"
Said Hallblithe: "And shall I also have that gift of undying youth,
and life while the world of men and gods endureth?"
"I must needs deem so," said the Sea-eagle, "so long as thou abidest
on the Glittering Plain; and I see not how thou mayst ever escape
thence."
Now Hallblithe heard him, how he said "escape," and thereat he was
somewhat ill at ease, and stood and pondered a little. At last he
said: "Is this then all that thou hast to tell me concerning the
Glittering Plain?"
"By the Treasure of the Sea!" said the elder, "I know no more of it.
The living shall learn. But I suppose that thou mayst seek thy
troth-plight maiden there all thou wilt. Or thou mayst pray the
Undying King to have her thither to thee. What know I? At least, it
is like that there shall be no lack of fair women there: or else the
promise of youth renewed is nought and vain. Shall this not be
enough for thee?"
"Nay," said Hallblithe.
"What," said the elder, "must it be one woman only?"
"One only," said Hallblithe.
The old man laughed his thin mocking laugh, and said: "I will not
assure thee but that the land of the Glittering Plain shall change
all that for thee so soon as it touches the soles of thy feet."
Hallblithe looked at him steadily and smiled, and said: "Well is it
then that I shall find the Hostage there; for then shall we be of one
mind, either to sunder or to cleave together.
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