This could have been published with the next chapter, but it seemed it would be better to be in a separate chapter, even though it is really short.


7. Alone

Near Edhellond - T.A. 2028, November

Maglor had not lingered long, once he had left her by the farm's doorstep. There was no reason she should not soon be found by the farmers and there was no doubt they would be kind enough to bring her back to her father's house.

There was nothing more he could do for her, perhaps he would only wish she would forget about him. He certainly hoped she would go on with her life, whatever the path she chose for herself, and he firmly believed she needed him not to be happy, whether she was to dwell in Gondor or to seek her mother, in Lórien or in the West.

As for him, he would simply resume his wanderings, keeping an eye out for those he might help.

Maglor decided to head north, to leave behind these southern shores awhile. Winter would be harsher up there, yet he feared not the cold, the snow or the frost, and he thought he had stored enough blissful memories in his mind to go through the worst weather conditions. And whatever awaited him, whatever happened to him, he cared not. He was not even sure he deserved to have lived through all these centuries, when so many innocents had perished, and thus his own death was not a scary thought - it had crossed his mind more than once that it might be a relief to finally draw his last breath.

Over the last weeks, Maglor had had a taste of true happiness, even just for a short while. It seemed he had lived someone else's life, it seemed he had stolen someone else's joys. There would always be a place for those days in his heart and in there he would forever walk on the beaches of Gondor with Gilmith.

Oh, he would only have to close his eyes to see her face again, she whom he loved.