Forsworn

A Return

Beleg had lain down his mighty bow for the time and stayed in the peace and comfort of his home when this tale begins.

Fondly touching the polished wood as he put it away in his room Beleg adjusted his tunic and left the room, following the sound of music. As always there would be dancing in the hall and his light steps quickened as he neared the hall. It seemed he had been away for too long, seemed his feet had been walking and hunting too much since they had last danced in the beautiful hall. But that night they would dance again.

Light streamed from the open doorway and Beleg smiled as he walked in and saw familiar smiling faces whirling past in dance. Tall and beautiful carved pillars stretched high above the dancers to the ceiling, along the walls were decorated with painstakingly created tapestries and murals showing the beautiful kingdom of Doriath. The bright colours of tunic and dress flashed in front of Beleg as he stood and watched momentarily from the doorway. He felt the music flowing through him and springing lightly over to a group also watching he took the hands of a maiden and brought her into the dance.

"Beleg!" she cried happily

"Ah, yet another one of my many admirers," he jested as he began to spin her around "How does life treat Ariende then?"

"Life treats her very well. Is this as fast as you can go?" she teased. Grinning at her Beleg began whirling her around faster

"Fast enough?" he asked

"Only just," Ariende laughed playfully "So does the outside and the forest still satisfy your longing for adventure?"

"Yes, still. Yet home often calls me back as you can see." Beleg replied smiling,

"Well for that I am glad," she smiled back "everyone misses you being here when you are out wondering the wilds!"

By then a new song had been started by the musicians and they both swapped partners and did not see each other again that night and neither did Beleg consider the more personal feelings behind Ariende's words.

A few days after his arrival back an archery contest had been organised (presumably for his pleasure thought Beleg) and he strode nonchalantly into the clearing with his bow and a slight smile.

"Ai! Beleg returns!" an elf cried out in mock fear "We are all vanquished! We may as well not start!" The crowd that had gathered to watch laughed at his antics.

"Pleasant greetings to you too my good friend! Do not let me spoil your fun Celebros: I will not enter the competition, only get some practise!" Beleg said as he fitted one of his green feathered arrows to his bow. Celebros sneaked behind him playfully and the crowd stifled laughter as Beleg, aware of his friend rolled his eyes. Just as Celebros was to knock the end of Beleg's bow he found the point of the arrow at his nose. Grinning Beleg lowered the bow and shot the arrow between his friend's feet. Picking up the arrow and offering it back to Beleg Celebros smiled.

"No-one can outmatch Beleg Cúthalion it seems!" he announced to the crowd "It is good to see you again friend," he told Beleg as the arrow was taken from his hands.

"Again I am told!" laughed Beleg "It seems that as I am in such great demand I will make my stay longer."

"Did I hear correctly?" Ariende's voice sounded from behind him "Beleg is staying longer than two nights before running away into the wilds again!" Beleg was unsure how to take this comment, was she jesting? It was hard for him to tell and there was a silence between them.

"Well I will take advantage of this and dance every night for none here step so lightly as Ariende," he said to ease the tension. Seeing her smile he relaxed and they sat down together to watch the competition, after it was over Beleg put his hand down to help himself stand and his fingers touched Ariende's. Feeling this she looked down and then met Beleg's eyes, hurriedly looking away and standing, she was about to leave when Beleg sprang agilely up beside her

"I will see you in the Hall?" he asked before she could leave. Waiting for an answer he pondered her behaviour; he knew this was not normal.

"Yes, I will be there" she answered before hurrying off.

In the time that passed when Beleg stayed in the peace of his home he spent much time with his friends and danced often with Ariende. Yet the time came again when he felt the pull of adventure and the call of the outside world. He spoke no goodbyes for they only prolonged and saddened his leave.

Half running through the corridors and halls Ariende searched for Beleg. Sighing when she could not find him she thought of where he might be. Not with Celebros - she had sighted him alone already and he was not to leave to resume his duty as a Marchwarden for a few days anyway, in the presence of the Lord and Lady? No she had been there…outside? The thought crossed her mind, outside in the wilds? There was only one way to find out, hurrying back to his room where she had first started her search she opened the door and scanned the room. No, the great bow had gone from the room, he had left. Quietly turning around she shut the door behind her and walked to where her friends would be. Celebros saw her saddened expression and walked over,

"He has left?" he asked softly, Ariende nodded back. "He will return, do not fear of that. He will return for you," Ariende looked sharply at Celebros for his words, doubting the meaning behind them, yet he smiled encouragingly at her, "Beleg is a good friend; I can see he feels for you. Wait patiently for his return and I think you shall see too,"

"I deem it will be a long time before I truly dance again," she sighed "yet wait I will."