Comments | hearts_andminds: To Love Another Person is to See the Face of God

seeherwheniwake in hearts_andminds

To Love Another Person is to See the Face of God - ARRIVAL, OTA

Aug 20, 2011 22:11

Fantine opened her eyes with a gasp, a hand immediately clasping at her chest. But the pain was gone. Tentatively, she took a shallow breath...then a deeper one. She did not cough. And she did not feel that wracking need to do so that had been her constant companion for so long.

But...howOne did not simply wake up one morning cured of consumption ( Read more... )

arrival

Comments 25

denethor_ii August 21 2011, 19:05:53 UTC

It is a strange thing to see a person where one was not just a moment before. The woman's garments are not as those most here wear, nor are they the familiar ones of home. Still, they are closer to that and their make tells me what this woman's work likely was. I remember my days as a soldier, a long time ago, and the women of the inns.

"Lady, you will not find those people here. Please, be calm and I can help you." All people, regardless of station, are my responsibility in Gondor. So this is not my home--have I no heart?

Except for the outer fur robe, which he doesn't wear in summer, he's fully dressed in clothing from home including long mail shirt with sword on his back. He is 6'2" tall.

seeherwheniwake August 21 2011, 19:16:19 UTC

Fantine was relieved to hear a kind voice, even though the accent was strange, and the man's clothing quaint. Her unease grew, and she clasped her hands tightly.

"Monsieur, forgive me. I do not know where I am, or how I have come to be here. I last remember being very ill...and now I find I am not. What is this place? Have I died? Is this Hell?"

It could not be Heaven, her life had certainly been less than exemplary, and she had been given no chance to confess her sins.

denethor_ii August 22 2011, 02:51:31 UTC

So many questions, but not all of the answers are known to me.

"Where you are is both simple and complicated. It is a village called Haurvatat, not the hell or heaven some believe in. I myself was alive when I was brought here and remain so still." Why she would believe it was hell I cannot fathom. "Perhaps the village removed your illness, strange as that may sound."

I look her over again. She does not appear physically ill.

"It is a strange place. Some here did die before, and if that is the case then I express my sadness at the news. My own son came here after dying and found a new life--so all hope is not lost."

I can almost find it in me to smile.

"My name is Denethor of Gondor. This place is a crossing of worlds, of life and death, of various times; but it is a moderately safe place, and it is not impossible that you might find even happiness here."

seeherwheniwake August 22 2011, 03:03:10 UTC

Fantine curtsied politely to him, something that appeared strange in her clothing; a holdover from when her life had been different. Perhaps she had never been a lady, but she had not always been this, either ( ... )

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