“Truly?” Bronwen flashed a surprised look at Elinor, then returned to her study. Silence fell for a few minutes, then she looked up, her face as serious as her friend had ever seen it.
“This is…this is astounding, Elinor. Truly astounding.”
“It is? How? Why…”
“Firstly, there’s this…” She tapped the illustrated crest that decorated the first page. Flowers and vines surrounding what had been drawn to look like a shield.Ryhddid a Adref. I think it meansFreedom and Home.”
“You know, it could be the Howell motto or something, perhaps. I’m almost positive I have seen a carving like it here somewhere at Tylwyth Teg.”
Bronwen stopped her with a raised hand and a very serious look. “If I’m correct, this is something that has not been seen for a very long time.” She pointed at a word. “See this word here?Celata?”
Elinor grimaced. “Yes, I know, it’s…”
“It meanssecret, Elinor. In your Latin.”
“Really?”
“Yes indeed. It’s a word my people have used a lot over the years, as you can imagine.”
“Um….” Elinor’s mind reeled as she considered the implications. Celata was the Latin word for secret.Lady Secret.
Of course—that would be aperfectpen name, and was probably why the author had chosen it.
She sighed, realising that the word had nothing to do with those books at all, except for being chosen to hide the identity of the writer. It was sheer coincidence. Heaving a sigh of relief, she looked at Bronwen, who was now holding the paper cautiously with both hands.
“Here. Look.” Her finger traced a few strange symbols. “Elthun en domos. The words are Elvish.”
Elinor’s skin chilled as the very air around them fell silent, as if holding its breath.
Bronwen’s eyes met hers. “It meansHere is Home, in our language.”
“I don’t see how…”
The elf raised her head, the look in her eyes freezing Elinor into stillness. “You have it here. This is the secret. The first step…” Her eyes were filling with tears. “This will tell you…”
Deeply concerned now, Elinor reached out to touch Bronwen’s shoulder. “What, dear friend? What will it tell me?”
“How to return the Tylwyth Teg to their rightful home.”
*~~*~~*
Caleb, strolling outside in the sunshine with Carrádog, was quite surprised to see a horse and rider galloping up his drive, and nearly skidding to a halt.
He was even more surprised when he realised that it was Elinor who had been ridingventre à terreto his front door.
Something must be wrong.
The two of them ran to where she had pulled up, and was sliding out of her saddle to the ground.
“Elinor, what is it? Are you all right?”
Frantic, Caleb nearly tripped over the dog in his hurry to reach her, but thankfully he saw no blood or broken bones.
“I’m fine. Really. More than fine, actually. Oh, Caleb, I have suchnews…”
“Well, it must be something really exciting to bring you here in such a hurry,” he glanced around, “and with no groom in sight.”
“Don’t scold me. Not about this. It’s too important.” She glanced down to where a black furry face was woofing at her, quite insistently. “Yes, Carrádog. I know. You’re a good boy, but I don’t have time to play now…”
