[Le Silmarillion] The Ghost (Maedhros, Maglor, Eluréd, Elurín, PG)
Was it an illusion? Maedhros thought he had heard a child's voice.
Around him, the earth was opening up in cracks, releasing fetid vapours and molten lava. Maglor had advised not to stray from the company, but... The voice came from the west. A wood could be seen in the distance.
The elf galloped towards the trees.
And soon, he heard it again. He dismounted when he reached the edge of the wood.
"So this was life?" said a small voice. "I would not have believed..."
"Eluréd?" said Maedhros weakly.
He walked into the forest.
"Eluréd?" he repeated. "Elurín?"
It was then that he saw him. The child was standing there in the starlight alone. But he was pale like it. Everything about him was pale, unreal.
"What have you done to me?" said the ghost.
His head was down. He was carrying something in his arms.
"Elurin?" tried Maedhros. "I'm sorry..."
But the child's transparent figure gained colour. What he held in his arms and watched over was a baby, laughing and playing happily.
The kid raised his head and looked at him. His eyes were grey. Red curls fell over them.
"What have you done to me?" the child repeated, still looking at Maedhros.
His clothes, the son of Fëanor knew them perfectly.
He had worn them.
As for the sweet baby in his arms...
Makalaurë.
"What have you done to me?" the child said again.
He turned, still holding his baby, and disappeared into the darkness of the trees.
Maedhros felt tears rolling down his cheeks. He fell to his knees in the grass and a cry of agonised despair came from him.
"Nelyo," said a deep voice.
A hand came to rest on his shoulder.
"The fumes from the crevices... They cause hallucinations."
Maedhros looked up. It was Maglor. Sparks of fire danced among the leaves.
"At least..." murmured the elder son. "At least we are still together. Even if everything must end."