The story opens at Emain Macha, or Emania, where, with the nobles of Ulster, King Conchobar is feasting in the house of Feidhlim the bard. During the entertainment Feidhlim’s wife gave birth to a daughter; and Cathbad the Druid forthwith prophesied that the child would grow up “a maiden fair, tall, long-haired, for whom champions would contend.” Her lips would be cherry-red over pearly teeth; her lovely form the envy of high queens. Deirdre, the Druid named her, and thrilled the company by announcing that her queenly beauty would yet involve the province in heavy woes. All the nobles present, instantly wished to circumvent such destiny by having the child put to death. Conchobar intervened: “Let not that be done,” said he; “I will take her with me and send her to be reared that she may become my own wife.” Deirdre was accordingly removed and kept apart in a fortress, seeing no one but her tutor and nurse and Lebarcham, the king’s _banchainte_ or conversation woman. Shot up at length into the fair maiden of Cathbad’s prediction, she happened one snowy day to be looking out, when she observed her _oide_ (tutor) killing a calf, and a raven came to drink the blood. “Dear to me” she exclaimed, “would be the man who would have the three colours yonder on him, his hair like the raven, his cheek like the blood, and his body like the snow.” “Such an one is Naois, son of Uisneach,” suggested the _banchainte_. They met, Deirdre and he. A kinsman of the king and one of three gifted brothers, this Naois stood head and neck taller than any man in Erin, and peerless in strength, courage, and manly beauty. When he or his brothers sang, the cows gave two-thirds additional milk and people were enchanted. Their prowess was such that the three together could meet all Ulster in arms. Deirdre adored Naois, and proposed that they twain should elope. At first he refused, but bewitched by her charms and entreaties he yielded. The brothers went off, taking their followers, 150 men with their wives and greyhounds. For a time they were pursued round Erin to Ballyshannon, Howth, Rathlin, till they sought refuge in Alba and sailed for Loch Etive. From that beautiful centre they made many excursions inland, living in hunting booths, chasing the deer on the mountains, assisting the King of Alba, who needed their help, and living joyous and free; a most romantic life, full of incident and full of happiness.