For
how may I fight with thee, thou the brother of my plighted speech-
friend and my captain in this battle?'
'Therein thou sayest sooth,' said Folk-might; 'but hard it was to see
you two standing together; and thou canst not give the Bride to me as
I give my sister to thee. For I have seen her, and I have seen her
looking at thee; and I know that she will not have it so.'
Then they went on together toward the Hall, and Face-of-god was
silent and somewhat troubled; and as they drew near to the Hall,
Folk-might spake again:
'Yet time may amend it; and if not, there is the battle, and maybe
the end. Now be we merry!'
So they went into the Hall together, and there was the Sun-beam
gloriously arrayed, as erst in the woodland bower, and Face-of-god
sat on the dais beside her, and the uttermost sweetness of desire
entered into his soul as he noted her eyes and her mouth, that were
grown so kind to him, and her hand that strayed toward his.
The Hall was full of folk, and all those warriors were there with
Wood-father and his sons, and Wood-mother, and Bow-may and many other
women; and Gold-mane looked down the Hall and deemed that he had
never seen such stalwarth bodies of men, or so bold and meet for
battle: as for the women he had seen fairer in Burgdale, but these
were fair of their own fashion, shapely and well-knit, and strong-
armed and large-limbed, yet sweet-voiced and gentle withal.
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