Winter Dreams

Beta: Half Elf Lost

12: snow rose

December 12th

"Our time together draws short," Imrahil said softly to his companion.

Erestor nodded solemnly. "Aye."

The snow glittered under the bright starlight, making the landscape around them almost sparkle. The air was cool and crisp, fragrant with evergreens and the pungent scent of the winter roses. Imrahil raised his tired grey eyes and gazed at Erestor, struck silent again by the Elf's dark beauty. He then asked the question that had plagued him over the last five years.

"Why?"

"Why what?" Erestor countered as they continued to walk.

Imrahil flushed slightly. The Elf would make him say it all. "Why remain with me? I am old, my body aged; I can no longer be with you as we once were. Why did you stay here only to watch me die?"

Erestor stopped walking and stared up at the sky. For long, unbearable heartbeats, Erestor said nothing, just looked up at the dark, glittering sky. When he did turn his lovely, slim face to the Dol Amroth Prince, there were tears trailing slowly down his pale cheeks.

"Because of the snow rose," he said quietly.

Imrahil tilted his head. "The snow rose."

Erestor nodded. "That first winter Aragorn was King and we met, you strolled with me through Arwen's gardens. You shyly gave to me a snow rose and asked to court me." The Elf took the Man's hand in his and began to walk again. "My heart called to you as it had to no other, and I accepted the rose. It rests inside my favorite book, pressed and dried, old and discolored."

They stopped walking, and Erestor looked into Imrahil's wizened face. He tenderly cupped a wrinkled cheek as he smiled down at his lover. "You are just like that snow rose, Imrahil. Age has not lessened your beauty or worth in my eyes. I loved you then, I love you now, and I will love you long after you have passed from this world."


	Navigation multi-part stories previous next		Winter Dreams Beta: Half Elf Lost 12: snow rose December 12th "Our time together draws short," Imrahil said softly to his companion. Erestor nodded solemnly. "Aye." The snow glittered under the bright starlight, making the landscape around them almost sparkle. The air was cool and crisp, fragrant with evergreens and the pungent scent of the winter roses. Imrahil raised his tired grey eyes and gazed at Erestor, struck silent again by the Elf's dark beauty. He then asked the question that had plagued him over the last five years. "Why?" "Why what?" Erestor countered as they continued to walk. Imrahil flushed slightly. The Elf would make him say it all. "Why remain with me? I am old, my body aged; I can no longer be with you as we once were. Why did you stay here only to watch me die?" Erestor stopped walking and stared up at the sky. For long, unbearable heartbeats, Erestor said nothing, just looked up at the dark, glittering sky. When he did turn his lovely, slim face to the Dol Amroth Prince, there were tears trailing slowly down his pale cheeks. "Because of the snow rose," he said quietly. Imrahil tilted his head. "The snow rose." Erestor nodded. "That first winter Aragorn was King and we met, you strolled with me through Arwen's gardens. You shyly gave to me a snow rose and asked to court me." The Elf took the Man's hand in his and began to walk again. "My heart called to you as it had to no other, and I accepted the rose. It rests inside my favorite book, pressed and dried, old and discolored." They stopped walking, and Erestor looked into Imrahil's wizened face. He tenderly cupped a wrinkled cheek as he smiled down at his lover. "You are just like that snow rose, Imrahil. Age has not lessened your beauty or worth in my eyes. I loved you then, I love you now, and I will love you long after you have passed from this world."