Chapter X: Sidenote: The Humility of Pride

[Sidenote: _The Return In Honour_]

Now when Flame was come before the King and Queen and the Princess Roseheart, he was filled with the humility of those who have great pride, insomuch that he fell upon his knees before them to beg that which aforetime he had asked as in the ignorance of a child. But ere he could speak, King Telwyn put forth his hand and raised him, saying, "Flame, son of Lokus, thou art a thousand times welcome. Hearty greeting we give thee, in good faith that thou hast returned in honour."

Then spake Flame on this wise: "Greeting from the heart I give thee. Meseems my heart will burst with the fullness of my joy that I am come once more to the home of my love, to look upon her beauty, and to give into her keeping all that I have, and all that I am, for she is the soul of my soul."

[Sidenote: _The Eagerness of Flame_]

Then, bethinking himself that he must remember in courtesy to put before his own desires that which was due to others, he made obeisance to the Queen, Ellaline, who greeted him with kindness, asking him whether he had had food and drink since his journey.

"Nay," he said, "how should that have been, when I was so much more an-hungered to see quickly the face of my beloved?" And he turned him to his love, Roseheart, standing very still, with her soul in her eyes.

[Sidenote: _The Woman of Stars_]

With quick woman-wit then did Queen Ellaline motion the serving men that they should draw the curtains of the tent, themselves standing without. And the King and Queen withdrew also, that the lovers might be alone. Whereupon Roseheart, her silver cloak falling from her, stood forth to Flame as that woman whose form was radiance, and whose eyes were stars, she that was clad in shining raiment, fashioned full seemly of white silk that flowed and clung, revealing gracious lines of her form, who walked stately-wise, with little children about her knees.

[Sidenote: _Flame Falleth Upon His Knees_]

And upon the sight of Flame was a mist, and when it had passed and he looked again, the little children were not as they were living, but like wraiths of divers colours, making as it were a rainbow in the midst whereof stood one still a maid. And Flame fell upon his knees, and called upon her name. And she set her two hands upon his head, and lifting it gently, looked down into his soul. And when they had come to understanding on this wise, she gave her hands into his, and lifted him up. And he drew her to his heart, and kissed her on the mouth, whereat she was all a woman, and clung to him, saying with little broken cries, "It hath been so lonely without thee--I love thee so!"

[Sidenote: _The Finding_]

Remembering the pain and struggle of his quest, Flame cried out, "Wherefore did I go from thee?" Yet even as he spake, right well he knew how it had been needful that all things should have befallen them as they had done.

Then did the face of Roseheart grow wistful-sweet, and she asked, "The woman of thy dream--didst thou find her?" And Flame answered, "Aye, I have found her. Dost thou not know? Thou thyself art that radiant woman, starry-eyed. I know not what hath befallen thee, save that the starry heavens, that look upon all things, have made thine eyes their dwelling-place."

[Sidenote: _Beyond Self_]

[Sidenote: _The Remembered Vision_]

Whereupon Roseheart, his beloved, chided him on this wise, with a laughter that was of the soul, and naught unkind in it: "My happiness is so deep, I needs must laugh at thee. Meseems the truth is that aforetime thou sawest only thyself in mine eyes, and that now thou hast learned to look beyond thyself. And thus it hath been with me also. Once I saw not anything but myself in thine eyes, but now therein I see ships and far countries, and the forms of beauty that thou hast dreamed, and those which thou shalt create in the years to come. When first I saw in thine eyes that woman of thy dream, of whom thou hadst spoken, sorrow and humility were heavy upon me, for that I understood not why there should be aught in thine eyes but thy love, Roseheart. But there came a time--" She was silent for a moment that she might hear the music of the remembered vision. "Have I grown like her--in good sooth?" she whispered.

"Thou art she," answered Flame, "the soul of my soul."

"And what of thee?" whispered Roseheart. "What hast thou learned of life in thy far countries?"

[Sidenote: _The Feast is Spread_]

Whereupon he answered, as the Voice of Vision had told him, "I have looked upon death for right's sake, and seen therein the life greater than mine own life; and I have looked upon the life which is sin and have seen therein the death of the spirit. I have much to tell thee, for that there must be nought but truth between us."

Then did King Telwyn himself draw the curtains of the tent and look within, smiling. "Flame, son of Lokus, the feast is spread for thee, though well I wot thou knowest not if thou art hungry. But time and enough will there be for talk with thy speech-friend and troth-plight maiden, when thou hast eaten thy meat, and refreshed thee from thy journey. Wherefore come now, the both of you, and shew yourselves unto the people, that all may rejoice."

[Sidenote: _Feasting and Laughter_]

Thereupon did Flame, son of Lokus, lead forth his troth-plight maiden Roseheart, to a great table that had been spread under the trees, with a silken cloth, and great dishes of silver and gold, whereon were roast flesh, and new bread, and green things steaming and savoury, and fruits of divers sorts, good to the taste and beautiful. And there were flagons of wine, crimson, and of the colour of corn, and of brown like the leaves of autumn.

[Sidenote: _Flame Speaketh Modestly_]

Then was there feasting and laughter, and Flame, son of Lokus, told many tales of far countries--of strange customs, and cunning of husbandry and handicraft; of wars and the courts of Kings; of mightily mountains, of great seas and the storms thereof, wherein he himself had laboured mightily with the men of the ship that they should not perish all.

[Sidenote: _The Queen Taketh Note_]

And for that all he spake on these matters was shrewd and well taken, and modest withal, King Telwyn, listening, marked with gladness the manhood that had come to this youth of the isle of sea-surge and fire-bloom. And he was right well pleased, also, that the troth-plight of his daughter was returned with clear eyes and noble bearing, and courtesy and readiness for all that made speech with him.

[Sidenote: _Roseheart Hath Pride_]

And Queen Ellaline, in the wont of elder women, had eyes to the way of Flame with his wine, the which he took gladly, as becomes a man, but not overmuch; and she was content. Roseheart, sitting beside her mother, the Queen, had thought for none but her troth-plight lord whom she loved; yet marked with pride his thought and courtesy for all that sat at meat with them. There was that in her which remembered with joy and tenderness how that he had thought aforetime only of themselves and their love; but now was she proud that her lord was become a man among men, for well she knew that with all he said and did in any wise, there ran always the music of his joy in her, and the love of his soul for hers.