Countless months have passed since that summer night. The sun has rose and set again and again. Although not much has happened to the realm of the prince, he felt as if a thousand years have passed since then. The halls of his home seemed much more darker and a thousand times more lonely. Perhaps it was the death of his sister that brought this depressing state upon him. Although she was never real company, he always had someone to speak with. He was now alone.
Winter was now darkening and flakes of snow fell upon the untouched realm. Legolas walked slowly through the gardens of the palace and finally came to the place of his mother's grave. He knelt down on one knee and dusted the snow from the plaque.
"I am sorry…" He spoke softly as he closed his eyes, "I am sorry that I must break my vows, to you, and to father. I can no longer dwell an eternity in this lonesome place. My entire life I lived like this, learning the craft and weaponry and that was all I knew. But I feel that I have already forgotten my dedication, I have forgotten what I made my vows for, and everything I believe in. It is not right to go on like this. I will see you soon, mother…"
At this he bent down and kissed the plaque. After one last moment of silence, he swept over to the place where he had made his vows, and fell upon his knees. He pulled the knife from its sheath and watched it gleam in the light. With this, a smile came upon his face, a soft smile that told the end of his misery.
"I'm sorry father…" Legolas whispered softly, knowing that the king would find his body lying beneath the trees the next time he came to the gardens. With this he breathed deeply and held the knife above him. It seemed that a flash second before the cold iron pierced his skin he heard a noise.
He stood up curiously, who could be wandering about his realm, especially dead of winter? He hid behind the trees and glanced toward path. It was a ranger, with a cloak wrapped about him. But how could it be? No one knew the way here. Legolas hesitated, if he did not say something, his father would surely find the man. And anyone his father sees is as good as dead. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?" He spoke up loudly.
"Did you forget me already?" Replied the ranger.
"I never forget anyone, because I know no one." Legolas spoke sharply. He gripped the knife tightly in his hand, although perhaps it would be better if he died in the hands of another.
"Last summer, you came across a stranger, half dead. In your kindness, you took him into your care."
'No, it couldn't be…' Legolas muttered to himself and looked up. "…Estel?" He said as he appeared from behind the trees. He felt the knife slip away from his hands as the figure before him removed his hood.
"It is I." Aragorn smiled at the elf before him. He felt his heart lifted as the elf's golden hair fluttered in the breeze. It seemed to shimmer as the snow melted and slid from each strand.
"What are you doing back here?" Legolas said as he gathered his strength.
"Repay my gratitude. You did not think I would leave and never return?"
"I don't need anything, thank you." Legolas replied as calmly as he could, "Please, go before my father sees you here." He closed his eyes and turned his back to Aragorn.
"You do not expect me to leave just like that?"
"Go back to your world of blue skies and flowers and let me be." Legolas snapped. With this he felt a rush of pain at his side. He knew that he was not supposed to feel; the crafts that he practiced forbid him to. His grief had caused a lot of trouble with his body. He cringed as he remembered those days after the parting night and his father's reaction.
"Where is the little one? Lena." Aragorn spoke ignoring the remark.
"She is dead." Legolas answered with effort. "The men who came after you killed her." He closed his eyes as he remembered when he found his sister's body. With that he felt another rush of blazing pain.
Aragorn blinked in shock and sadness. He gathered his thoughts again and looked again toward the prince. "I am sorry…I had no idea."
"I did not say I blamed you. Now go."
"Legolas…" Aragorn began. "I really am sorry… can I at least pay respect to her?" He walked over to the elf and smiled kindly. Legolas only turned away.
"Do what you please…"Legolas muttered and lead the way to the gardens. He stopped at the plaque below the little willow tree and folded his arms. Aragorn knelt down and trailed his fingers down the stone plaque. He whispered some kind words and lowered his head. At that, he sprinkled some fresh soil above the grave. Legolas picked up the knife and looked at it for a moment. His eyes turned to Aragorn. He realized that he cared for the stranger. He even loved him.
*Flashback~
"How long have you been living here?"
"My entire life… It is my home."
"It must be nice, here I mean. The peace, the tranquility…"
"It is, most of the time."
"I imagine it must be lonely here."
"Loneliness is only an illusion, Estel. When enough time has passed, everything turns into an illusion."
"I'm sorry… what about before you made your vows… there must have been a happy time."
"… When my mother was still around. It used to be a merry place, filled with people. My mother was beautiful; she used to sing to me every night while she stroked my hair. She told me stories… stories of the places she has been to. And my father loved her…he used to dance with her upon the balcony… But that was a long time ago. Things change."
"What happened?"
"Life happened."
"She died."
"If it were only that… its- never mind. I don't remember it; I was too young then. And I already said too much."
"Legolas…"
"What?"
"… You're a beautiful person… and a lot more beautiful when you open up. You have the softest sweetest voice… you should not always speak with such an icy tone."
"…"
"I don't say that too a lot of people… only when I really care for them."
*End Flash back~
Legolas blinked back his tears and realized that his whole body was growing weak. He leaned against the tree for support and made an effort to focus on the snow piling on the ground. After a moment he seemed to have lost his balance and nearly collapsed. He looked up to realize that Aragorn had caught him in his arms.
"Are you alright?" Aragorn whispered as he helped the elf stand up. Legolas nodded in embarrassment.
"Thank you…" He stammered and turned away.
"You don't have to thank me…" Aragorn said softly as he let go.
"Anyway… you should go…"
"You have not answered my first question, are you alright?"
"I'm fine." He said amid his sadness. 'No… I'm not fine… I need you…' He thought to himself, although his fair face did not budge. Aragorn said nothing more and turned around. He gave Legolas one last look before turning away to the gate.
Legolas turned around and pressed a hand to his chest. He could taste the blood in his mouth. He knew that through the years the craft had made him immune to feelings and this was going against all the powers of the craft he had absorbed in his life. He was not strong enough to fight it. He picked up the knife and held it up once more. But the pain did not come. He opened his eyes to see that his arm was being held back by another.
"Why did you not leave?" Legolas said weakly.
"What possessed you to do something like this?" Aragorn snapped as he wrestled the knife from his hands.
"It is not your concern!" Legolas snapped as he tried to pull away. Aragorn let go of him after a few seconds.
"Look at me Legolas…" Aragorn said quietly, "Tell me what's wrong." Legolas turned away without a word. Aragorn stood silent for a few minutes till Legolas finally gave in and turned to him.
"I have broken my vows… I have broken them the day I brought you into our realm. I broke them when I… when I started to care about you. I broke them when you left, and when I shed a tear for you. I lost my dedication to the arts. Now I suffer the consequences of breaking them… I must die." Legolas said solemnly. He felt another tear slide down his cheek.
"No… you don't have to." Aragorn whispered as he wiped the tear from the prince's eyes.
"I will die anyway… it is better that I die this way." Legolas spoke as he shook his head. "My body can't fight the powers of the craft."
"What is the craft?"
"It is everything that built this place. It is the magic and art of our people…" Legolas whispered. He felt the world growing darker before his eyes and the next thing he knew, everything was dim.
"Legolas!" Aragorn cried as the fair creature collapsed in his arms.
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Hmm… Maybe I should speed it up a little. Review please!