TM: Prompt #187

There is a difference?

I think you confuse shades of meaning with true meaning. Vindication is nothing more than revenge. The only thing that separates the two is the intent, and while some believe intent is everything, intent means nothing to me.

Only the end means anything, and the end is the same despite the different words used.

Relief is no more than the aftermath of the former two.

If I were to choose what was the most exquisite of the three to feel, why, it would be relief, since it is the end result of the previous emotions. Vindication and revenge are acts, and they can't be felt or savoured as much as relief. They demand reasoning while relief demands nothing but quiet enjoyment of the calm following the storm.

Melkor sought revenge; he sought vindication.

And now, I bask in relief as he is locked away and the world of Man is safe from his further influence. No more revenge or vindication to wipe up after, only the long sigh after a long, bloody battle.

So, I ask you, which is more exquisite?

Yes, I thought so.

Relief.

Muse: Námo
Fandom: The Silmarillion
Word Count: 190