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a little wild and unused to so many new arrivals."
"Great Belin!" cried Fflewddur. "Seven oracular pigs! Taran, my
friend, your tasks will be harder than they were in the Hills of Bran-Galedd."
Dallben shook his head. "Sturdy and healthy they are, and as fine a
litter as I have seen, but their powers are no greater than those of any other
pig--- which should be quite enough to satisfy them. Hen Wen's own gift began
to fade when the letter sticks shattered and now is gone past recall. It is
for the best; such power is a heavy burden, for men as well as pigs, and I
daresay she is much happier now."
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For two days, the companions rested, grateful and content to be
together in the peacefulness of the little farm. The sky had never seemed
clearer, filled with happier promise of spring, or greater joy. King Smoit had
arrived with his guard of honor, and through a night's feasting the cottage
rang with merriment.
Next day Dallben summoned the companions to his chamber, where
Gwydion and Taliesin already waited. He peered deeply and kindly at all
gathered there, and when he spoke his voice was gentle.
"These have been days of welcome," he said, "but also days of
farewell."
A questioning murmur rose from the companions. Taran, with alarm,
looked searchingly at Dallben. Fflewddur, however, clapped a hand to his sword
and exclaimed, "I knew it would be so! What task remains to be done? Have the
gwythaints returned? Is a band of Huntsmen still abroad? Have no fears! A
Fflam stands ready!"
Gwydion smiled sadly at the excited bard. "Not so, gallant friend.
Like the Huntsmen, the gwythaints have been destroyed. Yet it is true: one
task remains. The Sons of Don, their kinsmen and kinswomen, must board the
golden ships and set sail for the Summer Country, the land from which we
came."
Taran turned to Gwydion as though he had not grasped the High King's
words. "How then," he quickly asked, not daring to believe he had heard
aright, "the Sons of Don leave Prydain? Must you sail now? To what purpose?
How soon shall you return? Shall you not first rejoice in your victory?"
"Our victory is itself the reason for our voyage;" Gwydion answered.
"This is a destiny long ago laid upon us: When the Lord of Annuvin shall be
overcome, then must the Sons of Don depart forever from Prydain."
"No!" Eilonwy protested. "Not now, of all times!"
"We cannot turn from this ancient destiny," Gwydion replied. "King
Fflewddur Fflam, too, must join us, for he is kin to the House of Don."
The bard's face filled with distress. "A Fflam is grateful," he
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began, "and under ordinary circumstances I should look forward to a sea
voyage. But I'm quite content to stay in my own realm. Indeed, dreary though
it is, I've found myself rather missing it."
Taliesin spoke then. "It is not for you to choose, Son of Godo. But
know that the Summer Country is a fair land, fairer even than Prydain, and one
where all heart's desires are granted. Llyan shall be with you. A new harp you
shall have. I myself shall teach you the playing of it, and you shall learn
all the lore of the bards. Your heart has always been the heart of a true
bard, Fflewddur Fflam. Until now, it was unready. Have you given up that which
you loved most for the sake of your companions? The harp that awaits you shall
be all the more precious, and its strings shall never break.
"Know this, too," Taliesin added. "All men born must die, save those
who dwell in the Summer Country. It is a land without strife or suffering,
where even death itself is unknown."
"There is yet another destiny laid upon us," Dallben said. "As the
Sons of Don must return to their own land, so must there come an end to my own
powers. I have long pondered the message Hen Wen's last letter stick might
have given us. It is clear to me now why the ash rods shattered. They could
not with stand such a prophecy, which could only have been this: Not only
shall the flame of Dyrnwyn be quenched and its power vanish, but all
enchantments shall pass away, and men unaided guide their own destiny.
"I, too, voyage to the Summer Country," Dallben continued. "I do so
with sorrow but with even greater joy. I am an old man and weary, and for me
there shall be rest and a laying down of burdens which have grown all too
heavy upon my shoulders.
"Doli, alas, must return to the realm of the Fair Folk, and so must
Kaw," the enchanter went on. "The wayposts are being abandoned. King Eiddileg
will soon command the barring of all passages into his kingdom, just as Medwyn
has already closed his valley forever to the race of men, allowing only the
animals to find their way to him."
Doli bowed his head. "Humph!" he snorted. "It's about time to stop
dealing with mortals. Only leads to trouble. Yes, I'll be glad enough to go
back. I've had my fill of good-old-Doli this and good-old-Doli that, and
good-old-Doli would you mind turning invisible just once more!" The dwarf
strove to look as furious as he could, but there were tears in his bright red
eyes.
"Even the Princess Eilonwy Daughter of Angharad must voyage to the
Summer Country," Dallben said. "So it must be," he went on, as Eilonwy gasped
in disbelief. "At Caer Colur, the Princess gave up only the usage of her
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magical powers. They are still within her, as they have been handed down to
all daughters of the House of Llyr. Therefore must she depart. However," he
went on quickly, before Eilonwy could interrupt, "there are others who have
well-served the Sons of Don: faithful Gurgi; Hen Wen, too, in her own fashion;
and Taran of Caer Dallben. It is their reward that they may journey with us."
"Yes, yes!" shouted Gurgi. "All go to land of no sighings and no
dyings!" He bounded joyously and waved his arms in the air, shedding a good
portion of what hair remained to him. "Yes, oh yes! All together forever! And
Gurgi, too, will find what he seeks. Wisdom for his poor tender head!"
Taran's heart leaped as he cried out Eilonwy's name and hastened to
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