And as to the sons of Diarmuid, they came back at the end of seven years, after learning all that was to be learned of valour in the far countries of the world.  And when they came back to Rath Grania they were told their mother was gone away with Finn, son of Cumhal, without leaving any word for themselves or for the King of Ireland.  And they said if that was so, there was nothing for them to do.  But after that they said they would make an attack on Finn, and they went forward to Almhuin, and they would take no offers, but made a great slaughter of every troop that came out against them.

But at last Grania made an agreement of peace between themselves and Finn, and they got their father’s place among the Fianna; and that was little good to them, for they lost their lives with the rest in the battle of Gabhra.  And as to Finn and Grania, they stopped with one another to the end.

BOOK EIGHT:  CNOC-AN-AIR.

CHAPTER I. TAILC, SON OF TREON

One time the Fianna were all gathered together doing feats and casting stones.  And after a while the Druid of Teamhair that was with them said:  “I am in dread, Finn of the Fianna, that there is some trouble near at hand; and look now at those dark clouds of blood,” he said, “that are threatening us side by side overhead.  And there is fear on me,” he said, “that there is some destruction coming on the Fianna.”

Finn looked up then, and he saw the great cloud of blood, and he called Osgar to look at it.  “That need not knock a start from you,” said Osgar, “with all the strength there is in your arms, and in the men that are with you.”  Then all the Fianna looked up at the cloud, and some of them were glad and cheerful and some were downhearted.

Then the Druid bade Finn to call all his battalions together and to divide them into two halves, that they could be watching for the coming of the enemy.

So Finn sounded the Dord Fiann, and they answered with a shout, every one hurrying to be the first.  And Finn bade Osgar and Goll and Faolan to keep watch through the night, and he bade Conan the Bald to stop in the darkness of the cave of Liath Ard.  “For it is you can shout loudest,” he said, “to warn us if you see the enemy coming.”  “That I may be pierced through the middle of my body,” said Conan, “if I will go watching for troubles or for armies alone, without some more of the Fianna being with me.”  “It is not fitting for you to refuse Finn,” said Lugaidh’s Son; “and it is you can shout the loudest,” he said, “if the enemies come near the height.”  “Do not be speaking to me any more,” said Conan, “for I will not go there alone, through the length of my days, for Finn and the whole of the Fianna.”  “Go then, Conan,” said Osgar, “and Aodh Beag will go with you, and you can bring dogs with you, Bran and Sceolan and Fuaim and Fearagan; and let you go now without begrudging it,” he said.