And when the rain came down by AdmirableMonster  

And when the rain came down

It’s raining, grey rain from a grey sky.  “So you’re going to leave,” Caranthir says, fiercely, bitterly.

“I’ve Seen it,” Haleth retorts, just as fierce, just as bitter.  “My people will be safe there.”  She lifts her chin into the air, and he wants to scream and cry and order her not to go, tell her that she must stay here, tell her that he cannot live without her.

They are his father’s words: they are the words a young economist heard through the walls when Nerdanel left.  You will stay here, you must stay here, you are my wife—

His mother did not stay, and she left angrier than ever.  And even if Haleth did stay, what then?  She would be a bird in a cage, the brilliant plumage of her beautiful Mannish skirts turned grey beneath the grey clouded shadows of Thargelion.  She was not made for closed doors: she was not made for the life that Caranthir still remembers leading for so long that he thought Formenos would become a coffin.

He nods, putting out a hand to her, swallowing back the anger, the hurt, the sharp words.  “May I escort you across the mountains?” he asks, and on her face dawns an aching happiness that cannot ever be his, but that does not matter, because one should not strive to cage the sun.  “I would give you something to remember me by, if I could,” he says wistfully.  “I would give you a child.”

She takes his hand and pulls him close.  “What need have I for a child, Caranthir?  I have strong heirs already.”

He does not know how he does it, but he smiles through his tears, pressing his face into her hair.  This is for her.  This is her sight, her plan, her desire; he will not gainsay her.

“Come,” she smiles, pressing a kiss to the palm of his hand.  “You may escort us, if you so desire.  First, though, if it be your will, then escort me to your bedroom, lord.”

“Is it your will, my lady?” he murmurs.

“It is my will.”

“Then I would be happy to.”

I will be the man my father never was.

Chapter End Notes

they do say she didn't have children, after all