Light inside the chamber was provided by a silver chandelier shaped like drapes of flowing vines, only instead of holding candles, the chandelier was covered in phosphorescent butterflies whose bodies gave off a gentle, silvery blue light as they slowly fanned their jeweled wings.

"When you wish to sleep, simply open the window and the damia will leave," said the Elf maiden who had escorted them to their chamber. "To call them back again, pour a few drops of this honeywater into the bellflowers." She held up a crystal flacon and pointed to the upturned tube-shaped silver flowers at the end of each of the chandelier's vines. "Refreshment and a change of clothing have been provided. There is a bathing pool at the base of the tree. The banquet to honor your arrival will be held on the terrace overlooking the pools that surround Grandfather's island. Make yourselves comfortable until then."

"Talaneth, elfania," Rain said with a bow of his head.

The Elf, a beautiful woman with hair like nightfall and eyes as gold as sunrise, returned the bow. "Blessings of the day," she murmured, and departed with silent grace.

"What now?" Ellysetta asked, when they were alone.

"Now we relax as much as we can, and wait for sunset." Rain smiled at Ellysetta's disgruntled expression. After the long days of riding, she'd expected her waiting to be over once they reached Navahele. "In Elvia, all things come in their own time."

They helped themselves to the fruits and delicate pastries provided for them and availed themselves of the bathing pool. When it came time to dress, however, Rain left the Elvish clothing in a neat, untouched pile. As long as the Fading Lands were at war, the golden war steel of the Fey king would be his only garb. He cleansed the dust and grime of travel from the armor with a weave and polished the black and gold plates until they shone.

While Rain dressed, Ellysetta transformed her studded leathers into a silver-and-scarlet gown ornate enough for an introduction to an immortal royal. She left her hair down, flowing in thick ringlets to her waist, and settled a crown made of woven platinum, diamond, and Tairen's Eye crystal on her head.

"Well," she said, when they'd both finished their preparations. "Shall we go?" Her heart was thumping in her chest, and bands of nervous tension were drawing tight around it.

"You shine bright as the Great Sun, shei'tani," Rain said with a smile. "Aiyah, let us go. And don't worry. Hawksheart is bound by the laws of Elvish hospitality. We are here by his invitation, as his guests. By that law, we're safer here than we would be anywhere else in the world."

"It's not physical danger I fear," she admitted.

"I know. But whatever answers he may have, Ellysetta, we're better off knowing, don't you think?” He held out his wrist.

She grimaced and placed her fingers on it. "That depends on the answers," she muttered.

They met the other Fey at the base of the tree. Like Rain, Ellysetta's quintet had forgone the proffered Elvish attire, and had merely cleaned and buffed their leathers to a glossy black shine and polished their steel until it sparkled diamond-bright. An Elf maiden joined them and, with a smile and a melodic command for them to follow her, she led Ellysetta, Rain, and the warriors down the stair that spiraled around the great Sentinel's trunk.

They walked across the meadow to a vine-bedecked terrace overhanging one of the crystalline pools in the heart of Navahele. There a wooden table carved from gleaming Sentinel wood awaited, its glossy surface adorned with glittering crystal plates and goblets and heaping platters of aromatic roasted meats, vegetables, and glistening fruits.

Elf maidens with ribboned garlands in their hair stepped forward to offer goblets of chilled golden Elvian wine that smelled of honeyblossoms. Ellysetta accepted a glass with a murmured word of thanks and took an experimental sip. Delicate flavor burst upon her tongue, lightly sweet and very refreshing.

"Beylah vo. It's delicious," she told the Elf maid who had proffered the glass.

"We call it elethea, which means sunlight in Elf tongue," Fanor's voice explained from behind.

Ellysetta turned to find that Fanor had joined them on the terrace. He'd traded his hunter's garb for shimmering Elvish splendor: a long tunic that shone alternately moss green and gold when be moved, tied at his waist with a golden belt forged in the shape of leafy vines.

He gestured to the glass of wine in her hand. "It is made of the fruit and blossoms gathered from the highest branches of Navahele's Sentinel trees."

As the sun sank below the horizon, music filled the air. The Elves gathered in the meadows and arboreal balconies throughout the city to greet the twilight with soaring arias sung by voices so pure, the sound of them brought tears to Ellysetta's eyes. The maiden who had led the Fey to the terrace, the Elves waiting to serve them, even the warriors stationed throughout the city: all paused to add their voices to those of their kin and offer up their song to the heavens.

"They sing the alinar," Fanor told her, "a hymn of thanksgiving for the blessings of the day."

"It's beautiful." Ellysetta closed her eyes as the sound washed over her. The melody struck a chord deep inside, suffusing her senses with quiet joy and a hushed, reverent peace. To hear the Elves of Navahele sing was to hear everything good and lovely in the world transformed into glorious music.

The sun descended below the horizon and the Elvish song came to its end. With unhurried grace, Galad Hawksheart's people returned to their previous activities.