The Choice of a Lifetime
Thranduil watched in awe as the Tree of Eryn Galen healed and grew two times the size it had been. The leaves had turned a deep green, and they danced in the wind that now whipped through the branches. He stared down at his wife as the golden tendrils surrounded her and funneled into the tree, her eyes now white with flecks of gold dancing across them.
As her voice echoed around the battlefield, the tendrils began to recede into the tree, and her glowing skin returned to its normal porcelain color. When her eyes returned to their jade hue, she seemed to waver on her feet, and Thranduil moved forward, wrapping his arms around her as her legs buckled beneath her.
"Aurora!" He called as her head dropped backward, and her eyes fluttered closed.
Thranduil felt a pulse in his chest, something he had never felt before. The tether of their bond was pulled taut, to the point that he thought it would break before it slackened again. Suddenly the bond felt different as if it were no longer fully connected to his wife that was now unconscious in his arms.
The Elvenking looked up into the saddened eyes of Galadriel, and his voice trembled as he spoke, "What is happening?"
Galadriel placed a delicate hand on Thranduil's cheek as she knelt, "The choice of where she goes is only hers to make now."
Aurora slowly opened her eyes to find herself looking up at a clear blue sky, The long grass towered over her, and she felt a sense of serenity wash over her as she sat up. She looked around to find herself in a familiar meadow with the enormous Redwood trees surrounding them.
Her eyes drifted down as she stood up and noticed that she was no longer wearing her tunic, leggings, and riding boots. She was wearing her jean shorts, a tank top, and her favorite hiking boots with her hair pulled up in a messy bun.
What the hell? Aurora thought as she looked around the meadow.
As she started to walk towards the treeline, she heard something that stopped her in her tracks. The tears immediately stung the back of her eyes as she turned around and was greeted to the warm smile that she had missed more than words could ever describe.
"Hey, Loser," Augustus smiled wide as he walked towards Aurora, "I was wondering If you would be showing up soon."
In two short strides, Aurora had crashed into her brother and threw her arms around his neck. She let her tears fall as she refused to let him go, hearing him whisper into her hair, "It's okay, Auri. Everything will be okay."
When Aurora finally pulled away, she looked at Augustus, "What's happening? How are we back here again?"
Augustus walked around her and continued through the meadow; Spring Equinox was the last celebration we had all together. So, for some reason, that's where it pulled you."
"Where what pulled me?" Aurora incredulously asked, "Where are we?"
Augustus just smiled and pointed back to the treeline. Aurora followed his direction, and she looked over to the towering Redwoods once more, this time noticing the major difference. Beyond the forest, there was an intricate set of doors; they were beautifully adorned with detailed carvings that twisted throughout them. The doors reached skyward, so tall that Aurora couldn't make out the top of them. When she turned back to Augustus, she found herself choked up again.
They looked just as she remembered. Her mother's stunning smile and her father's bright eyes.
"Ada?" Aurora breathed, "Naneth?"
Kinarus stepped forward and took Aurora's hands, "You stand outside the Halls of Mandos, sweetheart," he spoke softly, with a hint of sorrow, "and you have a decision to make."
Thranduil looked around the battlefield as elves finished off the remaining Orcs. The Nazgul and Fellbeast hadn't reappeared, which relieved all those present. Thranduil turned his attention back to Aurora, noting that he could still feel her steady breathing. But, no matter how many times he had tried, her mind remained closed to him. He almost jumped in the air when he felt a hand squeeze his shoulder.
When he looked to the source, he met the concerned eyes of his son. Legolas had knelt next to his father, his bow and sword now sheathed, "Ada?"
"She lives," Thranduil answered the unasked question, "For how long... I do not know." He watched as Legolas furrowed his brow and explained further, "The Halls of Mandos call to her."
Legolas took in a short breath, "What can we do?"
"Nothing, ionneg (my son)," Thranduil stood up, cradling Aurora in his arms as her head slumped onto his chest. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, "All we can do is wait for her decision to become known."
Lavender.
The smell ensnared Aurora's senses and wrapped around her. The warm embrace pulled her closer, and she never wanted to let go. She heard the soft laugh against her hair.
"I've missed you so much, Aurora," Elara pulled her daughter closer for a moment before releasing her. She placed a hand on her cheek and softly smiled as she looked at her daughter, "You've grown so much."
"I miss you," Aurora whispered.
"We've missed you too," Elara turned to Kinarus and smiled. The reunited family sat down in the long grass of the clearing. Kinarus pressed a soft kiss to his wife's forehead before wrapping his arm around her waist. Elara watched as Aurora looked around the clearing. When she spoke again, her voice was softer, "I see those wheels working in your head, Auri. Ask the question that's troubling you."
Aurora heavily sighed as she spun a blade of grass between her fingers, "Why didn't you tell us?"
"Gwennig (my daughter)," Kinarus reached across and took Aurora's hand, "It was on the advice of several who knew about the prophecy that we chose not to tell you and your brother. It was a difficult decision to make, made worse when your magic manifested at such a young age. That saying from the other Realm is true, hindsight is 20/20, and we're sorry, Aurora. If only we'd seen things for what they truly were with Sam—"
"Don't," Aurora cut her dad off, "He fooled us all."
Aurora kept her eyes trained on the ground and shifted uncomfortably. She felt another warm hand, and she finally looked up to meet her mother's gaze, "Come take a walk with me," Elara offered her a warm smile, "It's been too long since I've enjoyed a healthy dose of girl talk."
Aurora linked arms with her mother, and they left the men. Augustus had begun to animatedly tell Kinarus about training with Haldir and Legolas. However, Kinarus' expression told Aurora that this wasn't the first time he had heard these stories.
They silently walked into the trees, and Elara took her daughter's hand and softly squeezed, "So gwennig (my daughter)," Elara smiled and bumped Arora with her shoulder, "it would seem you have found love." Aurora smiled and blushed as her mother looked over her wedding ring. Elara linked their arms back together as they continued walking, "is the Elvenking good to you?"
"Yes," Aurora answered almost immediately, "He makes me smile, and laugh. He makes me feel safe and loved. He's— He's seen my scars, and he doesn't think any less of me. When he looks at me, I feel like I am the only one in the world. Thranduil showed me how to love myself again, how to leave my past behind me, and grow into who I could be. I— I love him so much, naneth (mother). I've never been this happy with anyone and—" Aurora lightly laughed and shook her head, "he's my fea-match, Mommy. I've never felt like this before about anyone."
"That's the intention of a fea-match," Elara smiled at her daughter's happiness, "It's a feeling that you will never experience with another for all of your days."
Aurora looked down at her feet as they walked, "We— uhh, it's slightly awkward because you're my mother, but— We bonded," Elara stopped and looked to Aurora with wide eyes, "He's my husband… We're— we're married."
Tears fell from Elara's eyes as she pulled Aurora into a hug and held her tight, "I'm so happy for you, Auri," she breathed into Aurora's hair, "Truly I am. This is the most wonderful thing your father and I wanted for you."
Thranduil's attention had been required in the two weeks since the battle, such as sentencing the handful of soldiers who had aided Priamos in his escape. They had departed with the Imladris delegation to live out the remainder of their days within the Rivendell dungeon. Elrond had promised to write as soon as they returned to inform Thranduil that they had been placed securely in the dungeon.
The Elvenking now leaned back in his chair next to Aurora's bedside. He held her cool hand and traced his thumb along the back of her hand. He could still feel their bond, but it seemed to weaken with every day. He had begun to feel a growing sense of dread that any moment he could feel the snap within him. He knew that he would not survive to lose her; it would be terrible to leave Legolas, but he wouldn't go on without Aurora."
He couldn't.
Thranduil leaned forward and took her hand into both of his, placing her palm against his cheek. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He tried to hold back tears, but one slid down his cheek as he opened them again. He placed a soft kiss against her palm and whispered against her skin, "I need you, Aurora," he closed his eyes again as more tears began to seep from his eyes, "I'm not strong enough to continue without you."
Legolas watched from the doorway as his father quietly sobbed over the unconscious form of his wife. He sent a silent plea to the Valar that they would deny Aurora entrance into the Halls of Mandos; that she would return to his father. Legolas turned and silently shut the door to the healing hall and looked to Aurora's guards, who had stood steadfast outside the healing hall since their return.
"No one enters," Legolas spoke softly, "the King needs rest." The quartet of soldiers silently nodded as their Prince walked passed them, but then he turned to them again, "Thank you, mellons nin (my friends), for your faithful service to Lady Aurora. It means more than you know, and your dedication will not be forgotten."
All four soldiers placed a hand over their heart and bowed; Legolas returning the gesture before turning and retreating back down the corridor.
Aurora sat with her knees pulled up to her chest, and her chin resting on top of them. The wind danced in the trees as Aurora looked to the sky, trying to see the top of the grand doors she sat in front of, though she knew she wouldn't. She had been silently sitting in front of the Halls entrance for the last several hours; her parents had agreed to let her be alone with her thoughts.
She heard the soft crunch of grass behind her, and unconsciously smiled; she knew that he would show up eventually. He nudged her in the shoulder as he sat down and dramatically sighed, "Hey, Loser."
"Hey, stupid," Aurora nudged him back and softly chuckled.
Augustus leaned back and rested his hands in the grass and followed her gaze to the doors. They sat in comfortable silence for several minutes until Augustus slowly felt the pressure of his twin's head on his shoulder. He rested his head on top of hers and savored the feeling of being reunited with his sister.
"You know you can't sit here forever."
"I know," Aurora closed her eyes, "but I can't say goodbye to you again."
"But can you say goodbye to Thranduil?" Augustus asked.
"No," Aurora shook her head, "I just found him."
"Then it would seem, dear Auri," Augustus sat up straight and looked at his sister, "that you are at an impasse."
Aurora felt the tears sting the back of her eyes before they quietly fell, "I don't know what to do, Augs... Tell me what to do."
Augustus held his sister's cheek in his hand and brushed away one of her tears, "You know I can't do that, Auri. It hurts me to say it, but you're on your own in this decision. We're just here to be with you in the interim."
Aurora looked up to see her parents looking down at them as Augustus finished speaking. The twins stood up, and she looked at each of them individually. Her bottom lip quivered as she spoke, "I don't know what to do."
She felt Elara take her hand, and just as Kinarus pulled her into a hug. Augustus wrapped his arm around Aurora's waist and put his head on her shoulder. She looked up to meet her mother's soft gaze.
Elara gave Aurora a sad smile, "What does your heart tell you?"
Thranduil felt the rays of sunshine on his face as his senses slowly awakened. He looked around to see only Kasterren at the far end of the hall mixing something in a bowl. He looked down to see Aurora still peacefully unconscious.
He didn't want to leave her side, but he knew that he needed to freshen up for the day in his chamber. He leaned over and placed a soft kiss on her forehead and gave a light squeeze to her hand, "I will return as soon as I can, Ilma nin (my Starlight)."
He left the healing hall to see Caspian and Tonever immediately straighten up. He looked between the pair with an arched eyebrow, "Where are Fintan and Dusan?"
"Resting, Your Majesty," Tonever spoke up, "they had not slept in over a day."
Thranduil slightly tilted his head, "And you?"
Caspian furrowed his brow, "Your Majesty?"
He looked between them again, "When was the last time the two of you slept?"
They looked to each other before Caspian replied, "Almost a day and a half, Your Majesty."
The King nodded, "Both of you return to your rooms, and rest." They moved to object, but Thranduil raised a hand, "That's an order. You cannot continue protecting our Hiril Vuin (Beloved Lady) if you are falling asleep where you stand. And I do need you to continue your guard. You have proven your loyalty tenfold, and it will not be forgotten."
With a silent nod, the soldiers retreated, and Thranduil continued through to his chambers. He opened the doors to find Legolas eating breakfast with Celeborn, Lady Galadriel, and Gandalf. They all quickly looked up, and Legolas quickly rose, "Your Majesty. We weren't expecting—"
"Hidh, Legolas (Peace, Legolas)," Thranduil calmingly interrupted his son's suddenly panicked ramble, "I am only here to bathe and have a change of clothes. After that, I return to Aurora's side."
"How does the Lady fare?" Celeborn asked.
"Her state," Thranduil had to force his voice to remain steady, "remains the same." There was another moment of silence as he walked towards the doors to his room, "Legolas, if you would join me for a minute."
His son silently followed him into the room, and he turned to look at him, "I need a favor of you, ionneg (my son)."
"Anything, Ada," Legolas nodded.
"Aurora's guards are currently resting, they have all been awake for well over a day," Thranduil explained, "I would like them to sleep as long as they need; but, when they awaken, I would like you to bring Caspian to my study and let me know."
"Of course," Legolas replied, "Is there a problem?"
"On the contrary," Thranduil removed his outer robe and looked back to where his son stood, "Caspian as proven to be loyal beyond measure, and I intend to name him Captain."
Thranduil felt refreshed and awakened as he emerged an hour later to find Galadriel waiting for him by the open chamber door, "I wonder if you would accompany me, Thranduil."
"With all due respect, my Lady," Thranduil slightly shook his head as he approached, I really would like to return to—"
"I assure you that I will not take more of your time than I need," Galadriel promised.
The pair walked in silence for a long moment as Galadriel led Thranduil into his personal garden. He silently followed as Galadriel took the short path into Aurora's garden. He stopped at the archway to watch her walk among the flowers that once brought him joy. He stepped forward as Galadriel stopped in front of the newest addition.
The stone had been placed under the weeping cherry blossom tree, just to the side of the waterfall. "A beautiful tribute," Galadriel whispered and slowly walked away. However, Thranduil continued to look at the stone.
No gelin idh raid lin, a no adel len i chwest
(May your paths be green and the winds behind you)
Augustus Merek
Thalion Vaethor (Valiant Warrior)
Vuin Hanar (Beloved Brother)
Thranduil didn't turn around as he spoke, "Why is it you bring me here, Galadriel?"
"I felt it was where you needed to be."
Thranduil heard the fabric of her gown retreat back up the stairs. He looked up to the changing blossoms of the tree and could see the reflection of the setting sun against the leaves. A soft breeze came in through the window, and he felt his hair begin to move around his shoulders. He could feel the long strands move across his shoulder and down his arm. His brow furrowed when he noted a tightness in his chest and the warm trailing fingers that followed the strand of hair, causing him to suddenly turned around.
His eyes grew wide as the smile spread across his face.
Aurora's curly hair cascaded around her shoulders and down her back. Her simple black tunic and brown leggings were accented with her black boots. Ondo Ilma hung around her neck, and her wedding ring dazzled in the setting sun. Her smile reached all the way up into her bright jade eyes.
Her hand cupped his cheek and pulled him into a chaste kiss and then looked up at him with complete adoration.
"Hey, you."
~FIN~
I just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who has stuck with me on this journey! I hope you are as pleased with the ending as I am. I did leave it open for a possible sequel in the future, but we'll see.
Right now, if you are interested in any of my other work, I am a few chapters into an MCU fanfiction based around the Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes… What can I say? I have a thing for the broody types!
This was my first fanfiction to write, and I feel like I really grew as a writer through this process. Thank you to everyone who gave me beautiful reviews and critiques on how to improve along the way.
Thank you, everyone!
XOXO
~~ Presephone
