‘That I will gladly,’ answered Ian, breaking off a large bit.
He washed and rubbed himself that night, as the raven had told him, and the next morning he entered the chamber where the knight’s daughter was sitting.
‘Abide here with me,’ she said, ‘and be my husband. There is silver and gold in plenty in the castle.’ But he took no heed, and went on his way till he reached the castle where the knight’s youngest daughter was sewing in the hall. And tears dropped from her eyes on to her thimble.
‘What brought you here?’ asked she. And Ian made answer:
‘Why may I not go where you can go?’
‘I was brought hither by a giant.’
‘I know that full well,’ said he.
‘Are you Ian, the soldier’s son?’ asked she again. And again he answered:
‘Yes, I am; but tell me, why you are weeping?’
‘To-morrow the giant will return from the hunting hill, and I must marry him,’ she sobbed. And Ian took no heed, and only said: ‘How can I bring him home?’