[Annunfuiniel]

Annunfuin stretched his back and then rubbed his tense shoulders. He was no young lad
anymore and this was one of those moments when he got painful reminders of that fact. He had found a decent spot for himself and his night-blue stallion Fëadûr in one of the deserted cottages. The horse was part of the shadows like his master and they shared a common longing for peace and quiet as well. But still Annunfuin had decided that it would be best to camp at the south fringes of the town square and keep the other members of this quest in sight.

Annunfuin dug a shallow dip for the camp fire and soon the flames started to illuminate the small shack. He prepared some porridge and added in dried meat and beans. The meal was simple but Annunfuin considered it almost luxorious under the circumstances. Warmth, food and couple sips of water restored his strength and he thought it was time to look around. He had changed his black uniform for dark grey garments and a moss-green cloak. "You will be in charge here while I’m away, Fëadûr", said Annunfuin to his stallion and grinned when the horse wagged its head as if nodding. He left his gear in Fëadûr’s trusted care and took only his sword with him as he stepped out to the street.

Shadows were steadily growing longer and deeper but small fires here and there lighted up the greyness. Annunfuin had thought he might go to speak with Cartil Stone, the other Gondorian which King Elessar had sent on this mission. Annunfuin couldn't help but wonder why his King hadn't told him that an emissary had already been sent. He had felt somewhat uneasy reciting King's words after Cartil had handed his parchment. But now he could see that Cartil was absorbed in conversation with his sister and he didn't have the heart to disturb their shared moment. Annunfuin sighed.
It would be nice to have someone that close to talk to. Dark shade swept over his face and he turned away from that sight to walk to the opposite direction.

Annunfuin had wandered off from the town center. He preferred the lonely dusty streets to the camp fires and lively conversations. His steps led him finally to the borders of Calembel where nature had taken back what once belonged to it; undergrowth had swampt the street and earth seemed to have swallowed the tree structures. Stones from the walls had lost their sharp shapes and fixed places as parts of structure and appeared as if they had never been worked by men. Annunfuin felt a sudden urge to lie down and let nature take him too, use his body as a bed for new life.
But no, now is not the time. Not yet. While I might be of some use here. He forced himself out of these thoughts and smiled cheerlessly. He knew he wasn't that old and as a warrior he was at his best; skilled and as strong as ever but considerate. But he felt that this was going to change soon, too soon...

All of a sudden Annunfuin heard a voice from his left. His hand was on the hilt of his sword before the thought of that action had formed in his mind. He had walked quietly all the way but now he really started to move like a haunting spirit. His soft leather boots made no sound as he drew near the place he thought the voice came from. And then, from behind some rocks and trees, he saw Laurel in her silvery robe. She was praying and the power of the ancient words enchanted Annunfuin. For a while he thought he saw not a young girl but a queen from the past, mighty and beautiful as an elf with a fine golden band gracing her head. "Free my heart from the shadow, and let it bask in the light of the moon". Those words hit right in Annunfuin's heart. But then her words faded into the wind as the last beams of sunlight disappeared and the vision was gone. Annunfuin shook his head as if to shrugg of a spell, took a deep breath and spoke in a gentle voice: "You pray as the queens of old Milady".

Laurel turned around faster than a lightning and tried to see who had caught her unguarded. "Show yourself", she hissed and Annunfuin trod away from the shadows. "I'm sorry, Milady, I didn't mean to disturb you and I only ended up here by coincidence. I was seeking solitude myself... But I heard your voice and it enchanted me." He paused, then continued: "And I meant what I said." Laurel's face reflected no emotion as she took on the mask she seemed to bear all the time. But Annunfuin knew better now for her voice had revealed the truth. And he knew also that Laurel had tried to read his thoughts while they first met. He had hiddden his true nature behind formal manners and proud words but now he felt obliged to let her see his soul as he had just seen hers. His dark grey eyes met with Laurel's sparkling green ones and for a while no words were spoken aloud. "If I had a daughter she would most likely be quite like you", Annunfuin thought. And he allowed a slight smile grew on his face as he realized he had said this thought aloud. This was something Laurel really had not expected him to say and Annunfuin saw an amazed look on her eyes before she had time to disguise it. "And once there was a time when I thought that my prayers would be answered..." When his voice failed he turned his face away from Laurel and stood in silence. His eyes watched the kindling stars but all he could feel was how the darkness within him spread like a poison in his veins.

[ March 18, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]