Disclaimer: I own no one, no thing, no where. All belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien.
Author's note: I now declare my official beta-reader (actually she forced me to) is Rogue Runaway, and I thank her for her nit-pickiness in all my chapters, past, present or future. She would also like to place an advertisement here saying that whoever would like her to beta-read, please contact her (or else you could review me, I'll contact her :))
[Aside to Rogue Runaway, this advert will cost you $50 :)]
Another thing is that a couple of reviewers have asked whether there'll be any slash in this story... Sorry... I think I won't be writing slash here, because it's not really my type, and I prefer writing about friendships (no offence though!)... Besides it's my first fanfic and I haven't read much slash yet, so I won't quite know how to write slash. So I best stick to non-slash :)
________________________________________________________________
Chapter 3: Partings
Aragorn and Arwen were already at the gate, waiting for him.
As he rode near, his friends smiled at him, but their cheerful miens did nothing to disguise the sadness that weighed heavy in all their hearts.
Legolas dismounted from his steed, and moved forward as though to comfort the duo, but found no words of solace to offer. Instead, Arwen stepped between the two men, and gazed toward the rising sun.
"I suppose," Arwen softly said, "that this is farewell." Legolas understood where her worries lay - it wasn't the parting that hurt her so much, it was rather the fear that one of them would be slain, never to return.
"Nay." Legolas walked toward Arwen and gathered her in an embrace. "Nay, little sister. If we hold dear the memories we shared, and keep one another close to our hearts -should any of us fall to darkness, we will still live on. For memories never die, and that," he released her, and winked at Aragorn, "is the secret of immortality."
"Ahh, so that's why elves are immortal," Aragorn said, understanding what Legolas was trying to do, "because they have photographic memories."
Aragorn's deadpan expression won a genuine smile from Arwen, who replied, "Therefore let it be said that no one should ever anger an elf, for they may forgive, but they never forget!"
By now, the three friends were grinning at each other, but Arwen knew it was time for them to leave.
"Now, off you go." Arwen pushed the two men towards their horses. "Both of you had better return here in one piece," she stressed the last two words, "so you'd better take care of yourselves - "
"What's this, the elven princess nagging at us?" Legolas teased, as he got onto his steed, "You must be ageing!"
Arwen threw a most indignant look to him, then turned to focus on Aragorn. "Namarië, Aragorn, i elenath sila am le!" Aragorn turned a shade pinker, but nonetheless replied, "As upon you, Lady Undómiel. Farewell!" With this, the youth could take it no longer, and he rode away.
Legolas then shot out his lanky hand and gave Arwen's hair a quick ruffle. "Farewell!" He smiled, and rode out of Rivendell.
"LEGOLAS!"
The tranquillity between the riders was broken by a query from Aragorn.
"What are you thinking of, Legolas?"
"The same three things as you, Estel," Legolas said, as the youth's brows shot upward, "why Arwen's eyes were glittering a little too brightly, when we must part on this road, and what the future brings for us."
At the mention of the Evenstar, Aragorn's gaze grew dreamy, but he sighed and answered, "Aye. My father's counsel brings ominous tidings, and I expect we will have to go our separate ways for many years to come."
They lapsed into silence once more, and Legolas remembered what Elrond had said to him.
* * *
"You, too, must leave."
Legolas' eyes narrowed, but before he could respond Elrond had already continued.
"The scroll that you were sent here with bore evil news. Even as we speak, the Necromancer's forces are already gathering, and foul creatures are multiplying in the midst of Dol Guldur. Thranduil did not wish to trouble you yet, but rather he hoped that he would have sufficient strength to contain the uprising evil."
"But Sauron is too strong, is he not?" A thread of horror crept into Legolas' voice, though he struggled not to show it.
"Indeed." Elrond looked at Legolas, and his eyes were filled with weariness. "Thranduil had bade me to keep this from you until he felt it necessary to summon you to return. Yesterday, an eagle came from afar, bearing the message that it was time for you to go home."
"This is where we must say goodbye, Legolas." Aragorn's sad farewell interrupted Legolas' thoughts, only to find the former staring unseeing at the forked road before them.
"We will meet again, Aragorn, son of Arathorn," Legolas levelled a gaze with the ranger. "Even if we should be separated in these ill times, there is hope yet. We will meet again."
Aragorn flashed a grateful smile to the elf, and said, "I hold you to this promise, my friend."
"And I'm expecting you to fulfil your part, my lord," Legolas replied, "after all, Arwen will be waiting for both of us."
Aragorn reddened again, and with a chuckle Legolas gave a command to his stallion, and rode away leaving the youth in a trail of dust.
The elf then placed full concentration on the road ahead. He could not bear to turn back and look, fearing that if he did, he would refuse to leave. He only gripped the horse's manes tighter, closed his eyes and whispered to the two friends he had parted with.
"Namarië, nîn mellon."
Elvish translations:
Namarië, Aragorn, i elenath sila am le - Farewell, Aragorn, may the stars shine upon you
Namarië, nîn mellon - Farewell, my friends
________________________________________________________________
Oof. Sorry people! I had to put this chapter in - not much action yet I know, but there will be some in the next chapter I promise :)! Also I know my elvish is pretty lousy, but forgive me, I ain't no Tolkien scholar (though I would love to be *dreamy look*) :)
Now, on with my replies ;)!
Guardgirl1 - Yeahhh, Legolas rules =) and same here, I love reading about his friendships... Thank you for reviewing! You really encouraged me! I will continue to post more as long as you and more people continue supporting me *hint*
Jevvica -You've been a very faithful reader and I'd like you to know I'm extremely grateful for that, but I must confess that I'm awfully sorry! I won't be getting to Gimli and Legolas for another one more chapter but I assure you I'm getting there as soon as I can! But please continue to support me *hopeful grin* Hope you like this chapter though!
Jocelyn - You're my second most faithful reader and I'd like to thank you for that! I simply can't tell all my reviewers how much I appreciate them, but I really do :) Ahh, your review was a very morale-boosting one *beams* How do you like this chapter?
Manten no Miko - Sorry! I don't think I will write slash very well, and it's not really my type, so I gotta stay away from it. Hmm, have you updated your Lodoss fic about ol' Ghim?
Rogue Runaway - My dear editor (I should still refuse to call you my beta-reader), I have placed a nice advert for you on top and hope that your $50 cheque is arriving soon :) Also, no slashiness in this fic so - hey! You're my editor. You should know that I don't write slash... ;)
littlefish - Next chapter is up *beam* Quite draggy I must admit but I had to put it in for transitional purposes. Mischievous streaks are good, don't you think? ;)
TreeHugger - Thanks for reviewing, m'man! Your fic is very well written too! Continue to review, thankee! (I'm giving an advert for you, but it's on the house, no need for the $50 like my editor *grin*)
Tonya - *grin* I'm glad you liked it, here's another chapter!
Jay Tigran - Your CGB stories are pretty awesome too ;) Hope you continue to review!
Author's note: I now declare my official beta-reader (actually she forced me to) is Rogue Runaway, and I thank her for her nit-pickiness in all my chapters, past, present or future. She would also like to place an advertisement here saying that whoever would like her to beta-read, please contact her (or else you could review me, I'll contact her :))
[Aside to Rogue Runaway, this advert will cost you $50 :)]
Another thing is that a couple of reviewers have asked whether there'll be any slash in this story... Sorry... I think I won't be writing slash here, because it's not really my type, and I prefer writing about friendships (no offence though!)... Besides it's my first fanfic and I haven't read much slash yet, so I won't quite know how to write slash. So I best stick to non-slash :)
________________________________________________________________
Chapter 3: Partings
Aragorn and Arwen were already at the gate, waiting for him.
As he rode near, his friends smiled at him, but their cheerful miens did nothing to disguise the sadness that weighed heavy in all their hearts.
Legolas dismounted from his steed, and moved forward as though to comfort the duo, but found no words of solace to offer. Instead, Arwen stepped between the two men, and gazed toward the rising sun.
"I suppose," Arwen softly said, "that this is farewell." Legolas understood where her worries lay - it wasn't the parting that hurt her so much, it was rather the fear that one of them would be slain, never to return.
"Nay." Legolas walked toward Arwen and gathered her in an embrace. "Nay, little sister. If we hold dear the memories we shared, and keep one another close to our hearts -should any of us fall to darkness, we will still live on. For memories never die, and that," he released her, and winked at Aragorn, "is the secret of immortality."
"Ahh, so that's why elves are immortal," Aragorn said, understanding what Legolas was trying to do, "because they have photographic memories."
Aragorn's deadpan expression won a genuine smile from Arwen, who replied, "Therefore let it be said that no one should ever anger an elf, for they may forgive, but they never forget!"
By now, the three friends were grinning at each other, but Arwen knew it was time for them to leave.
"Now, off you go." Arwen pushed the two men towards their horses. "Both of you had better return here in one piece," she stressed the last two words, "so you'd better take care of yourselves - "
"What's this, the elven princess nagging at us?" Legolas teased, as he got onto his steed, "You must be ageing!"
Arwen threw a most indignant look to him, then turned to focus on Aragorn. "Namarië, Aragorn, i elenath sila am le!" Aragorn turned a shade pinker, but nonetheless replied, "As upon you, Lady Undómiel. Farewell!" With this, the youth could take it no longer, and he rode away.
Legolas then shot out his lanky hand and gave Arwen's hair a quick ruffle. "Farewell!" He smiled, and rode out of Rivendell.
"LEGOLAS!"
The tranquillity between the riders was broken by a query from Aragorn.
"What are you thinking of, Legolas?"
"The same three things as you, Estel," Legolas said, as the youth's brows shot upward, "why Arwen's eyes were glittering a little too brightly, when we must part on this road, and what the future brings for us."
At the mention of the Evenstar, Aragorn's gaze grew dreamy, but he sighed and answered, "Aye. My father's counsel brings ominous tidings, and I expect we will have to go our separate ways for many years to come."
They lapsed into silence once more, and Legolas remembered what Elrond had said to him.
* * *
"You, too, must leave."
Legolas' eyes narrowed, but before he could respond Elrond had already continued.
"The scroll that you were sent here with bore evil news. Even as we speak, the Necromancer's forces are already gathering, and foul creatures are multiplying in the midst of Dol Guldur. Thranduil did not wish to trouble you yet, but rather he hoped that he would have sufficient strength to contain the uprising evil."
"But Sauron is too strong, is he not?" A thread of horror crept into Legolas' voice, though he struggled not to show it.
"Indeed." Elrond looked at Legolas, and his eyes were filled with weariness. "Thranduil had bade me to keep this from you until he felt it necessary to summon you to return. Yesterday, an eagle came from afar, bearing the message that it was time for you to go home."
"This is where we must say goodbye, Legolas." Aragorn's sad farewell interrupted Legolas' thoughts, only to find the former staring unseeing at the forked road before them.
"We will meet again, Aragorn, son of Arathorn," Legolas levelled a gaze with the ranger. "Even if we should be separated in these ill times, there is hope yet. We will meet again."
Aragorn flashed a grateful smile to the elf, and said, "I hold you to this promise, my friend."
"And I'm expecting you to fulfil your part, my lord," Legolas replied, "after all, Arwen will be waiting for both of us."
Aragorn reddened again, and with a chuckle Legolas gave a command to his stallion, and rode away leaving the youth in a trail of dust.
The elf then placed full concentration on the road ahead. He could not bear to turn back and look, fearing that if he did, he would refuse to leave. He only gripped the horse's manes tighter, closed his eyes and whispered to the two friends he had parted with.
"Namarië, nîn mellon."
Elvish translations:
Namarië, Aragorn, i elenath sila am le - Farewell, Aragorn, may the stars shine upon you
Namarië, nîn mellon - Farewell, my friends
________________________________________________________________
Oof. Sorry people! I had to put this chapter in - not much action yet I know, but there will be some in the next chapter I promise :)! Also I know my elvish is pretty lousy, but forgive me, I ain't no Tolkien scholar (though I would love to be *dreamy look*) :)
Now, on with my replies ;)!
Guardgirl1 - Yeahhh, Legolas rules =) and same here, I love reading about his friendships... Thank you for reviewing! You really encouraged me! I will continue to post more as long as you and more people continue supporting me *hint*
Jevvica -You've been a very faithful reader and I'd like you to know I'm extremely grateful for that, but I must confess that I'm awfully sorry! I won't be getting to Gimli and Legolas for another one more chapter but I assure you I'm getting there as soon as I can! But please continue to support me *hopeful grin* Hope you like this chapter though!
Jocelyn - You're my second most faithful reader and I'd like to thank you for that! I simply can't tell all my reviewers how much I appreciate them, but I really do :) Ahh, your review was a very morale-boosting one *beams* How do you like this chapter?
Manten no Miko - Sorry! I don't think I will write slash very well, and it's not really my type, so I gotta stay away from it. Hmm, have you updated your Lodoss fic about ol' Ghim?
Rogue Runaway - My dear editor (I should still refuse to call you my beta-reader), I have placed a nice advert for you on top and hope that your $50 cheque is arriving soon :) Also, no slashiness in this fic so - hey! You're my editor. You should know that I don't write slash... ;)
littlefish - Next chapter is up *beam* Quite draggy I must admit but I had to put it in for transitional purposes. Mischievous streaks are good, don't you think? ;)
TreeHugger - Thanks for reviewing, m'man! Your fic is very well written too! Continue to review, thankee! (I'm giving an advert for you, but it's on the house, no need for the $50 like my editor *grin*)
Tonya - *grin* I'm glad you liked it, here's another chapter!
Jay Tigran - Your CGB stories are pretty awesome too ;) Hope you continue to review!