Rough was its mane and dull was its skin , but the king cared nothing for that , and throwing his leg over the stick saddle , rode away like the wind . On the third morning the king got up as usual before dawn , and as soon as he had eaten food he prepared to go out , when his wife stopped him . ' I would rather , ' she said , ` that you did not go to play with the Gruagach , for though twice you have won yet some day he will win , and then he will put trouble upon you . ' ` Oh ! I must have one more game , ' cried the king ; ` just this one . ' And he went off to the house of the Gruagach . Joy filled the heart of the Gruagach when he saw him coming , and without waiting to talk they played their game . Somehow or other , the king 's strength and skill had departed from him , and soon the Gruagach was the victor . ` Choose your prize , ' said the king , when the game was ended , ` but do not be too hard on me , or ask what I can not give . ' ` The prize I choose , ' answered the Gruagach , ` is that the crop-headed creature should take thy head and thy neck , if thou dost not get for me the Sword of Light that hangs in the house of the king of the oak windows . ' ' I will get it , ' replied the young man bravely ; but as soon as he was out of sight of the Gruagach he pretended no more , and his face grew dark and his steps lagging . ` You have brought nothing with you to-night , ' said the queen , who was standing on the steps awaiting him . She was so beautiful that the king was fain to smile when he looked at her , but then he remembered what had happened , and his heart grew heavy again . ` What is it ? What is the matter ? Tell me thy sorrow that I may bear it with thee , or , it may be , help thee ! ' Then the king told her everything that had befallen him , and she stroked his hair the while . ` That is nothing to grieve about , ' she said when the tale was finished . ` You have the best wife in Erin , and the best horse in Erin . Only do as I bid you , and all will go well . '
And the king suffered himself XXXXX be comforted .
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