|
So it was that Ravion, Liornung, and Ædegard separated from the others, who followed the trail of Indil farther up the heights of the White Mountains.
Ravion led the way and Ædegard took up the rear as they meandered through the wooded clefts and dales of the knees of the mountains. Ædegard wondered what Leafa and Bellyn had been doing up in these parts. Or had Tharonwë brought them up this far?
It was not long before Ravion hailed the other two and showed them signs two woman sized paths in the ground. "They cannot be far. These trails are fresh."
They redoubled their pace. They stopped briefly to rest and eat with the sun high overhead, then gave chase again. After a few hours they caught a brief glimpse of a pair of walkers far on the ridge of the next slope. Ravion urged them not to hail them, but now they moved even faster. Now they caught a glimpse of the pair at the bottom of the valley they were about to enter. The shadows were lengthening.
It was less than an hour later that Ravion finally gave the other two his permission to hail the pair, and Liornung and Ædegard called after them loudly. The pair turned and looked back. It was Bellyn and Leafa. Bright smiles leapt to their faces, but they did not come running back. Instead they pointed toward something ahead that the men could not see. With a will, the men raced up and joined the two women. After a brief exchange of embraces, the women pointed. There nestled below them, in a clearing, was a hut or cottage of some kind. They approached.
|