Chapter 28
Imagine the rainbow
Turin was sitting on his horse, slowly parading into the city together with the rest of the men who were, only few hours earlier, involved in the final battle against Sauron's army. The overall atmosphere was cheerful as much as it could be, for some of their comrades were lost forever.
On his way back to the city, Turin had a chance to think about everything, his past, his present and his future – the thing that frightened him the most. He was just in the middle of those thoughts, when he felt a familiar presence. At first he was confused whether it was only a product of his mind, a wishful thinking, but after concentrating more, he was sure that this person was real.
Nessa just stood there, speechless. Although her instincts told her she should scream from happiness and pull him down his horse, so she could throw herself in his arms and hug him to death, but her common sense told her differently. Something was telling her to stay still, as if she has gotten orders from an unexplainable force.
"You're doing this again…", he said as he jumped down from his horse, now standing only few feet away from Nessa.
She was still silent and motionless.
"Don't feel sorry for me. I don't pity myself, you shouldn't either.", Turin said coldly as he pulled out his walking staff.
"I don't pity you.", Nessa finally said and took one step towards him.
When Turin felt she was approaching, he went two steps back and lowered his head. Nessa was confused by his actions. Why was he rejecting her like this? What happened on that battlefield that made him this gloomy?
"I'm such a liar¨!", Turin finally said, self accusingly. "Such a despicable human being!"
Nessa was caught off guard, not able to comprehend his words. Why was he saying such horrible things about himself?
"I expect you to love me for who I am, with all my flaws and handicaps…", he covered his eyes with the palm of his right hand.
"And I do love you! For me, you didn't change since the day we met. You're the same Turin. My Turin!", she tried to explain desperately. His behavior was frightening her a bit.
"No I'm not!", he hissed.
"Turin, please…", she finally found some courage and walked up to him, putting her hand gently on his shoulder.
"I used to imagine how the world would look like after the war. The green plains green again, horses running freely over the plains, people working on the fields, children playing in the streets… and then, I would look up at the sky, and all the clouds would be gone…and there would be a rainbow, showing me the full spectrum of bright colors…and it was…it was beautiful. This was what I hoped to live to see one day, in this world…this finally free world.", Turin said with a tearful voice, still holding up his tears, too proud to cry.
Nessa stood besides him, without a word. She never thought this brave and strong man could be this vulnerable, when he told her himself just few days ago, his sickness wasn't a hindrance. She gave her best to comfort him.
"We can still achieve a world that you have imagined. You don't have to see it to believe it's real. You can still feel the smell of fresh spring grass on the plains, you can hear the galloping horses and people working on their crops as well as children's laughter. So what if you cannot see all the colors of the rainbow? You can still feel its presence…can't you? You remember that special feeling when the clouds perish away and the first rays of the sun touch your face tenderly? The freshness in the air? I think that is more beautiful than seeing it, you know? Feeling it in your heart…the happiness…"
Turin listened to every word she slowly whispered to his ear. He could feel her warm breath against his skin and her gentle hand leaned on his shoulder. She was so determined to make him change his mind and see the bright side of the future, even if he couldn't see with his own eyes.
"And imagine one more thing. Just one more thing…", Nessa still wasn't done with her encourage speech. She leaned even closer, now putting both of her arms around Turin. "Imagine having me by your side…for the rest of your life."
Turin smiled gently. "I wish I could live forever…", he said as he gently kissed her forehead.
-the end-
thanks for reading :D
