Last night, I finally managed to drift off to sleep, once the stirrings of my mind put themselves to rest. But the moment I awoke in the morning, all my worries sprang anew, like springtime lilies shooting up from the ground of the Shire when winter has disappeared. And my worries were just as numerous, as well. Although I had felt a kinship to the sorry Dwarf lying in the glade, Lanthir�s self-assured assertion that he was up to no good had worn its way on me. Lanthir had taught me in a single day that I should trust his word and advice; I could not deny the possibility that the Dwarf could be a danger. But leaving him in his helpless state would have been impossible. I could not think of seeing a poor creature as abused as he and not staying to set things aright. Now that the morning had dawned, I began to feel perhaps I had been in error and Lanthir was right. My defense of the nameless Dwarf may have put us all in a situation worse than before.
Thinking these uncertain thoughts, I sat up and saw that Priscilla was tending the fire nearby and Lanthir was sitting before the Dwarf, his blue eyes severe and wary. I wondered if he had moved from that position all night since it was the same I had last seen him in before my eyes had closed in sleep. I stood and walked over to where Priscilla knelt, rustling dying embers with a long stick in her hand.
Priscilla must have heard me wake up, for she neither turned nor glanced in my direction, but her words were unmistakably meat for me.
�It�s about time you were up, Pady. Here, eat this bread. I�ve toasted it with what flame we have left.�
As I slowly chewed on the bread, savoring every bite, Priscilla continued, whispering softly to me. �I do wish Lanthir wouldn�t huddle over that poor thing as if he were a criminal. He�s no idea who that thing is and why he�s here. He looks so pitiful to me, I doubt he could hurt a sapling!�
I nodded, but I really didn�t share Priscilla�s opinions. It was obvious that she still thought the Dwarf was in need of help and no harm to us and here I was doubting that very fact. After hesitating for a second, I asked her a question, mimicking the hushed tones she had just used.
�Don�t you trust Lanthir?�
Priscilla�s eyes flashed annoyance. �Of course I do! But he�s so relentless in his attitude I can�t help but think he gets it wrong sometimes.�
I realized that Priscilla had opened the door for a discussion I had promised myself to have with her, but even so, I was afraid the door would slam shut, leaving me with a throbbing foot caught in its grasp. I breathed deeply and spoke quickly.
�You didn�t seem to trust him yesterday.�
As I expected, Priscilla�s green eyes shone with fire. �What do you mean?� I felt like I was standing on the edge of a great precipice: One misstep and I would find myself at the bottom in pieces. How I love that Hobbit lass! But I fear her anger as much as I love her tenderness.
�Yesterday, you ran right into this glade. You didn�t listen or wait for Lanthir. You could have been in grave danger, Priscilla. It wasn�t wise.�
Why was I saying this? I knew that in but a second I�d have her wrath loosed on me.
Priscilla opened her mouth wide and I steeled myself for the storm that was about to let loose. But after a couple moments, Priscilla shut her mouth and sat still. Then, she nodded.
�It isn�t easy for me, Pady, but I am not an unfair Hobbit lass. I am strong enough to admit when I am wrong.� Yes, I could tell this was hard for her. She spoke each word as if someone were having to pull them out of her throat. Yet, she was saying them. �I do trust Lanthir and you as well.� I sighed. She had taken it so well and I was so relieved that her last comment took me aback. �But the next time you two council with each other, you�d better include me, too or I�ll have no choice but to lead as I did before.�
With that, she stood up and walked away from me towards Lanthir. At first I was a little irritated with what she said last, but then I realized that she was probably right. She was part of this journey and Lanthir and I should have told her about the footprints. I figured Lanthir hadn�t told her to keep her from fear, but I should have known Priscilla would want to be included. Making a mental note to myself, I determined that whatever was to be discussed in this small group of companions in the future would include all members.
Having finished my bread, I turned and followed Priscilla over to Lanthir, who still hadn�t stirred from before the Dwarf. When we reached him, he turned his gaze upon us and I was assured that the Elf still didn�t like the situation we were in.
�He has healed much in the night. I will wake him and then we will see who he is and why he is here.� Lanthir�s voice was as cold stone. I saw that what he said was true, though. Many of the cuts and bruises I had observed on the Dwarf the night before had disappeared. The cuts on his mouth were gone and his eye was no longer swollen. Glancing back at Lanthir, I was awed by the realization that he was as powerful in his healing abilities as Sirviriel.
Lanthir told us to stand back, which I though a bit unnecessary, considering the Dwarf was still securely bound, and then he placed his palm firmly on the Dwarf�s forehead. In an instant, the Dwarf�s eyes fluttered and I saw that they were a soft grey and unfocused. I hardly had time to wonder how long it was going to take the Dwarf to come fully to himself when he began to struggle furiously with his bonds and shouted out in a language I didn�t understand. It was not the Elvish I had heard from the Dolenwaith; this language sounded much harsher to my ear. Instead of being as light as air it felt as heavy as solid earth. I didn�t quite know what to do, but Lanthir�s resolute voice broke the moment.