Silence fell among them, broken at last by Perin. "How knowest thou that this thing is a stone? Could it not be a plain egg?"
Arin shook her head. "Plain it is not, Alor Perin, nor is it an egg. How I know I cannot say, yet it is a green stone."
They looked at one another, mute in their consternation. Then Melor asked, "Is there aught else to thy Seeing?"
Arin frowned in concentration, and she stared at the ground as if trying to capture an elusive thought. Finally she said, "I am not certain. Mayhap there was more, but my mind fled from the ‹see›ing and the blackness took me."
Again silence fell. At last Rissa glanced up at Silver-leaf. "What shall we do with this Seeing, chieran?"
He did not answer but stood pondering, unaware that he had been addressed. Rissa's gaze then swept across the others, stopping at last with Arin. "Has any a suggestion?"
Now all eyes looked to Arin. She sighed. "We need consult with others: the Dylvana Coron and his Court, the Lian Coron, too. Mayhap someone will know what to do."
Silverleaf slowly nodded, then said, "There is another we can consult: Dara Rael, for like thee, Dara Arin, she, too, can ‹see›."
The next day south they rode, heading for the central glades of Darda Erynian, where the Coron of the Dylvana dwelled. They passed the cottage of a Baeron family-a man and wife, with two daughters and a son-living in the northern reaches of the Great Greenhall. Unlike other humans-nearly all of whom are barred from these woods-the Baeron clans dwell within the bounds of Darda Erynian-as well as the Greatwood to the south- for it is said that in the past they had greatly aided the Hidden Ones and so were welcomed herein. The band of Elves paused long enough for a cool drink of water and they gave the bulk of the stag meat over to the Baeron household as well as the hide, though Vanidar kept the antlers from which he would fashion handles for knives and perhaps other utensils as well. The family received the meat and the pelt graciously, though Baeron are adept at fetching their own game. As the man hung the venison in the smokehouse, and the son and daughters stretched out the hide on a tanning rack, the wife carried two meat pies to the Elves, which they accepted gladly.
"Is there no more?"
A look of concentration fell upon Arin's face and for long moments she did not answer, but then she sighed and shook her head. "Some vague images, my Coron, but try as I might, I cannot recall them. It would seem the vision ended when I… fainted."
Slowly Remar, Coron of all Dylvana, looked from one to the other of those who had accompanied Arin to the court at Bircehyll, and as his gaze fell upon each, one by one they shook their heads, for they had nought to add to that which Arin had said. Last, Remar's scrutiny fell upon Vanidar, the only Lian among them. "What sayest thou, Guardian?"
As the gentle wind sighed among the silver birch, Vanidar considered his answer. Finally he said, "This portent cannot be ignored. If there is a way to prevent this calamity, then we must take steps to see that such a fate does not befall the world."
Remar looked at Arin. "Thinkest thou that these events can be set aside?"
Arin turned her palms up. "I know not, Coron. Yet Vanidar is right: if there is a way…"
She did not finish her words, but all knew what she meant.
Silence fell for a moment, until Rissa cleared her throat. The Coron turned to her. "Hast thou aught to add?"
"Only a question, my Coron."
"Question?"
"Aye. I was pondering whether or not a fate foreseen can be changed at all… or is it fixed, immutable, no matter what we may do?" She took Arin's hand in hers. "Dara, hast thou e'er tried to change the course of one of thy Seeings?"
Arin shook her head. "Never. Many were in the past and beyond changing. And as to those in the present or future, for the most they concern events I would not try to alter or turn aside. But this Seeing, this Seeing…"
Rissa squeezed Arin's hand to comfort her.
Silverleaf turned to Remar and said, "I suggest we seek the advice of Dara Rael in the Eldwood. Mayhap she will know whether events foreseen can be averted. If so, then there may be prospect of shunting this dire fate away from the world."
Remar ran his fingers through his auburn hair and quiet fell on the greensward. In deep thought he looked down-slope at the vale below. At last he shook himself out of his reflection. "This then is what we shall do: Dara Arin, as Alor Vanidar has suggested, thou shall seek the counsel of Dara Rael. She indeed might know whether destiny is immutable or is instead pliable, subject to change. Seek as well the advice of the Lian Coron, for Aldor is wise and may have much to offer." Remar turned to Vanidar. "Silverleaf, thou shall escort Dara Arin unto Darda Gallon…" Remar paused and then made a wide sweeping geslure, taking in the others. "Indeed, I would have it that all ye accompany the Dara to Ihe Eldwood on this mission, for ye were her companions when the vision came upon her, and mayhap ye have a part to play in events to come." The Coron looked from one to another, then asked, "What say ye?"
Arin tilted her head in silent assent, as did they all. But to his acceptance Biren added, "Alor Remar, should aught of this Seeing be told to others-men, Dwarves, Mages, Hidden Ones, the scattered Waerlinga? A fair warning so that they may prepare?"
"But we know not when it falls due," protested Perin. "Today, tomorrow, or seasons hence-Arin's vision did not say."
Biren turned to his twin. "For all we know, somewhere upon Mithgar the devastation even now thunders forth. Fair warning is the least we should do."
Perin held up a cautionary hand. "Brother of mine, we know not that aught has started or is even poised. Perhaps we will but cause alarm when none is yet warranted."
Biren clenched a fist. "But perhaps it is the very act of waiting that will cause the doom to fall."
"And mayhap it is the very act of mustering for war which will cause it to fall instead," retorted Perin.
"Akka!" spat Melor. "Doomed if we do; doomed if we don't."
Remar shook his head. "Ai, that, I deem, is a trouble with Seeing this future, for I know not whether I would cause it to unfold by my response to the knowledge or allow it to occur by doing nought." He turned to Biren. "But this I will do, Alor Biren, Alor Perin: if Dara Arin and Dara Rael deem it wise, I will send emissaries unto all the Lords of the Free Folk to give fair warning. Until then I'll say nought."
Both canted their heads in assent at Remar's declaration, but Biren added, "And I will pray to Adon that should a warning be called for, we will have enough time to do so ere the doom arrives."
The next day they set forth, riding westerly through the forest, angling to quickly reach the open wold alongside the Great River Argon. And as they rode through Darda Erynian, shadows flitted among the boles of the trees, as if an unseen convoy paced alongside their way. This did not disturb the Elven band, for they were used to the Hidden Ones escorting them through the sun-dappled woods-Fox Riders and Loogas and Sprygt and others, curious, warding, or driven by motives unknown.
Two days later in the afternoon they emerged from the marge of the Great Greenhall to come to the wold, the unforested rolling plain stretching from Darda Erynian to the River Argon lying some ten miles to the west. Southerly they turned, angling slightly sunward, paralleling the course of the distant river.
All the next day, as in the days before, they rode and walked and paused to eat and to relieve themselves, or to rest the horses or feed them grain or stop at a stream crossing to let the steeds drink. But always they remounted and took up the trek again until the day came to an end, when they would set camp and care for the animals and finally take their own rest.