We left off with Moira telling her father that Beren was his brother. They had to get back because it was nearly time for Angus to be sworn in or invested as the Lord of the Bean-Sidhe - or Laird o' the Banshees, if you prefer. The continuation begins here: "Ya nervous, Alduin?" Mab asked him. She watched him pick a few phials from his shelf of pigeon holes. "I done this ceremony far too many times now - so many, I do it in ma sleep sometimes. I just hope this is the last time I hafta do it fer a very long time." "Thet makes at least two of us, though I could name a few more." Mab rolled her eyes, "Specially ma daughter, an' his mother. But then, we din' nae do a bad job pickin' 'im, did we?" Alduin's head whipped around and he shushed her. "Nay we didn't but dontcha e'er tell Bri." "Perish the thought," Mab waved her hand in the air at him. "She'd hate me ferever, but I saw this a'comin' a long, long time ago. Somethin' had ta be done an' ya know it, Alduin. Just weren't expectin' things ta go the way they did wi' her. Tis important this young man survives an' you, Magnus an' Gwidion are gonna see ta that!" Alduin put on his ceremonial cloak, his sword, his sword and bracers. "I know! I know, Mab. No need ta tell me what I a'ready know. Let's do this." Alduin spoke a benediction to those who had gathered before the Sacred Circle. "Today, we are here ta invest a new laird o' the Mountain Folk. Let all our thoughts be with 'im that 'e may be the perfect laird - brave, fair, honorable, just an' charitable - for such is what we need in these dark times." He then walked about the circle casting a warding spell about it and emptied one of his phials into his hand, tossing it on the fire. The fire erupted in fantastic colors, burning hot and bright. Angus stepped to the front center of the circle, facing Alduin where he now stood, a strange sword in his hands. He held it up before him. "Do ye, Angus mac Dermit, as the only living heir an' son of Lady Brianna of the Mountain Folk, accept the responsibility and honor of the title Laird o' the Banshees?" "I do." "Will ye strive ta be upright, honest an' fair in yer judgments, yer laws an' yer proclaimations? Do ye swear ta defend Bean-Hame wi' the honor an' bravery of a champion? Do ye swear by all we hold sacred, ta live by the Five Tenets of a Bean Laird: ta be gracious, loyal, valorous, charitable an' understandin'?" "I will...I do," Angus answered. His stammer there was not uncertainty of his ability to be all those things. Tis how he were raised ta be. In any case, he'd covered both possible answers. "Then, I Alduin mac Finn, High-Druid o' the Banshee-folk, Chief Advisor an' Council ta the Lady Brianna o' Bean-Hame do in her name present ye wi' the Sacred Sword o' the Wolf People, by which ye shall be known ta any an' all as Laird o' the Banshees. Wear it proud an' use it in strength an' wisdom, Angus mac Dermit. I also pledge ta thee, ma Laird, ma services an' council as yer Druid." Alduin then laid the Sacred Sword in Angus' hands. "So shall it be sealed." Angus took the Sword in hand and turned to the Mountain-Folk, raising his arm high for all to see. It just seemed the thing to do...and the mountains echoed with the unearthly cries of the Banshee-folk. ***** I thought it was time Angus let his (Kouros) hair down, too ;) He's such a handsome lad. Thanks for stopping by and your previous comments and favs for the portraits of Beren, Magnus, Alduin and Gwidion. There will eventually be portraits of the ladies as well. Have a great week, my friends! Rayvn