Disclaimer: LOTR belongs to the creative genius of JRR Tolkien, not me.
Chapter 4
A Flash of Brilliance
As they journeyed closer to Lorien, Legolas noted Arwen was becoming more pale and withdrawn. She barely ate the meals he prepared and even seemed unwilling to take more than a sip of water when it was offered to her. The changes he saw in her upset him, as did the fact that neither his attempts to engage in light conversation, nor his anger at her for ignoring him made any difference. Once or twice he had succeeded in coaxing a small smile from her, but usually she just remained oblivious to the outside world.
Upon their arrival in Lorien they wandered sadly amongst the huge mallorn trees, surrounded by ruin and decay as the forces of Nature reclaimed their own from the once beautiful realm of Galadriel. Worst of all, as far as Legolas was concerned, was the silence of the trees. When he had first encountered this wood he had been able to hear the whispers of the trees around him. Now there was only silence. The sun was setting and darkness was descending, the light of the Galadhrim had long since waned. This place spoke only of desolation and the passing of the Elves. Neither wanted to remain any longer, so they made their way to the hill, Cerin Amroth. The sight of the Elenor and Niphredil flowers brought a weak smile to Arwen's face. This place held her happiest memories; this was their final destination and had aroused her from her despair. Legolas saw this and decided it was high time for the explanation she had promised before they had left Ithilien.
A small fire was lit and they sat side by side watching as the flames flickered in the gentle breeze. Finally, Legolas could bear the silence no longer and he cupped her chin gently in his hand and turned her face towards his,
" Arwen, it is time for you to tell me why we are here," he stated. The look of determination in his eyes moved her to speak,
" I am sorry, Legolas. You have shown me nothing but understanding, there is no excuse for treating you so badly." It pleased him to see a hint of the Arwen he knew shine through for a moment. "You are right; I do owe you an explanation. I have come to Cerin Amroth to die." Legolas immediately understood her reason for choosing Cerin Amroth. It was known amongst the Elves as a place of sorrow and beauty, a place where the star- crossed lovers of Ages past had lived. It was here that Arwen and Aragorn had plighted their troth so many years ago. Arwen saw the look of recognition on his face and took his hand as she explained further,
"I did not realise until now that it was possible for a mortal being to experience such pain and sadness. Father tried to warn me but only now do I understand. The pain of losing my beloved, the other half of my soul, is unbearable, it is killing me as surely as if I was still an elf. My life is over." Ignoring the tears in her friend's eyes she continued, " Yes, my dear Legolas, it is a fitting place to die, here in the outdoors in the realm of my elven kin. I am not a Dwarf," she said struggling to smile, "I do not wish to be laid to rest underground or in stone."
" Neither would I!" he agreed with a twinkle in his eye. They sat in silence for a few moments watching the final setting of the sun. Slowly as the sky darkened the stars came out one by one, reminding Legolas of the diamonds on black velvet in his father's treasury. Arwen turned to look into Legolas' eyes, seeking the truth there,
" You are not going to try and stop me are you." It was a statement of fact.
" No, I cannot, for I understand all to well what you feel. You feel your life being slowly devoured by grief and sadness; you are missing part of your soul. There can be no end, no peace, for it will not be found until death takes you."
" That is true for me, yes, but not you. You will not die, Legolas."
" No, I do not wish to give back my gift of immortality. Instead I will finally answer the cry of the gull and pass into the West. To Man it will seem as if all my race have died, and likewise Middle Earth will be dead to me. That is why I could not leave while Aragorn still lived and why I must now take Gimli with me. There is nothing left here for me, I no longer wish to mourn. "
"You are tired of death, just as I am tired of life. I wish to follow my beloved, wherever he may be. I know not what lies beyond death for Man, but it will bring me a peace I can find nowhere else."
Earendil climbed high above the crown of Cerin Amroth, the brightness of the star beckoning to her, " It is time," she whispered. " I will walk to the top of the hill alone. Promise me you will remain here and sing my lament. You will know, when you see the sign, that I am no more."
" Of course," he whispered drawing her into a final embrace and kissing her softly. She felt so frail in his arms, he could feel her energy draining away, and her life force was almost spent. Smiling sweetly she placed her hand over his and he was amazed to see that he held the mithril-encased jewel that Aragorn had worn. " I cannot take this, it should be given to your family," he protested.
" I gave this to Aragorn as a symbol of my eternal love for him. I want you to have it, dear Legolas. It is my hope that you will find someone to love, as I did. Give it as a betrothal gift to the one who finally captures your heart. Namarie, nin mellon."
Legolas felt as if his heart would burst from the pain of grief as he watched her make her way up the hill. Her feet seemed to be barely touching the ground, her movements once more as graceful as those of her elfish heritage. He turned away for but an instant as the wind rustled in the branches behind him and when he looked back he saw was a brilliant flash of light in the dark night sky and it seemed as if the beloved star, Earindil shone even brighter. Arwen had vanished. " Namarie, nin mellon. Namarie Evenstar." he whispered. Tears streamed down his face as he began his song of mourning for her, his sweet voice echoing in the silence of the woods.
Chapter 4
A Flash of Brilliance
As they journeyed closer to Lorien, Legolas noted Arwen was becoming more pale and withdrawn. She barely ate the meals he prepared and even seemed unwilling to take more than a sip of water when it was offered to her. The changes he saw in her upset him, as did the fact that neither his attempts to engage in light conversation, nor his anger at her for ignoring him made any difference. Once or twice he had succeeded in coaxing a small smile from her, but usually she just remained oblivious to the outside world.
Upon their arrival in Lorien they wandered sadly amongst the huge mallorn trees, surrounded by ruin and decay as the forces of Nature reclaimed their own from the once beautiful realm of Galadriel. Worst of all, as far as Legolas was concerned, was the silence of the trees. When he had first encountered this wood he had been able to hear the whispers of the trees around him. Now there was only silence. The sun was setting and darkness was descending, the light of the Galadhrim had long since waned. This place spoke only of desolation and the passing of the Elves. Neither wanted to remain any longer, so they made their way to the hill, Cerin Amroth. The sight of the Elenor and Niphredil flowers brought a weak smile to Arwen's face. This place held her happiest memories; this was their final destination and had aroused her from her despair. Legolas saw this and decided it was high time for the explanation she had promised before they had left Ithilien.
A small fire was lit and they sat side by side watching as the flames flickered in the gentle breeze. Finally, Legolas could bear the silence no longer and he cupped her chin gently in his hand and turned her face towards his,
" Arwen, it is time for you to tell me why we are here," he stated. The look of determination in his eyes moved her to speak,
" I am sorry, Legolas. You have shown me nothing but understanding, there is no excuse for treating you so badly." It pleased him to see a hint of the Arwen he knew shine through for a moment. "You are right; I do owe you an explanation. I have come to Cerin Amroth to die." Legolas immediately understood her reason for choosing Cerin Amroth. It was known amongst the Elves as a place of sorrow and beauty, a place where the star- crossed lovers of Ages past had lived. It was here that Arwen and Aragorn had plighted their troth so many years ago. Arwen saw the look of recognition on his face and took his hand as she explained further,
"I did not realise until now that it was possible for a mortal being to experience such pain and sadness. Father tried to warn me but only now do I understand. The pain of losing my beloved, the other half of my soul, is unbearable, it is killing me as surely as if I was still an elf. My life is over." Ignoring the tears in her friend's eyes she continued, " Yes, my dear Legolas, it is a fitting place to die, here in the outdoors in the realm of my elven kin. I am not a Dwarf," she said struggling to smile, "I do not wish to be laid to rest underground or in stone."
" Neither would I!" he agreed with a twinkle in his eye. They sat in silence for a few moments watching the final setting of the sun. Slowly as the sky darkened the stars came out one by one, reminding Legolas of the diamonds on black velvet in his father's treasury. Arwen turned to look into Legolas' eyes, seeking the truth there,
" You are not going to try and stop me are you." It was a statement of fact.
" No, I cannot, for I understand all to well what you feel. You feel your life being slowly devoured by grief and sadness; you are missing part of your soul. There can be no end, no peace, for it will not be found until death takes you."
" That is true for me, yes, but not you. You will not die, Legolas."
" No, I do not wish to give back my gift of immortality. Instead I will finally answer the cry of the gull and pass into the West. To Man it will seem as if all my race have died, and likewise Middle Earth will be dead to me. That is why I could not leave while Aragorn still lived and why I must now take Gimli with me. There is nothing left here for me, I no longer wish to mourn. "
"You are tired of death, just as I am tired of life. I wish to follow my beloved, wherever he may be. I know not what lies beyond death for Man, but it will bring me a peace I can find nowhere else."
Earendil climbed high above the crown of Cerin Amroth, the brightness of the star beckoning to her, " It is time," she whispered. " I will walk to the top of the hill alone. Promise me you will remain here and sing my lament. You will know, when you see the sign, that I am no more."
" Of course," he whispered drawing her into a final embrace and kissing her softly. She felt so frail in his arms, he could feel her energy draining away, and her life force was almost spent. Smiling sweetly she placed her hand over his and he was amazed to see that he held the mithril-encased jewel that Aragorn had worn. " I cannot take this, it should be given to your family," he protested.
" I gave this to Aragorn as a symbol of my eternal love for him. I want you to have it, dear Legolas. It is my hope that you will find someone to love, as I did. Give it as a betrothal gift to the one who finally captures your heart. Namarie, nin mellon."
Legolas felt as if his heart would burst from the pain of grief as he watched her make her way up the hill. Her feet seemed to be barely touching the ground, her movements once more as graceful as those of her elfish heritage. He turned away for but an instant as the wind rustled in the branches behind him and when he looked back he saw was a brilliant flash of light in the dark night sky and it seemed as if the beloved star, Earindil shone even brighter. Arwen had vanished. " Namarie, nin mellon. Namarie Evenstar." he whispered. Tears streamed down his face as he began his song of mourning for her, his sweet voice echoing in the silence of the woods.