Part 10
No new comments I think. I'm writing this the morning after I posted Part 9 so there are no reviews yet. Enjoy.
Revelations in the mirror
Legolas' eyes flitted open as his senses began to return to him. It was quiet- he didn't know where he was. He glanced around and realized he was in a bed, he smiled to himself, it had been long since he had felt the comforts of a pillow beneath his head and warm blankets enveloping his body.
"How are you feeling?"
A kind voice rang in his ears and he turned to see Aragorn seated next to the bed, watching him with concern. Legolas searched his memory but could not work out how he came to be there, one minute he was standing before Lady Galadriel as night was approaching, the next he was lying in a bed, when it looked like dawn had just passed.
He looked confusedly at Aragorn, hoping for some help, he asked,
"What happened? I do not remember."
Aragorn's eyes studied his face.
"You do not remember why you came to be in this bed?"
Legolas shook his head.
Aragorn sighed to himself; he had been watching his friend grow weaker as his mind and body offered no resistance to the pain in his heart. Legolas was letting it take over him, letting it drain him of his strength. If he did not learn of a way to withstand it- Aragorn shook his head.
"I thought you would be stronger than this Legolas."
Legolas' voice rose as confusion gave way to panic.
"Please, I do not understand!"
Aragorn averted his gaze to the bed, he didn't mean to panic the elf.
"You collapsed."
Legolas' eyes widened. He collapsed? How- why? Then it came back to him, the memory of dizziness, nausea, his weak body giving way beneath him.
Aragorn saw the change in his friend's eyes.
"Do you know why?" Legolas' voice was quiet.
Aragorn looked at him intently,
"Yes."
Legolas stared back at Aragorn, and watched as he rose from his seat and left the room silently.
*
Later on
Legolas was soon up and about, thankfully his health seemed not to be harmed by his little 'incident,' though his mind was greatly troubled by his conversation with Aragorn. What was it that made him collapse? He could see that they all knew, and yet none would tell him.
He sat underneath a tall silver birch, watching as his companions feasted on some delicacies laid out for evening dinner. He did not have an appetite, however delicious the food looked. He sighed deeply to himself- when is this all going to end? He thought to himself.
Aragorn's eyes had followed Legolas everywhere that day, he could see his friend was deeply unsettled, his mind in turmoil after all that had gone on.
"Why does he not see?" he said to Lady Galadriel, who was seated next to him- her eyes following Aragorns.
She waited a while to answer, as if considering the possibilities.
"He's in love, Aragorn." Her voice was low as she spoke, "it is the first time he has ever felt it, it is new and therefore stronger than any other emotion he has ever experienced. So great is his love for Fahrwen, that the pain of being parted from her is equally as strong. He has been bearing this pain ever since the journey began. He has come to expect it when he wakes; he now does not understand what it is to be free, it has become part of him. He cannot see that it is eating at his mind. He cannot see that his body is weakening."
"Is there anything we can do?" Aragorn's voice betrayed the worry in his heart.
Galadriel answered immediately.
"Yes, there is. He does not know of Fahrwen's pain. He does not know that it was once as strong as his, but has now weakened considerably."
Aragorn frowned at her.
Galadriel tried again,
"Fahrwen's hurt is dying. She is beginning to experience happiness again. She, like Legolas, had gone so long without her love that she had begun to know only the feeling of pain, she was close to becoming ill, as Legolas will be if we do not help him. But something happened to destroy most of her pain. A joy has strengthened her mind, and I hope it will do the same for Legolas."
"You speak of a happiness, of a joy- what happiness is it that can destroy a pain this strong?"
Galadriel only smiled at him,
"Wait and see"
*
Even later on
Legolas sat beneath his silver birch, looking at the stars. Memories of nights under the oak tree at Rivendell flashed through his head. Another wave of pain swept through his veins. If only he could see her, just once, just to keep him going until he returned. Everything in the world that was beautiful reflected in her crystal blue eyes. The chestnut of the trees mirrored in her hair. The way he felt when she was in his arms, all of it. Couldn't he just have her for one moment?
A crack of a twig made him glance to his right, snapping him out of his fantasy. He saw the white figure of Galadriel slowly gliding towards him. She stood before him, her eyes once again boring into his own. No, not again- thought Legolas- I'm not ready for this now. But the discomfort and pressure never came. He looked up at her,
"Come." Whispered a voice in his head.
Galadriel began gliding away again, seeming to not even be touching the ground. Legolas got to his feet and began following her cautiously.
It was not long before Galadriel halted beside what looked like a deep dish set into a piece of grey stone. Behind her water splashed over jagged rocks and fell into a small expanse of glistening green water. A long silver jug stood on one of the rocks and Galadriel promptly began filling it with water.
Legolas stood next to the stone dish, watching Galadriel warily. She turned to face him with the jug in her hand; she slowly began to pour the water into the dish. Never taking her eyes off Legolas. Legolas looked up at her, unsure of what to do.
Galadriel pointed at the now full dish,
"Look."
Legolas leaned over the dish and fixed his eyes on the rippling greens inside it. Suddenly he gasped; a pair of familiar crystal blue eyes stared at him through the water.
His heart leapt. There was himself and Fahrwen underneath the oak tree; her beautiful voice singing the wonderful elvish song he loved so much. Next they were dancing, dancing in Elrond's hall, the first night they met. He saw her head resting on his shoulder, he saw his arms around her, holding her, he saw Aragorn winking at him from behind Arwen. He hadn't realized he'd done that. Him and Fahrwen watching the waterfalls, his hand gently brushing against her neck as he closed the clasp on her necklace. The next image to come was Fahrwen watching him as he slept, something hit him then, an emotion so strong he couldn't even explain what it was. She had been watching him sleep; he could see the expressions in her eyes, love and trust. He felt the tears that had been welling in his eyes escape and pour down his cheeks. He never moved, never took his eyes from the visions in front of him.
He saw Fahrwen kissing him, he saw their final night together. He saw the goodbye, hurt coursed through him as he saw how painful it had been for Fahrwen as well as himself. He saw himself walk away; he saw Fahrwen gaze longingly at his back, tears flowing freely down her cheeks though she made no sound. He saw himself on the first night away, trying to sleep on the hard ground, thinking of nothing but her. He saw Fahrwen crying herself to sleep holding the necklace as though it was going to disappear like he had done.
Then the images changed, a sick feeling hit him as he saw Fahrwen ill, pale and weak. He saw Arwen holding her telling her it was going to be alright. What was going on? He saw the life drained from her beautiful eyes. Then he saw it, the image. He saw Fahrwen sitting under the oak tree, hands on her stomach. Legolas gasped, her slim stomach had formed into a large, round bump, a bump with a new life underneath it. He saw Fahrwen laughing, joy pulsating through her as she thought of the precious thing encased inside her that she would protect and care for all her life.
In a flash the image was gone. Legolas found himself staring at his own reflection rippling in the water.
He looked up at Galadriel, excitement, wonder, happiness- clearly visible in his eyes.
"Is it true? Is she really-"
"Legolas, let me explain everything." Galadriel interrupted gently. "You wanted to know why you collapsed."
Legolas nodded.
"You suffer, you carry a pain because of Fahrwen, you long for her, miss her, love her. Nothing hurts more in this world than to be parted from the one you love, even if you know you will be with them again. This pain was weighing you down, and you were letting it. You could not feel it working on you because you had grown so accustomed to its presence. It was taking you, stealing your strength and your will to continue."
Galadriel paused to let this sink in.
"You were becoming ill because of it. You could not see that you could experience other emotions in this world besides pain. Fahrwen was heading the same way as you; she was losing the battle. She then became ill, but not because of you. She woke up every morning with sickness, and her strength began to drain away from her. Her stomach began to grow. She realized she was carrying a life inside her, a life she made with you. Her pain lessened at the thought of having a part of you with her."
Legolas didn't even try to speak.
"I had to show you her joy, I had to let you know that happiness still exists, otherwise you would have lost your battle as she was losing hers. Don't give in, you may be hurting, but you have a child. A child that will grow to love you and Fahrwen more than anything else in the world. Don't let your pain destroy you."
Legolas took a deep breath, trying to digest all the information he'd just been given. He marveled at the feeling that surrounded him. Excitement, amazement, happiness. He felt giddy as he was overpowered by the lightness of his body. Every step was no longer a chore, pain no longer reigned in his mind. He was free. All the strength that had been taken from him returned. He was strong, he wouldn't give up, he would come to the end of his journey and Fahrwen and his child would be there waiting for him. His child. He was a father.
Galadriel watched as the torment released its grip on Legolas, she smiled to herself, glad that the coming of the news had the same effect on one as it had on the other.
"You can go." She smiled.
"Thank you." Legolas whispered, still in shock.
He walked steadily away from Galadriel, back the way he had come. His steps were light, he felt he had the strength to walk forever. As he returned to the spot where the others were sleeping, he ran over to where Aragorn and Gimli lay. He knew he shouldn't wake them, but he had to tell of his child and of Fahrwen.
"Gimli, Aragorn!" He tapped them on the shoulders gently.
Aragorn was the first to stir, and Gimli followed soon after.
"What is it my friend?" asked Gimli, noticing the drastic change in the elf's mood.
Aragorn looked at Legolas, a small grin playing on his lips. Legolas grinned back at them both and said quietly- so as not to wake the others-
"I'm going to be a father when I return! Fahrwen's with child!" The excitement was obvious in his voice. Aragorn and Gimli were very happy for their friend, both because of the news, and because of the change it brought about in Legolas.
"That is wonderful news Legolas!" smiled Aragorn
"Indeed, congratulations dear friend!" said Gimli.
That night Legolas slept the best sleep he ever had since leaving Rivendell. Dreams of Fahrwen, their child and the future played around in his mind.
*
No new comments I think. I'm writing this the morning after I posted Part 9 so there are no reviews yet. Enjoy.
Revelations in the mirror
Legolas' eyes flitted open as his senses began to return to him. It was quiet- he didn't know where he was. He glanced around and realized he was in a bed, he smiled to himself, it had been long since he had felt the comforts of a pillow beneath his head and warm blankets enveloping his body.
"How are you feeling?"
A kind voice rang in his ears and he turned to see Aragorn seated next to the bed, watching him with concern. Legolas searched his memory but could not work out how he came to be there, one minute he was standing before Lady Galadriel as night was approaching, the next he was lying in a bed, when it looked like dawn had just passed.
He looked confusedly at Aragorn, hoping for some help, he asked,
"What happened? I do not remember."
Aragorn's eyes studied his face.
"You do not remember why you came to be in this bed?"
Legolas shook his head.
Aragorn sighed to himself; he had been watching his friend grow weaker as his mind and body offered no resistance to the pain in his heart. Legolas was letting it take over him, letting it drain him of his strength. If he did not learn of a way to withstand it- Aragorn shook his head.
"I thought you would be stronger than this Legolas."
Legolas' voice rose as confusion gave way to panic.
"Please, I do not understand!"
Aragorn averted his gaze to the bed, he didn't mean to panic the elf.
"You collapsed."
Legolas' eyes widened. He collapsed? How- why? Then it came back to him, the memory of dizziness, nausea, his weak body giving way beneath him.
Aragorn saw the change in his friend's eyes.
"Do you know why?" Legolas' voice was quiet.
Aragorn looked at him intently,
"Yes."
Legolas stared back at Aragorn, and watched as he rose from his seat and left the room silently.
*
Later on
Legolas was soon up and about, thankfully his health seemed not to be harmed by his little 'incident,' though his mind was greatly troubled by his conversation with Aragorn. What was it that made him collapse? He could see that they all knew, and yet none would tell him.
He sat underneath a tall silver birch, watching as his companions feasted on some delicacies laid out for evening dinner. He did not have an appetite, however delicious the food looked. He sighed deeply to himself- when is this all going to end? He thought to himself.
Aragorn's eyes had followed Legolas everywhere that day, he could see his friend was deeply unsettled, his mind in turmoil after all that had gone on.
"Why does he not see?" he said to Lady Galadriel, who was seated next to him- her eyes following Aragorns.
She waited a while to answer, as if considering the possibilities.
"He's in love, Aragorn." Her voice was low as she spoke, "it is the first time he has ever felt it, it is new and therefore stronger than any other emotion he has ever experienced. So great is his love for Fahrwen, that the pain of being parted from her is equally as strong. He has been bearing this pain ever since the journey began. He has come to expect it when he wakes; he now does not understand what it is to be free, it has become part of him. He cannot see that it is eating at his mind. He cannot see that his body is weakening."
"Is there anything we can do?" Aragorn's voice betrayed the worry in his heart.
Galadriel answered immediately.
"Yes, there is. He does not know of Fahrwen's pain. He does not know that it was once as strong as his, but has now weakened considerably."
Aragorn frowned at her.
Galadriel tried again,
"Fahrwen's hurt is dying. She is beginning to experience happiness again. She, like Legolas, had gone so long without her love that she had begun to know only the feeling of pain, she was close to becoming ill, as Legolas will be if we do not help him. But something happened to destroy most of her pain. A joy has strengthened her mind, and I hope it will do the same for Legolas."
"You speak of a happiness, of a joy- what happiness is it that can destroy a pain this strong?"
Galadriel only smiled at him,
"Wait and see"
*
Even later on
Legolas sat beneath his silver birch, looking at the stars. Memories of nights under the oak tree at Rivendell flashed through his head. Another wave of pain swept through his veins. If only he could see her, just once, just to keep him going until he returned. Everything in the world that was beautiful reflected in her crystal blue eyes. The chestnut of the trees mirrored in her hair. The way he felt when she was in his arms, all of it. Couldn't he just have her for one moment?
A crack of a twig made him glance to his right, snapping him out of his fantasy. He saw the white figure of Galadriel slowly gliding towards him. She stood before him, her eyes once again boring into his own. No, not again- thought Legolas- I'm not ready for this now. But the discomfort and pressure never came. He looked up at her,
"Come." Whispered a voice in his head.
Galadriel began gliding away again, seeming to not even be touching the ground. Legolas got to his feet and began following her cautiously.
It was not long before Galadriel halted beside what looked like a deep dish set into a piece of grey stone. Behind her water splashed over jagged rocks and fell into a small expanse of glistening green water. A long silver jug stood on one of the rocks and Galadriel promptly began filling it with water.
Legolas stood next to the stone dish, watching Galadriel warily. She turned to face him with the jug in her hand; she slowly began to pour the water into the dish. Never taking her eyes off Legolas. Legolas looked up at her, unsure of what to do.
Galadriel pointed at the now full dish,
"Look."
Legolas leaned over the dish and fixed his eyes on the rippling greens inside it. Suddenly he gasped; a pair of familiar crystal blue eyes stared at him through the water.
His heart leapt. There was himself and Fahrwen underneath the oak tree; her beautiful voice singing the wonderful elvish song he loved so much. Next they were dancing, dancing in Elrond's hall, the first night they met. He saw her head resting on his shoulder, he saw his arms around her, holding her, he saw Aragorn winking at him from behind Arwen. He hadn't realized he'd done that. Him and Fahrwen watching the waterfalls, his hand gently brushing against her neck as he closed the clasp on her necklace. The next image to come was Fahrwen watching him as he slept, something hit him then, an emotion so strong he couldn't even explain what it was. She had been watching him sleep; he could see the expressions in her eyes, love and trust. He felt the tears that had been welling in his eyes escape and pour down his cheeks. He never moved, never took his eyes from the visions in front of him.
He saw Fahrwen kissing him, he saw their final night together. He saw the goodbye, hurt coursed through him as he saw how painful it had been for Fahrwen as well as himself. He saw himself walk away; he saw Fahrwen gaze longingly at his back, tears flowing freely down her cheeks though she made no sound. He saw himself on the first night away, trying to sleep on the hard ground, thinking of nothing but her. He saw Fahrwen crying herself to sleep holding the necklace as though it was going to disappear like he had done.
Then the images changed, a sick feeling hit him as he saw Fahrwen ill, pale and weak. He saw Arwen holding her telling her it was going to be alright. What was going on? He saw the life drained from her beautiful eyes. Then he saw it, the image. He saw Fahrwen sitting under the oak tree, hands on her stomach. Legolas gasped, her slim stomach had formed into a large, round bump, a bump with a new life underneath it. He saw Fahrwen laughing, joy pulsating through her as she thought of the precious thing encased inside her that she would protect and care for all her life.
In a flash the image was gone. Legolas found himself staring at his own reflection rippling in the water.
He looked up at Galadriel, excitement, wonder, happiness- clearly visible in his eyes.
"Is it true? Is she really-"
"Legolas, let me explain everything." Galadriel interrupted gently. "You wanted to know why you collapsed."
Legolas nodded.
"You suffer, you carry a pain because of Fahrwen, you long for her, miss her, love her. Nothing hurts more in this world than to be parted from the one you love, even if you know you will be with them again. This pain was weighing you down, and you were letting it. You could not feel it working on you because you had grown so accustomed to its presence. It was taking you, stealing your strength and your will to continue."
Galadriel paused to let this sink in.
"You were becoming ill because of it. You could not see that you could experience other emotions in this world besides pain. Fahrwen was heading the same way as you; she was losing the battle. She then became ill, but not because of you. She woke up every morning with sickness, and her strength began to drain away from her. Her stomach began to grow. She realized she was carrying a life inside her, a life she made with you. Her pain lessened at the thought of having a part of you with her."
Legolas didn't even try to speak.
"I had to show you her joy, I had to let you know that happiness still exists, otherwise you would have lost your battle as she was losing hers. Don't give in, you may be hurting, but you have a child. A child that will grow to love you and Fahrwen more than anything else in the world. Don't let your pain destroy you."
Legolas took a deep breath, trying to digest all the information he'd just been given. He marveled at the feeling that surrounded him. Excitement, amazement, happiness. He felt giddy as he was overpowered by the lightness of his body. Every step was no longer a chore, pain no longer reigned in his mind. He was free. All the strength that had been taken from him returned. He was strong, he wouldn't give up, he would come to the end of his journey and Fahrwen and his child would be there waiting for him. His child. He was a father.
Galadriel watched as the torment released its grip on Legolas, she smiled to herself, glad that the coming of the news had the same effect on one as it had on the other.
"You can go." She smiled.
"Thank you." Legolas whispered, still in shock.
He walked steadily away from Galadriel, back the way he had come. His steps were light, he felt he had the strength to walk forever. As he returned to the spot where the others were sleeping, he ran over to where Aragorn and Gimli lay. He knew he shouldn't wake them, but he had to tell of his child and of Fahrwen.
"Gimli, Aragorn!" He tapped them on the shoulders gently.
Aragorn was the first to stir, and Gimli followed soon after.
"What is it my friend?" asked Gimli, noticing the drastic change in the elf's mood.
Aragorn looked at Legolas, a small grin playing on his lips. Legolas grinned back at them both and said quietly- so as not to wake the others-
"I'm going to be a father when I return! Fahrwen's with child!" The excitement was obvious in his voice. Aragorn and Gimli were very happy for their friend, both because of the news, and because of the change it brought about in Legolas.
"That is wonderful news Legolas!" smiled Aragorn
"Indeed, congratulations dear friend!" said Gimli.
That night Legolas slept the best sleep he ever had since leaving Rivendell. Dreams of Fahrwen, their child and the future played around in his mind.
*
