CHAPTER 40
Hi, you will notice that I used some of the actual text from appendix A of ROTK, the story of Aragorn and Arwen in this chapter. I thought it is nice to add some of the actual story into de fanfic, and fortunately, it fits just right. Hope you'll enjoy it!
A BITTER FAREWELL
Aragorn raised his eyes to look at her; she was so precious and beautiful to him. Her eyes showed confusion and uncertainty, for she did not understand his words.
"What do you mean?" - she finally asked; already dreading his answer.
"My time has been fulfilled, it is time for me to embrace Eru's gift to the later children." - he answered slowly
She inhaled sharply, stunned at his response. After a long and awkward silence in which she tried to assimilate his words, she gathered strength to speak - "Would you then, lord, before your time leave your people that live by your word?" - she said, overborne by her grief
Aragorn took her shaking hand between his - "Not before my time," - he answered. - "For if I will not go now, then I must soon go perforce. And Eldarion our son is a man full-ripe for kingship. Today's events have proven so."
Aragorn decided not to explain her about the silent commitment he had acquired to Legolas, fearing that she would refuse his friend afterwards, blaming him for his decision. He had witnessed how she had come to love the noble elf, and knew that only one of them could stay by her side. He thought of Legolas' sacrifices, and decided it was time to cede him some happiness. What he didn't know was that Legolas survival was uncertain, since Arwen had not mentioned it before.
Knowing that his decision was final, and for all her wisdom and lineage she could not forbear to plead with him to stay yet for a while. She was not yet weary of her days, and thus she tasted the bitterness of the mortality that she had taken upon her.
"Lady Undómiel," - said Aragorn - "the hour is indeed hard, yet it was made even in that day when we met under the white birches in the garden of Elrond where none now walk. And on the hill of Cerin Amroth when we forsook both the Shadow and the Twilight this doom we accepted. Take counsel with yourself, beloved, and ask whether you would indeed have the wait until I wither and rail from my high seat unmanned and witless" - That was the justification and reason he gave for his early departure, to escape and avoid the weariness and troubles of age; but his motives were far nobler than that.
"Not so, lady, I am the last of the Númenoreans and the latest King of the Elder Days; and to me has been given not only a span thrice that of Men of Middle-earth, but also the grace to go at my will, and give back the gift. Now, therefore, I will sleep"
"I speak no comfort to you, for there is no comfort for such pain within the circles of the world. But I give you back the ties that bind you to my mortal fate; I give you back what you sacrificed for me. Go back to your people, sail to he west." - He said, handling her the pendant she had given him so many years ago.
"No, dear lord," - she said, refusing to take back her gift - "that choice is long over. There is now no ship that would bear the hence, and I must indeed abide the Doom of Men, whether I will or not: the loss and the silence.
"You know, fair lady that there is still one ship that awaits for you, and would be more than glad to bear you. You do not have to face loss and silence, I do not ask this from you. You have given me more joy than I ever dreamt; now I free you from this burden, and all I ask from you is to follow your heart"
"And yet, you ask me to continue to live without you? How will I face ages and eternity in your absence? I tell you, you ask for too much.
"So it seems," - he said - "But let us not be overthrown at the final test, who of old renounced the Shadow and the Ring. In sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! we are not bound for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory, Farewell!"
"Estel, Estel!" - she cried, and with that even as he took her hand and kissed it, he fell into sleep. Then a great beauty was revealed in him, so that all who after came there looked on him in wonder; for they saw that the grace of his youth, and the valor of his manhood, and the wisdom and majesty of his age were blended together. And long there he lay, an image of the splendor of the Kings of Men in glory undimmed before the breaking of the world.
She rested her head upon his chest and cried out his absence; the subjects left her alone with her pain and took for themselves the duty of announcing the passing of the King to the rest of the city. Soon, a sad and lengthy sound flooded the ruined halls and squares of the city; the bitter song of the trumpets announcing the King's demise.
The cheers that could still be heard scattered here and there within the boundaries of the city were in an instant silenced; and joy became sorrow for the citizens of Minas Tirith. The sweetness of the victory over the dragon was short, and promptly forgotten. The soldiers and citizens, some wounded, some near dead even, gathered at the main square, waiting for the official announcement.
Up on the King's deathbed, Arwen wept still, unable to lay her grief aside, unable to tear herself away from him. Then, a knock on the door disturbed her grief, and she lifted her head to see the three panting figures entering the room.
It was the White Army's General, Perdhul; and on each of his broad shoulders, two warriors, darkened and stained with blood and filth, leaning for support. Eldarion let out a soft sob and let go of Perdhul's arm. He limped towards his father's lifeless body with the broken sword that had finally slain the dragon firmly grasped in his hand; as he reached his father's deathbed, he placed the bloodstained shard over the King's chest, and covered it with his father's cold hands.
"Take this now, father, the legend of this blade dies with you today; and take the glory of this victory with you, it is not ours to celebrate, but to mourn. Let it be known that this sword is not to be re-forged."
Arwen tore herself away from Aragorn's body, giving her son space to mourn his father without restraint. As she stepped away, she couldn't help but to look at Legolas standing by the door along with Perdhul. He was awfully injured, she could tell; but the pain reflected in his face was not from the wounds of his body, but from the sorrow in his heart. She also noted that his eyes seemed lifeless and deadened; and that his gaze was disoriented, almost absent. A strong sentiment of pity for him overwhelmed her; for she could see that even if he was dying to go near his departed friend, he couldn't find the courage to do so; and his whole stance revealed the great remorse in his heart.
Gathering strength from her grief, and with hesitant voice, she encouraged him to approach. - "Why do you stand away like an undeserving servant, noble friend? Why do you delay your respects and farewell to the one that loved you so dearly, the one that placed all his trust upon your shoulders? Step forward now and show him your love; you, more than anyone are worthy to do so."
Unable to utter word, Legolas only nodded; and Perdhul helped him to the King's side. A muffled gasp of pain escaped Legolas' throat as he unsuccessfully tried to use his broken arm to remove the gauntlet on his right hand. Perdhul noted this and immediately aided him.
As he had approached the bed, and with the light of a nearby lamp; Arwen could see the magnitude of his wounds, and had to repress a gasp of horror. A deep, open wound furrowed his fair face from the corner of his brow to the hem of his chin; his nose was broken; his lips swollen and bruised; his skin burnt.
Legolas reached Aragorn's face with his hand and began roaming the venerable features with his fingers, slowly and reverently. Tears started streaming down his face and a sob caught in his throat; he pushed Perdhul aside gently and buried his face in the crook of Aragorn's neck. He wept hoarsely for his lost friend, not heeding the ones around him; while Eldarion sought solace in his mother's arms.
Finally, and refusing Perdhul's helpful hands, Legolas straightened up. He turned around and walked slowly and hesitantly towards the door. Concerned by his deplorable state, Perdhul tried to stop him. - "You shouldn't strain yourself lord. Let me bring the healers to you" - he said, placing a hand upon Legolas' shoulder.
Legolas slapped Perdhul's hand off his shoulder - "I need no healers"
Eldarion intervened - "don't let your grief obscure your mind Legolas; maybe something can be done for your eyes; and your wounds need for care."
"Nothing can be done for me now, young prince. Just leave me alone with my grief; there will be time for healers later, now it is time to mourn."
"But your eyes!"
"Nature has provided me with more than eyes to move around this world Eldarion. Believe me, I have walked in worst darkness; and the darkness in my heart is now much greater than the one in my eyes; you know my people seek solitude to mourn such a loss, let me have my way; I beg you."
Eldarion said no more and let him go.
With his only good arm extended in front of him, Legolas went out of the room and walked down the corridor slowly.
Eldarion went back to his mother's arms and they comforted each other with soft words and caresses, while looking in shock and disbelief at Aragorn's lifeless body in front of them. Perdhul went out to summon the healers, since the prince needed for care to his wounds.
Mother and son stood alone and silent; trying to assimilate the appalling events. After a long silence, she finally dared to ask. - "What happened to Legolas' eyes?"
Eldarion's face cringed with concern before answering - "The dragon's venomous blood spilled upon his face and burnt the insides of his eyes; he has been unsighted."
.....................................
Blind....
Walking in absolute darkness was a new sensation for Legolas, one terrible and dreadful. He had never felt more helpless, more deprived. Every step was agonizing pain for him; his broken bones seemed to scream at him with every movement; and the burning sting inside his eyes wouldn't go away. His own ribs excruciated his chest, and it was hard to breathe inside Elendil's claustrophobic armor; but he could not get rid of it, he did not had the strength to loosen the straps.
He dragged his feet through the cold corridors and halls of the royal palace, one hand extended to literally feel his way out of the edifice; leaving a trail of blood as he advanced. The cold rock and cloistered air inside the palace suffocated and imprisoned him. He needed fresh air, he needed grass, trees and dew; his entire soul longed for forest air.
After much strain and search, he finally found the way out to Arwen's gardens; and his strides became more anxious as he sensed the fresh scent of the trees outside. His boots stopped impacting against the merciless rock of the cold floors, and he felt the softness of moss and fallen leaves underneath the heavy soles. Strength abandoned his knees, and he stumbled down; his weary body fell flaccidly upon the welcoming soil and his senses were filled with the scent of wholesome life.
Only there could he find solace; the earth embraced him and cradled him in the softness and freshness of the dew-covered moss, and the wise trees whispered to comfort him. He fell asleep and the garden began healing him, putting strength back into his limbs and hope back into his tormented heart. He spent the night there, quiet and at rest.
.......................................
Dawn came, bringing no brightness but grayness to the lands of Gondor and Arnor. Sun did not shine; a thick cloud hid its brilliance that day, as if the spirits of Arda mourned the King's departure as well. The inhabitants of the city woke up to a world of silence and heartache. "The King is dead" was the only thought in everyone's minds. Men, women and children came out of the remaining houses; all wearing dark clothes, and dark faces.
The crowd gathered in the rubbish-covered main square, and waited for the sovereign's interment. Grave drums announced the carrying of Elessar Telcontar to the House of the Kings in the Silent Street.
Six honored men carried the wooden platform in which the King's glorious figure was rested on. Among them, and even if the wound on his leg was still tender, was Eldarion, new sovereign over the city and the land. The ceremony was performed with no great pomp or display. It was short, simple and ruled by a sentiment of great sadness and reverence.
Arwen walked along with the gloomy convoy, dressed in a plain, gray elven gown. Her stoic face revealed all the pain inside her heart, even if she did not shed a tear. But the light of her eyes was quenched, and it seemed to the people that she had become cold and dim as nightfall in winter that comes without a star.
The group reached the House of the Kings, and as they were about to put Aragorn's body to eternal rest among its walls, a broken voice was heard from the back of the crowd.
"Wait!... Allow this pitiable soul to bring a last homage to the greatest man I ever walked with; allow a fading race to give one last gift to the uprising inheritance of men."
Still covered with dry blood and filth; still wearing the now dented armor of Elendil; but now standing straight, strong and dignified was the elven lord, Legolas Greenleaf.
As he started walking forward, the crowd dispersed to cede him a path. He was still sightless, but his footsteps were now confident. Nature had enhanced his hearing at an astonishing speed, and showed him in a night how to hear the world that surrounded him. He stopped at the steps that lead to the House of the Kings, and began ascending them carefully, until he was right in front of the King's venerable figure.
Eldarion and the rest of the carriers put the platform down in respect. Legolas' dead eyes stared into emptiness for long minutes, and then he placed his hand over the platform. - "One last song old friend, before farewell" - he whispered.
Then, the heartrending atmosphere of the city was filled with the notes of a song well known to everyone, but sung in a manner none had ever heard before; sung by the voice of a mourning firstborn.
And I, could easily fall from grace
Then another would take my place
For the chance to behold your face
And the days of my life are but grains of sand
As they fall from your open hand
At the call of the wind's command
Many words are spoken when there is nothing to say
They fall upon the ears of those who don't know the way
To read between the lines
That lead between the lines
That leads me to you
All that I ask you is
Show me how to follow you and I'll obey
Teach me how to reach you I can't find my own way
Let me see the light, let be the light
As the sun, turns slowly around the sky
Till the shadow of night is high
The eagle will learn to fly
And the days of his life are like grains of sand
As they fall from your open hand
And vanish upon the land
Many words are spoken when there is nothing to say
They fall upon the ears of those who don't know the way
To read between the lines
By following the signs
That can lead to you
But show me how to follow you and I'll obey
Teach me how to reach you I can't find my own way
Let me see the light, let be the light
And so, with no warning, no last goodbye
In the dawn of the morning sky
The eagle will rise again
The eyes of the entire city swamped with tears upon hearing the bittersweet words sung with such passion, beauty and sadness. It was Aragorn's favorite song; a song he had written in the height of his glory, to remind himself of his mortality and the frailty of his brief life. He could often be heard singing, or humming it, and now it reminded everyone of better and happier times.
Legolas leant forward and kissed the King's forehead - "Rise Eagle! Soar high, fly free; and Godspeed, dear comrade; wherever you are going, may the light shine on you." - he said, and turned around to leave.
He did not stayed for Eldarion's succession ceremony; not for lack of respect, but because he still needed to be left alone to grief, and so he wandered blind and unbothered through the Evenstar's gardens for the rest of that day, and many more days and nights that followed.
..........................................
The winged crown of Gondor and the scepter of Arnor where given to the new ruler, Eldarion son of Aragorn; in a simple and grave ceremony, and from then and on, he was King.
After the victory over the dragon, none could tell about the whereabouts of Sauron Gorthaur, since none of the witnesses or partakers of this incident really knew that he was there at all. In any case, the legend tells that seeing his plans brought down once again, and finding himself defeated, he wandered to the northern territories, to the lands of the perpetual ice, where he dwelt bitterly, sinking in his own hate, and tormented by his failure.
Another part of the legend tells that when little time had passed, Oröme, great hunter of the Valar, came galloping over the waters in his horse Nahar, and pursued Sauron's foul spirit. Some even said that Sauron's desperate screams and Nahar's thundering hoofs could be heard all over the northern lands as the powerful hunter chased the wicked Maiar through the ice covered territory.
Finally, and driven by fear and desperation, Sauron surrendered to the power of the hunter. Orome chained him with Angainor, the same chain used in ancient times to bind Sauron's master Morgoth. Then, bound and humiliated, the once powerful Sauron was taken over the seas to be judged at Valinor, while Valaroma, which was Orome's horn, resounded through all Middle Earth, announcing the end of Sauron's influence over that land.
Sauron was judged by Manwe, and though he begged for mercy, he was found undeserving of such, and was condemned to be thrown to the prison beyond time where Morgoth already was imprisoned. There, master and slave will torture each other until the end of this time, when both will be liberated for the Last Battle; but that story is not found in any book, and remains to be written.
All these remarkable and tremendous events scarred the history of Middle Earth forever, and marked the end of the Powers' direct influence over the earth, and the beginning of the time of men.
..........................................
Don't panic, it is not over yet.
Next chapters will be devoted to solve things between Arwen and Legolas, and then it'll be done. I honestly don't know what is going to happen with these two, and I find myself facing a moral dilemma. What should I do? I have many ideas on how to wrap things up, but none of them is definitive, and the decision has proved to be tough.
So from now on, anything can happen. Expect an update soon, that if you review off course!
Thanks
Elwe.
Note: The song featured above is called "The Eagle will Rise Again", by Alan Parson. Look for it and listen to it very carefully if you'd like to. Cause that's exactly how I picture Legolas singing; it is very beautiful and meaningful. Check it out and tell me what you think OK?
Hi, you will notice that I used some of the actual text from appendix A of ROTK, the story of Aragorn and Arwen in this chapter. I thought it is nice to add some of the actual story into de fanfic, and fortunately, it fits just right. Hope you'll enjoy it!
A BITTER FAREWELL
Aragorn raised his eyes to look at her; she was so precious and beautiful to him. Her eyes showed confusion and uncertainty, for she did not understand his words.
"What do you mean?" - she finally asked; already dreading his answer.
"My time has been fulfilled, it is time for me to embrace Eru's gift to the later children." - he answered slowly
She inhaled sharply, stunned at his response. After a long and awkward silence in which she tried to assimilate his words, she gathered strength to speak - "Would you then, lord, before your time leave your people that live by your word?" - she said, overborne by her grief
Aragorn took her shaking hand between his - "Not before my time," - he answered. - "For if I will not go now, then I must soon go perforce. And Eldarion our son is a man full-ripe for kingship. Today's events have proven so."
Aragorn decided not to explain her about the silent commitment he had acquired to Legolas, fearing that she would refuse his friend afterwards, blaming him for his decision. He had witnessed how she had come to love the noble elf, and knew that only one of them could stay by her side. He thought of Legolas' sacrifices, and decided it was time to cede him some happiness. What he didn't know was that Legolas survival was uncertain, since Arwen had not mentioned it before.
Knowing that his decision was final, and for all her wisdom and lineage she could not forbear to plead with him to stay yet for a while. She was not yet weary of her days, and thus she tasted the bitterness of the mortality that she had taken upon her.
"Lady Undómiel," - said Aragorn - "the hour is indeed hard, yet it was made even in that day when we met under the white birches in the garden of Elrond where none now walk. And on the hill of Cerin Amroth when we forsook both the Shadow and the Twilight this doom we accepted. Take counsel with yourself, beloved, and ask whether you would indeed have the wait until I wither and rail from my high seat unmanned and witless" - That was the justification and reason he gave for his early departure, to escape and avoid the weariness and troubles of age; but his motives were far nobler than that.
"Not so, lady, I am the last of the Númenoreans and the latest King of the Elder Days; and to me has been given not only a span thrice that of Men of Middle-earth, but also the grace to go at my will, and give back the gift. Now, therefore, I will sleep"
"I speak no comfort to you, for there is no comfort for such pain within the circles of the world. But I give you back the ties that bind you to my mortal fate; I give you back what you sacrificed for me. Go back to your people, sail to he west." - He said, handling her the pendant she had given him so many years ago.
"No, dear lord," - she said, refusing to take back her gift - "that choice is long over. There is now no ship that would bear the hence, and I must indeed abide the Doom of Men, whether I will or not: the loss and the silence.
"You know, fair lady that there is still one ship that awaits for you, and would be more than glad to bear you. You do not have to face loss and silence, I do not ask this from you. You have given me more joy than I ever dreamt; now I free you from this burden, and all I ask from you is to follow your heart"
"And yet, you ask me to continue to live without you? How will I face ages and eternity in your absence? I tell you, you ask for too much.
"So it seems," - he said - "But let us not be overthrown at the final test, who of old renounced the Shadow and the Ring. In sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! we are not bound for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory, Farewell!"
"Estel, Estel!" - she cried, and with that even as he took her hand and kissed it, he fell into sleep. Then a great beauty was revealed in him, so that all who after came there looked on him in wonder; for they saw that the grace of his youth, and the valor of his manhood, and the wisdom and majesty of his age were blended together. And long there he lay, an image of the splendor of the Kings of Men in glory undimmed before the breaking of the world.
She rested her head upon his chest and cried out his absence; the subjects left her alone with her pain and took for themselves the duty of announcing the passing of the King to the rest of the city. Soon, a sad and lengthy sound flooded the ruined halls and squares of the city; the bitter song of the trumpets announcing the King's demise.
The cheers that could still be heard scattered here and there within the boundaries of the city were in an instant silenced; and joy became sorrow for the citizens of Minas Tirith. The sweetness of the victory over the dragon was short, and promptly forgotten. The soldiers and citizens, some wounded, some near dead even, gathered at the main square, waiting for the official announcement.
Up on the King's deathbed, Arwen wept still, unable to lay her grief aside, unable to tear herself away from him. Then, a knock on the door disturbed her grief, and she lifted her head to see the three panting figures entering the room.
It was the White Army's General, Perdhul; and on each of his broad shoulders, two warriors, darkened and stained with blood and filth, leaning for support. Eldarion let out a soft sob and let go of Perdhul's arm. He limped towards his father's lifeless body with the broken sword that had finally slain the dragon firmly grasped in his hand; as he reached his father's deathbed, he placed the bloodstained shard over the King's chest, and covered it with his father's cold hands.
"Take this now, father, the legend of this blade dies with you today; and take the glory of this victory with you, it is not ours to celebrate, but to mourn. Let it be known that this sword is not to be re-forged."
Arwen tore herself away from Aragorn's body, giving her son space to mourn his father without restraint. As she stepped away, she couldn't help but to look at Legolas standing by the door along with Perdhul. He was awfully injured, she could tell; but the pain reflected in his face was not from the wounds of his body, but from the sorrow in his heart. She also noted that his eyes seemed lifeless and deadened; and that his gaze was disoriented, almost absent. A strong sentiment of pity for him overwhelmed her; for she could see that even if he was dying to go near his departed friend, he couldn't find the courage to do so; and his whole stance revealed the great remorse in his heart.
Gathering strength from her grief, and with hesitant voice, she encouraged him to approach. - "Why do you stand away like an undeserving servant, noble friend? Why do you delay your respects and farewell to the one that loved you so dearly, the one that placed all his trust upon your shoulders? Step forward now and show him your love; you, more than anyone are worthy to do so."
Unable to utter word, Legolas only nodded; and Perdhul helped him to the King's side. A muffled gasp of pain escaped Legolas' throat as he unsuccessfully tried to use his broken arm to remove the gauntlet on his right hand. Perdhul noted this and immediately aided him.
As he had approached the bed, and with the light of a nearby lamp; Arwen could see the magnitude of his wounds, and had to repress a gasp of horror. A deep, open wound furrowed his fair face from the corner of his brow to the hem of his chin; his nose was broken; his lips swollen and bruised; his skin burnt.
Legolas reached Aragorn's face with his hand and began roaming the venerable features with his fingers, slowly and reverently. Tears started streaming down his face and a sob caught in his throat; he pushed Perdhul aside gently and buried his face in the crook of Aragorn's neck. He wept hoarsely for his lost friend, not heeding the ones around him; while Eldarion sought solace in his mother's arms.
Finally, and refusing Perdhul's helpful hands, Legolas straightened up. He turned around and walked slowly and hesitantly towards the door. Concerned by his deplorable state, Perdhul tried to stop him. - "You shouldn't strain yourself lord. Let me bring the healers to you" - he said, placing a hand upon Legolas' shoulder.
Legolas slapped Perdhul's hand off his shoulder - "I need no healers"
Eldarion intervened - "don't let your grief obscure your mind Legolas; maybe something can be done for your eyes; and your wounds need for care."
"Nothing can be done for me now, young prince. Just leave me alone with my grief; there will be time for healers later, now it is time to mourn."
"But your eyes!"
"Nature has provided me with more than eyes to move around this world Eldarion. Believe me, I have walked in worst darkness; and the darkness in my heart is now much greater than the one in my eyes; you know my people seek solitude to mourn such a loss, let me have my way; I beg you."
Eldarion said no more and let him go.
With his only good arm extended in front of him, Legolas went out of the room and walked down the corridor slowly.
Eldarion went back to his mother's arms and they comforted each other with soft words and caresses, while looking in shock and disbelief at Aragorn's lifeless body in front of them. Perdhul went out to summon the healers, since the prince needed for care to his wounds.
Mother and son stood alone and silent; trying to assimilate the appalling events. After a long silence, she finally dared to ask. - "What happened to Legolas' eyes?"
Eldarion's face cringed with concern before answering - "The dragon's venomous blood spilled upon his face and burnt the insides of his eyes; he has been unsighted."
.....................................
Blind....
Walking in absolute darkness was a new sensation for Legolas, one terrible and dreadful. He had never felt more helpless, more deprived. Every step was agonizing pain for him; his broken bones seemed to scream at him with every movement; and the burning sting inside his eyes wouldn't go away. His own ribs excruciated his chest, and it was hard to breathe inside Elendil's claustrophobic armor; but he could not get rid of it, he did not had the strength to loosen the straps.
He dragged his feet through the cold corridors and halls of the royal palace, one hand extended to literally feel his way out of the edifice; leaving a trail of blood as he advanced. The cold rock and cloistered air inside the palace suffocated and imprisoned him. He needed fresh air, he needed grass, trees and dew; his entire soul longed for forest air.
After much strain and search, he finally found the way out to Arwen's gardens; and his strides became more anxious as he sensed the fresh scent of the trees outside. His boots stopped impacting against the merciless rock of the cold floors, and he felt the softness of moss and fallen leaves underneath the heavy soles. Strength abandoned his knees, and he stumbled down; his weary body fell flaccidly upon the welcoming soil and his senses were filled with the scent of wholesome life.
Only there could he find solace; the earth embraced him and cradled him in the softness and freshness of the dew-covered moss, and the wise trees whispered to comfort him. He fell asleep and the garden began healing him, putting strength back into his limbs and hope back into his tormented heart. He spent the night there, quiet and at rest.
.......................................
Dawn came, bringing no brightness but grayness to the lands of Gondor and Arnor. Sun did not shine; a thick cloud hid its brilliance that day, as if the spirits of Arda mourned the King's departure as well. The inhabitants of the city woke up to a world of silence and heartache. "The King is dead" was the only thought in everyone's minds. Men, women and children came out of the remaining houses; all wearing dark clothes, and dark faces.
The crowd gathered in the rubbish-covered main square, and waited for the sovereign's interment. Grave drums announced the carrying of Elessar Telcontar to the House of the Kings in the Silent Street.
Six honored men carried the wooden platform in which the King's glorious figure was rested on. Among them, and even if the wound on his leg was still tender, was Eldarion, new sovereign over the city and the land. The ceremony was performed with no great pomp or display. It was short, simple and ruled by a sentiment of great sadness and reverence.
Arwen walked along with the gloomy convoy, dressed in a plain, gray elven gown. Her stoic face revealed all the pain inside her heart, even if she did not shed a tear. But the light of her eyes was quenched, and it seemed to the people that she had become cold and dim as nightfall in winter that comes without a star.
The group reached the House of the Kings, and as they were about to put Aragorn's body to eternal rest among its walls, a broken voice was heard from the back of the crowd.
"Wait!... Allow this pitiable soul to bring a last homage to the greatest man I ever walked with; allow a fading race to give one last gift to the uprising inheritance of men."
Still covered with dry blood and filth; still wearing the now dented armor of Elendil; but now standing straight, strong and dignified was the elven lord, Legolas Greenleaf.
As he started walking forward, the crowd dispersed to cede him a path. He was still sightless, but his footsteps were now confident. Nature had enhanced his hearing at an astonishing speed, and showed him in a night how to hear the world that surrounded him. He stopped at the steps that lead to the House of the Kings, and began ascending them carefully, until he was right in front of the King's venerable figure.
Eldarion and the rest of the carriers put the platform down in respect. Legolas' dead eyes stared into emptiness for long minutes, and then he placed his hand over the platform. - "One last song old friend, before farewell" - he whispered.
Then, the heartrending atmosphere of the city was filled with the notes of a song well known to everyone, but sung in a manner none had ever heard before; sung by the voice of a mourning firstborn.
And I, could easily fall from grace
Then another would take my place
For the chance to behold your face
And the days of my life are but grains of sand
As they fall from your open hand
At the call of the wind's command
Many words are spoken when there is nothing to say
They fall upon the ears of those who don't know the way
To read between the lines
That lead between the lines
That leads me to you
All that I ask you is
Show me how to follow you and I'll obey
Teach me how to reach you I can't find my own way
Let me see the light, let be the light
As the sun, turns slowly around the sky
Till the shadow of night is high
The eagle will learn to fly
And the days of his life are like grains of sand
As they fall from your open hand
And vanish upon the land
Many words are spoken when there is nothing to say
They fall upon the ears of those who don't know the way
To read between the lines
By following the signs
That can lead to you
But show me how to follow you and I'll obey
Teach me how to reach you I can't find my own way
Let me see the light, let be the light
And so, with no warning, no last goodbye
In the dawn of the morning sky
The eagle will rise again
The eyes of the entire city swamped with tears upon hearing the bittersweet words sung with such passion, beauty and sadness. It was Aragorn's favorite song; a song he had written in the height of his glory, to remind himself of his mortality and the frailty of his brief life. He could often be heard singing, or humming it, and now it reminded everyone of better and happier times.
Legolas leant forward and kissed the King's forehead - "Rise Eagle! Soar high, fly free; and Godspeed, dear comrade; wherever you are going, may the light shine on you." - he said, and turned around to leave.
He did not stayed for Eldarion's succession ceremony; not for lack of respect, but because he still needed to be left alone to grief, and so he wandered blind and unbothered through the Evenstar's gardens for the rest of that day, and many more days and nights that followed.
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The winged crown of Gondor and the scepter of Arnor where given to the new ruler, Eldarion son of Aragorn; in a simple and grave ceremony, and from then and on, he was King.
After the victory over the dragon, none could tell about the whereabouts of Sauron Gorthaur, since none of the witnesses or partakers of this incident really knew that he was there at all. In any case, the legend tells that seeing his plans brought down once again, and finding himself defeated, he wandered to the northern territories, to the lands of the perpetual ice, where he dwelt bitterly, sinking in his own hate, and tormented by his failure.
Another part of the legend tells that when little time had passed, Oröme, great hunter of the Valar, came galloping over the waters in his horse Nahar, and pursued Sauron's foul spirit. Some even said that Sauron's desperate screams and Nahar's thundering hoofs could be heard all over the northern lands as the powerful hunter chased the wicked Maiar through the ice covered territory.
Finally, and driven by fear and desperation, Sauron surrendered to the power of the hunter. Orome chained him with Angainor, the same chain used in ancient times to bind Sauron's master Morgoth. Then, bound and humiliated, the once powerful Sauron was taken over the seas to be judged at Valinor, while Valaroma, which was Orome's horn, resounded through all Middle Earth, announcing the end of Sauron's influence over that land.
Sauron was judged by Manwe, and though he begged for mercy, he was found undeserving of such, and was condemned to be thrown to the prison beyond time where Morgoth already was imprisoned. There, master and slave will torture each other until the end of this time, when both will be liberated for the Last Battle; but that story is not found in any book, and remains to be written.
All these remarkable and tremendous events scarred the history of Middle Earth forever, and marked the end of the Powers' direct influence over the earth, and the beginning of the time of men.
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Don't panic, it is not over yet.
Next chapters will be devoted to solve things between Arwen and Legolas, and then it'll be done. I honestly don't know what is going to happen with these two, and I find myself facing a moral dilemma. What should I do? I have many ideas on how to wrap things up, but none of them is definitive, and the decision has proved to be tough.
So from now on, anything can happen. Expect an update soon, that if you review off course!
Thanks
Elwe.
Note: The song featured above is called "The Eagle will Rise Again", by Alan Parson. Look for it and listen to it very carefully if you'd like to. Cause that's exactly how I picture Legolas singing; it is very beautiful and meaningful. Check it out and tell me what you think OK?