Chapter thirty-seven – Epilogue
The year 3018 of the Third Age
Legolas stood completely still in what had been his and Faneth's bedroom. It was completely clean, unlike the layers of dust and grime that covered him after journeying from the southern Mirkwood to the Halls. Weariness clung to every bone in his body, but he couldn't get himself to lay down in the bed, couldn't get himself to sleep in a their bed …alone.
He was very much aware of how the long years after Faneth's death had weathered and aged him. There was still a profound ache inside his chest, something he knew would never go away, but the grief had dampened enough so that he didn't feel the need to throw himself over every cliff he came across. A day didn't pass without him longing for her, without him missing her, and it killed him that no matter what he did …he couldn't bring her back.
Even if he sailed he knew that she would not be there… The Valar had chosen to bring Glorfindel back from the Halls of Awaiting for the services he had done for Middle Earth by defeating the Balrog, and because he had been chosen to aid Elrond and Gil-Galad in the struggle against Sauron. Faneth had done no great deeds and she did not have the power that Glorfindel did… She had loved him and he had loved her. The Valar would not bend life and death for that…
Legolas moved his hand up to his neck and touched the engagement ring he had hanging in a necklace around it, closing his eyes and breathing deeply. If he concentrated hard enough, he could see her face before him, see her amber eyes light up as she smiled to him.
"Legolas?"
Legolas slowly let his hand drop from the necklace and opened his eyes to look over towards the doorway. His father was standing with one hand on the doorframe, looking at him worriedly. He could see the lasting worry in his father's expression and also the tiredness. Alfirin and him had only been in the Halls a few times and therefore he hadn't taken up his usual part of the weight of managing the kingdom. Thankfully Kirion had been there to help…
A wave of pain rolled over him as he remembered that his little sister had sailed to the west. Gwaur had gone with her when it had become clear that she could no longer see any light in the darkness. …He had not even been there to say goodbye…
"Let's go to my room," Thranduil said gently when Legolas made no move. "You look like you have neither bathed nor slept for a whole month. I will have to talk to Alfirin about how he's taking care of you."
Legolas gave a small smile at that and moved over to the doorway. "I'm fine Ada," he answered in a tired voice. "Alfirin takes better care of me than he does of himself. We've just been busy harrying the orcs and the wraiths… Their activity is growing down there…"
"I know," Thranduil said, reaching out to place his hand against Legolas' cheek, "but let's not talk about it know, not when you've finally come home, safe. Come." Thranduil carefully led Legolas across the hallway and into his room. "I'll find some new clothes for you and have some tea sent up while you take a moment to bathe."
With a soundless nod, Legolas moved past his father, walking through the suite and into the bathing room. At the door, he stopped shortly and gave Thranduil a small smile before heading inside. Once the door closed behind him though, he shut his eyes and let out a weary sigh, slumping slightly together.
Dragging his feet, he pulled off his clothes while walking towards the pool, throwing it all in a pile on the floor for either washing or incineration. He froze, however, when he walked past the mirror and caught sight of his reflection. Sapphire blue eyes stared back at him dully from a face etched with too many hardships.
His ribs could be counted easily because of the weight he had lost, and as if that wasn't enough there were the remains of healing wounds as well as scars mapping his neglected body. He reached up and traced the outlines of the two scars that bore the most horrific significance to him, the brand of his chest and the large, eye-shaped burn on his shoulder. It was hideous.
Legolas turned away from the mirror and walked the rest of the way over to the pool. Without pausing, he walked out into the hot water, gradually immersing himself and feeling as it began soothing his aching muscles. He stayed in the water for a long time, even after he was completely clean, enjoying the warmth as it began to make him drift peacefully towards sleep.
He was uncertain how much time had passed before a hand caressing his cheek brought him gently out of his doze. He blinked open his eyes to the sight of his father sitting on the edge on the pool, gazing at him affectionately while he moved his fingers over his cheek. When Thranduil saw that he was awake, he pressed a chaste kiss on the forehead and stood up to find a towel.
Not long after, Legolas was sitting on his father's couch in the sitting room with a mug of tea held in both hands, wearing a pair of soft grey leggings and a turquoise nightshirt with delicate, silver embroidery. His wet silvery-white hair hung loosely down his back so it could dry.
"Mithrandir came to the Halls recently," Thranduil said as he sat down beside Legolas with his own cup of tea. "It all started when a Ranger named Strider came to our woods, dragging with him a small, gangly creature. He persuaded me to keep it in the dungeons, saying that it was an important mission that Mithrandir had given him and naming the creature, Gollum."
"You didn't mention this in any of your messages," Legolas responded softly.
Thranduil waved dismissively, "I did not pay much heed to the creature, placed it in the dungeons and set someone in charge of it. When Mithrandir came, he spent a lot of time with it, interrogating it I believe. He did not give much explanation when he left once more after telling me to continue to house it."
"Is it still here?" Legolas asked.
"There was an orc attack not too long ago," Thranduil sighed. "The one I had set in charge of the creature gained sympathy for it and allowed it to come outside to climb a tree from time to time. They were attacked and the creature is nowhere to be found, either escaped or captured. I have not told Mithrandir yet and have been looking for someone who is willing to take the message to Rivendell." Thranduil gazed at Legolas.
Legolas was silent for a moment but then said dryly, "If this is a hint that I should go see Maliel then you are doing a poor job at disguising it."
Thranduil grinned at that, "I wasn't trying to disguise it."
Legolas nodded and for a moment his eyes unfocussed in silent thought, then he looked up at Thranduil once more and whispered, "I will go… I cannot deny that my heart yearns to see her…"
"I know," Thranduil said softly and reached out to brush his hand briefly over Legolas' hair. Even though he knew that Legolas was no elfling, he couldn't stop his hands from reaching out to touch him at every chance that he got after so many decades of yearning for his son to come home and fearing for his safety.
Legolas closed his eyes at the touch and sipped quietly at his tea for a moment. When he opened his eyes again he asked, "Did he ask for me?"
"Yes," Thranduil sighed. "They've all been asking about you. Elrond stayed for four months during the time you were lost to us. He tried to stop Faneth from fading and afterwards helped Maliel in any way that he could. In the end, the only way he could do was to take her to Rivendell, away from all the tormenting reminders. Elrohir, Elladan, and Glorfindel were here as well, helping them search for you and looking after Kirion. I…"
Legolas gazed at him gently. "You what?"
"Elrond especially asked to see you after he learned that you had come back when we told Maliel," Thranduil said reluctantly. "He sent letters for months but I told him that you weren't available to him."
"You were angry at him."
"I was, very angry." Thranduil looked deeply into Legolas' eyes. "I still am. I thought that I had lost you… and you have lost so much because of them. Galadriel and Mithrandir have also tried to get in contact with you and tried to help find you. They didn't stay as long as Elrond, though. Galadriel couldn't see you with her foresight, you were completely closed off."
"How has your relationship been with them since?"
"…Frosty." Thranduil admitted. "I did as promised, no war was started, and I did give them a formal thank you for their aid in freeing Mirkwood."
Legolas nodded tiredly and drank the rest of his tea. He stretched out his arm and planned to place the mug on the tabletop but he suddenly felt as if all strength left his fingers and could not stop them from dropping it. It hit the floor, smashing into a million pieces. Legolas watched it happened, slightly detached until the noise quieted completely. After this happened, he blinked repeatedly and made to get down and pick up the pieces when his father's hand stopped him.
Legolas jerked up his head and looked into his father's worried, blue eyes. Thranduil's other hand was placed on his cheek and soon travelled up to his forehead, feeling a slight fever underneath his palm.
"Come here, Legolas…" Thranduil said softly and guided Legolas down so he was lying on the sofa with his head pillowed in his lap. "You aren't going to Rivendell until I'm sure you're well. Stay here for a week at least, I don't care if you barricade yourself in my room the whole time or take up all the space in my bed, but you're staying here. You are not well."
Legolas surrendered himself mutely to his father and allowed his eyes to glide shut as a hand started caressing his hair and cheek. He only barely registered as his father called for his butler, Bronwe, who gathered up the broken porcelain and draped a blanket over him before leaving just as quietly and discreetly as he had come.
His father continued to smooth his hand over his hair for a while and Legolas found himself entering a doze. Probably, he would have fallen asleep if his father hadn't whispered in a regretful and slightly choked voice, thinking that he was asleep, "This wasn't the life we wanted you to have… Forgive me, Legolas…"
For a moment, Legolas considered opening his eyes and responding or simply hugging his father, but it didn't take him long to comprehend that the words weren't some that father had wanted him to hear. It wasn't a burden he had wanted to place upon his shoulders… If it had been Maliel then he wouldn't have wanted her to hear him say those words…
Even as he laid thinking, he slowly lost all ties with consciousness and drifted off into sleep. For once his rest was blessedly peaceful, so deep that no nightmares touched his mind. He was unaware of the hand that kept stroking him throughout the night and into the late morning.
O
As he descended into the hidden valley, he noticed that both nature and the buildings seemed to have faded slightly, almost as if some of the life had been drained from it. Rivendell was just as beautiful as it had always been but it seemed like a sort of melancholy hung over the valley. He knew from his father that many from Rivendell and Lothlorien had already left for the Grey Havens, unlike the elves of Mirkwood who were still fighting for their existence on Middle Earth.
Alfirin rode just behind him, preventing him effectively from turning Tinco around and bolting away from the valley. An odd mixture of trepidation and longing made his heart flutter inside his chest at the thought that he was going to see Maliel again in just a short moment.
He had been away from her for so long… What was she going to think of him? Was she going to turn her back on him? No, he had been in contact with her… Maybe she would change her mind. Valar, he wished Faneth were there…
Legolas shut his eyes and hunched over slightly, pain coursing through him. He usually knew what to do… Through raising Maliel and Kirion, he had almost always known what to do… Now he was blank.
"Legolas?" Alfirin's voice sounded worried from beside him.
Legolas opened his eyes and looked to the side. He hadn't noticed that Tinco had slowed down gradually until he had come to a complete halt, allowing for Alfirin to ride up beside him on Nínim.
"Lanyë ista man carita…" Legolas whispered, turning his gaze down to where his fingers were gripping Tinco's black mane tightly. [I do not know what to do…]
Alfirin was silent for a moment but then he said, "Savimi anelya…Tula, Legolas." [Believe in your daughter… Come, Legolas.]
Legolas closed his eyes once more and then nodded, forcing his hands to uncurl so he could pat Tinco gently on the shoulder, urging him onwards. As he took a deep breath, he lifted his face and focused on the path once more.
Soon the mountain path changed to cobblestones and they rode over passageways and bridges that arched over sparkling rivers and waterfalls. Almost none of this passed through Legolas' jumbled thoughts and he didn't even realize that he had reached the courtyard until he heard something that made his heart stop.
"Ada!"
Legolas snapped up his head so quickly that his neck cracked and watched with widened eyes as Maliel hurried out of the open doors that led into the Halls of Rivendell with Elrohir rushing after her and holding onto her anxiously. Legolas' eyes widened even more when he realized why and he hurried to jump off Tinco and instinctively rush towards Maliel.
His daughter had tears streaming down her cheeks and her icy blue eyes were awash with emotions, both joyful and sad. Elrohir had one of his hands on his waist and the other on her upper arm, making sure that she wouldn't fall down the steps to the open doors. She was pregnant… Her loose, light blue dress fell over a slightly round stomach and one of her hands rested upon it.
Legolas felt his hand tremble as he moved quickly towards her. She looked so much like her mother… but she wasn't. Faneth was gone, but he had Maliel and she was right there… so close that he could almost touch her…
The moment Legolas reached Maliel at the bottom of the steps, he immediately pulled her into his arms and held her tightly to him, almost like he would never let go again. Maliel melted into the embrace, holding him just as tightly and crying softly against his shoulder. Legolas tried to whisper soothing things to her but quickly found his throat becoming too constricted as tears began rolling down his cheeks.
He was holding his daughter in his arms… After so long… so many years of fighting, so many years of being alone and filled with grief… Overwhelming thankfulness and joy filled him at having her back, but at the same time he felt the grief of losing Faneth as clearly as if a dagger had pierced through his heart. He loved Maliel so much…
"It's all right…" His daughter whispered choked to him, attempting to comfort him when that should have been his job. "It's all right, Ada…"
Legolas only held her tighter, hiding his face in her wavy, auburn locks. There was no doubt about the fact that Maliel would be able to feel that his whole body was shaking. He could feel Maliel's widened stomach against his and made sure that he didn't put any pressure on the baby that rested inside.
His daughter was going to be a mother… He could still see his little princess running around with ribbons in her hair and no shoes on her feet… He was going to be a grandfather…
His shaking intensified with to amount of emotions rolling through him in waves. Somehow happiness managed to take the place of some of the grief and pain in his heart. He was going to be a grandfather…
"Ada?" Maliel choked, holding him tighter, no doubt worried and concerned.
"Legolas?" Elrohir's pained voice sounded from beside him and a hand was placed on his shoulder.
Legolas took a shuddering breath and forced himself to pull back slowly, blinking repeatedly to chase the last remains of tears out of his eyes. Briefly, he glanced over at Elrohir to see the twin looking at him worriedly, but he couldn't stop himself from immediately shifting his attention back to Maliel.
He brought up his hand and gently brushed the tears off of her tears, ignoring the fact that they were still falling from her eyes and that his hands were trembling.
"Ada?" Maliel asked for a second time and when he didn't answer she threw her arms around his neck and held him tightly once more. Legolas closed his eyes and tried to get his emotions in line, forcing himself to breathe deeply and regularly.
"I'm sorry Princess…" He whispered at last, his voice hoarse and choked.
Maliel immediately let out a choked sob and shook her head violently against Legolas' shoulder. "I told you to take all the time that you needed Ada… It's all right. You've done nothing wrong… Please don't do this to yourself…" She drew back and looked at him with fieriness in her blue eyes, looking so much like her mother, and demanded, "Promise me, Ada."
Legolas swallowed thickly and then forced his lips into a tremulous smile, "…I promise… I love you Maliel."
"And I you, Ada." Maliel said softly and brushed her thumbs over his cheeks, wiping away the remains of tears. Her eyes saddened as she felt the slight coldness of his skin and saw the shadows underneath his eyes. "You're eyes have darkened…" She whispered.
Seeking to divert her worry, he responded, "And your stomach has widened."
Immediately, Maliel's eyes light up and a bright smile stole over her face. Her sky blue eyes flicked over to Elrohir and Legolas took a slight step back as the twin wrapped one of his arms around her waist with the same joyful grin on his face.
Maliel then looked back at him. "I wanted to tell you, Ada," she said with glowing eyes, "but grandfather told me that he would convince you to come to Rivendell so I could tell you in person. You're going to be a grandfather Ada."
She took his hand and placed it against her stomach. Straight away, Legolas stilled and gazed upon his hand with wonder. There was a slight movement underneath his palm, but almost instantly he could feel two little auras latching on to his and taking strength from him, probably feeling its likeness their mother. Even as they fed on his energy, he felt them slowly settling down once more until there was no more movement underneath his hand.
"They like you…" Maliel whispered happily.
"There are two of them," Legolas mumbled in a slight daze, his hand still placed upon Maliel's stomach, not wanting to lose the feeling of their tiny little auras clinging to him so dependently.
"Twins…" Maliel snorted amused and looked up at Elrohir, "Twin boys."
His grandsons…
Legolas felt tears slowly welling up in his eyes and rolling down his cheeks. He closed his eyes and concentrated on where his hand was touching Maliel's stomach. "Nai elen siluva lyenne ar berialdë ilya raxellor…" He felt as energy travelling from his very core and into his fingertips. His hands lit up in a soft blue light as his blessing gave strength to the babies. [May a star shine upon you and protect you from all dangers…]
He heard Maliel's soft gasp through the weariness that welled up inside him. Letting his hand drop from his daughter's stomach so the babies could no longer take his energy, he took a deep breath and forcibly pushed down his exhaustion. He felt someone take hold of his right arm to support him, even though there wasn't a need for it. He had become used to feeling exhaustion by now, so used to it that it no longer seemed like an insurmountable task to keep standing.
Legolas opened his eyes once more and, seeing Maliel's worried look, gave her a small smile before turning to his side to see Elrohir standing by his side, holding his arm. Legolas then turned around and gazed back at the courtyard to see that the horses were being tended to by some elves from Rivendell and Alfirin was nowhere to be seen.
"Where did Alfirin go?" He asked tiredly.
"I saw him leave for the trees some time ago," Elrohir answered, scrutinizing him. "He looked tired and nodded to me before leaving, so I think he has gone to sleep. Do you want me to find him? Do you need him?"
"No," Legolas responded, shaking his head. "I'm fine." He turned his gaze back to his daughter and hated the fear and sadness that showed in her sky blue eyes. Reaching out to brush his fingers over her cheek, he said softly, "I'll be all right. I'm going to be a grandfather, aren't I?"
Maliel reached up and squeezed his hand tightly. "You better," she whispered with a smile and then said, "but I'm sure you're tired after the journey. Come with us to our home, Ada."
Legolas nodded, but the moment he looked up towards the doors he noticed another figure standing halfway in the shadows. Elrond was staring at him with widened eyes, gripping the doorframe as if he would fall if he didn't. Legolas could read so many emotions from his eyes but the largest was guilt.
He gazed at him for a while but then squeezed Maliel's hand and let got before climbing up the steps to the open doors. "I'm so sorry Legolas…" Elrond whispered as he began moving closer. "I'm so sorry… I never wished to force such pain on you… I never wished for this to happen."
Legolas' feet froze in the middle of taking another step up the steps to the door and he closed his eyes as grief ripped through him once more, pain which for a time had been held back by the news of Maliel's pregnancy. He forced himself to breathe through it and haltingly took the last step.
"Neither did any…" Legolas said in voice that laid witness to the long struggles he had going through throughout his life. "Unfortunately we do not control what happens and what does not, and so we are forced to carry the weight of the decisions we made. Would Faneth have lived if I hadn't gone? I know not. An attack could have happened once more and that could have the one in which our luck finally ran out. I made my own decision and I must live with the consequences."
"We should never have let you fight our battle for us while we hid like cravens in a cave," Elrond snarled, his anger directed towards himself. "You have fought so much. It was not fair."
"Thousands of years ago, you fought for your place upon this Earth, this time it was my turn to do the same." Legolas said softly, gazing at his pregnant daughter. "I did not fight because you told me to… I fought for the next generation's right to live peacefully and without fear in our forest. I fought because someone had to do it and I succeeded, for a time…"
"Damn it, Legolas…" Elrond choked and reached out to pull Legolas into a tight embrace. "I should have followed the feeling I had in my heart after meeting you for the first time. I should have hidden you and protected you from the world."
O
Legolas walked through the cottage, which was Maliel and Elrohir's home. Starlight and moonlight shone in from the arching windows and lit up the airy rooms and corridors. The light wood the cottage was built of was carved and etched beautifully and simply, and created a joined living room and kitchen as well as a bathroom, a bedroom, a guestroom, and a nursery for when the babies came.
He had left Elladan sleeping in the guestroom they had shared, after being woken by another haunting nightmare. It seemed that after having so many, he was able to remain silent enough not to wake the twin.
Legolas walked through the open arches on the far side of the living room and stepped through the long and white, gently blowing curtains. As he stepped out onto the porch he gained view of the hidden valley in silvery starlight. It seemed that someone inside he main Halls was playing the flute and the harmonious melody rolled over the otherwise silent valley.
He stepped over the porch and over to the edge, placing his hands upon the top of the railing. Tilting his head up, he looked towards the glittering stars above, feeling both peace and longing well up inside his chest.
"Ada?"
Legolas was jolted out of his stupor at Maliel's voice and looked back to see that Maliel was moving towards him, her hands resting on her round stomach, covered by a blue nightdress, and her hair flowing freely.
"You should be sleeping," Legolas said gently as she came to stand beside him.
"As should you," Maliel answered, "even more so than me. Are you all right?"
"I seem to be hearing that question a lot these days. I am as well as can be expected I suppose," Legolas answered and looked up into the sky above Rivendell. "The stars are clearer here than they are in Mirkwood
Maliel looked up and nodded. For a time, they just stood there but then she asked, "Do you think Nana is up there, Ada?"
"I like to think so," Legolas whispered. "Perhaps from time to time her soul visits the glittering orbs so she can keep an eye on us from the far distance… Whether it is true or not, it still brings a small amount of peace with it, and that is enough reason to keep believing that it is so."
Maliel leaned against his side, resting her head on his shoulder. "Grandpa and Grandma sailed."
Legolas felt another wave of loss and weariness roll through him. "Gilrin and Fanor?"
"Yes. They left a few years ago after a long time of trying to stay for my sake. In the end I told them to go because I could not bear to see them suffer…"
Legolas wrapped one of his arms around Maliel and kissed her hair. "That was very selfless and caring of you," he said softly. "Even though I'm sure that it wasn't easy. I know that you cared for them deeply and that you must have felt quite alone in the world…"
"It wasn't so bad…" Maliel whispered. "I had Elrohir, and Elladan, Arwen, Elrond, and Estel. They looked after me."
"Estel?"
"Elrohir's foster brother," Maliel responded. "He real name is Aragorn son of Arathorn and he is-"
"Heir to the throne of Gondor," Legolas finished for her. "I remember him as a child from your mother's memories… a child with silver eyes and dark hair. I had forgotten about him until now."
"According to Mithrandir, Estel is helping the hobbit Bilbo's younger cousin to Rivendell. Glorfindel has just ridden out to help him because there have been wraiths sighted near the Bruinen." Maliel said softly. "There is to be a council when they arrive with races from all around Middle Earth."
"I know," Legolas said. "Elrond asked me to join and share my news. According to him I have too much knowledge to waste."
"I'd imagine," Maliel chuckled. She was quiet for a moment but then said with a slightly choked voice, "You've sheltered me from a lot of your life, haven't you Ada? When I hear Elladan and Elrohir, or Elrond, talk about you they always mention things that I've never heard of… There is so much I don't know and it frightens me when I see you now… because I don't know if you've been through so much that losing Nana finally tips the scale… I don't know if I'm going to lose you as well…"
Legolas turned around and wrapped his arms tightly around Maliel. "You won't lose me… not if I have anything to say about it. I will fight with everything I have to be here for you and my grandsons…"
O
"Prince Legolas?"
Legolas opened his eyes and instantly looked towards the man who had stepped up beside the stone bench in Celebrian's gardens upon which he was sitting. Compared to when he had seen Aragorn returning to Rivendell some days ago in ragged clothes, he now wore fine clothes in black and greys.
"May I join you?" Aragorn asked in perfect Sindarin.
"If I no longer hear you refer to me as Prince you may join me, Aragorn." Legolas answered, gazing into the man's eyes. He could see that the fact that he knew who he was was surprising to Aragorn because his eyes widened slightly when he had said his name. Afterwards a slow smile had spread out on his face, though.
"I will do as you ask," Aragorn chuckled, as he sat down beside him. "I have heard much about you from my brothers and your daughter so it is a pleasure to finally be able to place a name upon the adventures told to amuse a young child."
"Elladan and Elrohir told you stories about me?" Legolas asked with a small smile.
Aragorn barked out a laugh and answered, "Aye, though they seemed to have an inclination towards giving you names like 'The Valiant Warrior' and 'The Hope of Mirkwood'. To this day I know not how much was exaggeration and how much was truth."
"I'm wounded!"
Legolas and Aragorn both looked up and saw Elladan walking towards them, his hand placed upon his chest as if he was in pain.
"My own brother does not believe my words…" The twin moaned. "I can assure you that every tale we spun was based on the solemn truths of our dear friend's ventures."
The comfortable weight of Elladan's hand landed upon his shoulder and stayed there in silent support. Legolas found himself listening silently as Elladan and Aragorn bickered with fondness bright in their eyes. It was clear that Elladan cared for Aragorn and respected him and Legolas found that in his heart he knew that some day he would feel the same.
O
"Why would you do this?!" Glorfindel just short of shouted.
Legolas looked up slowly and saw both Glorfindel and Elladan rushing towards where he was sitting against the trunk of a tree, thus far staring into space with a blank expression. Slowly, he stood up to face them. There was a myriad of anger, fear, concern, and pain on both of their faces.
"Why would you volunteer to go on this quest?! Why would you do that?! Have you not been through enough already?! Have you not done enough?! Glorfindel barked at him, the anguish clear in his voice.
"Can one ever give enough to rid this world of evil?" Legolas asked tiredly. "If everyone sat down after fighting for a certain amount of time then who would be left in the end? I believe in the cause and if this is what it takes to finally rid this world of evil then I will fight once more."
"Have you not sacrificed enough?! You have given your whole life to defeat him!"
"Exactly!" Legolas snapped, "I have already fought for the entire duration of my life! I have fought so much that I barely remember a time before it! I have given so much that I will see it done! I will see to it that evil finally leaves these lands for good, and if it is one more battle it takes, then I will fight like there is no tomorrow! I will not leave my work halfway finished!"
Glorfindel made to say something else but Legolas continued before he got the chance.
"Sauron has taken almost everything from me, he has taken my childhood, my friends, my comrades, my child, …my wife!" His voice broke at this. He swallowed thickly before continuing, "I will not waste their sacrifices… I will not waste Faneth's sacrifice… If one more fight is all it takes to make sure that this world is safe for my grandsons then it is a sacrifice I am willing to make…"
"Faneth did not give her life for you to die!"
"She gave her life for freedom!" Legolas roared, "She allowed me to go because she believed that one day, we would not have to be afraid, and we would not have to live under the crushing weight of shadow and by the Valar I will see her wish accomplished! I will be there when the clouds roll back from the sky and the light is allowed to shine through without hindrance! I will be there when the war of light and darkness comes to an end!"
And the black carpet falls over the scene.
At this point in the story the amazing Tolkien takes over with 'The Lord of the Rings' and I will not ruin it.
Thank you all for your incredible support throughout the story. The experience of writing this story was made great by the amount of people who took it far enough into their hearts to cry and laugh with me, so thank you so much.
As far as I can tell, I still have one more story left before Legolas' story is completed so stay tuned if you're interested :)
Once again thank you so much for reading this and I hope to see you all soon!
THE END