A Past Life

'This place was always dreary, so much cloud.' he said, heading for the bridge.

I looked around, stretching my neck to see the gaps between the houses. 'It is just grey now. No life anywhere. Everything looks the same. No colours, no brightness."

My spirit quailled that he had chosen this for himself, for so long. 

He nodded at my observations. 

'Was that tree alive' I asked, pointing at a bare looking remnant of what had likely been a tall beech.

He turned to view the tree. He smiled.

'Birds used to sit and sing early in the mornings. At times I wished for the quiet again'.

I walked over to stand on the bridge and look over at the village below. Estarfin moved to stand with me. Looking back at him, I smiled too. It was good he had a memory of such beauty.

"My noisy stonemason neighbours, and your birds," I commented. 'Both distractions from work.'

Estarfin followed my line of sight, taking in what was left of his home. He nodded.