Prompt #1: Fire

As a child, she was always entranced by the flames. Watching her father using the forge, beating and moulding a shapeless piece of metal into something truly wondrous never ceased to amaze her. Though her true calling lay in sculpting, it was not a rare circumstance to find her invested in some article the smiths were busy bringing life to.

That was how she had met him. She had heard news that the Prince had taken up apprenticeship under her father and she would be lying if she said that she wasn't even a bit curious to see the talented Prince at work. She remembered the first time she saw him, dark against the background of the roaring fires, yet at the same time, shining with an inner flame that overpowered her senses. No, not shining, he was burning. As he lifted his eyes to meet her gaze, she knew. She knew that moment onwards, she will be burning with him.

oOoOo

He watched in awe as innumerable pairs of sturdy hands worked in the Main Forge, each devoted in their respective job, only turning once or twice to bellow a greeting at the gawking Prince and his guards. The thunk-thunk-thunk of the hammer mixed with the whoosh of the bellows, the crackling of the flames and sizzling of the water all made him giddy with the fact that soon, he will be able to work along with the rest. He carefully made his way, tightly reigning in his desire to simply run, towards his own designated area where the Master Smith will be teaching him the very secrets of the craft. Today, he will be making new friends. And fire will be one of them.

oOoOo

She stood by the window, her eyes dry. Fresh tears would not come even if she wanted them to; she has shed all of them.

"Mother?"

She turned to her youngest, her twin children, face devoid of all emotions.

"May you see the folly of your ways, sooner than later, as your father is too blinded, be it by rage or arrogance, to heed the counsels of the wise."

She made to pass by the chagrined pair, but in the last moment, her resolve dissolved. Pulling the both of them in a fierce embrace, she whispered, "Stay safe."

"Always, mother." The reply was returned with the same fervor.

And then she was gone.

oOoOo

He remembered the day the Great Worm of the North came swooping down upon his people, its speed fueled by the greed for the gold they had treasured for so long. He remembered the screams of the men and dwarrows alike, he remembered the smell of the burned flesh, he remembered the voice of destruction itself.

But most of all, he remembered the flames.

oOoOo

Two persons, from distant points of history.

Two persons, who in all probability, did not know about the other.

Two persons, who loved the fire.

Twos persons, who burned in them.

oOoOo

A/N: Yes, I also had to give in to the temptation of the 100 drabble challenge despite having loads of unfinished fics in my hand. But hey, if you also want to take this challenge, contact Nircele. She is generously providing all of us trouble-makers with prompts to chew upon.

Thanks for reading.

Review please?