A/N: *curtsies* Hello, my dear friends :) Knowing that you would probably throw arrows at us if we delayed and, after seeing you all freaking out after the last chapter (sorry for that, by the way), next chapter is here and...well...we hope you'll like it.
beth. rodrigues. 77- I hope this chapter will help you calm down, my friend :)
Artista321- dorina16able knelt next to Artista321 and hugged her in an attempt to comfort her. "It is okay, everything will be okay" she reassured the sad reviewer. "Believe me, nothing's going to happen"
Thranduill- First of all, GREAT username, mellon nin :) Of course we would have Aragorn in the story. We're terribly sorry for the cliffie, but they're needed too.
Disclaimer: We do not own LOTR, only the characters we create
Hours had passed, the sun had set and the first stars started to appear on the sky. But Legolas was not paying attention. For hours now he was sitting next to Callon, as if his presence would bring her back to life. Holding her hand, he was praying for her to rest in peace and for forgiveness, for the thought that everything was his fault had not abandoned him.
What he would miss more would be her spirit. Her stubbornness, her determination, the way she insisted to stay with him. At first he did not like it, wanting to hate her for that, but as the days was passing he got used to it, he had even started to like it. She cared for him in so many ways, like a sister, a friend and a protector and she was always there to comfort him when he was feeling worried. Even when he learned about the poison, her priority was to keep him safe.
He remembered their first meeting and a smile appeared on his youthful face. His surprise that she was a woman was the exact opposite of her calmness, as if she was in a pleasant situation. They had argued intensively, both representing everything they believed in and had grown up with: he with the thought that he would never allow a maiden to risk her life for him and she with the idea that, since she was bound to do it, she would do anything she could to complete her mission.
" 'If it is recognition you want, I assure you that you have it' 'Recognition? Now you insult both of us, Legolas, and you know this very well' "
She was determined to follow the path fate had chosen for her, against everybody's cautiousness. And she had proved to be something valuable in his life. She had saved him many times, she had comforted him, she had even helped him forget his worries with her sarcastic comments.
The door opened and Queen Arwen entered quietly into the room. Aragorn had told her everything and she thought it was her duty to be next to Legolas, who was always a brother for her. She could not endure seeing him broken, used as she was in his adventurous side.
'Legolas?' she spoke softly, making him turn towards her, with eyes red from crying. 'Are you alright? Do you need anything?'
The Mirkwood prince looked away. Arwen knew the answer to her question, but she was afraid that Legolas would do something reckless because of his pain and his feelings of guilt.
'This should not happen' Legolas answered with a hoarse voice, as if he had read her thoughts. 'She should be with us now'
'I know how you feel' the she-elf nodded with sympathy. 'She should not leave us so soon and so young. But it is not your fault, trust me. She wanted to protect you, because she would never forgive herself if anything happened to you. It was in her nature to protect those who were important to her. How do you think she would feel if you were in her position now?'
He kept staring at Callon's face. She was more peaceful than he had ever seen her, as if she was only dreaming. He thought about her character and the answer escaped easily from his lips.
'She would feel as I feel. She would feel lost'
'Legolas' Arwen placed her palm on his shoulder and caressed it 'I know that a wound has opened right now and a long time will pass until it closes or even stops aching. But you have to stay strong, for her. She would not want to see you like this. Besides' she hesitated for a few seconds before going on 'whoever wants you dead will learn about this. And if you are closed in yourself, you will be more vulnerable'
'Is it important if those I care for keep dying around me?' he wondered. 'I might be better dead'
'No!' the queen of Gondor raised her voice. 'Do not say that again! Think about your father! And Callon, who wanted to save you. It will not honor her memory if you go astray!'
'I know, Undomiel' Legolas mumbled, feeling ashamed. 'It was only a thought that passed my mind before I had time to think. Perhaps this is how you will feel when Aragorn leaves your side'
Arwen lowered her eyes and the Elf felt guilty for saying this. She had come here to console him and he had hurt her. Callon's death was a shock for him, but he should not have an outburst on her.
'You are right' she told him calmly. 'This is how I will feel, but I knew that when I was making my choice. And pardon me for yelling at you, it is only that you should not punish yourself'
'There is no need to apologize. I was a fool. May we go in the gardens? I need some fresh air'
'Of course, mellon nin. Aragorn is with Kane, Gimli and the Hobbits. I can go and tell them that you wish to be alone for a few moments'
'No, Arwen' Legolas stood up. 'I will tell them what has happened. Wait for me in the courtyard'
A few minutes later, Legolas was on his way to the garden, where Arwen was already waiting for him. The breeze dried the many tears he had shed and he took some deep breaths in an attempt to calm down.
'Did you tell them?'
'Yes, but it seemed as if they already knew. Maybe Aragorn informed them'
He looked at the sky, which had a dark blue colour, with the stars and the moon accompanying them, and a memory, sweet and painful at the same time, came into his mind.
'Tonight' he started 'reminds me of the night she and I went for a walk in the woods, only minutes before…before she was poisoned. She was so beautiful then, not the cold warrior she usually was'
'Was she stubborn?' Arwen wanted to know with a small smile.
'As stubborn as my mother' Legolas could not help but laugh, as he was remembering their often fights. 'To be honest, she was giving me a hard time. I was worried for her safety and she was insisting to fight. She could not accept 'no' as an answer'
At that moment, a nightingale appeared out of nowhere, hitting Legolas on the head. Trying to suppress her laughter, Arwen stretched her fingers and stroke the bird carefully.
'That is a pretty little fellow' she stated.
'Yes, but there was no need for it to hit me!' Legolas groaned, but he changed it to a low scream of pain when the bird pecked him. 'It seems that I anger the creature for some reason!'
'But why?' Arwen chuckled and turned to the bird, as if it could speak. 'What has Legolas done to you, my friend?'
The bird only left a string of beautiful, singing voices and pulled the male Elf's hair. Having lost his temper, Legolas reached out to hit it, but without success.
'I do not know what you think, Legolas' Arwen was serious again 'but I have the impression that the bird wants to deliver us a message'
'Maybe' Legolas agreed, smiling tenderly. 'Callon could join her spirit with animals, you know. I longed to see her do it, for that is a trait lost among our kin. But now it is forever lost to us'
'Did she truly possess such a gift?' Arwen exclaimed impressed. 'That would indeed be most interesting to watch'
The bird, realizing that the two Elves had lost their interest in it, puffed its feathers and jumped in Legolas's hands. He exchanged looks, first with the small creature and then with his friend, who had found her smile.
'After all, the little fellow likes you, Legolas'
The nightingale sang again, then flew away, into Callon's room, with Legolas's and Arwen's eyes following it. A deep silence fell for a few minutes, until Arwen broke it.
'Do you want us to go inside?' she suggested. 'It is starting to get cold'
'Yes. The hour grows late and I would like to spend the rest of the night with Callon, before we decide how to honor her death. Farewell, my friend'
'Farewell' Arwen responded. 'And try to rest a little yourself. You will need all your strength'
Legolas had the impression that the night was passing very slowly. He did not close his eyes to rest, not even for an hour, fighting against the mental exhaustion he was feeling. The nightingale was standing on the window, keeping him company with its low singing. Finally, when he saw that the sun had risen, he sighed with relief, stood up and, after throwing a final look towards Callon, he left the room and walked to the throne hall to find Aragorn. The king had promised him that they would speak about the funeral process when he would be ready, but the young Elf wanted to be over with it as soon as possible. Maybe he would accept this way that Callon had left this world.
In the spacious hall, he found Aragorn talking with Kane. The two Rangers looked worried at him when he came in, but both smiled, trying to help him feel better.
'How are you feeling today, Legolas? Did you rest at all?' Aragorn wanted to know and sighed when his friend shook his head. 'Are you sure you wish to speak about how…how we should honor her? It is still very recent'
'I know, but the sooner the better. Even though, I have not thought very much about it' Legolas admitted. 'It is as if fog has clouded my mind'
'You have two options' Kane interfered. 'You can either bury her or burn her. You must choose for her, since she has no family'
'Burn her?' Legolas repeated startled. That phrase was like a punch in his face. 'No, I…I can not do this to her. She deserves a proper funeral, the funeral of a true warrior. Do not feel offended, but…'
'No offense is taken' the man assured him. 'This is the way we honor our fallen soldiers and it requires less effort'
'I give you right on this matter, but I…I can not endure at the thought' Legolas stuttered. 'She needs to have the sun and the clouds above her. I owe it to her, for I disappointed her while she was alive'
'I doubt you disappointed her, my Prince' Kane made an attempt to give him a sense of comfort.
'I can see why he insists to bury her' Aragorn said. 'Would you not like to…to visit her sometimes?'
'But would he not get dirty that way?' a female voice was heard from the doors.
The three men looked at the direction the voice came from and gasped at the same time. Callon, whom everybody was considering dead since yesterday, had entered the hall. She was still pale, but she was as healthy as the day Legolas had met her, with the well-known, mocking smile marking her beautiful face, clearly enjoying their surprise.
'It can not be' Legolas whispered, his gaze locked in hers. 'This had to be a dream. Or…Or it is me who is hallucinating right now'
'Then I am hallucinating as well, mellon nin' Aragorn said, looking shocked and curious at the same time.
'You had fallen in a deep slumber' Legolas spoke again. 'And then the healer told us that you had passed away. We saw you laying there, breathless'
'Were you not listening to me?' Callon rolled her eyes, as if she was a tutor who had to explain something obvious to an ignorant child. 'I had said I would not die. The poison is only making the victim to appear dead, but it is not lethal. I tried to show you last night, but you ignored me'
'Show me?' Legolas repeated confused, but then the realization packed him and he left a loud gasp. 'You were the bird?'
'Of course I was the bird. I was trying to prove you that I am not gone from this world, but you did not pay attention' now her voice was angry, as Legolas remembered it. Kane, thinking the same, smiled widely.
'How should I know?' the Mirkwood Elf raised his voice. 'I had seen you dead, Callon! How could I imagine that you were the bird?'
'Legolas, Callon' Aragorn tried to calm the spirits 'can you stop arguing so that we…'
'No, Aragorn!' Legolas interrupted him, still looking at the she-elf. 'I have been through all this agony and the sorrow! I was blaming myself! I think I deserve some explanations'
'I was hoping you would remember my words that I would not die' Callon was calm again. 'But you are right, of course, you could not imagine it. Will you forgive me for making you sad?'
'Of course I forgive you!' he laughed loudly and pulled her into a tight hug that almost suffocated her. 'I am so happy to see you, Cal!'
Over his shoulder, Callon looked at Aragorn and Kane, but they were only smiling and attempting to hold back their laughter.
'Well, I guess you missed me, then. May I sit down before you kill me, indeed?'
'Certainly' Legolas pulled away at once and helped her taking a seat. 'Is there anything you need?'
'No, we have more important issues to discuss' the warrior had once again come to surface. 'I thought of something that may be useful to us, Legolas. The only place this poison can be found is Oron, my homeland. We may find answers there about who wishes you dead' she explained. 'I suggest we send Kane to investigate, for now I want you to stay here, in safety'
'You are still the same Callon' Legolas stated, still smiling at her. 'You were one step before death, but you act as if nothing has happened. You are right, though, your plan may be successful. Kane, would it be a trouble for you to travel to Oron?'
'Not at all' Kane replied at once. 'I will leave tomorrow at dawn'
'And as long Kane travels, you two are most welcome to stay here' Aragorn reassured them.
'Now, you have to pardon me, but I will go to call for Gimli and the young Hobbits' Kane said. 'They will be very happy to see you well, Callon'
Only minutes later, he returned with their companions. At Callon's sight, Pippin left a joyful scream, ran and hugged her as tightly as he could.
'Callon! I am so delighted to see that you are alive!'
'I never believed you died' Merry told her. 'You are so strong, you would never leave us so soon'
'At least you were not fooled, little one, unlike the others' Callon laughed and ruffled his hair.
'It is a pleasure for me to see you, lass' Gimli was calmer than his friends, but patted her on the back.
'Now' Callon returned to the matter they were discussing 'to continue from where we left. Ironically, the poison hails from my favourite flower'
Why does this sound just like you, Cal? Legolas thought and could not suppress a low laughter.
'Aragorn, what are your plans to keep the Elf safe, seeing that anyone may enter the city? I would not wish to forbid people to come here'
'I have been thinking about this for a while' the king rubbed his chin. 'To be honest, the situation is difficult. We want to hold the danger a secret, protect Legolas and act as if everything is well at the same time. If we were sure that the one who wants him dead believes that you, Callon, have left this world, he would feel more confident. Which means that he would do a reckless move and we would be able to capture him'
'Do you know I am supposed to be betrothed to him as well?' asked the young woman, smiling playfully. 'For I was thinking that we could share a room or at least have rooms that join each other'
'I think it will be extremely helpful' Aragorn returned the smile. 'Do not worry, I will arrange it'
'And for one more time, nobody asks for my opinion' Legolas sighed, pretending to sound offended, but with his smile betraying him.
'It is your life we are talking about and I decide about the plans we will follow, since I am your guardian' Callon said at once, reminding him of their first meeting. 'Besides, you will have a say when you become king, do not forget that'
Legolas preferred to stay silent, for he did not want to think about that day. The responsibilities were not scaring him, but he never wanted to rule over a realm, afraid that he would fail. Let alone that this would mean the loss of his father.
'Kane' Aragorn's voice returned him to reality. 'Are you still willing to leave for Oron?'
'Yes, I still leave at dawn'
'And what will we do while Kane is missing?' Pippin asked. 'Will we sit here and wait?'
'If Kane finds a clue in my homeland' Callon smiled to him 'then we will know how to continue. Until then, we stay here and you will help me to protect the prince'
'A stubborn she-elf, two Hobbits who love pranks and a Dwarf who lives to have competitions against me' Legolas groaned. 'I could not wish for something more'
A/N: Sooo, my friends, that was it. Did you like it? Did you calm after the last chapter? We hope so and we can't wait for your reviews :) :)
