C.7
A little while later, the party made to move down the river, but first they needed to find a safe place to cross.
"The water is too deep here." Reneal said, riding his horse back to the bank where Gilrean and Estel waited with the Dùnedain. "I wonder if there is not a safer, shallower place down river, where we can walk our horses across. Gilrean stay here and help tend to the wounds that we may have overlooked. Estel and I will go look for a shallower crossing."
Estel followed, though he was reluctant to do so. He had not completely recovered from the long journey, or the memories that continued to haunt his sleep. Reneal spoke to him with respect and authority, but something about him made Estel tense.
He had caught the man looking toward him and his mother at odd moments with a strange look in his eye. And if they made eye contact, Reneal would always look away very quickly. It made Estel feel uneasy. He looked at his mother as he rode past, noting with some anxiety that she looked a little worried, too. There were still orcs behind them, so maybe that is what she fretted about. She had no reason to fear Reneal, as Estel had not wholly expressed his concern over the man.
Reneal woke Estel from his thoughts with a sharp comment. "Hurry up. We need to cross the river soon." With that, Estel quickly checked his saddle to be sure it was on right and climbed on Melian.
They quietly rode down the course of the river; each lost in his own thoughts. When they were far enough from the camp, Reneal stopped his horse. Estel brought Melian to a stop beside him. He looked thoughtful at the river.
It looked like it was wider and shallower, but it had many rocks that caused the water to run louder, making it harder to hear.
Reneal motioned that they should try to cross here. Estel looked doubtful but followed him. The horses were soon up to their hocks in foaming water, but many of the stones were lose and caused the horses to stumble.
They were forced to turn around and find another crossing.