“But,” said Flann, “I could not love her after the way she mocked at me.”
“When did she mock at you?”
“When I took her a message that the Spae-Woman told me to give her.”
“And what was that message?”
“‘Ask her,’ said the Spae-Woman, ‘for seven drops of her heart’s blood—she can give them and live—so that the spell may be taken from the seven wild geese and the mother who longs for you may be at peace again.’ This was the message the Spae-Woman told me to give Flame-of-Wine. And though I had given her wonderful gifts she laughed at me when I took it to her. And by the way she laughed I knew she was hard of heart.”
“Yet seven drops of heart’s blood are hard to give,” said Morag sadly.
“But the maiden who loves can give them,” said the Spae-Woman who was behind.
“It is true, foster-mother,” said Morag.
That evening Morag said, “To-morrow I must pre-pare for my journey to the Queen of Senlabor. You, Flann, may not come with me. The Spae-Woman has sent a message to your mother, and you must be here to meet her when she comes. A happy meeting to her and you, O Flann of my heart. And I shall leave you a token to give to her. So to-morrow I go to the Queen of Senlabor with the Rowan Berry and I shall bring my Little Red Hen for company, and shall stay only until my sisters are wed to Dermott and Downal, your brothers.”
The next day when he came into the house he saw Morag dressed for her journey but seated at the fire. She was pale and ill-looking. “Do not go to-day, Morag,” said he. “I shall go to-day,” said Morag. She put her hand into the bosom of her dress and took out a newly-woven handkerchief folded. “This is a token for your mother,” she said. “I have woven it for her. Give her this gift from me when you have welcomed her.”