The Sorrow of Brigid
As the Cagstone gnomes fled the army of the fomorions into the protection of the forest Brigid the wise healer began to administer curative herbs to the warriors that were hurt in the battle. As she tended to the fallen and mended their wounds, the unconscious Goibnu was rushed forward in his litter. Brigid realized the need for haste for having lost his arm Goibnu was grievously wounded and in need of immanent care. Brigid called to her attendants and apprentice herbalists to find a great apple tree they must dig a well. The gathered gnomes rushed to do her bidding and soon set upon a location.
The apprentices began digging but questioned the need for a well for Goibnu was quickly growing pale. Brigid approached the hole that was being dug, kneeling she sang to the spirits of the land and the great tree. As Brigid placed her hands upon the soil a spring formed and the well quickly filled with water. Brigid then gathered the limp Goibnu and lowered him into the water. As he floated upon the water Brigid anointed him with herbal oils and placed other herbs into his mouth. Brigid then lowered him beneath the water, soon the body of Goibnu shook violently with spasms but regained consciousness. As the gnomes in attendance gathered around the pool they realized that the shoulder where Goibnu's arm had been severed was healed although his limb did not regrow.
Brigid gave instructions to her apprentices to have Goibnu remain in the healing waters of the pool. An exhausted Brigid located a stump and sat down, as she did Dagda approached. Brigid was not yet aware that her brother Micah had fallen to the fomorions and Dagda having just learned knew that Brigid should be told. The Dagda approached and kneeled at the feet of Brigid. Brigid looking upon the woeful face of Dagda knew immediately that her brother was slain. Brigid wailed in grief for the loss of Micah and fled deeper into the forest.
After some time Dagda went to search for Brigid finding her in a glade of colorful flowers. Though Dagda attempted Brigid was inconsolable at the loss of her brother, who had been her only living relative. Dagda having great sympathy for Brigid offered to her his magical cauldron, the Coire Ansic, from which he could draw forth any item from nature. Brigid convinced that she could find a magical herb that could restore Micah began pulling seeds from the cauldron. Each of these seeds she planted and watered by her tears the herbs grew. Brigid began to catalogue each of the herbs she found hoping one would allow her to restore the life of her brother. It took Brigid weeks to examine and study each plant and determine their curative properties. To Brigid's dismay her effort was to no avail, for no herb or combination therein can grant life where none exists.
Brigid leaves the grove mournful that she could not find an herb that would help bring her brother back to life begins to wander the forest. She walks among the trees but is distracted and unable to enjoy the beauty of the forest. Brigid is interrupted when she hears a sweet melody echoing through the forest. Bewildered by the song Brigid follows the it further into the forest until she stumbles into a small glade lit by the moon. In the center of the clearing she spots a beautiful white horse and upon further inspection realizes it is a unicorn. Brigid growing up in the Feywild was well aware of majesty and magic of unicorns but had never met one.
Brigid approach cautiously and as she did the creature spoke to her. The unicorn, named Airmed, explained that it had heard the sorrowful keening of Brigid and held a heavy heart. Brigid explained about her brother's death and all she had done in hopes to restore him to life. Airmed explained to Brigid that only god-like divine beings had the ability to return a soul to its body. Airmed however felt great sympathy for Brigid and instructed her to locate and elderberry tree and to cut a branch from it and then return. Brigid found a tree and offered it prayers asking for a branch, the tree shuddered dropping a long branch that was near death. Brigid returned to Airmed and proffered the branch, the unicorn than advised to carve runes upon it and while Brigid did so Airmed spoke divine words. When the task was complete Brigid held the staff before her, Airmed said it should be named Leigheas, and that it would provide abundant healing even replacing limbs. Brigid thanked Airmed for with this staff she could replace the arm of Goibnu. Airmed bid Brigid praise and good fortune before retreating into the forest while Brigid returned to her tribe.
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