[Maegaladiel]

Nahai wobbled down the staircase, only half awake. The Inn seemed to be quiet this morning, and for that Nahai was glad. She had just gotten over a very emotional night, and was in no mood to deal with much more grief.

"Goodmorning, all," she called timidly as she entered the room. She wasn't sure how they would all react to her presence after last night. She smiled as she saw her friends Annalalath and Morwyn, already awake (somewhat) and eating breakfast.

"How did you sleep?" asked Morwyn, the bags beneath her eyes hinting at little rest. Nahai merely shrugged. The dark circles under her own eyes spoke loudly of an ill-spent night. Restless, she had wasted many hours pacing her floor like a caged animal. She had almost felt at home here in the Dragon, where people seemed to care about her as a person, not as a Beorning. The murder convictions of last night forced reality back to her like a troll's fist in the gut: she was still one of a feared race, and she could never truly be accepted among elves and men.

The night had also brought forth further memories of the last time she had allowed the hate of others to bring her to tears. It was before Celecu dissapeared. She had fallen into his arms, weeping long and hard, her forehead pressed against his shoulder. She could still feel his strong arms around her, hear his liquid voice comforting her. She had seen his face in her mind, felt the gentle caress of his hand against her cheek, wiping away her tears. She had drawn strength from, allowing him to soothe her emotional wounds. That was the last time she had a shoulder to cry on. Times like these made her long for him even more.

Three times she had reached to her belt for his wooden flute, forgetting that she no longer possessed it. So instead, she played with the silver strand of bells around her wrist, each one giving forth a sound that no longer laughter as much as they did silver teardrops.

"Coffee?" asked Aman, pulling her from her thoughts. She nodded, hoping the drink would wake her from her weariness and push yesterday from her mind.