"Why are you not getting married, it is high time for you?"
He only laughed and thought she was too bold, but then thinking that she was a simple-minded girl who wished to be pleasant, he said:
"I will tell you the reason: My grandfather bound my father by an oath never to let his oldest son marry until he could get the Sword of Light, and I am afraid that I shall be long without marrying."
"Do you know where the Sword of Light is, or who has it?" asked Smallhead.
"I do," said the King's son, "an old hag who has great power and enchantment, and she lives a long distance from this, beyond the Bridge of Blood. I cannot go there myself, I cannot cross the bridge, for I have killed men in battle. Even if I could cross the bridge I would not go, for many is the King's son that hag has destroyed or enchanted."
"Suppose some person were to bring the Sword of Light, and that person a woman, would you marry her?"
"I would, indeed," said the King's son.
"If you promise to marry my elder sister I will strive to bring the Sword of Light."
"I will promise most willingly," said the King's son.
Next morning early, Smallhead set out on her journey. Calling at the first shop she bought a stone weight of salt, and went on her way, never stopping or resting till she reached the hag's house at nightfall. She climbed to the gable, looked down, and saw the son making a great pot of stirabout for his mother, and she hurrying him. "I am as hungry as a hawk!" cried she.