One of these was very old, with long white hair hanging down; and another, though he was not so much stricken in years, still looked an old man of over sixty winters.

The third was a man some forty years old, but sad and sorry and drooping of aspect.
So when they saw him stirring, they all fixed their eyes upon him, and the oldest man said: "Welcome to him who erst had no tidings for us!" And the second said: "Tell us now thy tidings." But the third, the sorry man, cried out aloud, saying: "Where is the Land?
Where is the Land ?" Said Hallblithe: "Meseemeth the land which ye seek is the land which I seek to flee from.

And now I will not hide that meseemeth I have seen you before, and that was at Cleveland by the Sea when the days were happier." Then they all three bowed their heads in yea-say, and spake: "'Where is the Land?
Where is the Land ?" Then Hallblithe arose to his feet, and said: "Ye have healed me of the sickness of death, and I will do what I may to heal you of your sickness of sorrow.

Come up the pass with me, and I will show you the land afar off." Then they arose like young and brisk men, and he led them over the brow of the ridge into the little valley wherein he had first come to himself: there he showed them that glimpse of a green land betwixt the two peaks, which he had beheld e'en now; and they stood a while looking at it and weeping for joy.
Then spake the oldest of the seekers: "Show us the way to the land." "Nay," said Hallblithe, "I may not; for when I would depart thence, I might not go by mine own will, but was borne out hither, I wot not how.
For when I came to the edge of the land against the will of the King, he smote me, and then cast me out.

Therefore since I may not help you, find ye the land for yourselves, and let me go blessing you, and come out of this desert by the way whereby ye entered it.