Bewildered and shamed, Melost withdrew from Anwenelme's chamber and as he walked blindly down the quiet hall-ways in the light of a false dawn, Melost had a premonition. It seemed to him that he was in a wood, lying face-down in the mud. The face of a dark-haired man stared down at him, then he blacked out. Am I dreaming of my death, of lying wounded in battle? Where is Arthain?" Melost shook his head as he struggled to return to his senses. He wandered outside into the crystal-clear air, a pale yellow light had just started to tint the edges of the surrounding hills.
Altogether, it was a most serene and peaceful sight, yet it brought no comfort to the soul of Melost. He slumped down beneath a spreading willow tree without knowing how he had gotten there. "Have I been that cruel?" he asked the emptiness around him, "Have I brought that much pain to the one who I carry above all in my heart? If indeed this be so, then I deserve death, for nothing I can ever do or say will wipe the memory of this from her mind. It is plain to me now that I will not survive this war, therefore the only honourable act left to me, is to set her free."
Having reached this conclusion, Melost's orderly mind grasped for the first thing that would help him maintain his sanity. He decided to seek out Arthain. Above all, he wanted his friend to know that he held no ill-will in his heart toward him and that should Melost fall in battle, he wanted him to know his last wishes. Melost gazed up into the quickly lightening sky and sighed. "My beloved Middle Earth...it seems I will leave you soon. Will you miss the life that I have lived, will you mourn for me as I will long for you?" He closed his eyed briefly, then got to his feet. The sound of horses, hundreds of them resounded through the valley. His pulse quickened instinctively and his heart surged at the sight of one of Gil-galad's mounted companies going through manuevers, with the High King himself in full armour leading them himself. The riders and their mounts flowed together over the grass, liquid as a school of fish and Melost could have wept with the beauty of it.
"Ah, Valar! Must these whom I have fought with and loved as brothers join those that have gone before in the dark halls of Mandos? he thought as he watched the spectacle before him. A warm hand closed on his shoulder suddenly and he froze. "Melost, they are incredible!" said Arthain softly in an awe-filled voice. Melost smiled sadly. "Aye, my friend... and you have become Elf-quiet, to slip up on me like that. It is good to have you here. I have something to tell you..."
Arthain drew away and looked at melost with concern. He opened his mouth to speak, but Melost staid him. "Arthain, this I will tell you, for I can tell no one else and you are dearer than a brother to me." He walked a few paces away to gather his thoughts. "I have foreseen my death, therefore, it remains to me now to set my life in order." He turned, his eyes bright as they took in his friend's shocked expression. "I cannot marry the Lady Anwanelme, not if it will leave her so soon bereft a husband, therefore when I am dead, return this to her." He pulled from his tunic the beautifully inlaid stone she had given him at their betrothal. "Tell her that I haev treasured it as I treasured the thought of our lives together, but that it is not to be. Say nothing of this to her, I beg you. Let me tell her, for this parting will be a grievous one, I fear."
Arthian moved to his side and though no words of comfort would come to his mind, he reached out and embraced Melost roughly. "These are heavy tidings you have for me this day, old friend. I will honour your request and say nothing to her of this." Melost thanked him and they strode away, Arthain to finish his preparations, Melost to see that all with in readiness with their charges.
[ June 23, 2003: Message edited by: Cuthalion ]
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