‘At last you have followed the counsel that was given you,’ said the raven; ‘and now, having learned wisdom, you may go home again to Grianaig. There you will find that the knight’s two eldest daughters are to be wedded this day to your two brothers, and the youngest to the chief of the men at the rock. But her gold cap you shall give to me and, if you want it, you have only to think of me and I will bring it to you. And one more warning I give you. If anyone asks you whence you came, answer that you have come from behind you; and if anyone asks you whither you are going, say that you are going before you.’ So Ian mounted the horse and set her face to the sea and her back to the shore, and she was off, away and away till she reached the church of Grianaig, and there, in a field of grass, beside a well of water, he leaped down from his saddle. ‘Now,’ the horse said to him, ‘draw your sword and cut off my head.’ But Ian answered: ‘Poor thanks would that be for all the help I have had from you.’ ‘It is the only way that I can free myself from the spells that were laid by the giants on me and the raven; for I was a girl and he was a youth wooing me! So have no fears, but do as I have said.’ Then Ian drew his sword as she bade him, and cut off her head, and went on his way without looking backwards. As he walked he saw a woman standing at her house door. She asked him whence he had come, and he answered as the raven had told him, that he came from behind. Next she inquired whither he was going, and this time he made reply that he was going on before him, but that he was thirsty and would like a drink. ‘You are an impudent fellow,’ said the woman; ‘but you shall have a drink.’ And she gave him some milk, which was all she had till her husband came home. ‘Where is your husband?’ asked Ian, and the woman answered him: ‘He is at the knight’s castle trying to fashion gold and silver into a cap for the youngest daughter, like unto the caps that her sisters wear, such as are not to be found in all this land. But, see, he is returning; and now we shall hear how he has sped.’ At that the man entered the gate, and beholding a strange youth, he said to him: ‘What is your trade, boy?’ ‘I am a smith,’ replied Ian. And the man answered: ‘Good luck has befallen me, then, for you can help me to make a cap for the knight’s daughter.’ ‘You cannot make that cap, and you know it,’ said Ian. ‘Well, I must try,’ replied the man, ‘or I shall be hanged on a tree; so it were a good deed to help me.’ ‘I will help you if I can,’ said Ian; ‘but keep the gold and silver for yourself, and lock me into the smithy to-night, and I will work my spells.’ So the man, wondering to himself, locked him in. As soon as the key was turned in the lock Ian wished for the raven, and the raven came to him, carrying the cap in his mouth. ‘Now take my head off,’ said the raven. But Ian answered: ‘Poor thanks were that for all the help you have given me.’