[Lyra Greenleaf]

The group travelling back towards the Golden Wood were very different to the one thathad gone the other way. Telpeheled tried to work out what had caused the change.

The obvious thing was that Durelin was no longer with them, and Anuion was- but this would not account for the dispirited nature of the party. Durelin was hardly a cheerful companion! Telpeheled thought wryly. There should have been an air of victory, as there had been after the wolves, but that seemed the opposite of what was true. Perhaps they fear what they shall find when we get home? Telpeheled wondered suddenly. We have no way of knowing how that battle went. He sighed unhappily, hoping that nothing had happened to his family, friends and home. Finally he had to admit that maybe he wasn't the only one disillusioned about the glory of fighting when you discovered that the enemy had lives too. He sighed again and tried to banish the thought from his mind. There was still a possibility they would have to fight more, and he had to be able to do it.

As they continued on their way, Telpeheled tried to think of more cheerful events, celebrations and dancing, laughing, both memories and hopes for the future. It began to work, crowding the dark thoughts from his head.

It was a shock when he found himself suddenly behind Anuion. He and Bordarigorn had been far ahead of Telpeheled. It was an even greater shock when he realised the Elf was leaning over Bordarigorn sitting on the ground. The man was making a very odd sound. It took a while for Telpeheled to register the noise as crying, for this was virtually unknown to him. He still didn't understand why the man who was possibly stronger than any of the others had broken down so.

He went over and sat next to Bordarigorn, privately grateful for the rest, and put his hand on the man's shoulder. He had expected resistance, but the man offered none.
"Tell me what is wrong" he said softly, with little hope of an answer- for if the man will not talk to his closest companion, why would he answer Telpeheled? Still he knew that it was necessary to help the man. They needed him for whatever fight was coming up.