Title: Tainted Snow
Author: Tuxedo Elf
Rating: PG13
Summary: Maedhros realises that darkness is
easily concealed - for a time. Angst.
Notes: For ford_of_bruinen, as only she could
inspire… this.
Maedhros
stepped out of his tent into the chill, crisp air. The day felt
new, fresh and clean, yet he knew it was anything but. Wrapping
his thick fur cloak around him, he walked slowly away from the
ramshackle camp, over towards the nearby hills.
They
had been too weary to move far, just out of sight of any survivors.
Not that it mattered, any that were left had fled already,
too terrified to stay long enough to even bury their dead.
The
dead. Images came unbidden and unwanted to Maedhros’
mind and he could not push them away. Blood, terror, death.
He would never forget, for he did not deserve to.
Coming
to the top of the hill, he looked down at what remained of
a once beautiful city. A city that by his own hand had been
turned into silent ruins.
Overnight
snow had fallen, covering everything in a blanket of pure
white and bringing an eerie peace to the devastated realm.
It seemed strange to Maedhros, that beneath the outward beauty
caused by the snow, lay the frozen bodies of the slain, lying
still in what had once been their life’s blood.
Darkness
and tragedy, shrouded in beauty. A grim smile crossed his
lips as he realised that, for it was a fitting description
of himself as well.
Long
he stood there, until he heard soft footsteps behind him.
“Come back to camp,” Maglor pleaded gently, resting
one hand lightly on Maedhros’ shoulder. “You can
do nothing here.”
“No,”
Maedhros agreed bitterly. It has already been done.”
He shivered, though not from cold. “Of all our evils,
this is the worst, my brother.” Without waiting for
a reply he turned and began to walk slowly back. “Even
with an oath, some things should remain sacred, yet we tainted
even that.”
Indeed,
of all the times to attack, there were none so vile as the
one they had chosen. It had been a day of joy and celebration
until they had come, bringing with them not happiness or good
tidings, but blood and carnage to an unsuspecting people.
On
Yule eve, the only gift they had brought was death.
END
Send
Feedback
