My late St. Patrick Day post.

Happy late St. Patrick's Day.

We celebrated as usual by having Rubens for supper which aren't Irish. :D

For a little something special I wrote a story based off the old CCC movie.

Fire in the Hearts

Based on St. Patrick: Brave Shepherd of the Emerald Isles

I

Sheila dipped her bucket into the pool of ice cold water and shivered. She could feel Fergus' narrowed eyes on her back. Fergus glowered at everyone, but today he had been watching Sheila for a long time, and she was getting rather nervous. Once he started towards her, but at that moment Milo came in and took Fergus aside. Sheila sighed with relief. It was never a good thing when Fergus took notice of any of the servants. But she knew it was worse for the slaves. They had no rights.

“Sheila?” one of the other women whispered. The young woman pushed aside her red hair and looked at the older woman.

“Lia?” she responded.

“Old Fergus has his eye on you, girl.” Lia whispered back, as she pretended to fill her bucket up, “Better make good this chance.” Sheila's gaze drifted over to Milo and Fergus, they were muttering. Milo was a big man with flaming red hair and a bushy red beard. Fergus was younger and thinner, but with fair hair and a closely cropped beard. Sheila did not like either of them.

As Sheila watched Fergus and Milo, a stooped wizened old man, who leaned on a stick, shuffled out of the stockade. Immediately all the women servants froze. The druid was a much feared person among the peasants. If anyone dared to cross him, he called the wrath of the gods down on them. Sheila frowned. Patrick had said that there was only one God. But Patrick had been gone for a long time and the horrible Lugud was still around. Sheila smiled sadly. She missed the runaway slave with his stories about the one true God.

Lugud turned towards Sheila and for a brief second their eyes met. His watery blue eyes narrowed and burned with hate. The druid had no proof but Sheila knew that he suspected that her family had helped Patrick escape Ireland. They had, but it would be a terrible thing if the druid, Milo or King Leree found out. Milo had been Patrick's owner. He was horrible and cruel man, but much esteemed at King Leree's court. Sheila picked up her pail and started hurrying down the path towards the farm.

As the girl walked through the trees, a young man with auburn hair leading a flock of sheep came from the opposite direction. Sheila did not know Sean very well. He was King Leree's cousin. His parents had died when he was small and Leree's father had taken him in out of charity. Sean had worked hard to earn a few sheep and leave the court. Rumor said the boy was to proud to except his uncle and cousin's charity. He was to poor to even own one slave. Sheila sighed. Sheep reminded her of Patrick. The slave that now cared for Milo's sheep was a bitter Irish slave. Sheila and her twin sister Islee staid away from him.

“Fair Morning.” Sean said, as he pulled his cap off and nodded. Sheila barely looked at him, as she fled past. Sean may have been taking care of his own sheep, but he was still of royal blood and certainly believed he could have whatever he wanted.

II

Sheila reached the small cottage, where she lived with her parents and brother and sister. Little Calchun was seated on the grass in front of the cottage playing his reed pipes and patting Rory, their old dog. Calchun waved to her. Islee was spreading wet laundry in the grass.

“You are late!” she called, “What detained you, sister?”

“Lia must talk.” Sheila said with a weary sigh, “And Fergus was there.” Calchun blew a sour note on his pipe.

“Lia talks far to much!” Islee giggled, “She would master even the druid in babbling.”

“Hush!” Sheila whispered nervously, “We mustn't speak of the druid.”

“I would!” Calchun cried and blew a shrill blast on his pipe. Islee giggled some more. Mum came out of the cottage and pushed her long black hair out of her face.

“Sheila, hurry.” she called, “Bring the water. We must finish our cooking before the sun sets tonight.”

“Tonight is the Feast of Darkness!” Calchun said solemnly. Sheila made no reply, but she looked at Islee. For once the other girl was not laughing.

“Girls?” a man's voice boomed from the forest, then a tall well built man stepped out of the forest. He was stooped under the burden of a heavy cart full of wood. Rory ran to greet him barking joyously. Sheila handed Calchun the bucket then rushed to her father's side.

“Da, let us-” she began.

“Help you.” Islee finished as she joined her sister. Da wiped his arm across his forward.

“Thank you girls.” he said wearily. Mum sent Calchun into the house with the water, then hurried to her husband's side.

“Dear, you work to hard.” she said sadly.

Sheila and Islee, Rory the dog, Mum and Da and Roster the sheep.

As Sheila and Islee started to push the cart from behind, a black ram darted out of the woods bleating wildly. Da bent over to pat the wooly head.

“Rooster, what are you doing here?” he asked, “You are supposed to be in the meadow.”

“I like Rooster.” Islee said, as she dropped to her knees beside the sheep, “He reminds me of Patrick.”

“Hush.” Mum whispered, “We mustn't talk about Patrick. What if Milo discovers that it was us that helped him.”

“I think he suspects.” Sheila said softly.

“Darling, it has been many years.” Da sighed, “By now Milo will have almost forgotten he ever had a slave called Patrick.” Sheila did not agree, but kept her mouth closed.

Suddenly a horse neighed. Rory growled. Mum cried out softly. Sheila and Islee clenched their fists. It was Milo and Lugud who were riding out of the forest. Sheila would have preferred a wolf any day.

“What is this?” Lugud sneered, as he eyed the wood. Sheila noticed with horror that two slaves were leading a cart behind Lugud and Milo. The cart was almost full of wood.

“Were you perhaps going to light a fire, before King Leree lights his?” Milo demanded.

“Oh no.” Mum protested in terror, “No one must light a fire before the king.”

“Can we trust them?” Milo demanded as he cocked his head.

“No!” Lugud hissed, “Besides all the people must donate wood for the king's fire.”

“Confiscate that wood!” Milo shouted. Da stepped back, his face pale, as the two slaves snatched his cart and threw the contents into their cart. A day's worth of work was gone.

Laughing cruelly, Lugud and Milo rode off. The slaves and the cart following behind. Sheila and Islee rushed into their father's arms.

“Oh Da.” Sheila cried.

“What are we to do?” mum sobbed.

“Why must we give our wood to the heathen gods' of the druid?” Islee cried.

“Hush!” Da and Mum gasped.

“You sound like Patrick.” Sheila said softly, “You know how he angered Lugud. Try to stay quiet, sister.”

III

Far off in the forest a bell began to toll. Rory barked. Rooster cocked his head, bleated then bounded off in the direction of the sound.

“Listen!” Islee cried.

“Can it be?” Sheila whispered.

“Patrick?” they said together.

“I know that bell anywhere!” Da shouted. The four of them dashed after the black sheep.

Patrick Returns to Ireland

Walking through the trees towards them was a tall dark haired man. In one hand he held a shepherd's staff. In the other hand was an old iron bell, which he was clanging gently.

“Patrick.” the four peasants cried in surprise.

“I have returned.” the man said calmly, “As I said I would.” he clanged the bell. Rory jumped up on him. “Rory?” the man cried.

“Why do you have a staff?” Sheila asked.

“Are you still a shepherd?” Islee asked.

“Yes, but now I am a shepherd of souls.” Patrick said calmly, “I have returned to teach you about the one true God!” Joy flooded through Sheila's heart. The loving God she had heard about when only a small child. The God of everything.

Suddenly a spear slammed into a tree, only inches from Patrick's head. The man turned around. Sheila and her family gasped in horror. Milo and Lugud were riding towards them.

“What luck!” Milo jeered, “The gods have returned my slave to me on the eve of the feast of darkness.”

“I am no longer your slave, Milo.” Patrick said gently.

“Oh ho.” Milo laughed nastily as he leaped off his horse and reached for his spear. It wouldn't come out of the tree. Sheila and Islee giggled as he struggled wildly.

“You fool!” Lugud snarled. Milo yanked the spear and the staff broke off of the shaft. He stared at it incredulously. Da chuckled silently and even Mum let a giggle escape.

Milo's face darkened and two red spots appeared on his cheeks. He hated to be laughed at. Now he was humiliated by a slave in front of three women and a groveling peasant scum. He swung the broken spear at Patrick. The ex-slave raised his own staff.

“Oh no.” Islee cried. Sheila gasped in horror and clutched at her sister. Milo's triumphant smile vanished as his spear staff broke in half across Patrick's staff. He cast aside the piece.

“You slave.” he spat, “We will return for you!” He mounted his horse and galloped off.

“Remember that tonight is the feast of darkness.” Lugud hissed and galloped after his friend.

“Patrick, they can make much trouble for you.” Da warned in a shaky voice, “You are not safe here.” Patrick smiled and pointed upwards.

“I am under the protection of the One True God. Lugud and Milo can not harm my soul.”

“Have you really come to stay?” Sheila asked.

“And to teach us how to go to your God's Heaven?” Islee added.

“Of course.” Patrick said, “Tonight may be the feast of Darkness, but it is also Holy Saturday and I know just how to celebrate it.” He glanced over his shoulder and gestured in the direction of some thick bushes. “Come on out John, we must prepare for the Easter Vigil.” A boy of about thirteen or fourteen slunk out of the bushes. He was carrying two large bundles. He looked scared. Sheila stared at him. He had blond hair and dark blue eyes. She wondered if he had come with Patrick from beyond the sea. He certainly wasn't Irish. But neither did he look like a slave.

IV

Sean drove his ship into the stockade, ignoring Fergus' nasty look. The soldier was afraid of Sean, ever since the younger man had beat him in a wrestling feet. Sean hated wrestling, but he hated Fergus more and did not think twice of excepting the soldier's challenge. Nobody thought Sean would win. So Sean had won. He gloried in proving people wrong. If everyone thought he was going to win, he would have lost just to spite them. Sean would not be beholden to any man either. Every year he brought five ship to his cousin King Leere. He was going to pay off all the Charity he had received. Leere found Sean an embarrassment, but he never said no to the sheep, even though it was a steep price to pay for someone as poor as Sean.

Sean headed towards the door. Usually he just left the sheep then left, but today, for some strange reason, he felt compelled to see his cousin. The guards let him in reluctantly. Sean entered the hall. Leree was seated on his chair surrounded by druids. Milo was there too. Sean liked Milo less then Fergus. Milo was a bully, whereas Fergus had some decency.

“But this Patrick could make trouble, your majesty.” Lugud was whispering his his hateful voice. Sean hesitated.

“What is all this fuss for a runaway slave?” Leere complained, “Someone just go and get him.”

“It is not that simple.” Lugud murmured.

“The man is dangerous, he says he is here to turn everyone away from our gods.” Milo spat, “That man will destroy everything.” Leere turned and walked out the back door to the veranda. Lugud and Milo followed. The rest of the druids gathered together muttering angrily. Sean moved forward cautiously.

“Look!” Leere cried as he gestured across the darkening countryside, “Not a fire to be seen. Tonight everyone honors our gods. No one would dare light a fire.” Sean looked out the door and his gaze was immediately drawn to the hill of slain. Was that light he saw there.

“Huh?” Lugud gasped and pointed, “Fire on the hill of slain!”

“It must be Patrick!” Milo spat.

“I don't care who it is!” Leere cried in a rage, “I will deal with him tomorrow. But for now, just go and put out that fire!”

Sean was no longer listening. He turned and dashed back into the hall. The druids muttered angry curses as he plowed through them. Sean ignored them and bolted for the door. He had to get to the hill of slain before Milo and Lugud. In spite of Leere they would murder anyone on the hill.

V

“King Leere will kill us, Patrick.” Mum whispered softly as she knelt reverently on the hilltop beside her husband and three children. Patrick's fire was blazing will a brilliant light. It could be seen for miles.

“Mum, we must call him Father Patrick now.” Sheila reminded her mum.

“He is a Bishop.” Islee said proudly, although she did not understand what a bishop was. Calchun who hadn't been born when Patrick had last been in Ireland simply stared at the missionary in awe. John was quite superior to what he called the poor pagans. Sheila did not like him. Bishop Patrick held an Easter Vigil Mass and preached a beautiful sermon.

As the bishop offered the last blessing to the four pagans and John, there was a crashing in the thick wooded side of the hill. Rory growled, then a young man came scrambling up the embankment. Sheila recognized Sean and gasped softly. Islee grasped her arm. Mum clutched at Calchun. Da put his arms around Mum and Calchun. John hid behind the Bishop.

“Blessings on you my son!” Bishop Patrick said calmly. Sheila held her breath. Would Sean try to kill the Bishop? He had the right.

“Are you insane?” Sean yelled wildly, “Put out that fire. Milo and Lugud are riding this way. They will put out the fire and kill you all.”

“No they won't!” John said angrily, as he peered out from behind the bishop, “I'll protect you Father Patrick.”

“Hush, John.” the bishop ordered. He looked at Sean.

“My God will protect me.” he said.

“If they don't kill you tonight, the King has given orders for you to appear before him tomorrow.” Sean cried desperately, “Hide.” Sheila glanced at Islee. Was Sean actually trying to help them? Was it possible?

“Put out that fire!” Milo's voice boomed as he rode up the open side of the hill. Rory growled. Lugud was behind him on another horse. John pulled a knife out of his belt. Sean grabbed John and jerked him towards Sheila and her family.

“Fool!” he whispered, “He could skewer you with his spear.” John looked terrified. He started mumbling in Latin.

The Bishop picked up two pails of water and approached Milo. The big soldier pointed his spear at the Bishop.

“I'm afraid I cannot do that.” he said gently, “But you are quite welcome to try.” Grunting angrily, Milo snatched one of the buckets and tried to fling the contents on the fire. Nothing happened. Literally. The water remained in the bucket as if it were a solid lump.

“Huh?” Milo gaped. Sheila and Islee giggled softly, Calchun and John started laughing, Mum and Da smiled, Sean stared and Bishop Patrick made the sign of the Cross.

“You fool!” Lugud screamed, “Put out the fire. Are you a moron?” Milo's face darkened and he hurled the water in the direction of the fire. But this time the water left the bucket. Milo's triumphant cry died away as the water drenched the druid. Lugud's face was livid as he marched up to Milo, snatched the other bucket from Patrick and hurled the contents over the dismayed soldier's head. Sean snickered. No one was scared of the druid or soldier now. They seemed so foolish now.

Lugud whirled and glowered at the laughing people and the silent Bishop Patrick. Sean shrugged and kept snickering. Sheila stared at him in surprise. He was very odd. Then Lugud picked up Milo's spear and handed it to him.

“Here, put it out with this.”

“Lugud, age has crippled your mind.” Sean jeered, “No one can put out a fire with a little spear.” Milo snatched the spear and started poking at the fire. The end burst into flames and broke off. Milo tossed it aside and glared at Lugud.

“You put out the fire!” he growled, “Call on the god of the sea to send water, or the god of sky to send rain.” Lugud looked up then back at Milo.

“I- I- well- I could.” he stuttered, “But I won't. I must save my energy for tomorrow when we apprehend this slave and take him to King Leere.”

“That won't be necessary.” said Bishop Patrick, “I will be there.” Muttering angry curses, Lugud and Milo mounted their horses and galloped off.

“Oh Patrick you must go away. King Leree will have you killed.” Mum cried as she clasped her hands. Da nodded.

“Alright, lets go father Patrick.” John said.

“Have faith.” the Bishop said kindly, “God will protect us.”

“Which god is that?” Sean asked in confusion, “They all answer to Lugud?”

“God is supreme.” the Bishop said, “So there can only be one, and he does not answer to druids.”

“Patrick, you must let us go with you.” Sheila cried.

“Yes, you must.” Da agreed.

“Then come.” Bishop Patrick said, “God will protect us.”

VI

The following morning there was quite a stir in the court of King Leere as Bishop Patrick entered the court. He was accompanied by John, Da, Mum, Sheila, Islee, Calchun and Sean. Patrick made the request to preach about God.

“Why do we need another god?” Leere demanded, “We have a god for everything?”

“But this is the One True God. The God of All Things!” Patrick said calmly. Leere considered. Lugud saw that Patrick was swaying him. He leaned over quickly and whispered in the King's ear.

“Would you listen to the god of slaves?” he whispered, “What can his God do that ours cannot?”

Leere stood up. The hall grew silent. Sheila clasped her hands and glanced at Islee. Her twin sister was watching the king intently. Sheila glanced at Sean his gaze met hers. He looked worried.

“I propose a contest.” Leere said. The assembly of druids gasped in horror.

“Do you think our gods would care to compete with this slave?” Lugud asked loftily as he crossed his arms and tilted his long sharp nose in the air.

“Are you afraid of losing, Lugud?” Sean demanded, as he marched up to the druid and his cousin.

“Well, Lugud?” Leere demanded, as he put his hands on his hips.

“What- I- I- no!” Lugud stammered.

“Then let the contest begin.” Leere cried. Everyone cheered.

Leere and his court followed Patrick and Lugud outside. Sheila grabbed Islee and Calchun's hands. John got down on his knees and began praying in Latin.

“You first Lugud.” Leere said and crossed his arms. Sean watched the druid closely from behind Sheila. Lugud looked up at the sky, so did Sean. He saw black rain clouds gathering. The young man's eyes narrowed. Lugud better not try and make it rain. The druid flung out his arms impressively.

“Oh god of the sky, open the heavens and send torrents of rain to wash away the stains of this false slave.” he shouted. Sean frowned. There was a crack of thunder and it began to rain. Lighting flashed, thunder crashed and the puddles began to form.

The shocked Irish people covered their hands and trembled in terror. Lugud looked triumphant. Sean glanced at the red headed twins. They looked worried.

“But the rain will flood the fields.” Patrick said, “And ruin the crops.”

“Yes Lugud.” Leere said, “Make it stop.”

“Yes- but- I- I- I already did my part. It's Patrick's turn.” the druid protested. Leere looked at Patrick. The Bishop bent over and plucked a single clover out of the grass and held it up above his head.

“In the name of the Blessed Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit I command the rain to cease.” he commanded. Sean gasped as the rain stopped the clouds parted revealing a brilliant sunlight.

“Patrick won!” Leere shouted, “I pronounce Patrick's God the One True God!” Sheila and Islee cheered and hugged each other. Sean, John, Calchun, Mum and Da cheered.

“That is not fair!” Milo barked, “Lugud deserves another chance. The rain was about to end, anyway.”

“What a poor loser.” Sean growled. Leere frowned at him then turned to Lugud.

“Oh very well.” he said in disgust, “One more chance.” The crowd became perfectly silent. Da took Mum's hand. Mum grabbed Calchun's hand. Calchun grabbed Islee's hand. Islee grabbed Sheila's hand. Sheila took Sean's hand. Sean took John's hand and they waited. Sean knew who was the fake. Lugud had cheated, yet Leere was letting him have another chance.

In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity

Another druid came up to Lugud and whispered in his ear. Lugud nodded and cleared his throat. Sean gritted his teeth. The wretched man was cheating again.

“How did he pull that rain trick?” John grumbled.

“It was going to rain anyway.” Sean said.

“The wretch!” John spat.

“Don't talk about druids that way.” Sean said automatically.

“But he did cheat?” Sheila whispered.

“Hush!” Islee hissed.

“Oh god of the underworld.” Lugud cried, as he got down on his knees and patted the earth, “I command you to send forth crawling creatures from the deep places.”

“Crawling creatures?” Sean gaped, “There aren't any around here.”

“Oh no.” Sheila murmured.

“My he is ambitious.” Islee whispered. Sheila heard a hissing noise and looked over her shoulder. Big ugly slithering snakes were gliding towards them. She screamed. Her cry was echoed by other people. There were snakes everywhere.

Soon everyone was dancing around screaming and running hither and thither in a panic. There were hundreds of snakes everywhere.

“Lugud has won!” Leere yelled, as Sean picked up a stick and clubbed a snake on the head. Another snake wrapped itself around Sheila's ankle. She screamed and fell over in a panic. The snake flicked it's tongue out at her.

Patrick stepped in front of Leere and raised his staff high above his head. Leere frowned. Lugud glared suspiciously from the branches of a tree, where he was avoiding the snakes.

“Snakes of the earth.” Patrick cried, “In the name of the most High God, I command you to leave Ireland and never come back!” Sheila gasped as the snakes slithered away in the direction of the coast.

“Patrick's God is the true God!” Da bellowed and dropped to his knees. One by one the other people followed his example. Sean had to help Sheila up first, through. Even Leere bowed.

“No fair!” Milo whined. Leere whirled.

“Chain these two up as slaves!” he snapped as he pointed to Lugud and Milo. Grinning evilly, Fergus approached the two men, who started backing away.

Suddenly Patrick leaped in front of them, and blocked Fergus' way. The soldier frowned and looked at Leere.

“No.” he said, “Let them go. No man must be owned by another.”

“Oh very well.” Leere grumbled.

“Lets get out of here!” Milo screeched. Then he and the druid fled. Rory barked and chased them to the edge of the forest then returned triumphantly. Sheila and Islee started laughing.

~E