Author's note: Well guys this is it! The last chapter. I would like to thank those very nice people who ever so kindly took time from their most likely busy schedule to email me about my story, and those who reviewed! A BIG THANK YOU GOES OUT TO YOU! I very much appreciate it! Oh and please don't hesitate to let me know what you think of this story and if you want a sequel or not… because if you don't well then… I won't write it! Why post something that people don't want to read? Oh well I really hope you like what you read and well there is going to be an Epilogue to wrap up this story so don't go away just yet… Ciao!
Well guys this is it! The last chapter. I would like to thank those very nice people who ever so kindly took time from their most likely busy schedule to email me about my story, and those who reviewed! A BIG THANK YOU GOES OUT TO YOU! I very much appreciate it! Oh and please to let me know what you think of this story and if you want a sequel or not… because if you don't well then… I won't write it! Why post something that people don't want to read? Oh well I really hope you like what you read and well there is going to be an Epilogue to wrap up this story so don't go away just yet… Ciao!Sleepy Willow
Chapter Nine
The Space Between
Finally after a very long and lonely journey, Legolas arrived home. Upon arriving, King Thranduil, summoned him. Legolas once again scrapped up what little courage he had left to face his father. He entered the Royal Hall and performed the usual ridiculous rituals necessary for a son to be speak to his father.
"My lord, you ask for me?" Said he as he raised from his bowing.
"Yes Legolas, I have heard of the disturbing episode which occurred just outside our home. Minolas told me everything. Tell me of this Elf, there are things of which I need to know." He spoke dryly and never bothered to ask of his son's well being. He never gave him a chance to rest since his return.
"Her name is Laiella Willowel of Lórien, she lives in the Golden Wood under the care of Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel themselves. She is the most wonderful Elf I have ever met, every moment spent in her company is undescribable." He spoke of how they met, detailed his visits to Lórien. He poured his heart out, yet as he spoke of her, his eyes weld with tears, and he occasionally choked as he spoke. Thranduil listed, but seemed little interested.
"Who did you say her parents are?" He commented nochanlantly.
"Willow has no parents, they died when she was very young."
"Does she remember them, does she know their names?"
"I do not believe so. From what I understood she has no recollection of them whatsoever." replied Legolas casually.
A light suddenly flashed in Thranduil's mind. "What ? Does not know of her parents? Lives in Lórien, cared for by Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel themselves?" He emphasised on themselves. He was rambling mostly to himself. Everything his son had told him sounded vaguely familiar, even her name was familiar as though he heard of her before. "Do you have anything else to say about this Laiella?" Suddenly Thranduil seemed interested in his son's details. He wanted to know more on this Willow. He feared the worst.
"No, not that I can think of. Except, wait! Father I did forget something, long ago Lady Galadriel had spoke to me of something about Willow being very special and discovering certain abilities most Elves did not have. The White Lady seemed somewhat worried by this."
That was it! Thranduil knew he had smelt trouble the day he had heard that his son had helped an injured Elf while chasing Orcs, long ago. It all made sense now, he knew who this elf was. He stood up, his face red with anger. He spoke slowly, carefully choosing his words.
"Legolas, listen to me. You are never to see this Elf again. I forbid you to even speak to her ever again."
Legolas felt as though an arrow was suddenly shot in his heart. "What!"
"You heard me Legolas. If ever I catch you with that Elf the consequences would be unimaginable." Thranduil now spoke aggressively.
"Why? I demand to know why! Immediately!" Protested Legolas in a tone that was far too commanding for him to speak to his father.
Thranduil screamed: "How dare you question the King's decision! It is final!"
"I shall question your decision! It is faulty! You have no right! Father, you cannot understand! I love her! To her, I gave the sacred white gem. A perfect gift for the future wife of the heir to the Throne of Mirkwood. I love her and I deserve to know why you forbid such a love!"
"Yes indeed, an exquisite gift, but not for that wretched Creature!" Thranduil raised his voice even louder as he finished his sentence. "You dispicable wretched thing! How dare you speak to me this way!"
Legolas was now pleading: "Why father? Why?"
hranduil answered: "I knew her parents! They were traitors, they attempted to betray the Elves. And so they, and their children to come have been condemned to stay away from Mirkwood and its people. They were evil and so is she! "
Legolas infuriately protested. "That is illogical! There is no such thing! Ever since when have we condemned the children of those who make mistakes! This excuse is ridiculous! Only you would find such miserable reasons to keep me from being happy." Legolas could no longer contain himself, all the anger he ever felt against his father was now let out. "You disgust me! You are a repulsive being! And in no way shall I obey your commandments! I shall marry Willow no matter what you say!"
Thranduil was enraged, he could not control himself. He struck his son. Legolas did not flinch, he was far too angry to even feel the sting of his father's hand across his face. He had been struck before, and in normal time he would have winced in pain for never before had he been struck so hard by his father. His face burned and blood escape from his lip, but he could not feel it. The pain was nothing compared to the one he felt in his heart. He did not understand what had just happened.
"Ghedrin!" Ordered Thranduil.
Ghedrin, the chief of Thranduil's guards marched in."Yes my lord."
"Ghedrin, from now on I order you never to let Legolas out of your sight. I forbid him to leave Mirkwood without guards. He must never near the Golden Wood. If by your carelessness he does, I order you to kill the Elf maiden he goes to visit."
Ghedrin did not fully understand the meaning of his King's wishes, but he knew never to go against them once the King has spoken. "Yes, you majesty." He then left the Hall.
Thranduil then turned his attention to his son, who was overwhelmed with shock. "As for you, my instructions are clear! If ever you are seen with this traitor, you shall feel my wrath as you have never before felt it I promise you that! You shall suffer even more that you pretend to suffer because of that dispicable little elf witch! Never again shall you behave so disrespectfully towards me! You hear! Am I understood?"
Legolas swallowed, "Yes my Lord." He spoke between his teeth, his entire body was shaking for he attempted to contain his fury.
"Leave me!" Thranduil did not look at his son, he did not see the tears in his eyes, not did he noticed the pain he inflicted on him. He only thought of how angry he was that Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel allowed that cursed offspring to get close to him and his Kingdom.
Legolas left the Hall, pained and confused. He paced furiously in the palace halls. He could not stay in Mirkwood, he could not let his father win. Legolas did not care what his father said. The moment night fell in Mirkwood and all were asleep, Legolas sneaked out, reusing the guards and set out on his horse for Lórien.
Once he arrived he nervously searched for Willow. He found her in her bed chamber, humming to herself, like an Elf in love. Legolas' heart ached horribly as he watched his beloved, dreaming up a new encounter with him. Gathering his courage he entered the room, his face ashed grey. Willow turned her face and was surprised to see him.
"Legolas! You are back so soon!" She ran to him, placed her hands around his head and arched herself to kiss him. Legolas pulled away, took her hands in his and brought them back to her. Immediately, Willow knew something was not right. She noticed his face was pale, and a bruise with the imprint of what appeared to be a ring, had spread across his left cheek. "Something is wrong. What is it Legolas? What happened? Why are have you returned so soon?"
"Willow, I am afraid I have come to deliver some ill tidings." He choked. "Something has happened with my father. We can no longer see each other."
Willow's heart sank. "What? I do not understand? What do you mean?"
Legolas tried his best to explain to her what had happened. Even he did not understand, but it was the King's word and the King's word is always final.
Willow could not help letting tears stream down her face. Saddened Legolas held her in his arms as tightly as he could. Even he allowed tears to flow down his face.
"The King has set guards on me. I can never leave Mirkwood alone, nor can I return to Lórien. I came here to warn you. I cannot stay long, I am certain my absence was discovered. At this very moment, the guards must be rushing here to take me back."
"No!" protested Willow. "I shall not allow them to take you away! We can leave! I am certain someone can help us!"
"It is useless Willow, where shall we go? I know my father shall never stop searching for me, and he shall have you killed. I cannot allow that to happen. Even now I have endangered you by coming here."
"No! I refuse to live without you! Let them kill me! It is better than to live without you!"
Legolas shook her by the shoulders. "Willow! You must not say that! I shall find a way! I know there is something that can be done! Even if it takes millenias I shall never give up on our love! Nothing shall tear us apart! "
They held each other even tighter, the both of them teary-eyed. They walked out into the moonlit night and wandered to the Garden. They laid down in the grass, Legolas' arms wrapped around Willow. Lying down, Legolas began to softly sing a song. As he sang the words, he rocked Willow in his arms, tears still rolling down their cheeks.
So a crowd has around us
I'm pining one last kiss
I'm struggling with this lifeline
In the shadow of this bliss
Patience my love it will all be alright
Isn't it funny how the fates work
I feel cheated by the turn
Still this love it hovers over us
And the lessons that we've learned
Patience my love it will all be alright
With your arms around me
You're singing softly
And I fade from memories
And move on
We were lost inside a wasteland
Of fools groping for the gold
I wonder if they'll think of us
While they're searching for their souls
Patience my love it'll all be alright
With your arms around me
You're singing softly
And I fade from memories
And move on
So never put it out my love
The spirit is a flame that burns within
Hold on to me
And it'll all be alright
Sleep now is descending like a dream
Still I'm shaking from the softness
Of your skin
Hold on to me love
And make it all feel alright
With your arms around me
You're singing softly
And I fade from memories
And move on
May nothing harm you
I'm still inside you
With my wings around you
You'll go on
Sweet lover go on
My love be strong...
"Our love shall be strong. We shall get through this no matter what it takes. I will not let you slip away from me." With these words Legolas fell asleep, Willow peacefully resting on his chest.
¯¯¯¯¯
Willow awoke the next morning with a disturbing feeling. She shook Legolas to wake him. "Legolas! Legolas wake up!" He awoke suddenly and felt Willow's disturbance. "Legolas! I feel a foul presence approaching. We should leave immediately."
Legolas smiled bitterly. "I knew they would follow me." They stood up, Legolas brushing his hand across Willow's face. "Know that I shall always love you. We'll find a way. Our love shall never die."
He took her hand and placed it on his chest where his heart lay. "This space between your heart and mine, is a space we fill with time." As she heard those words, Willow broke into tears, there was so much she wanted to tell him.
Willow never had the time to tell him. Before she could open her mouth to speak, they were surrounded by at least thirty armed Wood Elves. They all had their bows pointed to the couple. Three elves approached Legolas and took hold of him. He escaped their grasped and kissed Willow, one final embrace before they would part indefinetly. The three elves grabbed the Prince and pried him away from her. Willow ran towards Legolas and held him as tightly as she could. Other Elves had to pull her away but she would not let go. She held on to his hand with both of hers until she felt them slip away. Three elves surrounded Willow, bow and arrow in hand.
Ghendrin came forward and commanded to the Elves : "Take the Prince back to Mirkwood. You know what to do with her."
"Only death shall separate us. Melamin!" Willow cried to Legolas as he was being dragged away. She closed her eyes and stood up with dignity, awaiting the three Elves to act. They did nothing. They simply stood in front of her. Finally thirty minutes later, they ran away and left the Golden Wood.
Willow was alone. She sat down very slowly on the edge of the pond. Breathing hectically, she raised her shaky hands to her face and broke into sobs. Never before has she felt such bitter and painful tears.
"Legolas!" She yelled out in the forest. "My love for you shall never die!" But the forest only replied by the sound of a cold breeze, foreshadowing her destiny, which seemed dark indeed.
Legolas, even though he was far away from her now, yelled back at her, hoping that the breeze would carry his voice to her. "I will never stop loving you, my Willow!" But the wind began to grow, and dissapated his cry of love, only to be heard by the creatures of the dawn. His head sunk, and began to walk back to Mirkwood, no longer caring of what was to become of him.