But when they came to the banks of the river Shannon, Dermat said, ‘Now that we have the horses it is easier for Finn to follow in our track.’
‘Then,’ said Grania, ‘leave the horses on this spot and I will journey on foot henceforth.’
And Dermat, when he saw that the Princess would not be moved, told her how great was his love for her, and how he would defend her even with his life from the wrath of Finn.
And Dermat wed Grania, and they vowed solemn vows that they would be faithful each to each even unto death.
Then tenderly did Dermat lift his wife in his strong arms and bear her across the ford, and neither the sole of her foot nor the hem of her mantle touched the stream.
Afterwards Dermat led one of the horses across the ford, but the other he left on the far side.
Dermat and Grania then walked until they came to a thick wood, and there Dermat lopped branches from the trees and made a hut, and he made for Grania a bed of the soft rushes and of the tops of the birch.
And there Grania rested, and there did Dermat bring to her food of the forest and water from a clear spring.
It was early dawn at Tara when Cormac and Finn awoke from their deep sleep.