‘Warlike?’ Ralph muttered. ‘Then why did Birin-’
‘It is unlikely that they will feud with us over the only road through this region,’ Pran told him. ‘I think it more likely that they would prefer to be rid of our presence altogether, without engaging in a conflict that could only serve to prolong contact. But it is a certainty that they will watch us closely, to be sure that we do not stray from this route into their lands. They have no love for Elves, Men or Dwarves, and to the best of my knowledge, never venture beyond their own borders.’
It was with a sense of great relief that the refugees came out of this portion of the road, as it ended abruptly, opening into a great clearing. Before them lay a shallow lake, perhaps two miles across at the widest point. It was bordered by tall brown reeds which rattled dryly in the breeze, its surface largely covered by water-lilies. Despite the cold, and a frozen rheum around its edge, it showed no sign of freezing over, though it was now clear and chill, the stars glittering coldly above. To the right and left the road wended its way around the lake, but to the right, perhaps three furlongs distant, was a wide grassy lea, largely free of snow, and it was there, Birin decided, that they would make camp.