The Wood Beyond the World · Chapter
Of the Peaceful Ending of That Wild Day explained
After the day's turmoil, Walter and the Maid cross a stream and travel onward.
What happens
After the day's turmoil, Walter and the Maid cross a stream and travel onward. She heals her minor wound with herbs and words, and Walter fashions brogues for her bare feet. They rest and eat, and she promises to tell her tale after supper. As night falls and the moon rises, she prepares to speak.
Themes in this chapter
Journey and Transformation
The chapter marks a transition from the horrors of the day to a peaceful evening, with the Maid recovering her strength and spirit, and Walter providing care and protection.
Love and Betrayal
Walter and the Maid share a tender, trusting bond as they eat together in love and good-liking, contrasting with the earlier betrayal and fear.
Characters to notice
- Golden Walter
Leads the Maid onward, fashions brogues for her, hunts for food, and prepares their evening meal.
- The Maid
Heals her own wound with herbs and words, insists on leaving the polluted place, and promises to tell her tale after supper.
Key passages
“Now, sweetling, shall the story be told.”
Walter suggests that the Maid should now tell her story.
Walter prompts the Maid to share her tale, but she asks for a delay.
“This place hath been polluted by my craven fear, and the horror of the vile wretch, of whom no words may tell his vileness.”
The Maid feels the location is tainted by her fear and the Dwarf's evil deeds.
She insists on leaving the site of the Dwarf's attack before telling her story.
“Now am I hale and strong again, what with the rest, and what with thy loving-kindness, and thou shalt see how nimble I shall be to leave this land, for as fair as it is. Since forsooth a land of lies it is, and of grief to the children of Adam.”
The Maid declares herself recovered and eager to depart this beautiful but deceitful land.
She expresses her desire to leave the land of lies and grief.
“Friend, no further will thy friend go this even; nay, to say sooth, she cannot. So now we will eat of thy venison, and then shall my tale be, since I may no longer delay it; and thereafter shall our slumber be sweet and safe as I deem.”
The Maid says she can go no further tonight, so they will eat and then she will finally tell her tale.
She decides to rest and share her story after their meal.