Sequel to a Light to Fade in Morning

Preview
A Star to Blaze in Twilight

The heat was cold. Like a fire, it ran through him, enveloping, burning. Still it offered him no warmth. Just pain, one sharp like broken ice and as chilled as the air that dared brush near the fire spreading from upon his skin to within his blood.

And the darkness. Everything so, so dark, like a veil stained with death smothering all light.

He tried to move, tried to force his eyes to see in the ever looming darkness, but there was nothing but the heat and—

—cruel laughter stained the forest air as the yrch circled him. Torches mingled with shadows and hope with despair, but determination never wavered. Keep their savage eyes on him, bear the weight of leather made heavy with blood already seeping from his back. He could not waiver. Not in this.

Something pulled at the edges of his awareness. Not sleep. Never sleep. But something that offered a small kindness—ignorance perhaps. For a time.

He let the darkness take him.

  ______________

"The fever rises."

"Dangerously so?"

Caneir ground herbs even as his jaw clenched. "This situation by-passed dangerous long ago, hanar. Time is fleeting even as we speak."

Forven bit back a curse. Legolas needed the skill of a healer, not the ministrations of his desperate comrades. "To move him would only bring further harm."

"Aye."

"Then we stay." It was a grim smile line that pulled upon Forven's lips. "He is strong. This will not be his undoing."

. . .