Author's Note: This is what happens when you try to write a mix of Imrahil on Pelennor, Faramir's dream of Númenor and the Pyre of Denethor in the middle of the night. Make of it what you will. For Cadi, Astara and Cressida, for your friendship and support. Someday, I will write you something better than this. Promise. ;)

And Whither Then


He has gone to Rath Dínen, so they say, and the name creeps into my heart like the ghost of winter's chill, it echoes in my head like the whisper of doom foretold.

I had a dream, of ice and fire.

The skies are grey and the hours seem to crawl in the eternal twilight of breathless anticipation. I count the seconds by my heartbeat, count to fill the nothingness and the torturing uncertainty. Waiting.

I had a dream, of waters black and winds of wrath.

Waiting. For death? For life? For victory? For defeat? For salvation? I do not know. They look at me and dare not ask, for fear of the answers I cannot give. Waiting.

And all was burned, to ash and dust.

He has gone to Rath Dínen and the drums keep his company in the silence and mourn the prince who will not speak. And mourn the son who will not see the morning's light upon his father's face.

And drowned in dawnless night.

But all I know is that each heartbeat echoes in the silence of my thoughts before it is lost in the abyss below. All I know is the rain slowly beginning to fall, drowning hope in pearls of twilight.

I had a dream, of endless, endless waters.

'The West has failed', they heard him say, 'and all the world will burn.' I never knew I was afraid until they told me I was trembling. They dare not ask and night will fall without a sound.

And of a time that is no more.

The fitful torchlight will not chase away the shadows and as they dance the world to sleep I find myself remembering. Her laugh. His smile. And the jealousy of fate.

I had a dream, of ice and fire.

He has gone to Rath Dínen. And all the world will burn. But the drums will keep his company in the silence and sing a lullaby of death.

That echoed when I woke.

But there's no echo in this silence, no shadow in this utter darkness.

He has gone to Rath Dínen. And whither then I do not know.