he damsel, drawing nearer to him again, "Mayst thou find it, thou
lovely man, and whatsoever else thou desirest."

Then he said: "Hath a woman named the Hostage been brought hither of late
days? A fair woman, bright-haired and grey-eyed, kind of countenance,
soft of speech, yet outspoken and nought timorous; tall according to our
stature, but very goodly of fashion; a woman of the House of the Rose,
and my troth-plight maiden."

They looked on each other and shook their heads, and the black-haired
damsel spake: "We know of no such a woman, nor of the kindred which thou
namest."

Then his countenance fell, and became piteous with desire and grief, and
he bent his brows upon them, for they seemed to him light-minded and
careless, though they were lovely.

But they shrank from him trembling, and drew aback; for they had all been
standing close to him, beholding him with love, and she who had spoken
most had been holding his left hand fondly. But now she said: "Nay, look
not on us so bitterly! If the woman be not in the land, this cometh not
of our malice. Yet maybe she is here. For such as come hither keep not
their old names, and soon forget them what they were. Thou shalt go with
us to the King, and he shall do for thee what thou wilt; for he is
exceeding mighty."

Then was Hallblithe appeased somewhat; and he said: "Are there many women
in the land?"

"Yea, many," said that damsel.

"And many that are as fair as ye be?" said he. Then they laughed and
were glad, and drew near to him again and took his hands and kissed them;
and the black-haired damsel said: "Yea, yea, there be many as fair as we
be, and some fairer," and she laughed.

"And that King of yours," said he, "how do ye name him?"

"He is the King," said the damsel.

"Hath he no other name?" said Hallblithe.

"We may not utter it," she said; "but thou shalt see him soon, that there
is nought but good in him and mightiness."

CHAPTER XI: THE SEA-EAGLE RENEWETH HIS LIFE

But while they spake together thus, came a man from out of the wood very
tall of stature, red-bearded and black-haired, ruddy-cheeked,
full-limbed, most joyous of aspect; a man by seeming of five and thirty
winters. He strode straight up to Hallblithe, and cast his arms about
him, and kissed his cheek, as if he had been an old and dear friend newly
come from over seas.

Hallblithe wondered and laughed, and said: "Who art thou that deemest me
so dear?"

Said the