Scotland's Storybook: stories in English (1.1 - Education Scotland

Niamh looked at Oisín and said in a voice no louder than a silken whisper,
‘Will you marry me Oisín? Will you come with me to Tir na n-Og and be the lord
of the Land of the Young?’
Oisín looked at the beautiful girl that sat before him and he smiled and said,
‘My lady; I would follow you to the ends of the earth.’
He rode over to where her horse stood and slipped from his saddle to sit
behind her. He grasped his hands around her slender waist and she turned her
horse away from Fionn and the Fianna and rode back across the surface of the
lake and out of sight. As the mysterious lady departed the radiant light that had
engulfed them slowly faded and they were left in the cold, damp light of
morning.
Over the lake they rode, and then down the river that led to the ocean.
Onwards they raced towards the sea, sending swans and wildfowl flying out of
their way. Down the river the great white steed ran, leaping waterfalls and rocks
with ease. They passed a family who were paddling their frail coracle by the
banks of the river, but by now they were invisible to mortal eyes. Onwards they
flew, past huts where the smoke of the morning fires were curling from the
thatched roofs, and where they were seen by the wondering eyes of the
youngest children who were playing by the riverside, as only the young and the
wild creatures of nature can see those who come from the land of the blessed.
The trees began to thin out along the banks of the river and open land with
rising cliffs now came into view. Oisín clasped tightly to Niamh as the great
white steed rode onwards; the smell of the salt sea was now in his nostrils.
Above them loomed the walls of a great fort, where warriors leaned on their
spears and gazed westwards over the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean.
Onwards the horse flew over the ocean at great speed. Oisín looked behind
his to see the hills of Ireland fade into the distance, when suddenly a great mist
engulfed them and he saw no more of the land of his birth. As they rode through
the mist that hung over the sea Oisín saw many strange things. A deer sprang
past them, being chased by a black bear. The walls and towers of a castle reared
up beside them; pennants fluttering from every spire. More deer were seen
bounding over the waves, being hunted by large white hounds with red ears. A
girl, as stately as a queen, dressed in a satin saffron robe, rode by on a black
horse and in her hands she carried a golden apple. Two young men on chestnut
horses rode behind her; one wore a short white cloak and carried a golden
sword while the other wore a short black cloak and carried a silver sword. An
older man who was tall and had white hair and the look of wisdom on his face
rode behind them carrying a casket before him which rested on the pommel of
the saddle. Before Oisín had a chance to ask Niamh who they were she raised
her hand and said, ‘Welcome to Tir na n-Og, Oisín Mac Fionn.’
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