Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story other than Raven and Ravenhooves. All are the work of the fantastic J.R.R. Tolkien who wrote LOTR and gave us the chance to experience different things and for me to write fan fics. Please no one sue me!

Back in Lothlórien

'So, that is why I became a monster when those orcs attacked us in the mines. It was my first chance to seek revenge and rage just filled my body before I could think. I am sorry if I frightened you for it was my fault that I lost Raven and our children.' Legolas looked around at the others, all of whom were crying quite openly.

'It was not your fault that they were killed.'

'I was foolish Aragorn. I should have known that Sauron was not so easily defeated. If I had not asked for Raven to travel to Mirkwood with our children, then she would not have done and you all could have met her today. Instead I was selfish, desperate to see them once again and it cost them their lives.'

'You loved them as any other father and husband would and you missed them quite rightly. Do not blame yourself.'

'But I do not know how else to deal with the pain inside.'

'Have you been to see them, since you joined the war?'

'No, I have not.'

'Will you take us to see them? It may help you heal.' Legolas faltered for a second but silently he stood and led them to the clearing where his family had been buried. As soon as he saw their headstones, Legolas collapsed into tears, crying harder than he ever had done before. He crawled over to Raven's headstone and held on to it tightly.

'I miss you so much Raven. I feel like I am no longer Legolas, I am just his body. My soul left the day you died. I am sorry for my brutality and I am sorry that I let you die. I just want to see you again. I miss you all so much.' The others watched Legolas cry and all began to cry harder themselves. Aragorn went and tried to comfort Legolas but his words were not much use for he knew Legolas' pain was still too deep.

'I remember Arwen telling me about her cousin, Raven. She told me some of your story, but not all. Everything makes sense now. We will stay in Lothlórien until you are fit and ready enough to continue. Take as long as you need.'

'Then let us go.' Aragorn stood back, shocked at Legolas' instant change. He wanted to argue his cause, but the look in Legolas' eye told Aragorn that it was no use. Instead Aragorn just ordered the others to get ready and early the next morning, they were off on their way.

Aragorn had wondered what had been going through Legolas' mind when he had instantly agreed to continue the journey. As they travelled, Aragorn worried less as, although very quiet, Legolas fought with honour and did not show any signs of the elf he had become in Moria so when they arrived in Helms Deep, no doubts entered his head for the battle ahead would be a long and bloody fight.

  The battle lived up to Aragorn's expectations but they defeated Saruman's army and a sigh of relief was released, for now at least. When only Gimli ran to his side, Aragorn was not surprised, for the elves had appeared at the last moment and he expected that Legolas was celebrating with him.

'Have you seen Legolas?' Aragorn asked a rejoicing elf, hoping for news of their friend but the elf shook his head. It was then Aragorn began to wonder and he and Gimli began to battle their way through the crowds, hoping to catch a glimpse of their friend. Aragorn saw a body that looked too familiar. It laid face down, long blonde hair flowing down the back, contrasting the green cloak given to them by Galadriel when they left Lothlórien. Aragorn walked over to the body and carefully turned it over and then he saw Legolas' face. His face was pale, with only a hint of red where blood stained his perfect face. Two arrows had pierced his body, one in the stomach and one through the heart. Aragorn dropped to his knees and cried softly whilst Gimli stood silent for he too had lost a friend and he had just begun to regain respect for the elf and he thought he would be an eternal friend. Gandalf the white joined the two warriors and looked upon Legolas' cold and dead body.

'This is a grave loss.' He said softly.

'It is for us Gandalf, but not for Legolas.'

'How can death not be a grave loss?'

'Alas Gimli, it should be but Legolas will be happy now. He will see Raven and his children again just as he promised too. This is why he meant for us to move on so quickly, he wanted to die. His pain was too much for him to bear and he wished to be with his family, as I would if I had been in the same circumstances. Legolas will finally have the peace he wanted and once this war against Sauron is over, I will take his body back to Lothlórien where he can be laid next to Raven and his children and they will still get to live an eternity together, just not in this world.'

  King Théoden agreed that Legolas should be placed in the halls of Kings until he could be returned to Lothlórien where he would join Raven and their children. The chamber was sealed whilst they went to war, so that when Aragorn did eventually return, Legolas had not changed.

  Aragorn kept his word, he took Legolas' body back to Lothlórien where Galadriel welcomed him, having already heard of Legolas' fate. There were no arguments as to where he would be buried and the arrangements were made for his funeral. For Aragorn, the day was not sad, it was happy for a husband and a father had been returned to his family and it was what Legolas had wanted since the day he lost them. Aragorn knew that now, they would all rest in peace and their love would live for eternity. Aragorn also knew that this was not the last time that either he or Arwen saw Legolas, for they too would join him one day and Aragorn would get to meet the elf who had captured so many hearts and he could meet the children born of two elves who were completely and utterly in love and not even life and death could keep them apart.

THE END