'Have I been paid then?' said he.
She reddened, for she remembered her word to him on the mountain; and
he put his hand on her shoulder and kissed her cheek, but timorously;
nor did she withstand him or shrink aback, but said soberly:
'Good indeed is thy spear-throwing, and meseems my brother will love
thee when he hath seen thee strike a stroke or two in wrath. But,
fair warrior, there be no foemen here: so get thee to the lower end
of the Hall, and in the bower beyond shalt thou find fresh water;
there wash the waste from off thee, and do off thine helm and
hauberk, and come back speedily and eat with me; for I hunger, and so
dost thou.'
He did as she bade him, and came back presently bearing in his hand
both helm and hauberk, and he looked light-limbed and trim and
lissome, an exceeding goodly man.
CHAPTER XIX. THE FAIR WOMAN TELLETH FACE-OF-GOD OF HER KINDRED
When he came back to the dais he saw that there was meat upon the
board, and the Friend said to him:
'Now art thou Gold-mane indeed: but come now, sit by me and eat,
though the Wood-woman giveth thee but a sorry banquet, O guest; but
from the Dale it is, and we be too far now from the dwellings of men
to have delicate meat on the board, though to-night when they come
back thy cheer shall be better.
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