Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.

Mark Twain

Chapter 20: Forgiving the Unforgivable

Galadriel felt pain. Overwhelming pain that surged through her body like a tidal wave. IShe was thankful that unconsciousness had saved her from terrible agony brought by her fatal wound.

She had thought she was dead, even now when she felt warm light kissing her skin and heard some hazy voices of people talking. But then again, it was not Mandos, for there an Elf's spirit, the fea, would be separated from the hroa, the flesh. There would be no sense in the enormous pain that continued when the hroa had been discarded; but now, she felt the pain, the same pain that assaulted her body before she passed out.

Slowly, the warrior Lady tried to open her eyes.

"Legolas, she is awake! Oh, Elbereth be praised!"

Whose voice was that? Galadriel blinked several times to adjust to the light before she recognized Limiel, who was holding her hand with an expression of relief mixed with joy.

"Limiel?"

"Yes, Lady Galadriel? Can I get you something?"

"I am thirsty."

"Oh yes, of course." Limiel let go off Galadriel's hand and ran out to the table to pour her something to drink.

"Here. Drink this."

Galadriel tried hard to sit, but failed miserably. The pain hit her again and she shut her eyes, as both pain and dizziness ran through her.

"Slowly, my Lady. You are still injured." Limiel's soothing voice was heard while she carefully lifted Galadriel's back and added some pillows to support her. Then she lay her down, maintaining her gentleness, and brought the cup to her lips.

Thankfully, Galadriel drank the liquid, which was a kind of tea made by mixing some herbs and honey. She had never known a time when she was so grateful for a cup of tea as the warm liquid flowed down her dry throat and warmth her stomach.

"Feel better now?" Limiel asked, after Galadriel had drunk enough.

"Yes." Galadriel smiled.

At that time, Legolas entered the room. His expression was even more relieved than Limiel had been when she opened her eyes. The Mirkwood Prince sat on her bed beside her and gathered her hand to his own.

"Lady Galadriel, you are finally awake! We were so worried."

"I am fine, Legolas." She smiled again. "I am fine."

"I know. You were severely wounded when Langolin brought you here. I thought you were going to die."

"Seems like Mandos hasn't granted me the honor to enter His hall." She said rather sadly. Her eyes became dreamy as she thought of her brothers waiting for her there. With a sigh, she forced herself back to reality, and turned to the young Elf who was squeezing her hand comfortingly.

"Where is your teacher?"

Legolas's eyes became grim as he spoke. "He is in prison."

"So your father knows."

"Aye, he does, for Langolin told him."

"What!?"

"Yesterday, he brought you here and tended your wound, but he knew you would need a healer's hands. And thus he asked me to look after you when he rode to my father's castle. However, he met my father and Limiel halfway there. He told them what happened, and my father arrested him."

Galadriel raised her eyebrows, surprised. "He tried to heal me?"

"Yes. I helped him, but he did most of the work."

"And he rode to Mirkwood's castle to find a healer for me?"

"Yes."

"When he met King Thranduil he confessed that he had attacked me, risking himself the King's wrath?"

"Yes, he did."

Galadriel was speechless. As far as she knew, Langolin had made it perfectly clear that he wanted her to die. He wanted revenge. His anger was unappeasable, save only by her death. Yet, when he had the chance to kill her, he did not. He helped her. Wisdom she might have, but such deed was alien to her. She did not, she could not understand him.

"Why?" she whispered, audible only to Elven hearings.

Legolas shrugged. These Noldor confused him,greatly. They were complicated beyond his understanding. For this young Prince, there was only one kind of enemy: the foul creatures created by the Dark Lord Morgoth, and now Sauron. He was never taught to hate, not even his enemies. He only killed to protect his people and his land, never out of hatred. 'Hatred is a destructive force', his father once taught him, 'for it destroyed your enemy and yourself. Either when you heal or when you kill, do it out of love, not hatred nor revenge.' But then again, he never experienced the bitterness of losing his beloved ones by the hands of his own kin.

"Legolas?"

The young Elf blinked and turned to Galadriel. "Yes, my lady?"

"What will your father do to Langolin?"

Limiel answered for Legolas, "I think my uncle will be expelled, my Lady. Such is the law of our kingdom, that whoever tries to seriously harm someone for reasons other than self defense or to protect others shall be banished from our kingdom forever." A hint of regret was in her voice. She loved her uncle dearly. Despite his cold manner, he was a kind man. Langolin even saved her and her brothers from a spider once.

Galadriel nodded understandingly. No Elven realms implemented the death penalty anymore. Taking another Elf's life was one of the worst crimes, even when it was carried out as a punishment for the deserving ones. No one wanted to repeat the Kinslaying. The outcome was too grave.

An Elf-maid entered the room, smiling. She was probably the healer, for she brought bandages and a few bottles that were certainly medicine. Legolas stood up and turned to leave the healer to change Galadriel's bandages, but was halted as Galadriel spoke up.

"Legolas."

"Yes?"

"Please go to your father for me. Ask him to spare Langolin from any punishment."

And it was the poor Elfling caught in the middle of this feud who felt surprised. Shaking his head, he left Galadriel while muttering to himself, "crazy Noldor."

*************

"Thank you, Elvea." Galadriel smiled sweetly to the healer who had tended her with utmost thoughtfulness. She had never been so vulnerable and in need of such help, save when she gave birth. Again she was reminded that she was not higher nor better than anyone else. This incident has surely brought so many wisdoms, she mused.

"Tis my pleasure, Lady Galadriel," replied the young healer. She gathered the dirty bandages and went outside. The Lady of the Wood observed her as her fondness of Elvea grew when she noticed the young maiden's skill.

"Lady Galadriel."

Galadriel turned and found Legolas standing at the door, his father beside him.

"I am sorry to disturb you, my Lady." The Mirkwood King bowed slightly.

"Not at all, King Thranduil." Galadriel smiled politely to the king, whom she had not met for millennia.

The King smiled and sat beside her. "I must say that I beg your pardon for my sons' and my vassal's foolish behavior." He glared at Legolas, who felt very nervous and turned away. "I cannot possibly tell you how embarrassed I am about my sons' parts in this matter, my Lady. I truly apologize."

"No permanent damage has been made, Thranduil," said Galadriel, causing the King to raise his eyebrows. "Please, spare them. I think they have learned enough already."

"Nay. I cannot my Lady. They have committed a severe misdeed. Kidnapping an Elf, much more a ruler of an Elven realm, is a great crime. And Langolin tried to kill you."

"They do not understand what they do."

"Then they shall be punished for their ignorance," said the King determinedly. Cruel he was not, but he was a just King. And he would punish transgressions according to the law no matter who committed it.

"I understand," Galadriel nodded. "I trust your judgment in this matter. However, could you not expel Langolin from your realm?"

"So, it's true. You truly ask me to pardon Langolin? The one who almost killed you?"

"I don't think he holds all the blame. I provoked him, Thranduil."

"I still think his deed is inexcusable, my Lady. For according to Limiel's story, he has planned this before. All this chaos happened because he planned to take a revenge on you."

Galadriel sighed. She really wished to help Langolin, for she felt that she owed him her life. What could she do now to help him? She asked herself again and again.

Finally a realization dawned to her mind. The Noldo Princess turned to King Thranduil, beaming, and said," Would you please send him to Lorien instead of casting him out?"

**************

Oh no, NO evil Thranduil. I have had enough of those uncanonical evil Mirkwood's King fics!

Sorry it took me so long to update. College has started, that's why.

There will be 2 more chapters and the story will be finished!

Chapters 14- 20 are betaed by a a great friend, alliwantisanelfforchristmas!

Thanks all!

Thanks a lot for those who keeps supporting this fic. I really appreciate it. I love you all!