pman need to arm him or his folk; nay, a maiden
might go to and fro on the woodland ways, with a golden girdle about
her, without so much as the crumpling of a lap of her gown unless by her
own will.

As to David, at first Christopher bade him strongly to abide with him
ever, for he loved him much. But David nay-said it, and would go home to
the Tofts; and when the King pressed him sore, at last he said: "Friend
and fellow, I must now tell thee the very sooth, and then shalt thou
suffer me to depart, though the sundering be but sorrow to me. For this
it is, that I love thy Lady and wife more than meet is, and here I find
it hard to thole my desire and my grief; but down in the thicket yonder
amongst my brethren of the woods, and man and maid, and wife and babe,
nay, the very deer of the forest, I shall become a man again, and be no
more a peevish and grudging fool; and as the years wear, shall sorrow
wear, and then, who knows but we may come together again."

Then Christopher smiled kindly on him and embraced him, but they spake
no more of that matter, but sat talking a while, and then bade each
other farewell, and David went his ways to the Tofts. But a few months
thereafter, when a son had been born to Christopher, David came to
Oakenrealm, but stayed there no longer than to greet the King, and do
him to wit that he was boun for over-sea to seek adventure. Many gifts
the King gave him, and they sundered in all loving-kindness, and the
King said: "Farewell, friend, I shall remember thee and thy kindness
for ever." But David said: "By the roof in Littledale and by the hearth
thereof, thou shalt be ever in my mind."

Thus they parted for that time; but five and twenty years afterwards,
when Child Christopher was in his most might and majesty, and Goldilind
was yet alive and lovely, and sons and daughters sat about their board,
it was the Yule feast in the King's Hall at Oakenham, and there came
a man into the hall that none knew, big of stature, grey-eyed and
hollow-cheeked, with red hair grizzled, and worn with the helm; a
weaponed man, chieftain-like and warrior-like. And when the serving-men
asked him of his name, and whence and whither, he said: "I have come
from over-seas to look upon the King, and when he seeth me he will know
my name." Then he put them all aside and would not be gainsaid, but
strode up the hall to the high-seat, and stood before the King and said:
"Hail, little King Christopher! Hail, stout babe