[VanimaEdhel]

Menelduliniel watched, helpless as Estelarion climbed out with the small Hobbit and the others aided Volondil. Her mouth opened and closed a few times, but no words would come out.

"Menelduliniel?" Estelarion said, standing close to her and putting his hand on her arm. She finally turned and looked at him.

"I...you...it..." Menelduliniel studdered. She finally took a deep breath and managed to say, "That could have been the death of all three of you. Y-you could have died."

"Menelduliniel!" Estelarion said, surprised, "You have been in greater danger than this. Why do you fear this small mishap?"

"Look at Volondil," Menelduliniel whispered. Estelarion turned and looked at Volondil on the ground, being comforted by Holly as he turned in a feverish sleep.

"Yes, it was a great fortune that he did not perish in that pit," Estelarion said.

"That is what I mean," Menelduliniel said, desperately, "He could have met his death. You could have done so as well...I could not bear to lose more friends."

"You must not let this be your undoing, Menelduliniel," Estelarion said, comfortingly, still a bit startled that Menelduliniel was acting so strangely, "We will meet more peril along the way on this journey. You must not let this happen to you each time we face danger."

"Ai!" Menelduliniel exclaimed, looking at poor Poppy. The small Hobbit stirred a bit.

"She should soon wake," Estelarion said, "She was not badly injured. Why do you not go to her? A comforting face would be most helpful in her recovery if she woke to it."

Menelduliniel sighed and went over to the small Hobbit. She looked at the small figure and silently lamented that such innocence should be brought into such danger.

"Why could Hobbits not be content at home?" Menelduliniel whispered aloud to the slumbering Hobbit, "Why did you need to travel abroad? You are so precious to this Earth...why could you not just be happy with the lifestyle you led? Why did you need more."

As she spoke, Menelduliniel realized that she was sounding more and more like a hypocrite. All she was accusing Poppy of had been her downfall as well. She silenced herself and sat by the Hobbit, waiting for her to awake.

*****

Meanwhile, Estelarion went over to Holly. He was happy his diversion had worked. This would quiet Menelduliniel down for a while and keep her out of their way while they had a chance to heal Volondil, who obviously had the worst injury.

"Is there nothing I can do?" Estelarion asked, worried.

"All we can do is wait for supplies," Holly replied, not letting go of poor Volondil or taking her eyes off of him, "We should be able to save him if they get here in time. If not..." she trailed off.

Estelarion sat on the ground next to Volondil and prayed that supplies would arrive in time.