eby I have done amiss towards both him and thee. Whereof I
will tell thee all the tale soon. But now I will say that it is true
that we depart to-morrow for Cleveland by the Sea, thou and he, and I in
company. Now I would ask thee, Hallblithe, if thou wouldst have me
bestow this gift of thine in safe-keeping to-night, since there is an end
of her sitting in the hall like a graven image: and to-morrow the way
will be long and wearisome, What sayest thou?"

Said the Hostage: "Shall I trust this man and go with him?"

"Yea, thou shalt trust him," said Hallblithe, "for he is trusty. And
even were he not, it is meet for us of the Raven and the Rose to do as
our worth biddeth us, and not to fear this folk. And it behoveth us to
do after their customs since we are in their house."

"That is sooth," she said; "big man, lead me out of the hall to my place.
Farewell, Hallblithe, for a little while, and then shall there be no more
sundering for us."

Therewith she departed with the Puny Fox, and Hallblithe went back to the
high-seat and sat down by the Erne, who laughed on him and said: "Thou
hast taken my gift, and that is well: yet shall I tell thee that I would
not have given it to thee if I could have kept it for myself in such
plight as thou wilt have it. But all I could do, and the Puny Fox to
help withal, availed me nought. So good luck go with thine hands. Now
will we to bed, and to-morrow I will lead thee out on thy way; for to say
sooth, there be some here who are not well pleased with either thee or
me; and thou knowest that words are wasted on wilful men, but that deeds
may avail somewhat."

Therewith he cried out for the cup of good-night, and when it was
drunken, Hallblithe was shown to a fair shut-bed; even that wherein he
had lain aforetime; and there he went to sleep in joy, and in good liking
with all men.

CHAPTER XXII: THEY GO FROM THE ISLE OF RANSOM AND COME TO CLEVELAND BY
THE SEA

In the morning early Hallblithe arose from his bed, and when he came into
the mid-hall, there was the Puny Fox and the Hostage with him; Hallblithe
kissed her and embraced her, and she him; yet not like lovers long
sundered, but as a man and maid betrothed are wont to do, for there were
folk coming and going about the hall. Then spake the Puny Fox: "The Erne
is abiding us out in the meadow yonder; for now nought will serve him but
he must needs go under the earth-collar with us. How sayest thou, is he
enou