IX.
Flame Returneth
UNTO the days of three moons he journeyed, over land and sea, and at last he was come into the country of Telwyn, wherein were peace, and good harvest, and labour for all that would. And while he was yet some way off, upon a hill, he saw that the people were gathered together in a great meadow, and there rose to him on the wind a great song of joy that they were singing. The People at Games And drawing near he saw that some of the people were playing at games in the meadow, quoits and bowls, and other games of skill of divers kinds, with trials of strength and daring for the eager blood of youth. And there were horses a-many, and on them men laughing and jesting, and there were women and children, some hundreds, clad in fluttering garments of all the colours of joy.
In the midst of the throng there sat upon a dais a woman in shining raiment of cloth of silver, broidered with roses that had caught their colour from the rose tint of her face. And her hair of spun gold was The Day of Joybound with a silver fillet, fashioned in all delicacy, and colored to the semblance of the roses that were in the pattern thereof, with leaves cunningly wrought of green gold. Standing beside her was a young page clad in crimson who carried a tray whereon were ribbands of bright colours, the which the Princess Roseheart, for she it was in the shining raiment, did upon those who were victors in the games and contests.
Great was the pride of the people that the Princess had come amongst them in their merrymaking. Long had she been with them in sorrow and The Morning of Lifeservice, but not before this day in the joy of the morning of life, and they deemed it of good augury for her happiness.
Now when Flame, yet some way off, saw that the woman in shining raiment was the beloved of his soul, Roseheart, his heart leapt within him, and there was upon his limbs the speed of light. But betimes it came to him that travel was upon his garments, and that it were not fit he should dishonour his troth-plight maiden by coming before her eyes in aught unworthy. Wherefore he turned him aside from the meadow, and made such haste Cometh Flameas he might toward the castle midmost of the forest.
When he was come thither, he found therein only a few old serving men and women, for that all others were making holiday in the meadow, the King, Telwyn, and the Queen Ellaline, as well as the humblest folk in the castle.