To the Mountains?

.As she disappeared down the path, the third tree woke up.
"Has she arrived yet?" he asked, looking around.
"Oh yes. She has come and gone. We gave her directions and she is on her way."
"Good....once she reaches the sea she will find what she is seeking."
"The sea?" asked the first tree. "But we sent her to the mountains."
"Oh my no. Not to the mountains....never to the mountains!" and the tree grew agitated and leaves began to drop and whirl about him. "Not the mountains...oh, my! Oh, my!"

The northern path led along the edge of the forest, thru a valley and slowly climbed the mountainside. Ceara knew that it would take several days of travel before she reached the foothills but now that she had a destination in mind her footsteps were lighter and she moved forward with a purpose.

The valley was a rich green, spotted with the colors of many flowers and lay spread out in front of her like jewels before a queen. Marric would race ahead of her, his nose in the air checking out all that lay before them and then would curl up beside the path waiting for her to catch up. And so it was in this manner that they made their way into the valley. 

At midday, Ceara once again stopped beside a small stream to eat and rest. As she ate of the bread and cheese from her bag, Marric crouched along the bank of the stream watching the fish swimming nearby and every now and then reaching his paw in as if to catch one. Each time that the fish would safely dart away, he would turn to look back at Ceara as if to say that he had not really wanted to catch it anyway. Suddenly a small fish leaped into the air and flopped onto the grass beside him. A startled Marric turned to Ceara, who only smiled and lay down to rest.