When the warmth of the day becomes the night
who could sleep beneath a strange moonlight?
No guiding star
So far from home
Walked the way o' promise to find but snow
Throughout, the voice of the winds brings nothing more
Than low echoes
So far from home
Even from a child
A wish is not enough
For me, for me the sky may fall
And even from a child
A dream is not enough
Could be, could be the sky may fall
Could be, could be the night ends all
No rains could weep as I have wept
To know a simple dream will not be kept
I am a child
So far from home
One by one the sky falls
I may not awaken
It seemed what happened during the day had pierced the hearts of everyone present although no one spoke a word about it. Aragorn said nothing more carried his dying lover away from the silent halls. No one budged to stop him. Although his heart was solemn he had not given up hope. Boromir made no motion to go after them; he only stared in horror. This was not at all what he had planned to happen.
"There is a shortcut through the valley… you don't have to cross the rocky paths…." He said quietly.
"… Thank you…." Aragorn replied, he walked a few more steps before turning around, "This is not over yet… I will be back…"
Night had fallen once more and the lonely palace was now completely out of sight.
"… Estel?" Legolas stirred as he opened his eyes for the first time since the ceremony. Some of the strength was returning to him. He glanced around to see Aragorn sitting beside him, eyes filled with worry.
"You're awake…"
"…You didn't…?"
"No… But that doesn't matter… you're safe now…we're together and everything's going to be fine."
"… It seems that's all you have been saying ever since we met…"
Aragorn's face hardened and he squeezed the elf's hand, "I am not going to let you die." He whispered gently. Legolas smiled softly and laid his head on his lover's lap. He said nothing for a while.
"… To think if I had not met you… I would still be the palace… living my peaceful life…" Legolas whispered after a period of silence. He looked up to see his lover frown.
"… Do you regret saving me?"
"…No… I don't. I regret many things that I have done since winter… but being with you is not one of them."
"… But… after all I've put you through…"
"You did not put me through anything… I chose to come with you…"
"I should have been there to protect you… if I had not been drunk…"
"What's done is done…" Legolas cut him off and laid his left hand on Aragorn's.
"…The night you left…" Aragorn wished to ask what about what happened but thought better of it. He did not wish to bring up any more painful topics. Legolas could read his thought but remained silent as well. Elrohir's words were still on his mind and they still haunted him.
"… I'm sorry…" Legolas whispered, "About my harsh words that night… I think we both did a lot of things we did not mean…" He winced as he thought about he's refusal to listen and how he even struck his friend.
"…. I would never do a thing like that, especially not to you."
"… I know you wouldn't. Least I do now." Legolas replied. He suddenly felt another surge of pain as his grip upon his lover tightened.
"Legolas!"
"I'm alright…" Legolas said as the pain softened. Aragorn looked on with concern. He wrapped his arms tightly around the elven prince.
"You should have drank the potion…" Aragorn said softly, "You shouldn't have saved me."
"… I would have died if you did…" Legolas answered plainly, "There was no way I could have lived my life in the arms of another." If he thought he was comforting his lover, he was wrong. Aragorn was touched but far from comforted. His mind was racing on ways to save his beloved.
"Will you come back to Imladris with me? Only for a while till you're better. " Aragorn spoke up gently. Legolas said nothing. He could picture the last night he spent there vividly in his mind and he was reluctant to face so many people. But he knew that was his last hope, and in his heart he did not want to die. So with that thought he nodded. At this they kissed, a soft yet passionate kiss that seemed to last forever.
Elladan sighed as he looked toward the horizon. The disaster that happened a month ago was now on everyone's lips, each with a different story. Only he and his siblings knew what happened. And Legolas, whom for all they knew could be dead now. Eomer was in shame for the part in all this that no one had really guessed was his. The guilt was welling up inside him and he had to speak with Aragorn. Elrohir was in regret about how far his scheme had gone but was still a little angry about Aragorn's "Betrayal".
A misty rain was beginning to fall and the sun had hid its face. Just when Elladan was ready turn back he saw a figure yelling and running toward him. He lifted his sword and walked closer. But he was shocked at what he saw. It was an old man who did not look old wearing torn clothes and waving around a walking stick. The old man was running as fast a wild horse that's been kicked and was yelling like a madman. (Not that he wasn't)
"What do you want?" Elladan spoke as he saw the old man draw closer… too close. He was, however, determined not to back down at the scary gaze.
"Where's me son?"
"… Your… son?" Elladan repeated. His mind turned in wonder.
"Me Son! What are ya, slow or something?"
"What does your son look like?" Elladan said. For he could not believe that he was going along with the conversation.
"He looks like me son!"
"… Oh…" Elladan glared trying to think of some way to slip out of sight, "And… does he have a name?"
The old man paused. He glared around for a few seconds and sat down. He immediately started to mutter to himself endlessly.
"Well… I'll uh, let you know when I see him." Elladan muttered as he walked away. But he felt himself suddenly pulled down. In his surprise the old man rose and shoved him to the ground. He was shocked feel such strength used on him. He quickly dodged as the walking stick came swishing down on him.
Elrond blinked as his eyes fell upon the figure that lay before him. He had not the heart to tell him the truth. But in his mind he knew that the elven prince would not survive.
Most of all, he had not the heart to tell his son. It seemed that Aragorn's withdraw from his marriage still lingered bitterly in his mind but he did not wish to see his son so hurt. He sat on the edge of the bed and waited for the patient to awaken.
'He is beautiful… in so many ways…Just like his mother' the elven lord thought quietly as the prince stirred in his sleep.
"What is the day?"
"… Twenty-sixth of June."
"Aye…" The prince sat up, his shimmering gold hair fell upon his face.
"How are you feeling?"
"…. I have definitely been better…" Legolas muttered as he pushed his hair from his eyes. He stood up slowly and glanced around. He had been asleep for almost a day. "Where is Estel?"
"He has sat by your side all the while you were here, he only left to get you some water."
"How is he? Is he alright?"
"He is weary but he will be fine."
"… That is good." The elven prince sighed.
"… I am sorry… I can apologize for my son's actions but… my apologies can only count for so much." The elven lord spoke softly.
"…There is no need for that…I think… maybe it was meant to be this way." The blond prince said thoughtfully. He was comforted that he could have a few days of peace. He could tell in the eyes of the elven lord that his own chance of survival was slim. But he thought it better not to bring up the subject, especially not to his loved one.
Elrond studied the smile that seemed so sincere. It has been a while since he has been so touched. And never had he ever seen anyone so devoted to loving and so innocent. He seemed deeply motivated to help. But he knew that it was beyond his abilities… but he knew someone that could. He looked to Legolas; it seemed too much to ask him to go back to his father.
"I know what you are thinking… my lord…" The elven prince spoke, "And I can't… I can't go back to the one whom I betrayed and beg for him to save my life…."
"What if I came with you?"
"… I owe you much gratitude already… and this is something I cannot do. I betrayed my vows and abandoned my father. I have shame enough not to go back."
"Then you will just… let yourself die?"
"I have lived enough to find the meaning in everything I've done… and I have lived long enough to find someone who cared for me truly. That is enough."