My jaw dropped in surprise. Me? But he had scarcely noticed me when I was there. “What tale did she spin, that he could accept her innocence in this?” asked Diarmid with a dreadful bitterness in his tone.

“That I can’t tell you,” said Conor. “Besides, why deepen your own sorrow and frustration? We can do nothing for him, or against her, until the enchantment is broken. So, we must do as Sorcha wishes, and leave her here to complete her task, though it breaks our hearts to do so.”

It was terrible how quickly the remainder of that night passed. We sat by the fire, talking of this and that, trying not to glance skyward too often for the first traces of dawn. Later, much later, the boys and Linn came back from their expedition. They had escaped the worst sadness of the night by filling it with activity. It would be a night long remembered by the local people, a Meán Samhraidh of more than usual activity by the wee folk; several washing lines would be missing items, a few dairies and cellars would have unexpected spaces on their shelves. Padriac passed me a warm woollen gown in a vivid shade of red, several sizes too big, a capacious shawl, and some homespun stockings, well mended. They’d be good for winter. Cormack bore a large sack of meal and a bundle of turnips, a round of ripened cheese and a length of stout rope. Both had pockets full of small treasures. Linn was licking her lips.

“I hope you took good care not to be seen,” said Liam, frowning. “I want no trace of Sorcha’s whereabouts spread among these people—you know how tongues wag. It takes but one traveler to catch idle gossip, and the tale is away down the road and to the lady Oonagh’s ears before you can draw breath.”

“It’s all right, big brother,” laughed Cormack. “We may be unsure if we’re man or bird, but we haven’t lost all our skills. I guarantee you we left not a trace. Even the hound cooperated, didn’t you, Linn?”

She danced around him happily; he was back, and her world was in place again. I could have wept for her, knowing how short his stay.

“We must make it up to these people, when we are ourselves again,” said Diarmid. “It is wrong to steal; besides, they are poor and can ill afford to spare these things. Still, I believe Sorcha’s need is greater, just now.”

“Don’t worry,” said Padriac lightly, sensing this lecture was aimed at him. “We won’t forget. Some midsummer eve, in years to come, the little people will leave them a stack of wood, and a jug of ale, and some finery for themselves. We’ll be back.”

“Maybe,” said Finbar.

“That’s enough!” Liam’s voice was sharp. “To finish her task, Sorcha needs our support, she needs our trust. Haven’t you yourself always said we seven must be here for each other, that our strength is in our oneness? Of course Sorcha will complete her work, and of course we will return. I don’t doubt this for an instant.”