CHAPTER 44
LETTING GO
So it was, that the council was closed, and the treaty signed. And from that day and on, the southerners worked uninterruptedly in the city; first of all, they focused on the rebuilt of the outer walls, which were critically damaged by the dragon's raid.
The southern men were strong beyond the expectations of Gondor's citizens; for they worked night and day, unbothered by the snow or hail; always under the certain lead of the elven general, obeying his wise guidance, and respectful of Minas Tirith's sovereignty. In return for their strength and fortitude, Gondor lived up to the promises made, and provided them and their families down south with enough nourishment to survive and stay strong for the rest of the winter.
The treaty was thoroughly respected by both parties, and contrary to what was feared by the White Council, no scarcity came forth for the people of Gondor. The truce seemed to be blessed and in accord to the Powers' will, for everything came out smoothly, and both parts ended up willfully giving more than what was required.
The southern nation survived, and became strong; as did the bonds between the now brother nations. More agreements were settled, between the White Council, leaded by Eldarion, and the Southern Council, leaded by Arkahn. Legolas refused to further participate in these agreements, saying that his part in the relations between the two countries was over, and that they could manage to find mutual accord by their selves, without his intervention.
He was busy, to tell the truth, completely absorbed by the building task. He slept, ate and basically lived with the reconstruction crew, always supervising and helping as much as he could to achieve the completion of the monumental undertaking. Being around Gimli for so many years turned out to be quite helpful on this case, for he remembered the times when the dwarf had showed him the best dwarvish techniques to craft mountain stone, and putting this knowledge to work facilitated the southerners to develop an expertise, uncanny to their folk.
The elf rarely went inside the Royal Palace, only whereas it was absolutely necessary. But at those occasions, he always searched for her. It was most strange for him, looking from side to side, hoping to get a glimpse of the Undomiel, finding excuses to wander further through the corridors, intending to "accidentally" see her; strange it was for he knew that he shouldn't do so, that he really didn't want to look at her, or talk to her. But it was as if instinctive, completely involuntary, but nevertheless inevitable; the searching, the longing to look at her tragic eyes one more time. He wanted to be strong, as he appeared to be in the outside; he wanted to remain clear of her influence, and so he cursed himself day after day for he missed her, more than what he wanted to admit.
But his concealed desire to as much as look upon her was denied to him, for the Evenstar remained as elusive as she was before, at least to him. She hid from him, afraid of what he meant to her, afraid of what she felt. She chose to cower from her feelings over to confront them, and so she avoided any contact with him, staying in her chamber whenever she knew he was close.
Time went by swiftly, and everything went on as expected; the reconstruction advanced, the nations formed lasting camaraderie; and the last two remaining of the elven race didn't lay eyes on each other, ever since the First Covenant Council.
Winter receded, finally giving away to spring, that brought brightness and life to the lands of Gondor and Arnor, as well as Khand and Harad, Nurn, and all the fields of the Southern Nation; covering with green what was barren, turning ashes into wealthy soil.
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It was merely three weeks after the coming of spring, and Arwen Undomiel awoke to the sound of trumpets and drums. Great noise came from outside the city, her elven ears told her; and despite herself, she decided she could not stay locked for longer, she had to know what all that cheering was about.
She came out of her bed and wrapped her own frail frame in a silk robe, making her way to the entrance of the room and opening the heavy oak door. The hall was empty, she realized, no guards outside her door or in the hallway. - "They must be out there too" - she thought, starting to walk towards the nearest outlet to the tall walls.
As she neared the exit, the cheers became more anxious and filled with expectation, as did her heart. She realized she was under the risk of seeing Legolas, and she stopped and hesitated right at the opening to the walls. She leaned her hand on the stonewall of the hallway, a wall she knew he had worked passionately to reconstruct, and tried to still her heart and breathing as her eyes saw the bright light of the morning sun, entering through the oval outlet.
Yet more excitement was heard outside, and she gave away to curiosity. Finally coming out to the morning light and breeze. As she went out, close to her and to the right she heard giggles and whispering; feminine voices, she could tell.
She approached the four giggling lasses unnoticed, being that their attention was fully caught with what was happening outside the inner walls. Then, she came close enough as for to listen to what they were saying.
"Oh praise Eru for the bright sun this morning!" - one of the lasses said dreamily - "such good light to appreciate such vision"
"Sun? Light?" - questioned another - " I mostly thank for the intense heat, that forced them to rid their bodies from the protection of clothing"
The last comment made the lasses laughs louder, and they leaned further on the wall, as if to get a better view.
"Oi! Who could run soft hands over the beard and chest of our worthy King"
"Keep your King" - murmured a red headed lady - "I rather tangle my fingers in the hair of that mighty elf. So fine, so very fine he is" - she concluded, grinning with her eyes fixed down below.
Arwen furrowed her brow, more than perplexed by the lasses' comments, and still unnoticed she advanced towards the edge of the wall, intending to look down. But before she could look down, she was forced to look up instead, for right in front of her stood something that was familiar, but had been gone for a long time.
Glimmering white took her breath away while she looked up to the imposing building; the Tower of Ecthelion, with its flags caught high in the morning breeze, like in past times.
It was the last building to be restored, and a monumental task it was to raise it again. Weeks it had taken, and the full force of the southerners, together with many gondorians. Fair, luminous mountain stone was carefully chosen, cut and polished with more than dedication, to bring back the old glory of the famed tower; and at last it was done, marking the end of the reconstruction, and more than good reason for cheer and celebration.
A tear escaped Arwen's eyes while looking at the Tower that brought Minas Tirith back to its full glory. - "Aragorn would have been so proud and happy" - she heard herself say, and her eyes drifted down to the base of the Tower.
There; shirtless, sweaty, dusty, extenuated but blissful were Eldarion her son, Halbarad the Ranger, Perdhul the valiant general, a number of southerners...and Legolas. They were just finishing to upright the enormous dedication stone of the tower; a tough task, yes, but a joyful one moreover.
Her own eyes betrayed her, and she could not stop looking at him; so perfect, so happy he was.
An intense urgency overwhelmed her, a need to celebrate with him, to embrace him and share his joy; but she knew she could not, being without the courage to approach him, and so she just stared, and stared some more, oblivious to everything but him.
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Legolas felt her gaze burning upon him; he felt her yearning, her need, as strong as his own. Was the wait over? Was the spell of sorrow finally broken? There was only one way to know. He slowly began turning around, the entire world around him disappeared as he resolved to confront the moment of truth.
"If she willfully looks at me, her eyes will tell the truth" - he thought, while he continued to turn. His heart seemed to stop, as his longing to find her responsive eyes became so great that it hurt.
But then a doubt clouded his hopes - "What if she doesn't look back? What if she looks away?" - The thought was so painful that he tried to push it away, but it was there and it was real, and the response came from himself - "Then it will be hopeless, and you will have to embrace the resignation to never see her again"
All thoughts became insignificant as his eyes started to escalate the wall; slowly, always slowly. He lifted his face, looking for her face. The whiteness of the wall seemed unending to him as his eyes roamed upper, and upper until the white was no more, and the blue sky came to his view.
But her? There was no sign of her, she wasn't there, she was long gone, hiding in the shadows, as before.
A disappointed sigh escaped him as he saw four lasses atop the wall, blowing kisses and waving at him enthusiastically; but nothing more, no one else was up there.
He lowered his head and tried his best not to cry out her name in desperation, he tried his best not to fall on his knees and holler for her final loss. He inhaled and exhaled slowly and deeply, giving away to resignation.
A hand was placed on his shoulder - "Legolas, are you well?" - came Eldarion's voice - "you seem quite distraught"
The elf turned to look at the King with a blank face - "It is all fine lad" - he lied - "Many thoughts are in my head."
Eldarion was not convinced by his cool façade, and knew that something was not altogether right with the elf - "I hope you'll join us for the celebration" - he said, testing his old friend and mentor - "You are, after all, the greatest architect of this joyful day"
"Celebration?" - Legolas said - "I feel somewhat tired majesty; if you'd excuse me I would rather spend some time with Niniel, it's been long since I last shared with her."
At this point Eldarion knew that something was definitely wrong. Legolas tired? He knew the elf way better than that.
He meant to further question Legolas, but the elf was quick and witty, and found a way out - "Maybe Halbarad will like to join you, and I will stay with Niniel while he celebrates."
Eldarion decided to let him be, and nodded to his proposal. He turned around willing to start the long awaited party, his thoughts still lingering in the elf's strange behavior.
"Eldarion" - came Legolas' voice from behind, stopping the King.
"Yes, Legolas"
"If you have time, after the festivity, I would like to speak with you... in private."
Eldarion came back and reached out his arm over the elf's shoulder - "We can speak now, if it is so important." - he said, looking at the pokerfaced elf with concern.
"No; it is important, but because of that it must wait. I ought to give it much thought before I speak of it with you. Please, enjoy the celebrations, you'll know in due time."
Eldarion clutched the elf's shoulder, somehow sensing his hidden distress - "As you wish, Legolas. Meet me at the western wall at sundown, I'll be there." - he said, turning around to leave.
"Thank you" - said Legolas softly, turning to look at the empty wall yet again.
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Legolas spent the rest of that day with Niniel; playing and telling her stories. It was a curious sight, the powerful elven general down on all four, carrying the little girl around the city's green gardens as if he was her own pony; pretending to eat imaginary food she had prepared for him, and speaking to her in weird, high pitched voices as he narrated stories. His soul went peaceful whenever the girl was close to him, and he quieted his anger and frustration being around her. While playing with her he was also in deep thought, though none could have told he pondered so gravely. A decision was to be taken by him, before sundown, and while his spirit took peace and light from his little angel's comforting presence, the decision was made in his mind, and was planted in his heart.
He had to be strong, he had to push forward and stand victorious over his own weakness, and he had no other choice. As the sun started sinking behind the western hills, he stood from the soft grass he was sitting on and faced the Tower of Echtelion; so much it had cost to see it tall and proud again, as much as it had taken him to stand by himself, tall and proud once again. He could not let himself fall; he had to stay on his feet.
With a heavy heart, Legolas handed Niniel to her daddy, Halbarad, who was just returning from the celebrations, and taking a deep breath, the proud elf started walking towards the western wall. The decision was made, and no delay was further justified.
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Eldarion came out to the western wall's deck, and to the reddish light of the imminent dusk; his mind had been concerned with Legolas odd request for this conversation, and he sensed that the outcome of it wouldn't be the happiest. The elf was already up on the deck, seated like a watchful eagle over the edge of the wall, in a way that might have seem precarious if he was a mere mortal, lacking of his supernatural balance and control.
The elf gazed towards the west without a blink, an indecipherable expression upon his features. Eldarion came to stand by his side, expecting Legolas to talk to him immediately, but the elf just continued to stare at the rosy hills in the west horizon, not heeding the young King's presence.
"A beautiful sight, isn't it?" - asked Eldarion, referring to the sundown's colors, and trying to call for the elf's attention; but Legolas didn't turn around, or showed sign to acknowledge the King's presence, his eyes still fixated on the fading horizon.
The young man studied Legolas' face; he saw longing, sorrow, hope...torture. His thoughts were interrupted by a mere whisper from the elf. - "beautiful, and yet heartrending..." - he trailed off.
Having the innate wisdom of both Numenor and Imladris strong in his blood, Eldarion suddenly understood what was happening, and everything became clear to him. - "You are leaving" - he breathed out.
Legolas nodded slowly, confirming what was already clear in the man's heart. - "The time has come, for me to sail away"
"I knew it would come" - said Eldarion - "But I never thought it would be so soon. I was hoping you could stay with us yet for a time"
Legolas turned and came down of the edge with the grace only the firstborn possess, standing before the King, he tried to justify his departure - "I have delayed this for to long, I do not belong here anymore. Men surround me, and yet I do not know how to live like a man. All my people have sailed, and without their light I am starting to forget how to live like an elf."
Eldarion clutched his jaw, feeling the inevitability and truth in his words - "You have stood upon the borders of two words for too long..." - he said.
"And if I go on living like this, I won't belong to any of the two, I'll be lost to both worlds." - Legolas concluded.
True to his inheritance and nobility, Eldarion stayed calmed, and accepted his dear friend's fate, even though in reality he wanted to implore him with all his heart to stay. - "When will you leave?" - he managed to say, keeping his composure with great effort and pain.
"Tomorrow" - answered Legolas - "The morning sun will not find me hiding among these cold stone walls, I shall be riding south towards the Bay of Belfalas; there I'll build a ship worthy of the last of my many journeys, and then I'll be gone... to the perpetual light of the Blessed Lands. Oh Aman! Great is my desire to look upon your golden coast!" - exclaimed the elf, glancing quickly but piercingly to the last trails of the sun, which had already sunk behind the soft hills west of Gondor.
"So soon." - Eldarion merely whispered; then his voice rose and became grand and magnificent, revealing all of his dignity, as that of the Kings of old - "And so the last of the firstborn leaves this shores, for the loss of all of us remaining here, bound to this mortal lands. Greatly missed, your light will be, and never again will the rivers run the same, nor the trees will whisper; the forests of this world shall weep your departure and become dull, for they will as long as they live remember when a free spirit as yours walked among them and gave them joy."
Proud of the great man standing in front of him, Legolas placed a hand upon his broad shoulder - "The light of the firstborn it is still not fully quenched from this lands, not for many years to come; You can keep it shinning bright, King of Great Spirit, if you cherish the time we spent together, and embrace the elven wisdom and inheritance that lives in you. Always remember that the light of the brightest star of the firstborn, the Undomiel, shines strong inside of you."
Eldarion raised his face to the night sky at the mention of his mother - "Yet I fear that this great light is diminishing and will soon fade. Your departure will be the final lunge."
Legolas looked away, as if burnt from the young man's words - "There is nothing I can do."
Eldarion insisted - "Yes, there is! Legolas...if you would only ask her to go with you to Valinor."
Legolas' head turned sharply, surprised as he was by Eldarion's request.
"Yes, Legolas, I would rather see her go away with you than fade here."
"It is not possible"
At this point Eldarion lost his composure and grabbing him by his tunic, he brought him close, forcing Legolas to face him - "I don't want to see her die!"
Legolas grabbed the man's tight fists, and got rid of his grip forcefully - "Neither do I!" - he said through gritted teeth, while pushing Eldarion away from him. - "I shall go to my room now, come to bid me farewell at the stables tomorrow before dawn, when your head is less clouded." - Legolas said, making his way to the inlet.
"I know you love her!" - Eldarion's voice ripped through the peaceful night sky.
Legolas stopped at once and froze in place, while Eldarion continued to speak in a lower voice - "I am no fool, Legolas, I can see and feel just how much you care for her, and it is not as a dear friend that you look at her."
Legolas turned around, his face pale and troubled; he tried to speak, to explain, but words got caught in his throat.
'Do not be troubled, dear Legolas" - Eldarion spoke, gently - "For you are more than worthy and deserving of her, as she is of you. I believe in my heart that she can still find happiness by your side. But you..., you have given up on her. Why? Why will you forsake her? Will you abandon her? What kind of love do you hold for her that you let go without putting up a fight?"
"Look into my eyes, my child" - Legolas said, approaching him once again and revealing his true feelings to Eldarion under the dim light of dawn's first stars - "Behold! I would give all I ever had in this lifetime if she would even consider going away with me, even if it was only as a dear friend, even if she decided never to love me, I would gladly be her escort to the Undying Lands. But it is not up to me, and the decision is hers only. I have already offered, and given all I possessed to her, I left to the south to give her the time to think about us, to clear her mind from my presence, hoping that she would make a decision and that things would change. But nothing has changed, it never will."
"In all this time I've come to the conclusion, dear Eldarion, that she will never accept another thing from me, she won't even let me near her, much less listen to me."
Eldarion felt a knot forming in his stomach as he listened to the sadness in the elf's voice - "Yes" - he said - "I've seen for months now, how she avoids you as if you were her worst foe. But I don't understand why, tell me, does she know of your feelings?"
"Yes"
"Then, why does she close herself to you?"
"I think she secretly blames me for your father's parting" - Legolas said with his heart heavy by the his own acceptance of this possibility - "And I know that even though he is gone, she refuses to let go of him; she probably never will; and so she gives away to sorrow and death."
"Then; we are hopeless?" - Eldarion asked.
"I am" - Legolas responded - "And so I go away, for her sake and mine, to release her from the burden that is having me near her. She'll be better off without me around, at least she'll be able to walk under the sun again."
"I do not believe that is true" - Eldarion said, unable to hold back the tears in his eyes.
"You must accept it, as I have." - Legolas said, holding the man's face in his hands. Eldarion gave away to emotions and embraced his dear friend- "I cannot believe your days here will end like this."
"There, there; my lad; time will tell the end of my journeys. For now, I know what I must do." - Legolas tried to comfort him, and then, parting from him he patted his back - "Rest now, King of men; we will meet again tomorrow, before dawn; it is not yet our final farewell."
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The Silent Street honored its name that night; it was indeed silent and empty as Legolas walked its full length with a stern face and bright eyes. His dark frame contrasted with the reflex of the silver full moon over the full extend of the street, he gazed over his own moon shadow, while his heart was overwhelmed with the heaviness of the air in that part of Gondor.
He felt the enormous force of this legacy of men closing around him, almost strangling his freedom as he approached the House of the Kings standing tall and lofty at the end of the street. The dragon's raid had not touched the silent street, and so all its ancientness was untouched. The elf could feel the mighty history impregnated in the decaying and discolored walls; so much glory, melancholy and death all around him.
He had to say goodbye to him, the one that was his dearest friend, companion and brother for so many years. He didn't understand much about the passing of men, and he didn't know if Aragorn could hear him; but he felt that he could get closer to him by visiting the man's last sanctuary, an so he did.
He finally reached the many stairs that led to the House of the Kings and started his ascent towards Aragorn's grave. The carved stone that covered Aragorn's body and marked his sepulcher was covered with many leaves and even moss, and Legolas could tell none had visited it for many months. Kneeling down reverently, he started to brush the leaves away with loving hands.
"Hello old friend" - He whispered, fingering the features of the stone King.
"What can I tell you that you don't already know?" - he asked himself - "I'm leaving now, to finally grasp my fate and my eternity...." - he went silent for a moment, suddenly feeling that Aragorn was indeed hearing him. A soft breeze caressed his face, and he could swear he heard the low rustle of Aragorn's grazing beard, as every time his dear friend smiled, and the sound of his rugged hair being brushed by the night's wind.
"I had to talk to you once more before my leave-taking" - he said, while a tear fell upon the cold stone - "I came to ask for your forgiveness; for I have failed my word, and I could not live up to the promise I made to you"
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Arwen walked briskly through the corridors of the palace. For only minutes ago, and feeling something could be done to make things better, Eldarion had told her about Legolas departure, and had encouraged her to talk to him, at least if it was to say goodbye to him.
She had hesitated at first, but the prospect of loosing him forever quickly prompted her to gather courage and look for him. She didn't know if she could convince him to stay, but she knew she had to tell him the truth about how she really felt about him.
She suddenly found herself standing in front of his chamber's door, and her knees started to tremble. She raised her hand with the intention of knocking the door, but as if she was living nightmare, her hand went dead just before she could knock, like held back by an invisible force. She whimpered, frustrated with her own hesitation - "I must tell him!" - she yelled to her resistive mind, and her hand moved to knock the door softly and slightly.
Knowing whom she was dealing with, she expected Legolas to come to the door even before she called for him, given that his senses could pick sounds and scents so slight that a single knock to his door was like and alarm drum to him; but she waited long minutes and no sign of him, at the door or inside the room.
She pressed her ear to the wooden door, and listened closely. No sound from inside, no footsteps, stirs or breathing. She finally understood that he wasn't there and a disappointment sigh escaped her trembling lips - "Oh Legolas! Where are you?"
Arwen then headed to the gardens, hoping he'll be there; but as she covered every corner of the grassy fields, she realized that he wasn't there either. She tried to sense where he was, to feel his presence, but to no avail; so much time trying to avoid him, so much time pushing away his very existence that she ended up unconsciously vanishing his essence from her soul. Now it was impossible to find him among the heaviness of her sorrow and the undeniable fact of his distress.
She let herself fall over a wooden bench, remembering the times when they seated together in that very garden, laughing and amusing each other with their very presences. - "Happier and simpler were those times" - she thought to herself, but then she realized that it wasn't the same for him, it never was easy for Legolas - "At least they were simpler for me; now I know that you always suffered in silence, because of me"
She picked up a tiny leaf that was rested over the bench, and she instinctively brought it to her lips. The fresh scent and taste reminded her of Legolas, the Greenleaf... and she smiled, even as tears bathed the frail leaf.
"I must tell you the truth" - she whispered to the leaf in her hands, wishing he could hear her, wherever he could be - "I cannot let you leave, at least not until you know how much I love you."
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"I know I promised you to stay with her, and to make her happy" - Legolas said to the empty hall were Aragorn's grave was - "every minute of my life I'm haunted with the promise I made not to leave her alone, ever."
"But.... Oh Aragorn! You must understand that it is impossible. I can no longer stay here; I cannot be a burden for her anymore. My heart shrinks and shivers everyday as I feel her vast pain. I know she hangs her head and cries in the solitude of her room; I feel each and every one of her tears burning me like blazes of sorrow. It kills me, day by day, to know she suffers so badly"
"Aragorn, I have tried everything to help her" - at this point Legolas had his head leant over Aragorn's grave, and spoke very softly, in mere stifled whispers - "I gave everything I could; but even though my love wants only to relieve her, she walks alone from wall to wall, lost in the terrible sorrow that your parting brought upon her.
"I know she needs to be near me, but she won't hear me, or even look at me. She pushes away every time I try to come close, and I fear it is because she thinks I'm to blame for your death "
"You should have never left, everything would be so much better if you would be here. She wouldn't have to suffer, and neither would I. For any hope I had for her to love me some day is long-gone."
"I stayed; clinging to the optimism that maybe she'd agree to sail with me to the west, just as a friend. For I dream her dreams, and I've seen how she dreams of golden fields and rivers of living waters. Oh yes, I've seen how Valinor calls to her as it calls to me; but she wakes and finds herself haunted by memories of a lost love, chained forever to a world that is departed and will never come back. She clings to dedication, and therefore to death."
"I don not know if she hates me at this moment; but the most I've ever been for her is a dream that lasts for a night and dies with the morning sun, no more than the light she misses from her people, an illusion that never materializes, for she doesn't want it, and yet she won't let go of it."
Legolas straightened and sighed - "Now I have to leave; for I paid too big a price to come to stand on my own after being destroyed by my unrequited love. I struggled too much to become worthy of myself, to be able to live again without her. I won't fall into weakness again; I can't let my self go astray into the hurtful lure of my own devotion to her."
Suddenly, he started feeling awkward; something resembling guilt and fault heaved his heart, and no matter how much he tried to justify himself, it wouldn't go away. As if something recriminated him for leaving her behind without an explanation or a last goodbye
"No!!" - he cried out, breaking the stillness of the night - "I cannot see her, not anymore, not now!"
"I feel weak and defeated; and I know that if I see her one more time, then I'll be lost. The very sight of her will make my courage freeze and curl with fright; my knees will tremble and give away in the night; my hand will weaken in the moment of truth, and my step will falter."
At this point Legolas felt the determination he had fought so hard to achieve draining from him. An unceasing wind started blowing through the night; he felt dust in his eyes, blinding his sight as he began falling into the desire of seeing her, unconcerned by the fact that she would reject him again, and he would be battered and hopeless again.
"No!! Not again, not again" - he said hoarsely, while leaning on the cold grave and panting heavily. - "I must be strong, for her sake and mine." - his voice lost potency and he steadied his breathing. The air around him was thick with a strange reproach. He realized he had to get away from that place, no matter what, and wandered if he could stay for what was left of the night inside the suffocating walls of the city.
He planted a light kiss over his friend's grave - "Namarie, mellonamin. I hope that wherever you dwell now beyond the circles of Arda, you may someday forgive me."
As soon as he came out of the House of the King he felt relieved, and he could breath in deeply again. He gazed up to the silvery shape of the full moon against the darkness of the night, while searing tears ran down his cheeks. Finally, he had done everything he had to do; and now he could sail away in peace; but he had to mourn, mourn for her loss and her death. At the end of everything, she was lost to him, and destined to be lost to life, fated to die without him.
A choked whisper escaped his lips - "You will always be in my heart, .... Always" - he said to the silent darkness, hoping that the wings of the night would carry his final farewell to her.
He strode down the stairs, eager to get away from the place, to get away from it all; and hoping for the dawn to come soon so he could leave everything behind.
So lost in thought and distraught he was that he failed to notice a dark figure hiding in the shadows of one of the columns of the House of the Kings.
Arwen hugged her own shoulders with her cold hands and coming out of the shadows, she motioned to follow him. She had heard each and every burning word he had uttered inside Aragorn's grave.
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Dear reader, I realize this is a very bad moment to finish this chapter, especially since it took me forever to update. But what can I say to justify myself?
Absolutely nothing.
I just want to give BIG THANKS to all the good and nice reviewers. WOW! I never expected to get this much support; I can say I'm very pleased. I've gotten so many different insights from you guys that I wish I could write a personal gratitude dedication to each one of you for your wonderful reviews. But unfortunately, it would take me forever to do so in a way that could really show my appreciation. And I know that what you really want is frequent updates, so I better invest that time in writing OK? At least for now, maybe at the end of the story I'll sit down and write a gratitude letter to all of you, cause you really, really deserve it.
Thank you!!
Next chapter soon (I hope).
Oh! And before I forget: Happy New Year!!!
Elwe.
LETTING GO
So it was, that the council was closed, and the treaty signed. And from that day and on, the southerners worked uninterruptedly in the city; first of all, they focused on the rebuilt of the outer walls, which were critically damaged by the dragon's raid.
The southern men were strong beyond the expectations of Gondor's citizens; for they worked night and day, unbothered by the snow or hail; always under the certain lead of the elven general, obeying his wise guidance, and respectful of Minas Tirith's sovereignty. In return for their strength and fortitude, Gondor lived up to the promises made, and provided them and their families down south with enough nourishment to survive and stay strong for the rest of the winter.
The treaty was thoroughly respected by both parties, and contrary to what was feared by the White Council, no scarcity came forth for the people of Gondor. The truce seemed to be blessed and in accord to the Powers' will, for everything came out smoothly, and both parts ended up willfully giving more than what was required.
The southern nation survived, and became strong; as did the bonds between the now brother nations. More agreements were settled, between the White Council, leaded by Eldarion, and the Southern Council, leaded by Arkahn. Legolas refused to further participate in these agreements, saying that his part in the relations between the two countries was over, and that they could manage to find mutual accord by their selves, without his intervention.
He was busy, to tell the truth, completely absorbed by the building task. He slept, ate and basically lived with the reconstruction crew, always supervising and helping as much as he could to achieve the completion of the monumental undertaking. Being around Gimli for so many years turned out to be quite helpful on this case, for he remembered the times when the dwarf had showed him the best dwarvish techniques to craft mountain stone, and putting this knowledge to work facilitated the southerners to develop an expertise, uncanny to their folk.
The elf rarely went inside the Royal Palace, only whereas it was absolutely necessary. But at those occasions, he always searched for her. It was most strange for him, looking from side to side, hoping to get a glimpse of the Undomiel, finding excuses to wander further through the corridors, intending to "accidentally" see her; strange it was for he knew that he shouldn't do so, that he really didn't want to look at her, or talk to her. But it was as if instinctive, completely involuntary, but nevertheless inevitable; the searching, the longing to look at her tragic eyes one more time. He wanted to be strong, as he appeared to be in the outside; he wanted to remain clear of her influence, and so he cursed himself day after day for he missed her, more than what he wanted to admit.
But his concealed desire to as much as look upon her was denied to him, for the Evenstar remained as elusive as she was before, at least to him. She hid from him, afraid of what he meant to her, afraid of what she felt. She chose to cower from her feelings over to confront them, and so she avoided any contact with him, staying in her chamber whenever she knew he was close.
Time went by swiftly, and everything went on as expected; the reconstruction advanced, the nations formed lasting camaraderie; and the last two remaining of the elven race didn't lay eyes on each other, ever since the First Covenant Council.
Winter receded, finally giving away to spring, that brought brightness and life to the lands of Gondor and Arnor, as well as Khand and Harad, Nurn, and all the fields of the Southern Nation; covering with green what was barren, turning ashes into wealthy soil.
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It was merely three weeks after the coming of spring, and Arwen Undomiel awoke to the sound of trumpets and drums. Great noise came from outside the city, her elven ears told her; and despite herself, she decided she could not stay locked for longer, she had to know what all that cheering was about.
She came out of her bed and wrapped her own frail frame in a silk robe, making her way to the entrance of the room and opening the heavy oak door. The hall was empty, she realized, no guards outside her door or in the hallway. - "They must be out there too" - she thought, starting to walk towards the nearest outlet to the tall walls.
As she neared the exit, the cheers became more anxious and filled with expectation, as did her heart. She realized she was under the risk of seeing Legolas, and she stopped and hesitated right at the opening to the walls. She leaned her hand on the stonewall of the hallway, a wall she knew he had worked passionately to reconstruct, and tried to still her heart and breathing as her eyes saw the bright light of the morning sun, entering through the oval outlet.
Yet more excitement was heard outside, and she gave away to curiosity. Finally coming out to the morning light and breeze. As she went out, close to her and to the right she heard giggles and whispering; feminine voices, she could tell.
She approached the four giggling lasses unnoticed, being that their attention was fully caught with what was happening outside the inner walls. Then, she came close enough as for to listen to what they were saying.
"Oh praise Eru for the bright sun this morning!" - one of the lasses said dreamily - "such good light to appreciate such vision"
"Sun? Light?" - questioned another - " I mostly thank for the intense heat, that forced them to rid their bodies from the protection of clothing"
The last comment made the lasses laughs louder, and they leaned further on the wall, as if to get a better view.
"Oi! Who could run soft hands over the beard and chest of our worthy King"
"Keep your King" - murmured a red headed lady - "I rather tangle my fingers in the hair of that mighty elf. So fine, so very fine he is" - she concluded, grinning with her eyes fixed down below.
Arwen furrowed her brow, more than perplexed by the lasses' comments, and still unnoticed she advanced towards the edge of the wall, intending to look down. But before she could look down, she was forced to look up instead, for right in front of her stood something that was familiar, but had been gone for a long time.
Glimmering white took her breath away while she looked up to the imposing building; the Tower of Ecthelion, with its flags caught high in the morning breeze, like in past times.
It was the last building to be restored, and a monumental task it was to raise it again. Weeks it had taken, and the full force of the southerners, together with many gondorians. Fair, luminous mountain stone was carefully chosen, cut and polished with more than dedication, to bring back the old glory of the famed tower; and at last it was done, marking the end of the reconstruction, and more than good reason for cheer and celebration.
A tear escaped Arwen's eyes while looking at the Tower that brought Minas Tirith back to its full glory. - "Aragorn would have been so proud and happy" - she heard herself say, and her eyes drifted down to the base of the Tower.
There; shirtless, sweaty, dusty, extenuated but blissful were Eldarion her son, Halbarad the Ranger, Perdhul the valiant general, a number of southerners...and Legolas. They were just finishing to upright the enormous dedication stone of the tower; a tough task, yes, but a joyful one moreover.
Her own eyes betrayed her, and she could not stop looking at him; so perfect, so happy he was.
An intense urgency overwhelmed her, a need to celebrate with him, to embrace him and share his joy; but she knew she could not, being without the courage to approach him, and so she just stared, and stared some more, oblivious to everything but him.
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Legolas felt her gaze burning upon him; he felt her yearning, her need, as strong as his own. Was the wait over? Was the spell of sorrow finally broken? There was only one way to know. He slowly began turning around, the entire world around him disappeared as he resolved to confront the moment of truth.
"If she willfully looks at me, her eyes will tell the truth" - he thought, while he continued to turn. His heart seemed to stop, as his longing to find her responsive eyes became so great that it hurt.
But then a doubt clouded his hopes - "What if she doesn't look back? What if she looks away?" - The thought was so painful that he tried to push it away, but it was there and it was real, and the response came from himself - "Then it will be hopeless, and you will have to embrace the resignation to never see her again"
All thoughts became insignificant as his eyes started to escalate the wall; slowly, always slowly. He lifted his face, looking for her face. The whiteness of the wall seemed unending to him as his eyes roamed upper, and upper until the white was no more, and the blue sky came to his view.
But her? There was no sign of her, she wasn't there, she was long gone, hiding in the shadows, as before.
A disappointed sigh escaped him as he saw four lasses atop the wall, blowing kisses and waving at him enthusiastically; but nothing more, no one else was up there.
He lowered his head and tried his best not to cry out her name in desperation, he tried his best not to fall on his knees and holler for her final loss. He inhaled and exhaled slowly and deeply, giving away to resignation.
A hand was placed on his shoulder - "Legolas, are you well?" - came Eldarion's voice - "you seem quite distraught"
The elf turned to look at the King with a blank face - "It is all fine lad" - he lied - "Many thoughts are in my head."
Eldarion was not convinced by his cool façade, and knew that something was not altogether right with the elf - "I hope you'll join us for the celebration" - he said, testing his old friend and mentor - "You are, after all, the greatest architect of this joyful day"
"Celebration?" - Legolas said - "I feel somewhat tired majesty; if you'd excuse me I would rather spend some time with Niniel, it's been long since I last shared with her."
At this point Eldarion knew that something was definitely wrong. Legolas tired? He knew the elf way better than that.
He meant to further question Legolas, but the elf was quick and witty, and found a way out - "Maybe Halbarad will like to join you, and I will stay with Niniel while he celebrates."
Eldarion decided to let him be, and nodded to his proposal. He turned around willing to start the long awaited party, his thoughts still lingering in the elf's strange behavior.
"Eldarion" - came Legolas' voice from behind, stopping the King.
"Yes, Legolas"
"If you have time, after the festivity, I would like to speak with you... in private."
Eldarion came back and reached out his arm over the elf's shoulder - "We can speak now, if it is so important." - he said, looking at the pokerfaced elf with concern.
"No; it is important, but because of that it must wait. I ought to give it much thought before I speak of it with you. Please, enjoy the celebrations, you'll know in due time."
Eldarion clutched the elf's shoulder, somehow sensing his hidden distress - "As you wish, Legolas. Meet me at the western wall at sundown, I'll be there." - he said, turning around to leave.
"Thank you" - said Legolas softly, turning to look at the empty wall yet again.
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Legolas spent the rest of that day with Niniel; playing and telling her stories. It was a curious sight, the powerful elven general down on all four, carrying the little girl around the city's green gardens as if he was her own pony; pretending to eat imaginary food she had prepared for him, and speaking to her in weird, high pitched voices as he narrated stories. His soul went peaceful whenever the girl was close to him, and he quieted his anger and frustration being around her. While playing with her he was also in deep thought, though none could have told he pondered so gravely. A decision was to be taken by him, before sundown, and while his spirit took peace and light from his little angel's comforting presence, the decision was made in his mind, and was planted in his heart.
He had to be strong, he had to push forward and stand victorious over his own weakness, and he had no other choice. As the sun started sinking behind the western hills, he stood from the soft grass he was sitting on and faced the Tower of Echtelion; so much it had cost to see it tall and proud again, as much as it had taken him to stand by himself, tall and proud once again. He could not let himself fall; he had to stay on his feet.
With a heavy heart, Legolas handed Niniel to her daddy, Halbarad, who was just returning from the celebrations, and taking a deep breath, the proud elf started walking towards the western wall. The decision was made, and no delay was further justified.
...........................................
Eldarion came out to the western wall's deck, and to the reddish light of the imminent dusk; his mind had been concerned with Legolas odd request for this conversation, and he sensed that the outcome of it wouldn't be the happiest. The elf was already up on the deck, seated like a watchful eagle over the edge of the wall, in a way that might have seem precarious if he was a mere mortal, lacking of his supernatural balance and control.
The elf gazed towards the west without a blink, an indecipherable expression upon his features. Eldarion came to stand by his side, expecting Legolas to talk to him immediately, but the elf just continued to stare at the rosy hills in the west horizon, not heeding the young King's presence.
"A beautiful sight, isn't it?" - asked Eldarion, referring to the sundown's colors, and trying to call for the elf's attention; but Legolas didn't turn around, or showed sign to acknowledge the King's presence, his eyes still fixated on the fading horizon.
The young man studied Legolas' face; he saw longing, sorrow, hope...torture. His thoughts were interrupted by a mere whisper from the elf. - "beautiful, and yet heartrending..." - he trailed off.
Having the innate wisdom of both Numenor and Imladris strong in his blood, Eldarion suddenly understood what was happening, and everything became clear to him. - "You are leaving" - he breathed out.
Legolas nodded slowly, confirming what was already clear in the man's heart. - "The time has come, for me to sail away"
"I knew it would come" - said Eldarion - "But I never thought it would be so soon. I was hoping you could stay with us yet for a time"
Legolas turned and came down of the edge with the grace only the firstborn possess, standing before the King, he tried to justify his departure - "I have delayed this for to long, I do not belong here anymore. Men surround me, and yet I do not know how to live like a man. All my people have sailed, and without their light I am starting to forget how to live like an elf."
Eldarion clutched his jaw, feeling the inevitability and truth in his words - "You have stood upon the borders of two words for too long..." - he said.
"And if I go on living like this, I won't belong to any of the two, I'll be lost to both worlds." - Legolas concluded.
True to his inheritance and nobility, Eldarion stayed calmed, and accepted his dear friend's fate, even though in reality he wanted to implore him with all his heart to stay. - "When will you leave?" - he managed to say, keeping his composure with great effort and pain.
"Tomorrow" - answered Legolas - "The morning sun will not find me hiding among these cold stone walls, I shall be riding south towards the Bay of Belfalas; there I'll build a ship worthy of the last of my many journeys, and then I'll be gone... to the perpetual light of the Blessed Lands. Oh Aman! Great is my desire to look upon your golden coast!" - exclaimed the elf, glancing quickly but piercingly to the last trails of the sun, which had already sunk behind the soft hills west of Gondor.
"So soon." - Eldarion merely whispered; then his voice rose and became grand and magnificent, revealing all of his dignity, as that of the Kings of old - "And so the last of the firstborn leaves this shores, for the loss of all of us remaining here, bound to this mortal lands. Greatly missed, your light will be, and never again will the rivers run the same, nor the trees will whisper; the forests of this world shall weep your departure and become dull, for they will as long as they live remember when a free spirit as yours walked among them and gave them joy."
Proud of the great man standing in front of him, Legolas placed a hand upon his broad shoulder - "The light of the firstborn it is still not fully quenched from this lands, not for many years to come; You can keep it shinning bright, King of Great Spirit, if you cherish the time we spent together, and embrace the elven wisdom and inheritance that lives in you. Always remember that the light of the brightest star of the firstborn, the Undomiel, shines strong inside of you."
Eldarion raised his face to the night sky at the mention of his mother - "Yet I fear that this great light is diminishing and will soon fade. Your departure will be the final lunge."
Legolas looked away, as if burnt from the young man's words - "There is nothing I can do."
Eldarion insisted - "Yes, there is! Legolas...if you would only ask her to go with you to Valinor."
Legolas' head turned sharply, surprised as he was by Eldarion's request.
"Yes, Legolas, I would rather see her go away with you than fade here."
"It is not possible"
At this point Eldarion lost his composure and grabbing him by his tunic, he brought him close, forcing Legolas to face him - "I don't want to see her die!"
Legolas grabbed the man's tight fists, and got rid of his grip forcefully - "Neither do I!" - he said through gritted teeth, while pushing Eldarion away from him. - "I shall go to my room now, come to bid me farewell at the stables tomorrow before dawn, when your head is less clouded." - Legolas said, making his way to the inlet.
"I know you love her!" - Eldarion's voice ripped through the peaceful night sky.
Legolas stopped at once and froze in place, while Eldarion continued to speak in a lower voice - "I am no fool, Legolas, I can see and feel just how much you care for her, and it is not as a dear friend that you look at her."
Legolas turned around, his face pale and troubled; he tried to speak, to explain, but words got caught in his throat.
'Do not be troubled, dear Legolas" - Eldarion spoke, gently - "For you are more than worthy and deserving of her, as she is of you. I believe in my heart that she can still find happiness by your side. But you..., you have given up on her. Why? Why will you forsake her? Will you abandon her? What kind of love do you hold for her that you let go without putting up a fight?"
"Look into my eyes, my child" - Legolas said, approaching him once again and revealing his true feelings to Eldarion under the dim light of dawn's first stars - "Behold! I would give all I ever had in this lifetime if she would even consider going away with me, even if it was only as a dear friend, even if she decided never to love me, I would gladly be her escort to the Undying Lands. But it is not up to me, and the decision is hers only. I have already offered, and given all I possessed to her, I left to the south to give her the time to think about us, to clear her mind from my presence, hoping that she would make a decision and that things would change. But nothing has changed, it never will."
"In all this time I've come to the conclusion, dear Eldarion, that she will never accept another thing from me, she won't even let me near her, much less listen to me."
Eldarion felt a knot forming in his stomach as he listened to the sadness in the elf's voice - "Yes" - he said - "I've seen for months now, how she avoids you as if you were her worst foe. But I don't understand why, tell me, does she know of your feelings?"
"Yes"
"Then, why does she close herself to you?"
"I think she secretly blames me for your father's parting" - Legolas said with his heart heavy by the his own acceptance of this possibility - "And I know that even though he is gone, she refuses to let go of him; she probably never will; and so she gives away to sorrow and death."
"Then; we are hopeless?" - Eldarion asked.
"I am" - Legolas responded - "And so I go away, for her sake and mine, to release her from the burden that is having me near her. She'll be better off without me around, at least she'll be able to walk under the sun again."
"I do not believe that is true" - Eldarion said, unable to hold back the tears in his eyes.
"You must accept it, as I have." - Legolas said, holding the man's face in his hands. Eldarion gave away to emotions and embraced his dear friend- "I cannot believe your days here will end like this."
"There, there; my lad; time will tell the end of my journeys. For now, I know what I must do." - Legolas tried to comfort him, and then, parting from him he patted his back - "Rest now, King of men; we will meet again tomorrow, before dawn; it is not yet our final farewell."
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The Silent Street honored its name that night; it was indeed silent and empty as Legolas walked its full length with a stern face and bright eyes. His dark frame contrasted with the reflex of the silver full moon over the full extend of the street, he gazed over his own moon shadow, while his heart was overwhelmed with the heaviness of the air in that part of Gondor.
He felt the enormous force of this legacy of men closing around him, almost strangling his freedom as he approached the House of the Kings standing tall and lofty at the end of the street. The dragon's raid had not touched the silent street, and so all its ancientness was untouched. The elf could feel the mighty history impregnated in the decaying and discolored walls; so much glory, melancholy and death all around him.
He had to say goodbye to him, the one that was his dearest friend, companion and brother for so many years. He didn't understand much about the passing of men, and he didn't know if Aragorn could hear him; but he felt that he could get closer to him by visiting the man's last sanctuary, an so he did.
He finally reached the many stairs that led to the House of the Kings and started his ascent towards Aragorn's grave. The carved stone that covered Aragorn's body and marked his sepulcher was covered with many leaves and even moss, and Legolas could tell none had visited it for many months. Kneeling down reverently, he started to brush the leaves away with loving hands.
"Hello old friend" - He whispered, fingering the features of the stone King.
"What can I tell you that you don't already know?" - he asked himself - "I'm leaving now, to finally grasp my fate and my eternity...." - he went silent for a moment, suddenly feeling that Aragorn was indeed hearing him. A soft breeze caressed his face, and he could swear he heard the low rustle of Aragorn's grazing beard, as every time his dear friend smiled, and the sound of his rugged hair being brushed by the night's wind.
"I had to talk to you once more before my leave-taking" - he said, while a tear fell upon the cold stone - "I came to ask for your forgiveness; for I have failed my word, and I could not live up to the promise I made to you"
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Arwen walked briskly through the corridors of the palace. For only minutes ago, and feeling something could be done to make things better, Eldarion had told her about Legolas departure, and had encouraged her to talk to him, at least if it was to say goodbye to him.
She had hesitated at first, but the prospect of loosing him forever quickly prompted her to gather courage and look for him. She didn't know if she could convince him to stay, but she knew she had to tell him the truth about how she really felt about him.
She suddenly found herself standing in front of his chamber's door, and her knees started to tremble. She raised her hand with the intention of knocking the door, but as if she was living nightmare, her hand went dead just before she could knock, like held back by an invisible force. She whimpered, frustrated with her own hesitation - "I must tell him!" - she yelled to her resistive mind, and her hand moved to knock the door softly and slightly.
Knowing whom she was dealing with, she expected Legolas to come to the door even before she called for him, given that his senses could pick sounds and scents so slight that a single knock to his door was like and alarm drum to him; but she waited long minutes and no sign of him, at the door or inside the room.
She pressed her ear to the wooden door, and listened closely. No sound from inside, no footsteps, stirs or breathing. She finally understood that he wasn't there and a disappointment sigh escaped her trembling lips - "Oh Legolas! Where are you?"
Arwen then headed to the gardens, hoping he'll be there; but as she covered every corner of the grassy fields, she realized that he wasn't there either. She tried to sense where he was, to feel his presence, but to no avail; so much time trying to avoid him, so much time pushing away his very existence that she ended up unconsciously vanishing his essence from her soul. Now it was impossible to find him among the heaviness of her sorrow and the undeniable fact of his distress.
She let herself fall over a wooden bench, remembering the times when they seated together in that very garden, laughing and amusing each other with their very presences. - "Happier and simpler were those times" - she thought to herself, but then she realized that it wasn't the same for him, it never was easy for Legolas - "At least they were simpler for me; now I know that you always suffered in silence, because of me"
She picked up a tiny leaf that was rested over the bench, and she instinctively brought it to her lips. The fresh scent and taste reminded her of Legolas, the Greenleaf... and she smiled, even as tears bathed the frail leaf.
"I must tell you the truth" - she whispered to the leaf in her hands, wishing he could hear her, wherever he could be - "I cannot let you leave, at least not until you know how much I love you."
.................................................
"I know I promised you to stay with her, and to make her happy" - Legolas said to the empty hall were Aragorn's grave was - "every minute of my life I'm haunted with the promise I made not to leave her alone, ever."
"But.... Oh Aragorn! You must understand that it is impossible. I can no longer stay here; I cannot be a burden for her anymore. My heart shrinks and shivers everyday as I feel her vast pain. I know she hangs her head and cries in the solitude of her room; I feel each and every one of her tears burning me like blazes of sorrow. It kills me, day by day, to know she suffers so badly"
"Aragorn, I have tried everything to help her" - at this point Legolas had his head leant over Aragorn's grave, and spoke very softly, in mere stifled whispers - "I gave everything I could; but even though my love wants only to relieve her, she walks alone from wall to wall, lost in the terrible sorrow that your parting brought upon her.
"I know she needs to be near me, but she won't hear me, or even look at me. She pushes away every time I try to come close, and I fear it is because she thinks I'm to blame for your death "
"You should have never left, everything would be so much better if you would be here. She wouldn't have to suffer, and neither would I. For any hope I had for her to love me some day is long-gone."
"I stayed; clinging to the optimism that maybe she'd agree to sail with me to the west, just as a friend. For I dream her dreams, and I've seen how she dreams of golden fields and rivers of living waters. Oh yes, I've seen how Valinor calls to her as it calls to me; but she wakes and finds herself haunted by memories of a lost love, chained forever to a world that is departed and will never come back. She clings to dedication, and therefore to death."
"I don not know if she hates me at this moment; but the most I've ever been for her is a dream that lasts for a night and dies with the morning sun, no more than the light she misses from her people, an illusion that never materializes, for she doesn't want it, and yet she won't let go of it."
Legolas straightened and sighed - "Now I have to leave; for I paid too big a price to come to stand on my own after being destroyed by my unrequited love. I struggled too much to become worthy of myself, to be able to live again without her. I won't fall into weakness again; I can't let my self go astray into the hurtful lure of my own devotion to her."
Suddenly, he started feeling awkward; something resembling guilt and fault heaved his heart, and no matter how much he tried to justify himself, it wouldn't go away. As if something recriminated him for leaving her behind without an explanation or a last goodbye
"No!!" - he cried out, breaking the stillness of the night - "I cannot see her, not anymore, not now!"
"I feel weak and defeated; and I know that if I see her one more time, then I'll be lost. The very sight of her will make my courage freeze and curl with fright; my knees will tremble and give away in the night; my hand will weaken in the moment of truth, and my step will falter."
At this point Legolas felt the determination he had fought so hard to achieve draining from him. An unceasing wind started blowing through the night; he felt dust in his eyes, blinding his sight as he began falling into the desire of seeing her, unconcerned by the fact that she would reject him again, and he would be battered and hopeless again.
"No!! Not again, not again" - he said hoarsely, while leaning on the cold grave and panting heavily. - "I must be strong, for her sake and mine." - his voice lost potency and he steadied his breathing. The air around him was thick with a strange reproach. He realized he had to get away from that place, no matter what, and wandered if he could stay for what was left of the night inside the suffocating walls of the city.
He planted a light kiss over his friend's grave - "Namarie, mellonamin. I hope that wherever you dwell now beyond the circles of Arda, you may someday forgive me."
As soon as he came out of the House of the King he felt relieved, and he could breath in deeply again. He gazed up to the silvery shape of the full moon against the darkness of the night, while searing tears ran down his cheeks. Finally, he had done everything he had to do; and now he could sail away in peace; but he had to mourn, mourn for her loss and her death. At the end of everything, she was lost to him, and destined to be lost to life, fated to die without him.
A choked whisper escaped his lips - "You will always be in my heart, .... Always" - he said to the silent darkness, hoping that the wings of the night would carry his final farewell to her.
He strode down the stairs, eager to get away from the place, to get away from it all; and hoping for the dawn to come soon so he could leave everything behind.
So lost in thought and distraught he was that he failed to notice a dark figure hiding in the shadows of one of the columns of the House of the Kings.
Arwen hugged her own shoulders with her cold hands and coming out of the shadows, she motioned to follow him. She had heard each and every burning word he had uttered inside Aragorn's grave.
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Dear reader, I realize this is a very bad moment to finish this chapter, especially since it took me forever to update. But what can I say to justify myself?
Absolutely nothing.
I just want to give BIG THANKS to all the good and nice reviewers. WOW! I never expected to get this much support; I can say I'm very pleased. I've gotten so many different insights from you guys that I wish I could write a personal gratitude dedication to each one of you for your wonderful reviews. But unfortunately, it would take me forever to do so in a way that could really show my appreciation. And I know that what you really want is frequent updates, so I better invest that time in writing OK? At least for now, maybe at the end of the story I'll sit down and write a gratitude letter to all of you, cause you really, really deserve it.
Thank you!!
Next chapter soon (I hope).
Oh! And before I forget: Happy New Year!!!
Elwe.