Chapter 24

          Saruman fluttered open his eyes and contorted his head as best he could in order to see each one of his enemies one last time. Legolas was hunched over in pain and was holding on to Gandalf for support. Arwen leaned against Aragorn, while Elrond stared down dominatingly with Eomer. Haldir had gotten up with Gimli to witness the death of his archrival, as well as everyone else's.

          "Where did you place Mylea?" Legolas asked.

          "She is in her bedroom, resting." Elrond answered.

          "She should not miss this though, she has more reason to see this man fall than any of us."

          "She is too weak, the ring had quite an adverse effect on her."

          Saruman started to cough and then chuckled at the same time. Legolas shot a look at him and slapped him across the face out of his own fury.

          "You can no longer harm me, I am not threatened. I know that I will pass on into another life after death. But your little elven heroine will not live long enough to enjoy my departure. She will be joining me, so our tortured spirits will travel together. I will get my revenge on her." Saruman spoke hoarsely.

          "You do not know of what you speak, she will not leave me. Nor I her." Legolas declared.

          "Ha, Ha…I will leave you now, but know this…your family shall be cursed into eternity…" Saruman trailed off.

          Saruman's eyes remained open, still showing each of his enemies' reflections. Breath had stopped and his mouth hung open as if he were in shock.  Gandalf glared down at his body and then lifted it from the table it lay upon.

          "I shall dispose of this…you should not have to suffer seeing his face any longer. Please go make sure Mylea is alright." Gandalf said.

          He then slowly turned and scuffled out of the door. Saruman's hand flapped limply with Gandalf's steps. Elrond watched as Gandalf left with mixed emotions. His heart had felt much relief when he saw the life drift out of Saruman, but at the same time he felt sorrowful. He could not understand how someone with so much life force and power turned into such a monster. It was shameful the way that he had to leave Middle Earth.

          Gandalf came to a small clearing of trees in the deep shadows of the forest. He took his staff and stabbed at the ground and dirt sprung and everywhere surrounding him. He pulled apart the earth and threw it aside and then placed Saruman ten feet under the ground. He threw his staff in with him and buried them both so that no one would ever find them.

          He spoke an elvish prayer so that Saruman might learn from his mistakes in the afterlife. He took one last look at the fresh upturned soil and then walked back towards the house of Elrond.

          As he entered he completely passed Eomer, Haldir, and Gimli who stood in the entrance hall looking solemnly down at the floor. He came to Mylea and Arwen's room and saw Arwen sobbing into Aragorn's chest. Elrond was standing over Legolas who was stroking Mylea's hair.

          "What is it?" Gandalf broke the silence.

          "She may be dying Gandalf…her fever must break or else she will not be able to revive herself." Elrond informed him.

          "No…" Gandalf spoke and walked over to the sight everyone was staring at.

          Mylea had her eyes open now; at the very least she was conscious. But sweat poured down her pale skin and she was swallowing hard.

          "She will make it Elrond, she will. This is just a test for Mylea. The spirits shall not take her from us yet." Legolas encouraged them all.

          Legolas seemed as if he was trying to convince them all of the powers above great plan, but it was truly meant to convince himself. Legolas was not a defeatist, but Mylea had been near death before already. He could not see how she would make it back this time.

          "Arwen, Elrond…" Mylea started to speak.

          Arwen rushed over to her side and held her hand as Legolas got out of her way. Elrond grabbed her other hand and they both knelt down and Arwen's tears dropped down on Mylea's wrist.

          "What Mylea, do you need something?" Arwen asked quickly.

          "No, all I need is in this room right now." Mylea grinned.

          "I want you to know that you are my best friend…my sister. And Elrond…my father, you both made me who I am today. I…" Mylea started coughing and Arwen squeezed her hand gently.

          "I want to thank you for giving me the one thing that I have always wanted in life…a family. To feel like I belonged…" Mylea spoke.

          "Shh…child, it was us who were blessed by your presence. You have brought so much joy and life into this home." Elrond spoke and a small tear trickled down his cheek.

          "Gandalf…Aragorn?" Mylea called silently.

          Arwen swept back some of Mylea's hair from her face and Elrond kissed her forehead. They stood and made way for Gandalf and Aragorn. Aragorn took her hand that Arwen had held just a moment before, while Gandalf stayed standing. He watched over like a grandfather.

          "Aragorn, thank you for your courage. You have been an inspiration to me. You always knew that I wanted to be a swordfighter just like you. And you have made Arwen so happy…" Mylea finished with a faint smile and then turned towards Gandalf.

          "Gandalf, I remember your face as a child and I hope that as I pass on, your comforting gaze will follow with me."

          "My child, I will always be with you. You will not see such horrible things as you have in this life. Saruman could not curse this family if Middle Earth depended upon it."

          Mylea felt the sensation of relaxation rush through her system. Aragorn kissed her hand and Gandalf bent down to place a kiss upon her cheek.

          Elrond pulled Aragorn aside and handed him the ring on Arwen's silver chain.

          "You must get rid of this evil Aragorn, I know you will do this. Bring Gimli and Eomer along. When the ring is destroyed come back and we will have a single celebration in the mourning of Mylea passing."

          Aragorn nodded and looked at Arwen then Mylea and headed out the door. His faithful steed Arrow stood waiting. Aragorn ran his hand along Arrow's mane then mounted him. Gimli and Eomer emerged and rode the great horses of Rivendell.

          "Do not fail me now old friend." Aragorn whispered to Arrow.

          Legolas returned to Mylea's side and held her. She looked up into his eyes and smiled.

          "And you Legolas…thank you for coming into my life. I have been blessed, someone must be watching over us." Mylea's voice was now very close to a whisper.

          Legolas had tears swelling in his eyes. He felt she was slipping away. He held her tightly, trying to make it so she couldn't be taken away.

          Mylea held on for another week, but could no longer speak. It seemed that when she had touched to ring, it had taken away all the strength she carried.