Chapter 53:

(Aragorn's POV)

"Legolas?" The twilight was deep by this time and stars sparkled like jewels against a sky as black as pitch. Most of Minas Tirith had fallen asleep by this time, but I had found no rest or comfort in my bed. So I had come outside to stand in the courtyard by the White Tree and came upon a cloaked figure that looked like my good friend.

Legolas turned his head to look at me and I felt a flash of worry. His eyes were a duller shade of blue, shadowed by the dark circles around them. His face looked sunken and pale against the dark color of the cloak's hood. Even his blonde hair had lost its shine. I knew he was grieving, but I hoped that he wasn't loosing his immortality.

"You need rest." I placed a hand gently on his shoulder and squeezed in comfort. Most of us had felt the gloom of Eden's departure. Eomer had looked almost stricken before he left to return to Edoras. Eowyn and Faramir had lost some of their newlywed glow when reminded of her absence. Even Arwen who hadn't spent much time with Eden seemed sadder around the edges.

I couldn't help but miss her as well. Eden had been my closest ally for so long. Whenever I found myself sitting in solitude, missing her, I almost expected her to sit beside me and prod until I came out of my brooding. She had believed in me when I hadn't the courage nor the faith to believe in myself.

"I will find no rest this night, or any night hereafter." Legolas's voice was soft and carried away on the night's breeze.

"Legolas…" I began to argue with that notion, but he cut me off.

"I keep seeing her in dreams." His voice sounded hollow. "She's so close I can almost reach out and touch her. When I wake I can still feel her, hear the soft sounds of her laughter, only to find that she's not here and she never will be again."

"Legolas, I've been looking into every type of magic I can find. We will find a way to see her again, even it might just be to say goodbye." I assured him. "Though I hope for you that will not be the case."

"My father is already pursuing a bride for me, Mirkwood needs a queen." Legolas shook his head bitterly. "I do not want anyone else."

"I know." I sighed sadly. "Legolas, we might just have to accept that she is gone and you might have to marry someone else."

"No." He said it quietly, but firmly. "Eden is the only one I will marry." His gaze turned wistful. "I took a walk this morning and saw those wild roses on the riverbank. Eden would have loved them, as they are just like her, wild and beautiful. I imagine she'd choose them for a bouquet."

"Legolas, don't do this to yourself." I wanted to grab him by the shoulders and shake him. I wanted Eden back just as much as he did, but we couldn't be delusional about it. "I will try my best to allow you to see her again, but it might just be to say goodbye. You might have no choice but to marry someone else."

His expression was pained, as he turned those sad eyes in my direction. "How can I, when I'm so in love with her, I can't see straight."

"You'll be fine and you know Eden would, as she'd say kick your ass if she saw you acting like this. She would not want you sulking, especially not over her. She always was one to take action." I was relieved to see a slight smile flicker over his face.

"No, she would not be happy to see me acting like this." Legolas nodded his agreement.

"If I know Eden, which I believe that I do, I know she's missing you just as much wherever she is." I want to assure him as much as possible. If Legolas keeps going on the way he is, I fear he may die of a broken heart. "You really should seek rest."

"My cold and empty bed offers no comfort, not since she left it." He sighed somberly. "Though you are right, for I am weary."

"You should sleep for her as well." I reminded him. "For she was brought back to her world to deal with another war much like the one we just fought. I'm sure sleeps comes rarely and she does not get enough of it. If she saw that you were wasting hours you could be in dreams, she would not be happy about it."

Legolas sighed. "I hope she's all right. She works herself to the bone, without realizing that she needs to stop and rest after awhile."

"She'll be all right. She's made of something amazingly strong. So you shouldn't make yourself sick. Get some rest my friend. You need it." I felt a smile curve my lips. "As your king, I command it."

With a slight nod, Legolas turned on his heel and headed back toward his bedroom chambers. I worried that when he returned to Mirkwood, no one would look out for him and he would just simply grieve himself to an untimely death. The only thing I could do was work harder to find a way for us to see Eden one last time. We at least deserved a chance to say goodbye to her.

Eden's POV:

"You okay?" Buffy's voice was soft and gentle, as she sat on the edge of my bed. I was sitting up against the headboard now and the healing process was picking up speed again, so hopefully I'd be up and about in a few days.

The bruises were fading into the greenish yellow color of healing and the various gashes and abrasions were stitched closed and scabbed over. I wasn't as sore anymore and it was possible that tomorrow I'd be able to get out of bed and take a shower and have meals downstairs with everyone else.

"I think so." I managed to reply, turning my head away from the window, where I had been staring out at the night sky.

"I know what's it's like." Buffy's tone was wistful. "To have to give up the man you love more than anything for the job you've chosen to do. Angel and I were apart for six years before we were rewarded with his shanshu and allowed to be with each other."

"I don't think I'll ever be able to be with Legolas again. We come from two different worlds." I felt my throat tighten and willed myself not to cry.

"It does seemed that way doesn't it." Buffy shot me a sympathetic glance. "Losing Angel was so hard of first. I was so broken, I felt like I couldn't breathe. It became easier to go on with life after time. The pain doesn't stop, but it was easier to live with. I had other loves in-between. Riley was an amazing man, I'm sorry I couldn't love him the way he loved me, but I did love him. Even Spike, who I had hated from the moment I met him, I managed to love. They helped, but they weren't Angel."

"I could have loved Cian. I was already falling for him, when he died. I used to blame myself, for not getting there in time, but Drusilla slit his throat just as I arrived." I felt my blood boil just thinking about it. "I was so angry. It was like some demon took over my body. I couldn't think, just acted. I dusted her little army in a matter of seconds and when she tried to flee, I hunted her down and shoved my stake deep into her heart and watched her crumble beneath me."

Buffy nodded in understanding. "Drusilla killed my fellow slayer Kendra, the one before Faith. If she had still been in the library when I found her, I probably would have killed her then too in my rage."

"I avenged Cian, and already loved him in a way." I looked back out the window. "But he'll never be Legolas. I think he's supposed to be my Riley. Someone I love and care about, but he'll always love me more because I found my soul mate and I don't want anyone else."

"You and I loved those we shouldn't." Buffy laughed. "And we cast aside those we should."

"I just wish I could see him, one last time, just to say goodbye." I couldn't stop the lone tear that escaped and trickled down my bruised cheek.

"No matter how many times you say goodbye, it always hurts worse than any wound or beating you take." Buffy squeezed my hand in comfort. "It may not seem like it, but it was better this way. It still hurts, but watching Angel walk away from me, was the most painful thing either of us had to endure."

"Thanks Buffy."

"I'm here to help." She shrugged. "As soon as you're ready, Angel's going to work you to the core. Nobody here ever wants to see you hurt like that again, but he went ballistic. You're ours, Eden and we protect what's ours. Everyone here loves you and is here for you. Don't worry, knowing the Powers that Be, you'll finally find your way home."

"I am home, this is my house." I eyed her quizzically.

"That's not what I meant." She said cryptically before standing and leaving the room and me completely confused.

A/N: Sorry this took me so long. I could not make this chapter come out the way I wanted it too and I'm still not fully satisfied with it. That and a couple more shows didn't help much. They were good shows though, Wyldpinto. My horse and I did really well in our Equitation classes and decent in the hunter ones. Now just have to get ready for Tri-state come August and the Woodstock Fair labor day weekend. So hopefully until then I can update regularly. Hope everyone had a happy fourth of July.