[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Panic rose in Bellyn’s heart, and her heart likewise jumped to her throat as much of the company stood simultaneously to answer the new threat. She almost felt as if she had missed something; she wondered why Ædegard reached for his sword, why the angry fire returned to Nethwador’s eyes. Argeleafa fled, and Bellyn thought once to follow her, but did not want to seem again the helpless, cowardly nuisance she really was.

Her mind worked swiftly as she caught the array of words between the two Elven factions. Why does the Elf come forward now? Why? Bellyn felt a fiery anger aroused, much like the distrust and chaos she had seen in Nethwador when they had first met. Perhaps Ædegard was right to give oath against the Elf called Maegeleb. Still the situation worried Bellyn – she wondered for the reasons of Maegeleb to release the red-haired man freely.

“This is not right, Liornung,” Bellyn murmured softly. “The one who killed Gwyllion would not do this freely without a devious plan in mind. The Elf that maimed Mellonin and Leafa -”

“Bella, where is Leafa?” Liornung asked. She saw the blade at his belt and did not like the thought of Liornung using it. Still Bellyn shrugged – she had seen her friend flee, but had thought little of it.

“I do not know!” Bellyn replied, upset that she might have ignored Argeleafa at the wrong time. Mellonin had not left as Argeleafa had done. She remembered all too clearly what had happened when the women were left to wait for the men – the image of the merlocks still clung close to Bellyn’s memory. Now Bellyn worried for Argeleafa, in the dark by her lonesome, or even worse, in the company of the devious Maegeleb once again. Even if Argeleafa had not meant to wander far, she would not be safe alone.

For a moment it struck Bellyn how important her comrades had become in the recent weeks. She would do anything for Nethwador, Liornung, Amroth-Mellondu and Argeleafa – even Ædegard, who had so often seemed more aloof than anything else. Bellyn realized that she would also do almost anything for the Elves, Taitheneb and Erebemlin. Even the new companions touched her heart.

She saw the boy - Aeron - run off into the night. Why does he go? Bellyn wondered. Does he fear the Elf? Surely he does not. If I search for Leafa, I may get lost…Bellyn thought, seeing nothing but black outside the sphere of light created by the fire. If I stay here, I am only a burden in battle. I cannot leave Leafa out there alone. Or Aeron, wherever he went.

Without further thought, Bellyn turned and left the sphere of firelight in the direction that Argeleafa had taken as exit. She fumbled aimlessly while her eyes adjusted to the dark.

"Leafa? Leafa!"

This is definitely not good...