Logfile from Uialuin.
The trees here grow tall and dense
leaving little light to filter ot the forest floor below. A bird calls in the
distance. There are faint paths weaving through the trees in all directions.
----
"Even
if Yrch could somehow defy the power of Melian and step within our woods,
Region is a dark forest and we are but three edhel clad for travel who could
easily evade their eyes, and possibly their snouts - what with all this pollen
floating in the air in anticipation of Spring..." The Arrimhir's strides
are quick and measured, such that their passage through the woods is swift but
not over-hasty, perhaps a habit of the Captain when on duty here. Slowing
himself down to a pace that might be more suitable for Malidhrin to look about
the forest as much as she would desire, Mablung answers the Tirith's question
in a noncommital tone, "We shall go as far as we desire... Region may be
wreathed in shadow and deprived of much of Anar's light, unlike the other
forests of our folk, but it is no less bound by the power of the Queen."
In that moment, though, his eyes catch sight of the approaching edhel, whose
greeting he returns with his own wave.
Malidhrin
stops as the other ellon appears in the clearing, her own elven instincts of
stealth momentarily taking over, though she is quickly relieved to see the
figure is neither orc nor dark shadow, and nods in greeting. Nevertheless she
reaches behind her for Llyrfin's hand. "All the same, Captain, if you
could rather tell me about the niphredil..." she says weakly in an attempt
to turn the subject from even the remote possibility of an attack. "I am most
interested to hear what the elleth told you about it." Despite her
anxiety, she is indeed fascinated by all the snow-tinged foliage and around
her, and the aliveness of the forest floor beneath. Though she came out as a
child with her father, it has been some time since she has been in such a
profusion of growing things, and since that time the queen has instructed her
in how to appreciate such things even more.
A
dry smile quirks upon the Tirith's lips, his reflective silvery eyes widened as
he surveys the verdant foliage and similtaneously nods to the Arrimhir.
"Aye, we should face no evil..." His words falter at the arrival of
another, Anor's spent rays glistening atop a mane of silver-gold. To the raised
palm he offers a courteous smile and inclination of the head. Yet, then he
feels the soft fingers of his cousin seek his and entwinning his hand around
hers for reassurance, he leans closer to whisper in her leaf-shaped ear.
"We will meet nothing untoward...be at ease Malidhrin and enjoy the day,
it is not oft you have the chance to tarry beyond the city, just think of all
that you may bring back to show the Queen..."
Yet
the edhel seems disinclined to speak, or in any case does not. A courteous bow
of his silver head is given, ere Faelion passes the trio and molds himself back
into shadow once more, this time behind them.
Uialuin
has been wandering idly through the woods, lost in her own thoughts. But
hearing the voices of others has drawn her attention, and she now nears the
others. She lingers a moment at the tree line, not out of desire of secrecy but
rather not wanting to interrupt. Awaiting a lull in the conversation, she steps
out into the clearing, speaking softly as to not startle anyone with her
greeting of, "Mae govannen, mellyn. A day for wandering in the woods, it
seems." She smiles gently, nodding her head to each.
Mablung's
words are wistful as he watches the edhel fade away without further word,
"Alas, she was tight-lipped in manner and enigmatic of speech..." He then
shakes his head slightly, as if bringing himself back to awareness, "I was
not even given her name, though she knew mine... A strange, and somber, elleth
she was." The Arrimhir's visage lightens slightly in surprise and
pleasure, however, as Uialuin steps forth from the shadows. "Mae govannen,
mellon. Fair chance to see you here... and fairer still, that I would speak
with Llyrfin and Malidhrin of that which I also spoke of with you, and then -
behold - you would appear. We are here for flowers." His impish grin
returns, though the Chief Captain's pace is neither slowed nor stilled.
Malidhrin's
youthful and fair countenance eases at Llyrfin's words and she nods, smiling at
the thought of bringing the Bereth treasures from her walk. "She told me
things to look out for," she says, nodding in agreement, "and said
other things I should just observe or collect as my feeling directed me."
This line of conversation and her greater ease seem to have once again unloosed
the Silivriel's capacity for chatter, and she would continue on except for to
give a greeting to the elleth who appears among them. Her manner less tentative
than before, she smiles brightly to her and says, "Good morning. It is
lovely for a walk, is it not?" At the Arrimhir's words, she looks to the
elleth more keenly and expectantly.
To
the arrival of another who he had seen but lately in the
Uialuin
smiles more widely at Mablung's words, giving a soft laugh. "It is a thing
of timing, indeed. Perhaps it was the willing of your thoughts that summoned me
near," she replies, not in full seriousness. To Malidhrin, she nods,
inhaling deeply of the fresh air, her smile growing more blissful. "A fine
day for a stroll in these fair parts," she agrees. Llyrfin does indeed seem
to be recognized by the elleth and it is almost with amusement that she offers,
"Well met, Llyrfin."
The
Arrimhir pauses on the path, as it appears that both his charges are waylaid by
something of interest. "Aye. I would have guessed you would be one to
partake in the shadows of Region, Uialuin, where the stars are not as readily
as visible as they are in the woods of Neldoreth."
Malidhrin
is pleased that another elleth has joined them, and one who might have
knowledge of forest blossoms and be so summoned in thought to come guide them.
This enchanting idea is mirrored in her beaming glance from Uialuin to Llyrfin,
wherein she catches a certain passing of familiarity between them. Her
enthusiasm soon passes to an admiration of the lavender flowers her kinsman has
pointed out, however, and she says "ooh", leaning close to peer at
them and with an indrawn breath take in any fragrance they might have to offer.
There
is a faint rustling of branches in the trees above the heads of the edhel,
though it is gone as swiftly as it came, no more than the briefly lingering
presence of some forest bird or another.
Bent
to look at the flower more closely, the Tirith offers a smile of recognition to
the elleth, yet his crystal eyes are still laid upon it's floral target.
Withdrawing a small dagger from his belt he offers it to Malidhrin, if she
might cut the bloom at the appropriate length. "I have not seen it's kind
before, the petals are delicate but extremely strong and resiliant to grow
amidst brambles and weeds..." Knowing little about botany, the Tirith
returns to his full height, though a stir betwixt emerald canopies draw his gaze
to the skies as he watches a few larks glide with apparent ease.
"It
is to the stars that my heart belongs," Uialuin agrees with a gentle smile
to Mablung. "But there is a beauty to the earth that I appreciate as
well." She glances over where the others examine the blossom, but her
attention is soon drawn to the treetops at the rustling.
Steel-grey
eyes are fixated upon the eaves of Region's trees, the rustling therein being
greater in strength and meaning than the other sounds of wildlife that fill the
morning air of the wood, though when the disturbance passess with evident ease
and swiftness, Mablung's eyes return to the flower that both cousins have
picked for themselves. "Much beauty, indeed," remarks the Arrimhir
both in response to Uialuin and in address to Malidhrin and Llyrfin, though he
adds with a wink to the latter, "I do not think that the Silivriel wishes
to slay the flower. The Handmaidens of the Queen always have a delicate way
with which they retrieve the blossoms of Arda, I would think..."
Malidhrin's
attention absorbed in the bloom before her, she pays no heed to what draws the
other's interest, rather gratefully accepting Llyrfin's blade. Momentarily she
steps back to look over the plant, roving eyes over its stem and leaves, the
surrounding foliage, seeming to record in her memory the life of it and its
relationship to the growth around it. With such words do Melian and her young
handmaiden speak of plants as if they were personalities, to be enjoyed and
respected even as they are put to practical purposes.
These
very thoughts are mirrored in Mablung's words, and she smiles over to the
Arrimhir. "You would make a good tender of gardens, captain," she
says in teasing approval of his sentiments, then steps forward to gently snip
the stem of the lavender bloom. From the inside of her cloak, she draws out a
cloth pouch which she slings over her slender arm, and therein gently lays the
flower. The pouch also contains a moist cloth, which she wraps over the cut end
of the stem. The cloth no doubt is moist not only with water, but with some
enchantment of the gardeners which will preserve the bloom as fresh as it grew
here on a winter's morn.
Llyrfin
lifts his hands to the skies, a grins drawn on full lips. "This is why I
am a guard and no gardener..." Laughing, his dulcet tone echoes softly in
the wilderness as he shakes his gilded head, spilt tresses of silken pale
tossed o'er his shoulder. Awaiting as his cousin gently arranges the lavender
bloom in the moistened cloth, the Tirith hearkens to the natural sounds of the
forest that surround, his senses seemingly heightened in reflection of his
younger years.
Uialuin
studies the trees for a moment, not out of caution or duty, but for their beauty
and her natural inclination for looking up rather than down. But her attention
does not linger for long, before it is brought back to the others, and she
watches Melidhrin's work with a smile of understanding for one enjoying the
beauty of her work. "So, there is a purpose to your outing then?" she
queries, not addressing the question to anyone in particular. "Or is it
simply for the beauty of the flowers that you venture here?"
Still
wearing his mirthful smile, Mablung tips his head in gracious acceptance of
Malidhrin's praise for his gardener's mind - something that he perhaps only
possesses because of the over-large amount of energy he has unwittingly put
into the endeavour given to him by the Silivriel. "We have a dual
purpose," the Chief Captain says to Uialuin as he resumes walking along
the path at his casual pace, "Pleasure, for all three of us, being the
former. But also so that I might see Llyrfin better acquainted with his duties
in a variety of situations..." his eyes twinkle at the present
'situation', "And so that Malidhrin might pick some flowers to be the
crowning decoration of the Festival of Hope that lies but nigh upon our coming
days. It is an event hosted by Queen Melian, you see."
Llyrfin
listens silently to Mablung's words, his hands left idly by his sides as his
fingers trace the silver trim of his rich, woven mantle. As his name is
mentioned, the edhel perks a brow, his grey eyes glinting with silver light,
the glimmer of a knowing smile etched on his expression. The wind stirs and
ascends through the tree-tops once more, the nature of the current's call
slightly eerie as dancing rays of amber fracture to lay upoon the leaf ridden
floor. Startling himself from his day-dream, the Tirith turns to the Arrimhir's
explanation. "Indeed, and what a floral bounty it shall be...my cousin has
a natural eye for such decoration."
Malidhrin
follows along with a light step as the Arrimhir leads them further into the
forest, having now released Llyrfin's hand as she grows more confident on their
expedition. Already her grey eyes are roving about them for other such finds.
She casts her kinsman a grateful smile at his compliment. "I don't know
how much decoration we will find," she says, glancing also at Uialuin as
she explains, "for that the Queen will have to decide. She wished that I
would learn more about what grows in the forest, and the captain and my cousin
were so kind as to take me along with them so that I might start to do
so."
Ahead,
but twenty feet along the path which the Doriathrim follow, a small star of
white glimmers with its own inner radiance. A bloom of niphredil, even greater
in size than the hand of a tall edhel spread out to its utmost width, glimmers
in the luminance of those few and faint beams of the Sun that pierce the
darkness of the canopy, causing the drops of dew upon its petals to glimmer
with multi-coloured light. Its bulk is spread out invitingly in full bloom,
whiter in hue than even the pale snow that has fallen around its base.
Uialuin
nods, smiling as she now follows the troop in their wandering. "Many
purposes, indeed. It is good that you can put your time to such use and fill
the hours with so many tasks," she says to Mablung. Her eyes gaze at the
flora, studying it with an uneducated eye. "I wish you much luck in
learning all that you may," she offers now to Malidhrim, as her gaze again
travels up towards the sky.
Mablung
nods wordlessly, though he slows to motionlessness and steps aside from the
path, for his keen eyes have already espied the flower on the path ahead, but
he wishes to leave the joy of discover to the others.
His
eyes initially skim the vast perimetre of the forest, his pale sharp gaze
piercing the shadows of towering trunks and far reaching boughs. Although,
there is no threat, the guard's trained demeanour and instinct cannot be
restrained fully, especially with the tenderness of company which walks before
him. Hearkening a little closer to Ualiuin, now his hand is forsaken, Llyrfin
offers a shy smile. "Did you enjoy your relaxation in the spring the other
eve...You must forgive my embarrassment, though it is a rather unusual place to
make such new acquaintance..."
Yet,
before he can recieve an answer, a dazzle of snow-driven white flashes before
his eyes. His lips part, slightly aghast at the radiance that is beheld, though
he to remains silent, not to spoil the discovery for his kinswoman.
Malidhrin's
noiseless footsteps carry her along behind the captain even as he steps from
the path and then she, too, sees the sparkle of white on the forest floor that
is more brilliant and live than the snow. Forgetting herself a moment, she runs
a few steps to close the distance between her and the bloom, then stops again
and bends at the waist to take in its beauty more closely. A look of pure joy
and wonder lights her expression, and this she shares briefly with Mablung
before she turns behind her to see if the others have seen it as well.
Satisfied that they have, a melodic chuckle bubbles up from the young maiden at
their shared delight. This turns to a sigh as she once again looks at the silken
petals set like jewels in their emerald base.
The
rustle in the trees above sudden returns with renewed life, the boughs of the
great tree above the niphredil bloom shaking with concealed shadow.
Uialuin
looks back down from her studying of the trees as Llyrfin addresses her.
"Oh, I did enjoy it, thank you. And of course all is forgiven and
forgotten, though it need not be, as it is understandab-" She cuts short,
as the beauty of the flower now catches her eye, and she draws in a sharp
breath, studying the blossom for a long moment. "Oh, it is lovely,"
breathes in a soft whisper, finally.
The
Arrimhir opens his mouth to speak, though it seems that something behind his
shoulder - in the opposite direction of the niphredil and Malidhrin - gains his
attention, and he turns, both flower and rustling tree seemingly forgetten as he
peers into the darkness beyond the trees.
Silver
eyes are cast know entirely to the jewel-like bloom. The kindled light captured
in each petal as bright as a new-born star inset in the velvet skies. A light
breath of admiration does escape his lips and smiling as Uialuin's words
falter, he approaches his mesmerised cousin. Though a stirring in the trees
above again diverts his attention, and standing before the ellith protectively,
careful not to crush the flowers underfoot, he looks to Mablung with a narrowed
concern.
"I
shan't cut it..." Malidhrin says breathlessly, bending still closer to the
flower. In this she seems to mean that such a rare and wild beauty has chosen
its own dwelling, and it would perhaps be impertinence for an elf maiden to
choose otherwise for it. With her admiration of the niphredil, she is unaware
of the other's change of mien, or else her heart too full to permit her to look
elsewhere.
The
darkness in the eaves shudders once more, and then stills, its energy
apparently spent and malice assauged...
Then,
amid a sudden flight of falling leaves, a shadow leaps from the utmost boughs
of the great tree that embraces the niphredil at its roots, a small but clawed
figure of night that hurls itself straight at the Silivriel that leans above
the flower.
Uialuin
is likewise so wrapped up in the loveliness of the flower that her attention is
not drawn to the noises until it is too late to be on guard against them. Not that
much is lost on that behalf. With a cry of surprise, she stumbles back a
half-step as the creature is suddenly readily visible and in motion.
Nothing
but a deer trotting through the distant woods catches Mablung's eye, though he
swings back to face the niphredil at the sudden darkness that emerges, the
Arrimhir jumping into action almost immediately. He is too far from the other
three edhel, however, to even hope to reach them in time.
What
might otherwise have been a sigh of delight becomes a cry of alarm as
Malidhrin, first with instinct more than sight or sound, becomes aware of the
shadow hurtling towards her. Instinct, too, draws her arm up to shield her face
from its approach, and she begins to stumble backward.
Topaz
glistens as the drawing of steel rings in earnest to the creatures swift
motion. With quick step and ignited spirit, the Tirith turns to the Silivriel,
a shadow descended o'er his fair brow and a storm of alarm marring his visage
as he attempts to blocks it's target with his tall form, which now stands
before her stumbling figure. His sword is not yet raised, though his fingers
are poised as he tries to discern the shadow and it's intent.
The
darkness falls towards the flower, but the protective moves of both Llyrfin and
Malidhrin conspire to turn it astray. With another shriek of rage - or perhaps
fear - the creature seeks to flee, but finds Uialuin blocking its chosen path.
It retreats back the other way, leaping over the Silivriel and leaving behind
only the faint touch of soft fur and paw as it goes, scurrying to the far roots
of the tree. The shadow pauses but four feet away from both flower and Elves, quivering
in the darkness, but silent and almost unmoving.
Uialuin
gives another cry, more muffled and subdued this time, as the creature looks to
be heading in her direction. She raises her arms, hands out, palms front before
her, waving at it slightly as she takes a few slow, steady steps back. As it
turns to go elsewhere, she drops her arms with a sigh of relief, yet moves no
nearer, nor takes her eyes off of it for a moment.
Dare
she look? Malidhrin withdraws her arms slowly from where they cover her head.
Slowly she peeks around Llyrfin's shoulder, and about the dark clearing, to see
if danger has passed. "What..?" she squeaks out, her throat still
tight with surprise and alarm, and in that one word echoing what they are all
likely yet wondering.
Despite
the urgency of his gait, the Arrimhir only arrives once the creature has fled,
and he pauses beside Uialuin to watch it in concern - sparing a glance at
Malidhrin and Llyrfin both to assure himself of their well-being.
Moving
to trace the path, paw prints fresh in the creature's wake, Llyrfin does not
yet share the elleth's sigh of relief, his blade still glinting in the muted
light as he hearkens to where it scuttled into the bush. His eyes do not wander
from the guarded foliage, yet his cousin's words are quick to his ears. "I
know not cousin...it's movement was too quick for me to accurately
discern..." The Arimmhir's glance goes unheeded, as assured of the
ellith's safety he still ponders the scurried tracks that disturbed the verdant
floor.
Uialuin
now ventures another half-step forward, pulling her gaze from the shadows for a
brief moment to give a sidelong glance at Mablung, eyes wide and anxious, and
another to the others, ensuring everyone is all right, so far, at least.
There
is a moment of deep silence, and then the creature emerges to show itself in
clearer light, though its befurred hide is only barely visible in the dim
illumination of Region. It seems smaller now, and less hostile, and finally a
sound issues from its mouth - something that is devoid of the hostility and
malice displayed earlier, now transformed into simple fear and sadness.
Malidhrin's
arms come down to her sides as the creature re-emerges, and before she can
clearly see it she discerns a helplessness in its cries. She too makes a small
sound, her of instinctive sympathy, and she steps forward a pace both to see
the creature more clearly and to place a staying hand on her cousin's shoulder.
Llyrfin's blade still drawn, it is now she who would come between him and that
which gave her such a fright.
Such
is the love of Melian and her handmaidens for all things of life, a love and
warmth which exudes from them, that after only a slight hesitation the creature
emerges fully from the shadows. It is a squirrel, though very large for one of
its kind, quivering still with fear now that its aggressive bluff has failed.
His
head shaken lightly, Llyrfin returns his blade to the embossed sheath a trickle
of laughter falling from his lips. As his cousin leans closer to the furry
creature, the Tirith steps back to address Mablung. "What a hero am I that
I guard the ellith from a mere startled squirrel...Oh a few of my comrades
shall have fun in this story at least..."
"Startled,
or as in love with this flower as we," offers Mablung with a smile, the
Chief Captain relaxing swiflty, "Perhaps fearful that we might have come
to destroy its beauty with careless attention. I am not surprised that the
kelvar of Doriath have no lesser love for the white blooms of Luthien than
we."
Malidhrin
leans closer to the squirrel, her alarmed expression now traded for a gentle
smile. She keeps a respectful distance between herself and the creature,
mindful of its fright. "We mean no harm," she speaks gently to it, in
a voice not like that used among her fellows, lower and more soothing.
"Just as you, too, meant no harm, as I can see." All is forgiven,
then, on the side of the Silivriel, indeed she is already thinking how excited
she will be to tell Melian of this encounter.
Uialuin
brings a hand over her chest to quell her rapid heart, smiling sympathetically
at the poor creature. At Llyfrin's words, she laughs softly, but not mockingly.
"It is the intention only that remains in my mind," she says to him
with a grin. "The blossom is lucky to have such a noble protector,"
she muses after a brief moment. "As are we."
The creature regards Malidhrin silently for a
moment, and then with a sudden chitter, it is off, bounding through the forest,
moving swifter than even the most fleet of Wardens could hope to match.
Accepting
the softly spoken words of his superior, Llyrfin again samples the beauty of
the fragrant blooms, his cousin's soft tone drifting to his ears. A weak smile
tarries o'er his lips as he regards the simple creature and he looks to Uialuin
with appreciative expression. "Aye, it is only right that a creature and
inhabitant of this forest would guard such a treasure...as is my duty and
honour to do the same." His mirth is not lost as the squirrel bounds away
though his pale, widened eyes trail it's path momnetarily until it is lost to
shadows.
Malidhrin
straightens up as the squirrel bounds off, and soft laughter echoes from her
against the boughs of the clearing. Turning to her companions, she laughs again
and says, "That was an adventure." Her manner is now as breathlessly
cheerful as if it had all been arranged for her own fun. A sideward glance is
then given to the nephridil. "The forest has beauty and excitement of all
kinds, I see."
Mablung
tugs his cloak about his shoulders subconsciously, wandering to stand on the
other side of the Silivriel to Llyrfin, "It seems content to leave the
bloom in your care, Malidhrin. I am sure a creature like that knows the
location of many such blooms; more than we could ever hope to find... Shall you
not take it? Such a flower is a rare prize, and Melian would see it fit for our
festival that we are to have."
Uialuin
watches after the squirrel, even after it has disappeared from sight, and
amused expression to her face. Chuckling softly at the situation under her
breath, she now returns to nearer the blossom, taking a moment to study it
again.
"Do
you think I should?" Malidhrin replies to the Arrimhir's suggestion. She
pauses a moment uncertainly, again seeming to wonder if such a precious beauty
would not rather be slighted to be removed by the hand of a young maiden.
"Well, if it is for Melian..." This decides matters, for the bloom
would certainly approve of decorating forth the queen's festival, and would
surely be given a place of honor. Taking Llyrfin's blade again, she steps
forward and hesitates only a moment before, with barely a movement of hand and
blade, the flower is resting in her palm. She stands, once again staring at its
beauty and holding it aloft that the others may do so, as well.
The
Tirith remains still and silent, the prompted smile not yet left his fair mien,
though he is content to just observe what his cousin's choice might be. The
shadows seem to descend moreso, the light from the skies barely penetrating the
rich boughs overhead. Though the light of the flower brings some relief and
casting a unearthly glow in his pale eyes, Llyrfin leans closer to absorb its
beauty cradled so in Malidhrin's palm.
"Perhaps
it will be worthy of a name ere we return to the court of the Aran and Bereth.
Tis Malidhrin's honour, of course, being she whom drew it in life from the
earth." Mablung's words are spoken as he turns to begin wandering back
down the path towards Menegroth, his pace slow and even, manner once more
slipping into casuality. "I may also have some words with you, Llyrfin,
for your brave actions. Though I think the squirrel will be thankful for its
life, had that been a Yrch, your life would have been ended - I fear - and your
sacrifice in vain. But such matters can wait for the hall of training..."
Finally, the Arrimhir nods once to Uialuin in farewell, unaware as to whether
she will follow them hithter to the Thousand Caves, or continue on her repose in
the woods. Mablung's pace quickens slightly, as he draws himself ever
northwards.
"Truly
a star on earth," Uialuin breathes as she studies the flower with a soft
smile. At Mablung's departure, she offers a wave, not following immediately.
She expels a wistful sigh, looking around at the shrouded distance. "This
woods does indeed hold many secrets, and many treasures," she notes idly,
no real point to her statement.
"I
think you were very brave," Malidhrin whispers to Llyrfin as she starts
towards the path in the Arrimhir's wake. At hearing Mablung's words, the
Silivriel would assuage any lingering uncertainty in her kinsman's mind about
his actions, even if it means appointing herself military advisor to do so. The
snow-drop blossom yet rests in her palm, and she seems to be enjoying its
velvet touch as much as not wanting to veil its beauty with her pouch. "I
am happy you joined us, Uialuin," she says as the other elleth speaks,
erhaps we have still other treasures to uncover on another day."
To
his superior's words, Llyrfin humbly nods, his reflection upon his hesitation
at raising his sword casting doubt in his mind, despite the fortunate outcome.
Following now with quick step, the Tirith offers Uialuin a open palm of
farewell, a glimmer of fond friendship mirrored in icy eyes "Thank you for
your company Uialuin...". Though it is to his cousin that his attention
then returns, his voice low as he utters soft words. "That was lucky
kinswoman...I am glad we have a tale of mirth, than that of woe, I only
hesitated as within Melian's girdle we should hold no fear of attack...mayhap I
was wrong."
It
is which such thoughts and observations that the elven trio continue upon their
way to the city, the light of the snow-drop flower ever guiding their path.
Uialuin
smiles, bowing her head in a nod to the pair. "I am most pleased that I
happened upon your outing. And I offer my gratitude for your quick move to
actions of protection, regardless of outcome or possibilities." She starts
now towards a random direction, in no real hurry to return, despite the earlier
fright. She raises a hand in a wave, pausing in her steps for a moment, until
the others have gone on their way, and then she continues on her own.