A/N: Whoo…this suckers a long one!…lol…which I'm sure yall wont mind! Sorry once again for the long wait! But it will all be worth it…I swear! And I also PROMISE that the next chapter shall follow shortly. And I am sad to say that it will be the last chapter of Fantasy World ::cries:: but alas! Good news comes from this! A sequel is at hand! And it is already started! So you will not have to wait too long b4 I'll post the first chap of that. I shall announce when it is out on here…so be looking for it! ::smiles::
Also I'd like to say…that Legolas' poem to Ami is one of my own. It's not a rhyme…but I was inspired to write it when I was listening to "Evenstar" On the TTT soundtrack. I just had to change it a bit…b/c it was meant more for me to someone I long for…::smiles:: okies! I think das bout it! So enjoy this chap! I am afraid some of you (ok maybe all of you) will hate me for the ending…though all becomes clearer in da next chap! So be looking for it! For I will surely have it out sooner then this one came out ::smiles:: and keep up da awesome feedback!!! I would really like to know your thought's on this chap ::laughs:: ttyl alls! Namarie!!!
Chapter 28
Homebound
As Ami and Legolas were walking hand in hand back to their flet, they were met by Elrond.
He crossed his arms and had a slight hint of a smirk on his face.
Legolas and Ami smiled at him nervously.
"Vedui' Atar." Ami said and tried a bigger smile.
Elrond broke out into a broad grin and shook his head.
"Forgive me Legolas…but might I have a word with my daughter?"
Legolas bowed respectfully, and then planted a soft kiss onto Ami's cheek, before turning and walking in the direction of their flet.
Ami sighed and smiled at her father.
"I can see that you two are very much in love…" He said as he began to walk with her by his side.
"Aye atar…very much so."
"That is well." He said and winked at his daughter.
Ami laughed and shook her head.
"What is it exactly that you wanted to talk to me about atar?"
Elrond stopped and gazed at his daughter. A proud smile formed on his lips and he placed a hand onto her shoulder.
"Simply that…if the time should come mela, where the young prince shall ask you to be his bride…know that you have my full blessing."
Ami's smile faded. She cast her gaze to the ground and sighed.
"I doubt very much that that shall come to pass atar." She said quietly.
Elrond's brows narrowed in confusion. He reached out and raised her chin till she was looking at him.
"What is it that makes you say such a thing pen-neth?"
Ami smiled faintly and shook her head.
"Nothing." She said simply as she began to walk again.
This was killing her…not only was she to leave her lover and best friend…but now she was going to have to leave the one person that has been a more fatherly figure in her life then her very own.
How was she supposed to accomplish all this with out falling apart?
"Neveth…"
Ami stopped and turned to face the Elf.
"Some deep grief has settled inside you…I can feel it." Elrond said, his wise face was etched with concern for his daughter.
Ami felt the tears well in her eyes, and she tried desperately to blink them away.
Elrond saw this and at once took his daughter in his strong arms and held her.
At this Ami could no longer hold in her tears. She burst into sobs of grief and despair.
Elrond just held her. He knew naught of what had caused these tears.
Surely it could not have been Legolas…just the night before Legolas had come to him and asked to be able to have his daughter in marriage.
Elrond had been proud to agree, but now…his daughter mourned. Had Legolas asked her already and she refused?
"Mela…please tell me what ails you. Is it Legolas?"
Ami shook her head and pulled away.
"Nay…tis not Legolas. Legolas is positively wonderful! Nay…tis I Atar."
"You?" He asked in confusion.
Ami looked out into the distance and sighed.
"Something is going to happen atar…when I…shall not be myself."
"Neveth…what in all Valinor are you talking about?" Ami could hear the slight tinge of fear in his voice and she felt guilty.
She sighed and shook her head.
"Nothing Atar…tis nothing."
Ami then let her Elven father take her into his arms again and hold her.
A lone tear streaked down her face and she sighed.
This was going to be the hardest goodbyes that she has ever had to say in her life.
~*~*~*~
Ami tapped lightly on her friend's flet door.
Natalia looked up and smiled.
"Vedui'!" She said as she stood to embrace her friend.
Ami smiled faintly and hugged her friend back.
Right away Natalia pulled away with concern in her bright blue eyes.
"What is it mela?"
Ami shook her head and lowered her gaze when she felt fresh tears brim her eyes.
Natalia was immediately more concerned.
She lifted her friend's chin and stared into her wet, green eyes.
"What is it?" She asked again.
Ami sighed and closed her eyes…letting a lone tear streak down.
"I'm going back Nat." She said at last.
Natalia looked at her strangely.
Nat?
Why did that name sound so familiar?
Then it came to her.
She looked at her friend with wide eyes.
"B-but why?" She asked.
Ami reached up and brushed the tear away as more began to fall.
"Tis time…that is why."
Natalia shook her head.
"You cannot truly leave Legolas can you?"
At this Ami completely broke down and brought both hands to her face.
Natalia brought her into a tight embrace and sighed.
"This is not your own choice then?"
"Are you crazy? Of course not!" Ami shrieked through her hands.
Natalia smirked a little at this. Then her eyes grew big again and she pulled back.
"I do not have to go do I?"
Ami lowered her hands with a sniff.
"Nay…you are bound to an Elf…you have taken up the life of one. See how you did not even remember your own name?"
Natalia nodded…then her face grew sad.
"It's not fair that I get to live out your dream." She said.
Ami shook her head and smiled faintly.
"I am happy for you and Nurtaur…you will go on living…forever…all happy and in love." Ami said rather miserably.
Natalia slung an arm around her friend.
"How soon?" She asked.
It was then that the realization came to Ami, and a great sorrow filled her.
"Tonight." She whispered.
Natalia's mouth dropped open and she stammered a little.
"Why?!" She finally got out.
Ami shook her head and sighed.
"But…you are bound to Legolas! In…ways…why cannot you stay? It does not make sense."
Ami shook her head again and brought a hand up to her face.
"One of my fears is that you will forget me…or worse…that Legolas will forget me."
Natalia turned Ami to her and grasped her arms tightly.
"I will NEVER forget you. You have been there for me…through everything! Not even thousands of years in Middle-earth could take that memory away. I love you Aim."
They both burst out into tears again and held each other in a tight embrace.
"And do not worry about Legolas. True it will be hard for him to get used to the new Neveth…but was it not so that as soon as you first saw Legolas you felt something? Maybe those were Neveth's feelings. I think she was in love with him…but said nothing for the fear that he did not feel the same."
Ami sighed. This did nothing for her. True it would make it better for Legolas when she was gone…but the thought of another woman even touching him, even though it was herself in a way, sent her blood raging hot.
Natalia seemed to sense this and pulled back from the embrace.
"Do not worry for him Neveth…I shall keep the memory of you alive in him. You shall be known in Middle-earth…and a part of you shall always remain here. And not just in MY heart, but in Legolas' heart as well. The other Neveth will never be the same to him."
Ami wiped the tears away and took Natalia into another embrace.
Just then, a soft knock was heard at the door, and they both turned to see Legolas standing there.
As soon as he saw them both in tears, he immediately rushed to Ami's side.
"What is it? Are you hurt?" He took her face into his hands as his concern filled eyes searched hers for any sign of pain.
Ami smiled faintly, and shook her head as she choked back another sob.
"Nay melamin…I am well. Tis just…that I am so happy for Nevduliniel and Nurtaur. That's all." She lied, and once again Legolas could tell she was lying.
But he chose to ignore it…he believed she would tell him in time.
"Well, come then…there is a matter of great importance that I wish to speak with you on." Ami saw the excitement burst aflame in his eyes, and it drew a smile from her lips.
Legolas began to pull her out of the room, but Ami quickly pulled from his grasp and turned swiftly, hugging her dear friend one last time.
Natalia clung to her as another tear streaked down her face.
"Amin mela lle…"I love you Ami whispered.
"Ditto." Natalia whispered back…earning a small laugh from Ami.
Legolas was very confused, so he grasped her arm again and she turned to him.
She nodded and let him pull her out of the room.
"Namarie, amin mellon!"Farewell, my friend Ami cried out just as Legolas pulled her out of the door.
"Namarie." Natalia whispered before collapsing on the floor in tears.
Hardly a moment passed before Nurtaur burst into the room.
He had heard his wife's crying and her fall to the floor, and had run up the stairs as quick as he could.
He rushed over to Natalia and knelt beside her as he grasped her arms.
Natalia was crying to hard to talk, so she buried her face into her husband's strong chest and cried out all the emotions from the thought of never seeing her best friend again.
Nurtaur felt the pain of his wife through her tears, and it made him, himself want to weep. What was the cause of all these painful tears?
Since he did not hold the answer, he simply held onto his wife in his strong, and safe arms, for he knew that at that moment…that was all he could do…and it was all she really needed.
~*~*~*~
Legolas pulled Ami through Lothlorien until they reached the spot where they had made love that very morning.
Legolas stopped and turned to her.
Ami saw the nervous smile appear on his fine shaped lips and a spark of curiosity aroused in her.
"Neveth…there is something of great importance that I should like to speak with you on…" He started and Ami crossed her arms.
"Yes Legolas…this you have already told me."
Legolas nodded, point taken, and he gently pushed Ami back until she sat down in a stone-carved bench.
Twas at that moment Ami noticed the sky on fire with different exotic colors. Dread filled her, but she pushed it back. This was her last moment on Middle-earth, and with Legolas. She believed that what he was about to say…she wanted to hear.
Legolas gently got down on one knee and took her hand into his.
"Neveth…we have known each other for many years. And well frankly there are no real words that can describe how you make me feel, but I shall try to tell you in these simple ones." He cleared his throat and continued.
"I hear thy name…it flows upon the whispering wind. It carries me to places within myself that I never even thought existed, igniting a burning flame of desire and longing within me to burn fiercely, scorching the most inner and intimate parts of my soul…"
Ami's eyes grew wide and filled with tears, as she knew what he was doing.
'Oh Elbereth…not now…not when I cannot be with him.'
Legolas did not see these emotions in her eyes and brought the hand, that he held, up to caress his cheek as he continued…"…Then the feel of your cool caress is like water upon the flames. Like a soothing potion on a burnt and dying heart. And to feel that caress upon me is like nothing I have ever felt before. To burn and yet feel so cold at the same time, needing that touch to forever caress me…"
Then he got close to her and his eyes begged to her as he continued.
"…This I beg of you…that you should not take it from me, lest the flames consume me entirely, leaving no more then a burnt and broken Elf warrior to suffer alone."
The tears that were brimming Ami's eyes now spilled over, leaving lonely streaks of wetness to trail down her sorrow filled face. What was she to do now?
Legolas sighed and reached into his tunic pocket.
"Neveth…to imagine life without you is like imagining the earth without trees and nature…without the air to fill your lungs. Like imagining the blood that flows through your veins to stop pumping, forbidding your heart to beat…but nay…that is not so hard to imagine…for you see Neveth…YOU are what makes my heart beat. Please…bless me and honor me with becoming my wife…for a life lived without you Neveth…is no life at all." At these words he held up a glowing ring.
Ami's eyes grew big as she gazed at it.
Twas twisted and curved in a fine white metal, into a round like, rose design, with a single diamond in the center.
"I know tis not custom for Elves to give a ring, but this belonged to my mother…Twas my father's and my wish to see it on the hand of my bride. Tis named Aniron…desire. Will thou take this ring Neveth?"
Ami stared down at it. A million thoughts ran through her head. It would be cruel to take it, but she could not bring herself to say 'no' and break his heart.
Then again…his words were so beautiful. No one had ever spoken to her like that before. And he meant it…for her. His words were hers…and no one else's.
Ami sighed and very slowly held out her hand.
Legolas' expression brightened and he carefully slid it on her finger.
He smiled at her and she smiled at him.
He pulled her in and kissed her passionately, then hugged her.
Ami closed her eyes and breathed in his sweet aroma of forest leaves and clear, brisk morning air. Another tear streaked down her face and she reached up and brushed it away.
She was engaged…but not married. What good was that to do?
Ami opened her eyes, and her body went tense.
Legolas felt this and he pulled back, concern very clear in his beautiful blue eyes.
"What is it Neveth?"
Ami did not answer, only continue to stare behind him.
Legolas turned and stood when he saw an old woman leaning up against a tree.
Her eyes were glazed over with unshed tears, but her old face held a soft smile.
"Who are you?" Legolas asked.
The old lady did not answer him. She only looked at Ami.
"Tis time love." She said.
Ami's body began to tremble as she stood.
Legolas turned to her…his eyes now full of questions and confusion.
Ami lifted her hand and placed her finger upon his mouth before he could ask any of the questions she could see burning in his eyes.
This was it…this was goodbye.
Ami felt the sobs start at the pit of her stomach and begin to rise, and she fought desperately to keep them down.
"Legolas…" She said at last and looked into his eyes.
Legolas saw the pain and sorrow that filled her beautiful green orbs and concern overtook him.
"…Legolas…tis time that I go…" She said steadily.
Legolas brought his hands up to her face, bringing it close enough to his that she could feel his warm breath upon it. His eyes were now filled with defiance.
"Where?" He asked.
"Home." She said simply.
"Nay melamin…your atar knows very well of our engagement already! There is no need to return to Rivendell if you wish to tell him…He is here already!"
Ami felt her spirit fall. He looked so innocent…like a child who wouldn't…nay couldn't understand.
She shook her head and placed her hands upon his.
"Nay melamin…not to Rivendell."
"Where then?" His voice was pained and tear stroked, and it tore tears from her eyes and broke her heart.
She shook her head again.
"I cannot tell you…just…remember what you have promised me…never forget."
Legolas held fast to her…he would not let her go.
The old lady walked towards them and looked at Ami.
"Are you ready?"
What a stupid question.
Ami only stared at her and the old lady nodded.
Legolas however was glaring at the old lady.
The old lady reached out to touch Ami…Ami felt her heart stop beating as she watched the old ladies hand near hers.
Suddenly, Legolas grasped Ami, and slung her behind him, standing in the way of the ladies extended hand.
"Nay…you shall not take her!" His voice was angry and he stood tall and protective.
Ami laid her head against his back as the tears began to flow again.
She moved her hands along his back, feeling all of him, every muscle that dwelt there.
Ami looked down and half smiled. She slowly traced her hands down his back, until they lay to rest on his firm buttocks.
Legolas, eyebrows rose in surprise and he turned a questioning look to Ami.
She still had the small smile on her face. Hey…she had to do that one last time!
She rounded him and stood before him.
"Remember also this Legolas Greenleaf…that I love you deeply…and will for the rest of my life."
She then reached up and pulled his head down into a passion filled kiss.
When they pulled apart, Ami laid her forehead against his chin and closed her eyes.
The old lady cleared her throat softly and Ami opened her eyes. Darkness had covered Lothlorien…Ami knew it was time…but she wanted to remain in his arms forever…never letting go.
He was her best friend…her lover…her soul mate. And she was going to lose it all. All in just one touch from an old lady.
"Nemarie melamin. Amin mela lle…" Farewell my love, I love you She whispered softly into his ear.
Legolas swallowed hard.
She looked into his eyes and he stared back at her as the old lady walked up behind her and reached out her hand.
She sighed inwardly, before laying her hand upon Ami's back.
Ami gasped as her world began to spin. The surroundings began to mix and change.
She began to feel the hold that she had on Legolas loosen.
"NO!" She cried out as she pulled him in for one last kiss. She also grasped the ring on her hand.
Never letting go. The feel of his lips upon hers lingered, even when she opened her eyes…and he was gone.
Ami sat up quickly.
She was panting and sweating.
She looked around, trying to regain her thoughts.
Her heart sank as she realized where she was.
She was home…in her room…on her bed.
Could it all have been just a dream? Could a dream feel so real?
It was then that Ami was aware of her hand grasping something in a death grip.
She looked down at her hand and concentrated to loosen it.
When she did, tears brimmed her eyes, and grief filled her.
She held up the rose like ring that Legolas had given her.
It was all real…and it was gone.
Ami then let the sobs come. They racked her delicate body as she curled herself up in a ball on her bed…letting them flow uncontrollably.
~*~*~*~
Legolas didn't know what had happened.
He remembered hearing Nevethiriel cry out 'No', then felt her kiss him with a crushing kiss. The kiss was filled with longing and pleas for more.
The next thing he knew, she was lying limp in his arms.
"Neveth?" Legolas touched her face.
She stirred and her eyes opened. Legolas gasped when he did not see the bright green that he had grown used to seeing. They were now a dark brown, and now filled with confusion as she stared up at him.
"Legolas?" She whispered.
His eyes glazed with tears.
Who was this stranger? Where had his little Neveth gone?
"Aye Neveth…" He croaked out.
"What has happened?" She asked.
"And what are you doing here in Rivendell?"
At this Legolas was taken aback.
"Rivendell? Nay…we are in Lothlorien." He said.
Her eyes clouded with more confusion.
"But I thought I was well! The lady told me I was well enough to return home to Rivendell! I thought I already had! Was it just a dream?"
It was then that Legolas was hit with the realization that she knew naught of the passionate times that they had spent together.
Grief filled his heart and he stood and brought her upright.
"Are you well Legolas?" She asked as she reached out to touch his cheek.
The touch…it came from the same hand, yet it felt not the same.
What was going on?
Legolas brushed her hand away and began to walk back to the heart of Lorien, and Nevethiriel followed him.
He was walking towards his and Nevethiriel's flet stairs, when he ran into Elrond.
"Legolas! Tis nice to see you lad…and with Neveth! Well, am I to congratulate you two now?" He asked with a proud smile on his face.
At this Legolas stopped.
"Congratulate atar?" Nevethiriel asked in confusion.
Legolas turned suddenly and walked to her.
He grabbed her hand and went for the ring, but stop shortly.
It was gone.
Nevethiriel looked at him in alarm.
His eyes met hers and she saw the pain that filled the deepness of his blues.
He dropped her hand and turned again.
"I am leaving for Mirkwood immediately." He said over his shoulder.
Elrond looked on in shock.
"But why Legolas? What is this madness?" He called after him.
Legolas stopped and turned. He bowed respectfully and then rose.
"Forgive me my lord…but things just aren't the same between me and your daughter." And with that he turned again and strode off.
Elrond looked at Nevethiriel questionably, and then his eyes widened in shock as he saw her eyes.
They were filled with confusion, but yet that was not what he noticed.
They were brown…not the green that he was used to.
But then again…it felt as if brown was what they were supposed to be. How was it that it was affecting him now?
He looked on as Legolas disappeared into the flet that he once shared with his daughter.
~*~*~*~
As soon as Legolas entered the small room, he regretted it.
Her scent lingered in the room. Her things were everywhere, and yet she was not here. He knew it. Twas not the same Neveth that he was so in love with that stood down in the middle of Lorien. She was a complete stranger to him.
Neveth was gone…she had left him.
With these thoughts, Legolas could not hold back the sobs that were threatening to spring alive in him.
He released them, and fell to his knees on the floor, crying out his anguish and grief at the loss of his love.
Never would he be the same again…he had lost a very dear part of him…he had lost that which made his heart beat. And it was only a matter of time before that consumed him…and he died in his grief.
Legolas lay on the floor mourning, and knew he was going to die in his grief, but it was ok. For after all it was him who said…'…A life lived without you Neveth…is no life at all.' And he had meant it.
~*~*~*~
At dawn, a lone rider clad in green rode out of the heart of Lothlorien. With thoughts of never returning there again.
He was homebound…and there is where he would stay…till the end of his days.
