In the Land of the Everliving (Eirlandia #2)

by Stephen R. Lawhead

‘So long as my people suffer the cruel ravages of a wicked and relentless enemy, my duty is clear. I have no other choice.’ The faéry king released his hold, signalling the end of the audience, but said, gently, ‘Spoken not like a warrior,’ he said, ‘but like a king.’

‘In these last bright days, we must store up in our hearts light and warmth enough to last us until the spring. Winter can be so dark and cold—

We learned long ago that warfare offers no lasting solutions, only despair and death.

Gwydion accepted this with an indulgent smile. ‘My advice is this,’ he said, growing serious again. ‘Make peace with your enemy.’ Seeing the startled expressions of his guests, he continued quickly. ‘I urge this most sincerely. It seems too obvious to me that if neither side has prevailed in this struggle, despite all these years of strife, then neither side is destined for victory. Therefore, the wisest course would be to arrive at a mutually agreeable resolution and learn to live together.’

But while I live and breathe in this worlds-realm, I will pursue the fight and I will not rest until the evil invader has been defeated and the lands they stole made safe and returned to our tribes.’