The dwarf subsided somewhat. "You are right. And being one of the Wise, Belloc has obviously considered the matter extensively-"
"Which is no doubt why that door is and remains locked," Palindor added pointedly.
They were interrupted by a knock at the door. An aide seated beside opened it to admit an elven messenger, who faced Palindor, formally.
"Yes?"
Without inflection, though excitement shone in his eyes, the messenger said, "Sire, the young Wizard and his witch-sprite return unscathed with their entire escort of fifty! Captain Triel has departed north."
Palindor winced inwardly at the young messenger's referral to Lily. No slur was intended, he realised, but the term had a mean-spirited origin, and was now irrevocably part of the colloquial parlance.
Palindor acknowledged this with a nod. Moments later, he and Grol walked out to meet Anest and Lily, who were yet some distance off, riding at the head of their escort.
And as the two crested the rising fold of land that marked the northern boundary of Belloc's lands, Palindor and Grol looked on with wonder, for fair and enchanted they looked, and sunlight shone about them and about their escort like a nimbus.
"And where be young Lily and Anest?" said Grol in wonder as the two approached and dismounted. "Are they lost to us?" His wonder was not without foundation, for they were indeed changed! Lily bore a new confidence and strength that belied her means by stature alone. A young, faerie-tale princess she looked, holding the reins of her white pony with flowing mane that perfectly complimented her own white-blonde hair. Nor was there any trace of the lad in Anest. His grey eyes were now clear and certain, and it appeared that his vision now went beyond that of mere mortal men. This was offset, however, by a new wry humaneness in his mien.