,*APT] #be 
,( ,! ,GATE-,?+ ,AT ,BURG/EAD 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,WILLIAM ,MORRIS 

,TEXT 3 

,BUT N[ MU/ HE HA/51 = ! ,GATE-?+ WAS TO BE HOLD5 TWO H\RS BE=E NOON2 SO HE BETOOK HIM SPE$ILY TO ! ,HALL1 & TOOK HIS %IELD & DID ON A GOODLY HELM & GIRT HIS SWORD TO HIS SIDE1 = M5 MU/ NE$S GO TO ALL FOLK-MOTES ) !IR WEAPONS & CLAD 9 W>-GE>4  ,?US HE W5T =? TO ! ,GATE ) MANY O!RS1 & !RE ALREADY W]E MANY FOLK ASSEMBL$ 9 ! SPACE A=ESAID BETWIXT ! ,GATE ( ! ,BURG & ! %E] ROCKS ON ! FACE ( :I* W]E ! /EPS ?AT L$ UP TO ! ANCI5T ,T[] ON ! HEI<T4  ,! ,ALD]MAN WAS SITT+ ON ! GREAT /ONE BY ! ,GATE-SIDE :I* WAS HIS APPO9T$ PLACE1 & BESIDE HIM ON ! /ONE B5* W]E ! SIX ,W>D5S ( ! ,BURG2 BUT ( ! SIX ,W>D5S ( ! ,DALE !RE W]E BUT ?REE1 = ! O!RS HAD NOT YET HE>D TELL ( ! BATTLE OR HAD GOT ! SUMMONS TO ! ,?+1 S9CE !Y HAD BE5 AB\T !IR BUS9ESS D[N ! ,DALE4  

,FACE-(-GOD TOOK HIS PLACE SIL5TLY AMONG ! NEI<BORS1 BUT M5 MADE WAY = HIM1 SO ?AT HE MU/ NE$S /& 9 FRONT1 FAC+ HIS FA!R & ! ,W>D5S2 & !RE W5T UP A MURMUR ( EXPECTATION R\ND AB\T HIM1 BO? BECAUSE ! WORD HAD GONE AB\T ?AT HE HAD A TALE ( NEW TID+S TO TELL1 & ALSO BECAUSE M5 DEEM$ HIM !IR BE/ & H&IE/ MAN1 ?\< HE WAS YET SO Y\NG4  

,N[ ! ,ALD]MAN LOOK$ >\ND & BEHELD A GREAT ?RONG GA!R$ TOGE!R1 & HE LOOK$ ON ! %AD[ ( ! ,GATE :I* ! S\!R+ SUN WAS CA/+ ON ! H>D :ITE GR\ND ( ! ,?+- /EAD1 & HE SAW ?AT IT HAD JU/ TAK5 9 ! /&+-/ONE :I* WAS 9 ! MID/ ( ! PLACE4  ,ON ! FACE ( ! SAID /ONE WAS C>V5 ! IMAGE ( A FI<T+ MAN ) %IELD ON >M & AX 9 H&2 = IT HAD BE5 SET !RE 9 OLD TIME 9 MEMORY ( ! MAN :O HAD BIDD5 ! ,FOLK BUILD ! ,GATE & ITS WALL1 & HAD %[$ !M H[ TO FA%ION IT3  = HE WAS A DEFT H\SE-SMI? AS WELL AS A GREAT W>RIOR2 & HIS NAME WAS ,IRON-H&4  ,SO :5 ! ,ALD]MAN SAW ?AT ?IS /ONE WAS :OLLY )9 ! %AD[ ( ! ,GATE HE KNEW ?AT IT WAS ! DUE TIME = ! HALL[+-9 ( ! ,?+4  ,SO HE BADE ONE ( ! W>D5S :O SAT BESIDE HIM & HAD A GREAT SLUG-HORN SLUNG AB\T HIM1 TO RISE & SET ! HORN TO HIS M\?4  

,SO ?AT MAN >OSE & BLEW ?REE GREAT BLA/S ?AT W5T BELL[+ AB\T ! T[]S & D[N ! /REET1 & BEAT BACK AGA9 FROM ! FACE ( ! %E] ROCKS & UP !M & OV] 9TO ! WILD-WOOD2 & ! S\ND ( IT W5T ON ! LI<T WE/-W9D ALONG ! LIPS ( ! ,DALE T[>D ! M\NTA9 WA/ES4  ,& MANY A GOODMAN1 :5 HE HE>D ! VOICE ( ! HORN 9 ! BRI<T SPR+ MORN+1 LEFT SPADE OR AX OR PL[-/ILTS1 OR ! FODD]+ ( ! EWES & !IR Y\NGL+S1 & TURN$ BACK HOME TO FET* HIS SWORD & HELM & HA/5 TO ! ,?+1 ?\< HE KNEW NOT :Y IT WAS SUMMON$3  & WOM5 W5D+ OV] ! MEAD[S1 :O HAD NOT YET HE>D ( ! BATTLE 9 ! WOOD1 HE>K5$ & /OOD /ILL ON ! GRE5 GRASS OR AMID ! RIPPLES ( ! =D1 & ! ?REAT ( COM+ TR\BLE SMOTE HEAVY ON !IR HE>TS1 = !Y KNEW ?AT GREAT TID+S MU/ BE T[>DS IF A ,?+ MU/ NE$S BE SUMMON$ SO CLOSE TO ! ,GREAT ,FOLK-MOTE4  

,BUT N[ ! ,ALD]MAN /OOD UP & SPAKE AMID ! SIL5CE ?AT FOLL[$ ! LA/ E*OES ( ! HORN3  

',N[ IS HALL[$ 9 ?IS ,GATE-?+ ( ! ,BURG/EAD ,M5 & ! ,M5 ( ! ,DALE1 :]E9 !Y %ALL TAKE C\NSEL CONC]N+ MATT]S LATE BEFALL51 ?AT PRESS H>D UPON !M4  ,LET NO MAN BREAK ! PEACE ( ! ,HOLY ,?+1 LE/ HE BECOME A MAN ACCURS$ 9 HOLY PLACES FROM ! PLA9 UP TO ! M\NTA91 & FROM ! M\NTA9 D[N TO ! PLA92 A MAN NOT TO BE *]I%$ ( ANY MAN ( GOOD WILL1 NOT BE HOLP5 ) VICTUALS OR $GE-TOOL OR DRAFT-BEA/2 A MAN TO BE %ELT]$ UND] NO RO(-TREE1 & W>M$ AT NO HE>? ( MAN3  SO HELP US ! ,W>RIOR & ! ,GOD ( ! ,E>?1 & ,HIM ( ! ,FACE1 & ALL ! ,FA!RS6'  

,:5 HE HAD SPOK5 M5 CLA%$ !IR WEAPONS 9 TOK5 ( ASS5T2 & HE SAT D[N AGA91 & !RE WAS SIL5CE = A SPACE4  ,BUT PRES5TLY CAME ?RU/+ =W>D A GOODMAN ( ! ,DALE1 :O SEEM$ AS IF HE HAD COME HURRI$LY TO ! ,?+2 = HIS FACE WAS RUNN+ D[N ) SWEAT1 HIS WIDE-RIMM$ IRON CAP SAT AWRY OV] HIS BR[1 & HE WAS GIRT ) A RU/Y SWORD )\T A SCABB>D1 & ! GIRDLE WAS ILL- BRAC$ UP AB\T HIS LO9S4  ,SO HE SAID3  

',I AM ,R$-COAT ( ,WAT]LESS ( ! ,L[] ,DALE4  ,E>LY ?IS MORN+ AS ,I WAS GO+ AFIELD ,I MET ON ! WAY A MAN AK9 TO ME1 ,FOX ( ,UPTON TO WIT1 & HE TOLD ME ?AT M5 W]E BE+ SUMMON$ TO A ,GATE-?+4  ,SO ,I TURN$ BACK HOME1 & CAU<T UP ANY WEAPON ?AT CAME H&Y1 & H]E ,I AM1 ,ALD]MAN1 ASK+ !E ( ! TID+S :I* HA? DRIV5 !E TO CALL ?IS ,?+ SO H>D ON ! ,GREAT ,FOLK-MOTE1 = ,I KN[ !M NO?+ SO4'  

,!N /OOD UP ,IRON-FACE ! ,ALD]MAN & SAID3  ',?IS IS WELL ASK$1 & SOON %ALL YE BE AS WISE AS ,I AM ON ?IS MATT]4  ,KN[ YE1 ,O M5 ( ,BURG/EAD & ! ,DALE1 ?AT WE HAD NOT CALL$ ?IS ,GATE-?+ SO H>D ON ! ,GREAT ,FOLK-MOTE HAD NOT GREAT NE$ BE5 TO LOOK 9TO TR\BL\S MATT]S4  ,LONG HAVE YE DWELT 9 PEACE1 & IT IS YE>S ON YE>S N[ S9CE ANY FOEMAN HA? FALL5 ON ! ,DALE3  BUT1 AS YE WILL BE> 9 M9D1 LA/ AUTUMN W]E !RE RANSACK+S 9 ! ,DALE & AMID ( ! ,%EPH]DS AFT] ! MANN] ( DE$S ( W>2 & IT TR\BLE? US ?AT NONE CAN SAY :O WR\<T !SE ILL DE$S4  ,NEXT1 BUT A LITTLE :ILE AGONE1 WAS ,WOOD-GRAY1 A VALIANT GOODMAN ( ! ,WOODL&]S1 SLA9 CLOSE TO HIS [N DOOR BY EVIL M54  ,!SE M5 WE TOOK AT FIR/ = M]E GANGREL FELONS & \TCA/S FROM !IR [N FOLK3  ?\< !RE W]E SOME :O SPOKE AGA9/ ?AT FROM ! BEG9N+4  

',BUT ?IRDLY >E NEW TID+S AGA93  = ?REE DAYS AGO1 :ILE SOME ( ! FOLK W]E HUNT+ PEACEABLY 9 ! ,WILD-WOOD & ?9K+ NO EVIL1 !Y W]E FALL5 UPON ( SET PURPOSE BY A HO/ ( M5-AT->MS1 & NAU<T W\LD S]VE BUT M]E BATTLE = DE> LIFE1 SO ?AT MANY ( \R NEI<BORS W]E HURT1 & ?REE SLA9 \TRI<T2 & N[ M>K ?IS1 ?AT ?OSE :O !RE FELL UPON \R FOLK W]E CLAD & >M$ EV5 AS ! TWO FELONS ?AT SLEW ,WOOD-GRAY1 & MOREOV] W]E LIKE !M 9 ASPECT ( BODY4  ,N[ /& =? ,HALL-FACE MY SON1 & ANSW] TO MY QUE/IONS 9 A L\D VOICE1 SO ?AT ALL MAY HE> !E4'  

,SO ,HALL-FACE /OOD =?1 CLAD 9 GLEAM+ W>-GE>1 ) AN AX OV] HIS %\LD]1 & SEEM$ A D\<TY W>RIOR4  ,& ,IRON-FACE SAID TO HIM3  

',TELL ME1 SON1 ?OSE :OM YE MET 9 ! WOOD1 & ( :OM YE BR\<T HOME TWO CAPTIVES1 H[ MU* LIKE W]E !Y TO ! MURD]-C>LES AT ,WOOD-GRAY'S8'  

,SAID ,HALL-FACE3  ',AS LIKE AS PEAS \T ( ! SAME COD1 & TO \R EYES ALL ?OSE :OM WE SAW 9 ! WOOD MI<T HAVE BE5 SONS ( ONE FA!R & ONE MO!R1 SO MU* ALIKE W]E !Y4'  

',YEA1' SAID ! ,ALD]MAN2 'N[ TELL ME H[ MANY BY ?Y DEEM+ FELL UPON Y\ 9 ! WOOD8'  

,SAID ,HALL-FACE3  ',WE DEEM$ ?AT IF !Y W]E ANY LESS ?AN ?REESCORE1 !Y W]E LITTLE LESS4'  

',GREAT WAS ! ODDS1' SAID ! ,ALD]MAN4  ',OR H[ MANY W]E YE8'  

',ONE SCORE & SEV51' SAID ,HALL-FACE4  

,SAID ! ,ALD]MAN3  ',& YET YE ESCAP$ ) LIFE ALL SAVE ?OSE ?REE8'  

,HALL-FACE SAID3  ',I DEEM ?AT SC>CE ONE %\LD HAVE COME BACK ALIVE1 HAD IT NOT BE5 ?AT AS WE F\<T CAME A NOISE LIKE ! H[L+ ( WOLVES1 & !REAT ! FOEM5 TURN$ & FL$1 & !RE FOLL[$ ON ! FLE]S TALL M5 CLAD 9 %EEP-BR[N RAIM5T1 :O SMOTE !M D[N AS !Y FL$4'  

',H]E !N IS ! /ORY1 NEI<BORS1' SAID ! ,ALD]MAN1 '& YE MAY SEE !REBY ?AT IF ?OSE SLAY]S ( ,WOOD-GRAY W]E \TCA/1 !IR B& IS A GREAT ONE2 BUT IT SEEME? RA!R ?AT !Y W]E M5 ( A FOLK :OSE CRAFT IT IS TO ROB ) ! >M$ H&1 & TO SLAY ! ROBB$2 & ?AT !Y >E N[ GA!R+ ON \R BORD]S = W>4  ,YET1 MOREOV]1 !Y HAVE FOEM5 9 ! WOODS :O %\LD BE FELL[S-9->MS ( US4  ,H[ SAYE/ ?\1 ,/ONE-FACE8  ,?\ >T OLD1 & HA/ SE5 MANY W>S 9 ! ,DALE1 & KN[E/ ! ,WILD-WOOD TO ITS 9N]MO/4  

',ALD]MAN1' SAID ,/ONE-FACE1 '& YE NEI<BORS ( ! ,DALE1 MAYBE !SE FOES :OM YE HAVE MET >E NOT ( ! RACE ( MAN1 BUT >E TROLLS & WOOD-WI<TS4  ,N[ IF !Y BE TROLLS IT IS ILL1 = !N IS ! WORLD GR[+ WORS]1 & ! WOOD %ALL BE RI<T P]IL\S = ?OSE :O NE$S MU/ F>E !RE94  ,YET IF !Y BE M5 IT IS A WORSE MATT]2 = ! TROLLS W\LD NOT COME \T ( ! WA/E 9TO ! SUNLI<T ( ! ,DALE4  ,BUT !SE FOES1 IF !Y BE M51 >E LU/+ AFT] \R FAIR ,DALE TO EAT IT UP1 & IT IS MO/ LIKE ?AT !Y >E GA!R+ A HUGE HO/ TO FALL UPON US AT HOME4  ,SU* ?+S ,I HAVE HE>D ( :5 ,I WAS Y\NG1 & ! ASPECT ( ! EVIL M5 :O OV]RAN ! K9DR$S ( OLD TIME1 ACCORD+ TO ALL TALES & LAYS ?AT ,I HAVE HE>D1 IS EV5 SU* AS ! ASPECT ( ?OSE :OM WE HAVE SE5 ( LATE4 ,AS TO ?OSE WOLVES :O SAV$ ! NEI<BORS & *AS$ !IR FOEM51 !RE IS ONE H]E :O BELIKE KN[E? MORE ( ALL ?IS ?AN WE DO1 & ?AT1 ,O ,ALD]MAN1 IS ?Y SON :OM ,I HAVE FO/]$1 ,FACE-(-GOD TO WIT4  ,BID HIM ANSW] TO ?Y QUE/ION+1 & TELL US :AT HE HA? SE5 & HE>D ( LATE2 !N %ALL WE V]ILY KN[ ! :OLE /ORY AS F> AS IT CAN BE KN[N4'  

,!N M5 PRESS$ R\ND1 & W]E EAG] TO HE> :AT ,FACE-(-GOD W\LD BE SAY+4  ,BUT OR EV] ! ,ALD]MAN C\LD BEG9 TO QUE/ION HIM1 ! ?RONG WAS CLOV5 BY NEW-COM]S1 & !SE W]E ! M5 :O HAD BE5 S5T TO BR+ HOME ! CORPSES ( ! ,DUSKY ,M53  SO !Y HAD CA/ LOAD$ HOOKS 9TO ! ,WELT]+ ,WAT]1 & HAD DRAGG$ UP HIM :OM ,FACE-(-GOD HAD %OV$ 9TO ! $DY1 & :O HAD SUNK LIKE A /ONE JU/ :]E HE FELL1 & N[ !Y W]E BR++ HIM ON A BI] ALONG ) HIM :O HAD BE5 SLA9 A-L&4  ,!Y W]E SET D[N 9 ! PLACE BE=E ! ,ALD]MAN1 & M5 :O HAD NOT SE5 !M BE=E LOOK$ EAG]LY ON !M ?AT !Y MI<T BEHOLD ! ASPECT ( !IR FOEM52 & NAU<T LOVELY W]E !Y TO LOOK ON2 = ! DR[N$ MAN WAS ALREADY BLEA*$ & SWOLL5 ) ! WAT]1 & ! O!R1 HIS FACE WAS ALL WRY$ & TWI/$ ) ?AT SPE>-?RU/ 9 ! M\?4  

,!N ! ,ALD]MAN SAID3  ',I W\LD QUE/ION MY SON ,FACE-(-GOD4  ,LET HIM /& =?6'  

,& !RE) HE SMIL$ M]RILY 9 HIS SON'S FACE1 = HE WAS /&+ RI<T 9 FRONT ( HIM2 & HE SAID3  

',ASK ( ME1 ,ALD]MAN1 & ,I WILL ANSW]4'  

',K9SMAN1' SAID ,IRON-FACE1 'LOOK AT !SE TWO DEAD M51 & TELL ME1 IF ?\ HA/ SE5 ANY SU* BESIDES ?OSE TWO MURD]-C>LES :O W]E SLA9 AT ,C>L/EAD2 OR IF ?\ KN[E/ AU<T ( !IR FOLK8'  

,SAID ,FACE-(-GOD3  ',YE/]DAY ,I SAW SIX O!RS LIKE TO !SE BO? 9 >RAY & ( BODY1 & ?REE ( !M ,I SLEW1 = WE W]E 9 BATTLE ) !M E>LY 9 ! MORN+4'  

,!RE WAS A MURMUR ( JOY AT ?IS WORD1 S9CE ALL M5 TOOK !SE FELONS = DEADLY FOEM52 BUT ,IRON-FACE SAID3  ',:AT MEANE/ ?\ BY 0WE08'  

',I & ! M5 :O HAD GUE/$ ME OV]NI<T1' SAID ,FACE-(-GOD1 '& !Y SLEW ! O!R ?REE2 OR RA!R A WOMAN ( !M SLEW ! FELONS4'  

',VALIANT %E WAS2 ALL GOOD GO ) H] H&6' SAID ! ,ALD]MAN4 ',BUT :AT BE !SE PEOPLE1 & :]E DO !Y DWELL8'  

,SAID ,FACE-(-GOD3  ',AS TO :AT !Y >E1 !Y >E ( ! K9DR$ ( ! ,GODS & ! ,FA!RS1 VALIANT M51 & GUE/-*]I%+3  RI* HAVE !Y BE51 & N[ >E POOR3  & !IR POV]TY COME? ( !SE SAME FELONS1 :O MA/]$ !M BY NUMB]S NOT TO BE )/OOD4  ,AS TO :]E !Y DWELL3  :5 ,I SAY ! NAME ( !IR DWELL+-PLACE M5 MOCK AT ME1 AS IF ,I NAM$ SOME VALLEY 9 ! MOON3  YET CAME ,I TO ,BURGDALE !NCE 9 ONE DAY ACROSS ! M\NTA9-NECKS L$ BY SURE GUIDES1 & ,I TELL !E ?AT ! NAME ( !IR ABODE IS ,%AD[Y ,VALE4'  

',YEA1' SAID ,IRON-FACE1 'KN[E? ANY MAN H]E ( ,%AD[Y ,VALE1 OR :]E IT IS8'  

,NONE ANSW]$ = A :ILE2 BUT !RE WAS AN OLD MAN :O WAS SITT+ ON ! %AFTS ( A WA9 ON ! \TSKIRTS ( ! ?RONG1 & :5 HE HE>D ?IS WORD HE ASK$ HIS NEI<BOR :AT ! ,ALD]MAN WAS SAY+1 & HE TOLD HIM4  ,!N SAID ?AT ELD]3  

',GIVE ME PLACE2 = ,I HAVE A WORD TO SAY H]EON4'  ,!RE) HE >OSE1 & MADE HIS WAY TO ! FRONT ( ! R+ ( M51 & SAID3 ',ALD]MAN1 ?\ KN[E/ ME8'  

',YEA1' SAID ,IRON-FACE1 '?\ >T CALL$ ! ,FIDDLE1 BECAUSE ( ?Y SWEET SPEE* & ?Y M9/RELSY2 :]E( ,I M9D ME WELL 9 ! TIME :5 ,I WAS Y\NG & ?\ NO LONG] Y\NG4'  

',SO IT IS1' SAID ! ,FIDDLE4  ',N[ HE>K56  ,:5 ,I WAS V]Y Y\NG ,I HE>D ( A VALE LY+ F> AWAY ACROSS ! M\NTA9-NECKS2 A VALE :]E ! SUN %ONE NEV] 9 W9T] & SCANTILY 9 SUMM]2 = MY SWORN FO/]-BRO!R1 ,FI<T-FA91 A BOLD MAN & A GREAT HUNT]1 HAD HAPP5$ UPON IT2 & ON A DAY 9 FULL MIDSUMM] HE BR\<T ME ?I!R2 & EV5 N[ ,I SEE ! ,VALE BE=E ME AS 9 A PICTURE2 A M>VEL\S PLACE1 WELL GRASS$1 TREELESS1 N>R[1 BETWIXT GREAT CLIFF-WALLS ( BLACK /ONE1 ) A GRE5 RIV] RUNN+ ?R\< IT T[>DS A YAWN+ GAP & A HUGE =CE4  ,AMID ?AT ,VALE WAS A DOOM- R+ ( BLACK /ONES1 & NI< !RETO A FEA/-HALL WELL BUILD$ ( ! LIKE /ONES1 OV] :OSE DOOR WAS C>V5 ! IMAGE ( A WOLF ) R$ GAP+ JAWS1 & )9 IT 7= WE 5T]$ 9TO IT7 W]E /ONE B5*ES ON ! DAIS4  ,!NCE WE CAME AWAY1 & ?I!R AGA9 WE W5T 9 LATE AUTUMN1 & SO DUSK & COLD IT WAS AT ?AT SEASON1 ?AT WE KNEW NOT :AT TO CALL IT SAVE ! VALLEY ( DEEP %ADE4  ,BUT ITS REAL NAME WE NEV] KNEW2 = !RE WAS NO MAN !RE TO GIVE US A NAME OR TELL US ANY TALE !RE(2 BUT ALL WAS WA/E !RE2 ! WIMBREL LAU<$ ACROSS ITS WAT]1 ! RAV5 CROAK$ FROM ITS CRAGS1 ! EAGLE SCREAM$ OV] IT1 & ! VOICES ( ITS WAT]S NEV] CEAS$2 & ?US WE LEFT IT4  ,SO ! SEASONS PASS$1 & WE W5T ?I!R NO MORE3  = ,FI<T-FA9 DI$1 & )\T HIM W&]+ OV] ! WA/E WAS IRKSOME TO ME2 SO NEV] HAVE ,I SE5 ?AT VALLEY AGA91 OR HE>D M5 TELL !RE(4  

',N[1 NEI<BORS1 HAVE ,I TOLD Y\ ( A VALLEY :I* SEEME? TO BE ,%AD[Y ,VALE2 & ?IS IS TRUE & NO MADE-UP /ORY4'  

,! ,ALD]MAN NODD$ K9DLY TO HIM1 & !N SAID TO ,FACE-(-GOD3 ',K9SMAN1 IS ?IS WORD ACCORD+ ) :AT ?\ KN[E/ ( ,%AD[Y ,VALE8'  

',YEA1 ON ALL PO9TS1' SAID ,FACE-(-GOD2 'HE HA? PUT BE=E ME A PICTURE ( ! VALLEY4  ,& :]EAS HE SAI?1 ?AT 9 HIS Y\? IT WAS WA/E1 ?IS ALSO GOE? ) MY KN[L$GE !RE(4  ,= ONCE WAS IT PEOPL$1 & !N WAS WA/E1 & N[ AGA9 IS IT PEOPL$4'  

',TELL US !N MORE ( ! FOLK !RE(1' SAID ! ,ALD]MAN2 '>E !Y MANY8'  

',NAY1' SAID ,FACE-(-GOD1 '!Y >E NOT4  ,H[ MI<T !Y BE MANY1 DWELL+ 9 ?AT N>R[ ,VALE AMID ! WA/ES8  ,BUT !Y >E VALIANT1 BO? M5 & WOM51 & /RONG & WELL-LIK+4  ,ONCE !Y DWELT 9 A FAIR DALE CALL$ ,SILV]-DALE1 ! NAME :]E( WILL BE TO Y\ AS A NAME 9 A LAY2 & !RE W]E !Y WEAL?Y & HAPPY4  ,!N FELL UPON !M ?IS MURD]\S ,FOLK1 :OM !Y CALL ! ,DUSKY ,M52 & !Y F\<T & W]E OV]COME1 & MANY ( !M W]E SLA91 & MANY 5?RALL$1 & ! REMNANT ( !M ESCAP$ ?R\< ! PASSES ( ! M\NTA9S & CAME BACK TO DWELL 9 ,%AD[Y ,VALE1 :]E !IR =EFA!RS HAD DWELT LONG & LONG AGO2 & ?IS OV]?R[ BEFELL !M T5 YE>S AGONE4  ,BUT N[ !IR OLD FOEM5 HAVE BROK5 \T FROM ,SILV]-DALE & HAVE TAK5 TO SC\R+ ! WOOD SEEK+ PREY2 SO !Y FALL UPON !SE ,DUSKY ,M5 AS OCCASION S]VES1 & SLAY !M )\T PITY1 AS IF !Y W]E ADD]S OR EVIL DRAGONS2 & 9DE$ !Y BE WORSE4  ,& !SE VALIANT M5 KN[ = C]TA9 ?AT !IR FOEM5 >E N[ ( M9D TO FALL UPON ?IS ,DALE & DE/ROY IT1 AS !Y HAVE DONE ) O!RS NI<] TO !M4  ,& !Y WILL SLAY \R M51 & LIE ) \R WOM5 AGA9/ !IR WILL1 & 5?RALL \R *ILDR51 & TORM5T ALL ?OSE ?AT LIE UND] !IR H&S TILL LIFE %ALL BE WORSE ?AN DEA? TO !M4  ,!RE=E1 ,O ,ALD]MAN & ,W>D5S1 & YE NEI<BORS ALL1 IT BEHOVE? Y\ TO TAKE C\NSEL :AT WE %ALL DO1 & ?AT SPE$ILY4'  

,!RE WAS AGA9 A MURMUR1 AS ( M5 NO?+ DAUNT$1 BUT 9T5T ON TAK+ SOME WAY ?R\< ! COM+ TR\BLE4  ,BUT NO MAN SAID AU<T TILL ! ,ALD]MAN SPAKE3  

',:5 DID/ ?\ FIR/ HAPP5 UPON ?IS ,E>L-FOLK1 SON8'  

',LATE LA/ AUTUMN1' SAID ,FACE-(-GOD4  

,SAID ,IRON-FACE3  ',!N MI<TE/ ?\ HAVE TOLD US ( ?IS TALE BE=E4'  

',YEA1' SAID HIS SON1 'BUT ,I KNEW IT NOT1 OR BUT LITTLE ( IT1 TILL TWO DAYS AGONE4  ,9 ! AUTUMN ,I W&]$ 9 ! WOODL&1 & ON ! FELL ,I HAPP5$ ON A FEW ( ?IS FOLK DWELL+ 9 A BOO? BY ! P9E-WOOD2 & !Y W]E K9D & GUE/-FA9 ) ME1 & GAVE ME MEAT & DR9K & LODG+1 & BADE ME COME TO ,%AD[Y ,VALE 9 ! SPR+1 :5 ,I %\LD KN[ MORE ( !M4  ,& ?AT WAS ,I FA9 (2 = !Y >E WISE & GOODLY M54  ,BUT ,I DEEM$ NO MORE ( ?OSE ?AT ,I SAW !RE SAVE AS M5 :O HAD BE5 \TLAW$ BY !IR [N FOLK = DE$S ?AT W]E UNLAWFUL BELIKE1 BUT NOT %AMEFUL1 & W]E BID+ !IR TIME ( RETURN1 & W]E LIV+ AS !Y MI<T MEAN:ILE4  ,BUT ( ! :OLE ,FOLK & !IR FOEM5 KNEW ,I NO MORE ?AN YE DID1 TILL TWO DAYS AGONE1 :5 ,I MET !M AGA9 9 ,%AD[Y ,VALE4  ,ALSO ,I ?9K BE=E LONG YE %ALL SEE !IR *IEFTA9 9 ,BURG/EAD1 = HE HA? A WORD = US4  ,LA/LY1 MY M9D IT IS ?AT ?OSE BR[N-CLAD M5 :O HELP$ ,HALL-FACE & HIS COMPANY 9 ! WOOD W]E NAU<T BUT M5 ( ?IS ,E>L-K9 SEEK+ !IR FOEM52 = 9DE$ !Y TOLD ME ?AT !Y HAD COME UPON A BATTLE 9 ! WOODL& :]E9 !Y HAD SLA9 !IR FOEM54  ,N[ HAVE ,I TOLD Y\ ALL ?AT YE NE$ TO KN[ CONC]N+ !SE MATT]S4'  

,AGA9 WAS !RE SIL5CE AS ,IRON-FACE SAT POND]+ A QUE/ION = HIS SON2 !N A GOODMAN ( ! ,UPP] ,DALE1 ,GRITG>? TO WIT1 SPAKE & SAID3  

',GOLD-MANE M9E1 TELL US H[ MANY IS ?IS FOLK2 ,I MEAN !IR FI<T+-M58'  

',WELL ASK$1 NEI<BOR1' SAID ,IRON-FACE4  

,SAID ,FACE-(-GOD3  ',!IR FI<T+-M5 ( FULL AGE MAY BE FIVE SCORE2 BUT BESIDES ?AT !RE %ALL BE SOME TWO OR ?REE SCORE ( WOM5 ?AT WILL FI<T1 :OEV] SAYS !M NAY2 & MANY ( !SE >E LITTLE WORSE 9 ! FIELD ?AN M52 OR NO WORSE1 = !Y %OOT WELL 9 ! B[4 ,MOREOV]1 !RE WILL BE A FULL SCORE ( SWA9S NOT YET TW5TY W9T]S OLD :OM YE MAY NOT H9D] TO FI<T IF ANY?+ IS A-DO+4'  

',?IS IS NO GREAT HO/1' SAID ! ,ALD]MAN2 'YET IF !Y DEEM !RE IS LITTLE TO LOSE BY FI<T+1 & NAU<T TO GA9 BY SITT+ /ILL1 !Y MAY GO F> 9 W9N+ !IR DESIRE2 & ?AT MORE ESPECIALLY IF !Y MAY DRAW 9TO !IR QU>REL SOME O!R VALIANT ,FOLK MORE 9 NUMB] ?AN !Y BE4  ,I M>VEL NOT1 ?\<1 !Y W]E K9D TO !E1 SON ,GOLD-MANE1 IF !Y KNEW :O ?\ W]T4'  

',!Y KNEW IT1' SAID ,FACE-(-GOD4  

',NEI<BORS1' SAID ! ,ALD]MAN1 'HAVE YE ANY R$E H]EON1 & AU<T TO SAY TO BACK Y\R R$E8'  

,!N SPAKE ! ,FIDDLE3  ',AS YE KN[ & MAY SEE1 ,I AM N[ V]Y OLD1 &1 AS ! WORD GOES1 UNMEET = BATTLE3  YET MI<T ,I GET ME TO ! FIELD1 EI!R ON M9E [N LEGS OR ON ! LEGS ( SOME F\R-FOOT BEA/1 ,I W\LD /RIKE1 IF IT W]E BUT ONE /ROKE1 ON !SE PE/S ( ! E>?4  ,&1 ,ALD]MAN1 MESEEME? WE %ALL DO AMISS IF WE BID NOT ! ,E>L-FOLK ( ,%AD[Y ,VALE TO BE \R FELL[S 9 >MS 9 ?IS ADV5TURE4  ,= LOOK Y\1 H[ FEW SOEV] !Y BE1 !Y WILL BE SURE TO KN[ ! WAYS ( \R FOEM51 & ! M\NTA9 PASSES1 & ! SURE/ & NI<E/ ROADS ACROSS ! NECKS & ! MIRES ( ! WA/E2 & ?\< !Y BE NOT A HO/1 YET %ALL !Y BE WOR? A HO/ TO US8'  

,:5 M5 HE>D HIS WORDS !Y %\T$ = JOY ( !M2 = HATR$ ( ! ,DUSKY ,M5 :O %\LD SO M> !IR HAPPY LIFE 9 ! ,DALE WAS GR[+ UP 9 !M1 & ! MORE ?AT HATR$ WAX$1 ! MORE WAX$ !IR LOVE ( ?OSE VALIANT ONES4  

,N[ ,R$-COAT ( ,WAT]LESS SPAKE AGA93  HE WAS A BIG MAN1 BO? TALL & BROAD1 RUDDY-FAC$ & R$-HAIR$1 SOME =TY W9T]S OLD4  ,HE SAID3  

',LIFE HA? BE5 WELL ) US ( ! ,L[] ,DALE1 & WE DEEM ?AT WE HAVE MU* TO LOSE 9 LOS+ IT4  ,YET ILL W\LD ! B>GA9 BE TO BUY LIFE ) ?RALLDOM3  WE HAVE BE5 OV]-M]RY HI!RTO = ?AT4 ,!RE=E ,I SAY1 TO BATTLE6  ,& AS TO !SE M51 !SE WELL-WI%]S ( ,FACE-(-GOD1 IF !Y ALSO >E M9D$ = BATTLE ) \R FOES1 WE W]E FOOLS 9DE$ IF WE DID NOT JO9 !M TO \R COMPANY1 W]E !Y BUT ONE SCORE 9/EAD ( SIX4'  

,M5 %\T$ AGA91 & !Y SAID ?AT ,R$-COAT HAD SPOK5 WELL4  ,!N ONE AFT] O!R ! GOODM5 ( ! ,DALE CAME & GAVE !IR WORD = FELL[%IP 9 >MS ) ! ,M5 ( ,%AD[Y ,VALE1 IF !RE W]E SU* AS ,FACE-(-GOD HAD SAID1 :I* !Y D\BT$ NOT2 & AMONG !M ?AT SPAKE W]E ,FOX ( ,NE!RT[N1 & ,W>WELL1 & ,GRITG>?1 & ,BE>SWA91 & ,W>CLIFF1 & ,H>T ( ,HI<CLIFF1 & ,WORM ( ,WILLO:OLM1 & ,BULLSBANE1 & ,HI<NEB ( ! ,M>%3  ALL !SE W]E /\T M5-AT->MS & M5 ( GOOD C\NSEL4  

,LA/ ( ALL ! ,ALD]MAN SPAKE & SAID3  

',AS TO ! W>1 ?AT MU/ WE NE$S MEET IF ALL BE SOO? ?AT WE HAVE HE>D1 & ,I D\BT IT NOT4  

',N[ !RE=E LET US LOOK TO IT LIKE WISE M5 :ILE TIME YET S]VES4 ,YE %ALL KN[ ?AT ! MU/] ( ! ,DALESM5 WILL BR+ UND] %IELD EI<T LONG HUNDR$S ( M5 WELL->M$1 & ( ! ,%EPH]D-,FOLK F\R HUNDR$S1 & ( ! ,WOODL&]S TWO HUNDR$S2 & ?IS IS A GOODLY HO/ IF IT BE WELL ORD]$ & WISELY L$4  ,N[ AM ,I Y\R ,ALD]MAN & Y\R ,DOOM/]1 & ,I CAN HEAVE UP A SWORD AS WELL AS ANO!R MAYBE1 NOR DO ,I ?9K ?AT ,I %ALL BL5* 9 ! BATTLE2 YET ,I MISD\BT ME ?AT ,I AM NO LEAD] OR ORD]] ( M5-(-W>3  !RE=E YE WILL DO WISELY TO *OOSE A WIS] MAN-AT->MS ?AN ,I BE = Y\R ,W>-LEAD]2 & IF AT ! ,GREAT ,FOLK-MOTE1 :5 ALL ! ,H\SES & ,K9DR$S >E GA!R$1 M5 YEASAY Y\R *OOS+1 !N LET HIM ABIDE2 BUT IF !Y NAYSAY IT1 LET HIM GIVE PLACE TO ANO!R4  ,= TIME PRESSES4  ,WILL YE SO *OOSE8'  

',YEA1 YEA6' CRI$ ALL M54  

',GOOD IS ?AT1 NEI<BORS1' SAID ! ,ALD]MAN4  ',:OM WILL YE HAVE = ,W>-LEAD]8  ,CONSID] WELL4'  

,%ORT WAS !IR R$E1 = EV]Y MAN OP5$ HIS M\? & CRI$ \T ',FACE-(-GOD6'  ,!N SAID ! ,ALD]MAN3  

',! MAN IS Y\NG & UNTRI$2 YET ?\< HE IS SO NE> AK9 TO ME1 ,I WILL SAY ?AT YE WILL DO WISELY TO TAKE HIM2 = HE IS BO? DEFT ( HIS H&S & BRISK2 & MOREOV]1 ( ?IS MATT] HE KN[E? MORE ?AN ALL WE TOGE!R4  ,N[ !RE=E ,I DECL>E HIM Y\R ,W>-LEAD] TILL ! TIME ( ! ,GREAT ,FOLK-MOTE4'  

,!N ALL M5 %\T$ ) GREAT GLEE & CLA%$ !IR WEAPONS2 BUT SOME FEW PUT !IR HEADS TOGE!R & SPAKE AP>T A LITTLE :ILE1 & !N ONE ( !M1 ,R$-COAT ( ,WAT]LESS TO WIT1 CAME =W>D & SAID3  ',ALD]MAN1 SOME ( US DEEM IT GOOD ?AT ,/ONE-FACE1 ! OLD MAN WISE 9 W> & 9 ! WAYS ( ! ,WOOD1 %\LD BE NAM$ AS A C\NSELOR TO ! ,W>-LEAD]2 & ,HALL-FACE1 A V]Y BRISK & /RONG Y\NG MAN1 TO BE HIS RI<T H& & SWORD-BE>]4'  

',GOOD IS ?AT1' SAID ,IRON-FACE4  ',NEI<BORS1 WILL YE HAVE IT SO8' ,?IS ALSO !Y YEASAID )\T DELAY1 & ! ,ALD]MAN DECL>$ ,/ONE-FACE & ,HALL-FACE ! HELP]S ( ,FACE-(-GOD 9 ?IS BUS9ESS4 ,!N HE SAID3  

',IF ANY HA? AU<T TO SAY CONC]N+ :AT IS BE/ TO BE DONE AT ONCE1 IT W]E GOOD ?AT HE SAID IT N[ BE=E ALL & NOT TO MURMUR & GRUDGE H]EAFT]4'  

,NONE SPAKE SAVE ! ,FIDDLE1 :O SAID3  ',ALD]MAN & ,W>-LEAD]1 ONE ?+ W\LD ,I SAY3  ?AT IF !SE FOEM5 >E ANYWISE AK9 TO ?OSE OV]RUNN]S ( ! ,FOLKS ( :OM ! TALES W5T 9 MY Y\? 7= ,I ALSO AS WELL AS ,/ONE-FACE M9D ME WELL ( ?OSE TALES CONC]N+ !M71 IT %ALL NOT AVAIL US TO SIT /ILL & AWAIT !IR ONSET4  ,= !N MAY !Y NOT BE )/OOD1 :5 !Y HAVE GA!R$ HEAD & BUR/ \T & OV] ! FOLK ?AT HAVE BE5 HAPPY1 EV5 AS ! WAT]S ?AT OV]TOP A DYKE & COV] ) !IR MUDDY RU9 ! DEEP GRE5 GRASS & ! FL[]-BUDS ( SPR+4  ,!RE=E MY R$E IS1 AS SOON AS MAY BE TO GO SEEK !SE FOLK 9 ! WOODL& & :]ESOEV] ELSE !Y MAY BE W&]+4  ,:AT SAYE/ ?\1 ,FACE-(-GOD8'  

',MY R$E IS AS ?9E1' SAID HE2 '& TO BEG9 )1 ,I DO N[ CALL UPON T5 T5S ( GOOD M5 TO MEET ME 9 >MS AT ! BEG9N+ ( ,WILDLAKE'S ,WAY TO-MORR[ MORN+ AT DAYBREAK2 & ,I BID MY BRO!R ,HALL-FACE TO SUMMON SU* AS >E MO/ MEET !RETO4  ,= ?IS ,I DEEM GOOD1 ?AT WE SC\R ! WOOD DAILY AT PRES5T TILL WE HE> FRE% TID+S FROM !M ( ,%AD[Y ,VALE1 :O >E NI<] ?AN WE TO ! FOEM54  ,N[1 NEI<BORS1 >E YE READY TO MEET ME8'  

,!N ALL %\T$1 ',YEA1 WE WILL GO1 WE WILL GO6'  

,SAID ! ,ALD]MAN3  ',N[ HAVE WE MADE PROVISION = ! W> 9 ?AT :I* IS NE>E/ TO \R H&S4  ,YET HAVE WE TO DEAL ) ! MATT] ( ! FELL[%IP ) ! ,FOLK :OM ,FACE-(-GOD HA? SE54  ,?IS IS A MATT] = !E1 SON1 AT LEA/ TILL ! ,GREAT ,FOLK-MOTE IS HOLD54 ,TELL ME !N1 %ALL WE S5D A MESS5G] TO ,%AD[Y ,VALE TO SPEAK ) ?IS FOLK1 OR %ALL WE ABIDE ! *IEFTA9'S COM+8'  

',BY MY R$E1' SAID ,FACE-(-GOD1 'WE %ALL ABIDE HIS COM+3  = FIR/1 ?\< ,I MI<T WELL MAKE MY WAY ?I!R1 ,I D\BT IF ,I C\LD GIVE ANY ! BE>+S1 SO ?AT HE C\LD COME !RE )\T ME2 & BELIKE ,I AM NE$$ AT HOME1 S9CE ,I AM BECOME ,W>-LEAD]4  ,MOREOV]1 :5 Y\R MESS5G] COME? TO ,%AD[Y ,VALE1 HE MAY WELL *ANCE TO F9D NEI!R ! *IEFTA9 !RE1 NOR ! BE/ ( HIS M52 = :ILES >E !Y H]E1 & :ILES !RE1 AS !Y W5D FOLL[+ AFT] ! ,DUSKY ,M54'  

',IT IS WELL1 SON1' SAID ! ,ALD]MAN1 'LET IT BE AS ?\ SAYE/3 SOO?LY ?IS MATT] MU/ NE$S BE BR\<T BE=E ! ,GREAT ,FOLK-MOTE4 ,N[ WILL ,I ASK IF ANY O!R HA? ANY WORD TO SAY1 OR ANY R$E TO GIVE BE=E ?IS ,GATE-?+ SUND]E?8'  

,BUT NO MAN CAME =W>D1 & ALL M5 SEEM$ WELL CONT5T & ( GOOD HE>T2 & IT WAS N[ WELL PA/ NOONTIDE4  

,FROM 3 ,M>XI/S4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,FEBRU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,*APT] #be -- ,ADD$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/