[Amanaduial the archer]

Arthain frowned at his friend, wondering about the elfs depression. Melost was not an elf to waste words, but he had never seen him so depressed seeming. He laid a hand on his friends arm and Melost seemed to jerk out of his thoughts, looking up at Arthain and seeming to take a moment to realise who he was. Then he looked away again.

"Tell me..." he murmered.

The elf looked like he might just gloss it over with one of his elusive smiles, but Arthain knew him too well. He sighed. "I fear death, foolish I know for one of the Eldar, yet fear it I do. I foresee my death in this great under-taking of our Lords and I fear it! The halls of Mandos hold no appeal for me, I desire life and it's wonders too greatly to have them slip away so needlessly..."

Arthain frowned again. Needless? Not needless, surely. Is this how the elves are thinking, that if they have to join with men, they really have to be desperate... Melosts next line put thoughts of the alliance out of his head though.

"Enough! Tell me of your family...how do they fare?"

Now it was the mans turn to look away, biting his lip. Melost realised he had said something wrong and winced slightly, and he looked inquiringly at his friend. Arthain took a swig of his wine and looked directly at his friend, his eyes seemingly hard now, but Melost could see the emotion swirling beneath this false cover.

"Theyre dead." The man answered, his eyes as hard as the false cover he covered his emotions with.
"What?" Melost had been almost expecting it, knew it had been happening to so many, but he couldnt believe it.
"Dont make me repeat it, Melost." Arthains voice was softer now and he looked away now. Arthain hadnt shed tears for years, but his friends sharp eyes could see how his eyes shone with tears. "Wild men attacked. It wasnt even personal, they just....hewed them down where they lay. And I...I wasnt even there with them. I didnt protect them, Melost."

"Ah, Arthain...I am so sorry..." Melost didnt know what to say. He touched the mannish soldiers arm lightly and Arthain looked back, a small tight smile on his face as he wiped his eyes. He threw the remanants of his wine into the fire, making it momentarily spark blue.

"What could you have done, friend? Anyway, this is what we're fighting for. This is what I will fight for, and this is what I am determined to win for." His voice and eyes had a harder edge and Melost could see that the man was determined, and Arthain was; with every nerve in his body he was determined that he would avenge his wife and son, even if he died trying.

"And I will help you."

Arthain looked with gratitude at his elvish friend. Melost had always been loyal to him, and he knew how unusual it was for an elf to be so loyal to a man. He clasped his friends hand and smiled at him. "Thankyou friend." He sighed and tried to revive the conversation. "Anyway Melost, how goes your life? Found a pretty elf maid?" He teased.

[ March 19, 2003: Message edited by: Amanaduial the archer ]