[Saelind]

As Willy finished shooting marbles, Neviel stood up and tugged impatiently on Woody's sleeve. "Did you hear that? That hobbit lass over there.....talking to Miz Bella. She said her brother was inside because he couldn't manage the steps. You know, I wouldn't like sitting inside by myself." Then he added in a softer voice, "I think I could help him with those steps...even carry him outside." Although only eight years old, Neviel stood a good foot taller than the teacher. The lad was slim but wiry and strong; he was used to bearing large bundles from his time on the road when he had carried his own belongings on his back. "Woody, I'll be back in a minute."

Before Woody or the others could say anything to stop him, Neviel ran off towards the building to see if he could help Rory. All the while he wondered: what was wrong with the young lad's legs that they wouldn't do something so simple as carry him down the steps? He remembered one time in Rivendell when there had been a young Elf who had a problem like that. The Elf had been in an accident years before. It had been his father who had taken the time to work with the Elf's legs and somehow reteach him how to walk. Neviel wondered if his father could somehow help Rory. He would have to ask him.

Bounding up the steps, Neviel pushed the door open and rushed inside the schoolroom. The hobbit lass Camille was standing protectively over her brother. She turned around to face the Elf. "Excuse me!" Neviel blurted out. "I can carry your brother down those steps. It's no trouble really. I promise not to drop him. And I thought he'd like to be outside with the rest of us. Maybe he could play marbles with us?"