silwritersguild challenge #13: fear Three seconds. He is afraid of dying. It is an unfortunate flaw in an Immortal king but he is afraid and he has always been afraid. He alters his grip on Aeglos.
Two seconds. He never meant to die or else he meant to marry and have an heir, or two or three. He does not procrastinate and he cannot put off death but he never got around to finding his own blushing bride (though there was one and he is sure she is to be Elrond’s.)
One second and the burning begins (and ends).
(And it wasn’t so bad.)