Heart of Flame: A Tale Of Sauron

The Choice

Something startled Luimëníssë from her rest. A stirring deep within that she could not name. Her dreams had been filled with sparks, a heavy hammer striking a black anvil. It put to mind her dear older brother with his gentle spirit. Rembano with his passionate vision for a more orderly world. Even Curvo, intelligent, midnight eyes coolly appraising his work, searching for flaws. The same eyes that had filled with fire then faded to sorrow as she had emerged from the lake.

The thing rose up in her till she felt full of it, rising from her bedroll to stare bleary eyed at her brother. She gazed across the small tent that had been pitched over them, sheltering them from the bitter winds coming down from the Helcaraxë. Vantaro was curled up next to Artanis, the golden haired maiden resting finally after days on her feet, running from her dreams. Luimëníssë sunk into hers willingly, using them like a magic spell that erased everything that had occurred since the Trees were destroyed.

Vantaro whimpered, clutching his bow tightly in his small hands. Though his body remained small, the size elf children normally were at six years, his spirit had aged in a matter of days. He was wiser, more a small ellon now than boy child. He hadn't innocently called her nésaya since he had been told of their family's fate, rather used her mother name like everyone else. But his wisdom was born of tragedy, not the natural progression of the years as it was with elves. She wondered how different his life would now look because of it. 

Regardless, she would have to leave her dreams behind. Her questions about why it had happened, what if it hadn't, all of it she needed to bury within her spirit. It wasn't only her survival that mattered now, she knew it then in the still night. Vantaro depended on her as well. There was much more she was responsible for, things she didn't understand yet.

A scruffy sound like heavy breathing through a thick snout came from outside the tent wall. Rising from her bedroll, she pulled Curvo's cloak over her shoulders and ventured outside. At first she thought it was a bear and drew back with a gasp, recalling Curvo's warning of the dangers of the wild. Shaggy and grey, nearly the size of a filly, it lifted it's perceptive gaze towards her and blew hotly out it's nose. It was a hound, one of the great ones that belonged to the Vala Oromë. She had heard tell of them, but had never seen one this close.

It nodded it's massive head towards the forest, eyes piercing her with their awareness. She knew then that the animal meant for her to follow. Pulling the hood up around her ears, she followed the hound into the night.

The faint glow of a fire shone out from a sheltered dell, ancient trees and standing stones shielding the rough grass from the wind. A lone figure stood with his back to her as he tossed shards of kindling into the flames. The hound had vanished into the black. She halted outside the ring of light.

The ellon moved to the other side of the flames. His shoulders hunched. Alert eyes scanned the surrounding trees. Curvo had sensed her presence before she could call attention to herself. His hand went to the short knife at his hip and drew it out slowly, his gaze narrowing.

Luimëníssë padded quietly into the light, the fire's glow luminous against her thick, silver braid as she removed the hood. Gently, she grasped Curvo's hand that held the knife and lowered it back into it's sheath with the whispering scrape of fine metal.

"You won't need that, I promise."

He exhaled a heavy breath through his nose, his lips tight as he peered down at her. "Why didn't you speak sooner? I could have hurt you."

"But you didn't." She moved towards the fire and sat beside it. "You are far from your father's camp. Why are you out here all alone?"

"I need somewhere quiet to think when my father and brothers do not require my presence. I've always been like this." He tossed another stick on the fire. "I like being alone."