Knee-high grass pressed against Peredhil's legs as he strolled through the Southern Glen, his eyes scanning the branches above. He paused mid-step as the birdsong reached his ears, his green eyes squinting against the rays of sunlight that had found their way through the leaves overhead. It was already late afternoon, but the summer sun had barely begun its descent. Finally, a small motion caught his attention, and a smile formed as he spotted the red-billed mockingbird perched on one of the upper branches.
"Ophioso los sal'ania bel'eneu," Peredhil said softly, the Elvish rolling smoothly off of his tongue. The bird peered down at him, fluttering its wings, but did not fly away. Peredhil studied it for a few more moments, then gazed off towards the northeast. Rhydin was obscured by trees and a few larger bluffs, but he could sense the city vibrating with an urban heartbeat that he had never felt in sync with. Even Elessar, his home and kingdom, even there he had not felt as at ease as he did out here, alone, surrounded by nature.
Yet he had done his duty, stepping up to lead during Elessar's darkest hours, assuming the command when nobody else would. Yet it had never felt right, as if he were obligated by duty and responsibility rather than a true desire to take what might be considered rightfully his. And he had shed those duties at the first opportunity.
And what did he have to show for it' He considered that for a long time as he meandered slowly towards Rhydin, leaving a soft trail of footsteps in his wake.
"Ophioso los sal'ania bel'eneu," Peredhil said softly, the Elvish rolling smoothly off of his tongue. The bird peered down at him, fluttering its wings, but did not fly away. Peredhil studied it for a few more moments, then gazed off towards the northeast. Rhydin was obscured by trees and a few larger bluffs, but he could sense the city vibrating with an urban heartbeat that he had never felt in sync with. Even Elessar, his home and kingdom, even there he had not felt as at ease as he did out here, alone, surrounded by nature.
Yet he had done his duty, stepping up to lead during Elessar's darkest hours, assuming the command when nobody else would. Yet it had never felt right, as if he were obligated by duty and responsibility rather than a true desire to take what might be considered rightfully his. And he had shed those duties at the first opportunity.
And what did he have to show for it' He considered that for a long time as he meandered slowly towards Rhydin, leaving a soft trail of footsteps in his wake.