AN: Just a quick update. This had been written a while ago, and it's not very long, but hopefully, the ending will be finished soon! Probably one more chapter, then an epilogue. Stay tuned.

Eternal Life, Eternal Pain

XXV. Denial

"How long as it been?"

"Ten days."

Arwen bit her lip. "This cannot be healthy," she said worriedly. "I wonder…"

"Oh, Arwen, stop," Aragorn said irritably. "We're all worried about him but there is nothing for us to do. All we can do is hope that Anya pulls out of this so she and Legolas can begin to heal." Aragorn looked up to the ceiling as if waiting for a sign. Seeing none he exhaled deeply and looked at his wife, sitting across the table. "They have been through a lot… and there is still a long way to go."

Ten days ago, Legolas and Anya had stared death in the eye and survived – but Aragorn knew that deep down, the two of them would have rather died. Legolas had learned that his uncle was responsible for all the evil they had faced in the past few months. Worse, he and Anya had learned that their darling twins had…

"Good morning." A dull voice cut into Aragorn's thoughts. He whipped his head around to see Legolas approaching the table he and Arwen were sitting at. Eight days ago, the party – or, well, Aragorn – made the decision to move to a nearby town and stay there until Anya's and Legolas's wounds were healed. Legolas's had healed quickly, but from the vacant look in his eyes, it was very clear that emotionally and mentally, he still was hurting. But at least he was conscious. Anya, upon learning her children's fate, sank into a state of despair and turned completely lifeless. She hardly responded to anything or anyone.

"Good morning, Legolas," Arwen replied pleasantly. "Did you sleep well?"

Legolas sat down next to Aragorn. "Relatively."

"How's Anya doing?"

Legolas shrugged.

"Have you not…"

"I would guess that she is fine. The same as yesterday."

"Legolas, if…"

"I would rather not talk about it, Arwen."

"Now…" Aragorn shot Arwen a look that clearly told her to drop it. Arwen sighed and decided to let it go.

Legolas sat at the table, listless and silent. Aragorn and Arwen looked at each other, unsure of what to say or do. There was a long, awkward silence between the three of them until Gimli came crashing down.

"Oi, Legolas," he thundered, "wutchu up to?"

Legolas didn't reply.

"Nothing, eh? Well you can come with me to chop down some wood for the innkeeper. Man's nice enough to let us stay here free of charge and look after Anya, it's the least we can do."

Legolas remained silent.

"Come on," Gimli said, roughly grabbing Legolas by the arm. "Get out. The fresh air will do you some good."

"Let go of me, Gimli," Legolas said.

"Don't be stupid, elf."

"Leave me be." Legolas's voice was now laced with menace.

"Gimli," Arwen said, interceding on Legolas's behalf, "why don't you let Legolas alone? He needs time, and…"

"Enough!" Gimli yelled. "Look, Legolas, you're not the only damn one who's hurting over Anya. Maybe we don't love her like you do, but we all care about her and to see her like this is killing us too. But you don't see us skulking around about it. Nor do we act like Anya's not there. She is in pain right now, and you know what is worse?" Gimli stared Legolas down. "You are not by her side. You have abandoned her, she who you claim to love above anything else in the world. How can you live with yourself?" The dwarf was now roaring with rage. "What will you do if Anya dies?"

"Gimli!" Aragorn slammed his fist on the table. "That is enough!"

"No! Someone needs to slap some sense into this dolt." Gimli grabbed the sitting elf by the shoulders and looked right into Legolas's eyes. "I know you love her. Right now, she needs you. Stop being a selfish fool and stand by her side… before it's too late."

Legolas blankly stared at Gimli. Finally he opened his mouth and said, "My injuries prevent me from wielding an ax. I am sorry, but I do not think I can help you." With that, he rose and walked toward the stairs. "I think I will return to my room. That is where I shall be if any of you need to find me." Then without another word, Legolas ascended, never once looking back.

Gimli groaned and sunk down onto the bench, hanging his head.

"That was a bit harsh," Arwen said.

"And pointless," Gimli said.

"Was that really necessary?"

Gimli raised an eyebrow and looked at her. "Was it necessary? Arwen, what do you think?"

Arwen sighed. "I don't want to think about Anya not surviving this, but her injuries are severe and she hasn't progressed in the last few days. Her spirits are down, and her soul is mourning. Without Legolas there to help her…"

Aragorn reached over and took his wife's trembling hand. "Anya is strong. Anya will survive."

"She has to," Gimli said sadly, "for if she does not, I do not even want to ponder what will happen to Legolas."

x x x

Anya was lost. She had no idea where she was. Looking around, she saw absolutely nothing. No trees, no lifeforms… nothing but grey mist everywhere. Then, something caught her eye. She could see two shadows in the distance, surrounded by fog. They seemed to be walking towards her.

"Who's there?" Anya asked.

They were saying something, though their calls were incoherent. Anya strained to hear what they were saying. The figures continued drawing nearer.

"Who are you?" Anya demanded.

Finally she could see them. Two young elves, staring at her with bright, haunting blue eyes that were far too familiar.

My eyes… Anya reached out her hand to them.

"Mother?"

"Brayden? Laelia?" she whispered. "Oh, my children! You're alive!" Her heart leapt in jubilation and she ran towards them, arms open. When she had almost reached them, they suddenly vanished.

"Mother," a girl's voice called out from behind her.

Anya whipped her head around. "How did you…?"

"How could you fail us, Mother?" the boy asked.

"I didn't…"

"How could you let us die?" they asked in unison.

Anya fell to her knees, her hands covering her face. "I couldn't…"

"You let us die!" Their voices were growing, turning deeper and angrier.

"I tried…"

"NOT ENOUGH." Suddenly, the figure of the young elves morphed into one, and it grew into an ugly, tall, mutant creature with horns and bulging eyes. "YOU LET US DIE," it growled.

Anya felt weak all over. "Help…" she cried out faintly. "Legolas… Help…"

Then just as suddenly as it appeared, the creature vanished, leaving Anya shaken and frightened. She unsteadily rose to her feet.

"Hello?" she called out.

There was no response.

"Legolas, where are you?"

Silence.

"I need you! Please, find me, Legolas…"

Anya ran around franticly, searching for her husband. "Legolas? Legolas! Help me, please… I need you…"

Slowly, the world around her shifted from grey to black.

"I need you… I need you…"