emed her.

When he had done, she kept silence a while, but at last she enforced
her, and spake: "Sad it is for the mother that bore thee that thou art
not in her house, wherein all things would be kind and familiar to
thee. Maybe thou art seeking for what is not. Or maybe thou shalt
seek and shalt find, and there may be naught in what thou findest,
whereof to give thee such gifts as are meet for thy faithfulness and
valiancy. But in thine home shouldst thou have all gifts which thou
mayest desire."

Then was she silent awhile, and then spake: "Yet must I needs say that
I would that thine home were in Goldburg."

He smiled sadly and looked on her, but with no astonishment, and indeed
he still scarce thought of her as he said: "Lady and Queen, thou art
good to me beyond measure. Yet, look you! One home I had, and left
it; another I looked to have, and I lost it; and now I have no home.
Maybe in days to come I shall go back to mine old home; and whiles I
wonder with what eyes it will look on me. For merry is that land, and
dear; and I have become sorrowful."

"Fear not," she said; "I say again that in thine home shall all things
look kindly on thee."

Once more she sat silent, and no word did his heart bid him speak.
Then she sighed and said: "Fair lord, I bid thee come and go in this
house as thou wilt; but whereas there are many folk who must needs see
me, and many things are appointed for me to do, therefore I pray thee
to come hither in three days' space, and meanwhile I will look to the
matter of thy search, that I may speed thee on the way to Utterness,
which is no great way from Utterbol, and is the last town whereof we
know aught. And I will write a letter for thee to give to the lord of
Utterbol, which he will heed, if he heedeth aught my good-will or
enmity. I beseech thee come for it in three days wearing."

Therewith she arose and took his hand and led him to the door, and he
departed, blessing her goodness, and wondering at her courtesy and
gentle speech.

For those three days he was still seeking tidings everywhere, till folk
began to know of him far and wide, and to talk of him. And at the time
appointed he went to the Queen's House and was brought to her chamber
as before, and she was alone therein. She greeted him and smiled on
him exceeding kindly, but he might not fail to note of her that she
looked sad and her face was worn by sorrow. She bade him sit beside
her, and said: "Hast t