The memorial service for Elgin had been held that morning in Elessar's city square. It seemed the entire city had turned out to honor their fellow citizen, who had served their homeland faithfully for so many years. Banners and messages hung from the balconies, while the streets were shoulder-to-shoulder with elves paying their respects to the fallen hero. It had been a beautiful ceremony, touching and joyful at the same time, as the speakers had celebrated Elgin's life of service and the love he held for his people. A bright sun and warm weather seemed to represent a new spring, a rebirth after months of darkness. It was a fitting metaphor for Peredhil, and he had been reluctant to let the moment go when the ceremony ended.
Which is how he found himself strolling down one of the many forest paths outside the city proper with Wes that afternoon. Guards surrounded them at a healthy distance, as the city remained on high alert after the assassination attempt, but they knew to give Peredhil and Wes a wide enough berth so they could speak in privacy.
They walked in silence for the better part of fifteen minutes before Peredhil spoke.
"What a week," he said softly, glancing at Wes. "Over the past few days I've lost the three people I cared about most."
"That's no easy feat," Wes responded lightly. "At least you've still got me."
When his attempt at a joke failed to produce even a feeble smile, Wes frowned and reached out to clasp Peredhil's shoulder. "Elgin is in a better place now, Peredhil, but life goes on for the rest of us. You've been given a second chance at life. Who can say why things happen the way they do? Perhaps these changes are for the best."
"Life goes on," Peredhil echoed. "Aye, you're right, Wes."
They walked on again, following the curvy path along a gurgling creek, each lost in thought. Finally, Peredhil spoke again.
"I've never told anyone this, but I once visited a seer when I was a lad. She told me that a songbird would bring me life, hasten my death, and redeem my people. All this time I've believed it, especially once I heard the Elessari legend about the songbird. But now I realize that it's a crock. It's time to simply live my life. Right?"
When he received no response from Wes, Peredhil turned to his friend. "Right?" he repeated, rolling his eyes at his friend. His face pale, Wes merely pointed to a nearby branch. There perched on the branch was the most beautiful yellow-breasted songbird Peredhil had ever seen. His mouth dropped when he saw what the songbird clutched in its claw.
"Sometimes legends are true," Wes whispered.
Which is how he found himself strolling down one of the many forest paths outside the city proper with Wes that afternoon. Guards surrounded them at a healthy distance, as the city remained on high alert after the assassination attempt, but they knew to give Peredhil and Wes a wide enough berth so they could speak in privacy.
They walked in silence for the better part of fifteen minutes before Peredhil spoke.
"What a week," he said softly, glancing at Wes. "Over the past few days I've lost the three people I cared about most."
"That's no easy feat," Wes responded lightly. "At least you've still got me."
When his attempt at a joke failed to produce even a feeble smile, Wes frowned and reached out to clasp Peredhil's shoulder. "Elgin is in a better place now, Peredhil, but life goes on for the rest of us. You've been given a second chance at life. Who can say why things happen the way they do? Perhaps these changes are for the best."
"Life goes on," Peredhil echoed. "Aye, you're right, Wes."
They walked on again, following the curvy path along a gurgling creek, each lost in thought. Finally, Peredhil spoke again.
"I've never told anyone this, but I once visited a seer when I was a lad. She told me that a songbird would bring me life, hasten my death, and redeem my people. All this time I've believed it, especially once I heard the Elessari legend about the songbird. But now I realize that it's a crock. It's time to simply live my life. Right?"
When he received no response from Wes, Peredhil turned to his friend. "Right?" he repeated, rolling his eyes at his friend. His face pale, Wes merely pointed to a nearby branch. There perched on the branch was the most beautiful yellow-breasted songbird Peredhil had ever seen. His mouth dropped when he saw what the songbird clutched in its claw.
"Sometimes legends are true," Wes whispered.