*For the Love of the Lord of The Wights*
by: WhiteGloves
For LegolassQ, of course :)
And for everyone keeping LOTR in their hearts! Hannon le!
"Cold be hand and heart and bone,and cold be sleep under stone
never more to wake on stony bed, never, till the Sun fails and the Moon is dead
In the black wind the stars shall die and still be gold here let them lie
till the Dark Lord lifts his hand over dead sea and withered land."
(the Barrow-wight)
Chapter 1: Ends and Beginnings
Ends
It was a day in Arda made for the Victorious of the Ilúvatar. The hills and valleys sing of its splendor like when He first made the Ainur. Themes of music were shared in harmony of all forms: majestic mountains peeking at the top of the clouds as they brightly parted for Ancalë to illuminate all that was life and all that was is; the river, the falls, the sea in synchrony of unending melody; galad the ever-showering beam as nítë kissing the tip of leaves and meadow; soil and stone offer much consonance for loud they rumble with the scurrying feet of folks that added merriment to the ensemble.
And behold the White City ever under Heaven's ray. The White Tree in abundance of Eru's grace. In it the people were in jovial mood, of colours raise and flowers brood. Anticipation was in the air as they sing for the King of Gondor, hail thee King Elessar, Hope of Men! Much loved and cherished by not one realm, but all he gifted of his strength and hope which they now give back tenfold.
And they sing to his health and sing to his heir! Till at last a cry of new life filled the Halls of the Kings, in the Houses of Healing.
Leagues of travel it felt he endured for the one King whose song his heart strongly pulled. Though he come from not far land, there of Ithilien where green growth was made prosper by his elven kind, the Elf Prince rode the opposite with two of his kin and summoned their steeds to make haste to the King's side. He knew before the break of dawn that which will come passing, but kept by the strong claim of *Ulmo, always louder than its last, the Prince delayed a day and only now was able to journey to the White City to join the family of his beloved friend and the Evenstar.
The company of Elves from Ithilien entered Minas Tirith and though the Eldar had graced the city with their fair splendor many times and had been familiar to many folks since Aragorn's succession to the throne, their Queen kin even, eyes still sought and after the Elves that disappeared before the Gondorians, who saw white light string their eyes and golden silk of beautiful hair in their wake. Songs have been made for the Elves as well, for blessed are they who live to see the immortal beings even at the end of the Third Age when most of the fair folk has left for the Undying Lands, and now in the City here there come three.
Till at last the hooves of horses came to a stop just before the White Tree, and Legolas gladly left his horse, Saëtál, his strongfoot, to his brethren who were met by the guards with grace; the Elf Prince then crossed the distance to where he knew the King would be. He had not yet turned towards the Houses of Healing when piercing laughter that tinkled his elven ears halted his movements. He turned to his left onto the wide garden of brown and white where footsteps of the young rushed that kept his heart near. The Elf Prince smiled as he changed his course and onto the view the Elf Prince saw two young edain in their titta armory running about in their small legs, their locks of dark entanglement reminding him of the small edain from Imladris that had won his heart from the moment they met to this very day.
'Estel' they called him, for Estel was Hope. Estel he remains in Legolas lips, thy friend who was dear than his sea-longing.
Legolas was lost for a moment, remembering the affliction yesternight had brought, till the light step of his cherished friend pulled him back in attention and he forgot all his troubles.
"Legolas!" a warm call it was and one he would sorely miss. The elven head turned, his golden hair falling in places of his ear; then the blue met the grey and that was all the Elf Prince needed to reaffirm his vow to be by his side no matter the tide. The smiling features of the King has not changed as his mirth reached his eyes. His face remained fair even with the transition of graying hair and additional lines on his face. He was old but one so young for the Eldar who could see not but a child walking the last steps to reach him. Aragorn was two-hundred, descendant of the Duneidan from Numenor blessed with long life thrice the age of common Men. Yet Legolas saw agility has left him but not wisdom or love. Tenderly he watched the approaching King whom he would go to the ends of Arda if Eru would allow.
Legolas then realized with aching heart that the time was nearing and Aragorn was fading.
"Estel." He broke silently to himself, much of silent whisper, then berated himself and erased the turmoil he didn't want the ever-keen King to see. So mastering his will, the Elf smiled and grasped the King's shoulder lightly with love, while Aragorn did the same and glad was the Elf to feel the adan's strong grip on his shoulder. "Mae govannen, mellon nin."
"Mae govannen," Aragorn nodded, eyes travelling all the curves and features of the Elf Prince as if remembering before adding in a tone of jest laced with concern that only Legolas could discern, "You're late. Are you still ill?"
"Come now, Estel," Legolas chided gently as the friends of long walked side by side, the Elf Prince falling in the King's pace, "It is a passing thing you must not overly concern about. And I came not to be reminded of it but to forget." Seeing the King's eyes turned even worried, Legolas hastily added, "The sea-longing wanes when I am with you and here I stand. You must not dwell on it, mellon, for I do not."
"Then do stay and keep us company, Legolas." An invitation that had always been for a hundred years, which there had been plenty ever since the Elf Prince's sea-longing took hold. Aragorn sounded solemn with grey eyes that beheld sincerity, aware was he that his elven friend had endured many years rejecting the call because Legolas vowed to be with him till the end of his mortal days. A sacrifice no lesser for a Man he so loved, Legolas told him and Aragorn ever since was moved. "Take refuge in the castle where we shall meet more often."
'And I can tend to you as you to me, old friend.'
The Elf Prince read the man's heart wholly to which he gave a sad smile knowing how the King and the Evenstar would always miss his presence. But the sea-longing was no easy feeling to have and not easily discarded once made known. The only thing keeping him was truly Estel, his elves that remained with him in the South and his father King Thranduil who remains in Middle Earth under Varda's beauty on silent nights, the Lady of the Stars.
"I know you label me a complicated being, but I still long for the peace of Ithilien where my own folk dwells." Sensing the King's worry even still, Legolas abruptly asked, "How fare Eldarion and his wife? And the child?"
Sensing the final tone of the Prince, King Aragorn with hands both on his back nodded simply. "Aye, he has made family worthy of his love and his sire. He shall soon be ready of what will be rightfully his."
"Not too soon and on the right time." Legolas added, a hand gently touching Aragorn's shoulder; turning his blue eyes to his old friend's gray orbs and looking deeper for any ailment the King may not openly speak so as not to add worry to his aggrieved Elven friend. "How are you faring?"
Aragorn's features turned grim but ever was a light smile on his lips.
"It seems we still both worry much for the other these days."
"Aye, Estel, we've both been since the beginning of our time in Imladris. I do not intend to change our ways. Come now, adan…" Legolas peered in the man's eyes again whose graying brows still sat wisdom and love. "How do you fare?"
At the Elf Prince's scrutiny much the same of how Lord Elrond, a foster father but a father with love nonetheless, would look at him, and much the same with Arwen. The King of the Men sighed heavily, stopping on an archway already leading to the garden, his eyes set on the trees and the skies. "I do not feel it yet, but it is soon coming. The same I fee the power of the Elves leaving the lands, and all that is beautiful soon depart. And though I shall long be gone before all the gift of beauty of Ilúvatar return to Valinor, I pity my kinsmen for losing your kind."
He gazed at his elven friend with much adoration Legolas felt its vibrant tingle the strings of his heart.
"There is beauty upon Men, as long as they carry on the heart of their King. Hope remains for them Aragorn, and Hope shall reside in every living being that will continue to walk this earth. That is what we fought for against the evil. To let them have Hope even if we remain not." The King's eyes suddenly lost its remaining twinkle that frightened the Elf Prince unaware of its nature. "Aragorn?"
A heavy burden it was that the King took his time to answer, his eyes lost in the skies.
"I wish Arwen remained not." He whispered much more to himself and Legolas understood. He remained beside Aragorn, one hand sliding around his shoulder as the man went on, "Alas, I know it has been many years and gratefully I am and honored of her love… but as the years went and I feel the waning of my strength, fear cripples me, mellon… of what of her when I am not… and soon it will be."
Legolas gripped Aragorn's shoulder and questioned not the man's love for Love Aragorn had plenty for the Undomiel, even more than for himself as Eӓrandil had once loved the fair Elwing. Legolas also knew the man spoke of fears only his elven ears would hear and no other. Not a rare occasion, and least not the subject new.
"As I have said many times Estel," Legolas looked at the fair sky and saw only beauty of life, "that beside her there I shall be too. And beside us will be your brothers Elladan and Elrohir, even Lord Celeborn for they will not leave her. And Eldarion and his children shall continue on. Arwen shall not be alone. But these tidings you speak of makes my heart forlorn. I for one will lose you too. I pray to the hearts of the Valar to keep you here with us for long, mellon nin. Endurance we Elves have but we too die of loneliness. But then… 'tis but a part of the trade we made when we took you in our hearts, Aragorn." He looked deep in the man's eyes now. "And we shall regret it not, till the Ilúvatar above finds how stubborn we elves can be and reunite you with us as how Samwise was reunited with Frodo in the Undying lands."
King Aragorn was moved, his lips tightened in a small smile that had both commanded armies and healed injuries of the past. The two friends gazed at each other with friendship that transcends races, even time. And so they continued walking side by side, speaking of the happiness in memories, of Ithilien and Mirkwood which Legolas had previously visited, of Gimli the Lord of the Glittering Caves and his visit, of the Shire that had not lost its beauty, and the sadness over the passing of Meriadoc and Peregrin both whom were laid in Gondor and all other men they. Faramir was remembered too and so were Eowyn and King Eomer all who had passed but not forgotten in the Halls of the Kings; and the singing garden of the city where children's laughter rings and new born baby's cry and the music of the Ainur continues to the free people of Middle Earth whether they be in the beginnings or ends.
Ten years later, February of 120, the Fourth Age.
A glass breaking on the floor was heard in the silent study of the King Elessar, making the alert Gondorian guards outside to knock on the door. But the King appeased them as he stood up from behind his table, watching with keen eyes his Elven friend who had dropped a large bottle he took out from one of the boxes brought by Gimli who had come for another visit. He had come from Rohan he said, and there he met with folks from Rhun who had given him gifts for his brothers' aid with constructions. This now was what Legolas was opening, at the invitation of the dwarf, when his hands slipped uncharacteristically.
"What are you doing, princeling?" Master dwarf asked, not moving from his chair as he puffed smoke from his pipe, onto the open windows, his eyes half asleep from the long journey. "Have you lost what grace has given your kind?"
"Forgive me, Gimli," Legolas hastily said as he bent down to pick up the shards but was halted by firm hands holding his own in midair. Looking up, the Elf Prince saw Aragorn was upon him even with his aged body, he still carried himself with command and swiftness and sharpness of eyes.
"Ava carë, mellon nin." King Aragorn whispered gently in sindarin as he shook his head and though there was weariness in his voice and much line on his face, he raised the Elf to his full height with ease, calling on to his servants to clean the clutter. The Elf Prince remained still as the content of the bottle was picked up and cleaned, leaving he and Aragorn staring at each other while Gimli fell into a tired stupor. The King visibly saw what it was that disturbed him.
On the floor getting picked up was a tiny ship that was incased in the bottle from the Sea of Rhun.
"Are you not going to tell me?" Aragorn said quietly as they now stood under the stars of the balcony, Gimli left nodding his head on his chest, the pipe on his hands carefully taken by Legolas on to the table, until his attention was called by the King. The Elf Prince stared up the dark sky for they were beneath the stars that Varda had wrought in the ages forgotten and saw the one he was most fond of, Eӓrandil. It was shaded by the shadow the instant he set his eyes on it and it troubled his thoughts.
His own illuminated eyes set its sights on the King, most beloved friend whose countenance was of worry and concern.
"There is darkness ahead…" Legolas said simply, not to add turmoil to his friend of old but to simply made known.
"Your sea-longing could no longer be forced at bay." Aragorn stated in the same level to which Legolas looked down at his hands and saw himself glow under the twilight despite the absence of the Lady stars. "I see you lose your elven light day by day… see your eyes suffer of the malady caused by my presence."
At this Legolas looked up quickly. "Not you, Estel, pray the Valar it is not you who causes my suffering." In instant, the Elf Prince crossed the distance between them and gripped his arm lightly, aware of the softness of the limb that once was firm and sturdy, "Saes, it is not, mellon nin. Although it is something I can no longer hide… for the mere sound of water reminds me of my affliction…ever growing the more I turn…" he bowed his head, his hand slowly falling beside him. "It is growing ever… but fear not for my resolve to stay with you is stronger."
Stronger as I see grow you weaker… the Elf Prince lamented in his thoughts. And soon you will pass, and though my sea longing will be cured, nothing can cure me of your absence, mellon nin.
Aragorn's slender finger then reached his chin and raised to meet the elven eyes that was moist and sad; and even without speaking the King heard him loud and clear for his eyes were moist and compassionate as he spoke.
"You need not suffer longer, my brave Greenleaf." The King said in sindarin, in a voice that hold much love to his friend. "You have stayed long and you have stayed enough."
"Nay," Legolas was alarmed and determined at the same time, pushing Aragorn's hand away, "I shall not sail, Estel, not when—" but to his sudden realization, the Elf Prince read the meaning behind the King's smile, behind his kind eyes and white brows—and shook his head vehemently— "No—Aragorn—!"
"I have made my choice." The King said firmly, his grey eyes not to be swayed, "My days in Arda is ended. I shall pass as did my fathers before me and will be King Elessar of Gondor in tales and stories. I shall bestow Eldarion the gift of his lineage, knowing it is in safe hands and before him shall rise another Age of Glory for Men. Men with Hope. It has already been given. I stay no more."
"But Arwen—"
At the mention of his most beloved, pain painted the features of the King and for the first time his determination faltered but only for a moment. In a gentle tone he spoke, as he composed himself, how despite its turmoil and wars, and of darkness and defeat, of pain and hurt, of lost and injury, Arda had been beautiful to him because of Arwen Undomiel Peredhil. His Evenstar.
"I shall speak with her come dawn and tomorrow it shall be the day." Aragorn went on strongly, eyes on his elven friend who had listened to him with tears now streaming down his cheeks. "She knows well what I intended for even with you standing grit by my side, Greenleaf, I will choose to depart before my time. For the beings I live behind immortal and not, will remember me as the strong, unwithered man they loved. I am the last of the Numenoreans and to me has been given not only a span thrice that of Men of Middle-earth but also the grace to go at my will and give back the gift. I will choose the latter. Even you know that, mellon nin."
But Legolas was not appeased and received the lips of the King on his forehead.
"For your companionship, for your friendship. For your love." The warm arms of the King of Gondor, Aragorn, Chieftain of the Northern Duneidans, Strider for some, Estel for his beloved, wrapped about the stifling Elf Prince who could not raise his head from the shoulder of his friend, the sea-longing forgotten. "Hannon le."
Grief struck his elven heart and Legolas tasted the bitterness of mortality.
And it was thus that on the next day, the King saw to his subjects with might called forth, and on the evening, he stayed in the House of the Kings with his family and close friends and laid on the long bed that was prepared for him. When his words for them were over, and Legolas dulled with the ache from both his sea affair and the choice of the man most adored, they left the room save the Queen so the two could be together one last time; and they spoke softly in sindarin with tears in their eyes. Legolas stood quietly under the starlight, above a treetop for the days were indeed dark.
The star of Eӓrandil refused to come out and the Elf weep for his King, most treasured friend. Below his tree he could hear Gimli's silent weeping. And the shadow passed into the night, until all that was given by hope was gone, and Arwen cried Estel's name again and again, piercing the lonely night with its bitterness once more. Legolas shed tears in long hours till dwarf cursed for him to come down and Eldarion came to his mother's aid and drape his strong arms about her.
So was the passing of Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Greatest of Men.
Arwen met her twin brothers, Elladan and Elrohir, not long after with Lord Celeborn who had foretold of Aragorn's passing days before and was there on the King's wake. The whole of Gondor lamented the lost of the King but as was his last words, no Hope shall diminish with him long as his country serve the purpose of the free world, of love and compassion and faith to their loved ones as the opposites were the only threat to darken the days of Men. But fear not, Hope shall remain.
To this Legolas clung unto as he stood in some distant, draped in white cloth that he appeared to be one of the Istari, his golden hair tucked under its hood, his blue eyes dry and distant. And forever on his side was Gimli, who had received the fair warning and concern of the King upon a whisper.
'Don't leave him alone, my friend.' Aragorn softly said to Master Gimli, "for his sufferings will be greater and almost akin to my Evenstar. He shall need someone to hold to and you are the elf friend he is most moved. I fear for his well-being after my departure.'
'I shall try to knock on his head and see if he will grow acorns then,' Gimli replied though his eyes swell with tears, 'I will look after him, Aragorn, as I had done for he is most stubborn and well met with dangers. Where he will be, I shall be, and not even Valinor can stop me, so go in peace, adan.'
True to his words, Gimli stood, with his axe on his room lay, his bushy beard twitching at the parade of Elves and Men as it had reminded him of Aragorn's coronation and wedding day but this time it was to the Royal tombs. Tis he did not mention but the fair elf knew what was not being told. The air whispered on his elven ears and for some time he was silent. The procession ended and Aragorn was laid to rest. Then a great beauty was revealed in him, so that all who after came there looked on him in wonder, for they saw that the grace of his youth, and the valour of his manhood and the wisdom and majesty of his age were blended together. And long there he lay, an image of splendor of the Kings of Men in glory.
The elves watched and taken it as the honor given by the Valar to a King so exulted. Lord Celeborn wondered as he raised his eyes at the beauty that beheld the King's body but spoke of it no more. The time was coming for the Elves to pass to the Undying Lands and his heart was to his Undomiel whose light in her eyes quenched it seemed she had become cold and grey as nightfall in winter that comes without a star. Legolas was also with her and shared her grief for some time, till the Queen decided to go to Lorien without her brothers for she knew what fate awaited her and did not want them to see her mortal life vanish. She said farewell to her loved ones and long were her words for Eldarion and her daughters. Then on to Lorien, the dwelling place of the Elves where she laid herself upon Cerin Amroth, her green grave.
So was the passing of Arwen Undomiel, Queen of Gondor a year after.
Beginnings
Unknown to many that the death of the Queen signaled the awakening of one who had been thought to sleep. The wind picked up in Gondor, in the White City unto the Royal tombs when the sun was low and darkness hung in the sky like velvet and the round moon rose slowly above the mists. Thunder rolled that came from nowhere and Eldarion looked at the gloom about his City.
A loud crack in the sky pierced the Gondorians' ears—a sharp bolt that touched Arda with its power like the very earth was carved open, sending tremor upon the distant land, trembling the foundations of the White City as if the cracks of Mordor itself has been again opened—and then there was only an ominous silence. Eldarion comforted a crying daughter as he wrapped her in his arms, looked bewildered at the sky with black wind that refused to shed the light of the moon most missed.
And then from far distant came a growing sound, of alarm and distressed that soon reached the King as he handed his daughter to his Queen and faced his Steward from the long line of Denethor, whose lips were firm but trouble was on his eyebrows and alarm on his other features.
"My Lord, a report came from the sentinels of the Royal tomb—" Eldarion's ears rang as the next words shook him to the very core— "The King Elessar's tomb has been broken into—his body lays there no more."
-Ulmo, Lord of Waters
To be continued :) Thank you for Reading! Till we meet again! (WG)