Page 58 of Rise of the Morrigan

King Conchobar tilted his head. "Fand, Manannán mac Lir's queen?"

"Unbelievable!" Emer cried.

King Conchobar raised his hand. "What is the meaning of this, that you should come to love Ulster's prized champion?"

"My husband seeks my life," Fand said. "Sétanta rescued me."

King Conchobar stroked his beard. "A curious predicament... should we allow you to stay and marry our warrior, you may be able to heal our wounded in the event of war... the strength we'd have against any other army."

"I could," Fand said, nodding. "But I do not know if we can stay..."

"Rubbish!" King Conchobar exclaimed. "I insist that you do!"

Cú Chulainn sighed. This wasn't what he wanted. He'd dreamed of leaving Ulster behind, building lodgings in the forest where he and Fand could live out their lives. He had to think of something. "If the Faerie King raises up an army against us, on account of me marrying his wife... he'd be able to heal their wounded, too."

"Then we would be evenly matched. And his soldiers still couldn't breach our walls."

Cú Chulainn shook his head. "I don't know..."

"I insist," King Conchobar said. "Emer, my dear, I know this news must cause you great pain. But I urge you to accept this union as what is best for Ulster."

Emer clenched her fists. "What choice do I have..."

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