Du Weldonvarden

"The branch that I gave you is a part of the Ellcrys, a living tree that has sustained the Forbidding for as long as our history recounts. While such a small sample would quickly crumble in your hands, T'zarken would be driven out for those few moments. And if you were to touch the tree itself, the Forbidding would end, and demons would be free to walk the earth. But there is another way. A twisted arch of stone, hidden in the dungeons under Uru-Baen. The solution to both of your problems lie through that archway."

Helgrind

A pause. Beneath the waters of the Hadeshorn, the other Druid spirits writhe in a fury. A moment of silence.

The only one who can command our power is the wielder of the Black Elfstone. None other can we serve.

Ellesmera

"Because..." it is the young girl, Lindariel. Her hand is held before her, palm facing up. Three small blue gemstones twinkle in her loose grasp. "If you do so, I will use these." The priestess of Lolth can smell power in those stones. Old magic, wild and free.

Uru-Baen Outskirts

The beasts swallow the commander of the city forces, and his men cry out in protest.

"Help! Somebody help!"

Fourth Age

Walking through the doorway felt no different than walking through any other. On the other side, the twisted doorway stood in the middle of a huge chamber that appeared to be star-shaped through a forest of thick columns, each deeply fluted with eight ridges, the sharp edges yellow and glowing softly for light. Glossy black except for the glowing bits, they rose from a dull white floor into murky gloom far overhead where even the yellow stripes faded away. The columns and floor almost looked to be glass, but when Stannis bent to rub a hand across the floor, it felt like stone. Stone and dust.

The same voice, rough, like a growl came from behind him.

"A very long time. Do you abide by the treaties and agreements? Do you carry iron, or instruments of music, or devices for making light?"