Companion piece to "No Escape".
I go by the story that Tar-Miriel and Elentir loved each other, but then Pharazon forced Miriel to marry him.
I do not own anything of the Professor's.
Elentir stood in the courtyard, by a pillar. He wanted to leave. Leave. Free himself of these shackles and fly away from these nightmares. But his attendance was required, to come witness Pharazon's - and Tar-Miriel's - wedding.
He thought Miriel had loved him. But now, she was to be married within an hour to Pharazon. His Miriel, who rightly should have married he, Elentir. He should be the one to be standing, with nervous anticipation, in Pharazon's place.
What if Miriel still loves him? The question flitted across Elentir's mind, unbidden, and suddenly he envisioned an escape plan, perhaps climbing up the ivy covering the wall and so scaling the roof to her window. With an effort, Elentir dispelled the thought. Miriel does not love him, anymore.
Perhaps she did love Elentir, once, but then she chose Pharazon for the sake of Numenor, to add his great wealth to the failing treasury and use his power.
If anything, Elentir would admire her the more for this. Giving up her freedom, setting Numenor above herself. But then Elentir recalled that Miriel was the cousin of Pharazon. Such a thing was forbidden. Why was Numenor permitting this? And why does his brother Amandil still remain friends with Pharazon? How? When Pharazon is doing this to his precious Tar-Miriel? Elentir let a sigh escape his lips. Would that he could indeed call Miriel his.
She may have forgotten him. But he will never forget her.
As always, please review!