When Flame turned him to the Princess Roseheart, fain would she have had him kiss her upon the mouth, but he would not, seeking her brow instead, in all tenderness. And piteous was the face of the maid, that Flame whom she loved denied her. But the eyes of Telwyn marking the thing, it seemed good to him that Flame turned him from the lips of his love. Well did the King know the hearts of men, and right heartily did he hold in scorn those who had not the wit to fear such things as betray men unto weakness.
Thereafter did Flame get him The Going of Flamethence right speedily, to take ship for far countries.
The maid Roseheart covered her eyes that she might not see the going of her beloved. And she wept full sore, and when Telwyn the King would have comforted her, Wur, the Old Gray Woman of Shadows, came unto her pitifully, and took her from the arms of her father, and folded her mantle about her, and led her away all gently. And yielding his little maid unto Wur, whom well he wot of old, the King was shaken in grief, that the thing must be and nought might stay it.
VI.
Roseheart and Wur
DAYLONG and nightlong the maid clung to Wur and to none other, and the Old Gray Woman of Shadows, whose voice was like unto the winds of Autumn, made sad music of the days and ways of men. Ever she spake, telling tales of sorrow, whereunto Roseheart listened, saying in her heart, "There is no sorrow like to mine, who am a widow before I am wed."
Yet there was, withal, in the Roseheart Wakes Weepingtales of Wur, a gray beauty that melted the heart of the maid, even in despite of her own grief, to a vague and terrible longing to learn what lay at the heart of life. Nightlong did Wur watch over her, and the maid dreamed in sorrow, to wake weeping.