She could hear it through the depths of the water that filled her ears.
It was Elrond, she'd know his voice anywhere.
It was comforting, like an old friend at the end.
Wood elves were known to hear things at the end of their lives that weren't necessarily there.
It was the tricks of the forest above.
Thranduil's voice was next, steady but the underlying shake made her shiver.
"She's not going to make it across the sea?"
"No, my friend. I'm afraid she wouldn't make the journey."
"Legolas needs to know. She was okay when he left."
"I can send riders out to him. Dan and Ro' can escort."
"Please."
"I'll send them now. I'll leave you be."
She heard the heavy oak doors close quietly.
No doubt that Elrond was not trying to disturb her.
The shifting of clothes and the feeling of warm lips on her forehead.
"The choice is yours. I will not stop you as I know I cannot. I love you more than the greenwood itself."
Her eyes fluttered, vision blurry as though spider venom was in her eyes.
She picked out his silhouette and offered a cracked smile.
It was ironic.
They had been two children when they had met that loved to dance on the logs in the entrance of the greenwood.
She had been a child that had wiped his tears and laughed with him at the decisions his father would make.
Then he had become a king, responsible in his own right, and had asked to wed.
But here it was, almost 100 years later and she was so so tired.
"Can we dance like we used to?"
Her parched voice startled even her.
What had happened to the never fearing queen of the woodland realm?
Thranduil gently scooped her up into his arms and walked out of the room with her, the door shutting quietly behind her.
She could smell the oak halls, feel the steps as he gently carried her towards the entrance.
She could hear the sound of the guards coming to attention at the sight of them.
She let herself drift off for a second into her thoughts.
Fading was scary.
It was like the big bad monster that followed all elves around like they were children.
You couldn't outrun it, but it could also happen to you.
Much like Elrond's wife had gone through. Only her's was not grief.
It was acceptance.
Legolas was growing, becoming just like his father more and more every day.
He had her eyes, which made her happy.
He had her laugh, the one that filled their eyes with tears until the laughter overtook.
He had her knack for a bow and arrow over a sword and a shield.
Raising him and being his mother had been the crowning achievement of her life.
"Love, we're here. Do you recognize this?"
"It's the bog..." Her vision wasn't going to get any better, but she could smell the marshy greenwood.
She'd know that smell from a mile away.
"Just outside the castle. We used to dance here as younglings."
Speaking was hard, so she just settled on a nod.
Thranduil started gently swaying with her, humming quietly.
She listened and let her mind wander until she felt wetness on her face.
"I'm so tired..."
"I know, love." His voice cracked, he was trying so hard to hold it together.
"You can rest now, Love. Promise?"
"Promise."
She let her eyes shut, the blurriness was getting to be too much.
The 'promise' was their's.
No one else.
Thranduil let out a small sob.
She had went limp and a small rattled breath had left her.
She had been so tired and fought so hard.
The Elven king allowed himself to kneel down with her to properly hold her.
Her features were relaxed, much like she was sleeping.
His wife, his forever, his love.
Legolas resembled her so much, it would ache for eon's to look at his face.
They had shared so much.
Pressing his lips to her temple, no heartbeat underneath, he softly whispered
"I promise."
It was a promise to find her when he in time, would fade as well.
To walk into the halls of Mandos together or not at all.
In a pact made when he became king,
Till death do us part, but in death will be reunited.
