Frozen in Time (A Collection of Drabbles)

Shifting Light (for Alex)

The newly turned earth drew their eyes, stark and unforgiving in the soft, filtered light.

“There should be flowers,” Elladan whispered brokenly, drawing closer to his brother.

Elrohir nodded silently, tears streaming from his reddened eyes. “Aye,” he managed. “But the niphredil have withered. The light is gone.”

“The light has not gone,” their companion corrected gently, raising his hands that the two might see what was cradled there. “It has but shifted.”

Drowned grey eyes fell to the vivid splash of green and white that lay in the wood-elf’s cupped palms.

Legolas tended the small slip carefully, singing and sharing stories of times and places past while the brethren mourned silently, lost in memories still too painful, until one bright morning they roused from a restless reverie to find the mound covered in a layer of gleaming white.

The Alfirin, which men call Evermind, bloomed at last.

“Come,” the golden elf said quietly. “’Tis time to depart.”

With a final glance at the flower-crowned earth, the three elves turned and began the long journey home. As they reached the eaves of the forest, Elladan reached for his brother’s hand, the ghost of a smile easing the sorrowful lines of his face.