Chapter 17 Letter

'Your mother used to come here,' the wind forced him to speak loudly. From the top of the hill where they both stood, Aradan and Darken could see the fortress standing in front of them.

Perched between the ocean and the steep mountain ridges, the fortress rose like a stone giant at the highest point of the peninsula. Facing the ocean, the fortress walls extended into the rugged cliffs against which turbulent waves crashed. The incessant sound of the waves, carried by the wind, rose to the highest sentinel towers. On the other side of this blue desert, the mountains stood, casting their cold shadows on a desert of red earth. There too, the buildings seemed to have sprung from the ground, with foundations merging with the sinuous and steep contours of the hills.

Aradan and Darken had taken a dirt path that followed the peninsula in a semi-circle. They had reached a natural staircase descending along the cliff.

Aradan was silent, his gaze fixed on the ocean raging against the cliff. He knew where this path led, even though he had never been there. Nienor had described this place to him; it was their secret, and one day, he had thought, one day he would be free to go there. That day had come, but Nienor was not there. It was Darken who had come to fetch him from the depths of his tower. For once, they were alone, no guards, no deceitful advisors, no chains.

He felt Darken's heavy hand on his shoulder, 'I've always respected her need for solitude, you know.'

A shiver ran through him; the pressure exerted by Darken on his shoulder prevented him from speaking. Eyes still fixed on the precipice before him, Aradan wondered if Darken had brought him here to kill him.

'There's a small beach below; Eru knows what she did there. Would you like to go?'

Aradan frowned and cast a wary glance at his father. He met Darken's smile.

'I have something for you, first' Darken exclaimed eagerly, abruptly releasing his shoulder. This gesture made Aradan lose his balance a bit; his heart was pounding in his chest, a feeling of dizziness made him want to vomit, and he had to take a few steps back, finding support on a large rock to calm himself.

Darken didn't pay attention. He pulled a red envelope from the inner pocket of his jacket and handed it to Aradan. 'It arrived this morning,' he said.

Aradan looked up, brushed his hair from his face, took the envelope, unfolded the letter, and read.

'I'm sorry, Aldaran.' Again, Darken's hand was on him, caressing his shoulder.

'Is she pregnant? It's impossible!' Aradan whispered.

'It's hard to accept, but it's reality. This child will be born, and in a year, we'll know whether you have a half-sister or a half-brother.'

A tear rolled down Aradan's cheek and landed on the piece of parchment.

'I'm sorry,' Darken repeated.

'Is she alone?' Aradan asked.

'Yes, son. I've warned her many times; she lost herself in her own lie. I am not to blame. She betrayed both of us.'

'You lie!'

'It's because of that half-elf, that wretch Elrond, Aradan.'

'You didn't love my mother; it's your boundless ambition that ruined her.'

'You're wrong, Aradan. I love her!' Darken grabbed the collar of Aradan's tunic, 'do you hear? I love her like no one else could, and that cursed elf took her away from me!' Darken released him violently and took a deep breath. He smoothed out the folds of his clothes to regain composure. 'What is written is true. Think, Aldaran. Think well, my son...' Darken's last words were spoken slowly and deliberately. 'You are free now.'

Darken turned on his heels and walked towards the fortress, leaving Aradan alone.