[mark12_30]

Weak. Weak, foolish, and useless. She buried her face in her hands, mortified by the Ranger's sympathy, and her body went rigid.

She was used to rebuke, and it would have strengthened her at least for the moment, at least until she could have found some time alone with her Mellondu. He always understood...

The magnitude of her loss struck her hard, and Ravion stood by as Mellonin stifled and strangled her sobs.

Raefindan appeared with another cup of hot tea. Mellonin laughed amid her tears and accepted it, wiping her face and fighting for composure. He carried another, and offered it to Ravion who shook his head. "They're colder than I am."

She caught her breath, and looked up over her hands at the boy who had just narrowly escaped drowning, or having his arm pulled off, or worse, and thought of her brother. Were they so different? Yes-- and no. And that arrogant wretch cared more for his horse. Indignation fought with embarassment. "Is Aeron all right?" she asked Ravion.

"He will be sore for many days, " Ravion said grimly.

"Poor Aeron, " she replied. Her voice still shook and she wanted to run off and be alone. But that was no longer a choice.

It would be some time now before she would let the others out of her sight.