it is not always easy to walk in the Light, if surrounded by others who do not, but when a great Creative Writer gives you clear, human, often amusing and always sincere examples of the pleasures of doing so (as well as the necessary examples of the pain caused to oneself and others in not doing so) then it certainly helps. I wish to dedicate this fan-fiction story HSUtH to the memory & legacy of Mr Rigney Jnr. May the Hand shelter you, sir.

Gleeman Bob writes: a big thank-you to everyone who has read HSUtH so far, especially those thoughtful Reviewsounders who have provided considered feedback - some of which sage advice the foolish Gleeman has even heeded - all further Chapters to be divided into three parts from now on, this sensible practice extended to all previous Chapters as soon as I can find the time to do some revising. Please click on my foolishly Punic name for my Profile and details of upcoming Chapters.

Next up; Chapter 6: Through the Paerish Swar in which Shrina + matching Warders embark on their hopeless Horn-Hunt.

Please bear in mind that the existing text has only been fully edited once when it could have done with at least three passes of the editing comb! I can either write more or polish what I have already written - but the tired Gleeman cannot do both!

For New Readers, if you find the extent of the narrative daunting may I suggest that you glance through 0:prologue below and then move straight on to Chapter 5: At World's End where I have written a "the story so far..." This is the Chapter where the story finally gets going! Finally!

If you like it (& I hope you do) & wish to know more then feel free to go back to Chapter 1: Within the Stedding, where the Crystal is found, or try the mercifully short [flashback] Chapter 2: Beneath the Collam Doon, that introduces Father, or the inventively-titled 'going back to Tar Valon' Chapter 3: Back to Tar Valon and perhaps should avoid altogether the horribly long Trolloc Wars [flashback] Chapter 4: Before the Stedding. Phew! Does anyone want to be my Editsounder? I can afford to feed you peanuts and pay you absolutely nothing whatsoever!

oh, & I am sorry about the shocklance - they are not ter'angreals... hmm. I know! One Age of Legends ba'zoo'ka coming-up! Writing stuff is neat & fun!


HE SLEEPS UNDER THE HILL * Book I

prologue

'As you summoned me, Father, so I am come.'

'It is good to see you, my Son. Good to look on you once more, even if for the last time. When you left, I did not think that we would ever meet again. I am… regretful, for that which I said. I was angry. I used harsh words, in haste.'

'I am sorry also. I would not have disobeyed you, but I was needed.'

'It is well that Latra can finally dispense with your services.'

'Yes. There has been much work to do, along the Border. The Dark One left many of his minions to trouble the World. But Latra Sedai no longer has requirement of me. When your messenger arrived, I set out for the Black College immediately.'

'I sent several messengers.'

'It seems, then, that only one survived to deliver the message. Yet his journey to find me was not an easy one. He died of his wounds soon after reaching the camp.'

'Could he not have been Healed?'

'Not from the bite of a Darkhound. I doubt even I could survive that.'

'I see. Even so, I am surprised that Latra gave you leave to go. After initial reservations, I understand that she came to value your abilities, to rely on you?'

'She did. I was honoured by her trust in me. But I regret to inform you that Latra Posae Decume, Aes Sedai, lives no more. The Cutter of the Shadow fell, in the last fight with the Renegades. I was there, I saw her death. And avenged it. The Renegades are destroyed, their followers scattered and fled back to the Blight. But at very great cost.'

'May the Hand of the Creator shelter her Soul.'

'May the Wheel weave her Thread once more to the Pattern.'

'I see a question in your eyes.'

'I… it is not important, Father.'

'Speak.'

'I saw one of the Doorways, up above. The Aelfinn Doorway, it was.'

'Indeed. Have they finished loading it onto the cart?'

'The… cart?'

'The wheeled platform, fashioned of wood – that which the horses may pull behind them.'

'Ah, so that is what it is. Yes, the Doorway has indeed been loaded onto this… cart. I helped – it is extremely heavy. The Da'shain say that you used it?'

'I did. A most unpleasant experience.'

'It has been said that the Snakes will answer questions?'

'Three questions. Three answers. That has ever been the Agreement.'

'The Agreement, yes. Did they give good advice, Father?'

'They never advise, and little comes from their Realm, or their mouths, that could be termed "good." But they do give true answers, provided the correct questions are asked.'

'These answers… they are why you summoned me?'

'They most certainly are. But time is short. Haindar will be here soon. He is destroying everything that he can find. Yesterday, it is reported that the Earth opened like a vast mouth and swallowed Paaren Disen whole. The Hall of the Servants is gone, as though it had never been. Who knows what will happen today?'

'Then it is true, what they are saying? The Aes Sedai are all insane?'

'Not all. Just the men.'

'Are you insane, Father?'

'Not yet, my Son. But I expect that I will be, soon enough. This is, of course, another reason that time is short.'

'Yes. It was very difficult to reach the College, much has changed and there are many dangers. A time ago, I saw a… volcano, vast beyond imagining, beside a broken river. I do not understand why, but it is there. They are calling it the Dragon Mountain.'

'I would expect that they are.'

'They say that the Earth and Sea are changing places beneath a Sky gone mad, that the dead outnumber the living, who will come to envy them. They are even saying that the War is finally over, as once they did after the Strike on Shayol Ghul.'

'They say a lot of things. Never mind they. What say you, my Son?'

'I say that our victory over the Shadow has become as alike to defeat as to make little difference. The fruits of our labours taste of the Dark One's taint, the bitter ashes of failure. Even so, the Bore was sealed, Father, I am convinced of it – Shai'tan imprisoned as of before, and the Forsaken with him… all but one. Ishamael. I still sense him, much reduced, but a dormant presence, slowly awakening...'

'I wish I knew how you and your Brothers did that. This sensing of those the Great Lord has touched, it was never part of my Design for you – and yet, I have seen you do it too often and too well to doubt.'

'Father? The Dark One – you called him...'

'Ah. Yes. Thank-you for correcting me, my Son. I recall that even when you were but a child, I could always rely on you to do that. The Dark One, then. Some habits are harder to break than others. We look to the Future with hope, even in these evil days… yet the Past is always there, waiting to tap us on the shoulder.'

'It is not right, the things that are said of you. If it was only known, what you had done in service to the Light, the sacrifices you had made… you should have been rewarded, not punished!'

'I require no reward other than the pride I feel when I look on you. That is enough. And who knows? Perhaps generations yet unborn will view me in a kindlier light than my contemporaries. Do you understand what I wish you to do?'

'Having seen this place and what you have prepared, I do. But is there not another way? My place is at your side, now. I could… kill Haindar, when he comes. It would be far from easy, getting close enough to attack, but I believe that it could be accomplished.'

'And what of the other Companions who yet survive? And the thousand madmen who stand behind them? No, you would eventually fall. This "Breaking" is something that cannot be averted. It must be left to run its course, and may the Creator have mercy on us all. I would not see you destroyed to no good end. Not when…'

'Father?'

'When you may still have a part to play. When this, the Third Age, is all but done. When the Dragon – curse his name! – has been Reborn.'

'This is something the Aelfinn told you.'

'Yes. You always were the most insightful of my Children. Regrettably.'

'I do not trust the Snakes. But I do trust my Father. Should we say our farewells, then?'

'I suppose we should, at that. Goodbye, my Son. May the Creator's radiance illuminate your path through the deepest shadows, Last Lightborn.'

'Father, you know that I see in the dark as well as a cat!'

'It is merely a figure of speech, my Son. Do try to take things less literally.'

'I will try. Goodbye, Father. Honour to Obey, Chaime Sedai. Chaime Kufer Mors, Aes Sedai.'

'Ah, now you know that you should not use my third name…'

'The Hall took it from you, true. But now, there is no Hall. So I give it back!'

'Somewhat arrogant, perhaps – but not unappreciated, even so.'

'What will become of you, Father?'

'That is of no concern. My life ended many years ago, long before you were born. The night the Myrddraal came. The night Ishar Morrad Chuain sent for me. I have been living on borrowed time ever since. The last Age is dead and dust while the birthing-pains of this new Age are terrible indeed. But if there is one remnant of my life's work that I can preserve and entrust to the future – then that will be you, my Son.'

'It will be me.'

'Come, there is a place prepared. It is time to go to sleep.'

'If it is, then it is. Will I dream?'

'No. Be glad, for nowhere is safe anymore, not even dreams. If they ever were. A timeless interval only, while the Wheel turns outside, and then you will live again.'

'I will live again. When, Father?'

'When you are needed. Always remember, my Son – the War never ends. Not really.'