mhóir agus an díbirt draíochta as Camelot, a tharla fiche bliain ó shin, a cheiliúradh.’ Chuir an rí a lámha suas agus dúirt go lúcháireach, ‘Go dtosaí an ceiliúradh!’
‘When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos, but, with the people’s help, magic was driven from the realm. So I declare a festival to celebrate 20 years since the Great Dragon was captured, and Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery.’ How joyous the king sounded in that moment as he raised his arms, proclaiming to the crowd, ‘Let the celebrations begin!’
20
‘Buahhh!’
‘Buahhh!’
21
Bheadh na daoine uilig imithe as an áit, murach glór mná a tháinig go tobann as an slua. Ghlac na daoine a bhí ina seasamh mórthimpeall uirthi céim siar uithi. Chaith an bhean seanghúna donn agus chuir a gruaig liath a seanaois in iúl. Tháinig a huallach as a croí. Tost a bhí ann. Agus ansin thosaigh sí ag labhairt leis an rí.
Everyone present would have left the place had a woman’s cry not quickly issued forth from the crowd. The people standing around the woman took a step back from her. She wore an old brown dress, her grey hair bespoke old age, and her wails came from her grief-stricken heart. All present fell silent, save for the woman, who began to address the king.
22
‘Níl ach drochrud amháin atá ann sa tír seo agus ní draíocht atá i gceist agam. Tú féin atá ann! Mharaigh tú mo mhac de dheasca d’fhuath is do neamheolas,’ arsa sí agus chuir an rí a lámh ar bhalla na balcóine, ag éisteacht léi le haghaidh chrua. D’éirigh glór na mná feargach ansin agus bhí sí ag sileadh na ndeor nuair a dúirt sí, ‘Geallaim duit: sula gcríochnóidh na féilte beidh tú féin ag caoineadh fosta. Ghlac tú mo chroí, m’áthas, is mo mhac uaim, agus déanfaidh mé rud éigin níos measa ortsa!’
‘There is only one evil in this land, and it is not magic! It is you! With your hatred and your ignorance, you took my son,’ she cried out, and the king placed his hand on the balcony wall, listening to the grieving mother with a hard face. It did not take long for the woman’s voice to grow angry. With tears falling from her eyes, she proclaimed, ‘I promise you, before the celebrations are over, you will share my tears. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a son for a son!’
23
‘Gabhaigí í!’ a scread an rí.
‘Seize her!’ shouted the king.
24
Ar chur a díoltais don rí in iúl, rug an tseanbhean go deifreach greim ar shiogarlín beag a bhí ar a muineál. Scairt sí cúpla focal i dteanga shaoithiúil. Tháinig blosc ard agus gaoth dhraíochta tríd an slua agus chlúdaigh na féachadóirí a súile. Ar rá a geas, d’fhág an bhean amach faoi scamall toite dubh.
Having sworn her revenge, the old woman quickly grabbed hold of a small pendant hanging around her neck. She cried out a few words in a strange tongue. There was a loud cracking sound, and a magical wind blew through the crowd, making the onlookers shield their eyes. Upon finishing her spell, the woman disappeared in a puff of black smoke.
25
Ansin stop an aimsir draíochta go garbh. Níor fhan na daoine i bhfad tar éis racht na mná. D’fhill an rí sa chaisleán le ceangal agus thosaigh daoine na cathrach ag obair nó á ndéanamh réidh don bhféile. Bhí iontas ar Mherlin agus bhí sé trína chéile ag amharc thart ar an gclós. Nach bhfaca siad féin an chailleach ag cur an nádúir ar a ceann nóiméad beag ó shin?
Then the magical weather stopped quite abruptly. The crowd didn’t stay long after witnessing the woman’s fit or rage; the king angrily returned to the castle, and the city folk went back to their work or off to prepare themselves for the feast, leaving a surprised and utterly confused Merlin to gape at the empty courtyard. Had he been the only one to see that witch turn nature on its head just then?
26
Ach ansin ba cuimhin le Merlin go tapadh go raibh rud le dhéanamh aige freisin. Bhí coinne thábhachtach aige agus ní raibh sé ag iarraidh bheith mall.
But then Merlin quickly remembered that he had something to do as well. An important meeting awaited him, and he wasn’t about to be late.
Rún Mherlin
Merlin's secret
27
Nuair a tháinig Merlin isteach sa chaisleán, bhreathnaigh sé beirt ghardaí roimhe. ‘An bhfuil a fhios agaibh cá bhfuil Gaius? Is é lia na cúirte é,’ a dúirt sé leo.
When Merlin entered the castle, he saw two guards before him. ‘Where would I find Gaius, the–the Court Physician?’ he asked them.
28
‘Thuas na staighre,’ arsa garda go díreach, ag síneadh a mhéire chuig staighre bíse in aice leo.
‘There,’ one of the guards immediately responded, pointing a finger towards a winding staircase near them.
29
D’ardaigh Merlin túr an caisleáin gan focal eile a rá. Níor fhan sé ach ar feadh nóiméid Lia na Cúirte ar chlár ar an mballa a léigh sular shroich sé pasáiste dorcha caol. Shiúil sé go díreach chuig an doras oscailte a bhí ar a cheann. ‘Haigh!’ a dúirt sé agus é ina seasamh ar leac an dorais. Ní dúirt duine tar isteach – ní raibh ach fuaim na dí ag fiuchadh go ciúin ag teacht ón seomra ag an am sin. Ba chóir do Mherlin fanacht ansin, ach bhí fiosracht nádúrtha ar an mbuachaill agus shocraigh sé dul isteach gan cuireadh a fháil. Sin an rud go mba cúis le timpiste agus geallaim daoibh, mo chairde: ní bheidh sé sin an uair dheireanach.
Merlin ascended the castle tower without saying another word. He stopped but a moment upon seeing that a board on the wall marked Court Physician pointed him down a dark, narrow corridor, then walked directly towards the open door at the end of it. ‘Hello!’ he said as he stood in the doorway. No one bid him enter – indeed, the only sound coming from the room at the time was that of some liquid bubbling away. The boy would have done well to wait there; however, his natural curiosity encouraged him to go in without receiving an invitation. This, my friends, will cause a fair few accidents, and the following is only the first one of them all.
30
Bhí lia na cúirte ina chónaí ann, is dócha. Seomra salach nach raibh inti – boladh cumhra a bhí inti, déanta na fhírinne. Mar sin, bhí a lán gléasanna eolaíochta aisteacha ann ó bhún go barr agus seanleabhair i ngach áit. De réir mar a chuaigh Merlin chuig lár an tseomra, chonaic sé deochanna dathgheala sa ghloiní móra agus maisc ar na mboird a bhí timpeall an tseomra. Bláthanna áille agus luibheanna a bhí ag triomú ar na mballaí freisin. Bhí Merlin ag iarradh gach uile rud a scrúdú nuair a fuair sé spléachadh ar scafall adhmaid os a chionn. Seanfhear lena chuid gruaige liath fada a bhí air, ach níor chonaic sé Merlin, mar bhí sé ag tabhairt imleabhair as an tseilf.
The court physician certainly lived there. On the whole, the chamber was full to the brim with strange scientific instruments and old books in every nook and cranny; not that it was unclean – truth be told, the place had a rather sweet smell to it. As Merlin made for the centre of the room, his eyes wandered from the brightly coloured potions in large glass phials and masks on room’s many tables to the beautiful flowers and herbs hung up to dry on the walls. In his attempt to examine every single thing there, Merlin caught a glimpse of a wooden platform above his head. An old man with long grey hair stood upon it, unable to see Merlin as he took a volume from the shelf.
31
‘A Ghaius?’ arsa Merlin agus réitigh sé a scornach go hard.
‘Gaius?’ Merlin said, and he cleared his throat loudly.
32
Bhain glór Mherlin geit as an seanfhear. D’imigh na cosa uaidh ar an bpoint nuair a chas sé thart chuig an mbuachaill óg. Thit lia na cúirte tríd an ráille cosanta a bhí timpeall an scafaill leis sin. Titfeadh sé go díreach ar an urlár, mura dtarlódh rud dochreidte ag an am céanna.
Merlin’s voice startled the old man, and his feet fell out from under him as he turned towards the young boy. The court physician crashed through the guard rail surrounding the platform. He would have plummeted to the floor, had something unbelievable not happened at the very same time.
33
D’éirigh súile Mherlin dath an oir ghlain agus leis sin bhí Gaius ar foluain san aer! Bhuel, le fírinne bhí an fear ag titim, ach cuireadh moill ar am féin. D’amharc Merlin thart go tapadh agus chonaic sé leaba mhór sa chúinne. Níor leag sé lámh ná méar ar an leaba, ach rith sí transa an tseomra agus é ag gliúcaíocht uirthi. Stop an leaba nuair a bhí sí díreach thíos an seanduine. É sin déanta, d’éirigh am a ghnáthluas arís.
Merlin’s eyes turned pure gold and suddenly Gaius was floating in the air! Well, truth be told he was still falling, although time itself was passing at a slower pace. Merlin looked around as fast as he could and saw a large bed in a corner; he didn’t lay a finger on it, only squinted hard at it and the bed raced across the room. It only stopped moving once it stood directly beneath the old man. With the bed now in place, time resumed its normal speed.
34
‘Á!’ a scread Gaius, mar bhí sé ag smaoineamh faoi phian a bhraithfeadh sé í nuair a thit sé ar an urlár. Dúradh i gCamelot go raibh gach rud ar an domhain feicthe ag seanlia na cúirte agus de ghnáth chreidfinn é mé féin. Ach ar an lá sin níor chuir sé an-ionadh oraibh agus orm amháin nuair a thit an seanfhear ar tocht mín gan cnámh ar bith a bhriseadh.
‘Whoa! Ah-oooh!’ Gaius cried out, thinking of the pain he would feel upon hitting the floor. In Camelot rumour had it that there wasn’t a thing in the world the old court physician hadn’t already seen before. Most days I’d believe it myself. But on this particular day, you and I were not the only ones left utterly flabbergasted when the old man landed on a soft mattress without breaking a single bone in his body.
35
Chaoch Gaius na súile cúpla uair agus léim sé ina sheasamh. ‘Cén fáth – cad a rinne tú anois beag?’ ar an fear go mór trína chéile.
Gaius blinked a couple of times and jumped to his feet. ‘I– What did you just do?’ the man said, confused beyond belief.
36
D’amharc Merlin go nerbhíseach timpeall an tseomra agus thosaigh sé ag rá, ‘Bhuel ...’
Merlin looked nervously around the room, proceeding to come to his own defense with a resounding, ‘Um ...’
37
‘Abair liom!’ arsa an lia os ard de réir mar a dhírigh sé a róba fada donn.
‘Tell me!’ the physician said loudly as he straightened out his long brown robes.
38
‘Cogar, níl cliú agam faoi é sin,’ a labhair Merlin go stadach.
‘Well, I–I have no idea what happened,’ Merlin stuttered.
39
D’fhéach Gaius ar Mherlin, ar an leaba agus ar an ardán a thit sé de agus dúirt, ‘Dá bhfeicfeadh duine ar bith é sin—’
Gaius looked from Merlin to the bed to the platform he had fallen from and said, ‘If anyone had seen that—’
40
‘Ní raibh sé sin i mo chumhacht,’ arsa Merlin go tapadh. ‘Ní raibh sé ach – ach—’
‘Oh, no, that—that was nothing to do with me,’ Merlin said quickly. ‘That – that was—'
41
‘Tuigim cad a bhí sé,’ arsa Gaius agus Merlin ag stánadh air lena bhéal ar leathadh. ‘Ba mhaith liom tuilleadh eolais cár fhoghlaim tú é.’
‘I know what it was,’ said Gaius as Merlin stared at him, his mouth wide open. ‘I just want to know where you learned how to do it.’
42
‘Áit ar bith,’ ar Merlin.
‘Nowhere,’ said Merlin.
43
‘Mar sin, cén fáth a bhfuil eolas draíochta agat?’
‘So how is it you know magic?’
44
‘Níl sé agam!’
‘I don’t!’
45
‘Cén áit a rinne tú staidéar uirthi?’ arsa an lia go ciúin. Níor fhan sé i bhfad sular scairt sé, ‘Freagair an cheist!’
‘Where did you study?’ the physician asked quietly. He didn’t wait long before snapping, ‘Answer me!’
46
‘Níl draíocht foghlamtha agam agus níor mhúineadh mé,’ d’fhreagair an draoi.
‘I–I’ve never studied magic or been taught,’ the sorcerer replied.
47
‘An bhfuil tú ag insint breága dom, a bhuachaill?’ ar Gaius.
‘Are you lying to me, boy?’ said Gaius.
48
‘Cad is chóir dom a rá leat?’
‘What do you want me to say?’
49
‘An fhírinne.’
‘The truth.’
50
‘Rugadh mé le draíocht,’ d’admhaigh an buachaill.
‘I was born like this,’ the boy admitted.
51
‘Dodhéanta!’ a ghlaoigh Gaius. D’amharc sé ar an leaba arís. ‘Cé túsa?’
‘That’s impossible,’ Gaius exclaimed, glancing towards the bed again. ‘Who are you?’
52
‘Gabh i leith ... Tá an litir seo agam,’ a dúirt Merlin de réir mar a tharraing sé a mhála de. Rug an buachaill greim ar litir istigh. Thug sé do Gaius í. ‘Sin é.’
‘Oh, um ... I have this letter,’ said Merlin as he pulled his bag off his back. The boy fished inside for the letter and handed it to Gaius. ‘There.’
53
‘Níl mo spéaclaí agamsa,’ arsa an lia.
‘I–I don’t have my glasses,’ said the physician.
54
‘Is mise Merlin.’
‘I’m Merlin.’
55
‘An mac Hunith thú?’
‘Hunith’s son!’
56
‘Is mé.’
‘Yes.’
57
Cheap Gaius ar feadh nóiméid agus dúirt, ‘Is cheart duit a shroicheadh Camelot Dé Céadaoin.’
Gaius reflected for a moment and said, ‘But you’re not meant to be here till Wednesday.’
58
‘Inniu an Chéadaoin,’ a d’inis Merlin don fhear.
‘It is Wednesday,’ Merlin informed the man.
59
‘Is fíor é sin,’ ar Gaius, agus sméid sé chuig an doras ar an taobh thall den seomra. ‘Ba chóir duit do mhála a chur ansin sa seomra breise.’
‘Ahh. Right then,’ said Gaius, and he pointed towards a door at the far side of the room. ‘You’d better put your bag in there.’
60
Sular ardaigh Merlin ceithre chéim an staighre bhig go dtí an seomra cúil, d’iompaigh sé ar an seanfhear. ‘A Ghaius,’ a dúirt sé go héiginnte, ‘ní dhéarfaidh tú rud ar bith faoi mo chuid, bhuel …’
Before ascending the four steps of the tiny staircase leading to the spare room, Merlin turned towards the old man. ‘Gaius,’ he said hesitantly, ‘Oh, you won’t say anything about ... um...’
61
‘Ní dhéarfaidh mé ach rud amháin leat, a Mherlin,’ a dúirt Gaius, ‘agus caithfaidh mé a rá leat go raibh maith agat.’
‘No,’ Gaius said, ‘although Merlin … I should say thank you.’
62
Amach as seomra an lia le Merlin.
With that, Merlin left the physician’s main chamber.
63
Bhain chlog na cathrach cheana féin agus thit na hóiche go tapadh. Las an draoi óg cúpla coinnle a bhí timpeall a sheomra nua sular tharraing sé a rudaí pearsanta as a mhála. Ní raibh ach cúpla bosca sa chúinne agus seanthroscáin adhmaid ann, ach bhí an seomra breise mór go leor don bhuachaill. D’amharcfadh Merlin thart maidin arna mhárach, mar bhí sé an-tuirseach tar éis a thurais fhada.
The city bell had sounded some time before, and night fell soon after. The young warlock lit a couple of candles around his new room before removing his personal belongings from his bag. Even with its handful of boxes in the corner and old wooden furniture, the spare room was spacious enough for the boy. Merlin would have to take a look around the following morning, tired as he was after his long journey.
64
Nuair a bhí a mhála dípacáilte aige, lig Merlin osna as agus é ag suigh síos ar an leaba fhada chúng a bhí ag gobadh amach go dtí lár an tseomra. Bhí a lán ceisteanna ina intinn. Dúirt a mháthair leis go mbainfeadh sé eolas as lia na cúirte i gCamelot, ach ní cheap sé riamh go mbeadh eolas draíochta ag an bhfear. Bhí ádh ag Mherlin leis sin. Dá bhfeicfeadh duine eile ar bith cén dóigh a shábháil sé saol Ghaius an tráthnóna sin, cuireadh sé go díreach i bpríosún nó ar cheap an bhásadóra; ní fhoghlaimeodh sé an chúis a raibh draíocht aige ansin agus sin an fáth a raibh sé i gCamelot!
Once his bag was unpacked, Merlin let out a sigh and sat down on the long, narrow bed which jutted out into the centre of the room, his mind rife of questions. His mother had spoken of the knowledge the royal physician possessed, never once hinting that he was knowledgeable of magic. In that, Merlin had been lucky. If anyone else had seen how he had saved Gaius’s life that afternoon, he would have been ushered off to prison or the chopping block without further ado, leaving the reason why he had magic left unlearnt, and that had been his reason for coming to Camelot!
65
Déanta na fírinne, ní raibh a fhios ag Merlin dá mbeadh sé riamh sábháilte i gCamelot. Ba é Uther an rí is naimhdí go dtí daoine le draíocht dá raibh riamh ar Chamelot. Go deimhin, bhí an caisleán tagtha ag Merlin caol díreach nuair a dhaoradh asarlaí óg chun báis. Cheapfaidh draoi eile dá mba drochthuar é sin. Shíl Merlin féin go raibh sé cliste go leor an fhírinne a cheilt, áfach. B’fhéidir go raibh an ceart aige leis sin. Ná b’fhéidir sin an saghas clisteacht sheafóideach is cúis le mórán mí-ádh atá ag rith le draoithe óga – tá sé róluath lena rá go cinnte. Ar aon nós, gheobhadh Merlin amach roimh i bhfad go mbeadh sé tábhachtach rún faoina chuid draíochta a choinneáil. Ba chuma cé chomh deacair go mbeadh sé.
Truth be told, Merlin didn’t know if he would ever be safe in Camelot. Uther was the greatest enemy to people with magical abilities to have ever reigned over Camelot. Not only that, but Merlin had come to the castle exactly at the same time a young sorcerer had been sentenced to death. Any other warlock might consider that a bad omen. However, Merlin thought himself smart enough to keep the truth hidden. Perhaps he was right. Or perhaps that’s exactly the sort of idiotic cleverness responsible for much of the misfortune that plagues young sorcerers – it’s too early to say for sure. At any rate, Merlin would find out soon enough that keeping his magic a secret was crucial. No matter how difficult it would be.
66
Ba bheag nár thit Merlin ina chodladh nuair a chuala sé glórtha ag teacht ón gcathair amuigh. Sheas sé ar an mbord caol faoin fhuinneog mhór agus d’oscail sé í go fiosrach. Bhí an chathair álainn agus beoga san hoíche, fiú. Ní raibh sé deacair a cheisteanna agus a amhras a chur as a intinn agus Merlin ag éisteacht le torann na cathrach.
Merlin was just about to turn in for the night when he heard voices coming from the city outside. He hopped up onto a narrow table, opening the large window directly above it. The city was beautiful and lively even at night and it wasn’t hard for Merlin to put his questions and his doubts out of his mind as he listened to the sound of the city.
67
Ach a lán ceisteanna a bhí ar lia na cúirte sa seomra ar taobh eile an dorais.
Meanwhile, the court physician in the room on the other side of the door had too many questions to count.
68
Suigh Gaius síos agus d’fhéach sé ar litir Mherlin. Scríobh Hunith í. Ba bean chineálta agus mam Mherlin í. Ba cairde í agus Gaius fada ó shin nuair a bhí saol ag Hunith i gCamelot. Mar sin, d’imigh sí as Camelot thart faoin am go raibh Uther ag cur a chogaidh ar draíocht scór bliain ó shin. Bhí sí ina cónaí sa seanbhaile iargúltasa ó shin, gan rud ar bith aici ach a mac óg agus a teacht ceann tuí.
Scríobh sí:
Gaius sat down and looked at the letter Merlin's mother Hunith had written. She and Gaius had been friends once upon a time, back when the kind woman had had a life in Camelot. Even so, she had left Camelot about the time Uther had been waging his war against magic some twenty years previous. Since then she had been living in a thatched house in an old, remote village, her young son at her side.
She wrote:
69
Gaius, a chara,
My dear Gaius,
70
Tá mé ag scríobh duit ach tá mo bhealach caillte agam, táim i m’aonar agus níl a fhios agam cé a bheadh múinín agam as. Is dual do ghach mháthair a thuiscint go raibh a páistí suaithinseach i lár slua aici. Ach gheobhainn bás go chaithfeadh Merlin saol simplí.
Is as baile beag muidne agus tá Merlin agus go leor daoine ann in achrann le chéile. Má fhanann sé sa bhaile— tá eagla orm nuair atá mé ag smaoineamh faoi a dhual. Tá duine críonna ag teastáil uaidh, duine a chabhrú leis go gcuirfeadh tuiscint ar a nádúr féin air.
Ó mo chroí amach atá mé ag iarraidh go gcosnófá é agus go sábhála Dia sibh.
I turn to you for I feel lost and alone, and don’t know who to trust. It is every mother’s fate to think her child is special, and yet I would give my life that Merlin were not so.
Ours is a small village and he is so clearly at odds with people here that if he were to remain, I fear what would become of him. He needs a hand to hold, a voice to guide, someone that might help him find a purpose for his gifts.
I beg you, if you understand a mother’s love for her son, keep him safe. And may God save you both.
71
D’fhill Gaius an litir nuair a léigh sé í ó thús go deireadh agus bhain sé a spéaclaí de. Dhéanfadh sé a dhícheall Merlin a chabhrú. Mar sin, ba chóir aige tuilleadh eolais eile a fhoghlaim faoin stócach le bua don draíochta chumhachtach.
Gaius folded the letter once he had read it from start to finish and took off his glasses. He would do his best to help Merlin. Still, there were a few things he had to learn about the young boy whose talent for magic was powerful indeed.
Caint leis an rí
Conversation with the King
72
In áit eile an chaisleáin bhí duine éigin eile ciaptha ag ceisteanna báis nó beatha freisin. Morgana ba ainm di. Ba í maighdean dhána ó theaghlach mór le rá agus bhí sí ina seasamh ag an bhfuinneog taobh amuigh den Halla Cóisire. De gnáth bhíodh cuma ghealgháireach uirthi, ach ag an am atá i gceist agam bhí a gruaig dhubh fhada ag sileadh síos léna haghaidh agus í ag stánadh ar an tua a bhí fós ar an mball i lár na cúirte a raibh an bású ann i rith an lae. Chuir sé brón uirthi nuair a smaoinigh sí air.
In another corner of the castle, yet another person was contemplating matters of life and death. Morgana, a daring maiden from a distinguished family, stood at the window just outside the banquet hall. Normally she was of a cheerful disposition, but on this occasion her long black hair hung down in front of her face as she stared at the centre of the courtyard, at the axe which still remained fixed to the spot where the execution had taken place during the day. Thinking about it filled her with sadness.
73
Mar sin féin, níor an céad bású é a bhí feicthe ag an gcailín óg. Ba choimircí an rí í Morgana agus ba léir di an fhírinne: bhí fuath an rí neamhmheasartha. Dhaor Uther le draoithe Chamelot chun báis gan triail chothrom agus chuir sé géarleanúint ar na drȳ-menn — ba mhuintir shíochánta na tuaithe iad na drȳ-menn agus chleacht siad draíocht ar an sean-nósanna. Chuir sé sin eagla ar an rí. Rinne Uther neamhaird ar a gcúiseanna a bheith ag canadh draíochta; ba cuma go raibh siad ag sábháil a bpaistí léi nó ag cur mallachta ar bharr comharsana. Thuig Morgana go raibh Uther ceanndána agus go raibh sé san éagóir ar dhaoine le draíocht. Bhí fuil ar a lámha agus ní chuirfeadh Morgana é as a hintinn go haibéil.
Nevertheless, it wasn’t the first execution the young girl had seen. Morgana was the king’s ward and to her the truth was plain as day: the king's anger was far more than excessive. Uther sentenced Camelot’s magical inhabitants to death without a fair trial and persecuted the drȳ-menn, or Druids as you may know them – a peaceful people from the countryside who practised magic in the old way, which frightened the king so that he disregarded their reasons for practising magic, seeing no distinction between one using it to save one’s child or curse the neighbour’s crops. Morgana understood that Uther was stubborn and in the wrong about people with magic. There was blood on his hands and Morgana would not soon forget it.
74
‘A Mhorgana,’ a bhrís glór Uther í as a cuid smaointe.
‘Morgana?’ Uther's voice interrupted the girl's thoughts.
75
‘Sea?’
‘Yes?’
76
‘Cad atá á dhéanamh agat? Cén fáth nach bhfuil tú sa fleá linn?’ d’fhiafraigh an rí di. Tréimhse fhoirfe a bhí ann ceiliúradh a fhreastal. Níor thuig Uther cén fáth nár raibh an cailín ag baint suilt as an gceiliúradh leis cúirteorí eile na ríochta.
‘What is this? Why are you not joining us at the feast?’ the king asked her. It was the perfect time to attend a celebration. Uther didn’t understand what reason the girl had to not enjoy the celebrations along with the rest of the kingdom’s courtiers.
77
‘Ní chuirim suim mór i bhfeasta tar éis dícheannadh,’ arsa Morgana le glór fhuair. Bhí na beirt dhuine uaisle nóiméad amháin ina dtost sular dúirt Morgana, ‘An mháthair bhocht sin.’
‘I just don’t think chopping someone’s head off is cause for a celebration,’ said Morgana in a cold voice. The two nobles fell silent for a moment before Morgana said, ‘That poor mother.’
78
‘Ba chóir fhoirfe é de bharr a choir,’ arsa an rí.
‘It was simple justice for what he’d done,’ said the king.
79
‘Cén saghas coir a bhí ann? Ní dhearna sé rud ar bith ach cuid draíocht a chan,’ a dúirt Morgana go teasaí, ag stánadh le hiontas ar an rí. ‘Ní dhearna sé dochar do dhuine ar bith!’
‘To whom? He practised some magic,’ Morgana said heatedly as she stared in disbelief at the king. ‘He didn’t hurt anyone.’
80
‘Ní raibh tú anseo fiche bliain ó shin. Níl a fhios agat cé chomh mór a bhí an bhagairt,’ a ghlaoigh an rí.
‘You were not around 20 years ago. You have no idea what it was like,’ the king loudly exclaimed.
81
‘Cá fhad go mbeadh tú ag cur pionóis ar dhaoine de bharr rudaí a rinne fadó?’ d’fhiafraigh Morgana dó.
‘How long are you going to keep punishing people for what happened then?’ Morgana demanded.
82
‘Go thuigfidís níl spás don dhraíocht ar bith a bheith i mo ríocht. Beidh tú liom nuair a bheannóidh mé do Lady Helen,’ arsa Uther agus chas sé le dul go dtí an fhleá arís.
‘Until they realise there is no room for magic in my kingdom. You will be with me when I greet Lady Helen,’ said the king, making to return to the feast.
83
D’éirigh Morgana níos feargaí ansin agus í ag rá, ‘Dúirt mé leat ní ghlacfainn aon pháirt sa cheiliúradh seo—’
Morgana became angrier at that, saying, ‘I told you I want no part of these celebrations—'
84
‘Is do caomhnóir mé! Déan na rudaí a n-iarraim ort,’ a ghlaoigh an rí uirthi. ‘Mura léiríonn tú meas orm, tá súil agam go dtaispeáinfeá meas beag dár n-amhránaí is deise.’
‘I am your guardian! I expect you to do as I ask,’ the king shouted at her. ‘If you show me no respect, at least respect our finest singer.’
85
Cheap an rí go mbeadh an focal deireanach aige leis sin, ach bhí faobhar ar theanga Mhorgana. ‘Nach bhfuil a fhios agatsa,’ a dúirt sí le frustrachais, agus an rí ag imeacht, ‘Má tá tú brúidiúil, déanfaidh tú namhaid de do mhuintir féin?’
The king meant that to be the last word on the matter, but Morgana had a sharp tongue. ‘You know,’ she said in frustration as the king left, ‘the more brutal you are, the more enemies you’ll create.’
Sa choill
In the forest
86
Bhí an ceart ag Morgana. Dhéanfadh Uther Pendragon a naimhde féin arís agus arís eile, mar rinne sé é ó fhadó. Ach níor é an t-aon fáth a bhíodh coillte chontúirteacha timpeall thír an rí. Sea, bhí áiteanna rúndiamhra inti agus iad a lán le díbheargaigh, drȳ-menn ag bailliú luibheanna dá stóras, sáighdiúir as ríochte naimhde ag seilg troda, agus ollphéisteanna ón miotaseolaíocht agus geallaim daoibh d’íosfadh siad sibh, fiú. Agus sin an áit go mbeadh Lady Helen agus a tionlacan gardaí Chamelot go éirí na gréine.
Morgana was right. Uther Pendragon would create his own enemies time and time again, as he had long done before. But his misdeeds were only one reason for the dangerous forests which bordered the kingdom. For such woods were fraught with mysterious places, home to bandits, to the Druids who gathered herbs for their stores there, to soldiers from enemy kingdoms in search of a fight, and to monsters of myth who would eat even you. And it was here that Lady Helen and her escort of Camelot’s finest were to camp until first light.
87
Bhí na gardaí ag déanamh patróil taobh amuigh puball mór áille an amhránaí de réir mar a thrilsigh an Lady Helen a cuid gruaige fada doinne istigh, ag drantán poirt go ciúin léi féin sular thit sí ina codlata. Ní raibh a fhios acu go raibh bagairt mhór a bhí ag éalú orthu i measc na crainn.
The guards patrolled just outside the singer’s great beautiful tent. Inside, Lady Helen plaited her long brown hair, softly humming a tune to herself as she prepared for bed. None of them knew that a great threat was creeping through the trees in their direction.
88
Tháinig gaoth dian ar an gcoill. Chuala Lady Helen coscéimeanna agus torann craobhacha ag briseadh ina dhá chuid. Chuir drithlíní fuachta leis an Lady agus thit a trilseán as a lámha chreathacha de réir mar a lig na mic tíre glam ard astu faoin dorchadas.
A violent wind whipped through the forest. Lady Helen heard footsteps and the sound of branches snapping in two. A chill ran down the Lady’s back, her plait falling from her shaking hand as the wolves of the wild howled out into the darkness.
89
‘An bhfuil tú ann, a Ghréagóir?’ arsa sí faoi scaoll.
‘Hello? Gregory?’ she cried out, frightened.
90
‘Tá, a Lady Helen,’ arsa ridire le féasóg agus gruaig donn agus é ag cur a chinn isteach sa phuball.
‘Lady Helen,’ said a knight with a mustache and brown hair as he stuck his head inside the tent.
91
‘An bhfuil gach rud maith go leor?’ d’fhiafraigh Lady Helen.
‘Is all well?’ asked Lady Helen.
92
Smeid an garda a cheann agus dúirt, ‘Tá, a bhean uasail. Má tá ádh linn, sroichfimid Camelot amárach san oíche.’
The guard nodded, saying, ‘Yes, ma’am. With luck, we should reach Camelot late tomorrow.’
93
‘Ceart go leor,’ arsa sise le gáire ar a béal.
‘That’s good,’ she replied with a smile.
94
‘Má tá mé ag teastáil uait, beidh mé taobh amuigh an phuball,’ arsa an ridire agus d’imigh sé.
‘I’ll be outside if you need me,’ the knight said and took his leave.
95
Ó tharla go raibh an Lady Helen ina haonar arís, nigh sí a haghaidh agus í ag bhreathnú léi féin sa scáthán láimhe. D’inis an ridire leí nach raibh siad i bhfad óna gceann scríbe. Cheap sí ba chóir di an deannach dá turais a scuabadh di sular bhuail sí leis an rí agus a seanchairde i gCamelot an lá ina dhiaidh sin. Ach ní shroichfeadh sí an chathair.
On her own again, Lady Helen washed her face as she gazed at herself in a hand mirror. The knight had said they weren’t far from their final destination, and she realised she ought to brush away the dust from her journey before she met with the king and her old friends in Camelot the following day. Not that she would make it to the city.
96
Ar taobh eile an phuball chuaigh mothú aisteach tríd an ridire Gréagóir. Rug sé greim ar a chlaíomh agus é ag rá, ‘Cé duine atá ann,’ dhá uair sa dorchadas gan duine ar bith a fheiceáil.
On the other side of the tent, a strange sensation passed through the knight Gregory. He grabbed hold of his sword. ‘Who’s there? Who’s There?’ he called into the darkness without spotting anyone at all.
97
Thosaigh na capaill ag seitreach amach go fiáin. Áfach, bhí glór mná rud a scanraigh Lady Helen – bhí duine ag drantán poirt an amhránaí amuigh. Dá mbeadh sibh in aice leis an phuball ag an am sin, d’fhéachfeadh sibh an bandraoi ar fuair a mac bás an lá céanna i gCamelot!
The horses began whinnying frantically. However, what terrified Lady Helen was a woman’s voice – someone was humming the singer’s tune outside. Had you been close by at that time, you would have seen the witch whose son had been executed that very same day in Camelot!
98
Tháinig an seanbhean tríd doras an phuball agus súile crua a bhí aici. Léim an Lady Helen ina seasamh, ach ní raibh am ar bith aici léi féin a shábháil; bhí an chailleach ag cur draíochta ag an Lady fós de ghlór garbh de réir mar a thóg sí bábóg déanta de chochán as a póca. Sháigh an chailleach olc miodóg sa chroí na bábóige agus thosaigh an Lady Helen ag tacht. Ar sá an bhábóg trí huaire, bhí a cuid oibre déanta ag an seanbhean. D’imigh na cosa ón Lady Helen agus thit an t-amhránaí is deise na tíre ar an leaba gan solas lena súile. Bhí sí marbh.
The old woman came through the opening in the tent, a merciless look in her eyes. The Lady Helen jumped to her feet, but there was no time for her to save herself; the witch had already begun to cast a spell on her in a rough voice, all whilst taking a poppet made of straw from her pocket. The evil hag stabbed a dagger into the doll's heart, and Lady Helen began to choke. By the time the old woman had struck the poppet for a third time, her work was done. Lady Helen’s legs fell out from under her, the loveliest singer in the land toppling onto the bed, her eyes dark. She was dead.
99
Bhí ach rud amháin le déanamh ag an chailleach anois. Shuigh sí síos ag an mbord maisiúcháin na mná mairbhe. Chan sí geasa eile, ag coinneáil greama ar a siogarla beag gloine. Thosaigh sé ag solsiú oráiste de réir mar a shúigh a cuid draíochta anam Lady Helen as an t-eithiar. Chuir a geasa cuma aghaidhe Lady Helen uirthi. Chuimil sí a haghaidh nua, agus mhothaigh sí go raibh a roic imithe agus a gruaig liath freisin. Ach stán a haghaidh fíor ar ais aici nuair a d’fhéach sí san scáthán láimhe ar an mbord.
There was but one thing left for the witch to do. Down at the dead woman’s vanity table she sat and uttered another spell, firmly grasping her small glass pendant, which started to glow orange as her magic drew Lady Helen’s essence out of the ether. The enchantment transformed her likeness into that of Lady Helen. Her grey hair lengthened, turning brown and she stroked her new face, feeling that her wrinkles had disappeared. Still, the witch’s true face that looked back at her when she peered into the hand mirror on the table.
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Tar éis tamaill shroichfeadh an chailleach Camelot faoi bhréagriocht, réidh a díoltas a bhaint amach.
It wouldn’t be long before the witch arrived in Camelot, disguised and ready to take her revenge.
