was bent.

"I have helped you in everything," said Fedelma, "and in the last task I could
not have helped you if you had not been true to me when Aefa and Gilveen
brought you to them. Now the three tasks are done, and you can ask my father
for one of his daughters in marriage. When you bring him the Ring of Youth he
will ask you to make a choice. I pray that the one chosen will be myself."

"None other will I have but you, Fedelma, love of my heart," said the King of
Ireland's Son.



VIII


The King of Ireland's Son went into the house before the setting of the sun.
The Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands was seated on his chair of gold. "Have
you brought me the Ring of Youth?" he asked.

"I have brought it," said the King's Son.

"Give it to me then," said the Enchanter.

"I will not," said the King's Son, "until you give what you promised me at the
end of my tasks--one of your three daughters for my wife."

The Enchanter brought him to a closed door. "My three daughters are within
that room," said he. "Put your hand through the hole in the door, and the one
whose hand you hold when I open it--it is she you will have to marry."