noon
Said Hugh : Let him be pardoned , if he can take pardon . But Arthur spake not , and Birdalone looked on him anxiously , and her face was moved , and it was with her throat as if she had swallowed something down . Then she spake again , and fell to tell them all that had betid to her when she went to the Black Valley , even as is hereafore writ , hiding nought that had been done and said ; and freely she told it , without fear or shame , and with such clearness and sweetness of words that no one of them doubted her aught ; and Arthur lifted up his head , and once and again his eyes met hers , and there was nought of hardness in them , though they turned away at once . So at last fell Birdalone to telling what betid after they two , the stranger knight and she , left the valley of the force and fell to riding the wildwood with their heads turned toward the Castle of the Quest ; and she said : When we turned into the wood away from the said valley it lacked some four hours of noon ; and we rode till noon was , and rested by a stream-side and ate , for we knew no cause wherefore we should hasten overmuch ; but my fellow the strange knight was downcast and heavy , and some might have called him sullen . But I strove to make him of better cheer , and spake to him kindly , as to one who of an enemy had become a friend ; but he answered me : Lady , it availeth not ; I grieve that I am no better company than thou seest me , and I have striven to be merrier ; but apart from all that I wot and that thou wottest which should make me of evil cheer , there is now a weight upon my heart which I can not lift , such as never have I felt erst . So by thy leave we will to horse at once , that we may the speedier come to the Castle of the Quest and Sir Aymeris ' prison . So I arose , but smiled on him and said : Hold up thine heart , friend !