Chapter 7

Author's Notes: I'm sorry! I really am! I just want to apologize for this chapter before hand. Ooooo you are all gonna hate me.

Gandalf and Gimli stood outside Orthanc, as if unsure what to do. Suddenly and apparently out of nowhere, Pippin came flying out the front door. He ran to Gandalf and leapt into his arms, weeping.

"Are you uninjured Peregrin Took?"

"Yes indeed Gandalf. You are alive! Miracle of all miracles! Legolas spoke true then!"

"Legolas? How is he?" Asked Gimli.

"He was alive when I left him, but –" Pippin began to sob, "He is fighting Saruman."

Gandalf looked both amazed and terrified by this news and set Pippin down. It was then that Pippin noticed something moving over Gandalf's head.

"Gandalf!" he cried, "Look it is Merry and … what is that?"

Gandalf turned, "Ah, I see Treebeard has arrived."

Behind the Ent there was a whole host of men on horses and others of Treebeard's kin.

"Hail Gandalf," said the lead man, "I am Éomer son of Éomund. I am the Third Marshal of Riddermark."

"Well met Éomer," said Gandalf, "Where is Aragorn?"

"I am here Gandalf," said Aragorn, stepping forward.

"You are not ill anymore I take it?"

"No, but does that bode well or ill for our friend Legolas?"

"I do not know Aragorn, but we are about to find out."

A great light then issued from Orthanc and all the men shielded their eyes. The brightness faded gradually into the form of an elf. It was Legolas, and he was dressed in white raiment, the light came from a star upon his brow, but permeated his whole being. In his right hand he carried Saruman's staff and in his left a pale elven blade, stained with blood. Both blade and staff hung loosely at his sides, Indeed the staff almost smote the ground, as it was, tipped forward and gripped only vaguely in the middle. All, excepting Gandalf, were entranced with his beauty as he strode toward them. Time slowed and a great wind blew about Legolas, and through his clothes and loose hair. He looked very tall and mighty. He stopped before Gandalf and regarded all assembled with a serene and superior look in one smooth motion of his head. Merry and Gimli were reminded at once of the Lady of The Wood. His gaze settled again on Gandalf. He cast aside the crimson blade on the hard ground, and to the surprise of all, slowly went down upon one knee and held Saruman's staff up to the wizard.

Gandalf the White he said in elvish. This had a strange effect upon Gandalf as he took the staff from the fair creature. Some profound change in the depths of his eyes.

Legolas stood, "Where is Pippin?" he asked quietly.

Pippin was so transfixed that he did not move at once and Treebeard had to give him a little nudge.

"I am here Legolas!" he cried.

"Good, you are safe." He smiled faintly and his gray eyes were mournful. He met Aragorn's gaze, Nimarië, he said in his own tongue.

The light passed from Legolas, and a great anguish entered him. He was again clad in green and brown and his gleaming hair tied back. He put a long fingered hand to his stomach.

"Alas! I have won, but at a great cost. Saruman has run me through with my own blade."

Then the noble elf seemed to fold in on himself and lay upon his back, gazing at he gray sky. His companions ran forward. Aragorn took his friends cold hand in his own. Blood ran from Legolas' lips and lay in stark contrast to his lovely pale skin.

"Aragorn remember," he coughed once, "Light always conquers dark."

The slowly blinked his eyes and they remained open in death, for he walked in the dream world ere he left.

They all wept, save the Ents and Gandalf, who closed his eyes to the world. Most of the men of the Rohirrim had never even gazed upon an elf before and none had seen one die, the sight was so terrible, that no heart among the stout company remained unmoved.