# XLIX: Dallach Fareth to Rosedale: Crow Telleth of His Errand: The Kindreds Eat Their Meat in Silverdale explained — The Roots of the Mountains

> Chapter companion for The Roots of the Mountains by William Morris.

## What happens

After the battle, Dallach returns with thralls to cleanse the Hall. Face-of-god grants Dallach leave to pursue fleeing Dusky Men to Rosedale. Folk-might publicly acknowledges Face-of-god as chieftain and embraces him, then departs on a private errand. Crow reports the clearing of houses, the rescue of thralls, and the atrocities committed by the enemy. Face-of-god orders a feast in the green field and plans to reconsecrate the Hall. The host mourns their dead.

## Themes in this chapter

### War and Liberation

The chapter depicts the immediate aftermath of battle: the pursuit of fleeing enemies, the freeing of thralls, and the beginning of cleansing the conquered territory.

### Community and Kinship

Folk-might publicly embraces Face-of-god and declares him chieftain, reinforcing the bonds between the kindreds. The host shares a meal and mourns their dead together.

### Redemption and Renewal

Face-of-god plans to reconsecrate the Hall by lighting a fire on the Holy Hearth, symbolizing the restoration of order and the return of the Gods and Fathers.

## Character check-ins

### Face-of-god

Acts as War-leader, grants Dallach leave to pursue the enemy, receives Folk-might's homage, and orders the cleansing of the Hall and a feast for the host.

### Dallach

Returns with thralls bearing ladders, requests permission to lead a force to Rosedale to pursue the fleeing Dusky Men and set order among his people.

### Folk-might

Publicly acknowledges Face-of-god as chieftain, embraces him, then departs on a private errand, likely to see the Bride.

### Crow

Reports to Face-of-god on the clearing of houses, the rescue of thralls, and the slaughter of captives by the Dusky Men.

### The Bride

Mentioned as lying hurt in Silverdale; Face-of-god is glad he does not have to see her.

## Key lines

> Now Dallach, who had gone away for a while, came back again into the Hall; and at his back were a half score of men who bore ladders with them: they were stout men, clad in scanty and ragged raiment, but girt with swords and bearing axes, those of them who were not handling the ladders.

Dallach returned to the Hall with ten men carrying ladders; they were strong but poorly dressed, armed with swords and axes.

_Introduces the thralls who will help cleanse the Hall._

> Then Folk-might went up to Face-of-god, and threw his arms about him and kissed him, and he said therewithal, so that most men heard him: 'Herewith I kiss not only thee, thou goodly and glorious warrior! but this kiss and embrace is for all the men of the kindreds of the Dale and the Shepherds; since I deem that never have men more valiant dwelt upon the earth.'

Folk-might embraced and kissed Face-of-god, declaring that the gesture honored all the valiant men of the kindreds.

_Public acknowledgment of Face-of-god's leadership and the bravery of the host._

> But Face-of-god said once more: 'Bear ye a bench out into the Marketplace over against the door of this Hall: thereon will I sit with other chieftains of the kindreds, that whoso will may have recourse to us.'

Face-of-god ordered a bench placed in the marketplace so that he and the other chieftains could hear anyone who needed to speak with them.

_Demonstrates Face-of-god's open and accessible leadership after the battle._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xlix-dallach-fareth-to-rosedale-crow-telleth-of-his-errand-the-kindreds-eat-their-meat-in-silverdale
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters