Neue SeiteThe Death of Fráech

They remained there till the morrow. Fráech was summoned to them. ‘Help us, Fráech,’ said Medb. ‘Deliver us in this strait. Go for us to meet Cú Chulainn to see if perhaps you may encounter him in battle.’ Fráech set forth, a company of nine men, early in the morning and reached Áth Fúait. He saw a warrior bathing in the river. ‘Wait here,’ said Fráech to his followers, ‘till I fight with yonder man. He is not good in water.’ He took off his clothes and went into the water to Cú Chulainn. ‘Do not come against me,’ said Cú Chulainn. ‘You will die if you do and I should be sorry to kill you.’
‘Indeed I shall go,’ said Fráech, ‘so that we may meet in the water, and give me fair play.’ ‘Arrange that as you please,’ said Cú Chulainn. ‘Let each of us clasp the other (and wrestle),’ said Fráech. For a long time they kept wrestling in the water, and Fráech was submerged. Cú Chulainn lifted him up again. ‘Now this time will you yield and accept your life?’ said Cú Chulainn. ‘I will not,’ said Fráech.

Cú Chulainn thrust him down again and Fráech died. He came to land. His people carried his body to the encampment. Ever after that ford was called Áth Fraích. The whole encampment mourned for Fráech. They saw a band of women dressed in green tunics bending over the corpse of Fráech mac Idaid. They carried him off into the fairy mound which was called Síd Fraích ever afterwards.