,*APT] #bi 
,( ,?IODOLF'S ,/ORM 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,WILLIAM ,MORRIS 

,TEXT 3 

,! ,GO?S T>RI$ NOT OV] !IR VICTORY2 !Y %OT ) ALL ! B[M5 ?AT !Y HAD AGA9/ ! ,ROMANS ON ! WALL1 & !RE) >RAY$ !MSELVES TO FALL ON ONCE MORE4  ,& ,?IODOLF1 N[ ?AT ! FOE W]E COV]$ BY A WALL1 ?\< IT WAS BUT A LITTLE ONE1 S5T A MESSAGE TO ! M5 ( ! ?IRD BATTLE1 !M ( ,UP-M>K TO WIT1 TO COME =W>D 9 GOOD >RAY & HELP TO MAKE A R+ >\ND ! ,WOLF+ ,/EAD1 :]E9 !Y %\LD N[ TAKE ! ,ROMANS AS A BEA/ IS TAK5 9 A TRAP4  ,MEAN:ILE1 UNTIL !Y CAME1 HE S5T O!R M5 TO ! WOOD TO BR+ TREE-BOLES TO BATT] ! GATE1 & TO MAKE BRIDGES :]EBY TO SW>M OV] ! WALL1 :I* WAS BUT BREA/-HI< ON ! ,ROMAN SIDE1 ?\< !Y HAD WORK$ AT IT CEASELESSLY S9CE YE/]DAY MORN+4  

,9 A LONG HALF-H\R1 !RE=E1 ! HORNS ( ! M5 ( ,UP-M>K S\ND$1 & !Y CAME =? FROM ! WOOD A V]Y GREAT COMPANY1 = ) !M ALSO W]E ! M5 ( ! /AY-AT-HOMES & ! HOMELESS1 SU* ( !M AS W]E FIT TO BE> >MS4  ,AMONG !SE W5T ! ,HALL- ,SUN SURR\ND$ BY A B& ( ! W>RIORS ( ,UP-M>K2 & BE=E H] WAS BORNE H] NAMESAKE ! ,LAMP AS A SIGN ( ASSUR$ VICTORY4  ,BUT !SE /AY-AT-HOMES ) ! ,HALL-,SUN W]E /AY$ BY ! COMM& ( ,?IODOLF ON ! CR[N ( ! SLOPE ABOVE ! DWELL+S1 & /OOD R\ND AB\T ! ,SPEE*-,HILL1 ON ! TOPMO/ ( :I* /OOD ! ,HALL- ,SUN1 & ! WONDR\S ,LAMP1 & ! M5 :O W>D$ H] & IT4  

,:5 ! ,ROMANS SAW ! NEW HO/ COME =? FROM ! WOOD1 !Y MI<T WELL ?9K ?AT !Y W\LD HAVE WORK 5\< TO DO ?AT DAY2 BUT :5 !Y SAW ! ,HALL-,SUN TAKE H] /& ON ! ,SPEE*-,HILL ) ! M5- AT->MS AB\T H]1 & ! ,LAMP BE=E H]1 !N DREAD ( ! ,GODS FELL UPON !M1 & !Y KNEW ?AT ! DOOM HAD GONE =? AGA9/ !M4  ,NEV]!LESS !Y W]E NOT M5 TO FA9T & DIE BECAUSE ! ,GODS W]E BECOME !IR FOES1 BUT !Y W]E RESOLV$ RA!R TO FI<T IT \T TO ! 5D AGA9/ :ATSOEV] MI<T COME AGA9/ !M1 AS WAS WELL SE5 AFT]W>DS4  

,N[ !Y HAD MADE F\R GATES TO !IR G>? ACCORD+ TO !IR CU/OM1 & AT EA* GATE )9 WAS !RE A COMPANY ( !IR MI<TIE/ M51 & EA* WAS BESET BY ! BE/ ( ! ,M>KM54 ,?IODOLF & HIS M5 BESET ! WE/]N GATE :]E !Y HAD MADE ?AT FI]CE ONSET4  ,& ! NOR!RN GATE WAS BESET BY ! ,ELK+S & SOME ( ! K9DR$S ( ! ,NE!R-M>K2 & ! EA/]N GATE BY ! RE/ ( ! M5 ( ,NE!R-M>K2 & ! S\!RN GATE BY ! K9DR$S ( ,UP-M>K4  

,ALL ?IS ! ,ROMANS NOT$1 & !Y SAW H[ ?AT ! ,M>KM5 W]E N[ V]Y MANY1 & !Y KNEW ?AT !Y W]E M5 NO LESS VALIANT ?AN !MSELVES1 & !Y P]CEIV$ ?AT ,?IODOLF WAS A WISE ,CAPTA92 & 9 LESS ?AN TWO H\RS' SPACE FROM ! ,/ORM ( ,DAWN+ !Y SAW ?OSE M5 COM+ FROM ! WOOD ) PL5TE\S /ORE ( TREE-TRUNKS TO BRIDGE !IR DIT* & RAMP>T2 & !Y CONSID]$ H[ ! DAY WAS YET V]Y Y\NG1 SO ?AT !Y MI<T LOOK = NO %ELT] FROM ! NI<T-TIDE2 & AS = ANY AID FROM !IR [N FOLK AT ! W>-G>? A=ESAID1 !Y HOP$ NOT = IT1 NOR HAD !Y S5T ANY MESS5G] TO ! ,CAPTA9 ( ! G>?2 NOR DID !Y KN[ AS YET ( HIS OV]?R[ ON ! ,RIDGE4  

,N[ !RE=E !RE SEEM$ TO BE BUT TWO *OICES BE=E !M2 EI!R TO ABIDE )9 ! RAMP>T !Y HAD CA/ UP1 OR TO BREAK \T LIKE VALIANT M51 & EI!R DIE 9 ! /ORM1 OR CLEAVE A WAY ?R\<1 :]EBY !Y MI<T COME TO !IR K9DR$ & !IR /RON<OLD S\?- EA/ ( ! ,M>K4  

,?IS LA/ WAY !N !Y *OSE2 OR1 TO SAY ! TRU?1 IT WAS !IR *IEF CAPTA9 :O *OSE IT = !M1 ?\< !Y W]E NO?+ LOA! !RETO3  = ?IS MAN WAS A MOCK]1 YET HOT-HEAD$1 UN/ABLE1 & NAU<T WISE 9 W>1 & H]ET(ORE HAD HIS GRE$ M9I%$ HIS C\RAGE2 YET N[1 BE+ DRIV5 9TO A CORN]1 HE HAD C\RAGE 5\< & TO SP>E1 BUT UTT]LY LACK$ PATI5CE2 = IT HAD BE5 BETT] = ! ,ROMANS TO HAVE ABID$ ONE OR TWO ONSETS FROM ! ,GO?S1 :]EBY !Y :O %\LD MAKE ! ONSLAU<T W\LD AT ! LEA/ HAVE LO/ MORE M5 ?AN !Y ON :OM !Y %\LD FALL1 BE=E !Y )9 /ORM$ =? ON !M2 BUT !IR PRIDE TOOK AWAY FROM ! ,ROMANS !IR LA/ *ANCE4  ,BUT !IR CAPTA91 N[ ?AT HE P]CEIV$1 AS HE ?\<T1 ?AT ! GAME WAS LO/ & HIS LIFE COME TO ITS LA/ H\R :]E9 HE W\LD HAVE TO LEAVE HIS TREASURE & PLEASURE BEH9D HIM1 GREW DESP]ATE & !RE) MO/ FI]CE & CRUEL4  ,SO ALL ! CAPTIVES :OM !Y HAD TAK5 7!Y W]E BUT TWO SCORE & TWO1 = ! W\ND$ M5 !Y HAD SLA97 HE CAUS$ TO BE B\ND ON ! *AIRS ( ! HI<- SEAT CLAD 9 !IR W>-GE> ) !IR SWORDS OR SPE>S MADE FA/ TO !IR RI<T H&S1 & !IR %IELDS TO !IR LEFT H&S2 & HE SAID ?AT ! ,GO?S %\LD N[ HOLD A ,?+ :]E9 !Y %\LD AT LA/ TAKE C\NSEL WISELY1 & AB/A9 FROM FOLLY4  ,= HE CAUS$ /ORE ( FAGOTS & SMALL WOOD SME>$ ) GREASE & OIL TO BE CA/ 9TO ! HALL ?AT IT MI<T BE FIR$1 SO ?AT IT & ! CAPTIVES %\LD BURN UP ALTOGE!R2 0,SO10 SAID HE1 0%ALL WE HAVE A FAIR TOR* = \R FUN]AL FIRE20 = IT WAS ! CU/OM ( ! ,ROMANS TO BURN !IR DEAD4  

,?US1 !N1 HE DID2 & !N HE CAUS$ M5 TO DO AWAY ! B>RI]S & OP5 ALL ! F\R GATES ( ! NEW-MADE G>?1 AFT] HE HAD MANN$ ! WALL ) ! SL+]S & B[M51 & SLA9 ! HORSES1 SO ?AT ! WOODL& FOLK %\LD HAVE NO GA9 ( !M4  ,!N HE >RAY$ HIS M5 AT ! GATES & AB\T !M DULY & WISELY1 & BADE ?OSE VALIANT FOOTM5 FALL ON ! ,GO?S :O W]E GETT+ READY TO FALL ON !M1 & TO DO !IR BE/4  ,BUT HE HIMSELF >M$ AT ALL PO9TS TOOK HIS /& AT ! ,MAN'S-DOOR ( ! ,HALL1 & SWORE BY ALL ! ,GODS ( HIS K9DR$ ?AT HE W\LD NOT MOVE A FOOT'S L5G? FROM !NCE EI!R = FIRE OR = /EEL4  

,SO FI]CELY ON ?AT FAIR MORN+ BURN$ ! HATR$ ( M5 AB\T ! DWELL+S ( ! *ILDR5 ( ! ,WOLF ( ! ,GO?S1 :]E9 ! *ILDR5 ( ! ,WOLF ( ,ROME W]E %UT UP AS 9 A P5FOLD ( SLAU<T]4  

,MEAN:ILE ! ,HALL-,SUN /&+ ON ! ,HILL ( ,SPEE* BEHELD IT ALL1 LOOK+ D[N 9TO ! G>? ( W>2 = ! NEW WALL WAS NO H9DRANCE TO H] SI<T1 BECAUSE ! ,SPEE*-,HILL WAS HI< & BUT A LITTLE WAY FROM ! ,GREAT ,RO(2 & 9DE$ %E WAS )9 %OT ( ! ,ROMAN B[M51 ?\< !Y W]E NOT V]Y DEFT 9 %OOT+4  

,SO N[ %E LIFT$ UP H] VOICE & SANG SO ?AT MANY HE>D H]2 = AT ?IS MOM5T ( TIME !RE WAS A LULL 9 ! CLAMOR ( BATTLE BO? )9 ! G>? & )\T2 EV5 AS IT HAPP5S :5 ! ?UND]- /ORM IS JU/ AB\T TO BREAK ON ! WORLD1 ?AT ! W9D DROPS DEAD1 & ! VOICE ( ! LEAVES IS HU%$ BE=E ! FIR/ GREAT & NE> FLA% ( LI<T5+ GL>ES OV] ! FIELDS4  

,SO %E SANG3  

0,N[ ! LATE/ H\R COME? & ! 5D+ ( ! /RIFE2   

,& TO-MORR[ & TO-MORR[ %ALL WE TAKE ! H& ( LIFE1   

,& W5D AD[N ! MEAD[S1 & SKIRT ! D>KL+ WOOD1   

,& REAP ! WAV+ ACRES1 & GA!R 9 ! GOOD4   

,I SEE A WALL BE=E ME BUILT UP ( /EEL & FIRE1   

,& HURTS & HE>T-SICK /RIV+1 & ! W>-WRI<T'S FI]CE   

DESIRE2   

,BUT !RE-AMID A DOOR IS1 & W9D[S >E !RE92   

,& ! FAIR SUN-LITT5 MEAD[S & ! ,H\SES ( ! K9   

,SMILE ON ME ?R\< ! T]ROR MY TREMBL+ LIFE TO /AY1   

,?AT AT MY M\? N[ FLUTT]S1 AS FA9 TO FLEE AWAY4   

,LO E'5 AS ! LITTLE HAMM] & ! BL[-PIPE ( ! WRI<T   

,AB\T ! FLICK]+ FIRE DEALS ) ! SILV] :ITE1   

,& ! CUP & ITS BEAUTY GR[E? ?AT %ALL BE = ! PEOPLE'S   

FEA/1   

,& ALL M5 >E GLAD TO SEE IT FROM ! GREATE/ TO ! LEA/2   

,E'5 SO IS ! TALE N[ FA%ION$1 ?AT MANY A TIME & (T   

,%ALL BE TOLD ON ! ACRE'S $GES1 :5 ! SUMM] EVE IS S(T2   

,%ALL BE HE>K5$ R\ND ! HALL-BLAZE :5 ! MID-W9T] NI<T   

,! K9DR$S' MIR? BESETTE?1 & QUICK5E? MAN'S DELI<T1   

,& WE ?AT HAVE LIV$ 9 ! /ORY %ALL BE BORN AGA9 & AGA9   

,AS M5 FEA/ ON ! BREAD ( \R E>N+1 & PRAISE ! GRIEF-BORN   

GRA940   

,AS %E MADE AN 5D ( S++1 ?OSE AB\T H] UND]/OOD H] WORDS1 ?AT %E WAS =ETELL+ VICTORY1 & ! PEACE ( ! ,M>K1 & = JOY !Y RAIS$ A %RILL CRY2 & ! W>RIORS :O W]E NI<E/ TO H] TOOK IT UP1 & IT SPREAD ?R\< ! :OLE HO/ R\ND AB\T ! G>?1 & W5T UP 9TO ! BREA? ( ! SUMM] MORN+ & W5T D[N ! W9D ALONG ! MEAD[ ( ! ,WOLF+S1 SO ?AT !Y ( ! WA9-BURG1 :O W]E N[ DRAW+ SOME:AT NE> TO ,WOLF-/EAD HE>D IT & W]E GLAD4  

,BUT ! ,ROMANS :5 !Y HE>D IT KNEW ?AT ! HE>T ( ! BATTLE WAS REA*$1 & !Y CA/ BACK ?AT %\T WRA?FULLY & FI]CELY1 & MADE T[>D ! FOE4  

,!RE)AL ?OSE MI<TY M5 FELL ON EA* O!R 9 ! N>R[ PASSES ( ! G>?2 = FE> WAS DEAD & BURI$ 9 ?AT ,BATTLE ( ! ,MORN+4  

,ON ! ,NOR? GATE ,HI>&I ( ! ,ELK+S WAS ! PO9T ( ! ,M>KM5'S W$GE1 & FIR/ CLAVE ! ,ROMAN PRESS4  ,9 ! ,EA/]N GATE IT WAS ,VALTYR1 ,OTT]'S BRO!R'S SON1 A Y\NG MAN & MO/ MI<TY4  ,9 ! ,S\? GATE IT WAS ,GEIRBALD ( ! ,%IELD+S1 ! ,MESS5G]4  

,9 ! WE/ GATE ,?IODOLF ! ,W>-DUKE GAVE ONE MI<TY CRY LIKE ! RO> ( AN ANGRY LION1 & CLE>$ A SPACE BE=E HIM = ! WIELD+ ( ,IV>'S BLADE2 = AT ?AT MOM5T HE HAD LOOK$ UP TO ! ,RO( ( ! ,K9DR$ & HAD BEHELD A LITTLE /REAM ( SMOKE CURL+ BLUE \T ( A W9D[ !RE(1 & HE KNEW :AT HAD BETID$1 & H[ %ORT WAS ! TIME BE=E !M4  ,BUT HIS WRA?FUL CRY WAS TAK5 UP BY SOME :O HAD BEHELD ?AT SAME SI<T1 & BY O!RS :O SAW NAU<T BUT ! ,ROMAN PRESS1 & T]RIBLY IT RANG OV] ! SWAY+ /RUGGL+ CR[D4  

,!N FELL ! FIR/ RANK ( ! ,ROMANS BE=E ?OSE />K M5 & MI<TY W>RIORS2 & !Y FELL EV5 :]E !Y /OOD1 = ON NEI!R SIDE C\LD ANY GIVE BACK BUT = A LITTLE SPACE1 SO CLOSE ! PRESS WAS1 & ! M5 SO EAG] TO SMITE4  ,NEI!R DID ANY CRAVE PEACE IF HE W]E HURT OR DIS>M$2 = TO ! ,GO?S IT WAS BUT A LITTLE ?+ TO FALL 9 HOT BLOOD 9 ?AT H\R ( LOVE ( ! K9DR$1 & LONG+ = ! DAYS TO BE4  ,& = ! ,ROMANS1 !Y HAD HAD NO M]CY1 & N[ LOOK$ = NONE3  & !Y REMEMB]$ !IR DEAL+S ) ! ,GO?S1 & SAW BE=E !M1 AS IT W]E1 ONCE MORE1 YEA1 AS 9 A PICTURE1 !IR SLAY+S & QUELL+S1 & LA%+S1 & COLD MOCK+S :I* !Y HAD DEALT \T TO ! CONQU]$ FOEM5 )\T M]CY1 & N[ !Y LONG$ SORE = ! QUIET ( ! D>K1 :5 !IR H>D LIVES %\LD BE OV]1 & ALL !SE DE$S =GOTT51 & !Y & !IR BITT] FOES %\LD BE AT RE/ = EV]4  

,MO/ VALIANTLY !Y F\<T2 BUT ! FURY ( !IR DESPAIR C\LD NOT DEAL ) ! FE>LESS HOPE ( ! ,GO?S1 & AS RANK AFT] RANK ( !M TOOK ! PLACE ( ?OSE :O W]E HEWN D[N BY ,?IODOLF & ! ,K9DR$1 !Y FELL 9 !IR TURN1 & SL[LY ! ,GO?S CLE>$ A SPACE )9 ! GATES1 & !N BEGAN TO SPREAD ALONG ! WALL )91 & GREW ?ICK] & ?ICK]4  ,NOR DID !Y FI<T ONLY AT ! GATES2 BUT MADE !M BRIDGES ( ?OSE TREE-TRUNKS1 & FELL TO SW>M+ OV] ! RAMP>T1 TILL !Y HAD CLE>$ IT ( ! B[M5 & SL+]S1 & !N !Y LEAP$ D[N & FELL UPON ! FLANKS ( ! ,ROMANS2 & ! HO/ ( ! DEAD GREW1 & ! HO/ ( ! LIV+ LESS5$4  

,MOREOV] ! /AY-AT-HOMES R\ND AB\T ! ,SPEE*-,HILL1 & ?AT B& ( ! W>RIORS ( ,UP-M>K :O W]E ) !M1 BEHELD ! ,GREAT ,RO( & SAW ! SMOKE COME GU%+ \T ( ! W9D[S1 & AT LA/ SAW ! R$ FLAMES CREEP \T AMID IT & WAV] R\ND ! W9D[ JAMBS LIKE LITTLE BANN]S ( SC>LET CLO?4  ,!N !Y C\LD NO LONG] REFRA9 !MSELVES1 BUT RAN D[N FROM ! ,SPEE*-,HILL & ! SLOPE AB\T IT ) GREAT & FI]CE CRIES1 & CLOMB ! WALL :]E IT WAS UNMANN$1 HELP+ EA* O!R ) H& & BACK1 BO? />K W>RIORS1 & OLD M5 & LADS & WOM53  & ?US !Y GAT !M 9TO ! G>? & FELL UPON ! LESS5+ B& ( ! ,ROMANS1 :O N[ BEGAN TO GIVE WAY HI!R & ?I!R AB\T ! G>?1 AS !Y BE/ MI<T4  

,?US IT BEFELL AT ! ,WE/-GATE1 BUT AT ! O!R GATES IT WAS NO WORS]1 = !RE WAS NO DIV]SITY ( VALOR BETWE5 ! ,H\SES2 NAY1 :]EAS ! MORE P>T & ! BE/ P>T ( ! ,ROMANS FAC$ ! ONSET ( ,?IODOLF1 :I* SEEM$ TO !M ! MA9 ONSET1 !Y W]E SOME:AT EASI] TO DEAL ) ELSE:]E ?AN AT ! ,WE/ GATE2 & AT ! ,EA/ GATE WAS ! PLACE FIR/ WON1 SO ?AT ,VALTYR & HIS FOLK W]E ! FIR/ TO CLE> A SPACE )9 ! GATE1 & TO TELL ! TALE %ORTLY 7= CAN ?IS ?AT & ! O!R SWORD-/ROKE BE TOLD ( 9 SU* A M$LEY87 !Y DREW ! DEA?-R+ >\ND ! ,ROMANS ?AT W]E BE=E !M1 & SLEW !M ALL TO ! LA/ MAN1 & !N FELL FI]CELY ON ! RE>W>D ( !M ( ! ,NOR? GATE1 :O /ILL /OOD BE=E ,HI>&I'S ONSET4  ,!RE AGA9 WAS NO LONG TALE TO TELL (1 = ,HI>&I WAS JU/ W9N+ ! GATE1 & ! WALL WAS CLE>$ ( ! ,ROMAN %OT-FI<T]S1 & ! ,M>KM5 W]E /&+ ON ! TOP !RE(1 & CA/+ D[N ON ! ,ROMANS SPE>S & BALKS ( WOOD & :ATSOEV] W\LD FLY4  ,!RE AGA9 W]E ! ,ROMANS ALL SLA9 OR PUT \T ( ! FI<T1 & ! TWO B&S ( ! K9DR$ JO9$ TOGE!R1 & ) :AT VOICES ! BATTLE-RAGE HAD LEFT !M CRI$ \T = JOY & F>$ ON TOGE!R TO HELP TO B9D ! %EAVES ( W> :I* ,?IODOLF'S SICKLE HAD REAP$4  ,& N[ IT WAS M]E SLAY+1 & ! ,ROMANS1 ?\< !Y /ILL F\<T 9 KNOTS ( LESS ?AN A SCORE1 YET F\<T ON & HEW$ & ?RU/ )\T MORE ?\<T OR WILL ?AN ! /ONE HAS :5 IT LEAPS AD[N ! HILL-SIDE AFT] IT HAS FIR/ BE5 SET AGO+4  

,BUT N[ ! G>? WAS FAIRLY WON & ,?IODOLF SAW ?AT !RE WAS NO HOPE = ! ,ROMANS DRAW+ TOGE!R AGA92 SO :ILE ! K9DR$S W]E BUSI$ 9 HEW+ D[N ?OSE KNOTS ( DESP]ATE M51 HE GA!R$ TO HIM SOME ( ! WISE/ ( HIS W>RIORS1 AMONG :OM W]E ,/E9ULF & ,GRANI ! ,GRAY1 ! DEFT WOOD-WRI<TS 7BUT ,A?ALULF HAD BE5 GRIEV\SLY HURT BY A SPE> & WAS \T ( ! BATTLE71 & DRAVE A WAY ?R\< ! CONFUS$ TURMOIL :I* /ILL BOIL$ 9 ! G>? !RE1 & MADE /RAI<T = ! ,MAN'S-DOOR ( ! ,HALL4  ,SOON HE WAS CLOSE !RETO1 HAV+ HEWN AWAY ALL FLE]S ?AT H9D]$ HIM1 & ! DOORWAY WAS BE=E HIM4  ,BUT ON ! ?RE%OLD1 ! FIRE & FLAMES ( ! K9DL$ HALL BEH9D HIM1 /OOD ! ,ROMAN ,CAPTA9 CLAD 9 GOLD- ADORN$ >MOR & SURCOAT ( SEA-BORN PURPLE2 ! MAN WAS COOL & CALM & PR\D1 & A MOCK+ SMILE WAS ON HIS FACE3  & HE BORE HIS BRI<T BLADE UNBLOODI$ 9 HIS H&4  

,?IODOLF /AY$ A MOM5T ( TIME1 & !IR EYES MET2 IT HAD GONE H>D ) ! ,W>-DUKE1 & ?OSE EYES GLITT]$ 9 HIS PALE FACE1 & HIS TEE? W]E CLOSE SET TOGE!R2 ?\< HE HAD F\<T WISELY1 & = LIFE1 AS HE :O IS MO/ VALIANT EV] WILL DO1 TILL HE IS DRIV5 TO BAY LIKE ! LONE WOOD-WOLF BY ! H\NDS1 YET HAD HE BE5 SORE MI%&L$4  ,HIS HELM & %IELD W]E GONE1 HIS HAUB]K R5T2 = IT WAS NO DW>F-WR\<T COAT1 BUT ! WORK ( ,IV>'S H&3  ! BLOOD WAS RUNN+ D[N FROM HIS LEFT >M1 & HE WAS HURT 9 MANY PLACES3  HE HAD BROK5 ,IV>'S SWORD 9 ! M$LEY1 & N[ BORE 9 HIS H& A /RONG ,ROMAN %ORT-SWORD1 & HIS FEET /OOD BLOODY ON ! WORN E>? ANI< ! ,MAN'S-DOOR4  

,HE LOOK$ 9TO ! SCORNFUL EYES ( ! ,ROMAN LORD = A LITTLE M9UTE & !N LAU<$ AL\D1 & !RE)AL1 LEAP+ ON HIM ) ONE SPR+1 TURN$ SIDEWAYS1 & DEALT HIM A GREAT BUFFET ON HIS E> ) HIS UN>M$ LEFT H&1 JU/ AS ! ,ROMAN ?RU/ AT HIM ) HIS SWORD1 SO ?AT ! ,CAPTA9 /AGG]$ =W>D ON TO ! NEXT MAN FOLL[+1 :I* WAS ,WOLFKETTLE ! EAG] W>RIOR1 :O ?RU/ HIM ?R\< ) HIS SWORD & %OV$ HIM ASIDE AS !Y ALL /RODE 9TO ! HALL TOGE!R4  ,H[BEIT NO SWORD FELL FROM ! ,ROMAN ,CAPTA9 AS HE FELL1 = ,?IODOLF'S SIDE BORE IT 9TO ! ,HALL ( ! ,WOLF+S4  

,MO/ WRA?FUL W]E ?OSE M51 & W5T HA/ILY1 = !IR ,RO( WAS FULL ( SMOKE1 & ! FLAMES FLICK]$ AB\T ! PILL>S & ! WALL H]E & !RE1 & CREPT UP TO ! W9D[S AL(T2 YET WAS IT NOT :OLLY OR FI]CELY BURN+2 = ! ,ROMAN FIRE-RAIS]S HAD BE5 HURRI$ & HA/Y 9 !IR WORK4  ,/RAI<TWAY !N ,/E9ULF & ,GRANI L$ ! O!RS (F AT A RUN T[>DS ! L(T & ! WAT]2 BUT ,?IODOLF1 :O W5T SL[LY & PA9FULLY1 LOOK$ & BEHELD ON ! DAIS ?OSE M5 B\ND = ! BURN+1 & HE W5T QUIETLY1 & AS A MAN :O HAS BE5 SICK1 & IS WEAK1 UP ON TO ! DAIS1 & SAID3  

0,BE ( GOOD *E]1 ,O BRO!RS1 = ! K9DR$S HAVE VANQUI%$ ! FOEM51 & ! 5D ( /RIFE IS COME40  

,HIS VOICE S\ND$ /RANGE & SWEET TO !M AMID ! TURMOIL ( ! FI<T )\T2 HE LAID D[N HIS SWORD ON ! TABLE1 & DREW A LITTLE %>P KNIFE FROM HIS GIRDLE & CUT !IR BONDS ONE BY ONE & LOOS$ !M ) HIS BLOOD-/A9$ H&S2 & EA* ONE AS HE LOOS$ HIM HE KISS$ & SAID TO HIM1 0,BRO!R1 GO HELP ?OSE :O >E QU5*+ ! FIRE2 ?IS IS ! BIDD+ ( ! ,W>-DUKE40  

,BUT AS HE LOOS$ ONE AFT] O!R HE WAS LONG] & LONG] AB\T IT1 & HIS WORDS W]E SL[]4  ,AT LA/ HE CAME TO ! MAN :O WAS B\ND 9 HIS [N HI<-SEAT CLOSE UND] ! PLACE ( ! WONDR\S ,LAMP1 ! ,HALL-,SUN1 & HE WAS ! ONLY ONE LEFT B\ND2 ?AT MAN WAS ( ! ,WORM+S & WAS NAM$ ,ELFRIC2 HE LOOS$ HIM & WAS LONG AB\T IT2 & :5 HE WAS DONE HE SMIL$ ON HIM & KISS$ HIM1 & SAID TO HIM3  

0,>ISE1 BRO!R6 GO HELP ! QU5*]S ( ! FIRE1 & LEAVE TO ME ?IS MY *AIR1 = ,I AM WE>Y3  & IF ?\ WILT1 ?\ MAY/ BR+ ME ( ?AT WAT] TO DR9K1 = ?IS MORN+ M5 HAVE =GOTT5 ! MEAD ( ! REAP]S60  

,!N ,ELFRIC >OSE1 & ,?IODOLF SAT 9 HIS *AIR1 & LEAN$ BACK HIS HEAD2 BUT ,ELFRIC LOOK$ AT HIM = A MOM5T AS ONE SC>$1 & !N RAN HIS WAYS D[N ! HALL1 :I* N[ WAS GR[+ NOISY ) ! HURRY & BU/LE ( ! QU5*]S ( ! FIRE1 TO :OM HAD DIV]S O!RS JO9$ !MSELVES4  

,!RE !N FROM A BUCKET :I* WAS /ILL = A MOM5T HE FILL$ A WOOD5 B[L1 :I* HE CAU<T UP FROM ! BASE ( ONE ( ! HALL- PILL>S1 & HA/5$ UP ! ,HALL AGA92 & !RE WAS NO MAN NI< ! DAIS1 & ,?IODOLF YET SAT 9 HIS *AIR1 & ! HALL WAS DIM ) ! ROLL+ SMOKE1 & ,ELFRIC SAW NOT WELL :AT ! ,W>-DUKE WAS DO+4  ,SO HE HA/5$ ON1 & :5 HE WAS CLOSE TO ,?IODOLF HE TROD 9 SOME?+ WET1 & HIS HE>T SANK = HE KNEW ?AT IT WAS BLOOD2 HIS FOOT SLIPP$ !RE) & AS HE PUT \T HIS H& TO SAVE HIMSELF ! MORE P>T ( ! WAT] WAS SPILL$1 & M+L$ ) ! BLOOD4 ,BUT HE W5T UP TO ,?IODOLF & SAID TO HIM1 0,DR9K1 ,W>-DUKE6 H]E HA? COME A M\?FUL ( WAT]40  

,BUT ,?IODOLF MOV$ NOT = HIS WORD1 & ,ELFRIC T\*$ HIM1 & HE MOV$ NONE ! MORE4  

,!N ,ELFRIC'S HE>T FAIL$ HIM & HE LAID HIS H& ON ! ,W>-DUKE'S H&1 & LOOK$ CLOSELY 9TO HIS FACE2 & ! H& WAS COLD & ! FACE A%5-PALE2 & ,ELFRIC LAID HIS H& ON HIS SIDE1 & HE FELT ! %ORT-SWORD ( ! ,ROMAN LEAD] ?RU/ DEEP !RE91 BESIDES HIS MANY O!R HURTS4  

,SO ,ELFRIC KNEW ?AT HE WAS DEAD1 & HE CA/ ! B[L TO ! E>?1 & LIFT$ UP HIS H&S & WAIL$ \T AL\D1 LIKE A WOMAN :O HA? COME SUDD5LY ON H] DEAD *ILD1 & CRI$ \T 9 A GREAT VOICE3  

0,HI!R1 HI!R1 ,O M5 9 ?IS HALL1 = ! ,W>-DUKE ( ! ,M>KM5 IS DEAD6  ,O YE PEOPLE1 ,HE>K56  ,?IODOLF ! ,MI<TY1 ! ,WOLF+ IS DEAD60  

,& HE WAS A Y\NG MAN1 & WEAK ) ! B9D+ & ! WAIT+ = DEA?1 & HE B[$ HIMSELF AD[N & CR\*$ ON ! GR\ND & WEPT AL\D4  

,BUT EV5 AS HE CRI$ ?AT CRY1 ! SUNLI<T \TSIDE ! ,MAN'S-DOOR WAS D>K5$1 & ! ,HALL-,SUN CAME OV] ! ?RE%OLD 9 H] ANCI5T GOLD-EMBROID]$ RAIM5T1 HOLD+ 9 H] H& H] NAMESAKE ! WONDR\S ,LAMP2 & ! SPE>S & ! W>-GE> ( W>RIORS GLEAM$ BEH9D H]2 BUT ! M5 T>RI$ ON ! ?RE%OLD TILL %E TURN$ AB\T & BECKON$ TO !M1 & !N !Y P\R$ 9 ?R\< ! ,MAN'S-DOOR1 !IR W>-GE> R5T & !Y ALL BEF\L$ & DIS>RAY$ ) ! BATTLE1 BUT ) PR\D & HAPPY FACES3  AS !Y 5T]$ %E WAV$ H] H& TO !M TO BID !M GO JO9 ! QU5*]S ( ! FIRE2 SO !Y W5T !IR WAYS4  

,BUT %E W5T ) UNFALT]+ /EPS UP TO ! DAIS1 & ! PLACE :]E ! *A9 ( ! ,LAMP HUNG D[N FROM AMID ! SMOKE-CL\D WAV]+ A LITTLE 9 ! GU/S ( ! HALL4  ,/RAI<TWAY %E MADE ! ,LAMP FA/ TO ITS *A91 & DEALT ) ITS PULLEYS ) A DEFT H& (T5 PRACTIC$ !RE91 & !N LET IT RUN UP T[>D ! SMOKE- HIDD5 ,RO( TILL IT GLEAM$ 9 ITS DUE PLACE ONCE MORE1 A TOK5 ( ! SALVATION ( ! ,WOLF+S & ! WELF>E ( ALL ! K9DR$S4  

,!N %E TURN$ T[>D ,?IODOLF ) A CALM & SOLEMN FACE1 ?\< IT WAS V]Y PALE & LOOK$ AS IF %E W\LD NOT SMILE AGA94  ,ELFRIC HAD RIS5 UP & WAS /&+ BY ! BO>D SPEE*LESS & ! PASSION ( SOBS /ILL /RUGGL+ 9 HIS BOSOM4  ,%E PUT HIM ASIDE G5TLY1 & W5T UP TO ,?IODOLF & /OOD ABOVE HIM1 & LOOK$ D[N ON HIS FACE A :ILE3  !N %E PUT =? H] H& & CLOS$ HIS EYES1 & /OOP$ D[N & KISS$ HIS FACE4  ,!N %E /OOD UP AGA9 & FAC$ ! ,HALL & LOOK$ & SAW ?AT MANY W]E /REAM+ 91 & ?AT ?\< ! SMOKE WAS /ILL $DY+ OV]HEAD1 ! FIRE WAS WELL NI< QU5*$ )92 & )\T ! S\ND ( BATTLE HAD SUNK & DI$ AWAY4  ,= 9DE$ ! ,M>KM5 HAD 5D$ !IR DAY'S WORK BE=E NOONTIDE ?AT DAY1 & ! MORE P>T ( ! ,ROMANS W]E SLA91 & TO ! RE/ !Y HAD GIV5 PEACE TILL ! ,FOLK-MOTE %\LD GIVE ,DOOM CONC]N+ !M2 = PITY ( !SE VALIANT M5 WAS GR[+ 9 ! HE>TS ( ! VALIANT M5 :O HAD VANQUI%$ !M1 N[ ?AT !Y FE>$ !M NO MORE4  

,& ?IS SECOND P>T ( ! ,MORN+ ,BATTLE IS CALL$ ,?IODOLF'S ,/ORM4  

,SO N[ :5 ! ,HALL-,SUN LOOK$ & BEHELD ?AT ! BATTLE WAS DONE & ! FIRE QU5*$1 & :5 %E SAW H[ EV]Y MAN ?AT CAME 9TO ! ,HALL LOOK$ UP & BEHELD ! WONDR\S ,LAMP & HIS FACE QUICK5$ 9TO JOY AT ! SI<T ( IT2 & H[ MO/ LOOK$ UP AT ! HI<-SEAT & ,?IODOLF LY+ LEAN$ BACK !RE91 H] HE>T NI< BROKE BETWE5 ! ?\<T ( H] GRIEF & ( ! GRIEF ( ! ,FOLK ?AT !IR MI<TY FRI5D WAS DEAD1 & ! ?\<T ( ! JOY ( ! DAYS TO BE & ALL ! GLORY ?AT HIS LATT] DAYS HAD WON4  ,BUT %E GA!R$ HE>T1 & CA/+ BACK ! D>K TRESSES ( H] HAIR1 %E LIFT$ UP H] VOICE & CRI$ \T TILL ITS CLE> %RILLNESS S\ND$ ?R\<\T ALL ! ,RO(3  

0,O M5 9 ?IS ,HALL ! ,W>-DUKE IS DEAD6  ,O PEOPLE HE>K56 = ,?IODOLF ! ,MI<TY HA? *ANG$ HIS LIFE3  ,COME HI!R1 ,O M51 ,COME HI!R1 = ?IS IS TRUE1 ?AT ,?IODOLF IS DEAD60  

,FROM 3 ,M>XI/S4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,FEBRU>Y #b#c1 #bba 3 ,*APT] #bi -- ,ADD$4 

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