A Sight Beyond

Also called the Stone of Anor and the Stone of Minas Tirith, the palantír held at Anárion's stronghold of Minas Anor remained there throughout the Third Age. As the centuries passed, the stone was almost forgotten, but the Stewards knew of it. Denethor used it in secret, but Sauron subverted it and drove the Steward to madness. Denethor burned himself to death with the palantír in his hands, and from that time on the image of the burning hands of the Steward was fixed within the stone.
-Encyclopedia of Arda

...a great lidless eye, wreathed in flame…"
-Saruman the White


***

Would anyone have shown more restraint, had they known how good it felt? The stone was cool to the touch, but it warmed quickly - warmed to him - with a flicker at first, by seconds growing larger into a picture of life and clear thought, until he could see all but his own reflection in its shining depths. They said it was wrong, unwise even, but he knew it was not - not when he found more knowledge here than in all the tomes his city could hold.

There was no pulling away, then, when the fire finally came.

***

A birthday fic for Alassante - Happy Birthday, Good Twin!,

This was written on my old computer, Palantir, which may well be nearing the end of its days, and upon which I have spent many happy hours chatting, writing, and the like with Al. Thanks to both of your for all the good times.