Elrond rushed forward, but Galadriel who was there beside him held him back. She shook her head sadly, making her golden hair seem to dull from its radiant beauty.
Just at that moment, Gandalf appeared next to them. The Three watched sorrowfully as lava and ash and smoke poured out of the mountain, creating new layers of destruction upon the barren land.
The songs of the Elves faltered, then changed to a different note: sadness. Melodies from which sorrow hung from drifted over the land as Caragdur finally finished its dreadful ritual, and eventually died down.
It was then when the Three decided to venture into the area. They did not get far, however, when they came upon Lady Lassalanta Leaf-fall, still alive but just clinging to life.
No happy moments. Galadriel knew Lassalanta was dying. She had managed to escape the lava, but she lay in the ash, golden hair strewn about her. The light breeze made it dance upon her face, pale and cold, like a flower in winter.
"Lassalanta..." said Galadriel quietly. Lassalanta managed to lift her head up, and twist her mouth into a small smile.
"Galadriel...Elrond...Gandalf..." she murmured, naming them all.
"Your deeds will be sung about," said Gandalf, trying to keep a positive attitude, though his smile was sorrowful.
Lassalanta laughed, and choked, coughing up ash. "I am dying..." she said weakly. "I bid thee all farewell...and to my beloved daughter…and to my dear, dear Legolas…" her voice trailed off.
Elrond whispered, "Your message shall be delivered."
Lassalanta nodded feebly. "I thank you all..." she whispered sadly.
"And we thank you," Galadriel murmured.
"Fare thee well..."
And those were her last words.
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Epilogue:
And so they carried her to a pyre, deep in the wood, where her body lay, in peace. And, in Elvish, were carved the words, 'To she who rid this peaceful world of a corrupted Halfling, protecting us all from Darkness. May she be honored for her duties and for her courage.'
Then the Elves sang, and the notes danced in the air, and washed over her, wrapping her in an endless blanket of peace. Their words and melodies carried to all corners, so even some in Middle-Earth could hear it, and wonder.
Much later, Samwise Gamgee finally arrived from his journey across the Sea. As Gandalf explained to him that it was necessary to had to have killed Frodo, he was at first shocked, but then nodded glumly.
"I suppose you're right," he muttered reluctantly. "Always were..." and he smiled weakly at the wizard.
He was much more grieved about news of Bilbo's death. "The poor old fellow!" he would say. "I suppose he was right: the Road goes ever on and on for him..."
After that, every week Sam would visit Bilbo's grave, and murmur some strange Elvish quote he and Bilbo must have shared long ago. When he learned that Frodo had burned their book, he actually swore. "The fool! He really did kill both himself and Bilbo!" Then he sobbed at Bilbo's grave, sorry he couldn't have saved the book at least.
Much later came a new arrival. A boat, crafted by hand, came sailing into the Havens. On it was a Dwarf, the first to sail across the Sea, hailing all those who greeted him on the shore. Whispers were sent around: "It is Gimli son of Gloin, Elf-friend!"
"Ho, there, Gandalf!" bellowed the Dwarf as he leaped down from the boat. The wizard smiled at him, and returned, "Greetings, Gimli Gloin's son. How goes it?"
"It goes well!" said Gimli cheerily. "It is good to be here at last..."
"Welcome, Gimli, Elf-friend," said Galadriel, smiling as she arrived.
The Dwarf looked upon her with great admiration and wonder. "Lady Galadriel!" he exclaimed softly. "It has been a long time..."
"That it has," Galadriel agreed with a small smile.
"Where is Legolas?" asked Elrond then, for the two were inseparable.
Gimli's smile faded slowly. "In the boat," he said curtly. Then he went off, recognizing some of the Elves and happily chatting away.
The Three exchanged glances and slowly entered the boat. Legolas Greenleaf was there, clutching a green brooch and whispering something over and over again. All Three understood what he was saying, and slowly departed.
It was not until sunset when the Elf decided to show himself. He came out, a small smile upon his face, although it was somewhat distracted. Gandalf went to him.
"She is dead, is she not?" was the first thing Legolas said to the wizard.
Gandalf nodded sadly. "She is…but she succeeded in her noble task."
Legolas gave a brief, sad smile. "The thing I most regret is leaving our daughter back home..." he said quietly, eyes shining in held-back tears. Gandalf understood, but said nothing.
The Elf slowly made his way into the wood. He shaded his eyes for a moment, then opened them slowly. There was the stone pyre, and on it was the most beautiful Elf-maiden he had ever seen, will ever see.
Her hand was clutching a green brooch. He smiled, and wrapped his hand around her cold one, then lightly touched his lips upon her pale chilled ones. He closed his eyes, and thus passed away while the curse—the gift—came upon him. It was still there, even in death.
The Elves found him, and soon another stone pyre was built beside Lassalanta's. They placed his body there, and carved in it: 'To he who loved her. May they be together in death.'
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A/N: THE END! Finally…now let the reviews come... I shall probably be murdered several times over because a) I gave Legolas a lover! and b) I killed him! Muahaha! You can kill me repeatedly, trust me, I've already killed myself, but that's ok! ^^ 'Cause I'm used to dying; I have a heart attack every day (don't ask) O.o; Anywho, reviews please!~! :-)
