[Nurumaiel]

Prim watched the retreating bandits through blurry eyes. "THANK YOU!" she shouted at the top of her voice, and then sat down and burst into tears. There was comfort all around for her, but it didn't help. Her pony was gone, her beloved pony, and she felt like she was a terrible leader.

When all her tears were gone, she looked for the first time around her, and saw that many were wounded and Pearl was tending to them. Looking up, she saw Mel and the children approaching, Mel leaning on Sam.

"Melilot!" she cried, jumping up and running forward. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," said Mel through her clenched teeth.

Sam helped Melilot sit on the ground, where Prim began tending to the wound. "Pearl seems to be the best of us at this," she said as she worked, "but she appears to be rather busy. I think I could do all right at this. I've taken care of my family's ponies many times when they've been hurt like this." Suddenly tears came to her eyes.

"It's all right, Prim," said Melilot. "I'm sure he's okay."

Prim smiled and gave her friend a quick hug. "You're the best, Mel," she said. "All I did was mention the ponies, and you knew I was thinking about my own sweet boy."

"He'll be all right," said Mel again.

"There we go," said Prim, standing up. She turned to the others. "Let's put those more seriously injured and unable to walk in the back of the wagon," she said. "Biffo, can you hitch another pony up to the wagon. Children, you'll have to walk now."

Prim assisted Mel to the wagon and helped her in, then in turn Annabell, and then with Pearl's help Olo. "Crystal, are you all right to walk?" she asked.

The lass nodded bravely.

"None of the wounds seem to be that serious," said Prim, "but I think it would be best to stop at an inn for the night. There's an inn along the way to Michel Delving. We'll set out now and try to get there as quickly as possible. Let's go."