Same...bloody...disclaimer...for...this...chapter!
"When the time comes that you need me beside you,
I'll be right there holding your hand.
You'll find the strength inside yourself,
And venture on because you know you can."
Legolas looked up, and gasped at the light. It flooded the whole room, bathing everyone in it's brilliance.
The light reached down, and gently caressed Aragorn's face. Slowly, the human began breathing evenly, and the arrow wound healed itself. Finally, Aragorn's eyes fluttered open.
Legolas gasped. This wasn't possible! What in the Valar's name was this light!
The light began to take physical form, and they slowly began to make out the appearance of an man. No, correction. An elf. Not just any elf either...
"Elrohir!" Elladan flung himself forward, but passed right through his brother. Elladan paused, and looked at the ghost.
"How...you can't...you're dead!"
"I know brother. I have been dead for a month now. Shut your mouth, it's not polite to leave your jaw hanging open like that." Elrohir laughed slightly.
"Why have you come back to us?" Elrond had finally snapped from his stupor, and stepped forward.
"Because, Mandos has had enough of you all! Elladan stomping around threatening to kill Aragorn," At this, Elrond blinked and glared at his oldest twin, as Elrohir went on, "Ada, you're moping around like it's the end of Middle Earth. Aragorn blaming himself, and Legolas trying his best to keep everyone from falling completely apart."
The ghost sighed. "It was MY decision to save Aragorn. It was not Aragorn's fault, it was not Elladan's fault, it was my own. You should be ashamed of yourself brother!"
At this, Elladan looked downwards. Now that his own brother had told him it really wasn't Aragorn's fault, he felt guilty. How could he have treated little Estel like that!
Elrohir shook his head. "By the Valar, I am gone for a month and it all goes to Mordor."
"So you are truly dead then? And you won't be coming back?" Aragorn sniffed and slowly sat up. Although the wound was gone, he was still very sore.
"Yes, I am truly dead. It's not that bad really. I miss you all so much though." Legolas could have sworn that Elrohir's eyes had gone moist. It was hard to tell, as you could see right through him.
"Mandos granted me a few moments here, to straighten you all out. Please, do not be so depressed about my departure. We will all see each other again. In many years to come, but we'll see each other." Elrohir paused and looked upwards, as if listening to someone.
"Well, I have to go. My time here is up now."
"Elrohir, you can't go! I...I can't go on without you! You're my brother...my twin." Elladan said, as tears spilt down his cheek.
"Brother, I'm so very sorry. If I could stay with you, I would. We will see each other again though. Don't be sad, just know that I love you, gwanur nin." Elrohir passed his hand over his brother's cheek, and looked at his father.
"Ada, I will miss you dearly. I'm sorry to leave you like this, but I must. Take care of Nana for me when you see her again." Elrohir said, and Elrond smiled.
"I will miss you, my child."
Elrohir nodded, and sniffed slightly. Turning around, he said,
"Little Legolas. The blonde elf that used to follow Elladan and I around when he was but an elfling, trying to get into mischief as best he could."
Legolas grinned, and ducked his head as his ears turned pink. His cheeks were suspiciously glistening as the light reflected off of his face.
"Take care of Aragorn for me. The human can't seem to stay out of trouble." Elrohir winked, and laid his hand above Legolas' shoulder. "And thank you, for taking care of my family. I am forever in your debt. I will miss your company."
Legolas nodded, his breath having caught in his throat.
Glorfindel wondered if he should move out of the room, as this was so obviously a family moment. Just as he was backing out slightly, Elrohir made a "tsk" sound.
"Glorfindel, don't think you can escape me that easily."
Glorfindel smiled, "Do you really think I would try to?"
"Well, I spent half my life pulling pranks on you, so I wouldn't really be surprised."
The older elf laughed.
"Take care of Ada. He will need someone there for him now."
Glorfindel nodded. This was indeed true. Although Elrond now had a chance to say goodbye to Elrohir, his heart would still be torn.
"Farewell, my teacher. I will miss your knowledge and tutoring greatly. We had fun." Elrohir smiled, and walked over to Aragorn.
Aragorn looked down, not able to look into the eyes of his brother. Silent tears were making their way down the human's face, and Elrohir could hear the small sniffling sounds.
"Why do you cry for me? I gave my life so that you could live. You will be a great King, Aragorn, as you are a great man. Do not mourn my passing. Although it is hard, you will survive. You will lead your people to greatness, and defeat the evil in Middle Earth. And when the time comes, we will be reunited."
Aragorn finally looked up. His eyes reflected the pain and anguish that he felt. Self loathing and guilt radiated from his being. "I can't help but think it's my fault."
Elrohir put his ghostly arms around Aragorn, and although the man couldn't feel his brother physically, his soul felt the love wrap around him like a protective cocoon.
"No, it wasn't. It was the orc's fault, and my decision. I saved you because I love you. I would have done the same for anyone else in this room."
Aragorn nodded slowly. "I will miss you, Elrohir. I don't know how I'll go on, but I'll try. For you."
Elrohir smiled. "That's all I ask, is you try. And don't worry, I'll be there with you. Not physically but," Elrohir put his hand over Aragorn's heart, "here. If ever you need me, just look inside yourself."
"Hannon le, gwanur nin." Aragorn wiped at his eyes. "I love you, my brother."
"And I love you too, little Estel." Elrohir said, calling Aragorn by the name that used to annoy him to no end.
Elrohir stepped back. "I will miss you all, and wish that this doesn't have to happen. But I'll see you all again." Elrohir smiled, and the light surrounding him began to spread. It encompassed the elf, until finally none could see him again. The light faded, leaving them with a warmth in their hearts that hadn't been there for a long time.
Elrond stood out by the sea, and watched the wind gently blow the sand around. A giant boat was sitting a little ways out, slowly rocking with the waves coming into the shore. He remembered the last time he had been here. His beautiful wife had been in this exact spot, moments before sailing over the sea to the Undying Lands. He remembered the heartache he had felt that day, much like the heartache he was feeling now. The salt from the ocean stung his eyes, and he blinked.
A few steps across the sand brought him to his son. Elladan was dressed in fine silk with a silver headband marking him the Son of Elrond upon his brow. His hair was cascading across his face, but the elfling, in Elrond's eyes, took no notice of this. His eyes were on the sea, and his heart was in the wind. The sound of seagulls filled the air, and Elrond felt the familiar pang of sea longing pulse through him. He pushed it down though. He still had a son who was still walking Middle Earth, and he would not leave him to this fate alone.
"Are you sure this is what you want to do, Elladan?" Elrond's voice carried across the breeze that smelt of salt water.
"Yes Ada. I will find no peace here. Although the people I love still rest upon these shores, my heart can no longer be happy in Middle Earth. Aragorn flinches every time he sees me, and I cannot bare that pain. No, the only place I will truly find peace is across the sea." Elladan said, turning to look his father in the eyes.
Elrond nodded knowingly. He put an arm around his son, trying to hold on to him for as long as he could. It seemed only yesterday that Elladan was ten years old and dragging around one of Glorfindel's large sword, asking to be taught how to fight. He could vividly remember the day Elrohir plopped one of the biggest books from the library on his toe, wanting to know what the words beside the pictures meant. They grew up so fast. Aragorn...Elrond shook his head. Aragorn was still a child in his eyes. His heart still felt the guilt, guilt for not helping Aragorn in the past month, and guilt for refusing to heal him when he was dying.
A small horn suddenly sounded from the boat. The tide was going out, and it was time for Elladan to leave. Elrond dreaded this; he had always thought he would sail over before his sons. Or with them.
"Take care of yourself ada." Elladan said, giving Elrond's shoulder a squeeze.
"I will, my son." Elrond reached into his robes and took out a thick parchment. "Give this to your Nana, when you see her. Send her my love."
Elladan nodded, and took the parchment. On the front he could see his fathers loopy handwriting that said, "To My Dearest".
"I will see that she gets it."
Elrond wiped at his eyes, and hugged his son. "I will miss you Elladan." He whispered, his voice rough and eyes full of unshed tears.
"And I you, ada." Elladan wrapped his arms around his fathers back, and wished again that none of this had happened. "I love you." He whispered into his fathers ear.
Elrond leaned back, and took his son by the shoulders. "Do not fret, young one. This isn't forever. We will see each other again soon. I have the feeling that the time of the elves is ending."
Elladan nodded. "I feel it also. But Aragorn will need you. The future will be a trying time for him."
Elrond smiled warmly. "I will look after him, although I do not think that any thing could get by Legolas now. Not after that recent scrape with death."
Elladan grinned, and shook his head slightly. "No, I do not think anything will harm Aragorn in the near future. Legolas has glued himself to him and refuses to let anyone other than family members within five feet of him! He barely lets me near him." Elladan chuckled.
Aragorn, having been standing a little ways down the beach, was now making his way towards Elladan. As said, the Mirkwood Elf was right beside him. Aragorn looked very worn down, and was slightly leaning on Legolas.
Elladan frowned. Aragorn had obviously not gotten over Elrohir's death as they had thought.
When Aragorn was but two feet from Elladan, he lunged and wrapped his arms around his brother. Overcoming the shock that Aragorn hadn't even flinched at him, Elladan slowly put his arms around Estel. He felt a dampness on his shoulder and realized that Aragorn was crying.
"Estel," Elladan pushed Aragorn back slightly, "Why do you cry?"
"I will miss you. I have already lost one brother, and I do not wish to lose another." Aragorn sniffled, his eyes watering up again.
Understanding suddenly filled Elladan. Aragorn had not been flinching at the sight of him and avoiding him for past deeds. Aragorn was avoiding what was to come. He felt that Elladan was abandoning him.
Elladan held his brother close again, feeling the small shuddering sobs escaping from within the smaller frame. He stayed like that, with his brother in his arms, for as long as he could.
Finally, when the sea would wait for no one, he grasped his brothers shoulders and pulled him up.
"Aragorn, son of Elrond, my brother, remember this. You are my brother, by blood or not. My kin. You will forever be a gap in my heart that will never be filled, and I will miss you. Although I will not be here in body, I will be here in heart." Elladan took off his headband, and placed it upon Aragorn's head. The sun glinted off the tears that were rolling down his cheeks, and the wind suddenly picked up. Sand suddenly formed a wall, and swirled around the four of them. Anyone else watching would have said that two arms had descended from the heavens and held them in it's embrace.
A few seconds after it had started, it stopped, and the sand floated along with the wind, slowly heading out to sea.
Elladan shook his head and glared at the sky. "Just like my brother to fill my pants with sand right before a long ship ride."
Aragorn smiled at that, and Elladan's heart gave a lurch. Finally, his younger brother had smiled again. Not a forced smile, but a true one, from the heart. A smile that would stay with him throughout the rest of his years.
"I must be going now. But I will always be with you, no matter what." Elladan kissed Aragorn's brow, and turned to Legolas.
"I want you to keep this." Elladan placed a ring in Legolas' hand. Legolas looked down and gasped. The ring was silver, and had an "E" in the center, surrounded by silver vines. It was Elrohir's.
"You cannot give me this." Legolas reached over to put the ring back in Elladan's hand.
"Nay Legolas. I want you to have it. 'Twas the ring given to Elrohir at birth, and is the one that matches my own." Elladan held up his hand which bore a ring exactly like it, except it was gold. "I want you to have something to remember my brother and I by. Remember what we protect. Estel. Hope." Elladan gestured to Aragorn.
Legolas nodded, and kissed the ring before placing it on his finger. He reached over and hugged Elladan, before whispering, "I'll see you again, mellon nin."
Elladan nodded, and walked towards the ship. Getting in the small rowboat, he sighed. He would never see Aragorn again, and it would be many years before he saw Legolas or his Ada.
When they reached the ship, he climbed up stood upon the bow.
Raising a hand to his mouth, Elladan leaned out and yelled, "I will see you all again, my family! Namaarie!" He touched his chest and brought his arm out in a gesture of farewell.
Those on the shore copied the movement, and watched as the anchor was raised. The ropes were released and the sail billowed out into the wind, pushing the ship out the sea.
A tear dropped from Elladan's face into the water below, just before the ship disappeared into the horizon.
Aragorn stood in the sand, his hair stuck to the dried tears on his face. Not a sound was heard as he watched the sun slowly sink over the water, the ocean looking like a thousand diamonds strewn across a blue blanket.
When the first stars appeared overhead, Elrond put his arm around Estel's shoulder.
"Come, Aragorn. Let us head back home."
Aragorn nodded, and leaned on his father. He walked between Legolas and Elrond, as they went back towards the horses.
"You know Ada," Aragorn began, causing Elrond and Legolas to stop and look at him. "Even though they're both gone, I do feel them. I feel their strength, their love, and their souls. And though I will never see them again, they will be with me always." Aragorn smiled.
"As will we all, Aragorn. When a person loves another so much, they leave an imprint on them, and stay with them forever." Elrond said as Aragorn mounted his horse.
"For that, I am grateful." Aragorn turned his horse, and was surprised to see Gandalf riding towards them.
"Gandalf, what brings you here?" Elrond frowned. The wizard looked in a hurry.
"I am in need of your youngest, Elrond." Gandalf turned towards Aragorn, "I need you to help me find a creature called Gollum. It's very important that we get our hands on him before the enemy does."
Aragorn saw the turmoil in Gandalf's eyes, and felt a surge of strength rush through his heart. He nodded, and said "I will gladly help you, old friend."
"And I. You are not leaving my sight human." Legolas mounted his own horse, his chin set firmly in a stubborn position that said the elf could not be swayed.
"I would have it no other way." Aragorn laughed.
Elrond sighed. His son was leaving him for Valar knows how long. Deep inside, he felt this mission was of great importance, but was not about to readily accept it. Not when just a few days ago his son was only seconds away from death.
He could not stop Aragorn though. Instead of trying, he stepped up beside the horse and layed a hand on Aragorn's knee. "Be careful my son. You have a great destiny ahead of you. A lot of people are depending on you, whether they know it or not."
"Yes ada. I promise to try and stay out of trouble. The only thing is, trouble never promises to stay away from me."
Elrond smiled. "Good luck, and hurry home." Elrond looked pointedly at them both.
They nodded, before spinning the horses around and taking off. Gandalf smiled sadly to Elrond, before fleeing after them.
Elrond couldn't help but think, that this was the beginning of the end, for the elves.
From the Incubus song, "I Wish You Were Here". I love that line, such visuals!
Reviews!
Rami - A...pox? EEK! Hopefully this chapter will get you to revoke that...need to be (mildly) healthy. LOL!
Greenleaf's Daughter - LOL, thanks! And no problemo! I'm doing this for purely selfish reasons anyway. (Pain, torture, angst...gotta love it. ;) )
Lady of Legolas - Well, not in Valars name, he ain't written the fic. wink Hope you like this chapter:D
Alida-Fruit - Yup, I ended it that way. Can I help it if I'm evil? ;) Weeelll, I hope this was quick enough for you. cough ;)
Sue - steps on the fingers listens to the splat cackles ahem ;) Thanks:D The last chapter might be a bit too sappy, but oh well. LOL. Hope you liked this one too!
Iawen Londea - You mean I'm supposed to stay dead? Wow. ;) Don't think the Devil would like that though, I keep trying to take over hell...
grumpy - Wheee:D Am glad you're enjoying this fic so much:D
Well, last chapter should be out umm...tomorrow. Have to get it beta'd and read over it. :D One chapter to go...sigh...oh well. ;)