I cannot look up. If I do, I am lost. I will be devoured by the darkness. The Grinding Ice groans and creaks beneath our feet.
“Please! Please, please!” Cries all too common in this air, and I do not have a word of comfort to spare. Some lay would never rise, those who could not bear the loss of their loved ones. They would lay down and never awaken. The Light left them, and they became corpse flesh.
The cries were shrill. The wind rips through my hair.
The cold freezes our hearts. Once, I would have mourned with the griever. Now I do not shed a tear.
The voice died away into low sobs, and I still stand, unmoved, my eyes strained for the end, the outskirts of this dark land, but I cannot find it. It was only ruins, pathless peaks and tracks …show more content…
Findaráto looks at me, “So many dreams have been lost.” he answered. “So many lives.”
“It was their choice,” I say angrily. There is no need to bring guilt here.
“Yea and honor is longer than life. So lo! we would not turn back, even when we knew the price and who would pay it.”
I am silent, and at last Findaráto speaks. “Keep a stout heart, sister.”
“By winter all shall wither,” I say softly, striving to keep my voice level. I see those who are paying our blood-price. The Helcaraxë demands a fee of corpses and of tears, and it is being paid in full measure.
“But spring’s rebirth is sure,” he answered, and I see this summer child, born of hope into hope, in the golden light of the Trees.
“Is it?” I ask. I am strong. I shall endure this and come out the stronger. But shall I find spring in my heart? Helcaraxë has also charged those who will survive. Our hearts grow colder. Our blood beats not the same. Shall I carry on, become Queen?
Shall I name myself Power, and make myself slave? I do not know where that thought comes from, and I look to my brother in question.
“You can come through the morn only through the shadows,” he says and walks away, leaving me to my
“Please! Please, please!” Cries all too common in this air, and I do not have a word of comfort to spare. Some lay would never rise, those who could not bear the loss of their loved ones. They would lay down and never awaken. The Light left them, and they became corpse flesh.
The cries were shrill. The wind rips through my hair.
The cold freezes our hearts. Once, I would have mourned with the griever. Now I do not shed a tear.
The voice died away into low sobs, and I still stand, unmoved, my eyes strained for the end, the outskirts of this dark land, but I cannot find it. It was only ruins, pathless peaks and tracks …show more content…
Findaráto looks at me, “So many dreams have been lost.” he answered. “So many lives.”
“It was their choice,” I say angrily. There is no need to bring guilt here.
“Yea and honor is longer than life. So lo! we would not turn back, even when we knew the price and who would pay it.”
I am silent, and at last Findaráto speaks. “Keep a stout heart, sister.”
“By winter all shall wither,” I say softly, striving to keep my voice level. I see those who are paying our blood-price. The Helcaraxë demands a fee of corpses and of tears, and it is being paid in full measure.
“But spring’s rebirth is sure,” he answered, and I see this summer child, born of hope into hope, in the golden light of the Trees.
“Is it?” I ask. I am strong. I shall endure this and come out the stronger. But shall I find spring in my heart? Helcaraxë has also charged those who will survive. Our hearts grow colder. Our blood beats not the same. Shall I carry on, become Queen?
Shall I name myself Power, and make myself slave? I do not know where that thought comes from, and I look to my brother in question.
“You can come through the morn only through the shadows,” he says and walks away, leaving me to my