Belegos stared at Estarfin in astonishment and confusion as he stormed out of the Hall. He watched him as he flung the great doors open and slammed them shut behind him. The noise caused who was left in the Hall to cease what they were doing and turn to see what the commotion was about. Silence loomed for a moment, but then most decided that it was just a disagreement that had been fuelled by Sogadan and returned to their business. Belegos fidgeted uncomfortably and pretended to adjust his glove. He could feel the rage radiate from the elf-maid to his left. Danel had not said a word since Estarfin had departed from them in anger. She was tall and proud, wise and beautiful, a true child of the Noldor. Belegos turned to look at her and he saw a fire in her eyes that he had not seen before. It smouldered away, betraying her thoughts until she drew in a long, deep breath and said, "I fear for Estarfin. Some wounds of the past can never be fully healed." There was more than a hint of sadness in her voice. Belegos shook his head and looked back down the length of the Hall. "He is becoming worse." He told her.
Belegos fixed his stare on the man. He had done nothing wrong, caused no offence, but by simply being in Elrond's Halls he had angered some of the Noldor that had earlier been present. He felt a slight of pity for him that he should be unknowingly treated in such a way, but moreso felt ashamed that his own kind should, after all the time that had passed, still harbored such hate for a race such as them. For men were not wholly evil and nor were they wholly good.
Danel knew this. That was why it was she who had welcomed the stranger into the Hall. It transpired that the man was in no mood for company, and politely returned to his own thoughts, but his mere prescence had angered Estarfin chiefly amongst others. Hesitantly she asked Belegos, "Should I go to him?"
"No," he replied. "It would be best to wait until morning. He will find comfort in Sogadan's wares tonight. Leave him be."
