High, on the top of an inaccessible mountain, stood the palace of the Aerg brothers. It was built from the bones of wild forest animals. From a distance the palace was difficult to notice. Every now and then it changed color: on stormy days, when clouds covered the top of the mountain, it became gray, and on clear, cloudless days, it took on the blue color of the sky.
And the brave brothers Aergov had a sister. She was famous for her indescribable beauty and did not age.
Two knights heard about the beauty of this maiden: Nart Sasrykva and Narchkheu, who lived far from each other.
On the same day, both knights went to woo Aergov’s sister. Both knew that they could achieve their goal only by performing feats that no one had ever accomplished before. The knights rode along different roads, not knowing each other, but with the same thought.
It is unknown how many days and nights they rode separately, but finally their roads converged. The knights identified themselves, said hello, and then rode off together.
Neither one nor the other knew exactly where the Aergov palace was located. The knights rode for a long time, asking everyone they met along the way.
Finally they arrived at the foot of an impregnable mountain and stopped. Suddenly the knights noticed that at the very top of the mountain something flashed, like a morning star. This shine illuminated the mountain, over which heavy clouds hung. The companions realized that at the top of the mountain there was a palace to which they were heading. They had heard more than once that the girl, rejoicing at the return of her brothers from the hunt, always stuck her little finger out of the window. The little finger emitted rays that, like the sun’s, illuminated the way for the returning Aergs.
Just now the Aergi brothers were entering the castle courtyard with a cheerful song.
“By the way, her brothers are returning, this is good for us,” said Sasrykva.
- That's true, but which way to get to them? - asked Narchheu.
Looking around, the travelers noticed many traces of horse hooves. However, all the tracks led up the mountain; there were no return tracks.
This did not frighten the knights.
- Narchheu, you must rise first! - Sasrykva turned to his comrade.
“No, not me, but you should go first,” Narchheu insisted.
“You are older than me, stronger and have accomplished more feats,” Sasrykva said decisively.
Then Narchkheu, without protesting a word, spurred his horse and galloped up to the rock. He managed to get halfway through the rock, but then he fell.
“Narchkheu died,” Sasrykva decided, and his heart sank with grief.
However, Narchheu did not crash. He spurred his horse again and rushed onto the rock. Arash's hooves dug into the stone like claws.
He had almost reached the top, but the horse broke again. Narchheu’s third attempt was also unsuccessful.
“No, Sasrykva, since I failed to reach the top of this rock, it means I am not destined to be this girl’s groom,” said Narchkheu.
Then Sasrykva, turning up the skirts of his Circassian coat, tying his hood around his back, shouted “Chow!” and directed his arash Bzou to the rock. Sparks rained down from the stones. Crouching to the rocks like a marten, Bzou finally reached the very top. There was a flat, wonderful clearing there. There were fragrant flowers and herbs in the clearing, but among them were white human bones.
Tired Sasrykva dismounted, hobbled Bzou and sat down to rest. A fresh breeze was blowing. Suddenly, as if from underground, an old man appeared in front of him.
- Hello, brave Sasrykva! - he said. “I know what business you came here for.” Whatever happens, be strong and don’t lose heart. The only sister of the Aerg brothers will become your wife. Do you see how many bones are white here? These are the bones of brave young men who sought the hand of the beauty you desire. They all died. But if you follow my advice, you will be lucky.
The old man sat down next to Sasrykva and continued:
— The girl you want to marry has seven brothers. Day and night they vigilantly guard their sister. No matter how many brave heroes came here, they could not cope with them. It is impossible to forcibly kidnap a girl. But if she likes the daredevil, he can hope to become her fiancé. I have an only son. He, just like you, overcame this steepness, defeated the Aergov brothers, but he was unlucky, she didn’t like him and therefore made a vow to himself: “Until I see a knight who she likes, I won’t get up.” He has been sitting next to her for fifteen years now... Now I will tell you what you must do. From here it’s easy to get to the girl, you won’t encounter any obstacles - the gates are wide open. The brothers will not interfere with you, you will not even see them. You will find my son on the balcony of the palace. If he plays the Apkhyarts and sings tender, sad songs, it means the girl is immersed in deep sleep. So much the better for you - go straight to her room. When you approach the bed, her long braids will catch your eye. Without being embarrassed, touch her braid with your little finger. If she wakes up and says: “Wow, what did you do, why did you wake me up, I just had a dream about my betrothed!” - You yourself can guess what to answer her. In any case, if you hear these words, it means she agrees to become your wife. But you must immediately flee from the castle, since my son will take up arms against you. He will rush to chase you on his arash, which no one can get ahead of. But don’t shoot at the horseman, just hit the arash. You will rush off with your young wife, and I will be happy, since my son will return to me.
Thanking the old man, Sasrikva jumped onto the arash and rode on.
The castle gates were open. There was not a soul in the yard. Sasrykva climbed the stairs to the balcony of the palace. The old man's son was sitting there. He moved his bow along the strings of the Apkhyartsa and sang a song in which tenderness and sorrow merged and at the same time sounded a threat.
She neither ages nor gets younger,
Akhahaira gushadza. (Akhahaira gushadza - chorus, encouraging cry)
Who is she seeing in her dreams now?
Akhahaira gushadza.
Who will she give her heart to?
Akhahaira gushadza.
If I meet this daredevil,
Akhahaira gushadza.
Our horses will make mistakes
Akhahaira gushadza.
Sharp swords will cross,
Akhahaira gushadza.
And the enemy's skull will be added
to these rotten skulls!
Akhahaira gushadza.
She neither ages nor gets younger,
Akhahaira gushadza.
And I, poor fellow, have aged another year!
Akhahaira gushadza.
Sasrykva listened to the song, but it did not bother him. He entered the girl's room. She slept deeply, emitting light like the rays of the sun. Sasrykva almost lost consciousness, he was so blinded by her beauty. Having come to his senses, the hero silently approached her and touched her braid with his little finger.
- What have you done, son of an old man! I just saw the Nart Sasrykva in a dream, but I didn’t have time to stop admiring him... and I woke up! - the girl exclaimed and sat up on the bed.
“If you see in reality the one you couldn’t get enough of in me, will you recognize him?” I - Nart Sasrykva - stand before you! - the knight answered her.
- Then I'm yours! But what can I do, the old man’s son would rather die than let me out of here...
- Don't worry about it!
“Even if we manage to get rid of him, the brothers will block our path.”
- And then we will find a way out!
“If you are not afraid of anything, get on your arash now and let it fly up to the window of the palace.” I'm ready for anything!
Sasrykva went down into the yard. The old man's son sat on the same balcony and continued to sing.
Who could overcome the rock,
Akhahaira Gushadza,
He failed to wake up the girl,
Akhahaira gushadza.
He didn't even dare to say hello to her...
Akhahaira gushadza.
I came here in vain and achieved nothing...
Akhahaira gushadza.
And the enemy's skull will be added
Good for these skulls!
Akhahaira gushadza.
But Sasrykva did not pay attention to the threat. He sat on Bzou, accelerated and, spurring Arash, made him fly up to the girl’s bedroom window.
She opened the window and jumped from the seven-story palace. He grabbed her on the fly and rushed off.
Then the old man’s son began to scream in a heartbreaking voice:
- My sister has been kidnapped! Where are you, brothers? Where are you?
Instantly two young men appeared, one on a bay horse, the other on a black one. Both rushed to catch up with Sasrykva.
As soon as the palace disappeared from sight, the girl said to Sasrykva:
- Be careful, don’t go back the same way!
“I didn’t come here as a thief and left the palace without hiding... The land is wide, the brave deserves everywhere!” - he answered.
Bzou flew as if he was lying on the ground. Two Aergs raced after Sasrykva. But they could not catch up with his arash.
The old man's son watched the chase from the palace balcony. Noticing that his beloved's brothers were lagging behind, he jumped on his arash and set off to pursue the fugitives himself.
- My faithful Bzou, don’t let yourself get caught up! - Sasrykva shouted to his arash, and they flew even faster across the plain.
But soon Bzou began to get tired; The opponent's arash was overtaking him.
Sasrykva remembered what the old man advised him. Turning, he threw an arrow, which pierced the horse's heart and killed him.
“Now go along the same road, no one can blame you for cowardice,” said the girl to Sasrykwe.
Soon he reached a steep descent, where the knight Narchkheu was waiting for him. Seeing Sasrykva returning with the radiant sister Aergov, Narchheu was very happy.
Having rested, the three of them set off.
The news that Sasrykva was traveling with his bride spread throughout the entire population. Friends and relatives of Sasrykva met them along the way and greeted them.
Sasrykva rode accompanied by a hundred horsemen,
Narchkheu accompanied Sasrykva to the Nart village.
In advance, messengers were sent to the Nart brothers with the news that their younger brother was returning with his bride.
The brothers called a council to decide what to do.
Some believed that they had no business feasting at the wedding of their illegitimate brother. But the majority objected to them, and it was decided to celebrate a magnificent wedding.
The feast lasted seven nights and seven days. Narchheu sat in a place of honor. They drank, ate, sang and danced.
Even the most ancient old people did not remember such a celebration in their lifetime.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru