due to thee to take the pleasure of woman, and there to pledge thy faith
and troth to her that loveth thee most, and hankereth for thee day by day
and hour by hour, so that great is the love that we twain have builded
up."

Now they drew nigh, for folk fell back before them to the right and left,
as before men who are new come and have much to do; so that there was
nought between them and the face of the King. But he smiled upon them so
that he cheered their hearts with the hope of fulfilment of their
desires, and he said: "Welcome, children! Who be these whom ye have
brought hither for the increase of our joy? Who is this tall,
ruddy-faced, joyous man so meet for the bliss of the Glittering Plain?
And who is this goodly and lovely young man, who beareth weapons amidst
our peace, and whose face is sad and stern beneath the gleaming of his
helm?"

Said the dark-haired damsel: "O King! O Gift-giver and assurer of joy!
this tall one is he who was once oppressed by eld, and who hath come
hither to thee from the Isle of Ransom, according to the custom of the
land."

Said the King: "Tall man, it is well that thou art come. Now are thy
days changed and thou yet alive. For thee battle is ended, and therewith
the reward of battle, which the warrior remembereth not amidst the hard
hand-play: peace hath begun, and thou needest not be careful for the
endurance thereof: for in this land no man hath a lack which he may not
satisfy without taking aught from any other. I deem not that thine heart
may conceive a desire which I shall not fulfil for thee, or crave a gift
which I shall not give thee."

Then the Sea-eagle laughed for joy, and turned his head this way and
that, so that he might the better take to him the smiles of all those
that stood around.

Then the King said to Hallblithe: "Thou also art welcome; I know thee who
thou art: meseemeth great joy awaiteth thee, and I will fulfil thy desire
to the uttermost."

Said Hallblithe: "O great King of a happy land, I ask of thee nought save
that which none shall withhold from me uncursed."

"I will give it to thee," said the King, "and thou shalt bless me. But
what is it which thou wouldst? What more canst thou have than the Gifts
of the land?"

Said Hallblithe: "I came hither seeking no gifts, but to have mine own
again; and that is the bodily love of my troth-plight maiden. They stole
her from me, and me from her; for she loved me. I went down to the sea-
sid