On his return Dermot presented himself at the palace. Though the wicked
old king was surprised to see him again, he endeavored not to show it.
“Well, have you the story of the Sorrowful Knight?” he asked.
“I have,” said Dermot. “Are you ready to hear it?”
Then he told the king the story, just as it had been told to him. I
don’t believe that he mentioned the rescue of the twelve sons, because
that was not in his sentence, and he was anxious to be through with the
task and rescue Finn. At the end of the story he said:
“Now I have done what you asked. Do I get to see my chief?”
“You do not,” answered the king. “You shall not see him until you get me
the story of the Lad of True Tales.”
Dermot’s anger flamed up. For the first time he saw that the king was
not honest in his sentences, and that he was merely setting tasks to put
him off, until he could find something that would do away with him
forever.
“Oh, is that so?” he asked. “You should have spoken about it sooner. I
have worn out all the leather I am going to use, tramping over the rocks
of your country. I am going to let you find out how sharp some of those
stones are.”
He picked up the treacherous king and tossed him out of the upper window
of the palace to the rocks below. The king of the White Nation would
never set another task for any man.
Then Dermot searched high and low for Finn. Everyone got out of his way,
but still he could not find his chief. When he was almost in despair, he
met an old woman.
“I will lead you to Finn,” she said. “It is I who have been caring for
him.”
She did as she promised. Dermot was so happy on seeing Finn that he
wanted to embrace him. Finn pushed him away.
Dermot’s feelings were hurt. “If any man had gone through what I have to
rescue me, I would not seem ungrateful,” he said.
“It is not ingratitude,” said Finn. “My thumb tells me that we have
little time to lose. The king’s daughter has gone off to enchant another
victim. We must get away while she is gone.”
The two friends hastened to the shore, taking what food they could on
the way. Then they raised the sails and pointed the boat toward Erin.
Finn placed Dermot in the stern to watch, while he managed the boat.
Every few minutes he would say, “Do you see anything?” Dermot would
answer, “I see nothing but waves and sky.”
They were nearing the shores of Erin when Finn asked the question again.
“I see a bird that looks like an eagle,” said Dermot.
“Then we are lost,” cried Finn. “She is following.”
“Is there no way to release you?” asked Dermot.
“There is,” answered Finn, “but I am in honor bound not to tell you of
it.”
The boat sped swiftly on, with the bird ever gaining. When near the
land, the two champions sprang ashore, just as the bird turned the boat
over and perched upon the hull. She saw them on the land and flew after
them. The instant she struck the earth she became a woman. Rushing up to
Finn she threw her arms around his neck.
“Come back with me and be my husband,” she begged. “You shall be the
king of the White Nation.”
It made Dermot angry to see the actions of the woman who had caused them
both so much trouble. He swung his sword against the hillside in anger.
So great was the blow that a valley appeared where the sword struck. A
great shower of dirt, far more than the seven shovelfuls, fell over Finn
and the woman.
Finn put the enchantress from him. “I thank you, Dermot,” he said. “You
have released me from her bonds.”
The woman gave a cry of rage, became an eagle once more and flew out
over the ocean. Finn and Dermot hastened to join the Fenians.