All is Dark by gaydhros  

Findekáno did not reach him in time.

He could have, maybe, if he’d been closer, if he’d heard his cries for aid sooner, if he’d hewed his way through the writhing mess of battle faster—

But he did not. Arakáno went down, swarmed by a vicious throng of Orcs wielding crude, blood-hungry blades, and there was nothing Findekáno could do but watch.

Findekáno’s cry was lost to the clamour. He was upon the Orcs only seconds later, his sword swinging wildly, cutting down foes with neither grace nor skill. He paid no heed to his own life nor the lives of the men fighting beside him. There existed only his brother.

At last, Findekáno fell to his knees at Arakáno’s side. His brother’s breathing was laboured. Around and above them swords clashed, shouts ringing out. Findekáno searched Arakáno rapidly, his eyes wide.

“No,” he whispered. He pressed his hands to Arakáno’s stomach, trying to staunch the bleeding. A warm pool of scarlet was spreading beneath him. “You’re all right,” he said frantically. “Can you hear me, Arakáno? It is not so bad. You will live.”

Arakáno’s unfocused eyes raised slowly to Findekáno’s face. He wet his lips as though to speak, but no sound came. Findekáno cupped his brother’s face fiercely, smearing blood across his cheeks.

“Listen to me,” he said steadily. “You cannot go. We have only just made it. Look to the sky— don’t you see the new light they have sent for us? As silver-bright as Telperion’s bloom. We have not been forgotten. You mustn’t go now.”

Arakáno eyelids were heavy. The corner of his mouth twisted up into the wry ghost of a smile. “I see nothing,” he finally whispered. The words were thick with blood. “Forgive me, Findekáno, I cannot see it. All is dark.”

Chapter End Notes

Thank you for reading! I'm on tumblr at @gaydhros <3

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