Then spake the King, smiling upon him, as erst: “What wilt thou then? Is it not time to rest?”
He said: “Yea, O King; but not in this land.”
Said the King: “Where else than in this land wilt thou find rest? Without is battle and famine, longing unsatisfied, and heart-burning and fear; within it is plenty and peace and good will and pleasure without cease. Thy word hath no meaning to me.”
Said Hallblithe: “Give me leave to depart, and I will bless thee.”
“Is there nought else to do?” said the King.
“Nought else,” said Hallblithe.
Therewith he felt that the King’s face changed though he still smiled on him, and again he felt his heart grow cold before the King.
But the King spake and said: “I hinder not thy departure, nor will any of my folk. No hand will be raised against thee; there is no weapon in all the land, save the deedless sword by my side and the weapons which thou bearest.”
Said Hallblithe: “Dost thou not owe me a joy in return for my beguiling?”
“Yea,” said the King, “reach out thine hand to take it.”