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counsel with them on many matters； and they marvelled at his wisdom
and the keenness of his wit； and so it was； that some were but half
pleased thereat； whereas they saw that their will was like to give
way before his in all matters。 But the wiser of them rejoiced in
him； and looked for good days while his life lasted。
Now of the deeds that he did； and his joys and his griefs； the tale
shall tell no more； nor of how he saw Langton again； and his
dealings there。
In Stark…wall he dwelt； and reigned a King； well beloved of his
folk； sorely feared of their foemen。 Strife he had to deal with； at
home and abroad； but therein he was not quelled； till he fell asleep
fair and softly； when this world had no more of deeds for him to do。
Nor may it be said that the needy lamented him； for no needy had he
left in his own land。 And few foes he left behind to hate him。
As to the Maid； she so waxed in loveliness and kindness； that it was
a year's joy for any to have cast eyes upon her in street or on
field。 All wizardry left her since the day of her wedding； yet of
wit and wisdom she had enough left； and to spare； for she needed no
going about； and no guile； any more than hard commands； to have her
will done。 So loved she was by all folk； forsooth； that it was a
mere joy for any to go about her errands。 To be short； she was the
land's increase； and the city's safeguard； and the bliss of the
folk。
Somewhat； as the days passed； it misgave her that she had beguiled
the Bear…folk to deem her their God； and she considered and thought
how she might atone it。
So the second year after they had come to Stark…wall； she went with
certain folk to the head of the pass that led down to the Bears； and
there she stayed the men…at…arms； and went on further with a two
score of husbandmen whom she had redeemed from thralldom in Stark…
wall； and when they were hard on the dales of the Bears； she left
them there in a certain little dale； with their wains and horses；
and seed…corn； and iron tools； and went down all bird…alone to the
dwelling of those huge men； unguarded now by sorcery； and trusting
in nought but her loveliness and kindness。 Clad she was now； as
when she fled from the Wood beyond the World； in a short white coat
alone； with bare feet and naked arms； but the said coat was now
embroidered with the imagery of blossoms in silk and gold； and gems；
whereas now her wizardry had departed from her。
So she came to the Bears； and they knew her at once； and worshipped
and blessed her； and feared her。 But she told them that she had a
gift for them； and was come to give it； and therewith she told them
of the art of tillage； and bade them learn it； and when they asked
her how they should do so； she told them of the men who were abiding
them in the mountain dale； and bade the Bears take them for their
brothers and sons of the ancient Fathers； and then they should be
taught of them。 This they behight her to do； and so she led them to
where her freedmen lay； whom the Bears received with all joy and
loving…kindness； and took them into their folk。
So they went back to their dales together； but the Maid went her
ways back to her men…at…arms and the city of Stark…wall。
Thereafter she sent more gifts and messages to the Bears； but never
again went herself to see them； for as good a face as she put on it
that last time； yet her heart waxed cold with fear； and it almost
seemed to her that her Mistress was alive again； and that she was
escaping from her and plotting against her once more。
As for the Bears； they throve and multiplied； till at last strife
arose great and grim betwixt them and other peoples； for they had
become mighty in battle： yea； once and again they met the host of
Stark…wall in fight； and overthrew and were overthrown。 But that
was a long while after the Maid had passed away。
Now of Walter and the Maid is no more to be told； saving that they
begat between them goodly sons and fair daughters； whereof came a
great lineage in Stark…wall； which lineage was so strong； and
endured so long a while； that by then it had died out； folk had
clean forgotten their ancient Custom of king…making； so that after
Walter of Langton there was never another king that came down to
them poor and lonely from out of the Mountains of the Bears。
End