look that was always in Morag's eyes. And
she came and 'knelt down, putting her hands on his knees. "I am Morag,
Flann," she said.

"Morag indeed," said he, "but how have you become so fair?"

"I have eaten the berry from the Fairy Rowan Tree," said she, "and now I
am as fair as I should be."

All day they were together and Flann was happy that his friend was so
beautiful and that so beautiful a being was his friend. And he told
her of his adventures in the Town of the Red Castle and of the Princess
Flame-of-Wine and his love for her. "And if you love her still I will
never see you again," said Morag.

"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."

"That I will do, Morag, my heart," said Flann.

The Spae-Woman cam