Disclaimer: I know nothing I have nothing! PLEASE STOP THE TORTURE!!
IMPORTANT A/N: This story is dedicated to Kat for all the long hours of beta-ing and endless conversations about the story line. This would never have been put on fanfic if it weren't for her. PLUS she reviews every thing and helps me with the technical stuff (like turning on the computer.) *hugs* all of it is appreciated.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT A/N: This is the final chapter of Fire Heart ever. I have my reasons for doing this, including the fact that the story line is getting old and I'm finding it hard to think of new situations. The characters have been through so much it'll be nice to give em a break. Anyway I won't waffle. Thanks to all those who review! Your support is great.
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the world whispers
The words arrived in Kĩyara's head as though they had always been there and it was by mere chance that she had forgotten them. Speaking without moving her lips she replied
What of?
Life, the fall of a leaf the heartbeat of a mouse and the sound of a single raindrop
You're making sense for once
These are not my words, they are the words of the world.
Why can I not hear them then?
You are not all powerful. Nearly but not quite.
What are these words?
I cannot tell you all for then you would know the meaning of everything and that was not intended even for an elf. Think of your first sunrise, can you even recall the feelings of deep understanding that made you so happy as to make you sad?
No
Well that is what the world talks of. It has things that no life on earth can ever hold.
Kĩyara looked hard at the ground rushing by. The words did not make sense to her and never would.
A great weight lifted and Kĩyara's wings were set free.
Elation coursed through her, she wasn't all-powerful. She couldn't do everything and she wasn't invincible. She had weaknesses. Acknowledging these things allowed her to be free. She didn't have to be strong. She didn't have to do anything. She laughed.
"What is it sister?"
Lanien galloped alongside her and cast a concerned eye over his sibling who had her head thrown back in laughter. She smiled. No it was broader than that, she grinned at him.
"I finally understand Lanien, all these years he's been trying to tell me and I scorned him! Now I see. My power doesn't have to make me different, I can still be…alive."
Lanien looked at her incomprehensively.
"You'll need a lifetime to understand brother, I did!"
She kicked Caradien on and he easily overtook Lanien, in a few minutes there was no sign of him on the path behind. Gratefully she stroked Caradien's soft golden neck.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Legolas' heart was shattered.
He had never understood her, why she had this thirst to prove herself and why she couldn't let herself show even a glimmer of weakness. Hénduil took him further from her and nearer to home, nearer to his children. Even that pained him though she had never wanted them. She had done it because, well because she couldn't have him without eventually falling pregnant. Why was everything such a mess of lies and pain?
He couldn't fathom her actions and stopped trying because it made his heart hurt and his brain reel.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Come on Caradien! He'll nearly be home by now, we need to catch him!"
She screamed her impatience at the world. Again the words rose form the depths of her mind.
No patience. Mistress is the daughter of a…
Don't say it.
No respect, try best try hardest for mistress but never enough. You keep mate, hurt his heart leave horse heart alone.
Even the horse knew what she'd done! How could she have been so blind, for all these years she had blundered on like a witless mortal. She couldn't even begin to imagine the pain she had caused Legolas. She'd make it all right, she's explain, she had to….
No further must rest. No air for breathing.
Kĩyara reined Caradien in feeling guilty. She had never ridden so far so fast before, the borders of Lumenn lay far behind her and the palace was only a few minutes away. It was then that she saw him. He was riding fast away from her; he was heading for the cliff tops. A cold dread twisted Kĩyara's stomach. He was going to leave.
"No!"
She spurred on Caradien again ignoring the angry outburst.
To far! To far! Stupid elf, you run not horse. YOU RUN!
Not this time. You run if you don't then I'll die. Then you will have an even stupider elf to ride you. Please?
Grudgingly he obeyed and they flew after the ghostly grey shadow that was Hénduil.
Three strides, two strides, one stride. Kĩyara drew level with Legolas.
"Stop Legolas!"
He looked at her, his starry blue eyes wide and sad his face drawn.
"No Kĩyara, not this time."
"I'm sorry for this."
She lent as far forward as she could and spoke to Hénduil.
Slow your pace brave horse and save your master
Who speaks?
Me Hénduil, Mistress of Caradien.
Why do you speak stop? My master tell horse to go.
He's angry and upset, he will be happy if you stop and let us speak.
Master will not feel pain? I sense his pain, you take pain away?
Yes
Hénduil slowed his gallop right down to a walk and eventually stopped. Kĩyara halted Caradien and swung down, she was stood at the top of the cliff that dropped sharply away down to the golden sands and gentle blue waves of the sea. The fading light cast a gold and red path out across the rippling waters that seemed solid enough to walk on and the soft sound of waves lapping the shore was soothing. However this tranquil mood was not reflected in the elves that now stood facing each other at the top of the cliff.
"Legolas will you let me speak?"
Kĩyara faced him, far enough away for the circumstances but close enough to show that she loved him.
"I don't know if I should Kĩyara because I know that I'll end up forgiving you and saying it was my fault. I always do."
"I know and I'm sorry. But there's something you have to know, something that I've finally realised and finally come to understand. Your right. All these years all the things you've been telling me like not to fight and use my brain they're all right!"
"I don't believe you."
"That hurt Legolas."
"No more than you've hurt me all this time. You're constantly breaking my heart. All these things we have you've never wanted them! Our children our lands everything. Sometimes I question if you actually want me."
"Don't because there has never been any doubt. I love you and always will. Even if you walk away now and never see me again I will still love you!"
"What about Celen and Fiarén? What about Áruinne? Don't they deserve the truth? The truth that their mother never wanted them?"
"Don't say that Legolas, it's not true! I would die for them and you know it. Yes I was apprehensive and unsure but don't let that equate to not wanting them. I love them because they are something that we created, us together and nothing will ever change that no matter what happens."
Kĩyara reached out and touched a hand to Legolas' sleeve. He didn't object.
She began again more tenderly.
"I understand Legolas, I understand that I've hurt you, that I've always seemed unloving and that I'm hard work but I'm going to start again! I swear."
"Can you really change Kĩyara?"
"No I can't but I can show you part of me even I didn't know I had until today."
"Show me then."
Slowly Kĩyara moved closer towards him and lifted her head up. Wrapping her arms around his waist she brought her lips to his.
The world whispers
About them
The world moves
Around them
For a short time yes
We return in dawn
Master and mistress not miss us not need us till then
Heart hurt must be healed. Pain must go, they must make it go.
They will.
Legolas' cloak was soft under Kĩyara and the night sea breeze cooled her skin. Legolas smiled down at her watching the stars that reflected in her eyes. Slowly he pushed the hair back form her face and leaned down to kiss her again.
"Am I forgiven?" She murmured against his lips.
He kissed her then replied.
"If you promise to be good from now on." He said smiling and kissing her.
"I will…most of the time. I love you Legolas Greenleaf."
"And I love you Kĩyara Aithi…"
"No Legolas. You have everything, my body my heart and my mind, I want nothing more than that in return. Do I have it?"
"Yes you do, all of me."
"Then call me Kĩyara Greenleaf because that is what I am now."
Nothing could have pleased her more than to see his face, that look of pure joy would stay with her forever.
Wings open and take flight soaring above,
A broken heart Is mended.
Early morning light spills over the cliff and the cry of the seabirds quavers on the wind. The gentle splash of waves creates the perfect moment.
"Kĩyara wake up."
"What is it Legolas?"
"I've just finished."
"Finished what?"
"The poem I made up all last night while you slept in my arms."
"Oh. Will you sing it then?"
If in the morning when you awake
The sun does not appear
I will be here
If in the dark we lose sight of our love
Hold my hand and have no fear
I will be here
I will be here
When you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind I will listen
Through the winning losing and trying we'll be together
And I will be here
If in the morning when you awake
The future is unclear
I will be here
As sure as the seasons were made for change
Our lifetimes were made for years
I will be here
I will be here and you can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older
I will hold you, to watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
We'll be together and I will be here
Forever.
"That was beautiful and true."
"We'll make it be true Kĩyara. If we ever forget what we promised then we can think of that. You and me always."
A/N: Omg I cannot believe it's finally over. Steph I know you'll have something to say so please leave it in a review! Ta. Thanks again to everyone who has reviewed and to those who I hope will in the future. It's been great working with you!!!! BTW The you and me always is for Al. Coz u know we will! -Pyromanic Firework.