My wife steals my breakfast. I don't really care. She has already stolen my body and soul. What is to become of me? I don't really care. I feel the heat coming over me again and all she's done is to scarcely touch the tip of my nose with her lips. Then she goes out to the horses. My feet move to follow her. I take one step and stop. Was that kiss a beckoning? Or not. I lean back against the wall again and try to think.

All of a sudden something hits me. The hares for breakfast! My bows! Both of them, new and old, are lying side by side just inside the cave. My pouch of arrows is there but in a different place than I set it down when I went to Winter Mist last night.

I search the faces of my family. Da is merrily stuffing himself with more meat. Keu is rubbing his great arm and looking restless. I see a dark smear on Baine's cheek. Blood? Two bows, one for each hunter. It must have been Baine and 'Daig! I never yet used my new bow and the finely feathered arrows, the wedding gift from my bride. Secretly I thought to make a special first hunt with that bow, and the arrows would bring a gift back for her. Whose hands were on that bow? I glare at Baine and stare thoughtfully at the Night Raven, taking his measure. The next time we make a fire, I swear I will grab his precious axe for the wood-cutting!

Hadaig is smiling at Da and saying, "Remember when Faramir mentioned that passageway that he said went all the way to the Niafer keep? Well, Mór Lámh says he's found the portal!"

Da's eyes slide smoothly to Keu. I can tell he doesn't trust this. "Ain't that interesting?" he says around a mouthful of hare. He gulps it down and rubs his greasy beard. Keu throws Hadaig a black look and Night Raven curls his lip in a snarl. The look like they hate each other. What did I miss?

We are all pulled closer around the fire when Da says "Listen..."

Before he can tell us though, my misty love returns. The sight of her brings back all the sweet aches that I felt before. Her hair is twisted tight into braids again and her eyes are so bright.

"I saw riders coming!" she tells us.