cres, as the shining iron drew the long furrow
down the stubble-land, and the light haze hung about the elm-trees in the
calm morning, and the smoke rose straight into the air from the roof of
the kindred. And he said: "What is this? am I death-doomed this morning
that this sight cometh so clearly upon me amidst the falseness of this
unchanging land?"

Thus he came to the pavilion, and folk fell back before him to the right
and the left, and he stood before the King, and said to him: "I cannot
find her; she is not in thy land."

Then spake the King, smiling upon him, as erst: "What wilt thou then? Is
it not time to rest?"

He said: "Yea, O King; but not in this land."

Said the King: "Where else than in this land wilt thou find rest? Without
is battle and famine, longing unsatisfied, and heart-burning and fear;
within it is plenty and peace and good will and pleasure without cease.
Thy word hath no meaning to me."

Said Hallblithe: "Give me leave to depart, and I will bless thee."

"Is there nought else to do?" said the King.

"Nought else," said Hallblithe.

Therewith he felt that the King's face changed though he still smiled on
him, and again he felt his heart grow cold before the King.

But the King spake and said: "I hinder not thy departure, nor will any of
my folk. No hand will be raised against thee; there is no weapon in all
the land, save the deedless sword by my side and the weapons which thou
bearest."

Said Hallblithe: "Dost thou not owe me a joy in return for my beguiling?"

"Yea," said the King, "reach out thine hand to take it."

"One thing only may I take of thee," said Hallblithe; "my troth-plight
maiden or else the speeding of my departure."

Then said the King, and his voice was terrible though yet he smiled: "I
will not hinder; I will not help. Depart in peace!"

Then Hallblithe turned away dizzy and half fainting, and strayed down the
field, scarce knowing where he was; and as he went he felt his sleeve
plucked at, and turned about, and lo! he was face to face with the Sea-
eagle, no less joyous than aforetime. He took Hallblithe in his arms and
embraced him and kissed him, and said: "Well met, faring-fellow! Whither
away?"

"Away out of this land of lies," said Hallblithe.

The Sea-eagle shook his head, and quoth he: "Art thou still seeking a
dream? And thou so fair that thou puttest all other men to shame."

"I seek no dream," said Hallblithe, "but rather the end of dr