Disclaimer: LOTR does not belong to me though I wish it did

Summary: Basically, a songfic about a love that could not be.

The songfic queen is back yet again. Nice to see y'all. You betta rr

Lyrics from Evanescence's My last Breath

My Last Breath

Hold onto me love

You know I can't stay long

Riive drew in a shallow breath and watched as it rose in a trail of cold mist. The warmth of the woods mixed with the ice of her breath, swirling before her. The sun had not yet risen, yet already, she was too hot. The beams of light that fell amongst the leaves of the trees highlighted her face and left shadows in her hair.

She waited silently, twisting her hands, leaning on a tree. In the glade in which she stood, time seemed to stand still. The tree's behind her stood frozen in a delicate winter, whilst opposite, the woods bloomed in different shades of green and brown. This small clearing was a bridge between the two worlds of summer and winter. And Riive was from the cold valley of winter, one of it's children.

She couldn't stay long in this place; the heat would kill her, or any other of her world. But here she waited, waited for him to come to her.

All I wanted to say was that I loved you

And I'm not afraid

All he wanted was to say how much he loved her. And that he wasn't afraid to die. But all he could do was to stand there and stare at her. At the pale blonde icy hair, the blue lips and white skin. Instead of words he strode towards her in three strides and lifted her into hid arms. She threw her arms around his neck and began to cry icy tears. "I thought you wouldn't come," she whispered softly.

Can you hear me?

Can you feel me in your arms?

He was so warm. So real. Could he feel her? Could he melt the ice around her heart? She had been waiting here for a long time, holding the thought of her home and him to her heart.

Holding my last breath

Safe inside myself

"You're too warm," he said chuckling. Riive smiled sadly up at him, feeling the ice melt in here eyes. She used to be so cold, so strong. Now she is frail, he thought as he gently kissed the top of her head. To him, this place was cold, whereas to her it was warm. And she couldn't stay here for much longer.

Are all my thoughts of you?

Sweet raptured light

It ends here tonight

She pulled herself from his embrace, bringing his hands up to her face. "We must end it here, my love." He bowed his head, nodding, "I knew this is what must said and I know that nothing can change that. But I still wish....." She silenced him by placing a finger over his lips, "So do I, but what fate destined for us is what must come to pass. We can not avoid time by hiding here.

I miss the winter

A world of fragile things

"I miss the winter," she said turning to face the trees that led to her world of cold, "I miss a world of fragile things where the slightest thing may cause them to break" She turned back to him, taking his hand in hers. "You understand don't you?" He nodded, "What kind of a man would I be if I didn't. I must marry for the good of my family. You must return to your home to survive."

Look for me in the white forest

Hiding in a hollow tree (come find me)

Riive picked up her staff from where it lay amongst the leaves, twisted n white. "If you ever wish to find me, come to this place and call my name to the hollow tree. I shall be waiting on the next morn."

I know you can hear me

I can taste it in your tears

Raising her head, she kissed him softly, feeling their tears mingle. Slowly they parted one to the warmth and one to the cold, of the worlds they left behind.

Holding my last breath

Safe inside myself

Are all my thoughts of you?

Sweet raptured light

It ends here tonight

The winters passed. Riive never forgot her promise to the man she left behind and was prepared to honour it till her death.

Closing your eyes to disappear

You pray your dreams will never leave you here

He smiled in his sleep as he watched the image of the lady dance across his eyelids. His face was pale and lined. His once tawny hair was now white with age. Across from him, opposite the fire sat two men, watching as their King travelled further towards death and the halls of his fathers.

"We must find her, Harlim, it was his last request." One said, gripping the hand of the other. "Theodred, how do we even know if she will even come when do reach this place between. The chances are so slim." Harlim replied. Theodred glanced across at the sleeping king. "He was never the same after my mother died; always looking at maps, saying he'd lost something. And when he told me, well, I promised I would take him to the woman he left behind."

But still you wake and know the truth

No one's there

He opened his eyes, fleeting seeing images of her. But no one was there. "Son?" he called hoarsely. "Yes father," Theodred was at his side instantly. "You must go to the clearing and call for her. She will come here." Theodred frowned, "But father, we are almost there." The king coughed, his whole body shaking at the effort and shook his head. "Only you will can find it and only you can call her. No one else."

Say goodnight

Don't be afraid

Riive came, passing the boundaries of her land into his. Weak and frail when she reached him, her body consumed by the heat of this land but still she came. Kneeling by him, she took his hand in hers. Time had not taken it's toll on her, leaving her young as ever. He smiled at her, seeing her for the last time. "Say goodnight my love, don't ever be afraid of what comes after death. For I shall be with you."

Calling me

Calling me

As you fade to black.

And he was gone. Riive cried, letting here tears melt her cold, cold heart. She lay down beside him, letting her life go so that she might be with him for all eternity.

Theodred watched upon his father and the woman he had loved as they passed into the next world. Harlim gripped his shoulder and turned to face the gather men before him.

"Eomer is dead."

"Long live the King. Theodred, Lord of the Rohhirm."