Emily spends the day rereading her notes, journal, and old faerie tales because she is certain she has overlooked an important pattern. While Wendell is away again, Aud arrives to say that Wendell did not like the villagers' gifts. Emily, thinking in practical faerie terms, advises Aud to offer better-suited presents such as silver needles, handsome mirrors, and chocolate.

After Aud sends the new gifts, Emily finally understands what has been troubling her and becomes eager to tell Wendell her discovery. When Wendell still does not return by evening, Emily goes to the tavern expecting to find him there. Instead, the villagers greet Emily with applause and gratitude until Thora pulls Emily aside to speak more privately.

In her excitement, Emily tells Thora that she believes she has discovered why Hrafnsvik has recently lost so many young people to the Hidden Ones. Aud is brought over, and Emily explains that the village changeling is not being hunted by faeries who want him back. Rather, the changeling's presence acts like a magical lantern: because changelings are anchored in the mortal world by great magic, powerful courtly fae are drawn to Hrafnsvik even when they have no direct connection to him.

Aud immediately asks how to extinguish that metaphorical light. Thora bluntly answers that the changeling must be dealt with, repeating a hard conclusion she has argued for before, especially now that the whole village is endangered. When Aud names Ari and other vulnerable children, the danger becomes personal and urgent.

Emily says there may be one way to banish the changeling: learn his true name and use it against him. Thora replies that the villagers already tried to trick the changeling into revealing it when he first arrived, but faeries guard their names carefully. Unable to offer an immediate solution, Emily asks them to wait while she thinks, and Thora warns that the fairy bells sounded again the previous night, meaning another child may soon be taken.