Unfrozen

Unfrozen
Back in the hallway, the three men wipe down their wet clothes as they emerge from the ice prison. Danu’s light display melted Isolde’s ice and set them free. Each one struggles to his feet and balances himself against the wall. Even the great Dian Cecht shakes himself to recover.

“You have horrible taste in women,” Dian Cecht laughs and smiles at Ainmire.

“I resemble that remark,” a small but firm voice echoes off the corridor walls.

Dian Cecht and Ainmire turn to see Branna making her way towards them. Ciaran runs at his mother, almost tackling her. Both embrace in a tight hug, neither wanting to let go first. Ainmire approaches and gently pries Ciaran from Brianna.

“I thought you were gone again,” Ciaran says, wiping a tear from his cheek.

“Oh love, it’s not that easy to get rid of this tough old broad,” she smiles at Ciaran and squeezes his hand.

Ainmire wraps Branna in his arms. “Who are you to call my gorgeous wife old?” He says teasingly.

Branna shakes free of Ainmire’s holds and looks between the wet men surrounding her. “What happened to you?” She asks.

“Isolde!” Dian Cecht responds as he approaches.

“Isolde? Is Quinn okay?” Branna worriedly looks between the men and then at one of the doors in the corridor.

All three shake their heads in realization. They had forgotten why Isolde is here. Ciaran runs towards the door and turns the knob, stumbling to get inside. When he enters, Quinn lies still in the bed. Her eyes focus on the ceiling. The machines connected to her whir and buzz. Nothing has changed since he exited the room.

“Thank the stars she is still okay,” Ainmire says as they all approach the bed.

“If being in a comatose state is okay, then yes thank the stars,” Ciaran jabs.

All eyes settle on Dian Cecht and he shuffles his feet on the tile floor, “Okay, okay, point received!” He backs away from the bed. “I will go to the Mag Mell and check on Quinn and the baby.” With the statement, Dian Cecht disappears from the room.

Dian Cecht’s words conjure another realization from the three.

“The baby!” cry out Ainmire and Branna.

“My boy!” Ciaran exclaims as he runs towards the door.

He proceeds down the hallway to the room to the right of Quinn’s. The door is ajar. Inside, Ciaran finds the nurse in a pool of blood. The bathroom door is still open and he sees the two doctors frozen in the shower. He glances to the crib in the middle of the room and sees nothing.

Ciaran sprints towards the crib and throws back the sheets. He tears up the mattress and hurls it to the floor. “Where the fuck is he?” He screams with fear and frustration.

“Ahmmm,” Ainmire clears his throat in the doorway.

Ciaran turns to face them. His eyes blood red and his breath catching in his chest. “My son…,” before he can finish his sentence, he notices the small bundle in Branna’s arms.

Ciaran’s breathing calms. His mother cautiously glides into the room as if she is holding something fragile. She reaches the baby forward and gently leaves him in Ciaran’s outstretched arms. Ciaran looks at his mother with puzzled eyes.

“We found him in the hallway,” Ainmire answers Ciaran’s unasked question. “By the door to the empty room next to Quinn’s.”

“How on earth did you get there, little one?” Ciaran bends down and kisses his sleeping son’s forehead. 

“I have a feeling we may want to see what is happening in that room.” Ainmire says as he watches his son cradle his grandchild.

After checking the room and verifying there was no one else there, the three exit the room and make their way down the hallway, They quickly glance into Quinn’s room to check she is still safe. Satisfied Quinn is secure, they leave the door ajar and continue to the next room.

The door to the hallway is closed and on initial turn of the knob, feels to be locked. Ainmire tries the doorknob again and the door creaks open a sliver. He peers through the small crack and sees Isolde on her knees. A beautiful flowing being stands above her. 

Ainmire turns to Branna and Ciaran, “Wait in the hall.” He commands as he pushes at the door.

“I shall do no such thing!” Branna protests.

Ainmire’s eyes soften, “Please, stay with Ciaran. Protect him and the baby from what may come.” 

Ainmire swings the door open and displays the scene to Ciaran and Branna. Branna nods in understanding and turns towards Ciaran. Ainmire closes the door and leaves them alone in the hallway. 

“Will he be okay?” Ciaran asks as he rocks his son in his arms.

Branna rests her hand on his shoulder and stares down at her grandchild, “You know your father. When is he ever not?” 

“Will we be okay?” Ciaran asks next.

Branna glances up at her son. She notices the worry in his eyes. Her hand slides gently down his arm and she scoops the baby from his hold. “We will be just fine,” she replies as she coos at the newborn.

Ciaran furrows his brow. His mind plays out multiple scenarios where none of them are fine. Where Quinn never wakes up. Where his child grows bigger but never opens his eyes. Where Alroy and Isolde win. Fear, hatred and worry swirl around in his head.

Branna notices the muddled look in Ciaran’s eyes. She inhales and lets out a long breath, knowing nothing can ease her son’s mind. Her mind is experiencing little ease as well. She feels like she is lying, telling Ciaran everything will be okay.

She knows on the other side of the door, Danu is weighing judgement. Although Danu appears to always be fair, Isolde can make a compelling argument for her side of the story. If you remove Isolde’s actions, the plot changes and Ainmire and Branna may look like the villains in Isolde’s scenario.

What would happen if Danu chose Isolde’s side? Dian Cecht is not here to protect them, vouch for them. Danu prides herself in staying neutral in such matters, but Branna understood Isolde could argue the blessings Danu bestowed as violating her neutrality. Danu may wish to save face. Brann wonders if deities even cared about “face” though.