Posted: December 2003
Title: A Day in Wellington - Regret
Author: Estella Greenleaf
Type: RPS
Rating: PG
Characters: V/O as usual
Warning: PWP, drabble
Disclaimer: None of this is true. It's all lies!

Author's Note: I'm still in Auckland. In an internet cafe. Got really inspired during my visit to Wellington, in particular the events of Nov 29th. Was at Viggo's poetry reading and Howard Shore concert. Also has a separate interesting Viggo story earlier that day.... Anyway, I was in creative mood that night, so I jolted down a two-part drabble. Since I have nothing better to do except sit around and wait for plane, I will type it up now. Please forgive any grammatical mistakes.

*****

Bittersweet it was, to return to the place where it all started, to this land of magic where his life was forever changed. It was full of memories, recollection of a happy time etched into his soul. Riding Uraeus on the emerald planes, merry laughter of the past echoed in his mind. Life had been perfect then; exploring the rugged beauty of this untouched land with his beloved riding beside him.

Walking on the beach, he could feel the ghost of his lover's warmth caressing his skin, a firebrand that claimed ownership of his heart. Had he made a mistake, leaving his fairytale love in this fantasy land? He wondered then if those who had lost their hearts ever find their way back to a life without pain?

But time waited for no man, not a grieving lover, nor a melancholic poet. He now must face the fruit of the seeds he had sown. The show would go on, even if he were missing a fragment of his heart. Filling his waking moments to the brim, he did not give himself a single minute to dwell on what could have been. He wooed the masses with his soft voice, his quick wit and his shy smile. No one would ever know his secret; no one would sense his pain.

But the hardest part of the day was still to come. In a public reading, he steeled himself with one of his prophetic works: Heartbreak was inevitable. To choose the 'other' path would only prolong the pain. Yet, reason could not battle sorrow as the one who stole his heart appeared before him.

Affectionate nature still contagious, smile still shining with the radiance of a thousand suns, his former lover remained unchanged, a glorious beauty who would always take his breath away. But this dark Adonis was no longer his to hold. Though only an aisle away, the angel was now out of his reach, perfection meant only to be worshipped from afar. A slow sensuous smile cast his way; a slender hand beckoned. But he would not acknowledge the signs. Soon, the smile faded and the waving ceased.

Music filled the air. The hours flew by without a trace. The poet lent his voice to a chant for the returning king, a haunting melody bringing closure to the saga that had touched so many lives. As he stood on stage, soaking in the thunderous applause that brought him no joy, Viggo finally understood. There was no worse pain than regret.

*****

THE END

If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Estella Greenleaf