made as if she noted not the trouble in his face, but said: "Put
thy trust in this, that here and with me thou art even now nigher to
the Well at the World's End than any other creature on the earth. Yea,
even if the Sage of Swevenham be dead or gone hence, yet have I tokens
to find the Rock of the Fighting Man, and the way through the
mountains, though I say not but that he may make it all clearer. But
now I see thee drooping with the grief of days bygone; and I deem also
that thou art weary with the toil of the way. So I rede thee lie down
here in the wilderness and sleep, and forget grief till to-morrow is a
new day."

"Would it were come," said he, "that I might see thy face the clearer;
yet I am indeed weary."

So he went and fetched his saddle and lay down with his head thereon;
and was presently asleep. But she, who had again cast wood on the
fire, sat by his head watching him with a drawn sword beside her, till
the dawn of the woodland began to glimmer through the trees: then she
also laid herself down and slept.

CHAPTER 4

They Ride the Wood Under the Mountains

When Ralph woke on the morrow it was broad day as far as the trees
would have it so. He rose at once, and looked about for his fellow,
but saw her not, and for some moments of time he thought he had but
dreamed of her; but he saw that the fire had been quickened from its
embers, and close by lay the hauberk and strange-fashioned helm, and
the sword of the damsel, and presently he saw her coming through the
trees barefoot, with the green-sleeved silken surcoat hanging below the
knees and her hair floating loose about her. She stepped lightly up to
Ralph with a cheerful smiling countenance and a ruddy colour in her
cheeks, but her eyes moist as if she could scarce keep back the tears
for joy of the morning's meeting. He thought her fairer than erst, and
made as if he would put his arms about her, but she held a little aloof
from him, blushing yet more. Then she said in her sweet clear voice:
"Hail fellow-farer! now begins the day's work. I have been down
yonder, and have found a bright woodland pool, to wash the night off
me, and if thou wilt do in likewise and come back to me, I will dight
our breakfast meantime, and will we speedily to the road." He did as
she bade him, thinking of her all the while till he came back to her
fresh and gay. Then he looked to their horses and gave them fodder
gathered from the pool-side, and so turn