Empty Eyes and Lonely Smiles
A drabble oneshot I thought up while contemplating my GCSE coursework.
The flickering firelight danced in the grate, casting trembling shadows on the walls and ceiling. The figure in the chair gazed, transfixed at the flames, although it's eyes were unfocused.
Remembering.
Remembering echoes of laughter and easy grins, battles of dry wit over glasses of light wine. Bright gems and merry company, and a familiar lilting language.
Remembering halls filled with noise and life, where now was only emptiness and loneliness, and one lonely figure curled in a chair in an empty room.
Grieving.
Grieving for lives lost and wasted, for hundreds of graves, and hundreds more mourners. For sons without fathers, fathers without sons, sisters without brothers. For empty lives and broken promises. Shattered swords and empty saddles. Kings without countries, countries without Kings.
And a grey ship.
Sailing.
Sailing to another land. A land of laughter and joy and merry reunions, of fathers and sons, sisters and brothers, friends and lovers. Without her. The last ship had sailed, and there would be no more. She had made her choice, and she would abide by it, though there would be none to witness this silent resolve.
I choose a mortal life.
She would sleep soon. Lay her head upon a grassy pillow, and take her leave of this earthly world. Perhaps she would awake in the Halls of Mandos, perhaps she would not. It no longer mattered to her. She would leave this land to it's heirs, and wish them joy. She was so old, now, had seen so much. Too much.
Sleep.
Sleep, now, and forget.
Empty eyes and lonely smiles.
Her eyes gazed one last time upon the white jewel of Earendil, calling her home, before they closed.
Arwen Undomiel, Evenstar to her people, closed her eyes, and fell into that final sleep.