Eternal

Thranir walked into the room, carrying a glimmering silver tray with two cups, a kettle, and a blue kerchief.  He set the tray down on the oak coffee-table before him, then sat down on an upholstered chair.  Across from him, sat a stunning woman in her thirties.  She had been with Thranir since they were both twenty-four, however Thranir did not age at all, he still looked as he did when he was twenty-four.

“You look marvelous today, my love.” said the woman “And I see you’re wearing the same outfit you wore when we first met... After all these years your old clothes still fit.”  She felt as though she had to compliment Thranir, as all the women he knew noticed that he didn’t age, and she felt she needed to do this so he wouldn’t stray from her.  “Ah, yes, I never really change much, but thanks for noticing Charlotte.  About that... There’s something I haven’t told you these past ten years.”

Charlotte didn’t quite know what to make of what Thranir had just said, so she questioned. “What ever do you mean?”  Thranir looked into her eyes, as if to say he was deeply sorry. “This is going to be a long night; you best drink your tea” Charlotte’s face looked grim, as she reached for her cup and took a drink. “Mm, earl grey, my favorite.” said Charlotte.  “I know, it’s Sterling’s, I only buy the best for such occasions.”  Charlotte was caught off guard by the last statement.  “Occasion? How is this an occasion?”  Thranir only smirked “It’s not everyday I tell you about my life story, that you didn’t know.”
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“I guess I’ll start at the beginning.  Let’s see, it’s been a good while since I’ve told anyone the story.  I was born sometime in the 1500’s.  I don’t remember the exact year, it was winter, however.  My parents were peasants, but nice people nonetheless.  We were farmers; we grew whatever our Lord demanded of us.  I never had time for a social life while on that farm, but I learned a lot about life.”

“After my parents died, I met a young woman, who happened to be the Lord’s daughter.  I climbed the social ladder from there, and soon claimed Lordship over our little parcel of land.  My first love, the Lord’s daughter, turned out to be a heathen witch, and apparently it was within her power to make me immortal, with but one consequence...  I could never feel the positive, or negative, when it came to love.  I don’t know why she chose me, of all of the men in the village, I’m sure most of the others wouldn’t have given a damn.”

“After hearing about this, I had her burned at the stake, the sound of her screaming was sweet satisfaction, and that is one thing I could feel, and will savor forever.  You see, I’m trapped in a paradox.  The one thing I wanted, all those years on the farm, was to be with someone, and now I can have that, however I can’t enjoy it, or dislike it.”

“It never really hit me how long forever is, until my second wife died.  All those things I said were just false promises, and I can’t grief about it, and then forget... I have to remember every single moment, as if I was dead and cast into purgatory.”

“I’ve had seventeen children, and I’ve outlived them all.  And as each one passed away, I couldn’t feel anything for them.  That horrible witch ruined many lives, my children would have given anything for sympathy and love, and I couldn’t give it to them.  When I die, maybe then I can console them, and watch how that heathen woman is being tortured.  That would alleviate my soul...”

“And, that’s the important stuff... the other details don’t really come to mind.  Ah, my memory isn’t what it used to be, you know?”  Thranir laughed, then sighed deeply.  “That’s my story; believe it or not, I haven’t had to tell it in sixty years.”

Charlotte had been looking at Thranir in shock and awe the whole time.  So many questions she had at this moment, but one was making her more curious as the seconds passed.  “Do you feel anything with me?” She asked.  “I really wish you hadn’t have asked that... but I guess its too late.  I feel the same thing, and don’t be offended, it’s nothing to do with you, there’s nothing you can do.” said Thranir.

“So, what do we do now?” asked Charlotte.  “Well, you could leave the room, and never speak of this again, or speak to me again... or you could stay, and you could try and be the lucky one that makes me feel again.” replied Thranir.

“Do you have anymore tea?”