Flowers of Gondor

by totallybursar

This was created for a drabble challenge from a friend. I never did get the last seven words pared out, but she was nice enough to like it anyway...

The Flowers of Gondor

The flowers fall like snow, to be crushed under steel-shod hooves.

They are riding to their deaths, these men of Gondor. But the hooves of their mounts ring defiantly against the cobbles, and each man sits tall in his saddle, wearing the armor of the White City.

I pass a bloom silently to one as he rides by. His fingers brush mine as he takes it, gravely acknowledging the gift with a nod. In his face I see what is in my own heart; pride and courage and despair.

I stand by the place where they passed long after they have gone. The wind carries the sound of battle from Osgiliath and stirs the scent of bruised blossoms, soft and bitter like tears that will not fall.