The Eye of His Dark Majesty

Dance of Blades

The smell of saltwater drifted in the air, mingling with the earthy scent of damp wood as the ship groaned beneath my feet. The cold morning breeze bit at my skin, and the distant cries of seagulls echoed across the waves. Sunlight flickered on the horizon, casting a pale glow over the restless sea, while the ship cut through the water, its bow slicing cleanly through the blue-gray expanse.

The tang of salt lingered on my tongue as I tasted the ocean air, my fingers tracing the worn surface of the wooden railing. Around me, the crew moved purposefully, adjusting sails and securing ropes, their voices a muted noise against the constant rhythm of the sea. Armor clinked as soldiers prepared the holsters to set out into the unknown, their faces hardened with determination.

I stood at the edge, eyes fixed on the horizon, my thoughts as turbulent as the waves crashing below. A familiar voice broke the silence behind me.

"I should've known you'd find a way to get yourself into the thick of things," Isildur said, his voice a mix of teasing and genuine worry. There was no judgment, just the protective tone of someone who had known me for most of my life. His eyes softened as he met my gaze, and I could feel his hesitation, the words he wasn't quite ready to say hanging between us.

"You always seem to catch me at the edge of things," I replied, smiling despite the worry in my chest.

Isildur chuckled, leaning against the railing next to me, his arm brushing mine as if offering silent reassurance. "I'm not the one always seeking out danger. You've changed, Rena, but some things never do." He paused, his gaze dropping to the deck for a moment. "I wasn't expecting to see you here. Not on this ship. What are you doing here?"

I bit my lip, glancing out at the horizon, the waves crashing far below. "I wasn't expecting it either," I confessed, my voice softer. "But I have my reasons. Duties to uphold."

Isildur's brow furrowed, and I could feel his concern deepen. "What duty could possibly compel you to come here, to join us in this fight?" His tone wasn't harsh, but it carried an edge of disbelief. "This isn't a journey or an adventure, Morena. This is war. And people—good people—are going to die."

I exhaled slowly, trying to ease the knot forming in my chest. I knew he cared for me but was it so hard to believe that I could help defend our people just as much as he? "Galadriel requested me. Besides I'm not a child anymore. I can't just stay behind and wait while everyone I care about marches into the darkness."

He shook his head, clearly unconvinced. "I know you want to help but you're not a soldier, Rena. This isn't about protecting Galadriel. She can protect herself. I know you. There's something more. Something you're not telling me"

I tried to muster a teasing smile, though it felt hollow. "Since when do you know me better than I know myself?"

Isildur's face softened, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Since the day I first realized I couldn't protect you from everything." His gaze held mine, and for a fleeting moment, the years between us seemed to fade, and I saw the boy I used to spar with in the training yards. The boy who'd stood by my side, no matter how reckless I'd been.

I sighed, placing my hand over his. "You don't need to protect me anymore. I've made my choice, Isil. I know the risks, but I need to be here. For myself, for my family." My voice caught, but I forced the words out. "For Numenor."

His eyes searched mine, something flickering behind them—uncertainty, fear, but also a deep, unspoken affection. He tightened his grip on my hand, his expression serious. "Then just promise me one thing." He paused, his voice barely above a whisper. "Promise me you'll stay safe."

I met his gaze, feeling the weight of the promise he was asking for. "I can't promise that" I said, shaking my head. "But I can promise you this: I'll fight with everything I have."