To everyone's surprise, Celedhan led the elves on horse. News of the trouble in the east was spreading, and the aged veteran wished to see for himself what trouble the elves would be facing.
Dorain had elected to ride with the company for reasons of her own. She was supposed to have returned to her command patrolling the Black Wood but had another sent in her place. Belloc had wondered at this, though he was gladdened that she and Lily seemed to have become intimate friends.
Lily, for her part, seemed to have shaken off the effects of the past few days, although her aspect had become more thoughtful. Despite this, it was apparent that the love she and her husband shared had taken on a more mature and confident note, and none who saw them were unaffected by their happiness.
When Lily had first appeared riding her white horse, she had drawn many surprised and abashed looks of frank incredulity, for those elves that saw her well knew what the gift of a horse such as Danin meant. Celedhan, who was waiting beside Belloc, had chuckled and said, "Now let's see who would dare be so mean of spirit."
As the company crossed the bridge, they were led by Belloc and Celedhan, followed by Dorain and Brogan, who themselves seemed to have reached some sort of grudging truce. Next came Anest and Lily, who, if they had known it, appeared as though they were the antithesis of each other. Next came the remainder of Brogan's command, followed by the elven warriors. They soon crossed the White River and vanished into the Black Wood on the other side like a pebble tossed