Title: Leave the Dead
Author: Psalm 136
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: It just doesn't belong to me.
Author's Note: I just had to write this after the scene in TTT where Aragorn is taken over the cliff by the warg. I hope you enjoy, and please, review.
"Leave the dead."
When Theoden spoke those words, he turned his face to look at Legolas. A lifetime of emotions flashed over the elf's face and in his eyes over the span of a mere second. He was confused, angry, hurt, and so very scared. Theoden had come to see the deep friendship between the elf and Lord Aragorn, the quick exchange of looks that could communicate plans and ideas, the comfort that could be sent through a mere touch of a hand on a shoulder or a small smile.
Theoden understood the elf better than most would think. Legolas wanted to stay, and didn't want to leave until he had scoured the land for any trace of Aragorn, any evidence that could prove the man was still alive. Theoden wanted to do the same, but he had a duty to his people. He settled a hand on Legolas' shoulder for a moment, and left the elf's side.
He would give Legolas several minutes to himself, to ponder the jewel in his hand and the fact his dearest friend's bright life had been snuffed out by a cliff face and a river.
The Elves had little knowledge of death, for so few of their kind died over the long ages of the world. Legolas had understood the pain he would someday feel with Aragorn's death, but he had never expected it to come so soon.
For a long moment, he stood on the cliff, staring over the river where Aragorn had fallen, and wondered what he would tell Arwen when he saw her in the Undying Lands. He wondered what he would tell Elrond, or Elladan and Elrohir. He banished those thoughts; for now, he could only linger upon his own grief.