They thanked him; but he heeded not their thanks, and withdrew him from them. So they entered and found the table laid in a fair hall of stone carven and painted very goodly; so they ate and drank therein, and Hallblithe was of good heart, and the Sea-eagle and his mate were merry, though they looked softly and shyly on Hallblithe because of the sundering anigh; and they saw no man in the house save the man in scarlet, who went and came about his business, paying no heed to them. So when the night was deep they lay down in the shut-bed off the hall, and slept, and the hours were tidingless to them until they woke in the morning.
On the morrow they arose and broke their fast, and thereafter the damsel spake to the man in scarlet and said: “May we fill our wallets with victual for the way?”
Said the Warden: “There lieth the meat.”
So they filled their wallets, while the man looked on; and they came to the door when they were ready, and he unlocked it to them, saying no word. But when they turned their faces towards the mountains he spake at last, and stayed them at the first step. Quoth he: “Whither away? Ye take the wrong road!”
Said Hallblithe: “Nay, for we go toward the mountains and the edge of the Glittering Plain.”
“Ye shall do ill to go thither,” said the Warden, “and I bid you forbear.”
“O Warden of the Uttermost House, wherefore should we forbear?” said the Sea-eagle.
Said the scarlet man: “Because my charge is to further those who would go inward to the King, and to stay those who would go outward from the King.”
“How then if we go outward despite thy bidding?” said the Sea-eagle, “wilt thou then hinder us perforce?”
“How may I,” said the man, “since thy fellow hath weapons?”