She was
no longer in her war-gear, but was clad after her wont of Shadowy
Vale, in nought but a white woollen kirtle. So she stood in the
stream beside the stones, and let the swift water ripple up over her
ankles, while the elder leaned on her shoulder and looked down upon
her kindly. The Sun-beam followed after them, stepping daintily from
stone to stone, so that she was a fair sight to see; her face was
smiling and happy, and as she stepped forth on to the green grass the
colour flushed up in it, but she cast her eyes adown as one somewhat
shamefaced.
So the chieftains rose up before the leader of the Steer, and Folk-
might went up to him, and greeted him, and took his hand and kissed
him on the cheek. And Hall-ward said:
'Hail to the chiefs of the kindred, and my earthly friends!'
Then Folk-might bade him sit down by him, and all the men sat down
again; but the Sun-beam leaned her back against a sapling ash hard
by, her feet set close together; and Bow-may went to and fro in short
turns, keeping well within ear-shot.
Then said Hall-ward: 'Folk-might, I have prayed thy kinswoman Bow-
may to lead me to thee, that I might speak with thee; and it is good
that I find my kinsmen of the Face in thy company; for I would say a
word to thee that concerns them somewhat.
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