And all battle was loathsome to him, nor for all the gain
of his chaffer had he come into the Dale, had he known that war was
looked for.
But the chiefs of the Dalesmen stirred not, nor changed countenance;
and some of the goodmen who were in the street nigh the Gate came
forth to see what was toward; for they also had heard the voice of
the horn.
Then one of those messengers came up breathless, and stood before the
chiefs, and said:
'New tidings, Alderman; here be weaponed strangers come into the
Dale.'
The Alderman smiled on him and said: 'Yea, son, and are they a great
host of men?'
'Nay,' said the man, 'not above a score as I deem, and there is a
woman with them.'
'Then shall we abide them here,' said the Alderman, 'and thou
mightest have saved thy breath, and suffered them to bring tidings of
themselves; since they may scarce bring us war. For no man desireth
certain and present death; and that is all that such a band may win
at our hands in battle to-day; and all who come in peace are welcome
to us. What like are they to behold?'
Said the man: 'They are tall men gloriously attired, so that they
seem like kinsmen of the Gods; and they bear flowering boughs in
their hands.
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