A Man Who Flies From His Fear May Find He Has Only Taken A Shortcut To Meet It by LadySternchen  

The Moon/The Sun/Colours- Mablung

Mablung prides himself on being quite fearless, a captain and a hunter and a guard. Orcs that come attacking their borders at night hardly quicken his pulse, nor do beasts that have developed a liking to the taste of Elf. What tasks he is set, he fulfils dutifully and meticulously, so he has never had to worry about displeasing his lord and lady, and thus has never had to fear their anger. He does not even fear the Powers in the West, at least not in a bad way.

But since the new light has first risen, Mablung has become acquainted with the concept of anxiety.

When first the silver light appeared in the skies, the one they now call Ithil, they all marvelled, but while Mablung was worried then, mainly because of the disquiet of the Queen, what really bothers him about the moon now is how much it dims the stars. For all Mablung’s life, the light of the stars has been enough. And now, even if they shine brightly in moonless nights, there is a darkness that was not there before.

The appearance of the second light, Anor, has had Mablung far more alarmed. When first the sun rose, bright and garish, Mablung fled to the caves, seeking to shield his eyes from the heat and brightness.

“Is that truly the light you once wanted to lead us to?” they all asked their King, aghast.

“It is, and yet not.” Queen Melian answered in her husband’s stead, leaving them none the wiser.

Mablung can tell, however, that the appearance of the new lights deeply bothers the royal couple, and that scares him above all else.

Worst, though, is what the lights have brought in their wake- colours. They still hurt Mablung’s eyes, make everything look different, make it difficult to see. Now suddenly, he finds himself in a situation where he cannot rely on his sharp senses and swift reactions for protection, and he loathes the feeling of vulnerability this prompts. His only hope is that Beleg in his unwavering optimism is indeed right, and they all will indeed grow accustomed to living in the light over time. Even if that be the case, though, Mablung still mourns the stars. Nothing will ever change that.