“The queen that was here at first had three sons; and before the king married you, he prepared a great castle, and the sons are in that castle now with teachers and men taking care of them. When the three are of age, your son will be without a place for his head.”
“What am I to do to keep my son in the kingdom?” asked the queen.
“Persuade the king to bring his three sons to the castle, then play chess with them. I will give you a board with which you can win. When you have won of the three young men, put them under bonds to go for the three steeds of King Conal for you to ride three times around all the boundaries of the kingdom. Many and many is the champion and hero who went for King Conal’s horses; but not a man of them was seen again, and so it will be with these three. Your son will be safe at home, and will be king himself when his time comes.”
The queen went home to the castle, and if ever she had a head full of plans it was that time. She began the same night with the king.
“Isn’t it a shame for you to keep your children away from me, and I waiting this long time for you to bring them home to us?”
“How am I keeping my children from you?” asked the king. “Haven’t you your own son and mine with you always?”
“You have three sons of your own. You were married before you saw me. Bring your children home. I will be as fond of them as you are.”
No matter what the king said, the queen kept up her complaining with sweet words and promises, and never stopped till the king brought his sons to the castle.