(The events in this little scene take place after the events of the still at the moment ongoing A Dirge in Red )
Neth stood alone on what she assumed was a small hill. Whatever enchanted sleep was cast upon her was starting to lose it's grip and she begun to feel like she was being pulled back to wakefulness.
However as she stood there, in a place she did not yet recognise she heard a voice behind her, a familiar voice that had helped guide through the horrors of the dream...
"Nethrida..."
It whispered, and she turned around to see Therion stand there. Ethereal, transparent, yet seemingly so very real. Her eyes widen in shock as he walks up to her, placing a ghostly hand on her cheek and smiling warmly.
"You've carried this guilt with you for so long. Guilt you never needed to bear. What happened was not your fault. We were at war. And we followed our captain to the very end.
Therion spoke with a calm, warming tone. And it lifted her spirit. She smiled a bit and closed her eyes. Though she could not feel the touch, a memory of it came to her mind and it comforted her further.
"So let go of your sorrow. Laugh, enjoy life. Remember the good times. I wouldnt have had it any other way. Your bravery was an inspiration to so many of us. even when times were dire, you were always there with us..."
HIs soothing tone rang in her ears and she opened her eyes. Only to find herself on the exact spot where he had perished so many years ago, surrounded by those of her company that had also fallen. Men and women of Gondor who had followed her leadership. Now smiling warmly towards her, and she clutched her chest, overwhelmed with the sight.
Her eyes begun to well up as she looks around at the familiar faces, her friends, colleagues, fellow soldiers. She mustered a weak "I am so sorry everyone" but then Therion spoke up once more.
"No. You have nothing to apologise. We were honoured to fight alongside you. To protect our homes, to stand against the shadow from the East"
His words were followed by applauds and cheering from the ghostly company. And she could feel the warmth and love radiating from them. She stood at attention and saluted. Tall and proud as she had once been. Her voice reaching far into the dark void.
"Thank you to you all. Thank you for standing with me. Thank you for shielding Gondor from the Enemy, and thank you for your sacrifice. Gondor has not forgotten you, nor will they. For I shall ensure the memory of your heroic deeds will be preserved for the ages to come."
The company, including Therion stood at attention and saluted her, and as the grip of the enchantment loosened still the men and women surrounding her and Therion begun to slowly fade away, untill it was only him and her left.
He smiled at her and looks around. "It's time, my Swan. Time for us to part ways, but when your time comes we will meet once again. Untill then, I am in here." He placed his hand over her heart, and she couldnt stop her tears anymore. His ethereal arms wrap around her for one final embrace, as she embraced him. Only for his ethereal form to slowly fade away as she snapped awake. Staring at the ceiling of the house, feeling her tears roll down her cheek as she murmured "Farewell..."
