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Thence went Face-of-god back toward the Hall; but when he was yet some way from it, he saw a slender glittering warrior come forth from the door thereof, who stood for a moment looking round about, and then came lightly and swiftly toward him; and lo! it was the Sun- beam, with a long hauberk over her kirtle falling below her knees, a helm on her head and plated shoes on her feet. Lo thou!
But if ye will, War-leader, we will abide here and watch the ways of the foemen, and send Dallach with the word to the Host; also I would have thee suffer me to bid hither at once two score and ten of the best of the bowmen of our folk and the Woodlanders, and Wood- wise to lead them, for he knoweth well the land hereabout, and what is good to do. 'It is good, said Face-of-god.
'What were best to do now? she said. Said Face-of-god: 'Let us tarry a little; for some of thy carles shall surely come up from the Vale: because they will have heard Wood-wise's whoop, since the wind sets that way. 'Yea, they will come, said the Sun-beam.
How fareth my sister, and Face-of-god my brother? and how is it with our friends and helpers in the goodly Dale? Said Bow-may: 'It is well both with all those and with me; and my heart laughs to see thee, Folk-might, and to look on the elders of the valiant, and our lovely sister the Bride. But I have a message for thee from Face-of-god: wilt thou that I deliver it here?
So I shall declare unto men that I will not wed thee; and belike they may wonder why it is, till they see thee wedded to the Woman of the Mountain. Art thou content that so it shall be? Said Face-of-god: 'Nay, thou shalt not take this all upon thyself; I also shall declare unto the Folk that I will wed none but her, the Mountain-Woman. She said: 'This shalt thou not do; I forbid it thee.
'Nay, none that folk wot of, said Dallach, 'except to bold cragsmen with their lives in their hands. 'Knowest thou aught of the affairs of Silver-dale? said Face-of-god.
But Face-of-god pondered a little while, and then asked the woman if she had heard any words to remember of late days concerning the affairs of the Dusky Men and their intent; and he said: 'I pray thee, sister, be truthful in thine answer, for somewhat lieth on it. She said: 'How could I speak aught but the sooth to thee, O lovely lord?
Folk-might smiled as one who is not best pleased when he heard these tidings; but Face-of-god was glad to hear thereof; for what he loathed most was that the war should drag out in hunting of scattered bands of the foe.
Said Bow-may: 'Sun-beam bade me wed him when he pressed hard upon me. She stayed awhile, and then said: 'Face-of-god also deemed I should not naysay the man; and now my son by him is of like age to this little one.
As for the Bride, she was sad, and more than misdoubted all; but dauntless as she was in matters that try men's hardihood, she yet lacked heart to ask of Face-of-god what had befallen him since the autumn-tide, or where he was with her. So she put a force upon herself not to look sad or craving when she was in his company, as full oft she was; for he rather sought her than shunned her.
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