The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - The Lonely Star -- Chapter 4

piosenniel · 10-18-2002, 01:38 AM

Pio stepped back from his embrace.

'This, then, is your counsel to me? That I should not be shackled by concern for you?' Her voice was ragged with emotion and a hollow laugh escaped her. 'Then better would it have been had you left Tulë in my place. He would have fought fearlessly at your side and with concern only for the successful completion of this task. And had you fallen, he would have sung your praises as a momentary hero, when all was done, and then sailed West.'

Tears threatened at the corners of her eyes, and she fought them back. 'That is "fearless" for you, Mithadan, and "unshackled concern".'

She turned from him and gripped the railing hard. The cold moon and silent stars offered no consolation as they shone on her face. She sought for some small measure of composure to return. 'I am bound to you, by my freely given choice,' she whispered, 'in the circles of this world and for whatever lies beyond. That is a quick, hard lesson, now. I had not thought to think of losing you so soon.'

He turned her toward him, and placed his fingers beneath her downturned chin, raising her face to meet his gaze. She thought that he might kiss her, and she turned her face from his.

‘Kisses cannot take away this painful knowledge.’ she said in an even tone, ‘Nor can my tears.’ She breathed deeply, and turned her face back to his. A certain resolve flickered behind her eyes, and then was hidden from his gaze.

‘I cannot be the fearless Piosenniel you have asked for, Mithadan. She died in Gondolin, and is no more.’ Her voice was steady and her gaze, now calm, held his. ‘I can be Piosenniel, tempered by fear, who fights by your side. And that will have to be enough for now.’

‘So be it.’ said Mithadan, in a low voice, pulling her into his embrace.

Ancalimon had come to stand watch, and as he passed them, standing there, he raised his arm and pointed toward the west. The obscuring clouds that gathered along the horizon had parted, and now, the evening star shone out, a tiny jewel, just above the lip of the dark sea.

‘Hail Eärendil!’ he called, in a clear voice.

Mithadan’s eyes sought the star in the darkness and smiled, his grey eyes reflecting its form and light. Pio’s eyes caught the twin images shining brightly in his and murmured softly, ‘. . . the looked for that comes unawares, the longed for that comes beyond hope.’

‘Come.’ she said, taking his hand. ‘Ancalimon will wake us should the need arise. Let us go to our rest. We will be safe in each others arms for at least this night, and I will take what measure of comfort from that as I may.’

[ October 21, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

10-18-2002, 01:38 AM	#232
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Pio stepped back from his embrace. 'This, then, is your counsel to me? That I should not be shackled by concern for you?' Her voice was ragged with emotion and a hollow laugh escaped her. 'Then better would it have been had you left Tulë in my place. He would have fought fearlessly at your side and with concern only for the successful completion of this task. And had you fallen, he would have sung your praises as a momentary hero, when all was done, and then sailed West.' Tears threatened at the corners of her eyes, and she fought them back. 'That is "fearless" for you, Mithadan, and "unshackled concern".' She turned from him and gripped the railing hard. The cold moon and silent stars offered no consolation as they shone on her face. She sought for some small measure of composure to return. 'I am bound to you, by my freely given choice,' she whispered, 'in the circles of this world and for whatever lies beyond. That is a quick, hard lesson, now. I had not thought to think of losing you so soon.' He turned her toward him, and placed his fingers beneath her downturned chin, raising her face to meet his gaze. She thought that he might kiss her, and she turned her face from his. ‘Kisses cannot take away this painful knowledge.’ she said in an even tone, ‘Nor can my tears.’ She breathed deeply, and turned her face back to his. A certain resolve flickered behind her eyes, and then was hidden from his gaze. ‘I cannot be the fearless Piosenniel you have asked for, Mithadan. She died in Gondolin, and is no more.’ Her voice was steady and her gaze, now calm, held his. ‘I can be Piosenniel, tempered by fear, who fights by your side. And that will have to be enough for now.’ ‘So be it.’ said Mithadan, in a low voice, pulling her into his embrace. Ancalimon had come to stand watch, and as he passed them, standing there, he raised his arm and pointed toward the west. The obscuring clouds that gathered along the horizon had parted, and now, the evening star shone out, a tiny jewel, just above the lip of the dark sea. ‘Hail Eärendil!’ he called, in a clear voice. Mithadan’s eyes sought the star in the darkness and smiled, his grey eyes reflecting its form and light. Pio’s eyes caught the twin images shining brightly in his and murmured softly, ‘. . . the looked for that comes unawares, the longed for that comes beyond hope.’ ‘Come.’ she said, taking his hand. ‘Ancalimon will wake us should the need arise. Let us go to our rest. We will be safe in each others arms for at least this night, and I will take what measure of comfort from that as I may.’ [ October 21, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ] __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.