Chapter Three

He hugged his knees, silently rocking back and forth, sitting in one of the few places in the room that wasn't wet with blood. The steady drip drip dripping continued, unaffected by his mental condition, steady as a clock and yet in such an awkward pace that it never stayed the same.

Why...? He whispered to himself, the words ghosting across his dry lips.

Why indeed? Why did you have to do what you did?

He had entered the cave with Guenhwyvar, as they so often had done. Orcs had fallen to all sides as they had made their way through. Right until they entered that cave. He had, of course, turned to plunge Icingdeath into the belly of the orc coming at him from behind. But, it had been no orc. Instead, Catti-brie had stared at him with disbelief in her eyes, as if she had trouble understanding what happened – just as he did. Then, she dropped to the floor, the scimitar slipping out of her torso.

He had heard the chanting behind him. Felt the blast of pain in his back, seeming to spread all through his body in mere seconds, and blinding his thoughts. He was at his feet again, as always, bringing his blades out wide to take down another two orcs in the throat - only to see Wulfgar and Bruenor drop to the floor, lifeless. His blade followed them, his hand refusing to keep its grip as he only could stare in dread at what the horror he just had commited.

What was it precisely that had happened afterwards? He remembered the sound of someone yelling, screaming his name. Then, the mage was flying into the wall at his side, driven in by some shining object that seemed awfully familiar. Arms grabbing his, guiding him out.

It seemed like a dream those next couple of days. He had seen them, his dearest of friends, breathing and alive. Talking. Eating. Sparring. Yet, he knew it was but an illusion – a desire wrought by his mind's inability to accept his crime.

Unwillingly, a sob escaped him, his vision blurring as he once more locked his gaze on the lifeless forms on the floor. They had died. Not because of him, but by him... His worst nightmare had indeed come true...