<b>Allassiel stared at the boulder, or what appeared to be one. Despite the fact that she'd just seen Persus and the hobbits go through the space, she still reached out to touch the surface. Instead of hard stone, she connected with air, her hand passing through the illusion with ease. “Well,” she muttered, pulling her hand back to stare at it. “That is useful.” She nodded back to the others and, her hand still in Thorgan's, she stepped through.</b><br/><br/>“<b>We could have used a trick like this during the war.” Pegawen watched the couple go through, before squeezing Lotharn's hand. “Shall we?” she asked and followed her cousin.</b><br/><br/><b>They'd expected a cave of some sort, or at least darkness. Instead, the found themselves gazing at a well-appointed courtyard, with a variety of trees and flowers in full bloom. A small stream cut along one side of the land, and small cottage that reminded Allassiel of the cots that dotted the landscape in Rohan and Gondor. She motioned towards it. “Must be where his parents live.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>And that,” Pegawen pointed ahead at an impressive looking tower, “must be where we'll find the wizard. I wonder how he managed to hide that from prying eyes.” Shielding her eyes against the light, she lifted her head to study it.</b><br/><br/>“<b>I'm sure we'll find that out, as well as other things, while we're here. But will he be able to help us with our quest?” And will he help us, Allassiel wondered, or will he turn out to be like Saruman?</b>