` Ah ! does she not ! ' answered the king quickly . ` Otherwise I should be hard indeed to please . But will you play a game to-day ? ' ' I will , ' replied the Gruagach , and they played , and sometimes it seemed as if one would win , and sometimes the other , but in the end the king was the winner . ` What is the prize that you will choose ? ' asked the Gruagach . ` The shaggy young horse with the stick saddle , ' answered the king , but he noticed that the Gruagach held his peace , and his brow was dark as he led out the horse from the stable . 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 XXXXX you to-night , ' said the queen , who was standing on the steps awaiting him .
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