The camp was peaceful, as everyone was asleep. Everyone except Enerdhil, who was staring at the figure sprawled on the nearby bed. Enerdhil had a talent for smithcraft, and he was an apprentice to a skilled smith. He enjoyed his work, and he was delighted that he could make things of beauty, and weapons of war. His mentor was always patient, always tried to help Enerdhil. And Enerdhil admired him, both for this and for his skill. Then one day, he made a stone, which he called Elessar, and his mentor was proud. He told Enerdhil that it was just he beginning. And so Enerdhil threw himself into making more things with vigor. He absorbed every bit of useful advice like a sponge. He believed that his mentor was destined to make far greater things. This only made the eventual blow harder.
"You could have done great things, made great things." Enerdhil's voice was filled with bitterness as he addressed the unmoving figure on the bed "Why did you have to do that? Is this the life you've wanted? Not only did you throw away your life and your potential, but you severed your bond with us..."
-x-
"I know how it feels." Elhir, another one of Enerdhil's fellow apprentices, approached him in silence "You still admire him, but you can't forgive him either."
Enerdhil let out a noise of frustrated powerlessness.
"I can't...I can't be around him anymore." Enerdhil admitted "I can't take this."
"I understand." Elhir said, patting Enerdhil's back in an attempt to comfort him
"You were his apprentice too." Enerdhil's eyes met Elhir's
"We both lost him the moment he gave in and made that deal." Elhir said quietly "And I doubt the bond we shared with him will ever be restored."