Parting is such sweet sorrow

Chapter 1

The trees swam blearily before his eyes as Legolas urged his mare on breathlessly between the trees, shivering from the cold breeze. He knew his time was slipping away. No matter how he had tried to push this knowledge from his mind, it gnawed away at the edges of his thoughts more with the passing of each day as he felt his body begin to fade.

Almost all of his kin had but sailed to the grey havens, no longer able to bear the pain of eternity and the ever increasing darkness that lurked within Arda. For his dearest friend and blood brother he had chosen, over his own life, to remain. Deep inside he had known that this would come to pass, but he knew not when, and prayed to the Valar with all of his heart that he would live until the long days of Estel's life had been utterly spent. But he had ignored the call of the waves for too long, and now there was no longer a ship to bear him hence.

He would succumb to the consuming sadness his people had left behind, the yearning for the light of the Eldar which had begun to leave him too. Faelen sensed her master's weakness and came to a gentle halt on the edge of the woods. Gratefully the elf patted her neck and drew a breath through gritted teeth as his heart protested with a sharp pain through his chest. He turned his head as a soft, haunting murmur ghosted towards him on the breeze and he realized that the trees were sadly lamenting his fate. They could feel the Prince of Mirkwood was dying. ''Ai Elbereth.." He murmered sadly, casting his eyes down as they prickled with unshed tears as he faced the realization of his fate, one which he could no longer ignore. He had fought so hard to try to stay, how could he bear to tell Estel the truth?

Using the last of his strength he gripped the saddle tightly beneath bloodless knuckles, steadying himself as he took one last glance at his beloved forest, he urged his mare on once more. He had one task left before he passed to the halls of Lord Mandos. Journey back to the last homely house of Lord Elrond in Imladris, to see his beloved ranger one last time.

Please Please Review! Thid is only my second fic, and as you know my english is second language so I'm sorry for any grammar or spelling. Contructive criticism welcome! Will be adding chapters to this as well as to my first story, 'Say it isn't so' at the same time.