Author's note: OK, I couldn't leave you in the lurch with that last
chapter, so here's the conclusion to the story.
The italics are flashbacks.
***
Elessar stood by the gates of Minas Tirith, his queen Arwen at his side. Her stomach was noticeably swelling with her first child. They stood together as they watched two people prepare to leave the white city for the last time. Ralisay had protested that they should be executed, but Elessar never killed without need. Bergil and Sal were to be exiled.
Bergil was forbidden to return to Gondor for five years, and was never to be allowed back into the city. Sal was merely forbidden from the city. Ralisay had called this too lenient, but Elessar wouldn't change his mind.
He saw Sal hesitate at the gates, pulling his cloak tighter around him, despite the heat of the day. Elessar guessed at what was hidden under there.
***
Elessar held out fortune to Sal. The guards had found it in the thieves' lair and recognised it for what it was.
"I can't take it," Sal said.
"Fortune was your gift," Elessar replied.
"But. . ." Sal began and then broke off. Tears ran down his cheeks as he reached out and grasped the hilt of the sword.
***
Sal turned back and for a moment their eyes met. Sal raised his hand in a gesture of farewell, his cloak moving enough to reveal the broach shaped like a silver tree which was still pinned to his chest. Elessar gave him a small smile, and watched him turn away. His future was uncertain now, but at least he had fortune on his side.
"Farewell, my friend," Elessar murmured at his retreating back. "Farewell."
***
THE END
Author's note: I know what you're thinking. How could Elessar not believe Sal? Why did he give fortune back if he didn't believe him? And why haven't I got round to mentioning Arwen in any previous chapters since she's Elessar's wife?
All these questions and more will be answered as soon as I can be bothered to write the sequel. Please review. Reviews make sequels come faster.
The italics are flashbacks.
***
Elessar stood by the gates of Minas Tirith, his queen Arwen at his side. Her stomach was noticeably swelling with her first child. They stood together as they watched two people prepare to leave the white city for the last time. Ralisay had protested that they should be executed, but Elessar never killed without need. Bergil and Sal were to be exiled.
Bergil was forbidden to return to Gondor for five years, and was never to be allowed back into the city. Sal was merely forbidden from the city. Ralisay had called this too lenient, but Elessar wouldn't change his mind.
He saw Sal hesitate at the gates, pulling his cloak tighter around him, despite the heat of the day. Elessar guessed at what was hidden under there.
***
Elessar held out fortune to Sal. The guards had found it in the thieves' lair and recognised it for what it was.
"I can't take it," Sal said.
"Fortune was your gift," Elessar replied.
"But. . ." Sal began and then broke off. Tears ran down his cheeks as he reached out and grasped the hilt of the sword.
***
Sal turned back and for a moment their eyes met. Sal raised his hand in a gesture of farewell, his cloak moving enough to reveal the broach shaped like a silver tree which was still pinned to his chest. Elessar gave him a small smile, and watched him turn away. His future was uncertain now, but at least he had fortune on his side.
"Farewell, my friend," Elessar murmured at his retreating back. "Farewell."
***
THE END
Author's note: I know what you're thinking. How could Elessar not believe Sal? Why did he give fortune back if he didn't believe him? And why haven't I got round to mentioning Arwen in any previous chapters since she's Elessar's wife?
All these questions and more will be answered as soon as I can be bothered to write the sequel. Please review. Reviews make sequels come faster.