Nethwador stood watching Ędegard for several moments, and then he took two steps back. His eyes flicked to Bella, who was still asleep. Then he looked at Argeleafa.
She was smiling, just a little.
He tipped his head, and she nodded.
He began to approach Ędegard, and then sidestepped; but Ędegard did not move. Nethwador was ready to shy away like a horse, but Ędegard remained still. Bella stirred, sat up, looked around, stood and came quickly to Nethwador's side.
"Forgive." She placed her right hand on Ędegard's right shoulder, and looked up at Nethwador. Ędegard placed his good hand over hers, and looked at Nethwador.
Still suspicious, he glanced several times from Ędegard to Bella, but she murmured to him as if soothing a horse, and he calmed bit by bit. Slowly Nethwador's right hand reached to cover both of theirs.
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