In the court of the royal dún was found one morning a strange stallion, known to none. He was a well-made beast, and beautiful, but strangely-marked, white with red ears, like the cattle of the sidhe. But he laid back his red ears and bared his teeth, if any dared approach him.
Only for young Govan, of all the king's warriors, would he stand still.
So Govan mounted the horse, saying, Take me where you will.
The gates were opened, and they left the dún. To a green hill the strange horse bore him, and as they approached it, the hill opened, and they entered.
Govan found himself in a high and mighty hall, filled with fair people in many-colored clothing, and in the high seat a lordly woman, fairest of them all.
Welcome, son of Gawan, she said, so he dismounted and stood before her.
The woman was clad in red and blue, with river-gold at her throat and on her head; her skin was like apple blossom, her hair like ripest wheat, and her eyes were gray as the sea.
Govan son of Gawan, she said to him, Will you take me for your Lady, and do my bidding?
I will, he replied, and that gladly.
So began the adventures of Govan son of Gawan, and the fairy horse.