He woke within his dream, his body submerged in water. No, it was thicker than water. In the distance he could hear music playing but the sound was unfamiliar to him; it cried. The wailing instrument, Thorontir had made mention of it. Why could he hear it now?
He floated to the surface, striking his head out and gasping for air. There was nothing but darkness all around him. Where was he? Dread crept up on him and he felt his body turn heavy, arms flailing to try and keep afloat but he was too heavy. It was a battle he would not win.
With a final gasp of air his body sank down into the depths, an icy chill embracing his whole being as he was pulled further down. Hope withering away.
There was a voice that spoke to him, a woman. She told him he could be free, she told him that he could relax, she told him that he didn't have to suffer anymore. She could bring him the eternal peace he desired. He only had to give in and it would all be over.
The offer was tempting.
A face appeared before him, it was her. He had nearly forgotten how beautiful she was, why was she here? He knew why. She was there to remind him, she was there to push him to fight against this madness, against this temptation that the voice offered.
He watched the woman before him and he only now understood how dear she had become to him. How could he have been such a fool? She cared and loved but he had pulled himself away, he had left. There were so many things left unsaid, so much he wished to show her, to tell her and now he wanted nothing more than to hold her as he had once done. To ask her forgiveness for what he had done, what he had said. Why had he not realized this sooner? She was all that he wanted, all that he needed and he hadn't opened his eyes to it when he had it. He had fled, for that is what he always did.
"I can give you freedom." The voice whispered softly "Embrace it."
No, there was too much left to do. This would not be his day. He would not leave this world yet, he needed to see her again. If not for himself he would fight for her, he would return to her.
"I know of you, fiend. You shall not have me this day. I have yet to find you and bring an end to your foul nightmares. Release me!"
"They always struggle.... Very well. If this is how you want to proceed, let us play." The voice responded with a melodic laugh.
The chilling music grew louder in his ear and he felt his head grow heavy, images flashing within his mind reminding him of things passed that still haunted him. He saw the fall of those he'd grown close to, he saw the world he watched over taken by the darkness.
No, he would not be broken by this fiend. Not this day, not another. He would find a way to wake and he would track down the source of this and end it. He would wake and aid his kinsmen. He would wake to help end this war. He would wake to see her once more and tell her what needed to be told.
