Lilláen of the Lake

Daniel Callaghan had never married nor had children. A tired old man now, he was feeling lonelier than he ever had and had many regrets. Now that death was closing in on him he returns one more time to the place of his childhood – a magical place where he spent many happy times. When a fey young woman appears by the lake he finds himself fascinated by her, and Daniel discovers that life has an astonishing gift in store for him.
The archway to the forest stood like a dark and forbidden sentry as the old man ambled slowly through the entrance to the forest. The forest was cool and he was drawn into the verdant green world of long ago, into a distant past where he had played as a boy.
A shadow moved into the light and suddenly old Daniel Callaghan realised a woman was standing near the edge. Lilláen’s graceful figure shone from out near the lake. Death was too close for comfort, so he stumbled towards her.
‘Your day has come,’ she whispered as the mist closed around him.