Many thanks for all the views and positive responses. I hope you like this latest installment. Someone commented that it might be useful to indicate when I'm switching from Storybrook to Eire and Tir na nÓg. I hadn't even thought of that so thanks for the tip. So I am editing the story to indicate when the scene shifts occur. Happy reading and thanks again for viewing my story

It was dusk by the time they arrived at the camp. The others were huddled around a great fire but as they were trained hunters they sensed the two approaching. Fionn rose to meet his son who promptly introduced his bride. "It is an honour to welcome you into my family princess. The stories of your beauty do not do you justice." Niamh felt a crimson hue upon her cheeks. She was once so used of such compliments but her recent experience had humbled her. "Thank you sir, I have to apologise for not meeting with you before Óisin and I were married. He just couldn't wait" and she nudged his shoulder with her cheek. "Thats my son for you, impetuous and impatient" he smiled. "Come, we are just roasting some boar meat, ye must be ravaged with the hunger" his thick Irish accent wrapped around his words so beautifully. They joined the others by the fire and soon there was drinking and music and Niamh and Oisin danced the night away. As dawn approached they found a quiet place to watch the sunrise.

When they returned to camp, Óisin began to say his goodbyes. Tearfully he embraced his father. For so long they had only had eachother. Óisin had never known his mother due to an evil curse that had changed her into a deer and forced her to abandon her husband and infant son. Fionn begged him to reconsider. He assured him that Niamh would be safe with the Fianna protecting her. "The Fianna are warriors. War is always with them. I couldn't bear to let Niamh be a part of that" he protested. Fionn nodded. He knew the power of true love better than most. "I can't believe you're leaving, I thought we'd ride together always" and a tear pierced his eye. "As did I but destiny has other plans for me" Óisin replied. "Well if the legends are to be believed that kingdom is the happiest in all the realms. As your father I wish you nothing but that. You have my blessing, son" and with that they said farewell. Óisin joined Niamh on top of Aonbharr and the horse began to gallop away. Fionn and the others watched as the horse rode off above the sea and into the air disappearing into the clouds like a flicker of white smoke.

(scene shift)

Granny was in the midst of closing up the diner when she saw a shadow at the window. She moved closer and recognised that it was Ben. She popped her head outside the door. "Ben is everything ok?" Ben peered at her. "You must be freezing, would you like some tea?" Awkwardly he began to speak. "Thank you Mrs Lucas. You've always been too kind to me. I just wanted to apologise for all the times I've been terrible to you" She moved outside and stepped closer to him. "Ben it's not you, it's all that booze you guzzle at. It changes you." He sighed "I know, but it's the only thing that keeps the pain away." Granny was puzzled. "What pain, are you sick?" "No, I don't think so, sometimes I think I'll live forever and that thought is far scarier than thoughts of dying. No the pain is in here" and he pointed to his heart. "I feel like I've lost something, everything in fact but I'm not sure what I've lost. I don't remember ever having anything or anyone that was truly precious" His words made Granny reminisce a little about her husband. Ben noticed her melancholy expression. "I'm sorry, I'm such an idiot...Ofcourse I've never lost a loved one, never even had one, not like you. I'm sorry if this conversation reminded you of him." "Don't be silly, everything reminds me of him. You're not to blame." And she squeezed his arm reassuringly. At that moment, a wave of realisation flowed over him, his knack for upsetting people, the reason why Mr Gold was kind to him. It was he, not Gold, who was the most horrible man in town. "I'm sorry for everything." He stammered. As he continued down the street he tried not to flinch as Granny called after him. Finally he was ready. If death refused to come for him then he would come to death.

(scene shift)

The clouds seemed to engulf Niamh and Óisin and for a brief moment it seemed as if they were the only two in the world. Suddenly a flicker of gold appeared and grew bigger as they came nearer. The flicker was the gates of Tír na nÓg – Óisin's new home. All was unchanged since Niamh left. The king was still out hunting so in his absence she began to show Óisin around. Moments later she heard the entrance to the palace door heave open. "Niamh" Manannan called and she took Óisin's hand and proceeded to greet him.

As soon as he saw her once again herself, Manannann burst into tears. "My beautiful daughter, the gods have smiled on us this day," and he stroked her cheek. "I must tell you the truth. Since this curse was enacted on you I have been so full of guilt." Ignoring Óisin, he proceeded with his tale, fighting the tears for as long as he could before eventually giving way to them. His confession greatly angered Óisin and he could not hold his tongue. "You filthy swine, how could you do that to your own daughter." But Niamh was more forgiving. She embraced her father. "Power is a dangerous thing, it can turn us all into monsters. But I must thank you in a way. If it hadn't been for your curse, I may have never met Óisin. Father, meet my husband." Manannann saw his only hope for redemption. He welcomed his new son-in-law and after a few brief words, he told him of the annual race. "It has been foretold that my daughter's husband is to be the next king of Tír na nÓg. Óisin,that is you." Óisin was overwhelmed. He had only just entered this land and already he was being bestowed its highest honour. "Your majesty, I am no king. That title belongs to you and you alone, forget the prophecy, I will not take part in this race." Manannann was impressed by the young man's graciousness. "No my boy, it is I who will abstain. Don't you see this is your destiny." And so Óisin took part in the race and became king of Tír na nÓg. The entire kingdom rejoiced and the celebrations continued for seven days and nights. "Hail King Óisin" was chanted in every home. A new exciting era was to begin in the land of Tír na nÓg.

The weeks and months passed quickly. Everyday was a blessing for the young couple. They walked the beach every morning and hosted fine feasts at night. The merrymaking never ceased but as the time passed, Óisin's heart grew heavy. He missed his father and his friends from Eire. He longed to see them one more time. Niamh sensed his anxiety and tried as much as possible to improve his mood. She would suggest hunting trips and quests to the Giants island but nothing seemed to make him smile. Finally she decided to speak candidly. "My love, I know how much you miss your homelands and all those in it but time passes far more quickly there than here. I am certain your father is long dead." Her words angered Óisin. He couldn't make sense of them. "How can he be dead, for I only saw him a year ago. Please there has to be a way I can return. If what you are saying is indeed true, I would like to know for certain."

His determination worried Niamh. She knew well that his father was dead but she also knew he would not believe such sad news without proof. She decided to seek counsel from her father. Her story reminded Manannann of his deal with the Dark One. As time moved slower in his realm than in the Isle of Eire, he would still be living; still waiting. Manannann was forced to turn to his old friend once again and together they devised a plan to ensure Óisin's safety. Then they conveyed it to Niamh. Óisin awoke early that morning from a troubled slumber. His dreams had been haunted by visions of himself wandering for eternity. He couldn't bear how authentic they felt. Yet, he would not let them hinder his plans. He would visit his father that day and nothing could stop him. Niamh accompanied him to the gates. He kissed her gently and sensing her worry he reassured her that he would probably be home before dusk. She embraced him and helped him climb on top of Aonbarr. "Remember, my love. Since you are not born of Tír na nÓg, you are at risk. You must stay on Aonbharr at all times. If your foot touches the soil, all the years you've avoided will be bestowed upon you, your immortality will be evaporated into the air and worse still you will never be able to return to Tír na nÓg." "Don't worry, I'll remember, see you tonight my love." And with that Niamh watched as he rode away growing smaller and smaller as he travelled, before disappearing into the clouds.

The Eire Óisin arrived in was quite different to the one he had left. He saw ruins where beautiful castles had once stood and stone roads where trees had flourished. In the distance he saw a group of children gathered around an old storyteller. Óisin smiled to himself; sometimes hadn't changed. He nudged Aonbharr and they moved slowly toward the group. "Excuse I'm looking for directions, I am looking for the castle of Fionn MacCumhaill. I know it's near here." The children's expressions were blank. "You must know of Fionn, he is leader of the Fianna" "Never heard of them" one of the children replied. The old man laughed. "I haven't heard that name in a while. It brings back memories for me. I was no bigger than you boys, when my grandfather sat me on his lap and told me stories of the brave warrior Fionn. I'm not too sure where his castle stands my lad, there are so many ruins around these parts." "No" stammered Óisin "The castle must still be standing. You see I am his son and I have come to see him." A grave expression appeared upon the old man's face. "That must mean you are Óisin, the son who went to the Land of Eternal Youth. I'm sorry to be the one to tell you but it has been at least 300 years since you left this land. Your father and all the men of the fianna have been dead for some time." "No no you're mistaken. That much time could not have passed. If you can't tell me where my father resides then I will have to seek directions elsewhere." The old man could not bring himself to retort. He bid Oisin farewell saddened by the revelation the young man would eventually acquire.

Óisin rode on. He tried to expel the old man's words from his mind. But he could not. Niamh's words surged through his thoughts at the moment. How could they both be wrong he thought, but they had to be. His father still lived, the fianna still stood and soon he would be reunited with all his friends laughing and making toasts like in the old times.

As he passed a small trench, he spied a cripple trying to move a large boulder along the road. He could barely see him behind the rock. His back was hunched and he wore a shabby cloak. "Good day sir you appear to be struggling." The cripple looked up at Óisin. "Yes, my lord, I am trying to bring my carriage of wool to town but this boulder is blocking the way. I've been trying to push it aside for hours. Alas, I think it has bested me. I shall never make it to the fair in time." "Worry not my friend, I will push it aside for you." And with that he reached his arm down and began to prod at the boulder. Instantly it began to move but as if by sorcery it dragged Óisin along with. In an instant he fell to the ground. Remembering Niamh's warning he tried to rise to his feet. But it was too late. As his eyes fell upon his hand, he saw it begin to whither up like a prune. He tried nonetheless to stand but could not. The cripple, who was Rumplestilskin all along, cackled as a golden light began to flow from Oisin. He hoisted out an empty bottle from his purse and the light poured into it. "Word of warning dearie, never trust strangers," giggled Rumplestilskin and he skipped merrily away, laughing all the while. Óisin stared into a nearby puddle and was shocked by the face that looked back at him. It was the face of an old man, the face of Ben Yeats. Just then Aonbharr began to ride away. he yelled after her with all his might but it was no use. All he could do was watch as the horse faded into the heavens and disappeared forever.