Faorie takes the first steps into a hidden cave, known to the Elves of Imladris.
“This place is known to those who guard the vale,” Faorie said simply, slowly walking forward into the hidden cave found just beyond the Gates of Imladris. “I'm sure you have been here before as well,” she continued, looking back at Thendryt.
“Heard of it,” he noted, “Never actually set foot in it.” Thendryt closed the door behind him and turned forward.
Nodding, she tilted her head to the side, gazing upwards to a ray of light breaking through a small gap on the ceiling. “It is a broken place,” she half-whispered, “But so much understanding can come in such solitude.” Faorie walked down a small staircase leading to a circular dip in the room. Tables withstanding the aging of time were scattered about the room and small items remained unmoved upon their sturdy wood. She placed her hand carefully over a table and brushed a layer of dirt onto the tiled floor. “Thendryt,” she called gently, “Come here.”
Standing amidst dust and history.
Without hesitation, Thendryt made his way to where Faorie stood, prepared for whatever was to be said or done.
Faorie looked at him briefly, “Wait a moment,” then turned away to another table that held a modest container. Unlike everything else surrounding them, the container had not been covered in layers of dust, proving that it had only recently been brought to that place.
And within its porcelain walls lay hidden a journal.
Faorie pulled the black book out and turned back to Thendryt, holding it in clear view. “This book...”
Thendryt's expression gradually darkened as he stared steadily at the journal.
“It is yours, is it not?”
“Yes,” Thendryt uttered sharply, raising his head.
“And you know full well what is to be found within its pages?”
“I should know,” Thendryt faintly grinned, “I wrote it.”
Unimpressed, Faorie furrowed her brow, turning her gaze down to her hands. “What would I find if I were to open it right now? What would I discover?” Slowly, she raised her eyes to Thendryt's and tightened her grip over the covers. “Would it hurt you?”
The two stood facing each other for what seemed like a long moment before Thendryt broke the silence. “Open that book,” he said lowly, “And you'll never look at me the same way again. For better or for worse, I cannot say.”
Faorie remained quiet as she broke eye contact to turn her attention down to the journal.
Furrowing his brow, Thendryt leaned forward and whispered, “You mean to tell me... that you have had it for this long and never opened it?”
She did not answer. She simply continued to stare at Thendryt's journal, as if in deep thought.
Thendryt pulled back two steps and raised his chin, staring down hard at Faorie, waiting for her next words.
Reticent, Faorie eventually responded. “What if the eyes that look upon you now were to change after reading this book? Surely...” she paused. “Surely they could not look upon you with anymore disappointment as they do now.”
A silence followed.
Their challenging eyes met, yet a peaceful air surrounded them.
Thendryt's hair moved forward over his shoulders, shadowing his face somewhat as he quietly spoke. “Disappointment I can bare. Sympathy on the other hand, I do not need that.”
“Then you will have none.”
Slowly, Faorie took hold of the book with one hand and offered it forward to Thendryt. “I will not read this; it is yours and whatever demons you have battled were yours to conquer. It is whether or not you can is what I question.”
Thendryt lowered his chin slightly.
“You have proven yourself someone who chooses not to depend on his fellows for aid, but I wonder if there is yet time to change that.”
Thendryt stared down at his journal, scrutinizing it. He reached forward and took hold of the book, but did not pull back to take it, and the two stood holding both ends.
“What will you do now, Thendryt?” Faorie asked simply.
Finally, he pulled the journal from her grasp and held it close to him, staring down onto its slightly damaged cover. “What would you like to know?” Thendryt whispered, “You say that you have not read it, and I see truth in those words... but your eyes hunger for answers.” He turned his gaze to Faorie's, awaiting the response that was to inevitably come.
End of Part 2 of 3
The Time to Speak - Part I FINAL - The Time to Speak - Part III
