Thus then they parted for that time; but it was not
till the day after the morrow that Birdalone was alboun.
Viridis told of her departure both to Aurea and Atra;
and Aurea lamented it, but would not do aught to stay
her; for she was waxen weary and listless since the
death of her man. As for Atra, she spake but
little concerning it, but to Viridis praised Birdalone’s
valiance and kindness. Yet unto herself she
said: Verily she understood my word that I spake
to her about the occasion of her helping. Yet
woe’s me! for she shall carry his love with
her whithersoever she wendeth; and a happy woman is
she.
But when Geoffrey the squire knew that the ladies,
all three, were at one with Birdalone as to her departure,
he doubted nothing, but bade Arnold, his mate, take
four good men with him, and bring the Lady Birdalone
unto Greenford and do her bidding there. Albeit,
he deemed no less but they would bring her back again.
On the morrow morn, then, Birdalone spake farewell
both to Aurea and Atra; but as for Viridis, she sent
her word that she had no heart thereto, and yet she
sent her a word of comfort, to wit, that she deemed
that they would one day meet again. Aurea, in
her parting words, part praised her, part chid her;
saying that she did well and kindly and valiantly,
as her wont was. Yet, said she, when all is
said, thou mightest have abided this tangle and trouble,
which at the worst had not been so evil as death between
us. Yea, sister, said Birdalone, but might not
death have come of my abiding?
As she spake, in came Atra, with her head somewhat
drooped, meek and humble, her cheeks red, her hands
trembling; and she said: Wilt thou take now
my word of farewell and blessing, and the kiss of peace
betwixt us, and bear away the memory of our kindness
together?
Birdalone stood up proud and straight, and was somewhat
pale as she suffered Atra to kiss her cheeks and mouth,
and said: Now hast thou forgiven me that weird
dragged me in betwixt thy love and thy goodhap; and
I have forgiven thee that I am led away by weird into
the waste and the wilderness of love. Farewell.
Therewith she went her way to the gate, and the others
followed her not.
Without abode her Arnold and the four men-at-arms,
and her palfrey and a sumpter-horse bearing two goodly
coffers, wherein Viridis had let load raiment and
other havings for her; and Arnold came up to her smiling,
and said: My lady Viridis hath given me a pouch
wherein is money to bear for thee to Greenford and
hand over to thee there when we be safe; and she hath
bidden me to be in all wise obedient unto thee, lady,
which needed not, whereas now and from hence forth
am I by mine own will thy very servant to do thy pleasure
always and everywhere.
She thanked him and smiled on him kindly, so that
his heart beat fast for joy and love of her; and therewith
she gat into the saddle and they rode their ways together,
and Birdalone looked back never till the Castle of
the Quest was shut from their eyes by the nesses of
the little hills.
