Late afternoon found them well on their way and the ladies, despite their earlier protests at being taken from their luxuries in Imladris, actually seemed to be enjoying themselves. The fresh air and clear skies had improved their spirits immensely and to Melost's great relief, they all appeared to be excellent riders. Anwenelme rode slightly ahead of he and Arthain and he could not help but admire her as she sat her horse confidently, she even occasionally drifted over to speak briefly with her mother, who glanced over at Melost with a twinkle in her eye. Melost sighed deeply. He could put it off no longer.
"Arthain, I entrust the mountain-side to your keen eyes, my friend. I need to speak with Anwenelme privately. Arthain's interest was piqued by the strain in Melosts's voice, but he chose to remain silent and merely nodded. Melost urged his horse forward to ride beside that of Anwenelme. She smiled at him slyly as he came up beside her. "Would you care for a race, my lord? My lovely here is more than ready for some excitement!" She leaned down and stroked the silken mane and the horse danced sideways. Anwenelme controlled him easily and brought him back to Melost's side. "You are a magnificent horse-woman, beloved. The match of any of Gil-galad's cavalry I deem." He started to reach out to her, then thought better of it. "We need to speak of the future Anwenelme, yours and mine. I...have given it much thought and I feel it would be best if we waited until this final battle is..." He got no further, for he was stopped by a resounding slap. He wheeled to face her and he was taken aback by the ice-cold fury that met his gaze and her face had gone absolutely white. "How dare you! How dare you tell me this after all the years I have waited endlessly for you?" She turned to ride off, but he reached down and snatched the reins from her hands.
"Listen to me woman...and this time, hear me! I love you...I love you more than my own life. Yet what kind of husband would I be that leaves his wife so soon for the halls of Mandos? I have foreseen my death, Anwenelme! Therefore how can I do this to you?" She was trembling and he felt as though his world had just been destroyed, yet he pressed on. "Should I by some chance be spared, it would be my greatest honour to take you as my wife, but as it stands..."
She smiled at him coldly as tears unshed sparkled in her eyes. "Melost the Honourable, Melost the Gracious, Melost the Fool! You have taken my hopes and dashed them into innumerabls shards. I can never forgive you!" She spat the words at him and he released the reins to her. She gathered them up, turned and raced away toward the back of the company, the sound of her sobs ringing in his ears.
Melost felt as though he had been dealt a fatal spear-thrust as he looked up into the setting sun. He knew he should call a halt for the night, but his mind had gone totally numb with pain...He tried to find solace in petitioning Manwe, but for the first time, his prayers would not come.
[ July 03, 2003: Message edited by: Cuthalion ]
|