One Hundred

Now Cillian and his queen were vexed one morning when visited in their gardens by Niall, a lieutenant of the Fianna.  The trusted warrior had brought with him shameful news of their daughter Eithne’s dalliances with Mael Gorm, the king’s closest aid, and one hundred years their daughter’s senior. In his time, Mael Gorm was known as the astronomer druid, a student of the constellations and purveyor of sacred fire magic, also famous and respected throughout the island for his mastery of connivance.  The king, with a heavy heart, immediately ordered the druid’s execution.  In due course, Niall discovered the pair hiding in the cursed wood.  They were in glad times when he found them, laughing together and enjoying mead and custard biscuits.  Although strong and fast, Niall was neither on this day and upon spotting the assassin, Mael Gorm cast a fire spell which sent the king’s man burning to his death.  To the druid’s horror, Eithne was caught by the stray flame and she too suffered a tragic and early demise.  Sorrow drove Mael Gorm into the hills where he hid for many weeks.  In his grief, he called upon celestial spirits for guidance by setting fires along the valley.  For three days and nights, the spirits consoled him but while his fires burned the Fianna had gained ground and drawn to the blaze soon they came upon him.  Defeated and willing to die for his sins, Mael Gorm gave himself freely to the horde.  It was said Cillian invited himself from the seclusion of his castle to personally oversee the lethal penalty delivered upon his daughter’s harrier.  

Father Tomás Malachy, One Hundred and One Druids: The Great and the Terrible Down the Years