Hardly had she welcomed him with joy, and helped him to reach a flat ledge of rock whereon the sunlight poured with healing warmth, than she saw Fiachra desperately striving to make his way towards them, but so far spent that it seemed as though death would overtake him before he reached the foam-edged rocks. Fionula sprang into the running wave, and soon was beside Fiachra, aiding him to her utmost. With difficulty she helped him to the ledge where Conn crouched in the sun, but so weak was he that when he was spoken to he could utter no word in reply. Fionula looked with pity upon her two young brothers. It was hard for her to see their unmothered pain and weariness. So she spread out her broad white pinions, and gave the warmth of her body to the two drenched and shivering swans. “Ah!” she exclaimed, as she crouched on the ledge, with Fiachra nestling by her right side and Conn by her left; “ah! if only Aed were here too, all might yet be well. And even if it be death, sweeter far that we might all perish together.” It was as though her loving prayer were answered, for before long she descried Aed swimming swiftly through the sunny foam-splashed seas. He, at least, she saw with joy, had not suffered as his younger brothers had done, for he came on with head erect and his white plumage all unruffled and dazzlingly ashine. Nevertheless, Aed, too, was glad to rest in the sunshine, so Fionula placed him under her breast. Noon found them thus: Fionula with sad eyes staring out across the wastes of windy seas; under the warm feathers of her breast, Aed; and close nestled to the warm down of her sides, Fiachra and Conn. She heard their low breathing as they slept, and that they might sleep the deeper and longer she sang her low, sweet, fairy music: Sleep, sleep, brothers dear, sleep and dream, Nothing so sweet lies hid in all your years. Life is a storm-swept gleam In a rain of tears: Why wake to a bitter hour, to sigh, to weep? How better far to sleep---- To sleep and dream. To sleep and dream, ah, that is well indeed: Better than sighs, better than tears; Ye can have nothing better for your meed In all the years. Why wake to a bitter hour, to sigh, to weep? How better far to sleep---- To sleep and dream, ah, that is well indeed! This and other songs Fionula chanted low throughout the day, till at last she too was overcome by her weariness; and she slept. At the rising of the moon, all awoke. Full glad were Aed and Fiachra and Conn that their tribulation was over; only Fionula knew that the doom which Aeifa had put upon them held worse things, and many, in store for them.