,*APT] #d 
,( ,! ,HO/+ ,9 ,%AD[Y ,VALE 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,WILLIAM ,MORRIS 

,TEXT 3 

,IT WAS ON ! EV5+ ( ! F\R? DAY AFT] ! ,FOLK-MOTE ?AT !RE CAME ?R\< ! ,WA/E TO ! ROCKY $GE ( ,%AD[Y ,VALE A B& ( SOME FIFTE5 SCORE ( M5-AT->MS1 & ) !M A MULTITUDE ( WOM5 & *ILDR5 & OLD M51 SOME AFOOT1 SOME RID+ ON ASSES & BULLOCKS2 & ) !M W]E SUMPT] ASSES & NEAT LAD5 ) H\SEHOLD GOODS1 & A FEW GOATS & K9E4  ,& ?IS WAS ! :OLE FOLK ( ! ,WOODL&]S COME TO ! ,HO/+ 9 ,%AD[Y ,VALE & ! ,HOME ( ! ,*ILDR5 ( ! ,WOLF4  ,!IR LEAD]S ( ! WAY W]E ,WOOD-FA!R & ,WOOD-WONT & TWO O!R C>LES ( ,%AD[Y ,VALE2 & ,R$-WOLF ! TALL1 & ,BE>S-BANE & ,W>-GROVE W]E ! CAPTA9S & *IEFTA9S ( !IR COMPANY4  

,?US !N !Y 5T]$ 9TO ! N>R[ PASS A=ESAID1 :I* WAS ! +ATE TO ! ,VALE FROM ! ,WA/E1 & LITTLE BY LITTLE ITS DIMNESS SWALL[$ UP !IR LONG L9E4  ,AS !Y W5T BY ! PLACE :]E ! L[]+ ( ! ROCK-WALL GAVE A GLIMPSE ( ! VALLEY1 !Y LOOK$ D[N 9TO IT AS ,FACE-(-GOD HAD DONE1 BUT MU* *ANGE WAS !RE 9 LITTLE TIME4  ,!RE WAS ! BLACK WALL ( CRAGS ON ! O!R SIDE /RET*+ D[N TO ! <YLL ( ! GREAT ,=CE2 !RE RAN ! DEEP GRE5 WAT]S ( ! ,%IV]+ ,FLOOD2 BUT ! GRASS :I* ,FACE-(-GOD HAD SE5 NAK$ ( EV]Y?+ BUT A FEW K9E1 !REON N[ ! T5TS ( M5 /OOD ?ICK4  ,!IR HE>TS SWELL$ )9 !M AS !Y BEHELD IT1 BUT !Y =EBORE ! %\T & ! CRY TILL !Y %\LD BE WELL )9 ! ,VALE1 & SO W5T D[N SIL5TLY 9TO ! D>KNESS4  ,BUT AS !IR EYES CAU<T ?AT DIM IMAGE ( ! ,WOLF ON ! WALL ( ! PASS1 MAN PO9T$ IT \T TO MAN1 & NOT A FEW TURN$ & KISS$ IT HURRI$LY2 & TO !M IT SEEM$ ?AT MANY A KISS HAD BE5 LAID ON ?AT DE> TOK5 S9CE ! DAYS ( OLD1 & ?AT ! H>D /ONE HAD BE5 WORN AWAY BY ! F]V5T LIPS ( M51 & ?AT ! AIR ( ! MIRK PLACE YET QUIV]$ ) ! V[S SWORN OV] ! SWORD-BLADE4  

,BUT D[N ?R\< ! D>K !Y W5T1 & SO CAME ON TO ! /ONY SCREE AT ! 5D ( ! PASS & 9TO ! ,VALE2 & ! :OLE ,FOLK SAVE ! ?REE *IEFTA9S FL[$ OV] IT & /OOD AB\T IT D[N ON ! LEVEL GRASS ( ! ,VALE4  ,BUT ?OSE ?REE /OOD YET ON ! TOP ( ! SCREE1 BE>+ ! W>-SIGNS ( ! ,%AFT & ! ,SPE>1 & BETWIXT !M ! BANN] ( ! ,WOLF & ! ,SUNBUR/ NEWLY DISPLAY$ TO ! W9DS ( ,%AD[Y ,VALE4  

,UP & D[N ! ,VALE !Y LOOK$1 & SAW BE=E ! T5TS ( M5 ! OLD FAMILI> BANN]S ( ,BURGDALE RIS+ & FALL+ 9 ! EV5+ W9D4  ,BUT AMID ( ! ,DOOM-R+ WAS PIT*$ A GREAT BANN]1 :]EON WAS DONE ! IMAGE ( ! ,WOLF ) R$ GAP+ JAWS ON A FIELD ( GRE52 & AB\T HIM /OOD O!R BANN]S1 TO WIT1 ,! ,SILV] ,>M ON A R$ FIELD1 ! ,R$ ,H& ON A :ITE FIELD1 & ON GRE5 FIELDS BO?1 ! ,GOLD5 ,BU%EL & ! ,RAGG$ ,SWORD4  

,ALL AB\T ! PLA9 %ONE GLITT]+ W>-GE> ( M5 AS !Y MOV$ HI!R & ?I!R1 & A /REAM ( FOLK BEGAN AT ONCE TO DRAW T[>D ! SCREE TO LOOK ON ?OSE NEW-COM]S2 & AMID ! HELM$ ,BURGDAL]S & ! :ITE-COAT$ ,%EPH]DS W5T ! TALL M5 ( ! ,WOLF1 B>E-HEAD$ & UN>M$ SAVE = !IR SWORDS1 M+L$ ) ! FAIR /RONG WOM5 ( ! K9DR$1 TREAD+ B>EFOOT ! S(T GRASS ( !IR [N ,VALE4  

,PRES5TLY !RE WAS A GREAT ?RONG GA!R$ R\ND AB\T ! ,WOODL&]S1 & EA* MAN AS HE JO9$ IT WAV$ H& OR WEAPON T[>D !M1 & ! JOY ( !IR WELCOME S5T A CONFUS$ CLAMOR ?R\< ! AIR4  ,!N =? FROM ! ?RONG /EPP$ ,FOLK-MI<T1 UN>M$ SAVE HIS SWORD1 & BEH9D HIM WAS ,FACE-(-GOD1 9 HIS W>-GE> SAVE HIS HELM1 H& 9 H& ) ! ,SUN-BEAM1 :O WAS CLAD 9 H] GOODLY FL[]$ GRE5 KIRTLE1 H] FEET NAK$ LIKE H] SI/]S ( ! K9DR$4  

,!N ,FOLK-MI<T CRI$ AL\D3  ',A FULL & FREE GREET+ TO \R BRO!RS6  ,WELL BE YE1 ,O ,SONS ( \R ,ANCI5T ,FA!RS6  ,& TO-DAY >E YE ! DE>] TO US BECAUSE WE SEE ?AT YE HAVE BR\<T US A GIFT1 TO WIT1 Y\R WIVES & *ILDR51 & Y\R GR&SIRES UNMEET = W>4  ,BY ?IS TOK5 WE SEE H[ GREAT IS Y\R TRU/ 9 US1 & ?AT IT IS Y\R MEAN+ NEV] TO SUND] FROM US AGA94  ,O WELL BE YE2 WELL BE YE6'  

,!N SPAKE ,R$-WOLF1 & SAID3  ',YE ,SONS ( ! ,WOLF1 :O P>T$ FROM US ( OLD TIME 9 ?AT CLEFT ( ! M\NTA9S1 IT IS \R V]Y SELVES ?AT WE GIVE UNTO Y\2 & !SE >E A P>T ( \RSELVES2 H[ !N %\LD WE LEAVE !M BEH9D US8  ,BE> WITNESS1 ,O M5 ( ,BURGDALE & ! ,%EEPCOTES1 ?AT WE HAVE BECOME ONE ,FOLK ) ! M5 ( ,%AD[Y ,VALE1 NEV] TO BE SUND]$ AGA96'  

,!N ALL ?AT MULTITUDE %\T$ ) A L\D VOICE2 & :5 ! %\T HAD DI$ AWAY1 ,FOLK-MI<T SPAKE AGA93  

',O ,W>RIORS ( ! ,SUND]+1 H]E %ALL Y\R WIVES & *ILDR5 ABIDE1 :ILE WE GO A LITTLE J\RNEY TO REJOICE \R HE>TS ) ! H>D H&PLAY1 & TAKE TO US ?AT :I* WE HAVE MISS$3  & TO- MORR[ MORN IS APPO9T$ = ?IS SAME J\RNEY1 UNLESS YE BE OV] FOOT-WE>Y ) ! WAYS ( ! ,WA/E4'  

,R$-WOLF SMIL$ AS HE ANSW]$3  ',?IS YE SAY 9 JE/1 BRO!R2 = YE MAY SEE ?AT \R DAY'S J\RNEY HA? NOT BE5 OV]-MU* = \R OLD M52 H[ !N %\LD IT WE>Y ?OSE :O MAY YET BE> SWORD8  ,WE >E READY = ! ROAD & EAG] = ! H&PLAY4'  

',?IS IS WELL1' SAID ,FOLK-MI<T1 '& :AT WAS TO BE LOOK$ =4 ,!RE=E1 BRO!R1 DO YE & Y\R C\NSEL-MATES COME /RAI<TWAY TO ! ,HALL ( ! ,WOLF2 :]E91 AFT] YE HAVE EAT5 & DRUNK51 %ALL WE TAKE C\NSEL ) \R BRE?R5 ( ,BURGDALE & ! ,%EEPCOTES1 SO ?AT ALL MAY BE ORD]$ = BATTLE6'  

,SAID ,R$-WOLF3  ',GOOD IS ?AT1 IF WE MU/ NE$S ABIDE TILL TO-MORR[2 = V]ILY WE CAME NOT HI!R TO EAT & DR9K & RE/ \R BODIES2 BUT IT MU/ BE AS YE WILL HAVE IT4'  

,!N ! ,SUN-BEAM LEFT ! H& ( ,FACE-(-GOD & CAME =W>D1 & HELD \T BO? H] PALMS TO ! ,WOODL&-FOLK1 & SPAKE 9 A VOICE ?AT WAS HE>D AF>1 ?\< IT W]E A WOMAN'S1 SO CLE> & SWEET IT WAS2 & %E SAID3  

',O ,W>RIORS ( ! ,SUND]+1 YE :O BE NOT NE$$ 9 ! ,HALL1 & YE \R SI/]S ) Y\R LITTLE ONES & Y\R FA!RS1 COME N[ TO US & D[N TO ! T5TS :I* WE HAVE >RAY$ = Y\1 & !RE ?9K = A LITTLE ?AT WE >E ALL AT \R V]Y HOME ?AT WE LONG = & HAVE YET TO W91 & BE YE M]RY ) US & MAKE US M]RY4'  

,!RE) %E /EPP$ =W>D DA9TILY & 5T]$ 9TO !IR ?RONG1 & TOOK AN OLD MAN ( ! ,WOODL&]S BY ! H&1 & KISS$ HIS *EEK & L$ HIM AWAY1 & ! COM+ RE/ SEEM$ SWEET TO HIM4  ,& !N CAME O!R WOM5 ( ! ,VALE1 K9D & FAIR & SMIL+1 & L$ AWAY1 SOME AN OLD MO!R ( ! ,WOOD-L&]S1 SOME A Y\NG WIFE1 SOME A PAIR ( LADS2 & NOT A FEW =SOO? KISS$ & EMBRAC$ ! />K W>RIORS1 & W5T AWAY ) !M T[>D ! T5TS1 :I* /OOD ALONG ! SIDE ( ! ,%IV]+ ,FLOOD :]E IT WAS AT ITS QUIETE/2 = !RE WAS ! GRASS ! S(TE/ & MO/ ABUNDANT4  ,!RE ON ! GRE5 GRASS W]E TABLES >RAY$1 & LAMPS W]E HUNG ABOVE !M ON SPE>S1 TO BE LITT5 :5 ! DAYLI<T %\LD FAIL4  ,& ! BE/ ( ! VICTUAL :I* ! ,VALE C\LD GIVE WAS SPREAD ON ! BO>DS1 ALONG ) W9E & DA9TIES1 B\<T 9 ,SILV]-DALE1 OR ON ! $GES ( ! ,WE/L& ) SWORD-/ROKES & >R[-FLI<T4  

,!RE !N !Y FEA/$ & W]E M]RY2 & ! ,SUN-BEAM & ,B[-MAY & ! O!R WOM5 ( ! ,VALE S]V$ !M AT TABLE1 & W]E V]Y BLI! ) !M1 C>ESS+ !M ) S(T WORDS1 & ) CLIPP+ & KISS+1 AS FOLK :O W]E GR[N EXCE$+ DE> TO !M2 SO ?AT ?AT EVE ( BATTLE WAS S(T] & SWEET] TO !M ?AN ANY H\R ( !IR LIFE4  ,) !SE FEA/]S W]E ,GOD-SWA9 & ,SPE>-FI/ ( ! DELIV]$ ?RALLS ( ,SILV]-DALE AS GLAD AS GLAD MI<T BE2 BUT ,WOLF- /ONE !IR ELDE/ WAS GONE ) ,DALLA* TO ! ,C\NCIL 9 ! ,HALL4  

,! M5 ( ,BURGDALE & ! ,%EPH]DS FEA/$ O!R:]E 9 ALL CONT5T1 NOR LACK$ FOLK ( ! ,VALE TO S]VE !M4  ,AMONG ! M5 ( ! ,FACE W]E ! T5 DELIV]$ ?RALLS :O HAD HE>T TO MEET !IR MA/]S 9 >MS3  SEV5 ( !M W]E ( ,ROSE-DALE & ?REE ( ,SILV]-DALE4  

,! ,BRIDE WAS ) H] K9DR$ ( ! ,/E]1 ) :OM W]E MANY M5 ( ,%AD[Y ,VALE1 & %E S]V$ H] FRI5DS & FELL[S CLAD 9 H] W>-GE>1 SAVE HELM & HAUB]K1 BE>+ H]SELF AS ONE :O IS S]V+ DE> GUE/S4  ,& M5 EQUAL$ H] = H] BEAUTY TO ! ,GODS ( ! ,HI< ,PLACE & ! ,*OOS]S ( ! ,SLA92 & !Y :O HAD NOT BEHELD H] BE=E M>VEL$ AT H]1 & H] LOVEL9ESS HELD ALL M5'S HE>TS 9 A NET ( DESIRE1 SO ?AT !Y =EBORE !IR MEAT TO GAZE UPON H]2 & IF P]*ANCE H] H& T\*$ SOME Y\NG MAN1 OR H] *EEK OR SWEET-BREA!D M\? CAME NI< TO HIS FACE1 HE BECAME BEWILD]$ & WI/ NOT :]E HE WAS1 NOR :AT TO DO4  ,YET WAS %E AS L[LY & SIMPLE ( SPEE* & DEMEANOR AS IF %E W]E A GOOSEH]D ( F\RTE5 W9T]S4  

,9 ! ,HALL WAS A GOODLY COMPANY1 & ALL ! LEAD]S ( ! ,FOLK W]E !RE91 & ,FOLK-MI<T & ! ,W>-LEAD] SITT+ 9 ! MID/ ( ?OSE /ONE SEATS ON ! DAYS4  ,!RE !N !Y AGRE$ ON ! :OLE ORD]+ ( ! BATTLE & ! W5D+ ( ! HO/1 AS %ALL BE TOLD LAT] ON2 & ?IS MATT] WAS LONG A-DO+1 & :5 IT WAS DONE1 M5 W5T TO !IR PLACES TO SLEEP1 = ! NI<T WAS WELL WORN4  

,BUT :5 M5 HAD DEP>T$ & ALL WAS /ILL1 ,FOLK-MI<T1 LI<T-CLAD & )\T A WEAPON1 LEFT ! ,HALL & WALK$ BRISKLY T[>D ! NE!R 5D ( ! ,VALE4  ,HE PASS$ BY ALL ! T5TS1 ! LA/ :]E( W]E ( ! ,H\SE ( ! ,/E]1 & CAME TO A PLACE :]E WAS A GREAT ROCK RIS+ /RAI<T UP FROM ! PLA9 LIKE %EAVES ( BLACK /AVES /&+ CLOSE TOGE!R2 & IT WAS CALL$ ,/AFF-/ONE1 & TALES ( ! ELVES HAD BE5 TOLD CONC]N+ IT1 SO ?AT ,/ONE-FACE HAD BEHELD IT GLADLY ! DAY BE=E4  

,! MOON WAS JU/ %9+ 9TO ,%AD[Y ,VALE1 & ! GRASS WAS BRI<T :]ESOEV] ! %AD[S ( ! HI< CLIFFS W]E NOT1 & ! FACE ( ,/AFF-/ONE %ONE BRI<T GRAY AS ,FOLK-MI<T CAME )9 SI<T ( IT1 & HE BEHELD SOMEONE SITT+ AT ! BASE ( ! ROCK1 & AS HE DREW NI<] HE SAW ?AT IT WAS A WOMAN1 & KNEW H] = ! ,BRIDE2 = HE HAD PRAY$ H] TO ABIDE HIM !RE ?AT NI<T1 BECAUSE IT WAS NI< TO ! T5TS ( ! ,H\SE ( ! ,/E]2 & HIS HE>T WAS GLAD AS HE DREW NI< TO H]4  

,%E SAT QUIETLY ON A FRAGM5T ( ! BLACK ROCK1 CLAD AS %E HAD BE5 ALL DAY1 9 H] GLITT]+ KIRTLE1 BUT )\T HAUB]K OR HELM1 A WREA? ( W9D-FL[]S AB\T H] HEAD1 H] FEET CROSS$ OV] EA* O!R1 H] H&S LAID PALM UPP]MO/ 9 H] LAP4  ,%E MOV$ NOT AS HE DREW NI<1 BUT SAID 9 A G5TLE VOICE :5 HE WAS CLOSE TO H]3  

',*IEF ( ! ,WOLF1 GREAT W>RIOR1 ?\ W\LDE/ SPEAK ) ME2 & GOOD IT IS ?AT FRI5DS %\LD TALK TOGE!R ON ! EVE ( BATTLE1 :5 !Y MAY NEV] MEET ALIVE AGA94'  

,HE SAID3  ',MY TALK %ALL NOT BE LONG2 = ?\ & ,I BO? MU/ SLEEP TO-NI<T1 S9CE !RE IS WORK TO H& TO-MORR[4  ,N[ S9CE1 AS ?\ SAYE/1 ,O FAIRE/ ( WOM51 WE MAY NEV] MEET AGA9 ALIVE1 ,I ASK !E N[ AT ?IS H\R1 :5 WE BO? LIVE & >E NE> TO ONE ANO!R1 TO SUFF] ME TO SPEAK TO !E ( MY LOVE ( !E & DESIRE = !E4 ,SURELY ?\1 :O >T ! SWEETE/ ( ALL ?+S ! ,GODS & ! K9DR$S HAVE MADE1 WILT NOT GA9SAY ME ?IS8'  

,%E SAID V]Y SWEETLY1 YET SMIL+3  ',BRO!R ( MY FA!R'S SONS1 H[ CAN ,I GA9SAY !E ?Y SPEE*8  ,NAY1 HA/ ?\ NOT SAID IT8  ,:AT MORE CAN/ ?\ ADD TO IT ?AT WILL HAVE FRE% MEAN+ TO M9E E>S8'  

,HE SAID3  ',?\ SAYE/ SOO?3  MI<T ,I !N BUT KISS ?9E H&8'  

,%E SAID1 NO LONG] SMIL+3  ',YEA SURELY1 EV5 SO MAY ALL M5 DO :O CAN BE CALL$ MY FRI5DS--& ?\ >T MU* MY FRI5D4'  

,HE TOOK H] H& & KISS$ IT1 & HELD IT !REAFT]2 NOR DID %E DRAW IT AWAY4  ,! MOON %ONE BRI<TLY ON !M2 BUT BY ITS LI<T HE C\LD NOT SEE IF %E R$D5$1 BUT HE DEEM$ ?AT H] FACE WAS TR\BL$4  ,!N HE SAID3  ',IT W]E BETT] = ME IF ,I MI<T KISS ?Y FACE1 & TAKE !E 9 M9E >MS4'  

,!N SAID %E3  ',?IS ONLY %ALL A MAN DO ) ME :5 ,I LONG TO DO ! LIKE ) HIM4  ,& S9CE ?\ >T SO MU* MY FRI5D1 ,I WILL TELL !E ?AT AS = ?IS LONG+1 ,I HAVE IT NOT4  ,BE?9K !E :AT A LITTLE :ILE IT IS S9CE ! LACK ( ANO!R MAN'S LOVE GRIEV$ ME SORELY4'  

',! TIME IS %ORT1' SAID ,FOLK-MI<T1 'IF WE TELL UP ! H\RS !RE(2 BUT 9 ?AT %ORT SPACE HAVE A MANY ?+S BETID4'  

,%E SAID3  ',DO/ ?\ KN[1 CAN/ ?\ GUESS1 H[ SORELY A%AM$ ,I W5T AMONG MY PEOPLE8  ,I DUR/ LOOK NO MAN 9 ! FACE = ! A*+ ( M9E HE>T1 :I* ME?\<T ALL MI<T SEE ?R\< MY FACE4'  

',I KNEW IT WELL1' HE SAID2 'YET ( ME W]T ?\ NOT A%AM$ BUT A LITTLE :ILE AGO1 :5 ?\ DID/ TELL ME ( ?Y GRIEF4'  

,%E SAID3  ',TRUE IT IS2 & ?\ W]T K9D TO ME4  ,?\ DID/ BECOME A DE> FRI5D TO ME1 ME?\<T4'  

',& WILT ?\ HURT A DE> FRI5D8' SAID HE4  

',O NO1' %E SAID1 'IF ,I MI<T DO O!RWISE4  ,YET H[ IF ,I MI<T NOT *OOSE8  ,%ALL !RE BE NO =GIV5ESS = ME !N8'  

,HE ANSW]$ NO?+2 & /ILL HE HELD H] H& ?AT /ROVE NOT TO BE GONE FROM HIS1 & %E CA/ D[N H] EYES4  ,!N HE SPAKE 9 A :ILE3  

',MY FRI5D1 ,I HAVE BE5 ?9K+ ( !E & ( ME2 & N[ HE>K53 IF ?\ WILT DECL>E ?AT ?\ FEELE/ NO SWEETNESS EMBRAC+ ?9E HE>T :5 ,I SAY ?AT ,I DESIRE !E SORELY1 AS N[ ,I SAY IT2 OR :5 ,I KISS ?9E H&1 AS N[ ,I KISS IT2 OR :5 ,I PRAY !E TO SUFF] ME TO CA/ M9E >MS AB\T !E & KISS ?Y FACE1 AS N[ ,I PRAY IT3  IF ?\ WILT SAY ?IS1 !N WILL ,I TAKE !E BY ! H& /RAI<TWAY1 & LEAD !E TO ! T5TS ( ! ,H\SE ( ! ,/E]1 & SAY F>EWELL TO !E TILL ! BATTLE IS OV]4  ,CAN/ ?\ SAY ?IS \T ( ! TRU? ( ?9E HE>T8'  

,%E SAID3  ',:AT !N IF ,I CANNOT SAY ?IS WORD8  ,:AT !N8'  

,BUT HE ANSW]$ NO?+2 & %E SAT /ILL A LITTLE :ILE1 & !N >OSE & /OOD BE=E HIM1 LOOK+ HIM 9 ! EYES1 & SAID3  

',I CANNOT SAY IT4'  

,!N HE CAU<T H] 9 HIS >MS & /RA9$ H] TO HIM1 & !N KISS$ H] LIPS & H] FACE AGA9 & AGA91 & %E /ROVE NOT ) HIM4  ,BUT AT LA/ %E SAID3  

',YET AFT] ALL ?IS %ALT ?\ LEAD ME BACK TO MY FOLK /RAI<T-WAY2 & :5 ! BATTLE IS DONE1 IF BO? WE >E LIV+1 !N %ALL WE SPEAK MORE !RE(4'  

,SO HE TOOK H] H& & L$ H] ON T[>D ! T5TS ( ! ,/E]1 & = A :ILE HE SPAKE NAU<T2 = HE D\BT$ HIMSELF1 :AT HE %\LD SAY2 BUT AT LA/ HE SPAKE3  

',N[ IS ?IS BETT] = ME ?AN IF IT HAD NOT BE51 :E!R ,I LIVE OR :E!R ,I DIE4  ,YET ?\ HA/ NOT SAID ?AT ?\ LOVE/ ME & DESIRE/ ME4'  

',WILT ?\ COMPEL ME8' %E SAID4  ',TO-NI<T ,I MAY NOT SAY IT4  ,:O %ALL SAY :AT WORDS MY LIPS %ALL FA%ION :5 WE /& TOGE!R VICTORI\S 9 ,SILV]-DALE2 !N 9DE$ MAY ! TIME SEEM LONG FROM N[4'  

,HE SAID3  ',YEA1 TRUE IS ?AT2 YET ONCE AGA9 ,I SAY ?AT SO MEASUR$ LONG & LONG IS ! TIME S9CE FIR/ ,I SAW !E 9 ,BURGDALE BE=E ?\ KNEWE/ ME4  ,YET N[ ,I WILL NOT BICK] ) !E1 = BE SURE ?AT ,I AM GLAD AT HE>T4  ,& LO Y\6 \R FEET HAVE BR\<T US TO ! T5TS ( ?Y PEOPLE4  ,ALL GOOD GO ) !E6'  

',& ) !E1 SWEET FRI5D1' %E SAID4  ,!N %E L+]$ A LITTLE1 TURN+ H] HEAD T[>D ! T5TS1 & !N TURN$ H] FACE T[>D HIM & LAID H] H& ON HIS NECK1 & DREW HIS HEAD AD[N TO H] & KISS$ HIS *EEK1 & !RE) SWIFTLY & LI<TLY DEP>T$ FROM HIM4  

,N[ ! NI<T WORE & ! MORN+ CAME2 & ,FACE-(-GOD WAS ABROAD V]Y E>LY 9 ! MORN+1 AS HIS CU/OM WAS2 & HE WA%$ ! NI<T FROM (F HIM 9 ! ,C>LES' ,BA? ( ! ,%IV]+ ,FLOOD1 & !N W5T R\ND ?R\< ! 5CAMPM5T ( ! HO/1 & SAW NONE /IRR+ SAVE H]E & !RE ! LA/ WAT*M5 ( ! NI<T4  ,HE SPAKE ) ONE OR TWO ( !SE1 & !N W5T UP TO ! HEAD ( ! ,VALE1 :]E WAS ! PASS ?AT L$ TO ,SILV]-DALE2 & !RE HE SAW ! WAT*1 & SPAKE ) !M1 & !Y TOLD HIM ?AT NONE HAD AS YET COME =? FROM ! PASS1 & HE BADE !M TO BL[ ! HORN ( W>N+ TO R\SE UP ! ,HO/ AS SOON AS ! MESS5G]S CAME !NCE4  ,= =]UNN]S HAD BE5 S5T UP ! PASS1 & HAD BE5 SET TO HOLD WAT* AT DIV]S PLACES !RE9 TO PASS ON ! WORD FROM PLACE TO PLACE4  

,!NCE W5T ,FACE-(-GOD BACK T[>D ! ,HALL2 BUT :5 HE WAS YET SOME WAY FROM IT1 HE SAW A SL5D] GLITT]+ W>RIOR COME =? FROM ! DOOR !RE(1 :O /OOD = A MOM5T LOOK+ R\ND AB\T1 & !N CAME LI<TLY & SWIFTLY T[>D HIM2 & LO6 IT WAS ! ,SUN- BEAM1 ) A LONG HAUB]K OV] H] KIRTLE FALL+ BEL[ H] KNEES1 A HELM ON H] HEAD & PLAT$ %OES ON H] FEET4  ,%E CAME UP TO HIM1 & LAID H] H& TO HIS *EEK & ! GOLD5 LOCKS ( HIS HEAD 7= HE WAS B>E-HEAD$71 & SAID TO HIM1 SMIL+3  

',GOLD-MANE6 ?\ BADE/ ME BE> >MS1 & ,FOLK-MI<T ALSO CON/RA9$ ME !RETO4  ,LO ?\6'  

,SAID ,FACE-(-GOD3  ',FOLK-MI<T IS WISE !N1 EV5 AS ,I AM2 & =SOO? AS ?\ >T4  ,= BE?9K !E IF ! B[ DRAWN AT A V5TURE %\LD SPE$ ! EYELESS %AFT AGA9/ ?Y BREA/1 & S5D ME =? A W&]] FROM MY ,FOLK6  ,= H[ C\LD ,I BE> ! SI<T ( ! FAIR ,DALE1 & NO HOPE TO SEE !E AGA9 !RE98'  

,%E SAID3  ',! HE>T IS LI<T )9 ME TO-DAY4  ,DEEME/ ?\ ?AT ?IS IS /RANGE8  ,OR DO/ ?\ CALL TO M9D ?AT :I* ?\ SPAKE/ ! O!R DAY1 ?AT IT WAS ( NO AVAIL TO /& 9 ! ,DOOM-R+ ( ! ,FOLK & BE> WITNESS AGA9/ \RSELVES8  ,?IS WILL ,I NOT4  ,?IS IS NO LI<T-M9D$NESS ?AT ?\ BEHOLDE/ 9 ME1 BUT ! VALIANCY ?AT ! ,FA!RS HAVE SET 9 M9E HE>T4  ,DEEM NOT1 ,O ,GOLD-MANE1 FE> NOT1 ?AT WE %ALL DIE BE=E !Y DI<T ! BRIDE-B$ = US4'  

,HE W\LD HAVE KISS$ H] M\?1 BUT %E PUT HIM AWAY ) H] H&1 & D(F$ H] HELM & LAID IT ON ! GRASS1 & SAID3  

',?IS IS NOT ! LA/ TIME ?AT ?\ %ALT KISS ME1 ,GOLD-MANE1 MY DE>2 & YET ,I LONG = IT AS IF IT W]E1 SO HI< AS ! ,FA!RS HAVE RAIS$ ME UP ?IS MORN ABOVE FE> & SADNESS4'  

,HE SAID NAU<T1 BUT DREW H] TO HIM1 & WOND] SO MOV$ HIM1 ?AT HE LOOK$ LONG & CLOSELY AT H] FACE BE=E HE KISS$ H]2 & =SOO? HE C\LD F9D NO BLEMI% 9 IT3  IT WAS AS IF IT W]E BUT NEW COME FROM ! SMI?Y ( ! ,GODS1 & EXCE$+ LONG+ TOOK HOLD ( HIM4  ,BUT EV5 AS !IR LIPS MET1 FROM ! HEAD ( ! ,VALE CAME ! VOICE ( ! GREAT HORN2 & IT WAS ANSW]$ /RAI<TWAY BY ! WAT*]S ALL D[N ! T5TS2 & PRES5TLY >OSE ! %\TS ( M5 & ! CLA% ( WEAPONS AS FOLK >M$ !MSELVES1 & LAU<T] !RE)1 = MO/ M5 W]E BATTLE-M]RY1 & ! CRIES ( WOM5 %RILLY-CLE> AS !Y HA/5$ AB\T1 BUSY OV] ! MORN+ MEAL BE=E ! DEP>TURE ( ! ,HO/4  ,BUT ,FACE-(-GOD SAID S(TLY1 /ILL C>ESS+ ! ,SUN-BEAM1 & %E HIM3  

',?US !N WE DEP>T FROM ?IS ,VALLEY ( ! ,%AD[S1 BUT AS ?\ SAID/ :5 FIR/ WE MET !RE91 !RE %ALL BE NO SUND]+ ( !E & ME1 BUT ?\ %ALT GO D[N ) ME TO ! BATTLE4'  

,& HE L$ H] BY ! H& 9TO ! ,HALL ( ! ,WOLF1 & !RE !Y ATE A MORSEL1 & !REAFT] ,FACE-(-GOD T>RI$ NOT1 BUT BUSI$ HIMSELF ALONG ) ,FOLK-MI<T & ! O!R *IEFTA9S 9 >RAY+ ! ,HO/ = DEP>TURE4  

,FROM 3 ,M>XI/S4ORG4 

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

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