[mark12_30]

When the death throes ended, there was a moments peace, made poignant by several late-falling leaves that drifted downwards upon the dead bodies.

Then the corpses began to smile. Gwillion let a giggle escape her; Aeron smirked, his lips pressing tighter and tighter. His resolute death-silence lasted until a great red tongue slurped across his face.

"Eeeeyeewugh!" spluttered Aeron, pushing the dog away. Raefindan burst out laughing. Gwillion opened her eyes and looked, and seeing the dog so near, scrambled to her feet. The dog turned, and leaped playfully at her.

She threw herself towards Aeron with a shriek that ended in a whimper. He rose and tried to hush her, defend her, reassure her, and fend off the dog all at once. "Fang, come here, " snapped Raefindan.

Mellonin looked on, wondering why this country girl her own age was terrified of a playful dog. "Will she be all right?" she asked Aeron, who glared at her.

Raefindan looked hard at Mellonin, and suddenly, Mellonin's eyes opened wide. "Is she-- is she--" Raefindan held up his hand to silence her. Her lips formed the word moonstruck.

"Hush," said Raefindan to Mellonin.

"Hush, " Aeron said to Gwillion.

Mellonin's heart sank as she studied Gwillion. Ravion had called her brother 'moonstruck'. Was Mellondu reduced to this-- wandering through Rohan terrified of harmless things? She hid her face in her hands.