So did she, talking and telling as they went; and
she went on a pace before him, and howsoever long
or hardly he might stride he might not overgo her.
And so fast they went, that they were within a little
way of the Oak of Tryst a good while before the sun
had set, though they had set out from the cave three
hours after the hour when Birdalone and the wood-wife
had left the House under the Wood on the yesterday.
They had come to a steep rock that rose up from a
water’s side, and the wood-wife bade stay, whether
Arthur would or no, and she made him eat and drink,
bringing the victual and wine from out of a cleft
in the said rock. And she held him there till
the night was come and there was a glimmer of the
rising moon in the east, and he was ill at ease and
restless; but still she held him there till the moon
rose high and shone upon them, and the shadows of the
oak-boughs lay black all around.
Then she bade him arise, and let him on to the Oak
of Tryst, yea and somewhat beyond it toward the great
water. Then she spake to him: Black Squire,
I am now come home, and will lead thee no further;
I was deeming that we should have slept in the wood
a good way from this, and then would I have brought
thee on thy way to-morrow morning; but the eagerness
of thine heart hath made thy feet so speedy, that
we be here somewhat rathe, and yet I am not ill-pleased
therewith. Then she turned him about and said:
Look down the bent and tell me what thou seest.
He said: I see the boles of goodly trees, and
betwixt them the gleaming of a great water. She
said: Go thitherward then while the moon is
yet at her brightest, and thou shalt presently come
to wide meads lying along the water, and a stream
running through them. Enter then into the meads
and look about thee, and thou shalt see a little house
(there is none other nigh) standing just across the
said stream; go up thither boldly and crave guesting
from whomsoever thou shalt find there, and maybe things
shall go after thy mind. More than this I may
not do for thee. Farewell then, and if thou
wilt thou mayst meet me again; that is to say, that
which is verily me: but it is like that this
shape which hath been striding on with thee daylong
thou shalt not see any more.
He looked on her wondering, for she seemed to grow
goodly and stately before his eyes. But even
as he stretched forth his hand to take hers, she turned
about suddenly and fared into the wood out of his
sight, wending full as swiftly as might have been looked
for. Then he drew his sword and turned his face
from the wood, and went down toward the water.
CHAPTER XXVII. SIR ARTHUR COMETH TO THE HOUSE UNDER THE WOOD
