Elspeth remains submerged in the dark waters of Taxus’s coronation memory until Taxus reaches her through a rhyme, echoing the way he once connected with her as a child. The rhyme gives Elspeth enough strength to move, and Elspeth calls Taxus by his true name.

Taxus pulls Elspeth to the surface and holds her protectively. Taxus tells Elspeth that she may one day become only memory, but not yet, revealing both Taxus’s attachment to her and Taxus’s fear of being left alone.

From beyond the memory, Elspeth hears Ravyn calling in panic as Petyr’s poisoned condition worsens. Ravyn orders the others to tie off Petyr’s leg, make a fire, and help move Petyr, then demands that the Nightmare do something.

Taxus warns Elspeth that if Taxus takes Elspeth away from the memory, Elspeth will see what Taxus sees but lose control of Elspeth’s body. Elspeth will live inside Taxus’s mind as Taxus once lived inside Elspeth’s, and Taxus cautions that Taxus’s mind is monstrous.

With Ravyn still calling for help, Taxus waits for Elspeth’s answer. Elspeth chooses action over entrapment and asks Taxus to let Elspeth out, accepting the consequences so Taxus can intervene.