over rocks. This was very much like other tracks which they knew as hunters, and all had supposed that they were on well-known ground, when suddenly they saw the Palace of the Mountain Ash Trees. It stood up in front of them, not so much like a palace as like one of those groups of clouds in the sunset sky which resemble architecture upon enormous crags. It was huge and worthy of a great king, and it astonished them above all because they had neither seen nor heard of it before. All was silent. They hastened forward, wondering now why they had never even heard of so large a palace, and now whether it was a delusion of clouds. As they came close up to it, they saw that it stood in a copse of mountain ash trees. The scarlet berries in many places touched the walls, and a man might have thought either that the palace was deserted and the forest was closing round it, or that somehow the forest had not been disturbed either by the work of building or by the going to and fro of the inhabitants. At one side a green path led away among the trees, and then very steeply down among rocks to a broad river, at a place where there was a ford.
The palace and the copse were so silent that Finn had a thought of turning back. But one of the seven great doors was wide open, and they entered a hall more beautiful than any of them had seen before. A great fire was burning in the midst and perfuming the room without making smoke. Round about were couches strewn with soft furs. All was empty and silent. The Fena sat down upon the couches and waited in silence.
When Midac entered he said no word as he looked at them one by one. He went out without speaking and shut the great door behind him. For some time they sat waiting for his return, surprised but speechless.
