Tender Hearts

Now he sat with the head of his quarry on his lap and, as he gazed down at her tears fell, for he saw mirrored in her battered face another, that of his father he had lost so long ago. Gently he lifted Faereluth’s head and kissed it oh so tenderly, she in response sighed gently and as he lowered her head once more he felt her heart beat with renewed strength.

It was then that Elnaur fell into Elven sleep, he seemed to have slept for only a few moments when he was woken by a great shuddering, as he came to his senses he realised that Faereluth was having some sort of fit. Touching her face he felt fire burning through her body, he knew he must hurry to cool her or risk losing her to the raging fever.

Jumping up he sought water but could find none close at hand; looking skyward in silent prayer to Eru he saw the answer to his plea, for high on the mountain, overhanging the place where Faereluth lay, was of all things snow. Taking up his bow he fired a volley of arrows into the snowdrift slowly at first powdered flakes fluttered down but soon with a loud rumbling an avalanche cascaded earthwards until Faereluth lay smothered in a bed of deep snow.