*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 15 - The Pit
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
They had come seeking their brother, watching and listening from the trees above, clinging fervently to a shared hope. It had fueled their determination, sustained their need to carry on.
The Faradrim had laughed and told tales, speaking of him as if he was a thing, a pretty bauble, a trinket of desire, and when their searching eyes could not find him in the company of his captors, they realized that the Faradrim spoke of a possession lost, of something that was no more.
The truth of it overtook them and hope fled. Never before had they been consumed with such rage. They spoke no words, equally sharing the unspoken desire for retribution, to give back the dread and grief that had flooded through them the night their chase began.
Even the life around them seemed taken aback by their violence, growing silent and mournful, and when it was done and the Faradrim dead, an immense wave of sorrow emanated from the wood -- not for the Edain, but for the Elves and for what they had lost.
They felt numb, the words of the feredir embedded deeply in their hearts as they walked away. They had failed him, and he had suffered much for that failure.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Haldir and Orophin raced through the small stand of trees, their pace slowing as they broke out of the forest and surveyed the surrounding area. The cool breeze that had been blowing from the north shifted as they crossed the small meadow and they halted, choking, as their senses were assailed by the cloying, sweet odor of decay.
On the far side of the clearing, they could see the pit, and around its edge was a flock of large, squabbling carrion birds, fighting for dominance.
Haldir turned quickly and grasped Orophin by the shoulders, forcing his brother to face him and meet his gaze.
"Rúmil is not in that pit, Orophin. He cannot be. I do not know how to explain it, but I feel it; he is not dead."
Orophin stepped away from his brother and out of his grasp. Squeezing his eyes shut tightly against the tears threatening to fall, he tried to understand the confusing emotions within him. Where was it, that certain knowledge of Rúmil's fate?
From the beginning, since those first feelings of unease had settled in his heart, before he had even known for sure that something was wrong… Orophin shook his head, trying to clear his mind. 'I would know, would I not? Why am I not as sure as Haldir?'
"Orophin… muindor, saes, believe me."
"I have to go, Haldir. I am not certain what my heart feels. I cannot seem to separate hope from certainty. I have to be certain…," and he faltered, his voice breaking.
Haldir reached for Orophin as he moved away from him and toward the dark hole, his usually light feet leaving deep tracks in the soil as if the heart was warring with the body to turn away, to run. When, at last, Orophin reached the edge of the pit, he did not look down but instead looked back over his shoulder toward Haldir, his eyes fearful and full of tears.
Haldir began walking toward him, slowly at first, and then broke into a run as Orophin turned once again turned to face the pit. He would not let him face this alone.
"Orophin! Wait! Wait for me!"
He gasped and felt his own tears break free as Orophin slowly collapsed to his knees, his body shaking with sobs. He had been so sure! Haldir slid to his brother's side, grasping him tightly.
"Elbereth, forgive me."
Haldir buried his face in his brother's soft hair, not yet ready for the horrible sight that awaited him. He had to be strong, he could not break; Orophin needed him.
"You should not have had to do this alone… not alone."
Orophin leaned heavily into his brother, his hands clutching desperately at the strong arm wrapped around his chest. Holding Haldir tightly, he spoke with a strangled sob.
"He is… not here."
Shaken beyond speech, Haldir said nothing as he himself turned to look into the vile blackness of the pit.
"You were right, Haldir, you were right; he not in the pit."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
~* To Be Continued *~
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*