Early Irish Myths and Sagas - Jeffrey Gantz [51]
The harpers ceased to play, then. ‘It is a champion who has come,’ said Fergus. ‘Divide for us,’ said Fróech, ‘the food that has been brought into the house.’ Lothur strode to the centre of the house and divided their food for them: he divided each piece in his palm with his sword, but neither skin nor flesh was ever touched. From the time that he became carver, no food in his hand was ever lost.
Medb and Fróech spent three days playing fidchell, by the light of the precious stones in Fróech’s company. ‘I have been good to you,’ Fróech said to Medb, ‘for I have not beaten you at fidchell, lest you be dishonoured.’ ‘The longest day I have ever spent in the fort this,’ said Medb. ‘Certainly,’ said Fróech, ‘for we have been here three days and three nights.’
With that Medb rose and went to Ailill, for she was ashamed that the youths had had no food. ‘A great evil we have done,’ she said, ‘not to have fed the youths who have come from so far.’ ‘You preferred to play fidchell,’ replied Ailill. ‘That ought not to have prevented the distribution of food to his people in the house,’ said Medb. ‘We were here three days and three nights, but we did not perceive night because of the brilliance of the precious stones.’ ‘Tell them,’ said Ailill, ‘to leave off their amusements until their food is distributed.’ The food was distributed, then, and everyone was good to them, and they stayed and feasted for three days and three nights.
After that, Fróech was summoned to the house of council, and he was asked what had brought him. ‘We would like to visit you,’ he replied. ‘Indeed, the household enjoys your company,’ said Ailill. ‘Better more of you than less.’ ‘We will stay about a week, then,’ said Fróech. The company remained a fortnight in the fort; they hunted about the fort every day, and the Connachta would come to watch.
Fróech was distressed not to have spoken with Findabair since it was the need to do so that had brought him. One day, he rose at dawn to bathe in the river, and she and her serving maid came to bathe also. Fróech took her hand and said ‘Stay and talk to me. It is for you we have come.’ ‘Welcome that, indeed,’ said the girl, ‘if it were possible. I can do nothing for you.’ ‘Will you come away with me?’ asked Fróech. ‘Indeed, I will not,’ she replied, ‘for I am the daughter of a king and queen. You are not so poor that you cannot get me from my people, and it will be my choice to go with you, for it is you I have loved. Take this thumb ring as a token; my father gave it to me, but I will say that I have lost it.’ They parted after that.
‘I fear,’ Ailill said to Medb, ‘that our daughter will run off with Fróech.’ ‘There would be profit in giving her to him,’ replied Medb, ‘for he would return with his cattle to help us on the raid.’ Fróech found them in the house of council. ‘Is it a secret?’ he asked. ‘There is room for you,’ said Ailill. ‘Will you give me your daughter?’ Fróech asked. ‘I will,’ said Ailill, ‘if you pay the stated bride price.’ ‘It will be paid,’ said Fróech. ‘Three score of dark grey horses,’ said Ailill, ‘with gold bridle bits, and twelve milch cows such that a drink of milk might be had from each, and a white calf with red ears for each cow, and your bringing your entire number and your musicians to help us take the cattle from Cúailnge.’ ‘I swear by my shield and my sword and my apparel, I would