'
'But,' said Face-of-god, 'is there no other way into that Dale?'
'Nay, none that folk wot of,' said Dallach, 'except to bold cragsmen
with their lives in their hands.'
'Knowest thou aught of the affairs of Silver-dale?' said Face-of-god.
Said Dallach: 'Somewhat I know: we wot that but a few years ago
there was a valiant folk dwelling therein, who were lords of the
whole dale, and that they were vanquished by the Dusky Men: but
whether they were all slain and enthralled we wot not; but we deem it
otherwise. As for me it is of their blood that I am partly come; for
my father's father came thence to settle in Rose-dale, and wedded a
woman of the Dale, who was my father's mother.'
'When was it that ye fell under the Dusky Men?' said Face-of-god.
Said Dallach: 'It was five years ago. They came into the Dale a
great company, all in arms.'
'Was there battle betwixt you?' said Face-of-god.
'Alas! not so,' said Dallach. 'We were a happy folk there; but soft
and delicate: for the Dale is exceeding fertile, and beareth wealth
in abundance, both corn and oil and wine and fruit, and of beasts for
man's service the best that may be.
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