So now with good hearts the Host of Burgdale turned their faces
toward their well-beloved Dale; and they made good diligence, so that
in three days' time they were come anigh the edge of the woodland
wilderness. Thither in the even-tide, as they were making ready for
their last supper and bed in the wood, came three men and two women
of their folk, who had been abiding their coming ever since they had
had the tidings of Silver-dale and the battles from Dallach. Great
was the joy of these messengers as they went from company to company
of the warriors, and saw the familiar faces of their friends, and
heard their wonted voices telling all the story of battle and
slaughter. And for their part the men of the Host feasted these
stay-at-homes, and made much of them. But one of them, a man of the
House of the Face, left the Host a little after nightfall, and bore
back to Burgstead at once the tidings of the coming home of the Host.
Albeit since Dallach's tidings of victory had come to the Dale, the
dwellers in the steads of the country-side had left Burgstead and
gone home to their own houses; so that there was no great multitude
abiding in the Thorp.
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