”Oh,” Miriel murmured, leading him back to camp, “I’m fine. Just the nightmare I guess,” She let go of his hand as soon as one person came into viewing distance. It was just an elven soldier.
“I’m going to go clean up. I’ll catch you later. Make sure they keep a horse for me,” Miriel told Ha’zi before taking off, walking back to where her tent was. Ha’zi saw that most people had finished eating and that the camp was being packed up, tents folded and taken back to the supply caravan train which waited patiently near the road, guarded by the Gondorians.
Dimitri found many of them staring back at him. Whether it was from confusion, interest or fear none could tell. Probably a mixture. A couple of the men, the green boys, including the ones he met yesterday, Even and Berethor, were gathering up the horses and bringing them over to the Shifters Section. Berethor waved at Dimitri while Even merely glanced and continued on their way.
As Iver unleashed a steady line of urine into the dirt, a certain obtrusive elf named Zaro walked around a tree and saw Iver hiding behind a bush, his manly parts dangling out of his pants. It was quite the scene.
“Alright, let’s saddle up!” Elladan yelled out to those who had finished breakfasts and packed their tents. Sigeric, Daugo, Marco, Thoruk and Cardiloc.
“Muuuh, Daug, hweelp meh,” Marco mumbled as he tried to pull the foundation of the tent out of the ground. He was still, obviously, drunk. Elrohir was trying to help the Gondorian but he refused elven help in favor of the hobbit.
Celeborn’s tent was brought down and sent off to the caravans. The clearing was emptying as many Gondorians began to file out towards the Ithilien road. Celeborn and Glorfindel were conversing as they waited for the Shifters and their friends to make haste.
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—————
The waves lapped against the sandy shore. Slowly tugging pebbles and sediments back and forth with each sway and swash. The light blue sky was covered with grey clouds and rain poured down from the heavens.
One man stood on the beach, feet half submerged in the sand. The waves rolled up to his toes and back. He was barefoot, wearing a brown coat-jacket with a light brown tunic beneath and matching pants. He stood there as the salty sea breeze ruffled his tawny hair. Sighing as the rain pelted his face and clothes, wetting them as he waited.
The tropical trees swayed in the background, leaves fluttering about and branches creaking as the storm raged on. Birds and insects chirped but were drowned out by the crashing splashes of the waves and the thunderous moans of the sky. It remained that way for a long time. Five minutes passed, then twenty, then an hour, then two.
Slowly the sea began to churn. A maelstrom of froth and bubbles erupted out of the depths and a dark figure rose. He was clad in blue, a rich deep oceanic tone with whites, greens and aqua marine. As he rose, the ocean parted and he moved with the grace of a swan towards the man on the beach.
”Took you long enough.” The tawny haired fellow spoke first, his high pitched voice barely breaking through the surf and the sky.
The figure from the depths opened his mouth and a deeply lamented voice said, ”You look....”
”Like shit. I know.” The Trickster interrupted him.
”I wouldn’t use that colorful term, yet, it does suit you.”
The Trickster laughed. ”You still have your sense of humor, Ulmo.”
”On the other hand, you are no longer the person I knew.” Ulmo spoke, his voice echoing through the raging storm.
The Trickster’s hazel eyes narrowed, ”I hope you did not come here to berate me, brother.”
”I came of my own volition. No matter the indignant stance you take, you know he was justified in his actions.”
At this the Trickster’s cool demeanor broke. ”JUSTIFIED?” He laughed maniacally, ”Do you even hear yourself now? JUSTIFIED? You think he was justified? How can you justify such actions? The slaughter of innocents, the betrayal, the mu-“
”BETRAYAL?” Ulmo’s voice cut through the air like a trident. His navy blue eyes darkened. It was thyself who betrayed us first! Thou stood with the Enemy! You stood against us! You have only yourself to blame!”
The Trickster was shaking, his hands twitched as he retorted, ”I MERELY HAD A DIFFERENCE IN OPINION!” Lightning crackled across the sky and in the brief moment Ulmo glimpsed the dark wings that spread out behind the Trickster. ”I ONLY WANTED US TO BE AT PEACE!! WE COULD’VE FIXED HIM!!!” The rain smacked against both of them with ferocity.
”No. You deceived yourself. And because of that, you cost us everything. Morgoth is broken. His heart is fractured. You know it to be true. Yet, you lie to yourself. Perhaps it is because you are delusional. Or perhaps it is because you’re still an immature child, little brother. I can see you too are broken. Manwë was correct as usual. I was afraid he had become corrupted, but now I understand. You and Morgoth have fallen from grace. I do not agree with Manwë’s practices or his judgements on many things, but this I can be certain of. You are broken, brother.” Ulmo spoke. A shard of lightning pierced the sky and hit a nearby tree setting it ablaze for a moment before its flames died out under the heavy splashes of precipitation.
The Trickster listened to all this, his eyes swelling with tears. His legs had nearly given way but he still remained standing, facing Ulmo, ”I-I just want to come back...I don’t even wa-want justice anymore...I just want it to be over...”
”I should bring you back to Manwë and let him dispel judgement. I should be the loyal brother. Yet, I will not. Out of the love I hold for you, whatever little of it is left, I will allow you this single pardon. Fly, brother. Fly. Never return to my realm or seek me out again for the only justice you shall receive will be from the King himself!” Ulmo’s voice remained steady yet seemed on the verge of faltering. The Trickster was about to argue but instead coughed, turned around, glanced back at the Vala, shut his eyes and snapped his fingers. The sounds of the storm, the surf, the jungle and Ulmo’s deep-pitched voice dissipated into nothingness.
