For we be the fewer; and
if the foemen have time to call that to mind, then are we all lost.'
Said Stone-face: 'Meseemeth, War-leader, that there is nought much
to dread in leaving Rose-dale to itself for a while; for not only may
we follow hard on the fleers if they flee to Rose-dale, and be there
no long time after them, before they have time to stir their host but
also after the overthrow we shall be free to send men back to
Burgdale by way of Shadowy Vale. I deem that herein Folk-might hath
the right of it.'
'Even so say I,' said the Alderman; 'besides, we might theft leave
more folk behind us for the warding of the Dale. So, son, the risk
whereof thou speakest groweth the lesser the longer it is looked on.'
Then spake the Dale-warden: 'Yet saving your wisdom, Alderman, the
risk is there yet. For if these felons come into the Dale at all,
even if the folk left behind hold the Burg and keep themselves
unmurdered, yet may they not hinder the foe from spoiling our
homesteads; so that our folk coming back in triumph shall find ruin
at home, and spend weary days in hunting their foemen, who shall,
many of them, escape into the Wild-wood.
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