Early Irish Myths and Sagas - Jeffrey Gantz [94]
Thereupon, the servers rose to do their work, and there rose also the charioteer of Lóegure Búadach, Sedlang son of Ríangabur, and he said to the distributors ‘Bring that champion’s portion over here, to Lóegure Búadach, for he is the most deserving of it in Ulaid.’ Id son of Ríangabur, Conall Cernach’s charioteer, rose and said the same about Conall. And Lóeg son of Ríangabur, Cú Chulaind’s charioteer, said to the distributors ‘Bring the champion’s portion to Cú Chulaind – no shame for the Ulaid to give it to him, for he is the most accomplished warrior here.’ ‘Not true that,’ said Lóegure Búadach and Conall Cernach, and, at that, the three heroes rose out into the middle of the house with their spears and swords and shields; and they so slashed at each other that half the house was a fire of swords and glittering spear edges, while the other half was a pure-white bird flock of shield enamel. A great alarm went up in the royal house, and the valiant warriors of Ulaid trembled; Conchubur and Fergus son of Roech were furious at seeing the unfair and unconscionable attack of two against one, Lóegure and Conall attacking Cú Chulaind. Not a man of the Ulaid dared separate them, however, until Senchae said to Conchubur ‘Part the men’, for Senchae was the earthly god among the Ulaid in the time of Conchubur.
Conchubur and Fergus stepped between the combatants, then, and the men at once dropped their hands to their sides. ‘Let my will prevail,’ said Senchae. ‘We agree,’ said the men. ‘It is my will,’ said Senchae, ‘that the champion’s portion be divided among the host tonight and that tomorrow the dispute be submitted to Ailill son of Mégu, since it is bad luck for the Ulaid to settle an argument without a judgement from Crúachu.’ The food and drink were shared out, then, and everyone formed a circle round the fire, and the assembly grew drunken and merry.
Bricriu, meanwhile, was in his bower with his queen, and he could see from his couch how matters stood in the royal house. He pondered how he might incite the women as he had incited the men, and, just as he finished his meditation, Fedelm Noíchride and her fifty women emerged from the royal house after some heavy drinking. Bricriu perceived her going past and said ‘Well met tonight, wife of Lóegure Búadach! Fedelm Noíchride is not just a nickname, not considering your form and your intelligence and your lineage. Conchubur, a provincial king of Ériu, is your father, Lóegure Búadach is your husband, and it would hardly be to your honour if any woman of Ulaid were to precede you into the Tech Midchúarta – rather, the women of all Ulaid should follow upon your heel. If you enter the house first tonight, you will always be first among the women of Ulaid.’ Thereupon Fedelm went out to the third ridge from the house.
After that, Lendabair, the daughter of Éogan son of Durthacht and the wife of Conall Cernach, came out. Bricriu accosted her and said ‘Well met, Lendabair! No nickname yours, for you are the centre of attention and the sweetheart of the men of all the world, and that by reason of your beauty and your fame. As your husband outdoes the men of the world in weaponry and in appearance, so you outdo the women of Ulaid.’ As deceitful as he had been in talking to Fedelm, he was twice as deceitful in dealing with Lendabair.
After that, Emer came out with her fifty women, and Bricriu greeted her, saying ‘Your health, Emer, daughter of Forgall Manach and wife of the best man in Ériu. Emer Foltchain is no nickname, either, for the kings and princes of Ériu glitter round you. As the sun outshines the stars of the sky, so you outshine the women of the entire world, and that by reason of your shape and