The Last Dark: The climax of the entire Thomas Covenant Chronicles (Last Chronicles of Thomas Cove)

us. But we are not daunted. We will grow, Linden Avery.” His singing rose until it shivered every leaf, flourished along every bough; and every creature sang with him. “We will
grow
.”
    “Guardians,” Linden murmured as the Forestals carried their melodies through the Hills toward other, more distant forests. “In the Creator’s stead.”
How may life endure in the Land, if the Forestals fail and perish, as they must, and naught remains to ward its most vulnerable treasures?
“I would never have guessed that Demondim-spawn were the answer to Caerroil Wildwood’s question.”
    “They weren’t,” said Covenant. “You were. You and Mahrtiir. You kept that promise, just like you kept your promise to the ur-viles and Waynhim.
    “And you saved my daughter. Here I was, planning to punish myself eternally for what happened to her, and you—”
    Jeremiah scowled, feigning disgust. “
Please
don’t start kissing again. It’s gross.”
    Linden laughed until her son laughed with her. Then the three of them resumed their walk into the west.
    Behind them, Gravin Threndor—mighty and long misused—grew distinct as the sun ascended from its imposed ensepulture. Across the heavens, the stars appeared to withdraw, making way for daylight. The greying sky became pearlescent with promise. Winged flights graceful as birdsong articulated the air and the treetops like runes in motion, a script constantly modulating toward new interpretations. Implied flames touched the tips of the highest sequoias.
    “Amazing,” Linden breathed. “Something as simple as sunrise. I didn’t think that I would ever see it again.”
    Covenant grinned. “You call that amazing?
I
didn’t think I would ever see well enough to know the difference.”
    “I can’t wait,” Jeremiah said. But whether he felt impatient for the sun, or for some other wonder, he did not explain.
    Gradually light came to the heights of Andelain. Bright day spread down branches and boles as though Mount Thunder had granted it passage. The mountain wrapped its cloak of shadow closer about itself. Sunshine enlivened the leaves with memories of music.
    And in a wide hollow defined by stands of mimosa, by wide-spread jacaranda and flowering rhododendron, with a giddy brook running past an abundance of
aliantha
, Covenant, Linden, and Jeremiah found the friends and companions with whom they had shared so much weariness and strife.
    Rime Coldspray and Frostheart Grueburn were there, Onyx Stonemage and Halewhole Bluntfist. The Giants of Dire’s Vessel, those who had survived their many battles: Bluff Stoutgirth, Squallish Blustergale, and their few comrades. Canrik and perhaps two score other Masters, all that remained of two hundred. Manethrall Bhapa. Cord Pahni. Branl, the last of the Humbled, who had killed Clyme and sacrificed an arm and become certain. And Stave, the former Master.
    They had been healed and refreshed, all of them, and their raiment restored by the re-creation of the Earth. They lacked only the silver glow and sendaline of
beings from beyond Time
. They had come together in the hollow to feast on treasure-berries, drink pristine water, and share their astonishment.
    They must have been conveyed here while the fraying strands of Time were rewoven.
    They did not immediately notice Covenant, Linden, and Jeremiah. But then the three were announced. Among the trees at the edge of the hollow, Ranyhyn whinnied a proud welcome: Hyn and Hynyn, Rallyn and Khelen, Rohnhyn and Naharahn. And as their call carried over the Hills, full sunlight struck the horses, burning away the last vestiges of dusk from their glossy coats. Among them, the Ardent’s mount cropped grass as though it had no use for mere relief and wonder.
    But the star-browed Ranyhyn did not remain to receive greetings or gratitude from Linden and Jeremiah, as they must already have done from Stave and Branl, Bhapa and Pahni. They were eager to rejoin their herds and their Ramen. They galloped away, taking Mishio Massima with them, and trumpeting praise to the new day.
    Giants and
Haruchai
lifted their heads. Bhapa and Pahni looked around.
    A moment later, jubilation and awe filled the air. Linden wept for gladness, and Jeremiah wavered between shouts and tears. Covenant spread his arms like a man who yearned to embrace everyone simultaneously, and his scarred forehead shone like incarnated starlight.
    Then there were shouts and much laughter among the Giants, hugs and clasps and