'
He said: 'O Bride, I thank thee for hearkening to my tale; and one
day shall I thank thee much more. Mayest thou fare well in the Field
and amidst the Folk!'
Therewith he kissed her hand, and turned away, and went across the
meadow and the stream, glad at heart and blithe with everyone; for
kindness grew in him as gladness grew.
CHAPTER XXXVII. OF THE FOLK-MOTE OF THE DALESMEN, THE SHEPHERD-FOLK,
AND THE WOODLAND CARLES: THE BANNER OF THE WOLF DISPLAYED
Now came the day of the Great Folk-mote, and there was much thronging
from everywhere to the Mote-stead, but most from Burgstead itself,
whereas few of the Dale-dwellers who had been at the Fair had gone
back home. Albeit some of the Shepherds and of the Dalesmen of the
westernmost Dale had brought light tents, and tilted themselves in in
the night before the Mote down in the meadows below the Mote-stead.
From early morning there had been a stream of folk on the Portway
setting westward; and many came thus early that they might hold
converse with friends and well-wishers; and some that they might
disport them in the woods. Men went in no ordered bands, as the
Burgstead men at least had done on the day of the Weapon-show, save
that a few of them who were arrayed the bravest gathered about the
banners, and went with them to the Mote-stead; for all the banners
must needs be there.
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