VIRIDIS TELLETH THE TALE OF THEIR SEEKING.
Now came they back to where were the three others, and Viridis was
quite come to herself and ran to meet her man, and he took her in his
arms and caressed her sweetly; and then he turned to Birdalone, and
spared no sign of friendly love to her; and Arthur, for his part, did
so much for Aurea and Viridis. No long tale there was between them for
that while, for they would busk them to be gone. But first they dug a
grave for those two poor men who had been slain by the felons, and
prayed for them. As for the caitiffs who lay slain there, one score and
two of them, they left them for the wolves to devour, and the tearing
of the kites and crows; nor meddled they with any of their gear or
weapons. But they speedily found Hugh’s raiment, and his pouch, wherein
was money good store; and they found also rings and ouches and girdles,
which had been torn from the damsels in the first rage of their taking.
First though, when they had gathered together such horses as they
needed, and let the rest run wild, Birdalone brought her she-friends
down into the dale, and did them to bathe in a pool of the stream, and
tended them as if she were their tire-woman, so that they were mightily
refreshed; and she made garlands for them of the woodland flowers, as
eglantine and honeysuckle; and herself, she bathed her, and did not on
her battle-gear again, but clad her body in her woman’s array.
Then she brought forth victual and wine from Habundia’s store, and set
it out on the stream-side; and thereafter she went up the bent to the
green way and fetched down Hugh and Arthur, and brought them to the
ladies, and bade them note how trim and lovely they were gotten again,
and again it could scarce be but that kisses and caresses were toward;
and in all content and love they took their breakfast, though
bitter-sweet unto Atra had been the holding of her hand by Arthur and
the kissing of her cheek, albeit not for worlds had she foregone it.
So there they abode merrily for some three hours, whereas the day was
yet young; and they asked and told each other much, so that the whole
tale, both of the seekers from the world and of the seekers from the
water-side, came out little by little. Now of the last ye have heard
what there is to tell, but for the others Viridis took up the tale, as
erst she did with the dealings of the Knights of the Quest in the Isle
of Increase Unsought; and it seemed by her tale that Hugh and the
ladies, though they were living happily and prosperously in the land of
the Green Mountains, wherein Hugh had wealth enow, yet the thought both
of Arthur and of Birdalone would not out of their minds, and often it
was that they thought of them, not as friends think of friends of whom
they are content to know that they are yet alive and most-like
thriving, but as friends think of friends whose absence cuts a shard
out of their lives, so that they long to see them day by day. Wherefore
it came to this at last, after much talk hereof, that Hugh left his
possessions and his children (for he had two women-bairns born of
Viridis) in the keeping of trusty folk, and took with him Viridis his
wife, and Aurea and Atra, and they set out to seek those twain the
world over till they should find them. And first by the rede of Atra
they fared to Greenford, and there tarried a month, and sought tidings
of many, and heard a word here and there whereby they deemed that
Birdalone had passed therethrough some little time before. So they went
thence to the Castle of the Quest, and found it in such plight as ye
have heard, and it went sore to their hearts to behold it and to be
there. But therewithal they happed upon Leonard the priest, and he was
rejoiced beyond measure to see them, and told them all that ye have
heard concerning Birdalone’s coming thither and departing thence; and
he told them therewith about those hauntings and sendings in the hall
of the castle, and that they came to an end the very day that Birdalone
departed thence in the Sending Boat. Yet for the last three days there
had been visions therein; but being questioned he was loth to tell
thereof, so they forbore him a while.
At these tidings they were sore moved, and they talked the matter over
betwixt themselves (and Leonard also was in their redes), and they must
needs deem that either Birdalone was cast away, or that she had come to
her old dwelling, the House under the Wood, and belike had fallen into
the hands of the witch once more, and thereat were they sore downcast;
and yet somewhat it was, that they had heard sure tidings of her;
though meanwhile of Arthur had they heard nought.
While they talked this over, Atra, who had been somewhat silent, spake
and said: Here are we brought to a stop with the first tidings which we
have heard, whereas we know no manner of wending the Great Water. This
seemeth evil, but let us not be cast down, or die redeless. Ye have
heard of what sayeth Sir Leonard of these hauntings in the hall, and
how that they have come back again, wherefore why should we not sleep
in the hall this night, those of us at least who have not so much fear
as not to note them well, to see if we may draw any avail from them?
How say ye? For my part I will try the adventure, whatever may come of
it.
Now they all yeasaid it, though Aurea was somewhat timorous, albeit she
would not be parted from the others; so when night came there they made
their beds and lay down; and the end of it was, that a little before
midnight Atra waked the others, and did them to wit that by her deeming
something was toward; and presently they were all four as wide awake as
ever they were in their lives; and next, without any sound that was
strange, there came the image of a woman on to the dais, clad in green
like to an huntress of ancient days, her feet sandalled, her skirts
gathered up into her girdle, so that her legs were naked; she had a
quiver at her back, and a great bow in her hand.
Now to all of them save Atra this appearance seemed to be the image of
Birdalone; but she told her fellows afterwards, that to her it seemed
not to be altogether Birdalone, but rather some other one most like
unto her, as it were her twin-sister.
Gazed the image kindly and sweetly on them, so that they beheld it
without fear; and it seemed to them that it gave forth speech; yet not
so much that the sound of words was in the air about and smote their
ears, as that the sense of words reached the minds of them. And this
was the tale of it: Ye, who are seeking the lost, have done well to
come hither, and now shall ye do well to wend the straightest way to
the dwelling of the wildwood, and that is by way of the western verge
of Evilshaw the forest. Greenford is on the way. Way-leaders ye shall
get; be wise, yet not prudent, and take them, though they be evil, and
your luck may well avail.
Therewith the image vanished away as it had come, and Leonard, who with
the others took the appearance for an image of Birdalone, said that it
was such as he had seen it the three last days. So they lay not down
again, but departed for Greenford without tarrying, and rode the other
end of the short night through till they came to Greenford. But Leonard
would not with them; and Hugh behight him, if he lived and did well, to
come back somehow to the Castle of the Quest, and so redo it that it
should be no longer desolate. So to Greenford they came, and spared not
to do folk to wit that they would ride a pilgrimage in Evilshaw, and
were fain of way-leaders; and there they dwelt a day or two, and many
would let them of that journey, which, said they, was rather deadly
than perilous only. But on the third day came to Sir Hugh two stout
carles well weaponed, who said that they knew well all the ways that
led to Evilshaw, and the ways that went therethrough, and they offered
themselves for a wage to Sir Hugh. Now these said carles were not over
fair of favour, but seemed somewhat of ribalds, nor would Sir Hugh have
taken them to service in his house at home; but he called to mind that
it were more prudence than wisdom to spoil his journey and lose the
occasion of finding his dear friends for the hasty judgment of a man’s
face and demeanour, wherefore he waged these two men, and they set out
for the western edges of Evilshaw.
Many towns and thorps they passed through, and everywhere, when men
knew whither they were bound, they letted them all they might in words;
but little heed they paid thereto, whereas they were all fixed in their
rede that nought was to be done save the finding of their friends, and
that their life-days were spoiled if they found them not. And moreover,
each one of them, but especially Atra and Viridis, had dreams of the
night from time to time, wherein they seemed to see the green-clad
woman, were she Birdalone or another, beckoning and bidding them to
enter the Wood of Evilshaw.
As to those two way-leaders withal, whether it were that they got used
to their faces, or that their ways and manners were nought uncourteous
or fierce, they doubted them less and less as time wore; all save
Viridis, whose flesh crept when they drew anigh her, as will betide one
who comes across an evil-looking creeping thing. As for Atra, she now
began to heed little the things about her, as if her heart were wholly
set on the end of the journey.
But now at last were they come so far that they had no choice but to
use the said way-leaders, for they were gotten to the edge of Evilshaw.
So they entered it, and those two led them by half-blind ways and paths
amongst the thickets, and fumbled never with the road.
Five days they went thus, and on the fifth evening they lay down to
sleep in the wood, and it was the turn of those two hirelings to keep
watch and ward, and they woke not the next morn save with the hands of
the Red Felons at their throats, so that Hugh was bound, and his two
trusty men who came with him from the Green Mountains were slain before
a stroke might be struck.
This was the end of Viridis’ tale, save that she told how that it was
she that had uttered those two shrieks which Arthur and Birdalone had
heard from the thicket; and that she had so done when the two false
way-leaders laid hold of her to drag her away from her man, who stood
there before her bound to a tree that he might perish there, whereon
the two caitiffs had smitten her into unwit that they might have no
more of her cries.
Now when all this had been told, and they had abided awhile in the fair
little dale, and had said many kind endearing words of friendship, they
went up on the green way again, and took what of the horses they needed
and trussed their goods thereon (and Birdalone would not leave that
brave armour which Habundia had given her), and they dight others for
their home-riding, and the rest they turned loose into the woods, and
so rode their ways, Birdalone going ever with Atra, and Arthur by
Aurea; but Viridis must needs have Hugh within reach of her hand all
the way.
Good speed they made, so that ere the night had fallen on them, though
the sun was set, they had come to the House under the Wood; and there
again was joy and wondering of the new-comers, and merry feasting on
such simple victuals as were there, and good-night and rest in all
contentment in the house where erst had Birdalone tholed so many griefs
and fears.
Here ends the Sixth Part of the Water of the Wondrous Isles, which is
called The Days of Absence, and begins the Seventh Part, which is
called The Days of Returning.
THE SEVENTH PART:
THE DAYS OF RETURNING.
CHAPTER I.
SIR HUGH ASKETH BIRDALONE WHERE SHE WOULD HAVE THE ABODE OF THEIR
FELLOWSHIP TO BE.
On the next day, they arose and were glad, and it was to them as if the
sun of the early summer had arisen for nought save to shine on their
happy day. And they went about from place to place whereas tidings had
befallen Birdalone; and she served them one and all as if she were
their handmaid, and they loved her and caressed her, and had been fain
to do all her will did they but know it.
In this wise wore day after day till June began to wane, and then on a
time came Hugh unto Birdalone, and spake unto her and said: All we have
been talking together, and I am sent to ask thee what is in thy mind as
to abiding here or going elsewhither. For now that we be come together
again, not for all the kingdoms of the world would we sunder again; and
above all, none of us would leave thee, O my sister. But if thou wilt
come with me to our land under the Green Mountains, there is for thee a
pleasant place and a fair dwelling, and honour from all folk, and our
love that shall never leave thee; and I, and Arthur my brother, we
shall win fame together amongst the knighthood, and thou shalt be proud
and glad both of him and of me.
She said: And if I may not go with thee thither, what other way is
there to escape the sundering? Said Hugh: This, that thou choose in the
world what land liketh thee for a dwelling-place, and we will go with
thee and leave thee never, and thou shalt be our lady and queen. Then
he laughed and said: Yet, our lady, I have left behind me under the
Green Mountains certain things which I love, as two fair
women-children, and a squire or two whose fathers served my fathers,
and whose children I would should serve my children. And moreover I
have left there certain matters of avail, my wealth and livelihood to
wit. Wilt thou begrudge it if I must needs go fetch these, and bring
them to the land where thou dwellest, through whatever peril we may
have to face?
Dear art thou, she said, and my very friend, but tell me: how sorry
wouldst thou be to leave thine own land and follow after me for the
sake of one who is neither thine own true love nor of thy kindred? Said
he: Not so sorry that I should grudge against thee thereafter. Moreover
if that much of sorrow came to me, I should deem it not ill, lest I
grow so over-happy that the luck rise up against me and undo me.
She said, smiling on him kindly: Meseems that I am over-happy, whereas
I have such dear cherishing of noble friends. But now I will tell thee
all, and maybe thou wilt love me the less for the telling. In these
woods here, and lady and mistress of them, dwelleth one who is not of
the race of Adam. And she helped and cherished me and gave me wisdom
when I was tormented and accursed, and she it was who saved me from the
evil witch, and gave me the good hap to meet your loves and to fetch
you to their helping; and twice hath she saved me from mortal peril
otherwise. And she hath found me my love, thy brother Arthur, and
delivered him from unwit and wanhope; and she it is who drew all you
hither unto us, and who delivered you from the felons who had mastered
you. And I have sworn unto her that I would never wholly sunder me from
her; and how shall I break mine oath and grieve her, even had I the
will thereto, as God wot I have not? And she wept therewith.
But Hugh kissed her and said: Birdalone, my dear, why weepest thou?
Didst thou not hear my word, that thy people should be my people, and
thy land my land, and that whither thou goest I will go? Dost thou not
trow me then? Or how deemest thou I may tear thy friend Viridis from
thee, when she hath just found thee? But tell me, hast thou in thy mind
any dwelling-place other than this?
Yea, she said: I may not depart very far from this forest of Evilshaw
lest I grieve my wisdom-mother overmuch. But if one go westward through
the wood, he shall happen at last, when he cometh forth of it, on a
good town hight Utterhay, which lieth on the very edge thereof. There
was I born, and there also I look to find three dear and trusty friends
to whom I owe return of their much kindness. It is a noble town in a
pleasant land, and thou and my lord Arthur may well win both honour and
worship and lordship there. And wholly I trust in thy word that thou
wilt not grudge against me for dragging thee thither.
Therewith she gave him her hand, smiling on him, though there was yet
trouble in her face. But he took the hand and held it, and laughed
merrily and said: Lo now! how good it is for friends to take counsel
together! What better may we do than go with thee thither? And how
greatly will Viridis rejoice when she heareth of this. Now will I go
and tell her and the others.
Go then, dear lad, she said; but as to the matter of thy fetching thy
children and livelihood hither, that may be not so hard nor so perilous
as thou deemest; and thou shalt go about it whenso thou wilt, and the
sooner the better, and we shall abide thee here as long as need may be.
And therewith he went his ways to tell Viridis and the others of this
rede which they had come to between them.
CHAPTER II.
BIRDALONE TAKETH COUNSEL WITH HER WOOD-MOTHER CONCERNING THE MATTER OF
SIR HUGH.
On that same day went Birdalone to the Oak of Tryst and called her
wood-mother to her, and she came glad and smiling, and kissed and
embraced Birdalone, and said unto her: Now I see that thou art well
content with this last matter I have done for thee, whereas thou art
come to crave a new gift of me. How knowest thou that? said Birdalone,
laughing. Said Habundia:
Wouldst thou have come to me so soon otherwise from out of all that
happiness? I have come to tell thee of my rede, said Birdalone, and to
ask thee if thou art like-minded with me thereon. Said the wood-wife:
And what is thy rede, my child? Wood-mother, said Birdalone, we deem
that it were good for us all to go down into Utterhay where I was born,
and to take up our abode therein.
Said the wood-wife: This rede I praise, and even so would I have
counselled you to do; but I abided to see if it should come from out of
thy breast, and now even so it hath done; wherefore I understand thy
wisdom and rejoice in thee. And now crave thy boon, my child, and thou
shalt have it without fail.
Yea, said Birdalone, that will I, and the more that it is a simple one
and easy for thee to do. Thou knowest that Hugh the Green Knight hath
come with my she-friends seeking us all the way from under the Green
Mountains, and he hath left there goods that he needs must have and
folk whom he loves; and now he would go back thither, and fetch all
that away hither, and see to his matters as soon as may be. And I would
have thee counsel us what to do, whether to build a barque, as
perchance we may get it done, and sail the lake therein to the Castle
of the Quest or thereabout, and thence to ride to his land; or else to
take thy guidance and safe-conduct through the wood, and to bring his
folk back the same way.
Said the wood-wife: As to the way by water, I may help you little
therein, and meseemeth that way be many traps and wiles and many
perils. Wherefore I bid you try it not, but let the Green Knight come
up hither to this tree to-morrow before noon, all horsed and armed and
arrayed, and there shall he find three men armed in green gear, horsed
well, and leading two sumpter-beasts with them; and they shall be his
until he giveth them back unto me. But if he doubteth any thing betwixt
the wood’s end and under the Green Mountains, let him wage what folk he
will besides, for these my men will have money enough of his with them.
But by no means let him send them away till he hath done with the wood
altogether, both betwixt here and the western dwelt-land, and here and
Utterhay, save thou be with him. But while these be with him, both he
and whatsoever money he bringeth shall be sure from all peril whiles
they be in the wood. Now, my child, was not this the boon thou camest
up hither to ask of me?
Yea verily, said Birdalone; yet also I came up hither to praise thee
and thank thee and love thee. And she threw herself into Habundia’s
arms and kissed and caressed her, and Habundia her in like wise.
Spake the wood-wife: Thou art the beloved child of my wisdom; and now I
see of thee that thou wilt be faithful and true and loving unto me unto
the end. And I think I can see that thou and thy man shall do well and
happily in Utterhay; and the Green Knight also and thy she-friends. And
whatsoever thou wilt of me that I may do for thee or thy friends, ask
it freely, and freely shalt thou have it. But this I will bid thee,
that the while the Green Knight shall be gone about his matter, thou
shalt come hither to me often; and thy friends also thou shalt bring to
me, that I may see them and talk to them and love them. And specially
shalt thou bid Atra unto me; for meseems she is so wise already that I
may learn her more wisdom, and put that into her heart which may solace
her and make her to cease from fretting her own heart, and from grief
and longing overmuch. And I were fain to reward her in that she hath
forborne to grudge against thee and to bear thee enmity. For I know, my
child, not from mine own heart, but from the wisdom I have learned, how
hardly the children of Adam may bear to have that which they love taken
away from them by another, even if they themselves might in the long
last have wearied of it and cast it away their own selves. Go now, my
child, and do thy friend to wit what I will do for him.
Therewith they parted, and Birdalone fared home to the house, and found
the fellowship of them all sitting by the brookside, and talking
sweetly together in all joy and hope of what their life should be in
the new land whereto Birdalone would lead them. Straightway then she
told them of Hugh and his journey, and how well he should be guarded in
the wood both coming and going. And they thought that right good, and
they thanked her and praised her, and took her into their talk, and she
sat down by them happily.
CHAPTER III.
OF THE JOURNEYING THROUGH THE FOREST OF EVILSHAW UNTO THE TOWN OF
UTTERHAY.
On the morrow in due time Birdalone, going afoot, led Sir Hugh,
all-armed and horsed, to the Oak of Tryst, and there they found the
three men-at-arms, well-weaponed and in green weed, abiding them. They
did obeisance to Sir Hugh, and he greeted them, and then without more
ado he kissed Birdalone and went his ways with his way-leaders, but
Birdalone turned back to the house and her friends.
Next day Birdalone brought her three she-friends unto the Trysting Oak,
and showed them to the wood-mother, and she was kind and soft with
them; and both Aurea and Viridis were shy with her, and as if they
feared her, but Atra was frank and free, and spake boldly. And
thereafter when Birdalone went to meet her wood-mother, Atra would go
with her if she were asked, and at last would go alone, when she found
that Habundia was fain of her coming, so that there were not many days
when they met not; and the wood-wife fell to learning her the lore of
the earth, as she had done aforetime with Birdalone; and Atra waxed
ruddier and merrier of countenance, whereof was Birdalone right glad,
and Arthur yet more glad, and the others well content.
So wore the time till Hugh had been gone for twenty and three days, and
as they walked the meadows anigh the house about undern, they saw a
knight riding down the bent toward them, and presently they knew him
for Hugh, and turned and hastened to meet him, so that he was
straightway amidst them, and on foot. Dear then were the greetings and
caresses betwixt them, and when it was over, and Birdalone had led away
his horse and dight it for him, and had gotten him victuals and drink,
and they were all sitting on the grass together, he told them how he
had fared. He had done all his matters in the Land under the Green
Mountains, and had given over his lands and houses to a man of his
lineage, his cousin, a good knight, and had taken from him of gold and
goods what he would. Then he had taken his two bairns and their nurse,
and an old squire and five sergeants, whereof one was his
foster-brother, and the others men somewhat stricken in years, and had
departed with them. Sithence he had come his ways to Greenford, and had
held talk therein with the prior of a great and fair house of Black
Canons, and had given him no little wealth wherewith to re-do the
Castle of the Quest what was needed, and for livelihood of four canons
to dwell there, and Leonard to be their prior, that there they might
remember Sir Baudoin their dear friend daily in the office, and do good
unto his soul. Sithence he had ridden to the Castle of the Quest with
the said Prior of St. Austin of Greenford, and had found Leonard, and
had settled all the business how it was to be done. Thereafter he had
returned to Greenford, and gathered his folk, and got him gone, under
the guidance of Habundia’s folk, by castles and thorps and towns the
nearest way to the edge of Evilshaw. And they had come to the forest,
and ridden it six days without mishap; and when they had come to the
Oak of Tryst once more, the way-leaders said that it were well if all
they together tarried not much longer in the forest; wherefore they had
brought them to a fair wood-lawn, and there they encamped, and were
there as now. And, said Hugh, there are they abiding me, and it is in
my mind that this very eve we go, all of us, and meet them there, if ye
may truss your goods in that while; but as to victuals, we have plenty,
and it needeth not. And then to-morrow shall we wend our way as
straight as may be toward the good town of Utterhay.
All they yeasaid it, though in her heart maybe Birdalone had been fain
of abiding a little longer in her own land; but she spake no word
thereof. And they all set to work to the trussing up of their goods,
and then turned their backs on the Great Water, and came up into the
woodland, and so to the camp in the wood-lawn. And there had Viridis a
joyful meeting with her babes, and she gladdened the hearts of Sir
Hugh’s men-at-arms by her kind greeting; and they rejoiced in meeting
Aurea and Atra again, and they wondered at Birdalone and her beauty,
and their hearts went out to her, both the old men’s and the young
ones. But Habundia’s men looked on it all like images of warriors.
There then they feasted merrily that evening. But when the morrow was
come they were speedily on the way toward Utterhay; and the way-leaders
guided them so well and wisely, that by noon of the fifth day they were
come forth of the wood and on to the bent that looked down upon the
town of Utterhay. There turned to Hugh the three way-leaders, and
spake: Lord, we have done thee the service which we were bidden; if
thou hast no further need of us, give us leave.
Said Hugh: Leave ye have, and I shall give you a great reward ere ye
go. Said the chief of them: Nay, lord, no reward may we take, save a
token from thee that thou art content with us. What token shall it be?
said Hugh. Quoth the way-leader: That each of us kiss the Lady
Birdalone on the mouth, for she it is that is verily our mistress under
our great mistress.
Laughed Hugh thereat, but the men laughed not; then spake Hugh: This
must be at the lady’s own will. Even so, said they.
Then Hugh brought Birdalone thither and told her what was toward, and
she consented to the kiss with a good will, and said to each of the men
after they had kissed her: Herewith goeth my love to the mistress and
queen of the woods; do ye bear the same unto her. And thereafter those
way-leaders fared back into the woods.
Now they gather themselves together and go down toward Utterhay, and
make a brave show, what with the sumpter-horses, and the goodly array
of the four ladies, and the glittering war-gear of the men-at-arms; and
Sir Hugh and Sir Arthur displayed their pennons as they went.
All this saw the warders on the wall of Utterhay; and they told the
captain of the porte, and he came up on to the wall, and a man with
him; and when he saw this bright company coming forth from the wood, he
bade men to him, two score of them, all weaponed, and he did on his
armour, and rode out-a-gates with them to meet those new-comers; and
this he did, not because he did not see them to be but few, but because
they came forth out of Evilshaw, and then doubted if they were
trustworthy.
So he met them two bowshots from the gate, and rode forward till he was
close to the wayfarers; and when he beheld the loveliness of the women,
and especially of Birdalone, who wore that day the gleaming-glittering
gown which Habundia had given her, he was abashed, and deemed yet more
that he had to do with folk of the Faery. But he spake courteously, and
said, turning to Hugh, who rode the foremost: Fair sir, would ye tell
unto the man whose business it is to safeguard the good town of
Utterhay what folk ye be, and on what errand ye ride, and how it is
that ye come forth from Evilshaw safe, in good case, with pennons
displayed, as if the said wood were your very own livelihood? For,
sooth to say, hitherto we have found this, that all men dread Evilshaw,
and none will enter it uncompelled.
Thereto answered Hugh: I hight Sir Hugh the Green Knight, and am come
from under the Green Mountain; and this is Sir Arthur, called the Black
Squire, but a knight he is verily, and of great kindred and a warrior
most doughty. And he hath been captain of the good town of Greenford
west away through the wood yonder a long way, and hath done the town
and the frank thereof mickle good service in scattering and destroying
the evil companies of the Red Hold, which hold we took by force of arms
from the felons who held it for the torment and plague of the
country-side.
Now as to our errand, we be minded to dwell in your good town of
Utterhay, and take our part with your folk, and we have wealth enow
thereto, so as to be beholden to none; and as time goes on we may serve
you in divers wise, and not least in this maybe, that with a good will
we shall draw sword for your peace and the freedom of them of Utterhay.
When the captain heard these words, he made obeisance to Sir Hugh, and
said: Fair sir, though we be here a long way from Greenford, yet have
we heard some tale of the deeds of you, and surely the porte and all
the folk shall be fain of your coming. Yet I pray thee be not wrath;
for there is a custom of the good town, that none may enter its gates
coming from out of this Forest of Evilshaw, save he leave some pledge
or caution with me, be it his wealth, or the body of some friend or
fellow, or, if nought else, his very own body. Wherefore if thou, Sir
Green Knight, wilt but give us some sure pledge, then will I turn about
and ride with you back and through the gate into Utterhay; and
doubtless, when the mayor hath seen you and spoken with you, the said
pledge shall be rendered to you again.
Ere Hugh might answer, came Birdalone forth and said: Sir captain, if
I, who am the lady of the Black Squire here, be hostage good enough,
then take me, and if need be, chain me to make surer of me. And she
drew near unto him smiling, and held out her hands as if for the
manacles.
But when the captain saw her thus, all the blood stirred in his body
for joy of her beauty, and he might but just sit his horse for his
wonder and longing; but he said: The saints forbid it, lady, that I
should do thee any hurt or displeasure, or aught save the most worship
I may. But thy hostage I will take, Sir Knight if thou be content to
yield her, whereas in an hour belike she shall be free again. And now
fare we all gateward again.
So then they all rode on together, Birdalone by the captain’s left
hand; and as they passed by the poor houses without the wall, she
looked and saw the one which had been her mother’s dwelling, so oft and
so closely had she told her all about it.
Thus then they entered Utterhay, and the captain led them straight to
the mote-house whereas the mayor and the porte were sitting; and much
people followed them through the streets, wondering at them, and
praising the loveliness of the women, and the frank and gallant bearing
of the men-at-arms.
So they lighted down at the mote-house and were brought to the mayor,
and when he had spoken them but a little, and had come to himself again
from the fear and abashment that he had of them, he showed himself full
fain of their coming, and bade them welcome to the good town, and took
them into his own house to guesting, until folk might dight a very
goodly house which the porte did give unto them.
But some two hours afterwards, when they were housed in all content, as
they sat in the hall of the mayor, which was great and goodly, talking
and devising with worthies of Utterhay, there entered two fair and
frank-looking young men, who went straight up to Birdalone, and the
first knelt down before her and kissed her hand, and said: O our lady,
and art thou verily come to us! O our happiness and the joy of this
day!
But when she saw him and heard him and felt the touch of his hand, she
bent down to him and kissed him on the forehead, for she knew him that
it was Robert Gerardson.
Then the other man came up to her as if he also would have knelt to
her, but his purpose changed, and he cast his arms about her body and
fell to kissing her face all over, weeping the while, and then he drew
off and stood trembling before her and she, all blushing like a red
rose and laughing a little, and yet with the tears in her eyes, said: O
Giles Gerardson, and thou, Robert, how fain I am to see you twain; but
tell me, is your father well? Yea, verily, our dear lady, said Robert,
and it will be unto him as a fresh draught of youth when he wotteth
that thou art come to dwell amongst us; for so it is, O lady beloved,
is it not? said he. Yea, forsooth, or even so I hope, said Birdalone.
But here be other friends that ye must needs know, if we come to dwell
together here in peace; and then go and fetch me hither your father.
Therewith she presented them unto Arthur and Hugh and the three ladies
of the Quest, and all they greeted them kindly and in all honour; and
the Gerardsons loved and worshipped them, and especially the lovely
ladies, the she-friends of their lady.
And whiles they were about this, in cometh old Gerard himself, and when
Birdalone saw him at the door, she arose and ran to meet him, and cast
her arms about him as if she were his own daughter; and most joyful was
the meeting betwixt them.
CHAPTER IV.
OF THE ABIDING IN UTTERHAY IN LOVE AND CONTENTMENT.
Now when seven days were worn, the mayor made a great feast at his
house, and thither were bidden all the men of the porte and other
worthies, and great merchants who had come into their town; and the
said feast was given in honour of these new-comers, and that day they
sat on the dais, and all the guests worshipped them and wondered at
their beauty; and nought was spoken of for many days save the glory and
hope that there was in this lovely folk.
But the next day after the feast were they brought to their house in
all triumph; and it was as fair as might be thought of, and there they
dwelt a while in rest and peace, and great recourse there was there of
Gerard and his sons.
But ere the winter was over, were Hugh and Arthur and Gerard and his
sons taken to the freedom of Utterhay; and thereafter spake the chief
men of the porte and the masters of the crafts unto the two knights by
the mouth of the mayor; and he told them, what already they partly
knew, that the good town had of late gotten many enemies, whereas it
was wealthy and not very strong, and that now two such warriors having
come amongst them, they were minded to strengthen themselves, if only
they two would of their gentleness and meekness become their war-dukes
to lead them against the foemen. But the two friends answered that it
was well their will to dwell there neighbourly, and do them all the
help they might, and that they would not gainsay the worship they
offered them nor the work that should go with it.
With that answer were all men well content and more: and then the mayor
said that the mind of the porte it was to strengthen the walls and the
gates, and to build a good and fair castle, meet for any earl, joining
on to the wall by the face that looked west, that is to say, on to
Evilshaw; and that liked the war-dukes well.
So when spring came it was set about, but it was five years adoing, and
before it was all finished the war-dukes entered into it, and dwelt
there with their wives and their friends in all honour. And a little
thereafter, whether they would or no, the men of Utterhay had to handle
weapons and fare afield to meet the foe with the valiant men of the
crafts, and what of waged men they might get. And well and valiantly
were they led by their dukes, and they came to their above, and gained
both wealth and honour thereby; and from that time forward began the
increase of Utterhay under those two captains, who were unto them as in
old time the consuls had been unto the Roman folk, save that they
changed them not year by year as the Romans were wont.
So wore the days, and all those friends dwelt together in harmony and
joy; though the wearing of time wrought changes amongst them. For
Robert Gerardson began in no long while to look on Aurea with eyes of
love; and at last he came to Birdalone and craved her leave to woo the
said lady, and she granted it with a good will, and was fain thereof,
whereas she saw that Aurea sorely lacked a mate; and scarce might she
have a better than was Robert; so in process of time they two were
wedded and dwelt together happily.
Forsooth Birdalone had been fainer yet might she have seen Giles
Gerardson and Atra drawn together. But though they were dear friends
and there was much converse betwixt them, this betid not, so far as we
have heard.
The old Gerard dwelt happily amongst them all for fifteen years after
they had come to Utterhay, and then fell asleep, a very old man.
As to the wood of Evilshaw, it was not once a year only that Birdalone
and Arthur sought thither and met the wood-mother, but a half-score of
times or more, might be, in the year’s circle; and ever was she kind
and loving with them, and they with her.
But of all those fellows it was Atra that had longest dealings with the
wood-wife; for whiles would she leave Utterhay and her friends and fare
lonesome up into Evilshaw, and find Habundia and abide with her in all
kindness holden for a month or more. And ever a little before these
departures betid would she fall moody and few-spoken, but she came back
ever from the wood calm and kind and well-liking. Amidst all these
comings and goings somewhat wore off the terror of Evilshaw; yet never
was it accounted other than a daring deed to enter it alone without
fellowship; and most had liefer that some man of religion were of their
company therein, or they would bear about them something holy or
blessed to hold the evil things.
Now when all this hath been said, we have no more to tell about this
company of friends, the most of whom had once haunted the lands about
the Water of the Wondrous Isles, save that their love never sundered,
and that they lived without shame and died without fear. So here is an
end.
Printed by John Wilson and Son at the
University Press in Cambridge U.S.A.