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Gomen was delighted with the song and thrilled with the way they galloped swiftly over the ground, the scenery flying by in a blur and the wind seeming to increase as Hrothgar increased in speed. He reflected upon the words of the song and the tune; on how the words fell into rhyme; on how they ran together in an easy pace, flowing simply as Hrothgar, yet not becoming simple but grand, again as Hrothgar.
They rode on in silence after that. Hearpwine seemed to expect Gomen to speak, but the latter knew of nothing to say... not yet. He still thought on the song, trying to fix a firm image of it in his mind so he would remember. He knew it was rather foolish, for Hearpwine was offering to teach it to him, and would then tell him the words over and over again, and teach him in a way so he would remember. Yet still he strived to remember without hearing it again. Time seemed to press him.
And then Gomen spoke, saying, "It was a very good song, Hearpwine." He said nothing more then. He felt rather ashamed for having said it, for though it was certainly what courtesy required it could not be the most appropriate to say. A real student would never say so to his master. Yet the problem lied here. Gomen did know what a real student would say.
Another long silence fell. Hrothgar began to slow his pace to fall into a brisk, prancing trot, and Gomen grew even more uncomfortable. Now that the loud pounding of hoofs and gusts of winds hindered neither's hearing in the least, it seemed that he should say something to Hearpwine. And still he felt only utter confusion.
He turned his head slightly to see what lay behind them... grass growing here and there, mingled with summer wildflowers, and a path trampled through the grass where Hrothgar had passed. A little moving speck of black far off in the distance, and a rather wonderful tree that cast its shade upon them even now. Still Hearpwine waited for him to speak.
He realized that he had to say something, and, blushing, he spoke in a small timid voice. "It was a very good song, Hearpwine," he said again. Hearpwine nodded his thanks and waited some more. Gomen could not see his face, and it could not be said whether he would have been comforted by the small, playful smile that lingered about the young bard's mouth. "Er... Hearpwine... what do I do now?"
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