It took many months to repair the city from the ruin and destruction that Buadach had caused. Before long, it was done because everyone put their weight behind the work. The dead beast was broken up and pushed into the abyss. Bridges were built across it and walls around it. The city was rebuilt, and life began to return to normal in the city.

  The palace was last to be repaired and Celthair and Ciaran were presented by the council of the city to their new home.

  A few days after moving in, the whole city planned to hold a ceremony, the first of the ceremony of kings and queens in the Black city. To witness the marriage of Celthair and Ciaran and then their crowning as king and queen.

  Tuatha and Laegaire, who had arrived along with a contingent from every city in the Deep Lands, came to witness this momentous occasion. Ainnle and Caer Omaith arrived, having only recently heard of their sons adventures and his marriage to Celthair.

  Tethra and Morann arrived also, happy to see their daughter Mags safe and with purpose. With them came Ardan and Fiall from Muinremar, along with Queen Celthair, her namesake and king Furbaide Furbend. Dom had travelled to his home and bought back with him his mother and father, Conail and Freysia of Don Cluana, with them Aillel, Celthair’s brother, and his wife Dreya.

  Also, Naoise and his wife Ismay. King Fernmaige of Muirthemne also came to pay homage to this new king and queen.

  From the Anakim came queen Ariadne.

  It was a reunion that could only be understood when one read the Chronicles of Athlethan, the third age.

  Tuatha was to lead the ceremony for them as a king always did when royalty was to be wed.

  The ceremony began and the whole city cheering and festive stood to witness the new chapter in the Black cities future.

  Celthair stood and held up her hand, hushing the crowd.

  She spoke aloud; her words being repeated by the criers so all could hear.

  “People of the Black city.” She held aloft Sith Gheal so all could see it glinting in the light.

  “No longer are you in darkness, but you are now under the light of Sith Gheal, the White peace!” she paused as the crowds cheered.

  “From now till the white eternity this place shall be called Cathair Tsolais. The city of light!” She bowed to the people and stepped down.

  As the word spread through the criers the crowds took up the words and began to chant it aloud. “Cathair Tsolais… Cathair Tsolais… Cathair Tsolais.”

  From the sky a beam of light from the now visible star shone down on her as if to support her words.

  Tuatha watched his daughter as she stepped down and bowed to him offering him the pedestal to begin the ceremony. He looked across at Laegaire, knowing she felt and thought the same. To see their daughter fulfilling part of the prophecy of the Chronicle prophetica filled their heart with pride.

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  He glanced at Celthair and Ciaran, dressed in their white tunics, the royal insignia on their light armour that was made for ceremonies such as this. His daughter had the same ethereal beauty of her mother, he reached across and pulled Laegaire close to him, enjoying the moment of their daughters inauguration together.

  On Celthair’s side was Sith Gheal the White peace. She was indeed a warrior queen. Behind her filling the scenery behind her was the graceful and fearsome black leviathan, Dray Goen. The picture Tuatha saw was etched on his mind forever. The leviathan and the queen. The days of Emain were back. Hope rose stronger than ever in Tuatha’s mind, as well as those who had witnessed these events.

  Tuatha stepped up onto the dais and bugles blared.

  Celthair had taken her place with Ciaran, in the tradition of the Deep Lands he held her hand up in front of him, and she walked slightly ahead of him, as they mounted the stairs to the dais, he presented her to the people of Cathair Tsolais as their queen.

  Tuatha looked at Laegaire in her eyes, they smiled knowingly at each other, remembering their own wedding together long ago in Dun Emain, in their united thoughts. He nodded at Ciaran as they began the words of their private vows to each other.

  When they had finished, and the witnesses had heard their vows. Tuatha picked up the crown he had one worn.

  “Lords and Ladies, Riangbra be praised. We have before us Prince Ciaran son of king Ainnle and Queen Caer Omaith of Esclarmonde and his wife, Princess Celthair De Daanan Findabair my daughter and granddaughter of Amerghin and the lady Dagemar. Ladies and Lords, I present the Queen and her consort, King of Cathair Tsolais and the western territories.

  Celthair looked at him in gratitude for mentioning her mother’s side of the family.

  Laegaire stood alongside Tuatha, and they placed their own crowns on the head of their daughter and son in law. This was a symbolic gesture that the line of Emain was in this union, and none could remove them from their status.

  Then before the people they both bowed, taking off the crowns and holding them toward the king, the true heir of Emain and his queen. They stood and placed the crown on their heads, publicly showing the people that the high king and queen, Tuatha, were indeed the true rulers of the whole of the Deep Lands and they were also subject to them and would answer their call in a time of need.

  Then walking to the two thrones of Cathair Tsolais, Celthair and Ciaran sat down. Then Mags and Dom walked up behind them placing their own crowns, symbolic of their rulership of Cathair Tsolais and all the western realms.

  Then the crowds cheered once more. Dray Goen sent a huge column of fire behind them, into the sky.

  So began the reign of Celthair and Ciaran over the city of light, Cathair Tsolais.

  Their visitors stayed for many days, spending time with them and imparting wisdom and answering many questions about rulership that the new king and queen had. They marvelled at Celthair’s wisdom from a young age. Her physical strength that she never used in all her activities. Even in training when she could have beaten so many in bouts, she allowed them to keep their dignity.

  Dray Goen took her on a flight back over the places she had been. Then he took her back to Athlethan. Much to the delight of the people of Athlethan. When Tuatha returned, he did not understand the grins and muffled laughter of his soldiers and people, he knew it was a joke but did not know what it was about for a long time. For Celthair had cheekily sat on his throne and had done an impersonation of him for their entertainment. She met with the boys she had corrected, and they bowed low in awe. After a discussion of their interests, they became her couriers between Athlethan and Cathair Tsolais. The beginnings of a very efficient postal service across all the Deep Lands.

  When she arrived back in her city, the time for her visitors to depart grew closer. She farewelled Dray Goen who went back to his Island of Dungerness. He had a lot to do over the next few cycles of the sun, but it was not something he would share. It involved Dun Emain and

  It had taken a lot of time, but eventually Mags married a man from Cathair Tsolais, a soldier she had met during the siege of the palace. She continued to be Celthair’s closest friend and confidant.

  Dom loved trading and continued to do what he loved. He became the largest trader from the east to the west. He did not marry again. His heart was broken, but he was often seen entering the palace when his own ship was in Cathair Tsolais.