Chapter 36: Legolas goes out to Battle
Legolas was sitting in the study reading a note when Losse came into the room with Linde in her arms. "Legolas, what did father need?" She asked. Legolas put the note down with a sigh.
"I'll tell you later tonight," he answered.
Losse could tell that it was urgent news and put Linde upstairs to bed.
When she came downstairs, she found her husband staring into the fireplace. "What is it, my love?" She whispered. Legolas had Losse sit down and held onto her hands.
"He's calling me to battle. Apparently there are more orcs running around Minas Tirith. They're planning to attack Minas Tirith, then they're going after Mirkwood," he explained.
"My father's asking you to go to battle?" She asked.
"He's asking Eldarion and me to fight the orcs. Aragorn can't fight anymore."
Losse stood up with determination in her eyes. "I'm going with you," she said. Legolas jumped up and grabbed her arms.
"You cannot go this time," he declined.
"Legolas, I can fight."
"I know you can fight, but what about our daughters? Who will watch over Linde and Meril if we were both killed? Losse, our daughters need you. You cannot come this time."
Losse knew his words rang true, if she went and if they died, their daughters would be orphaned. She didn't want her daughters to be raised by someone else than her and Legolas. She fell back into her seat with tears falling from her eyes. Legolas kneeled in front of his wife and held onto her hands. "I don't want to lose you," she murmured. He lifted her chin up and stared into her eyes.
"We have gone to battle before. Remember the War of the Ring?" He asked.
Losse nodded with tears falling from her eyes. Legolas wiped her tears away and stared into her eyes. "Do not weep for me if it is my time. I have lived many, many years on this earth. Before, I never understood why I have to live this long. Do you know how I found out?" He asked. Losse shook her head and held onto his hands.
"You showed me the reason why I had to live this long. If I were a mortal and I had to die long ago, I should have been cursed to never know someone like you," he answered.
"What about Linde and Meril? They love you so much, if you would die out in those battlefields, how do I explain death to a young child?" She asked.
"If I die, then you'll explain it to her the best you can. However, I will return," he replied.
Losse threw her arms around his neck and wept. Legolas held her close and buried his face in her hair. He let her scent fill his senses, to him she smelt of roses on a spring morning. Tears fell from her eyes and into her husband's tunic. They stayed like that for what is seemed hours. They didn't want to lose each other when he leaves.
That night, no words were said that night, the last night for awhile they would be spending together. They lied in each other's arms while her fingers trailed up and down her husband's arms. Legolas held her close as he softly sang to her. "O môr henion i dhû: Ely siriar, êl síla. Ai! Aníron Undómiel.Tiro! Él eria e môr. I 'lîr en êl luitha 'úren. Ai! Aníron...," he sang softly. She gladly translated his words as she listened to him sing.
"From darkness I understand the night: Dreams flow, a star shines Ah! I desire Evenstar. Look! A star rises out of the darkness. The song of the star enchants my heart. Ah! I desire...," she murmured.
Legolas smiled down at her before stroking her face. She returned his touch and tears fell from her eyes. "Et Eärello Endorenna utùlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar 'tenn ambar-metta," she sang in return. Legolas kissed her forehead and knew that the next morning he had to leave. Then they fell asleep in each other's arms.
Early the next morning, Legolas' horse was saddled up and Linde was running out of the castle to say goodbye. He scooped her up and hugged her tight. Then Losse came over with Meril in his arms. Legolas kissed the top of Meril's head before kissing his wife. "Be safe, my love, please be safe," she murmured.
"I'll be back, in the flesh or in spirit I shall return to you," he vowed.
Then he got onto his horse and rode off towards Minas Tirith.
When Legolas arrived at Minas Tirith, he walked into the throne room. His cloak was billowing behind him and his crowning shining in the sunlight. The doors opened to the throne room and Legolas went down on one knee before Aragorn and Arwen and bowed. Aragorn stood up and walked over to his son-in-law. "Rise, my friend," he informed. Legolas stood up and bowed to Aragorn.
"You have received my note?" He questioned.
"Yes, Lord Aragorn," Legolas answered.
Aragorn smiled at his friend and the husband of his daughter. Legolas bowed to Arwen again. "Legolas, you are our daughter's husband and you have no need to bow to us," she stated. Legolas nodded, then they walked over to a large room filled with many soldiers. Aragorn sat at the head seat and nodded to the soldiers, princes, and kings to sit. Legolas sat down and placed his hands in front of him. Arwen sat next to her husband and smiled at the queens and princesses that had come to this to see what their husbands had gotten themselves into. When the meeting was going to begin, the doors opened. Standing before them all with the sunlight glowing behind her was Queen Losse of Mirkwood.
She was wearing white shoes, a blue dress, a dark blue mantle, on her head was her tiara of Mirkwood, and upon her brow hung a sapphire star.
The men and the women stood up in the room at Losse's beauty. Legolas' eyes widened to see his wife standing there. "Losse, what are you doing here?" he asked.
"I have heard that the wives of the princes and kings have come to this meeting. I have come to join them," she answered.
Aragorn gestured for his daughter to sit next to Legolas. A Gondorian soldier stepped forward and pulled the chair out for Losse. Losse nodded to him and sat down. Legolas finally smiled at Losse, then the meeting began. "First of all, I would like to welcome my daughter and son-in-law, King Legolas and Queen Losse for coming, and my good friends, King Almo, son of Haryos, and his wife Queen Aire, daughter of Ániero. Prince Hèro, son of King Almo, and his wife Princess Tarwen, daughter of Lord Rassener. Prince Haryosto, son of King Eruanno, and his soon-to-be wife, Lady Alcare, daughter of King Ecco. The last but not least, King Neruo, son of King Erusèro, and his wife, Queen Nererue, daughter of Lord Encaitar," Aragorn greeted. They all bowed to Aragorn and Arwen once their names were said. Then they got down to business. "As we all know, orcs have been spotted throughout the lands. Such as Snowbourn, the Westfold, Rohan, Gondor, Mirkwood, and all the other lands throughout Middle Earth. One of my spies that came back alive, thank the Valar, explained that the orcs were somehow being created again. We don't know the source or who is doing this magic. Kill every last orc you can find and make sure to find out who is doing this magic," Aragorn explained. King Almo stood up.
"King Elessar, on behalf of my family and me, we would like it if this time you would keep your daughter behind the walls of Minas Tirith," he stated.
Legolas grabbed Losse's arm when she went to interject at his statement. Aragorn stared at his daughter before answering Almo. "Are you saying that my daughter cannot fight these orcs, King Almo?" He suggested.
"I have heard stories about your daughter's victories. She fought by your side many years ago against Sauron and Saruman's powers. I have heard about the love for her father almost getting her killed," Almo replied.
"My daughter has been trained by the best archers, swordsmen, and horse trainers in Rivendell and Gondor combined. I believe my daughter knows how to protect herself."
"Your daughter's love for you almost got her killed."
"As you can see, King Almo, my daughter is alive."
"Yes, but she is married and if I am not mistaken, she has two children. Two beautiful daughters."
Aragorn was about to say something, but he closed his mouth. "How did you know about my granddaughters?" Arwen asked.
"I already told you, milady, I have heard many stories about your daughter. Her heroic stories and the stories about her family. She is your daughter, yes, but she married King Legolas, son of King Thranduil of Mirkwood. Their daughters, Linde and Meril. If your daughter goes out to fight and if she dies, there is a chance that King Legolas would die as well, their children would be orphaned," Almo explained.
Losse stood up, she had enough of listening to this man. "What you say is true, I am heroic, I have been married to King Legolas Greenleaf for many years, and yes, I have two beautiful daughters. However, King Almo, I could beat you in either a swordfight or an archery fight. I could beat you, you could ask my husband," Losse snarled.
"Losse," Legolas whispered.
Losse sat down and Legolas held onto her hand. "You do not have to worry about my wife fighting in this battle, King Almo, I have insisted for my wife to stay with the children," Legolas informed. Aragorn got Almo to sit down before telling them that they would be leaving in the morning.
Losse stormed into the room and slammed the door shut. She was angry with the words that King Almo had said and for the fact that her beloved Legolas would be leaving the next morning. Legolas came in to see his wife standing out on the balcony. They watched as Linde played with Meril in the gardens. He wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned against him and looked at their children. "Legolas, why is it that people hate me for the fact that I am but a woman. They think that because I am a woman that I cannot fight the enemies too," she murmured.
"Do not worry, my love, do not worry," he whispered.
Losse nodded then she looked at their children. "Look at our daughter's Legolas, they are so happy, but yet they have no idea of what is going on," she mumbled. Legolas kissed the side of her head and nodded in agreement. Then they went downstairs to get their children to bed.
At dawn, all soldiers, kings, and princes had their horses saddled up and were saying goodbye to their families. Legolas walked over to Losse and hugged her tight. "Et Eärello Endorenna utùlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar 'tenn ambar-metta!" She sang sadly. Legolas kissed her forehead and repeated the song back to her.
"I'll return to you, I promise," he whispered.
He gave her a gentle kiss and held onto her hand before jumping onto his horse. "Take care of my wife, Aragorn," Legolas stated. Aragorn wrapped an arm around his daughter.
"I shall do my best," Aragorn answered.
Legolas then rode off to battle with the group. Losse lowered her in head sadness when she couldn't stand to see him go. "Losse, tiro,"> Aragorn whispered. (Losse, look.) Losse looked up and saw her husband stopping his horse and had it rear up on it's hind legs. The sunlight seemed to make Legolas glow. Legolas waved to Losse one final time. Losse waved back and watched as he disappeared over the plains. She watched the love of her life left Minas Tirith to fight for his family, people, and friends. Aragorn then led his daughter back into the castle so she could be safe.