# XXVIII: “By the Sun, Moon and Stars and the Golden Apples of the West” explained — Lud-in-the-Mist > Chapter companion for Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees. ## What happens Master Nathaniel, alone in the Elfin Marches at night, experiences disorienting lunar changes and a fierce wind that kills his horse. He hears the Note again in a haunting song, which fills him with remorse. Duke Aubrey appears, revealing that Nathaniel has unknowingly worked for him and has always eaten fairy fruit. The Duke grants him a vision of a beautiful, serene Fairyland, then vanishes, leaving Nathaniel on the edge of an abyss. Nathaniel hesitates, then leaps into the darkness. ## Themes in this chapter ### Reality vs. Delusion Nathaniel questions whether Fairyland is a delusion after the vision vanishes, and his leap into the abyss blurs the line between reality and illusion. ### The Poetry of Everyday Life The Note and the song 'There are windfalls of dreams' evoke a bittersweet, poetic beauty that haunts Nathaniel with lost possibilities. ### Fear of the Unknown Nathaniel's terror in the Marches, the death of his horse, and the final leap into the abyss all embody the fear of what lies beyond the familiar. ## Character check-ins ### Master Nathaniel Chanticleer Frightened and alone in the Elfin Marches, he hears the Note again, feels deep remorse, and ultimately leaps into the abyss after Duke Aubrey's vision. ### Duke Aubrey Appears to Nathaniel in the Marches, reveals Nathaniel has unknowingly worked for him, grants a vision of Fairyland, then vanishes with mocking laughter. ## Key lines > There are windfalls of dreams, there’s a wolf in the stars, And Life is a nymph who will never be thine, With lily, germander, and sops in wine. With sweetbrier, And bonfire, And strawberry-wire, And columbine. The song speaks of unattainable dreams and desires, mixing natural and fantastical imagery to convey a sense of longing and loss. _This song contains the Note that overwhelms Nathaniel with remorse._ > All your life, Chanticleer, you have eaten fairy fruit, and some day, it may be, you will hear the Note again—but that I cannot promise. Duke Aubrey tells Nathaniel that he has unknowingly consumed fairy fruit throughout his life, implying his experiences have always been touched by Faerie. _This revelation recontextualizes Nathaniel's entire life and his connection to the fairy world._ > By the Sun, Moon and Stars and the Golden Apples of the West! Duke Aubrey utters a powerful incantation that reveals the hidden beauty of Fairyland. _This phrase is the chapter's title and the key to the vision Nathaniel sees._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxviii-by-the-sun-moon-and-stars-and-the-golden-apples-of-the-west - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters