noon
That wind , blowing from the depths of valleys left long since behind , accompanied them wisely . They heard , not the faint horns of Elfland faintly blowing , but the blasts of the _ Urwelt _ trumpets growing out of the still distance , nearer , ever nearer . For leagues below the beech woods poured over the enormous slopes in a sea of soft green foam , and through the meadow spaces they saw the sweet nakedness of running water , and listened to its song . At noon they rested in the greater heat , sleeping beneath the shadow of big rocks ; and sometimes traveled late into the night , when the stars guided them and they knew the pointing of the winds . The very moonlight then , that washed this lonely world with silver , sheeting the heights of snow beyond , was friendly , half divine ... and it seemed to O'Malley that while they slept they were watched and cared for -- as though Others who awaited had already come halfway out to meet them . And ever , more and more , the passion of his happiness increased ; he knew himself complete , fulfilled , made whole . It was as though his Self were passing outwards into hundreds of thousands , and becoming countless as the sand .