'Now, Guests, both of the Waste and the Westland, since here is no
Gate-thing or meeting of the Dale-wardens, and we sit here but for
our pleasure, let us go take our pleasure within doors for a while,
if it seem good to you.'
Therewith he arose, and the folk made way for him and his Guests; and
Folk-might went on the right hand of Iron-face, and beside him went
the Chapman, who looked on him with a half-smile, as though he knew
somewhat of him. But on the other side of Iron-face went the Sun-
beam, whose hand he held, and after these came Face-of-god, leading
in the rest of the New-comers, who yet held the flowery branches in
their hands.
Now so much had Face-of-god told the Dalesmen, that they deemed they
all knew these men for their battle-fellows of whom they had heard
tell; and this the more as the men were so goodly and manly of
aspect, especially Folk-might, so that they seemed as if they were
nigh akin to the Gods. As for the Sun-beam, they knew not how to
praise her beauty enough, but they said that they had never known
before how fair the Gods might be. So they raised a great shout of
welcome as the men came through the Gate into the Burg, and all men
turned their backs on the booths, so eager were they to behold
closely these new friends.
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