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While the Fianna were making this attack, Angus Og again heard that his foster-son was in deadly trouble. Quickly he flew through the pure cold air and threw his druid's cloak around Grainne and carried her away to Brugh on the Boyne. When Diarmuid saw her safely gone, he called out to Finn.

'I will come down now,' he cried, 'for I am certain you will give me no rest till you have killed me. Is there no friend or comrade who will welcome me in any part of the great world? Often I fought for the love of you, Finn, and for the sake of the Fianna. Then listen well. You will pay hard for me, and my death will be no free gift.'

When Oscar heard this he was troubled in his heart and he went to his grandfather Finn.

'It is a shame and a reproach on you,' he said to Finn, 'that you will not give peace to our warrior Diarmuid. But I give my word under the heaven that I will not let you or the Fianna of Ireland hurt him. I will shorten the bones of any man who attacks him. Then come you down Diarmuid, and leave in peace. On my body and life no harm shall touch you today.'

Diarmuid felt joy at these words. From a high bough of the tree he pressed on the shafts of his spears and sailed lightly and airily over the heads of the surrounding Fianna. Oscar met him, and together they retreated, clearing their way with a flight of javelins that sounded like the rush of water in a rocky stream.

Then they were beyond reach, and the Fianna put up their weapons and marched with Finn back to Allen in Leinster.

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