[A supplementary addendum to Strange Fates - Part 1.]
Annunlos, some time last month.
The roof of stars faded as the first streaks of dawn reached up from the east, a faint grey light touching the windswept hills. A lone figure concealed in the brown grass stirred himself, arousing his mind from memories of firelight on raven hair, and the keen depths of emerald eyes. As the sickle moon sank beneath the western hills, he rose to one knee and looked about.
Moments later, the Elf rode slowly out of the small copse, then quickened his pace, galloping eastward beside the road. The barren turf sped beneath him, muting the sound of the horse's hoofs. His eyes and ears were trained on his surroundings, but his heart was elsewhere. With every stride of the horse, the longing to see her again waxed, and he yearned to turn back. Doubts began to creep into his mind - how would it be, in the end? Would he be torn between the sea-longing and this new-found love? One thought pushed all other thoughts away: he would not leave her.
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High Moor, some time last month.
The soft golden rays of a setting sun filtered through the trees before him as he mounted the last rise. He had pushed his horse more than usual all afternoon, and now it stood for a moment on the crest of the hill, breathing heavily and sweating, pausing on the brink before plunging down the last slope. He looked down at the hidden vale spread before him, his heart rejoicing at the sight. He did not halt long to take it in, though; for once in his life, time seemed slow, each moment burdensome. He gave an absent-minded signal to the sentries, and passed on, winding down into the valley and thundering over the bridge.
