[Child of the 7th Age]

Elanor could not believe how many people had managed to escape from Dale and find their way down to Long Lake. The trail going south was crowded with horses and stray animals as well as families pushing wheelbarrows or carrying possessions on their back, whatever they had managed to salvage.

Despite everyone's relief to be away from Smaug, the group was subdued and grim. Many of the families had lost everything they owned. Far worse were the injuries they had suffered or the fact that many kinfolk and friends had fallen forever under the wyrm's fierce assault.

Elanor tried not to think about her father, but she knew that her mother was worried. Even little Eric and Eli had not run off to explore once the families had set up their new campsite, but sat quietly off to the side with their shoulders drooping and their eyes full of sadness.

Nor was Willow the only one worried. The Queen had politely said her goodbyes to the Millwinds, promising that she would not forget them, and had then gone off to join the other members of her household. But Elanor could plainly see that, underneath her pleasant exterior, the woman was deeply troubled. What chance was there that either of their men had survived? Already it was early evening and there had been no word of what had happened after they left the streets of Dale.

Elian was the first to see him. Bringing water to the men who guarded the settlers, Elian had peered out over the plain and spied a lone rider just beyond the edge of camp, slumped in the saddle and barely managing to stay upright. The lad let out a yelp that was loud enough for both the Millwood and Whitfield families to hear from where they had gathered to eat dinner. Little Eric leapt up, his food tumblng to the ground as he raced across the meandow towards the slumped figure who now lifted up his head and stared groggily towards them.