When winter is gone, and spring is on
the land, if thou hast not forgotten us thou shalt meet us again.
Yet shalt thou go further than this Woodland Hall. In Shadowy Vale
shalt thou seek to me then, and there will I talk with thee.'
'And where,' said he, 'is Shadowy Vale? for thereof have I never
heard tell.'
She said: 'The token when it cometh to thee shall show thee thereof
and the way thither. Art thou a babbler, Gold-mane?'
He said: 'I have won no prize for babbling hitherto.'
She said: 'If thou listest to babble concerning what hath befallen
thee on the Mountain, so do, and repent it once only, that is, thy
life long.'
'Why should I say any word thereof?' said he. 'Dost thou not know
the sweetness of such a tale untold?'
He spake as one who is somewhat wrathful, and she answered humbly and
kindly:
'Well is that. Bide thou the token that shall lead thee to Shadowy
Vale. Farewell now.'
She drew her hand from his, and turned and went her ways swiftly to
the house: he could not choose but gaze on her as she went
glittering-bright and fair in that grey place of the mountains, till
the dark doorway swallowed up her beauty.
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