Friends of Nimrodel: Tapestry of Dreams

[Nurumaiel]

Argeleafa's feet were weary, and oh! such a fierce pain was in her head! Yet fear prompted her to struggle on, her trembling arms striving to hold the girl above the ground. She did not know the woman who ran with her, but mingled with her tears of fear and pain were tears of gratitude, that she did not have to run alone. Just barely could she hold the girl with a companion helping her; how much more difficult would it be if she were alone? It would be impossible. And also she was grateful for Bellyn, who, at her own cost, more than likely, though Leafa could not see, was keeping the horrible creatures away.

Blood was flowing down her neck, yet she hardly noticed it. She could hear cries, but dimly, through a wild roaring. Her eyes were blurred, and not only from tears. Her feet were barely stumbling on. Fear of the pursuers, and determination to bring the girl and herself to safety, lent wings of an odd sort to her feet. Wings just strong enough to lift her feet above the ground so she did not fall from exhaustion, but hardly strong enough to make her fly. How her side ached from running! She hardly noticed it for the pain in her ear. What had happened to her? Why did her head ache so furiously? Ache? Nay, it was burning, burning with a horrible fire.

Dimly, so very dimly ahead could she see the forms of men. Oh, would that Ædegard was there to help Bellyn fight off the creatures, and then take her and comfort her! And would that Liornung was there with his strong, noble heart! But she could not see. Things were growing dimmer. What if the figures ahead were not men, but more of the creatures, and they were running into a deadly fate?

Her stride became uneven, and her left foot gave a sudden twist. Nearly she fell, but in desparation she steadied herself and ran on. Her gait felt unnatural now; her left foot sunk low when it hit the ground, and sent pains running up her. She did not care.

They came slowly closer to the dim figures awaiting them.