# IX: Birdalone Comes to the Black Valley explained — The Water of the Wondrous Isles

> Chapter companion for The Water of the Wondrous Isles by William Morris.

## What happens

Birdalone journeys to the knoll above the Black Valley of the Greywethers, arriving at noon. She observes the stony landscape and three ravens, then eats and drinks before hesitantly entering the valley. She rides through the narrow pass, past sheer rocks, and into a wider area where she approaches a large stone shaped like a seated man. After a moment of fear, she touches the stone and speaks a plea for the return of a loved one, immediately regretting her words.

## Themes in this chapter

### Journey and Quest

Birdalone undertakes a solitary journey into the Black Valley, a key stage in her quest.

### Nature and the Wild

The chapter vividly describes the desolate, stony landscape of the Black Valley and its Greywethers.

## Character check-ins

### Birdalone

Birdalone rides alone to the Black Valley, hesitates at the entrance, then enters and speaks a plea to the stone.

## Key lines

> Little is to tell of Birdalone’s journey unto the knoll above the Black Valley of the Greywethers.

Birdalone's ride to the hill overlooking the Black Valley was uneventful.

_Summarizes the beginning of the chapter._

> O Earth, thou and thy first children, I crave of you that he may come back now at once and loving me.

Birdalone calls upon the earth and its ancient beings to bring her beloved back to her immediately and with love.

_Birdalone's spoken plea to the stone._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/ix-birdalone-comes-to-the-black-valley
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters