[VanimaEdhel]

Menelya rubbed the hand that had slapped Anwaelme, the palm stinging ever so slightly. The other women gathered around Menelya and began to try to fuss over her. Menelya shoved the nearest to her, leaving the ring of what felt like buzzing bees. The bees gasped as one of their own fell into the others and Menelya left. She heard words like "The nerve...", "...hard blow...", "...utter humiliation...", but she payed no attention to the twittering dolts as she moved away.

Menelya realized that she still had her jaw clenched tightly. Her teeth and gums were starting to hurt. She made an effort to open her jaw a bit to relieve the headache that also seemed to be coming on. Releasing her jaw helped all but the throbbing behind her temple. She knew that was not from her clenched teeth. By the Vala, why did the girl do things like this to her?

Menelya looked around the camp. Anwaelme had vanished, as was right to do. How could the girl be so heartless? However, Menelya found this nagging feeling in the back of her mind. Could it be? Was Menelya feeling pride? Yes, it was: Anwaelme had proven she could get what she wanted. Anwaelme was as resourceful as her mother. It was something that Menelya would have done in Anwaelme's position in her youth. Anwaelme certainly was much like her mother...

No, it was wrong. It destroyed the whole arrangement. Now, not only was Melost gone, but hardly any man would marry Anwaelme now, once word travelled around, as it was bound to do with the cackling crows that were here at camp.

Menelya looked over and saw Thelian sitting with his head in his hands and a concerned Dorlas attempting to comfort him. Menelya knew not why, but she went over and sat next to Thelian and Dorlas. It felt good to not be alone in her misery anymore. Now, many others felt dreadful in the lives they led. Menelya selfishly hoped that this misery could stay for some time, so she would not be alone anymore.