CÚTHALION

"No, we cannot have him walk alone. Who knows what is out there in the dark?" He stepped back and went to find a spare pillow.

Beleg flexed his arm, as if to prove his strength, and nearly stumbled over himself as he went to sit down on the floor.

“I still can’t believe it's you, Aicarmo. It’s harder to imagine you married than myself.”

She hoped he meant that she would make him a new garment and not that he would measure her skill against that of his queen. She hoped she'd have that chance. Morning birds began to sing, a sickening alarm, cautioning them to hurry before a dawn escape turned into mid-morning capture.

prideboards ♡ demiromantic mablung ♡ picrew

Then at last Mablung returned to Doriath bowed with grief and with shame. ‘Choose you a new master of your hunters, lord,’ he said to the King. ‘For I am dishonoured.’ But Melian said: ‘It is not so, Mablung. You did all that you could, and none other among the King’s servants would have done so much.’

You've been looking at me all night. Are you going to do something about it or are we just going to keep pretending?

I don't think about you. Except every time the wind picks up. And every time the sun goes down.

You're leaving in August. I know that. I'm choosing not to think about it yet.

I don't know what this is. I do know I don't want it to stop.

The screen door keeps slamming and you keep showing up on my porch and I keep not telling you to go.

Three months. That's all this is. Tell me you understand that.

I've been trying to talk myself out of you for six weeks. It's not working.

Stay for the sunset. That's all I'm asking. 

Dance with me in the parking lot. 

This is my favorite version of you. Sandy feet, no plans, laughing at nothing.

You fell asleep on my shoulder at the drive-in and I didn't move for two hours.

I picked these for you on the walk over. They're a little wilted. I think they're still pretty.

I've never had someone look at me the way you look at me in the morning light.

Every song on the radio sounds like it's about you and I'm losing my grip on reality.

The fireflies are out. Come sit with me. Bring the blanket.

You wrote your number on a napkin like it's 1997 and it's the most romantic thing anyone has ever done.

You make ordinary days feel like something worth remembering.

September is going to ruin me and we both know it.

I'm not ready to talk about when you leave. Can we just have tonight?

You said this was temporary. You promised me it was temporary. Why doesn't it feel temporary?

This is the last bonfire of the summer. I need you to know what this meant to me.

I can't keep your sweatshirt. If I keep it I'll never get over this.

The house is going to feel so empty when you leave. The whole town is going to feel empty.

I keep driving past the place we met like it's going to bring the summer back.

The lake looks different without you next to it. Everything looks different without you next to it.

I don't regret a single day. I regret that there weren't more of them.

Take something of mine with you. So I know part of me is wherever you are.

Get in the car. I'm not telling you where we're going. Trust me.

You navigate. I'll drive. We're not stopping until the tank is empty or you fall asleep.

We got lost three hours ago and I've never been happier.

You look good in my sunglasses. Keep them. 

I didn't take this post for the glory. There is no glory in this.

I swore an oath before I knew what oaths cost. I have been paying ever since.

You should not be in this part of the city at this hour. I will not ask again.

My loyalty belongs to the crown. 

Stand down. All of you. I said stand down! 

I have kept this city's peace for fifteen years. You have undone me in fifteen days.

You come to me with this now. At this hour. With blood on your hands and no explanation.

The gate closes at sundown. You knew that. Why are you only arriving now?

There are things I have done in service of this city that I will not speak of. Not to you. Not to anyone.

Lower your voice. These walls remember everything said within them.

I have followed orders my entire life. I am looking at you and wondering, for the first time, what it would mean to refuse one.

You are not safe here. 

My men did not see you. As far as this watch is concerned you were never here tonight.

I have held this post through three rulers. I will not compromise it. Not even for you.

The city does not sleep. Neither do I. We have that in common, at least.

Tell me what you know and tell me quickly. I have neither time nor patience for half truths.

I understand sacrifice. What I do not understand is being asked to sacrifice you.

Nobody passes through this gate without my leave.

I have drawn this sword in service of causes I did not believe in. I will not draw it against you.

You ask me to look the other way. You do not know what you are asking.

A commander does not have the luxury of doubt. I have been doubting since the moment I met you.

The fog comes in heavy off the river at this hour. Stay close.

I know every shadow in this city. I know every place a person might hide. I will find who did this.

You should fear me. Most people do. The fact that you do not is either very brave or very foolish.

I have given this city everything it has asked of me. Tonight it is asking for something I cannot give.

My second will take the watch. You and I need to speak somewhere without ears in the walls.

The law is the law. I did not write it. I do not always agree with it. I enforce it nonetheless.

You, of all people, came to the barracks. What has happened?

I have seen men break under far less. You are still standing. That means something.

Do not mistake my silence for approval, boy. Do not mistake it for indifference either.

I was told you were trouble the day you arrived in this city. I should have listened.

A knight serves. That is the whole of it. Serve, protect, endure. I have never wanted more than that until now.

I have enemies in every quarter of this city. I will not have you become a target because of your association with me.

The order came from above me. I am not certain it came from a place I still respect.

Put the blade down. I am asking you as someone who does not wish to see you hanged.

There are two kinds of people in a city like this. Those who are protected and those who do the protecting. I have always known which one I am.

You should not trust me simply because I wear this cloak. Trust must be earned. Let me earn it.

I will not pretend the law bends for sentiment. I will also not pretend I am without sentiment where you are concerned.

My duty ends at that door. What happens beyond it is between you and whatever gods you keep.

You are asking me to betray everything I have built my life upon.

The city watch answers to the crown. I answer to the city watch. Tonight I find myself answering to something else entirely.

I have buried men I called brothers. I have mourned them quietly and moved on because the realm does not pause for grief.

I am not accustomed to being seen. Only to being obeyed.

Ride out at first light. Take nothing that marks you as known to me. I will follow when I can.

You remind me of something I gave up a long time ago.