Ithil

As dusk greyed to evening, a warden peered out under the foliage of a mallorn under which he had taken cover from the drizzle. On the darkening skies, a glowing orb crept upwards, half-hidden behind tall trees: Ithil.

The silvery haze lent a hypnotic quality to the red moon - it seemed to grow even as the warden watched. Finally he blinked and Ithil magically shrunk to its natural size, only to ease closer again by the moment.

Veils of cloud hid the stars this night, but the misty moon made up for their absence with its sorcery, and the warden’s breath caught as the drama above him unfolded.

The moon exposed trees, silhouettes against its reddish light: A thorny holly chased Ithil with pointy spears while an oak’s majestic canopy provided shelter for the hunted.

The warden’s heart overflowed with the beauty of it all until finally his voice rose in worship of Eru, the One who had devised Arda. Jubilantly he expressed his joy at being present, in that moment, to witness its wonders.

The clouds thickened, then, hiding Ithil from view, and the warden’s song ended, but the memory of the enchanted evening would stay with him forever.

***

With many thanks to Viv for betaing and to my friends at GoI for 'critters' and encouragement.