“No!” This time Kieri let his anger show. “Arian is with child. We have lost one child to malice; we will not lose these to carelessness or haste. And what of the mageborn, if they are awakened? Have you thought where they will go, how they will be received, what they will do? I see by your expression you have not. You see them as impediments to be removed, but if they wake, they are people—people who must have a home and a purpose.”

“But…” The elf looked at Arian again; his expression softened. “We have much to talk about, you and I.”

“Do we?” Arian asked. She eased her aching back a little.

“You are tired,” he said, as if that were a surprise.

“I am carrying two babes,” Arian said, her tone sharp, “and they both kick like mules. Now that you have said what you came to say, and Kieri has given his answer, perhaps you will wait until morning—or after—to continue this.”

The elf startled, then—to Kieri’s surprise—gave Arian a smile of such sweetness that he seemed a different person and bowed. “My pardon,” he said. “You are right; you cannot travel, nor should you attempt great magery or be in the presence of it until after your babes are born. If it is no longer until this is done than it has been since I came to Fin Panir, that will be soon enough. There are indeed things you must know, Arian—and you, Flessinathlin’s grandson—but the health of those who carry life comes first. If I may—” He reached out his hand. Arian stepped forward, and the elf touched her hair lightly. “Peace and health to you,” he said. He bowed to Kieri and then withdrew, his elvenhome light contracting to a point that vanished soundlessly.

“That was risky,” Kieri said. “After what we know of some elves.”

“He was not evil,” Arian said. “I am sure of that. Neither I nor the babes took harm.” She smiled at him. “Now if you will help me out of all this, perhaps I can get some sleep before dawn.”

“I should wake the Squires,” Kieri said, when he had helped her back into her sleeping robe.

“You should come to bed,” Arian said. “The sheets have chilled already.”

In the morning, the Squires appeared as usual to light the fire. They did not mention having fallen asleep, and Kieri decided not to tell them. Last night’s meeting seemed almost dreamlike, though he was certain it had been no dream. Arian slept on until—when he had dressed for arms practice as usual, she woke abruptly and stared at him.

“We did have an elf here last night, did we not?”

“Yes. And I intend to find out why that pattern wasn’t destroyed.”

“What about the magelords?”