Bhí dathanna an fhómhair ag soilsiú na sléibhte timpeall an Mheánchiorcal Chiarraí, agus bhí na larbhaí buí agus rua ag damhsa le chéile faoi sholas lag an lae.

The colors of autumn were lighting up the mountains around Meánchiorcal Chiarraí, and the yellow and red leaves were dancing together under the weak light of the day.

Bhí grúpa triúr – Caoimhe, Eoghan agus Niamh – ag tabhairt aird ó na codanna beaga agus comhchinnteanna a phlúchadh.

A group of three – Caoimhe, Eoghan, and Niamh – were redirecting attention from small parts and suppressing definite paths.

Bhí brionglóidí ag Caoimhe ar an dúlra seo le go leor laethanta, ag iarraidh go mbeidh a gcairdeas i gcónaí seasmhach mar na sléibhte.

Caoimhe had been dreaming of this nature for many days, hoping their friendship would always remain steadfast like the mountains.

Bhí an lá ag éirí níos dorcha, agus ag tíocht chuig an dúnadh, chuaigh na scamaill dhubha isteach ar an spéir.

The day was darkening, and as it neared the dusk, the black clouds moved into the sky.

Tráthnóna sin, chuaigh Eoghan isteach i seomra beag na roinne feistis agus dhún an doras go daingean.

That evening, Eoghan went into a small changing room and shut the door tightly.

Bhí cuma ar a aghaidh go raibh rud éigin trom á iompar aige.

He looked like he was carrying something heavy.

Bhí anaistí ag Caoimhe.

Caoimhe had suspicions.

Bhí sí ag mothú go raibh rud éigin i bhfolach ag Eoghan.

She felt that Eoghan was hiding something.

Bhí sé suas léi chun é a nochtadh.

It was up to her to reveal it.

"Eoghan," arsa sí go míochaineach, "Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil rud éigin difriúil fút le cúpla lá anuas.

"Eoghan," she said worriedly, "I know there's something different about you the past few days.

An bhfuil gach rud ceart go leor?"

Is everything okay?"

Bhí Eoghan ag stánadh amach an fhuinneog, na scuamaill ag crith chomh ciúin le fearán mór.

Eoghan was staring out the window, watching the clouds shaking as quietly as a big feather.

"Tá plean agam," a d'fhreagair sé go mall, "Tá mé ag smaoineamh ar bhogadh go dtí an Astráil."

"I have a plan," he replied slowly, "I'm thinking of moving to Australia."

Bhí Eoghan buartha faoin chaoi a gcuirfeadh sé isteach ar a gcairdeas.

Eoghan was worried about how it would affect their friendship.

Ní raibh sé ag iarraidh aon rún a bheith aici mar gheall air.

He didn't want to keep any secrets from her about it.

D'fhéach Niamh ar Eoghan le súile lán de síos, rúin a bhí aici féin os cionn na mblianta.

Niamh looked at Eoghan with eyes full of longing, carrying secrets herself over the years.

"Ní raibh a fhios agam go raibh tú ag pleanáil imeachta," a dúirt sí le croí na leice sa ghuth, "agus... cad é go mbeidh gá agam a rá.

"I didn't know you were planning to leave," she said with a heavy heart in her voice, "and… there's something I need to say.

Táim i ngrá le duine anseo."

I'm in love with someone here."

Ba radharc ionadh é don ghrúpa beirt.

It was a surprising sight for the group of two.

D'aithin Caoimhe go mbeadh orthu glacadh leis an athrú seo agus meas a bheith acu ar a chéile chun an gaol a bhogadh ar práinne.

Caoimhe recognized that they would have to accept this change and respect each other to move the relationship forward.

Bhí an stoirm ag dul ar aghaidh, agus bhí an chaint ina mbuailteán shíleacha ina sclátaí, beidh sí éasca cinnte.

The storm continued on, and their conversation turned into light taps like slates, but it would become certain.

Lig gach éinne ar aghaidh gan aon tost, ag labhairt faoin todhchaí, faoin mbealach ar aghaidh.

Everyone moved forward without pause, talking about the future, about the way ahead.

"Tá sé deacair uaireanta," arsa Caoimhe, "ach tuigim anois go bhfuil athrú mar chuid den saol."

"It's difficult sometimes," said Caoimhe, "but I understand now that change is a part of life."

Nuair a bhí an stoirm imithe, tháinig raonta geala an lae mór i rith na farraige.

When the storm passed, bright streaks of daylight spread over the sea.

Bhí neart mothúchán taobh thiar díobh, ach níor fhág aon rud neamhfhiontar gan iarracht ó gach duine.

There was a lot of emotion behind them, but nothing was left without effort from everyone.

Bhí Eoghan ag dul go dtí an Astráil, agus d’aimsigh sé a bhí Niamh.

Eoghan was going to Australia, and Niamh's truth was discovered.

Sa saol nua seo, bhí próiséas tarlaithe, rud mar gheall orthu bheith i dteaghlaigh i measc réimeanna athrú ann.

In this new life, there was a process occurring, a kind of belonging amongst changing reigns.

Agus mar sin, bhí siad ag tabhairt aghaidh ar an fómhar nua, gan eagla ar na hathruithe a d'fhéadfadh teacht rósha.

And so, they were facing the new autumn, unafraid of the changes that might come.

Bhain Caoimhe an chonclúid nach bhfuil ach éirigh naturtha ag fáil.

Caoimhe concluded that rising naturally was all they could do.

Fágfidh sí an scéal sa phost éadrom.

She would leave the story in a light place.

Agus, sa deireadh, a ghrá dhomhain cairdis i gcónaí níos láidre ná rith an ama.

And, in the end, the deep love of friendship is always stronger than the passage of time.