Almar lay upon a cot humming softly to himself. He has many bandages, but his right thigh and calf are wrapped completely in white cloth. He seems awake, yet preoccupied with something as he lay comtomplating, looking up to the roof.
Aresmar enters Barracks after a good rest to see his friends. He could see men lying on the cots but one of them particulary takes his attention and begins to walk near him.
Almar stops his humming and with a disapointed look on his face sighs. Then shaking his head as if to clear his vision, he blinks a few times. Seeing Aresmar he smiles a bit and raises a hand to wave, the hand wrapped in a bandage. "Mae govennan, mellon. How are you this day?"
Aresmar seeing Almar trying to wave him with a bandaged hand wlaks hastily near him and says in a worried tone "Oh friend take it easy, you have to rest. I am fine but how are you is the question I must ask" he smiles when he sees that he is not that bad.
Almar lowers the hand and lay flat again, "I am much better thanks to Aran Finrod. He carried me back here upon his horse, and tended my wounds himself." He pauses a moment before speaking again with a touch of awe in his voice, "And the visions he gave me to ease my pain......so lovely, but they slip away no matter how hard you try to hold them."
Aresmar speaks now in low tone not to disturb others in the barracks. "Visions? I never experienced something like that, though I know not much about the Quende culture." than he sits near the Almar.
Almar smiles, "I have seen them twice now, but was wounded badly both times. They are of a place so bright and clear, everything is fresh and beautiful. I can still see the lovely boats pulled by glorious swans. It is the only image still with me from this last experence. I fear it will fade too soon."
Aresmar looks in awed eyes to Almar than says "Glorious scenery eh? they can really soften the pain one feels as I see" smiles again. Than suddenly his face darkens as many times he does, like he remembered something bad from his past. Lowers his head from Almar to the floor.
Almar sees the change in Aresmar, "What is wrong, mellon?" He looks concerned now, "Was is something I said? I did not mean to bring up painful memories." He looks both worried and puzzled now, not knowing what he could have said.
Aresmar after a moment, suddenly raises his head again like waking from a nightmare, than seeing Almar he recognizing the scene "Oh this happens sometimes, nothing you have said mellon, I remember some things from past, I cant prevent this thing to happen. It even makes me lose my control" he stops a moment than continues "And it causes some danger to me like today." than he stops again remembering something again.
Almar smiles at him again, "I know how is feels when the past strikes at you heart, leaving you with a feeling of sorrow. I know that all too well, but am sorry it has taken you, mellon." Then the puzzled look coming back, "Danger today? What danger did you face this day, that makes you so sad?"
Aresmar Aresmar nods, than goes on "Not the danger we encountered, the danger in me worries me losing control of me." than he stop a while again "We were with Andranar. We went to south to where the battle took place. And we saw a gaur standing at the heart of the battle field. His threatining voice blasted in my mind. I was just losing my control and nearly rushing to kill him or kill myself at this if Andranar didnt stop me calmly. Then we hastily stride back and fortunately he didnt persue us. And I fear..." than he stops again...
Almar nods as he listens to the story, and speaks when Aresmar pauses. "I know the guar as well, mellon. They have troubled me long, and one even took my wife from me." He grows quiet as well, thinking upon the situatuion yet still looking at Aresmar.
Aresmar shakes his head and says "... it was the same gaur yes. And called your name after us" and he falls silent again looking at Almar.
Almar looks stunned for a moment unable to speak. Then his voice croaks out in a whisper, "It spoke of me?" and his face sinks into dispair. "I shall never be free of all this. Even when I flee it, the beast stalks me over land." Looking up to Aresmar, pain and sadness fill his eyes, "What did it say other than my name?"
Aresmar seeing the pain in Almar forgot the pain he himself takes "You know we were riding hastily I didnt hear much but it was something like.." He pauses to remeber the exact words "I will haunt you as well human, as the other, Almar." his face darkens. His last word end like drowning in a big black sea.
Almar sighs heavaly, "So that is how it will be then." He looks to Aresmar, "I tell you this now and it is an oath I took to myself. One day I will do my best to slay that beast. I know I have far to go before I can. That is why I train so hard, because I will see that thing dead, or force him to take me."
Aresmar Aresmar puts his hand over Almars shoulder "mellon, that is what I think like. I havent seen him like you do I cant feel the hatred like you do but I want to see him also dead. Whenever you need help just ask me!" he pauses a while than "I shared your pain for your wife at the wake and I share your pain now. But one thing I know that is important man must be brave and wise to accomplish this kind of oath. Be careful we had a very long way to go. "
Aresmar now lowers his head again and says in very low tone "I know the pain of losing someone that you lave and respect, slain infront of your eyes not able to help." hardly he finishes his words.
Almar smiles again slightly and nods, "Train hard then, for you will need all your skill and more to even have a hope of defeating him. I have met many Guar over the past few years, and other than their sire he is the strongest and most foul I have seen." He takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "He will stalk and torment us for perhaps years, but we must endure until the time is right for us to strike."
Aresmar looks into Almar's eyes "I am already trying hard and waiting for that moment to come." than trying to smile " lets change this sad subject for now at least."
Almar nods and looks away across the room, "Of what would you wish to speak, mellon?" He sits quiet still pondering the guar and his life.
Aresmar smiles a bit "you like to drink?" than he reaches one of the tables and takes two glasses and a flask of wine. "I hope Teigril does not hear this, giving an injured man wine" he grins.
Almar turns back, "Only a small glass, for I do not drink often and it goes to my head quickly." Then his face softens at the mention of Teigril, "She will not be mad you give me some wine though. She herself has helped me escape the healer's hall at times."
Aresmar pours some wine to one of the glasses and less to other and gives it to Almar helping him to rise a little not to hurt him. "This will make you feel better after all, I am used to drinks, I am used to jump on every inn and tavern I find" he laughs quitely.
Almar slips a blanket and pillow behind him and then takes the wine. Sipping the wine feeling the warmth wash through him, "I have not even been near an inn for almost six months. Even where there is one I would drink cider before wine." He sips again, "Although Teigril makes an excellent spiced wine when she gets the urge."
Aresmar smiles and takes a big sip from his glass. "Yes Even I dont know Teigril for much as you, I have managed to find time to drink his tastey tea and wine. they were very good." he takes another sip.
Almar smiles much brighter now, "She is wonderful, and I have missed her since she left Dorthonion. Seeing her in Rivil suprised me greatly, but I am glad she came." and then he laughs, "She does always seem to have the tea, or wine ready by the fire as well."
Aresmar nods with a smile "yes really she is always ready for a party it seems" than after a moment "I am going to Tol Sirion with Andranar and Finrod's party. I want to see many places you know."
Almar nods, "When do you leave? I am traveling on with you all to Dor-lomin, so is this a short visit, or is everyone passing on to Tol Sirion?"
Aresmar says, "I think we will stay there a couple of days and not all the party goes to there.""
Almar nods again, "I would like to see the place, as I have not been there yet. I have been many places in the world so far." He drinks a deep draft from his cup, "Well, if I am strong enough to ride I may come. Lord Finrod's healing is powerful indeed, so likely I will on my feet by tomorrow."
Aresmar nods "I hope so it would be very good." than takes a another sip from his glass. And smiles as he says "you look like you are used to drinks not like you said before" and laughs after.
Almar laughs as well, "Ah, but this is all I will drink unless I wish to be a staggering drunk." He drains the glass, and feels the wine take hold as he sets the cup down. "I have been across the south to Brethil, Dimbar, and Margothrond where I met Aran Finrod. I have also been east as far as Himring where I met Lord Maedhros himself. To the north and Mithrim I have never been, and would like to see what I can as we go."
Aresmar smiles and takes the cup he put and puts it to a nearby table. "You seem to wander more than me" he laughs again. "I am happy that I met you." and than he rises and stands up "I dont want to tire you more, friend we will have many times to talk. Now rest and ready yourself for tomorrow." he straightens his cape and prepares to go.
Almar nods and waves as he watches Aresmar go, and then lay down to sleep a while as the wine eases his pains.
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