The Blacksmith

Armenelos, the city that was your home. A spectacular sight to behold, you stood atop one of the buildings perched the highest, and surveyed the whole city below and around you. Directly in front of you were the grand statues of Eärendil and Elwing, two very important figures in the history of Númenor and Arda itself. For they were the parents of Elros, the island's first king. Oh how you wondered what it would have been like to live on these shores during those early years. Back when the elves were treated with respect and reverence. You glanced at your mother then, who was wearing a dress of azure and gold. She had been watching you curiously.

"I often wonder what it is that passes through your mind. What thoughts could bring such sorrow to your beautiful face." She wandered across to you then, taking your hand, gazing out over the city with you. Looking down, you noticed that what she held was not the hand of a child. It was the hand of you now, a woman. "Mother, how... how are you here?"
She smiled at you in your naivety. "How does not matter, daughter. Only why."

It was then you felt another hand take your free one. You would know his touch anywhere. You grinned with joy, excited to introduce Halbrand to your mother at last, even though you knew this wasn't really happening, but the impossible meeting of the two of them gave you happiness you never thought you’d experience, so you lived in that feeling for a moment. When you faced him, he was the Halbrand you knew, yes, but not completely. It was the real Halbrand. The one underneath his eyes that had been pulling you down towards him, his snare inescapable.

He was dressed in that black cape you had seen in your other dreams, and he looked at you with sinister black slits that sat atop his hazel orbs. You tried to let go of his hand then, but he refused to release it. Instead he just laughed at your feeble attempts at freedom. "Mother! Help me! Hold onto me! Please!" She still had you, but you could feel her grip loosening. "My child... it is you who must hold onto me." Halbrand's hand was so tight on yours, you wondered if he would break bones. He was growing stronger, your mother... weaker. "Hold onto me... do not let me go..." Words from her you had heard before, resonating within you once again.
"My queen..." His contorted voice entered the air. "You are destined to rule by my side... until the end of all the ages..."
You felt your mother's hand slipping, but still held on to her. Turning your gaze away from your love, you watched as the mournful ghost of her began to fade, a glistening bright light threatening to take her away. You wanted so badly to follow her into it, to be with her once more and forever. But the second you tried, you found you couldn't move, your feet fixed to the stone they stood upon. You felt the mouth of your love upon your neck, and you sighed, closing your eyes. The memory of the unparalleled bliss Halbrand provided you proved too strong. Next your eyes opened, your mother was gone, the hand she held fallen to your side. Halbrand took it in his, the two of you facing each other. And as your lips crashed, so did the waves all around you. You stood in awe and horror, as the island of Númenor began to descend into the sea.

Awaking from this disconcerting vision, you noticed immediately that Halbrand was not with you. Before you let yourself grow too panicked or disappointed, you remembered he had said he snuck away from the healers to be with you last night. Suddenly it was all coming back to you in your sleepy haze. His mischievousness, his body on yours, his moaning because of you. Smiling, you spread out your form, covering the whole bed, and hummed in delight. You hoped this is how you'd wake up every morning.

After a few more minutes delaying the day, you decided to rise, dressing yourself in that elegant crimson gown you had fallen in love with the previous night. It fit you perfectly, and flowed around you in such a way, that when you moved you thought you could fly. Exiting your chamber, you made straight for Halbrand without hesitation. However you found that by the time you had reached the healers, he was not there.

"I see he's not with you either then." It was Galadriel. She was wearing a stunning emerald green dress that was covered in jewels, embroidery, and golden chains with delicate beading. She looked every bit an elf of her standing. "It seems your king has gone wandering about."
"I'm sure he's fine." you spoke with no concern in your voice, forgetting yourself for a moment. Galadriel glanced at you suspiciously. "The healers said he would recover, yes? Why worry?" You hoped your feigned optimism might placate her, but she knew you better than that.
"He came to your chambers last night, didn't he."
Feeling your cheeks redden, you had no choice but to concede, your body betraying you, forcing your hand. "Let's just say Halbrand has fully recovered, quicker than anticipated!" you exclaimed, smiling wide.
Galadriel just rolled her eyes at you, sighing. "Shall we get some fresh air perhaps? The banks of the Glanduin might inspire that awe you seek?"

You nodded, following her lead. As the two of you wandered through Eregion, you couldn't help but stare at every magnificent inch of it in every direction. You had always dreamed of seeing an elven city up close, and couldn't believe you were actually here. It was breathtaking. Soon you found yourself walking along the Glanduin, the crystal water twinkling at you, the scent of various kinds of flowers and plants filling your nostrils. The two of you had been discussing nothing of particular import, when suddenly Galadriel decided to steer the conversation down a more concerning road.

She spoke your name, her tone quite serious. "I know that Halbrand and yourself appear to have mended things, but something still seems amiss to me. I sense that you are still warring with yourself, despite the outward happiness you wear." Your stomach dropped, and you were speechless. You didn't anticipate this speculation from her, nor for it to be so accurate. However what she did not know is that one side of your war was starting to win. And you were letting it. But what to tell Galadriel?

When you didn't reply, she continued, "I also sense a similar struggle might be raging in Halbrand as well." Her words stopped you in your tracks. She had never spoken of your love in this way. Their bond of friendship was so solid, hence her statement catching you off guard. "There's a part of him I still do not know. A part he cares not to share fully. I feel it might relate to his initial reluctance to assume his birthright as king, but now... I am not so sure. He has hinted at committing foul deeds in his past, but I bid him to be free of it. Has he revealed anything to you?"
"Not in a way I would wish, Galadriel. With everything that happened on the ship, your battle, and now his injury, he hasn't much had the opportunity to speak so plainly with me. I was hoping for us to have that conversation before we meet up with the surviving Southlanders in Pelargir."
"I see. I'm sure my suspicions have no founding, though the feeling cannot be shook loose from my mind. But what of you and your ills? Perhaps I can help." she offered, nothing but kindness in her voice. You sighed, unsure of how to proceed. You cared for Galadriel as much as she did for you. And despite knowing how she would react if you told her the complete truth, you decided to be honest. Although, you chose your words carefully, as you wanted to keep her on side as much as you could.

"Galadriel... I cannot tell you what I have done. But... you must know... there is something changing within me... within Halbrand. Something we cannot seem to stop... your instincts are right.”
Her eyes widened, and she placed her hands gently on your shoulders. "What is it? What forces have corrupted you both?" Her voice was urgent, expressing her determination to reach the cause of your conflict.
"I cannot say for I do not know. I have been having dreams... nightmares... about Halbrand and myself. Something is leading us down a dark path... and I am finding it harder to resist."
"And Halbrand?"
"He is losing the same battle as I."
Galadriel took your hand then, and began to lead you back towards the city centre. "I must confer with Elrond, and High King Gil-galad. We must keep you both fixed in the light. To lose the king and soon to be queen of the Southlands to darkness... we must know what devilry this is. I beg you, go find Halbrand, and get him to tell you as much as you can. We need to better know what we are up against."

She left you with haste, and you began the search for your love. You started to panic. Had you said too much? What consequences awaited you both now? Would Halbrand be upset with you? Your thoughts raced behind your eyes, almost as fast as your feet were carrying you whilst you looked for him. Finding yourself with a choice between two paths to take, you felt arms embracing you from behind, and a kiss on the back of your head. It seems he had found you first.

"Where have you been?" you said, covering his arms with yours.
"I met an elf with whom I might do great things."
"Did you now?"
"Oh yes." Halbrand slowly spun you around to face him. His eyes darted down at you, taking in the view. "That dress... I could ravish you right here." The look in his eyes, the smirk on his face... you felt very validated by your choice of outfit. Smiling at him, you took in his appearance. He still looked slightly ill, but his complexion was returning. You loved his messy hair, tucked behind his ears, and the blue garment he wore... it's colour was familiar to you, and a sort of deja vu washed over you as you took in the azure fabric. He kissed you then, shaking off your perplexing thought. "In fact," he continued, "I think he might let me assist him in his newly constructed forge."
"You're going to make something with the elves?"
"Something that will change everything. It's the opportunity I've longed for. I thought maybe on Númenor I'd get my chance, but it seems the purpose of my visit there was to find you." He beamed down at you, cupping your cheeks with his hands before letting his lips graze yours once again. Leaning his forehead against your own, he whispered, "I can feel it, my love. This is it. The start of a greater purpose. A step towards my destiny."

It was then that the worry of Galadriel returned to your mind. Being in Halbrand's presence almost made you forget why you were coming to find him. You kissed him briefly then, before embracing him. "Halbrand... you said when you were healed you would reveal everything to me. The time is now." Taking a step back, you grabbed his hands, stroking his skin with your thumbs. His smile had faded, his eyes darkening. "Very well. Let us find a more secluded spot." Your fingers locked with his, as he lead you back the way you had come, wandering along paths lined with bushes and vines, and wooden sculptures carved into the trees. Once Halbrand was satisfied you were isolated, he sat you down on a stone bench, and stood before you, an imposing figure. You wondered if he would be truthful, if he would really come forward with what evil might be lurking inside of him. You really had no idea what he would say, but the thought of any words escaping his mouth was enough to quicken your pulse.

"I told you there is a darkness in us both." You nodded at him, remembering his words back on the ship. "There is something terrible inside us that is desperate to come to the surface. It is something I have kept hidden from you, from everyone. Something that I have tried to turn away from. I've tried to fight it, I thought that if I sought to repent for the evils I wrought upon this world that maybe... maybe I could be redeemed."
"What... evils...?"

Halbrand attempted to continue, but was interrupted by an elf you did not know. "Excuse me, but Lord Celebrimbor wishes to see you in his forge." he spoke, bowing his head.
"Tell him I will be there soon."
"I'm afraid it cannot wait." the elf insisted. Halbrand turned his gaze back to your eyes, and you searched his, begging wordlessly with your expression for him not to go. His face became apologetic, his mind made up. Managing a small smile, he parted with the words, "Destiny awaits."
Nodding at him once more, you watched on as your love strolled away to craft his dreams.