[The true answer, if he is to be honest with himself, is that his unintentional wanderings have left him concerned that the same might happen to the others - that he might well end up losing them as he nearly lost himself, to the mists, with nothing but the mocking voice of the flowers to keep them Company.

Instead, he lets his eyes settle on the spiders as he walks slowly up to stand by Frieda's shoulder.]

I sought thee, in truth. there are some faces I had not seen, since I... wandered. Unless thy task is one best left to thine own time.