Heart of Flame: A Tale Of Sauron

The Doom

Luimëníssë roused to wakefulness, blinking up at the stars shimmering through the spiny boughs of pines. The fresh coldness of the north gusted through the little dell. In their state of eternal night, it felt like what had happened between her and Curvo was a hazy dream.

The musky furs of his bedroll crushed under her bare skin as she curved towards the fire. Curvo had built up the flames and gathered more dry kindling. He was strapping his sword and knife around his narrow hips, thick hair tied in a hasty queue at the root of his neck, the strands grazing his lower back. His breath misted to clouds in the frosty air.

Despite the oddness of their rushed union, her time with Curvo had left her raw nerves alight. She felt alive for the first time since the Kinslaying. The one time she had lain with Rembano, it had been so rushed, she hadn't been able to truly enjoy it.

But with Curvo, it was different. As attentive to detail in bed as he was in the forge, he left her feeling luminous, blood humming with heat. Curvo had treated her like an intricate foil and gem, savoring the time it took to make her shine.

"I must get back to my father's encampment for a meeting with my brothers," he spoke hurriedly without looking at her, throwing his now returned cloak around his shoulders. "Will you..."

"...will I?"

He met her eyes tentatively, his mouth in a hard frown. "Will you still..."

"Will I be here when you return?"

He nodded solemnly, fearful questions lingering in his eyes. Luimëníssë pursed her lips. Naked with her hair swaying to her waist, she rose from furs and pulled him close, the edges of his cloak enveloping them both as he wrapped his arms around her. She pressed a toying kiss to his lips, his mouth seeking after hers with a wry smirk.

"I will be waiting."

"Very well, wife," he replied, capturing her mouth till she felt flushed to the soles of her feet.

After he left, however, being alone with her thoughts proved impossible. Doubtless, Artanis and her brother were wondering after her. She gnawed on her lower lip, her mind racing. She wondered if her decisions had been made in haste, thoughtless to their consequences. But Curvo was her last card to play unless she wanted to return to Aman humbled. But she did not feel humble, she felt prideful and indignant, the Noldor blood finally revealing itself in her for the first time in her life.

She was owed by Curvo for what had happened to her family. They needed protection and aid in the new world, he would provide that. Love wasn't a part of this transaction for her, despite how she yearned for his touch. This was a necessary and practical partnership. Very necessary, especially now.

Shivering, she swiftly dressed to go see her brother and cousin. Artanis was nowhere to be seen as she entered the warm glow of the encampment. Her brother was busy with her cousin Ingoldo who was giving him further instruction in archery before a makeshift target, much like Náretarnon used to do. The sight pierced Luimëníssë like a spear to the chest.

She grasped the tree next to her, her head spinning. What had she done? Why had she pledged herself to a man who had aided in the slaughter of her people, her family? She was nothing, but a heartless snake.

A hand grabbed her upper arm and pulled her off to the side. Írissë glared down at her, being a couple inches taller. "Where have you been?"

Luimëníssë scoffed. This was the first time her cousin had spoken to her since the Kinslaying. "What does it matter to you?"

"Artanis said you've been meeting secretly with Curvo. Is this true?"

"I don't see why she felt it necessary to tell you anything-"