"'Tis mostly a beech wood," he says, "though there are large stands of oak trees. I should say it is much like living elsewhere. We have homes on the ground and in the trees, except the palace which is below the ground. We live in peace, except when that peace is invaded. We have feasts and dancing at times."

He shrugs, slightly. "We trade along the river with the Men of Dorwinion and Lake Town and other places." Then, a quiet laugh. "There is a reason Men call it Mirkwood, and the Elves of Rivendell call it Taur e-Ndaedelos. 'Tis not an easy place to navigate, if you do not know the way of it."

Then: "Has Alera many forests?"