At a feast in Allen, in the days of the heroes,
Fionn forgot to invite some of the Fianna from Druim Dearg and at this their
anger and wrath were kindled, Caoilte Mac Cronnchar of the sharp spears and
Aille son of Criomhthun, swift he was to redden his ear. As they had been
forgotten at the drinking the two heroes took a year's leave from the house
of Fionn.
Fearlessly they set out on their
journey and went to the king of Norway of the polished bridles. The king of
Norway was at that time a man who was victorious in every fight, Airgenn,
a son of Anchur of the ships, a man whose spear was as good as his hand. The
two Irish heroes took a year's service with him.
The queen of Norway's king gave
her love, no handsome deed it was, to bright Aille of the sharp weapons and
secretly a pact was made between them. Together they went to the bed of the
king. For such a deed blood will be shed and they made their escape over the
sea to Allen of the Fianna in Leinster in Ireland.
The king of Norway gathered his
army and his strong fleet, a fair sight to see. Eighteen kings did at one
time come with him, all bringing their armies. They took their course over
the high seas to Ireland of the murderous weapons, and to Allen of the Finna
in Leinster they made a journey from the shore. Swiftly they spread their
tents, the king of Norway with his army on the slopes that were just outside
the fort where Fionn stayed.
Messengers came quickly to Fionn
of the golden cups to tell why the king came to Allen with a great army. Fionn
offered a great ransom to the army that had come against him and to Norway's
king of the old swords and his own wife. The fierce Norseman sat, confident
in his own power and his right, that he would take no ransom under the sun,
as long as Fionn was left alive after it.
There came a messenger to Fionn
with a message that weighed heavily upon our army : a single combat with one
of the Fianna did Airgenn claim. Thirty chieftains of the Fianna, Aille himself
the first of all, fell by the hand of Airgeann the great. Fionn, lord of the
golden cups, then asked the noble chieftains of Inisfail: "Who will meet Airgenn
in the fight that we may not go back with him over the sea?". Goll, the hero
who could never be defeated, answered: "Airgenn and I, we will fight, let
feats of noble vigour be displayed between us". "Take with you five of the
Fianna" said Fionn, "Whose custom it is never to retreat, let them be at your
right hand. Take with you three hundred big men not easily overcome by weapons,
to guard you against the blows the king." Goll answered without fear: "Not
a single one will I take with me until I see my sword and my spear fixed in
the body of the king of Norway".
The two heroes fell upon each
other and rarely had a fight like this been seen, it lasted for seven nights
and seven days. The head of Norway's king of the brown shields was won by
Goll on the eight day. It might be that one of them went under the earth or
up into the sky, swift as a bird, but of the army of the king of Norway none
returned to their own country. As far as our king was concerned it was not
to his gain because although the Fianna were victorious, just one half of
their heroes they left on the hillside to the right.