s the wont of us in this land; and
on the morrow early we will arise and get us back again to Wood-end,
where yet the King abideth, and there shalt thou talk to him again, O
Spearman."

Said Hallblithe: "Take me whither ye will; but now nought availeth. I am
a captive in a land of lies, and here most like shall I live betrayed and
die hapless."

"Hold thy peace, dear friend, of such words as those last," said she, "or
I must needs flee from thee, for they hurt me sorely. Come now to this
pleasant place."

She took him by the hand and looked kindly on him, and the Sea-eagle
followed him, murmuring an old song of the harvest-field, and they went
together by a path through a thicket of white-thorn till they came unto a
grassy place. There then they sat them down, and ate and drank what they
would, sitting by the lip of the pool till a waning moon was bright over
their heads. And Hallblithe made no semblance of content; but the Sea-
eagle and his damsel were grown merry again, and talked and sang together
like autumn stares, with the kissing and caressing of lovers.

So at last those twain lay down amongst the flowers, and slept in each
other's arms; but Hallblithe betook him to the brake a little aloof, and
lay down, but slept not till morning was at hand, when slumber and
confused dreams overtook him.

He was awaked from his sleep by the damsel, who came pushing through the
thicket all fresh and rosy from the river, and roused him, and said:

"Awake now, Spearman, that we may take our pleasure in the sun; for he is
high in the heavens now, and all the land laughs beneath him."

Her eyes glittered as she spoke, and her limbs moved under her raiment as
though she would presently fall to dancing for very joy. But Hallblithe
arose wearily, and gave her back no smile in answer, but thrust through
the thicket to the water, and washed the night from off him, and so came
back to the twain as they sat dallying together over their breakfast. He
would not sit down by them, but ate a morsel of bread as he stood, and
said: "Tell me how I can soonest find the King: I bid you not lead me
thither, but let me go my ways alone. For with me time presses, and with
you meseemeth time is nought. Neither am I a meet fellow for the happy."

But the Sea-eagle sprang up, and swore with a great oath that he would
nowise leave his shipmate in the lurch. And the damsel said: "Fair man,
I had best go with thee; I shall not hinder thee