Chapter Twenty-Nine.
Legolas's eyes brimmed with held back tears as he and others set their eyes on the aftermath of war hours later. They had won this battle but at what cost? He wandered through the fallen heroes as he and some others approached the city; Minas Tirith reeked of death and destruction but there was victory floating in the soft breeze that swept over tired bodies. He had seen many wars in his lifetime, some perhaps worse than this one, but the feeling afterwards felt so much different. He was unsure, afraid at the possibility of losing the one he had fallen for. Instinctively he grasped onto the burnt flag he had secretly placed by his heart, rubbing the material with a frown as he dwelled onto his thoughts. He took in the scenery, his heart heavy as he tried not to think negatively. What would he do if she had fallen? What if she was greatly injured? What if her body couldn't be found..? Had she fled during the battle?
"So much damage has been done here" the ellon voiced as he walked, looking across at Gandalf who walked at his side. Legolas needed answers, needed something to comfort him.
"And there is much more to come" the wizard quietly added making the elf sigh through his concern. Legolas couldn't help but think of Corlia… what had happened to her? He had seen Pippin and Merry still alive and obviously Gandalf, Aragorn and Gimli but what of her?
"She was alive the last time I saw her" Gandalf told him as if reading his mind, a small smile on his face. Legolas noticed the smile on his lips; did he have the answers he wanted?
"When was that?" Legolas hurriedly asked and was greeted by a short silence that unsettled him. Silence was never a good thing, especially in this kind of situation.
"A good few hours ago, I lost track of her as my attention was turned elsewhere" he honestly answered her and Legolas's heart gripped in worry. It was surprising that they had managed to hold out for so long, the smoke and rubble confirming that they had a hard time defending. As they walked up the many levels of Minas Tirith Legolas winced at the sight, there was no area left unharmed and each doorway they passed through had been smashed down. He painfully closed his eyes at the thought of Corlia trying to defend, had she kept control of herself? Legolas lost count of the level he was on when he halted, the sight of people surrounding a large building making him tense. He assumed it was the House of Healing, or what was left of it. The elf could smell the herbs and balms lingering in the air, was Corlia nearby? He went to part away from the wizard, his task clear but the wizard grasped onto his shoulder to halt him.
"You won't find her there" Gandalf told him with a secretive smile, his head turning to the left as he looked across towards the wall up ahead.
"She's not far, go look for her" he continued on. The wizard parted from his side and Legolas found himself aimlessly walking around looking for Corlia, following the advice from Gandalf.
Legolas's heart stopped for a moment when he spotted the black, slump form of a laying overgrown wolf some time later. He slowly walked up to it, his hands shaking as he saw pools of blood in places nearby. Was he too slow, too late? The beast heavily breathed, wheezing every few breaths out of pain and exhaustion. Legolas's steps quickened realising that Corlia was still alive, kneeling himself next to her. Corlia didn't move her head but her ears picked up, twisting in his direction. She had collapsed from exhaustion and her injuries; she dared not to think how long she had been there for. The wolf let out a low growl of warning, its senses hazy. The beast within wanted to be left alone, left to reflect on what had happened but the ellon ignored its growl making her growl even louder.
"Oh Corlia…" Legolas softly said as he looked over her, frowning at what he saw.
"You're injured" he added on without much of a pause, placing his hands across her body with a hurt expression. The poor wolf was smothered in blood and gore; he was struggling to tell what was hers and what wasn't. Corlia stirred at his voice and touch, lifting her head to look up at him as her growling stopped.
'Pack… Safe… Tired… Hurt….' her inner beast softly thought, her blue eyes softening as she took in the beauty of the ellon. She thought she would not see him again, not in this life time at least. Corlia let her head fall back to the ground as she closed her eyes, relief spreading though her veins. Legolas remained quiet as he ran his hands across her body finding the areas she was badly wounded, the wolf softly whimpering as he looked at the deeper wounds closer.
It was a few moments later after Legolas had finished analysing her when Corlia shifted away from his touch, transforming next to him with gritted teeth. She bit back a small yelp at the pain, grabbing her side as she winced. Legolas's hands shot to her, hoping to comfort her pain. Swiftly he unclipped the cloak from his shoulders, wrapping it around her as he embraced the hurt woman. With a sharp breath Corlia released her side, letting her body relax into his.
"I will tend to them soon" Corlia told him with a soft, strained voice. Legolas was surprised at how calm she was… he knew she was no stranger to war but how was she not affected? Although her eyes were glazed and light there was hurt and despair buried in them…
"I just needed a moments rest… Did you or the others get injured?" she spoke on in curiosity.
"They are a little injured but will be fine… Lord Théoden fell in battle though" Legolas informed her. Corlia bowed her head at the news, sad that so many great people have been lost.
"I saw the army Aragorn commanded. I knew those men when they were alive… did you also walk the Path of the Dead?" Corlia softly asked. The elf hummed in reply, thinking back on his journey with his companions.
"Yes I did… we took the enemy's army on the ships with them before arriving here to fight on the fields" Legolas told her and her body tensed. Legolas could feel the tension under his touch; did she already know of his troubles during his journey?
"Come let me take you somewhere to tend to your wounds, you're losing a lot of blood" Legolas added on and Corlia could read the worry in his voice. She clutched onto him as he lifted her in his arms, trying to be as gentle as possible as he carried her. Corlia remained quiet as he spoke to the closest male, a guard Corlia assumed, and he directed the pair to a spare room where Legolas could tend to her wounds in peace.
He set her down onto a bed, removing some of the bloody torn clothing as he hummed in dislike. She was covered in blood and wounds; it made his eyes well up seeing someone he cared for so hurt. It reminded him of a time long ago when he saw his own blood when fighting, he had promised to never spill his own blood again. Legolas couldn't help but feel a little lost, as if the realisation of their races were hitting him hard in the chest. He was an elf, an immortal for the most part but Corlia was mortal… His eyes lingered on her ring for a moment, the colour pulsing rapidly. He remembered what she had told him, did the ring's abilities change that issue? His eyes closed for a moment as he thought back on his past, when he had fallen for an elleth. He shook his head, remembering how his father disliked Legolas's choice… what would his father think about Corlia? No one was ever good enough in his eyes, even an elf was no good. A frown appeared on his face as he thought deeply; had Corlia and his father met before? To further his problems he had heard them… heard the soft calls of the gulls. The sea called him, called him to a place far away.
He reopened his eyes after a moment to focus on the task at hand, he needed to try and clean her up as quickly as possible before his thoughts overtook him.
"What ever happened to you..?" he mumbled to himself in disbelief as he tended to her wounds. Corlia slowly explained the events that had taken place when leaving Edoras with Gandalf and Pippin, her body shaking as Legolas wrapped up the final wound with fresh bandages.
"Thank you Legolas" she softly breathed as he finished, asking him to retell his tale. He did and she softly laughed at the competition between himself and Gimli during the battle.
"Trust you two to do that" she gently said in amusement and the elf let out the first small laugh she had heard him do since being reunited together.
"Something is on your mind Legolas… what is it?" Corlia asked him in concern. Something was off; there was something Legolas had not spoken about in his tale that still troubled him.
"I heard them… the soft cries of the gulls calling me" Legolas explained as he sat himself on the bed next to her. He gently pulled her into his embrace, a concerned expression on his face as he openly spoke to her.
"Legolas Greenleaf long under the tree, in joy thou hast lived, beware of the sea. If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore, thy heart shall then rest in the forest no more…" Legolas mumbled with a thoughtful expression. Corlia remained quiet for a moment, trying to solve the riddle. She had never heard the riddle before but she knew it was of importance, something that had perhaps plagued Legolas for many months.
"Those were the words given by Gandalf from Galadriel. I assumed that it meant my death but now I understand the meaning behind them…" Legolas added on, his voice low in sadness. At his words Corlia's heart dropped in understanding, it made sense now.
"You long for the sea, you long to go to Valinor" Corlia told him after a moment of solving the riddle, her voice weak.
"Yes… yes I do. I cannot explain how I feel… I love my home but my heart, my heart is parted and longs to leave and never return" he quietly said and Corlia blindly took hold of his hands, rubbing them.
"Will you leave?" Corlia asked and she felt Legolas shake his head.
"No… not yet, there is much left to do here" Legolas quickly answered.
"And what if the war goes our way and we're victorious, what then?" Corlia asked in curiosity. Legolas was quiet for a few minutes, thinking of his answer. He was unsure if Corlia could travel the sea with him and that thought alone made him want to remain here. To add onto it he had gained a strong bond with Aragorn and Gimli, he would love to spend time with them during a time of peace instead of a time of war. His eyes closed, what if they did not win this war? What if those he loved most fell and he was left alone?
"I will remain by your side wherever it may lead" he honestly said with a pained, parted expression and Corlia felt touched by his words. She knew it was a lot to ask for an answer, in all honesty she wasn't really expecting one but that response was good enough for her.
"You should rest Corlia" Legolas continued on, wanting to forget about the future for the moment. Corlia nodded, feeling drowsy but she was parted and pained.
"I do not know if I can find rest…" she quietly said to him. Legolas didn't need her to explain, he could tell that the battle had taken a hard toll on her. He admired her strength though, she didn't break down with the pressure nor did she complain. He knew she needed someone with her, someone to find comfort in and in all honesty Legolas needed that too.
"I will stay with you" Legolas told her and Corlia smiled as he shifted himself, laying her down on the bed.
"Thank you my love" Corlia softly said, closing her eyes in hopes of some rest.
