And these valiant men know for certain that their foemen are
now of mind to fall upon this Dale and destroy it, as they have done
with others nigher to them. And they will slay our men, and lie with
our women against their will, and enthrall our children, and torment
all those that lie under their hands till life shall be worse than
death to them. Therefore, O Alderman and Wardens, and ye neighbours
all, it behoveth you to take counsel what we shall do, and that
speedily.'
There was again a murmur, as of men nothing daunted, but intent on
taking some way through the coming trouble. But no man said aught
till the Alderman spake:
'When didst thou first happen upon this Earl-folk, son?'
'Late last autumn,' said Face-of-god.
Said Iron-face: 'Then mightest thou have told us of this tale
before.'
'Yea,' said his son, 'but I knew it not, or but little of it, till
two days agone. In the autumn I wandered in the woodland, and on the
fell I happened on a few of this folk dwelling in a booth by the
pine-wood; and they were kind and guest-fain with me, and gave me
meat and drink and lodging, and bade me come to Shadowy Vale in the
spring, when I should know more of them.
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