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"That's the odd thing," Atalya nodded. "If anything, I would think they might feel safer up there, being constantly watched over by our soldiers. They're not only there to keep the dwarfs from leaving, but also to protect them ... fact is, the Northland is a more dangerous place than most of the rest of the Four Lands, and since they're not allowed weapons of their own they do need our protection. How cruel would it be if we exiled them to a place where they were going to die?"

She sighed. "And yet they are revolting, fighting to escape."

"I'm inclined to think it would be something they would use to fight against us once more," the king suggested.




"To the library," Sir Valdemar replied seriously, prodding her towards the door. "But not the main one. This is one matter which ... until now was best left in the shadows, to be forgotten, and to remain forgotten."

He walked with her down the hall and towards the tower.

She hurried along, it seemed that Sir Valdemar thought this to be too a serious of an issue to not hurry about it. Lin though of course was just utterly confused by it all.

"I didn't know there was another library here, but I don't understand what good it is to have it stay forgotten."

Unless it was under the catagory of, things you should not learn in your lifetime or ever, whichever the case maybe.

Sir Valdemar's face was growing darker by the minute.

"It is not a library that I like to visit," he said solemnly, "nor do I like others to know of it. You must understand, Lin, that as historian I do not only learn the histories of our world, but I also keep them ... it is my duty to reveal that which may be revealed, but there are some things which are best left hidden away where no one may know of them."

Instead of going down the stairs, he led her higher, towards the upper floors of the palace.

"Knowledge is power, Lin, and never forget that," he told her sternly. "You know that Lord Aldrich is the most powerful being in our world, save the Valar - and he is also the most knowledgeable, as I am certain you have become aware. I too hold a power ... not like his, but a power nonetheless. Much of it is due to this library which I have hidden even from the knowledge of Her Majesty ... though the time for secrecy has passed, and it must now be brought to light."

At least, parts of it.

Once they reached the end of the stairs, he led her towards what looked like a regular wall, but a touch of his hand made a section of it slide back noiselessly.

"Follow me," he said quietly, taking a torch from the wall and heading into the blackness of the passageway.




"Neither Atalya nor I have been there before," Reave murmured, "so neither of us knows either. Even Sir Valdemar is confused on the subject ... so we are at a loss. We have sent scouts, but none of them have returned ..."

"They have not yet had sufficient time," Atalya rebuked her husband. "We cannot despair of them yet."

She glanced at the door as if to looking to see what was taking Lin and Sir Valdemar so long to come down, but then her eyes cleared once more and she smiled at Lore and Elnara as if nothing was wrong.

"How are the rest of the children?" she asked with a bright smile. "I am certain that much must have happened with them since they were last here, it has after all been over half a year for them."

"Idhril...." Lore added knowing why Elnara trailed off, "Is married, and has a little girl named Sehnin."

That had been quite a shocker when they got back to find that out. At least they knew the person she was married to, but still Lore didn't think he or Elnara saw that one coming.

The wall closed behind them again, leaving Lin and Sir Valdemar in the near blackness of the hidden passage. For many long minutes they walked, until they reached a flight of stairs that led downward into the darkness.

"What has Elros told you about this matter?" he asked quietly as they walked. "Tell me everything you know so far."



"Well, that's wonderful," the queen smiled warmly at Lore and Elnara. "You two must be proud ... that makes five grandchildren already, doesn't it?"

She trailed off, seeing the look on Elnara's face. "Or ... not ..."

Lin thought about it, but she didn't have to think very hard, and she shook her head.

"I know nothing, except the hunting parties are now at least half a dozen people large, and since it use to be only two people, there's a lot more precautions taken, but..."

She shrugged, she really didn't know anything.

"Elros wouldn't even tell me the name, I guess he was worried about jinxing us by saying it's name... I mean.. would they actually come if you said their name?"

"If there was one creature that could be summoned by the mention of their name," Sir Valdemar told Lin quietly, "this would be the creature. But as far as I know, it will not happen ... still, to treat the creature without the respect and fear it deserves is foolish."

He shuddered from head to toe.

"And yet I fear for the ranch," he murmured. "Half a dozen or a dozen people, it matters not. None can match the creature in strength or power. Lord Aldrich himself would be hard pressed to survive an encounter with such a creature."

They were drawing near his library, though it was impossible to tell in the darkness.



"Right," Atalya smiled. "I had forgotten ... you returned home to a new home, did you not? And what is that like, do you enjoy living there?"