The battle between me and Melkor began. One darkness versus the other. Though mine proved to have a little bit of light. I am not completely dark. Still, I put up a good fight. I lost track of the other battle going on around us. I have no idea who's winning. I can't open my mind to peek. Melkor pushed his powers onto me as I pushed mine back. Then, we broke off the battle and we both stumbled backwards. It is taking a toll on both of us. We have been using so much power that it's draining our strength. I felt Mithrandir has joined the fight against the orcs as well as Legolas, son of Thranduil. Gimli fought alongside Frodo and his friends. Yes, lives will be lost in this battle. They know that too deep in their hearts. It is the risk they took for their home. I recalled the words of Vala Aulë. It is exactly what they are doing, risking it all for peace. Then another thought occurred to me. His words, they felt like they mean something else. Have the Valar foreseen something else?
Melkor gave another blow and I deflected it. The fight went on like that for awhile. He kept on attacking as I kept on deflecting everything. Then, it's time for me to attack. Of course, he managed to deflect everything I threw on him so easily. He wouldn't be the Dark Lord if it will be easy to kill him. "You are no match for me, Artanis. You know it deep down", he said. Everyone knows that. Yet here I am fighting. I am risking it as well. "I think I am doing just fine so far", I retorts which pisses him off. Then I saw an elf fighting single handedly a troop of orcs. He is killing them off one by one with such ease and grace. In no time, he managed to finish them all without sweat. It took me some time to realize the elf I was looking at is my husband Celeborn. He is such beauty in the middle of the ugliness of war. He fought so incredibly great. It just made me proud of him more.
I was so preoccupied by him that I didn't see Melkor threw another one at me and I took the hit. I fell on my knees and slid backwards. It hurts but physical pain heals fast for me. "Alatóriel!" I heard Celeborn called when he saw me got hit. Fear rushed into his mind. He is undecided whether to run to me or continue fighting. I wanted to tell him to fight but I cannot just yet because I am still healing myself. I heard Melkor laughed. "Here I thought Elves are supposed to be higher than Men", he said mockingly. I got up completely healed from the last attack. Are you alright? Celeborn asked. I am fine, my love, I answered. "You all have the same weakness, love", Melkor added. I frowned at him. "Love is never a weakness", I said. He laughed even more. "I have lived far more than you, Artanis and I have seen this played out since then but I suppose experience is a better teacher than words", he said with a smile.
I saw his hand produced a long dark light that is shaped like a Morgul blade. It flew into the air but instead of aiming for me, it went onto another direction. I followed it with my eyes like everything is in slow motion. Then when I finally figure out its target it was too late. The blade hit Celeborn. His eyes fixated on me as life slowly leaving his body. I couldn't say anything or do anything. I am frozen. I watched him fell on his knees and then finally to the ground. That's when I fully realized what just happened. The love of my life has just been taken away from me in an instant. I felt a wave of fury arise from within me. I opened my mouth and let out a scream that seemed inaudible to me. I dropped on my knees as a wave of dark light came out of me that turned Melkor's army into ashes. Loads of memories flooded my brain. I remembered the first time I saw him, that sweet and gentle eyes, his calm voice. I remembered how he used to touch my face. I remember his presence being enough to ease my nerves. I remember him being my courage when I doubt myself. I remember all of those as if they happened yesterday.
He is gone. The life in him has left and dwelled with Mandos, far from my reach. I will never hear his voice again. I will never hear him laugh or see his smile. I will never him call me by the name he has given me. He told me he loves me just before he goes into battle. Why didn't I say I love him too? I know he knows it but at least I could've said it. I should've said it. Now no matter how many times I'll say it, it's no use. He's not here to hear it. How foolish of me? The sound of the world disappeared from me. There's only silence. How can I let this happen? Why haven't I foreseen this? I could've prevented it. It is my fault. I am not strong enough. I am not powerful enough. I have failed him. I have failed our daughter. Yes, Celebrian. They have just been reunited after being apart for so long and now her father is gone and there's nothing I can do to bring him back. Tears fell from my eyes. Grief and sorrow filled my heart. I just lost the love of my life.
Slowly, the sound around me returned. I can hear sounds of battle. There's burst of light around me but it's not coming from me. It's Mithrandir. Then I became aware once more of what's happening. The war isn't over. As I sat here, the others fought Melkor for me. Mithrandir's power is not strong enough to match Melkor. Elrond joined him but still not enough. I looked at my love's lifeless body lying there on the ground. Then I heard that sickening laugh again. That laugh that seems to mock me for my love's death. The grief and sorrow in me is replaced by anger, an endless anger. It is overwhelming. I rose. I am in complete black. Even Nenya turned black not dark. They all stopped fighting. The sky above us grew dim. The sea is screaming in wrath. The wind blew harshly. "There at last! You have finally found who you really are!" Melkor cheered when he saw what I become. "Artanis, come and join me and together we will destroy this world and build a new one", he added. His eyes are hopeful for my positive answer. I looked at him. The ground started to shake. "You see? You don't need love, you never needed love. Without it, you're much stronger! You should be thanking me!" he continued. I clenched my fists. Then I smiled. "You have never been more wrong in your wretched and worthless life", I said in a voice I couldn't even recognize was mine. His eyes turned serious for he knows he will not get the answer he desires. Then, I let it all out, all the anger, all the pain. I poured it all at him as the water in the sea clashes with the wind, the land and the fire underneath us. They circled him and slowly crushed him into pieces. He let out an agonizing cry as he slowly perished. Then… then everything went blank.