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from Rhiannon to speak to more important people waiting for his attention, other listeners closed in on her. But Henry could not be kept away for long. He shook loose from his duty as soon as he saw Ian and Simon steering Rhiannon toward an exit, to ask how long a stay she would make. She opened her mouth to say it depended on whether or not he attacked Wales, but Ian was before her, smoothly regretting that this visit must be short, as she had been given no long leave from her father's court. Henry began to protest petulantly that Llewelyn had had her for years; why had she been hidden away?
"I was not hidden away," Rhiannon said, then laughed. "I only come to court after the harvest is in and the flocks are in winter pasture. When the snows come, there is nothing for me to do in Angharad's Hall, so I come to my father. Indeed, my lord, my father has not seen much more of me than you havewhich is nothingsince early spring."
If that was not the precise truth this year, because of Rhiannon's unusual visit to Aber in July, it was true in general. Henry was somewhat placated, although he continued to grumble that Llewelyn should allow such a priceless gem to be buried in the Welsh hills.
"I would display you every day, like the best jewel in my crown," Henry exclaimed.
Suddenly Rhiannon became aware of how tense Simon had grown and of the anxiety in Ian's eyes. "But I love my hills," she cried, shrinking back into Simon's encircling arm. "And I am' not so hard as a gem, my lord. I would soon wear out. The songs come out of the quiet days in the hills. Even Gwydyon could not always sing. He, too, returned to the hills to be renewed." Rhiannon's eyes were wide with fear.
"I did not mean to frighten you," Henry said, with unusual perceptiveness, "but I must hear you again. Surely you do not go so soon as to prohibit that."
"No, my lord." It was Simon who replied. "Unless

 
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