Later that evening, during supper, both Peter and Sarah were unusually silent. They were thinking of the strange man who had been listening to them on Carn Ingli hill fort. Peter could not help feeling that somehow the strange stone that he had found at St. David’s had something to do with it.
Aunt Myf noticed that they were uneasy and tried to cheer them up. She suggested they play ‘Snap’ after supper and Peter and Sarah agreed, glad to do anything that would stop them pondering over the peculiar events of that afternoon.
Before they went to sleep, Peter took out the stone from it’s hiding place under his bed. He could not stop turning it over and over in his hand, looking at and examining every part of it.
“I wish I could put it somewhere where I know no one else could ever find it,” he thought, “I would carry it in my pocket but it might fall out, and I would hate to lose it. However, it’s no good, I’m too tired to think about it now.”
He slipped the stone under one side of his pillow and fell asleep. He was restless and one of his dreams was particularly vivid. In the morning he could remember it clearly and went straight into Sarah’s room to tell her about it.
“We were both in a hall of stone, surrounded by wonderfully carved pillars of stone. There was gold everywhere, but the strangest thing of all was the niche behind what I think must have been a great golden throne.”
“Oh! Quick, tell me, tell me!” cried Sarah, and jumped out of bed in excitement.
“Inside the niche was my Stone,” Peter grinned triumphantly.
“Is that all! Well I’m beginning to wish you had never found it. If you are not talking about it, you are thinking or dreaming about it. Let’s think about what to do today. I would like to go seal watching. You know the little bay, not far from here, Aunt Myf was saying last night that if we wait long enough we could watch them play.”
“OK, then, we’ll do that.”
Peter could see that Sarah was quite adamant and gave in gracefully.
“No more talk of the Stone?” she said.
“Absolutely none! Come on, let’s go to breakfast. I smell bacon.”
After breakfast they packed up the rucksack again. It was soon filled with sandwiches and cola cans and the binoculars, for a really good view of the seals.
They said their farewells to Aunt Myf and set off along the cliff path. The morning breeze died away and Peter was glad when they came to a tunnel of trees and tangled undergrowth, giving shade as the sun climbed. Sarah loved the walk. Every now and then she stopped to pick the wild summer flowers, or to peep through the branches of gorse and bracken for a glimpse of the sea.
“There are a lot of boats out today. Most of them look like fishing boats. Couldn’t we go fishing one day, Peter, it would be such fun.”
“Mmm! I suppose it might be.”
Peter did not sound very enthusiastic. Neither of them could sail a dingy and the thought of rowing in the hot sun was not his idea of time well spent.
“We would have to borrow nearly everything, including any fishing tackle. Really, Sarah, it wouldn’t be worth it. Besides, Aunt Myf promised to take us to Skomer or Skokholm Islands. We shall get the boat from Marloes harbour and the trip to the Islands is quite long. Much more fun than fishing and you get to see the Puffins. Just wait and see. Aunt Myf says that we might go next week.”
They walked on in silence for a while as the track led them down to the bay where the seals were. They crossed the beach and climbed up a very narrow, steep track to where a stile led into a hay field.
“It will be quite all right for us to go in. At least the hay is cut and we shan’t do any damage,” said Sarah, as she jumped down from the stile.
“No need to worry, Sarah, Aunt Myf knows the farmer here. She has permission to cross here any time and she trusts us and knows we wouldn’t do any damage.”
In any event, they kept the country code and walked well into the side of the field. Then their way led downwards and out of the field and to the rocky cliff below. Peter and Sarah went carefully down, until round a corner they came to a large slab of rock, rather like a table top, jutting out into the sea. Upon one side it fell sheer into the sea.
An inlet, rather like a small fjord had been carved by the waves. Its furthest cliff was alive with nesting seabirds. This was where the seals came to play. Upon the other side of the rock slab there was a way down to the sea, but Peter decided it was too difficult for them to attempt, certainly before lunch, at least, and so they stayed where they were.
It was midday and very hot. After they had eaten all of what was in Peter’s rucksack, they stretched themselves out on the rock slab and waited for seals to appear. They were not to be disappointed that afternoon.
Sarah was the first to see one, then another came and the pair played and swam round the rocky table for most of the afternoon, most enchantingly. They came quite close to where Peter and Sarah were lying. Sarah watched the seals eagerly until they decided to leave, and swim out to sea again. When she turned round at last, she found that Peter had disappeared.
“He’s got fed up, I suppose,” she thought, “bother him!”
In fact, the last time she had looked round, Peter had been fast asleep. However, a short while later, he woke up and decided to get up and stretch his legs, leaving the rucksack and binoculars behind for Sarah to carry, if she wanted to follow him.
Sarah put the binoculars in the rucksack, which she slung over one shoulder and began to climb back up to the hayfield. She was feeling rather angry with Peter for having left her alone and not telling her where he was going.
“One good thing,” she muttered under her breath, “he can’t have gone far, because it must only be about half an hour at the very most since I looked at him and had it in mind to prod him awake.”
Peter had decided, once he was fully awake, to play a trick on his sister. He had got up very quietly. Sarah he could see was engrossed with the seals. He felt too hot for comfort and thought it might be cooler in the shade of the bushes, which were on either side of the stile.
Sarah would notice his absence eventually, and she would have to come over the stile on her way back. Then he would leap out of his hiding place in the bushes and surprise her.
Peter strode up the edge of the hay field. He was deep in thought, visualizing the look on Sarah’s face when he caught her unawares. He did not see the person who sat looking intently at him from his perch on top of the stile.
Peter came to the stile and looked up; into a pair of piercing blue eyes. He stopped short with a sudden intake of breath. The person before him was like no one he had ever seen. Besides the blue eyes, which he felt were looking right through him, the face looked friendly: young, but seeming to reveal a great wisdom. It was surrounded with fair hair, gleaming in the sunlight.
The Elf, for Elf he was, smiled and then spoke softly, his finger upon his lips.
“We meet at last. Come with me.”
He motioned to Peter to climb the stile and then crept into the bushes. Peter followed him, too amazed to say or do anything else. They sat down among the roots face to face.
“I saw you on Carn Ingli Top. Who are you and what do you want?” questioned Peter.
“That is the whole point of the matter, something that is of very great interest to me and my kinsfolk.”
“What is?”
“That in these modern days you and your sister can see me at all! However, you have an honest look about you, so I shall take the risk and hope nothing ill may come of it. My name is Ederyn and I am brother to Gwyn-ap-Nudd, King of the Elves in this southernmost realm and Lord of Arx Emain that was once called Golden Hill by some of your ancestors. Now, tell me who you are.”
Peter gasped and rubbed his eyes. He thought, perhaps, that he was still asleep and dreaming but the Elf Lord sat before him, showing no signs of disappearing. Ederyn raised one eyebrow indicating that he was waiting for an answer.
“My name is Peter,” said Peter nervously, “and my sister is called Sarah.”
“Is she following you?”
“Er, well; yes she is, I think, in a little while.”
Peter blushed and stammered with embarrassment. He did not like to tell the Elf Lord of the rather feeble trick that he had been going to play on her.
“Well, we shall wait for her here and then she will be doubly surprised!” Ederyn grinned.
Peter had a suspicion he knew all about the trick. He blushed a second time, almost to the colour of Ederyn’s tunic.
“It is a great mystery to me how…” said Ederyn, then broke off what he was going to say, “Listen, here is your sister now, if I am not mistaken.”
He got up swiftly and in one movement almost, swung out his arm from the bush, plucked Sarah from the stile, rucksack and all and sat her down beside her brother. She did not just look surprised; she looked terrified. Peter turned towards her.
“Hi, Sarah, this is Ederyn and he is an Elf Lord.”
“And you are Sarah,” said Ederyn, “and now that we have all been introduced, we had better get down to business. As you saw, I was on guard at our watch post on Carn Ingli. Anything strange or unusual I must report. Well, nothing stranger or more unusual than your good selves being able to see me without my willing it has happened for years uncountable! I am afraid that, having made my report, the Lord Gwyn-ap-Nudd requests your presence before him at Arx Emain. He will then decide what is to be done. Seen by humans, indeed!”
Ederyn got up.
“Will you come with me?” he asked.
“Is it far? “ said Sarah, looking very anxious still, “And how shall we go?”
“From here to Arx Emain is just a little under ten miles, as the buzzard flies. Do not worry, we are going to ride. My horse is waiting for me in the forest, close to that farm. He shall bear us all easily. Sarah shall sit before me and Peter shall sit behind. We will walk to the forest along the line of this hedge and thus avoid being seen. Now, what do you say, Peter? Will you come?”
There was a slight hint of urgency in Ederyn’s voice.
“We will go with you,” Peter said.
Sarah shot Peter a look of total disbelief, but Peter suddenly felt excited. Something within him very much wanted to visit the Lord Gwyn and Arx Emain.
He looked at Sarah, she was still looking very anxious, but she nodded her head at him. In fact, Sarah was growing more curious by the minute. She had several questions to ask Ederyn but for the present there was not time to do so.
Ederyn pulled his grey cloak about him, hiding the crimson tunic completely. He led them out of the thicket where they had been sitting and then, as he had suggested, along the side of the hedge, which ran along the rim of the hill. They passed from the hayfield through to one filled with corn.
Sarah noticed that Ederyn made no noise when he walked and hardly bent so much as a blade of grass. As they followed him, Peter and Sarah tried to do the same, with little success. They would need a great deal of practice to walk as softly as the Elves.
Once within the forest, Ederyn soon found his horse. It was a fine looking beast, grey, with a dark mane and tail.
“His name is Tad,” said Ederyn, and leapt up onto Tad’s back.
“Give me your hand, Sarah.”
He pulled her up and seated her before him.
“Come Peter,” he said, and Peter was soon seated behind him.
Peter noticed that there were no stirrups on Tad for Elven horses do not require them, they are so tamed by their riders. Only in times of war will the Elves use them as an aid to defeating their enemies, but they have never really needed them.
“Hold fast to my belt, Peter, and we shall be off!”
So saying, Ederyn whispered his instructions to Tad, who sprang away at a brisk trot through the forest. They followed a stream, then crossed the main Newport road. Fortunately, there was no traffic in sight. Then up hill and down dale they went, for miles and miles.
Tad galloped where he could over broad commons and along ancient tracks. They crossed the Gwaun Valley and forded the river. Peter guessed that they must be going almost due south west, down towards Haverfordwest.
Sarah plucked up courage and asked her questions.
“Why is Carn Ingli so important?”
“That, Sarah will need a long answer, but since we have at least an hour’s ride still before us, I may be able to tell you a part of it. Gwyn may tell you more when we reach Arx Emain. In the past, in the long distant past when Carn Ingli and Foel Drygarn were mighty fortresses; we Elves still had business with the men who lived in this realm. Over the years, more and more since those times, men have gone their own way. They have become suspicious of us and we could not trust all of them either! So now, in these modern times, they mind their own business and we mind ours! We do not meet with menfolk at all unless we wish it. No man may see us or visit us without our permission. However, you saw me when I did NOT wish to be seen, so perhaps things are changing. We have a common enemy to deal with. The Dark One, Arddu! We shall need all the help we can get to bring about his utter defeat. Menfolk should be ready to help us again as in my view they were partly to blame for his arrival in these parts. We have always been reluctant to meddle in the affairs of men, but occasionally it is necessary if they need saving from themselves. Then, also, if they need to be saved from something that they have started and which has got quite beyond them. How often have they dipped their fingers into things that did not concern them. Then, when disaster looms, they leave others to clear up the mess!”
Ederyn looked down at Sarah.
“I’m sorry,” he said, “I should not be giving you a lecture. I was thinking aloud and that is most unusual for an Elf. Thought travels swifter than words, as we say.”
Peter managed to hear most of the conversation and remembered how Ederyn had known about his ‘surprise’ for Sarah, without having been told of it, From now on he would have to be very careful what he thought about.
“Why are you taking us to Lord Gwyn?” asked Sarah.
“Because,” said Ederyn, “whereas all the visitors to Carn Ingli that afternoon saw nothing, you did! The Lord Gwyn would very much like to meet two children who have such sharp eyes. As soon as I told him, he became interested in you and sent me back to seek you out.”
“Is there much further to go now?” Sarah then asked him.
“Just a step.”
Tad had slowed to walk and then halted at the meeting of several roads.
“In a moment we shall be riding along the banks of the western Cleddau, then we shall pass into the forest that you can see from here. Within the forest lie the Halls we made long ago. No stranger has been within them for many an age, only those who are very specially privileged. Now you will see them! They are magnificent! On, Tad!”
It was not many minutes more before they came to the hill, in which lies the main entrance to Arx Emain. From the outside it did not look at all impressive.
“Just a hill with a few old holly trees around it,” thought Sarah.
Ederyn dismounted and then helped Peter and Sarah down from Tad’s back. He walked towards the trees. The children followed with Tad behind them.
“Here we are,” said Ederyn, pointing to the side of the hill where two large and extremely gnarled holly trees grew, side by side.
Between the two trees the grass grew greener, as if it were tended like a garden lawn. Behind the trees rocks formed pillars and a lintel. As they came closer, Peter and Sarah could see that doors had been opened and were now lying flat against the hillside. From within the hill came a tall Elf, armed with both sword and spear.
“Who comes to Arx Emain? “ he said.
“Hail Eldol, it is I, Ederyn. I have brought the two guests to see Lord Gwyn.”
“My Lord Gwyn is waiting in the outer hall. He is anxious for news and his temper becomes shorter by the minute!” the tall Elf frowned.
“We shall go to him immediately,” said Ederyn, beckoning to Peter and Sarah to follow.
Eldol stood aside to let them pass and as they crossed the threshold, another Elf came from the shadowy passage to take care of Tad.
Inside there was dim light. There were torches, and occasionally lamps on the walls, but they were few and far between, but even so, Peter could see that the passage they were walking in was very wide and had many tunnels leading out of it. As they came to the end he could see more light coming from a great archway of carved stone.
Ederyn led them under the arch and into what Peter guessed rightly was the outer hall. There were many Elves in the hall seated on benches round the walls. As Ederyn entered with Peter and Sarah they rose in greeting. At the other end of the hall was a dais with four carved wooden pillars from floor to ceiling, in the centre of which was a carved wooden chair.
In the chair sat Gwyn-ap-Nudd, Lord of Arx Emain. He looked very much like his brother, Ederyn. Neither Peter nor Sarah could imagine how old either of them were.
The Lord Gwyn was dressed in clothes that seemed to change their hue as one looked at them, or whenever the Elf Lord moved. He wore a massive golden belt from which hung a sword, its sheath covered with many jewels, and round his neck he wore a chain of gold with a single blue stone upon his chest. He got up from the chair and came down from the dais.
“Welcome my brother!” he said to Ederyn, “you have done well, I hope?”
“My Lord, here are Peter and Sarah.”
Ederyn brought them forward.
“I am sure they will tell you all you wish to know.”
Gwyn returned to his chair upon the dais. Two stools were brought for the children and they sat on either side of him. Ederyn sat upon the step of the dais, listening.
“First,” said Gwyn, “my apologies for having had you brought here in such haste, but you may come to understand later that I had good reason to do so.”
Sarah cast a glance round the hall. None of the other Elves present seemed to be looking at them or taking any notice of them. Indeed, after their arrival, most of them had left the hall. There were only a few remaining, and they seemed to be either asleep, or deep in thought. She looked back at Gwyn.
“Did you know of us, or were you looking for us?” he asked Peter.
“No,” said Peter, “we were not looking for you, in fact all of this has been one surprise after another.”
“It all seemed to start when Peter found that strange looking stone at St. David’s,” said Sarah, suddenly.
“What stone? What did it look like?” Gwyn looked suddenly stern.
“Well,” said Peter, who after the encounter with Ederyn had rather forgotten about his ‘find’, “it is blue and looks like a pyramid, with a hole in the top of it.”
“Ah! And were there any markings on it?”
“Yes,” said Peter, “on the base of it. I think it’s Ogham, but we had not got as far as trying to find out what they mean.”
“Well done, Well done indeed! You have found it at last” cried Gwyn, leaping from the chair.
“Did you hear that, Ederyn? I am sure these children have found the Stone of Gardar that we have sought down all the centuries. It is a good thing you did not translate the Ogham. Had you done so, you would have brought down all the power of the Samildanach upon you and that is something that not even I would do in a hurry. The words on the stone are only to be spoken aloud in times of direst need. Do you have it with you, I am anxious to see it again.”
“Oh no,” cried Peter in distress! “I left it behind. I am afraid it is still at Aunt Myf’s.”
“Then I hope most sincerely, that you have it in a place of very great safety.”
Peter’s face fell as he remembered what he had done with the stone. Instead of hiding the stone away as usual, he had left it under his pillow.
“Well, Er not exactly,” he said.
Gwyn turned to Ederyn.
“Then all is not well,” the Elf Lord said, looking anxious, “but we must not be in so much of a hurry to regain what we lost so many years ago that we forget caution. In St. David’s you found it? That is very interesting. However, Ederyn and I must take council at once to decide what is to be done; apart, that is, from sending you back to collect the Stone as soon as possible. The Stone will not be safe until we have it here. While Ederyn and I discuss this matter, you Peter and Sarah shall rest here and be refreshed. Come Ederyn!”
So Peter and Sarah were left sitting on their stools in Gwyn’s outer hall, and wondering what was going to happen next.
A few minutes after Gwyn, Ederyn and the Elves who had been waiting in the hall had left, a tall man entered. He was followed by an Elf woman who carried a tray of food and a jug of clear water.
“Welcome!” the man said, “ It is not often we have guests here. My name is Anir and this is the fair lady Aneryn, who brings you bread and fruit. Something to take the edge off your hunger until you return home. I have been sent to entertain you while you eat, and then I shall escort you back to the house of your Aunt. The lord Gwyn tells me you have found a mighty treasure that we had thought lost for ever; he said also that you might like to know some of its history.”
“We should like that very much,” said Sarah. “but…” she paused.
“You may eat.”
The lady Aneryn proffered the tray of food and exchanged a look with Anir.
“Is it safe?” Sarah asked.
She had read a fairy story once, where children had been enticed into the fairy castle by the food out of which it was made. Once they had nibbled at its outer crust they were hooked, and having consumed their fill of the goodies, they were never able to leave Fairyland again. Was this normal food, she wondered?
“It has never done me any harm,” laughed Anir.
Then he seated himself on the step of the dais to begin his tale. Sarah observed that he was gaunt and lean looking. His dark hair fell almost to his shoulders and was rather unkempt. In fact he looked as though he had been without a change of clothes for a very long time.
He was dressed all in brown, and one could hardly tell in places where mud ended and cloth began. His eyebrows were black and bushy and met over his nose. Under them, his eyes were blue and almost as piercing, Sarah thought, as those of the Elves.
The Lady Aneryn stood behind the two children and smiled to herself as Anir began his tale. She was really beautiful. The children were both quite astonished at her beauty. Her long chestnut brown hair fell down below her waist. She was wearing a simple sky blue dress with a silver girdle. Her gaze seldom wandered far from Anir.
“I think,” Anir began, “as you came here Ederyn mentioned to you the name of our enemy; Arddu, the Dark One. Now he has caused trouble in these lands for so long that only the Elves remember how it all started, or even how he came to be here at all.”
Anir sighed. Peter was wondering how a man (and such a strange man at that!) came to be with the Elves. Anir continued:
“When men first came to the Prescelly Mountains, many, many ages ago, they were mighty warriors from eastern lands. They had traveled far, conquering nation after nation as they went. Elves were here before them and waited for some years before showing themselves. As is usual with their folk, they were able to pass unnoticed among the menfolk until they wished to be seen. Very proud were those warriors. Their chief delight lay in weapons, treasure, and the carving of stone. Many of the ruins of their work are still to be seen. I am sure you have noticed quite a few. They are sill very impressive.”
“You mean the strange stones we keep finding? However did they manage to lift those huge ones that we see in the stone circles and burial mounds?” asked Sarah, fascinated.
“The Dark One was anxious to gain power over the warriors from the moment that they arrived. You see, they had tremendous wealth and they wanted to show all the world how great and powerful they were. Before Arddu came they built great stone monuments indeed. Then Arddu promised to help them. After the men accepted his services the monuments grew larger and greater still. For a while they had been friendly with the Elves because of the Elves’ great power and because the Elves gave them gifts of the like they had never seen before. However, in the end the Dark One took them over completely and ruled them. The Elves hid themselves again and waited. Years passed and the Elves heard that Arddu had gone with all his warriors to a great war, away south and west of here. It was somewhere between Stonehenge and Avebury. Arddu and his warriors were defeated and most of his great army were killed or injured. He fled back to the Prescelly Mountains for refuge. There he had made himself a secret fortress underground and there he stayed for years uncountable. The Elves still feared that he might be dangerous and kept watch over the Prescellys. When the men of Stonehenge came to remove his fortress gates, taking them for war booty, the Elves came to help them. Unfortunately, instead of driving Arddu out of the mountains, they only drove him further in. So they decided to block him up inside the mountain. They left him there, imprisoned for ever, or so they thought.”
“What exactly happened to the fortress gates?” asked Peter, although he thought he could guess.
“Why!” exclaimed Anir, “The men of Stonehenge took them away and made them part of their mighty temple, to remind Arddu that they had overcome him. But, he was not so easily vanquished. The Elves have always been aware of his desire to make mischief among men. My Lord Gwyn journeyed north to his kindred in the land of the Summer Stars. He went to the Islands of the Samildanach, the many skilled and to him they gave The Stone of Gardar. That is the stone you have just found! The Samildanach gave it to Gwyn to be a help to him, should he have any further dealings with Arddu. Not only that, but it strengthens the power Gwyn has already within his kingdom. You must understand that it is for Gwyn to use it against Arddu, but it has other uses too though I do not know what they are presently. It has been lost for too long and even the Elves may have forgotten. However, know that if Arddu ever finds it, he would not be able to destroy the Elves. They would become weakened, so that eventually they would have to flee from their halls. Then no man, woman or child would ever be safe here again.”
“But if the stone was so valuable to the Elves, how on earth did they manage to lose it?” said Peter.
“Well,” said Anir, “it was many long years before men settled in these parts again. They were farmers first, but proud warriors also with bright swords and spears. It was they who built the hill forts. Carn Ingli and Foel Drygarn are only two of them! They began to have trouble with Arddu straight away, for he had not been idle in his prison under the mountains. He had collected an army of underground creatures over the years and made many entrances and exits to his dark land. The chiefest of these we call Deorath, or the dark gate. Again, men asked the Elves to help when they found out that Arddu was planning to attack them. Elves and men then watched and waited in the hill forts. All seemed quiet, for a time. The attack came suddenly to Carn Ingli and to Foel Drygarn at the same time. Gwyn-ap-Nudd’s brothers Ederyn and Elidir had each gone to defend one of the forts. Both the forts were very hard pressed. Arddu and his creatures would certainly have won that time if Gwyn had not taken the Stone to Ederyn at Carn Ingli where they were able to defeat the enemy at last, with the help of the Samildanach. Then they left for Foel Drygarn, but were too late to save Elidir and the men who had held the fort with him. I do not believe the full power of the Stone was used at that time, I also think that the Lord Gwyn regretted that. Arddu retired once more to his Dark Kingdom, defeated for a second time but not destroyed. Gwyn built a cairn for Elidir and they mourn him still. On that day in the ruins of Carn Ingli, the Chief of the men who had survived the battle swore an oath to Gwyn. He swore that should Arddu come forth from Deorath again, or should any of his creatures be seen outside the Evil Kingdom, then he; or his descendants would fight for Gwyn. He also promised that men would help the Elves to guard Arddu. The chieftain’s name was Auvandil and his oath has not been broken, even in these days.”
Anir paused and looked up at Aneryn.
“Yet the Stone was lost,” she said.
“Yes,” said Anir, “during the battle for Carn Ingli Gwyn kept the Stone, but when he, Ederyn and Auvandil rode to Foel Drygarn Ederyn had it. In the confusion they met when they arrived at the Fort, somehow it fell somewhere and was lost. A watch was set upon Prescelly Mountain and Deorath, and all of Arddu’s Dark Kingdom. In time most men forgot the battles and now they hardly remember the Elves. Although here they are often referred to as the ‘Family of Beauty’ or the ‘Ellyllon’. They keep to their farms and leave the old places alone.”
“Who watches the Dark gate now?” asked Peter.
“The Elves keep constant watch, and I am of some use also, I hope,” said Anir, getting up.
The children had finished eating and the Lady Aneryn took their mugs and plates and left the hall.
Gwyn and Ederyn returned and Anir went to greet them. Peter turned to Sarah:
“Who would have thought that my stone would turn out to be so important!” he said.
“I wish we had brought it with us,” said Sarah. “I keep thinking of that awful Arddu. I can just see him grabbing it from under your pillow. Why did you have to leave it there?”
She had no time to say more, for Gwyn, Ederyn and Anir were coming towards them. They had evidently come to some decision. Gwyn spoke:
“Peter and Sarah; you will ride now with Anir to the house of your Aunt and collect the Stone. I should like you to return tonight, naturally, but we might upset your Aunt if you did so.”
“We shall be rather late back now as it is.” Said Sarah, “I think she will be a little upset already.”
“Be that as it may,” replied Gwyn, “You will be quite safe tonight and you can return here, as soon as you are able, tomorrow morning. Anir will see to it. Ederyn will return to Carn Ingli and more of my people will be sent there and to Foel Drygarn. Arddu will be suspicious if he or his spies have seen you with Ederyn. He will be even more so if you are seen with Anir. I impress upon you, Anir, the seriousness of this matter. Please be extra careful, especially after what you and the scouts saw last night.”
“Farewell to you, and a safe return!” said Ederyn.
“Farewell; until tomorrow,” said Gwyn.
Anir then led Peter and Sarah out of the outer hall and down the long passage to the front door where an Elf waited with a horse for the return journey.
After they had mounted and the horse had begun to pick its way through the trees, leading them away from Arx Emain and the city of the Elves, Anir spoke. Although he smiled at Sarah, she could see that he was worried.
“A rather garbled account of the Stone’s history I gave to you, back there in the hall. I am sorry there was not time for the full story. If you ever return to Arx Emain for a longer stay, Gwyn or Ederyn would tell you more.”
As before, Peter sat behind and Sarah sat in front. Peter clung to Anir as his horse, urged on, galloped over some open moorland.
“What is the time?” said Sarah, half to herself, as the slowed to cross a stream.
“It is eight o’clock by the sun,” replied Anir, “I gather you fear an angry relative!”
“Oh, Aunt Myf? Well, we did say that we would be back in time for supper and that should have been at least an hour ago.”
“Well, we shall soon cross over Carn Ingli Common and I shall be setting you down at your Aunt’s door. I shall not return to Arx Emain tonight, for Gwyn has given me the task of guarding you and the Stone.”
Anir was as good as his word and they were back in Dinas not long after.
When Peter and Sarah arrived at Aunt Myf’s house, Peter decided to tell her that they had gone to sleep on the rocks where they had been watching the seals. They found Aunt Myf in the kitchen with a salad supper waiting on the table. At first she looked cross, then she looked relieved.
“Well!” she exclaimed, “You didn’t tell me that you wanted a late supper! I had begun to be a little anxious. I have already eaten mine. You two tuck in. Whatever happened to make you so late?”
“We just fell asleep on the rocks,” said Peter simply, “it was very hot.”
Aunt Myf asked no more questions. Peter felt relieved. After all, it was partly true. He had gone to sleep on the rocks, even though Sarah had not.
After supper, Aunt Myf sent them straight to bed. Peter was soon asleep. Through her door, Sarah could hear him muttering in his sleep as he turned over:
“Elves and Stones and Golden Hills and…”
The muttering trailed off into silence. Sarah was glad that, when they dashed upstairs after supper to look for the Stone, it was still where Peter had left it, under his pillow.
The next morning, the children woke excited. It was the first of August. The fine weather looked set to continue for some time. But, most important of all, they were to return to Gwyn and the Elves with the Stone. That is, as soon as they could possibly do so.
Peter left the Stone under his pillow again when they were dressed. He had been looking at it again with renewed interest while Sarah got ready. Then they went down for breakfast, which they decided would be a quick one. Afterwards, they were to go straight away to meet Anir, whom they knew would not be far from the house.
“He means business all right!” said Peter, “Did you see? Under his cloak he wore a long sword!”
Peter looked up at Aunt Myf, but she was gazing absentmindedly into her teacup.
“Well and so!” she said at last, “I have to go into Haverfordwest this morning. Do you want to come? It’s business for me, I’m afraid, but you could walk round the shops. Then we could go round the old castle ruins in the afternoon. How about it?”
She looked at the two children. Peter looked at Sarah. They had to refuse; Anir would be waiting.
“No thanks, Aunty,” said Peter, “ I think it’s going to be too hot for shopping today and we got awfully hot yesterday. We will be quite all right here.”
“Are you sure? What about you Sarah? I thought you might want an outing somewhere.”
“No, really. We’re not very fond of Haverfordwest anyway. It’s not as pretty as Cardigan or Newport.”
Sarah hoped their excuses would put Aunty off. Aunt Myf nodded.
“I suppose you are right, although I do like the shops there very much. I must be off now. I’m sure you don’t mind if I leave you with the washing-up, just this once.”
She got up from the table and went straight to her room to get her bag and gloves. As soon as they heard her door shut, Sarah looked at Peter and groaned.
“What shall we do? We have all this to clear and wash up, the Elves to go and visit with your wretched Stone, and then we have to be back here before Aunt Myf. If we keep disappearing all the time she is going to get suspicious and I’m sure she won’t swallow tales about Elves, Golden Hills and…”
“And miraculous Stones!” said Peter. “No, I see what you mean. I wonder where Anir is?”
He jumped round as Aunt Myf came in through the kitchen door.
“Bye, dears. See you later on, after lunch sometime.”
Peter and Sarah watched as she walked briskly out into the garden. After a few moments they heard the car start and then go off down the drive.
“Tell you what, Peter, you go and look for Anir and I’ll make a start on these breakfast things.”
Peter needed no second telling. He ran out into the garden. He had no idea where Anir might be, where Anir spent the night, or how Anir was to contact them that morning. Peter saw something move in the small copse at the end of the garden hedge.
Something told him to stop running. He was not more than a few feet away from the hedge and the branches of the beech trees that grew in the hedge spread their fingers over him. Behind the hedge came the noise of breaking twigs and rustling leaves. Someone or something was coming towards Peter.