A breeze weaved through the windows, birds were humming somewhere nearby. He kept his eyes closed, absorbing the songs of nature, the whispers of the wind.
A moment passed, he opened them slowly. Gentle sunlight filtered in, lighting the room in colors bright. It seemed he woke to a dream. His hands fingered the sheets in wonder, savoring their smoothness. The bandage caught his eye and memory came rushing back.
The Shadow—it was gone. He lifted his eyes as if to see if it were true. Before him stood a great, shining, cloud of white. He smiled, no more shadows. Then his vision cleared and impossibility stood before him, smiling back.
'Gandalf?'