Disclaimer: I own nothing except few twisted ideas, mistakes and yes,
Faonor and Gelion are mine too. ;)
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A CHILD OF DEAD SHADOWS SHALL BECOME A LIGHT (part 2)
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"A child of an Elf and a mortal. Immortality combined with human intensity and passion in a perfect form. Born perfection," Legolas let his gaze wander behind the present. Then he bowed his head in realisation.
"A fool, nothing but a fool I was. A chosen one, mighty one, oh yes, but chosen to be a mighty tool. Well. In vain my struggle." Sad smile played on his lips for a bit and showed Legolas' true face. Face that was loved by his father, his friends, the face Vesper trusted what it seemed now thousand years ago. But soon it vanished under cold words.
"Do what you want to do." Legolas said and left her alone. He didn't ask how far was Vesper or how his child was. That filled her with rage. After all it was his child. Gelion watched him disappearing into the shadows and started to feel strange sympathy for him.
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Legolas deserved no sympathy what so ever regarding what he had done in past few months, Gelion reminded herself as she walked back to the hall. But can she really condemn Legolas? Maybe he did all that because he thought that he was doing the right thing. She violently shook her head in disbelief - he knew that hurting Vesper was wrong and cruel, but he didn't stop.
Well, what had been done could not be changed. There is no wizardry to turn the wheel of time back and change deeds. Now it is time to go and tell Vesper what happened to her. Gelion was walking to the Vesper's chamber.
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It was late in the night when the door opened and Gelion entered the room, she walked carefully to the bed and stopped there to see the pitiful mortal lying on the bed. Vesper heard soft steps and got up and sat on the bed to face him. Gelion was surprised to find her awake because she didn't know about Legolas' "routine".
Vesper saw the fair she-elf and felt a little relieved. So no more pain tonight? At least the pain induced by him.
"How do you feel?" asked Gelion the girl that was sitting on the edge of the bed and wearing her dress.
"Better, I guess," Vesper answered in weary voice. "The pain ceased but I can feel that it will return. You know that something is wrong with me. That's why you came, isn't it?"
Vesper's face was still pale and empty of all expressions. She would ask what was wrong but it seemed as the answer was not important. She thought that Gelion was his assistant like Faonor or something.
"I'm not helping Legolas, I was just called to help you," Gelion guessed girl's thoughts. "Listen to what I have to say to you. I know why you have that searing pain."
Vesper looked at her without the smallest expectation and even without a hint of curiosity. Like it didn't matter. Her dark hair cascaded around her shoulders and she had shadows under her eyes.
"You carry a child. You carry an Elvish child and that happened for the first time in history. He is growing on your strengths, using your energy. That's why you feel pains and they might increase through the time," Gelion said while observing the girl in front of her.
Not a line moved in Vesper's face. It took some time that words reached her minds and that she understood the meaning of them. Then a shiver coursed through her body. A child? An Elvish child? HIS child? HIS child growing inside of her weary body? Suddenly the images rose in her mind that brought back the feeling of his savage thrusts into her body, hard, sharp breaths when he poured his seed out inside her body, then the seed anchoring in her womb and cells splitting like warms or insects. And then that indefinite dark bundle growing, stretching her body, feeding on her energy, sucking her strength as a vampire. Vesper felt the intensifying heaviness in her abdomen as the thing would grow inside of her from minute to minute, claiming her body for its dark realm. Her stomach twisted in disgust and in a second Vesper was throwing up on the stone floor. Her whole body was rebelling against the perverted words she had just heard. Convulsions were shooting through her body and Gelion jumped to help her. She held Vesper's trembling body for as long as the spasms roamed through her. Finally the cramps abated. Gelion wanted to soothe Vesper and murmured soft words in Elvish. Vesper stiffed.
"Stop! Don't talk like him! Stop! Stop!" girl's dreadful shriek surprised Gelion and she let Vesper go. She curled on the bed and hid her face in her hands.
"Do something, help me please! I can't have this thing, I can't... can't... NO!" the rest was muffed by pillow where Vesper had buried her head. Gelion's heart was tearing at the sound of desperate and small voice. She quickly skimmed her eyes to wipe few tears away.
"I'll come back with something for you to drink," then she left the room but she could still overhear what the girl said.
"Let it be poisonous..."
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As the door closed behind Gelion Vesper started violently shaking her head and hitting bedpost with her clenched fists until she hurt her knuckles and they started to bleed.
"No, no, no,...NOOO!" she was repeating words of denial in fever. "I'm not, I'm not, not,..." she kept saying louder until she was screaming in the empty room. then she was crying hard until she was too tired and felt back onto the pillows and panted into blankets.
By the time Gelion returned Vesper was exhausted and she sank into bleak existence, but only for a few moments. Later one only had to look into her eyes to see sadness and rage that ached within her soul. Vesper regarded her body with revolt. "All good had passed long ago. It does not matter if I accept this, or not - I shall have to live and die with it."
"I brought you potion that will help you to regain your strength! Drink please," Gelion gently placed Vesper's head in her lap and pressed the cup to girl's dry lips.
"Please drink, it will do you good!"
"No," Vesper said in a tortured whisper; her eyes hazed over with pain and sadness. "I refuse to exist like this."
An overwhelming sense of sympathy and remorse washed through Gelion. "You will sleep after the potion," she told Vesper.
To sleep and to forget, to forget if only for a moment. Sweet oblivion in sleep! Then Vesper obeyed Gelion and parted her lips to drink it all. She closed her eyes and welcomed slumber that soon claimed her.
"Rest now," Gelion said quietly and closed the doors behind her. Gelion spent the night sitting under the great tree while listening to the wind that was playing with the leaves above her head. In the morning, at the dawn, she walked back to her library, meeting other Elves and she couldn't understand their happy faces, their bright eyes glowing in joy and peace, their melodic voices sounding as a clear stream in the rising sun. How come that they didn't sense great suffering in their middle? Did some great magic help Legolas after it had captured him in its dark webs? That was going on in Gelion's head as she was observing Elvish fair faces. Are they all under the spell? Had she been like them before she met Vesper yesterday, Gelion wondered. She knew that something strange was dwelling in Greenwood the Great before she was called. But it was just a hint - her keen senses should feel the agony so near her. And yet she hadn't felt. Maybe that had something to do with the scar, actually with fine lines on Vesper's arm that said something in ancient language even Gelion wasn't familiar with. Ancient force was at work here. Could she find something in her books? She should try at least, Gelion was discussing with herself. Then she saw Faonor and called him to follow her. He didn't ask her anything and she was grateful. After they had come to the library Gelion scanned the place to see if anyone was around, but no, they were alone.
"Faonor, your lord Legolas and Vesper are to have a child." Gelion told him right away after she failed at finding suitable words to prepare him for the fact.
Faonor was obviously struck with the news although he looked more pleased than shocked. He felt sorry for mortal girl and unspeakable things that she had to suffer but maybe from now everything would be like before.
"The birth of his child will change him back," Faonor said with firm trust in his voice. "I know it sounds weird but he truly cares for her..."
"And I thought that only the Men were the cruelest with the people they loved..." Gelion's words died on her lips.
"I will make more potion, that's the only way to give a try in order to save her and child's life," she told Faonor and he bowed his head in acknowledgement. "And pray to the Valars that both of them will endure the pregnancy," Gelion added as an afterthought.
"We are the only ones that know about the drama - let it stay that way," she finally spit the words and felt dirty. Hiding things and making them secret was not her way of solving matters but at the time being that was the only solution. Faonor didn't have any objections. "Others wouldn't understand. He is the chosen one. It is a hard and lonely job."
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After the conversation spiced with Gelion's accusations Legolas mounted his horse and left the borders of Greenwood. He needed to be alone with the turmoil that was threatening to consume all the sanity he had left. Clad in dark clothes, with fire in his eyes and riding as a wind he was like a thunder running through the dark shadows and meadows lit with silver moonlight.
He was running from himself although no speed was fast enough to leave his scattered soul behind. Images of the battle for Helm's Deep, journey of the Grey fellowship, Sauron's dungeons and fight with Aragorn were mixed into one bloody and confusing cluster. Suddenly his horse collapsed beneath the fiercely rider and Legolas hit the ground. As his face made contact with the rough surface of the rock Legolas almost sighed in relief. Physical pain helped to forget scars of the soul. The right side of his fair face was scratched and bleeding, stinging would be rather unbearable if he didn't welcome the ache in order to keep his twisted memories at bay.
Legolas saw his horse covered with sweat and blood. Legolas felt stab in the place where his heart used to be at the sight of dying animal that was his companion for many years. He rose on his feet and approached the tormented beast then he caressed the beast's head with gently strokes and lowered his head whispering calming words in horse's ear. With a swift grip Legolas broke beast's elegant neck. Without a sound the great animal died while his eyes were still resting at Legolas. He stood there silently for few moments before he turned and walked away, dark haze blurring his vision. Legolas didn't see the river gleaming like silver in the moonlight, mirroring the starry sky above his head. He stopped by the river and let the searing pain overwhelmed his body - his ribs protested at every breath he made, therefore Legolas clenched his hands in fists that his nails bruised his skin. His breathing was rapid and shallow, headache blinding him, he felt burning inside his skull and blood streamed from his nose down his lips and mingling with the blood from his scratched cheek.
"WHY?" he suddenly let a scream into the soundless night around him. Not even an echo answered him.
"Why me? I helped with the ring, I fought Sauron, why playing games with me? I lost everything, my family, my friends, my pride, myself just to realize that I'm nothing but a tool, a puppet on the strings to Valars or Eru or someone. Damn Valars! I curse you from the bottom of my dead heart, I refuse being a tool, I'm a warrior and an Eldar. I shall not obey, shall not listen. Not anymore." His pulse was hammering like mad and his bruised ribs hurt.
"I wish," Legolas knelt panting and tore his shirt off his body, exposing his ivory chest with scars to the moonlight, "that Sauron had time or will to finish me there in Barad Dur or to win!" Legolas produced silver dagger from his belt and incised long and numerous lines down his scar that represented what Sauron engraved on him. Cuts were deeper than the scar, pain roaring through his body, his hands covered with his own dark blood. Legolas felt sudden blow that knocked him down and the darkness claimed him.
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Few days passed but Legolas hadn't returned. Faonor was worried about the whereabouts of his lord and he asked Gelion what to do. She was far more concerned for Vesper's well-being.
"Maybe he is checking the borders, there might be still some mortals or Orcs left," Gelion shrugged and returned her attention to the ancient book she was reading. "He would have told me and he would have taken some lords with him if that had been the reason of his disappearance. I can sense some strange vibrations that I cannot explain. It makes me nervous," Faonor finally admitted.
Gelion frowned, a nervous Elf was something extremely rare to see.
"He might need to spend some time alone to think, because there is *a lot* to think about," she answered to Faonor and Gelion sounded more sure than she really was because doubts started to raise in her minds. Other Elves took their lord's absence for granted and didn't worry. Because he was the chosen one, he had duties beyond their understanding. They lived in harmony and peace what more should they want?
Gelion brought more potion to Vesper. She gave her stronger potion because the child was bringing more and more pain to his mother. More than once Gelion found Vesper slamming her head into the bedpost because of the pain. Other time Vesper was crying and yelling that she cannot have this thing. So Gelion mixed tranquilizing potion with the one for strength. That was why for the last three days Vesper spent her time between the deep slumber and being half awake just to have her potion. She have been using sleep for escape to the better world, spending her days lost in dreams and sometimes in nightmares waking up all sweaty and screaming.
Vesper dreamt about her childhood - she was a girl again, playing in the rich grass in the meadows of the warm South. Father gave her a beautiful horse and she was riding through the fields, jumping over the streams and inhaling deeply when the wind brought the smell of salty air from the sea. She told her mama about the dreadful dreams she had about Elves.
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"Silly isn't it? As the Elves could hurt anyone." Little girl was giggling while sitting next to her mother and reading books with beautiful pictures.
"Silly indeed my child," said her mother and put a lock of Vesper's black hair behind her ear. She was smiling. Then she hugged her daughter and comforted her.
"Let's make you some warm milk and then you can go back to bed. We are to have a company for the dinner tomorrow evening."
Next day Vesper wake early and fresh. She was helping her mum when mama forced her to drink some bitter medicine while she was still half-asleep.
"I'm not sick," Vesper was protesting. "I was to get up when you came!"
"I know, child. But your child needs vitamins," mama kissed her cheeks gently.
"Oh, yes, the baby," Vesper remembered. What about the memory of being just a little girl? Oh, another dreams, Vesper sighed. She had been dreaming a lot and sometimes her memories mingled with the pictures from her dreams or nightmares and stories from the books mama read her.
"When Legolas returns we are going to settle everything for the wedding," mama was chopping carrots and they were sitting in the kitchen by the great fireplace. Wasn't she in her bedroom just few moments before? Oh, it must be the medicine that makes her so dizzy and sleepy, Vesper rubbed her eyes.
"Do you thing that baby will look more like me or like him?" Vesper asked her. Mum was silent while thinking deeply.
"I'm sure that the baby will look like you, well, except for the pointy ears. We can do nothing about that, can we," mama smiled and there was a big cake in front of her. "Here is the carrot cake Legolas likes the best, these Elves just love carrots!" Vesper giggled but when she saw the spreading dark outside the windows her smile disappeared. Vesper was little confused - it was getting dark outside but she got up just few minutes ago. How come?
"Oh, baby, you were so tired because of that nightmare so I just left you sleeping, get dressed for the dinner, sweetie," mama reminded Vesper and gave her the dress.
When she returned from her room there, in the dining room, were Aragorn and Gimli sitting around the table with her parents and Legolas was waiting for her at the stairs.
"You came back," she hugged Aragorn and Gimli.
"Well, it is your engagement, we couldn't miss that, could we? Arwen sends you her good wishes, she stayed with the twins," Aragorn smiled at her and kissed her forehead.
"Congratulations, Vesper, you got a great guy, great for an Elf I mean," said the dwarf when she bent to hug him.
"How are you?" Legolas asked her when he held her in his arms. His eyes were warm and loving.
"Fine now that you have returned. But I had these horrible nightmares, you attacked me with this dagger and locked me in the room and... it's all right now," she sighed and leaned her head on his chest.
"You are bleeding," Vesper cried when she saw big blood stain on his shirt.
"I had to free myself again. Do not worry, I will heal soon and never leave you again. We will take care of our child," Legolas placed a tender kiss on her lips. The gentle breeze came through the open windows and soft glow of the sinking sun lit the room.
"I'm so happy that the nightmare is finally over," Vesper sighed. She felt goodness and light radiating from the fair Elf's body.
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"Vesper, wake up, drink your potion, it will do you good," Gelion lifted girl's head and tried to make her open her eyes.
"I will, mama, I will." Vesper was half-asleep when she drank her potion without looking at Gelion. Then she curled back in the bed.
"Legolas is hurt. Where is he now?" that question left Gelion speechless.
"He hasn't returned yet," she told Vesper. Vesper sighed and murmured something that sounded that he is probably looking for the crib for the child. Gelion suddenly realized that Vesper has been living in a fantasy world since last week. Maybe that is the best solution, she thought by herself. It seemed that in the alternative world Vesper loved her child deeply. That was going on for almost a month and Legolas didn't appear.
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Then one day Legolas had simply returned, looking pale and weary as he would go to the Barlog's nest and back. He went straight to his chamber and slept for three days. Faonor was relieved to see his lord sound and alive although he had scars on his face.
In the evening Legolas wake and took a cold bath. While eating his dinner he talked to Faonor. "I order you to help Gelion with the forming of a council like Elrond's was and with the governing when the time is ripe, promise me that you will obey my order," he looked in Faonor's loyal and surprised eyes.
"Of course I shall, my lord. But why? Are you going somewhere?" he was confused.
"Indeed I am when the time is right," he looked beyond Faonor.
When Legolas was alone he closed his eyes for a moment, he had to stay determined and not to allow himself to get soften. The lines in his fair face mirrored dull torment and doubts that started after he had mutilated the token on his chest. He refused to go and see Vesper and neither he wanted to see the child when he would be delivered. Legolas had a plan to complete - when things were to complicated one has to make a clean cut. Without any remorse or guilt. Clean cut.
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At the same time Vesper woke up screaming - she dreamt about Legolas only this time he had fire instead of his eyes, his fair face was covered with dark blood, his sharp teeth were tearing the tender skin on her throat and he was drinking blood from her veins. Gelion who had been sleeping in the next room since first nightmare ran to the room and tried to calm her down with soothing words. She was afraid that Vesper could not endure any longer. Next day Gelion helped Vesper with a bath.
Sitting in a bath Vesper couldn't avoid seeing the curve of her abdomen and she touched her body with disgust. A stranger within her body, feeding on her. Will it look like him, subtle cruelty in the form of perfection? His child. Her child. Their child. A child. Thinking about the thing in the term of child was dangerously. It was risky to carry an immortal child, she heard from Gelion. But Vesper didn't care. She was tired, so tired.
"You have three months left, but the child might come earlier because you are exhausted," Gelion explained her when she wrapped her in huge soft sheet. Vesper tore her eyes away from her body and only wished to escape into sleep. She longed for the deep sleep dreaming.
But during the same night pain in her abdomen ended her escape and wake her up. Vesper knew at once that she would give birth.
"It's time," Gelion said as she hurried to her room. She called for Faonor and he came immediately, more nervous than ever. They lit numerous candles and held Vesper as she was hitting the bedpost with her hands that were already bleeding because of the strong blows.
"It is the hour of dead shadows," Faonor told Gelion as he caught mists and dark outside the window.
"Well, the child wants to come, so let's help him and pray that both of them will be all right," she said to Faonor and tied Vesper's hands not to hurt herself anymore. Vesper let a cry escape her throat as the searing pain threatened to tear her body in two from the inside. Her vision was blurred and with her tied hands she was grabbing for support. Gelion had no potion to help because the contractions were too early and too strong. All she could do now was to wait that the child sucked the last drops of his mother's strength and then he would be forced to enter the world and leave his mother's body. Gelion put cold cloth on Vesper's feverish forehead.
"It is too early," Vesper whispered between two contractions. "Will child be all right?"
Gelion was surprised - during the whole time she knew how much was this child burden to the mortal girl, but in the hour of the greatest suffering she asked *how is the child*.
"It will be fine, just try to save some strength for the final push," Gelion caressed Vesper's damp hair. The pain covered Vesper's skin with cold sweat and stuck her hair to her face. Then the contractions were back and feeling of tearing her body apart made Vesper scream although she tried to muff her cry. She arched and inhaled sharply. Gelion tried to gently push her down but new strength was running in Veper's veins and she had to ask for Faonor's help. When the pain subdued for a brief moment Vesper exhausted slipped into the pillows.
"I feel like I'm dying," Vesper said quietly in weary and cracked voice, using all of her power to fight against the unconsciousness that was trying to suck her in the dark valley.
"Just for a few moments, it will be over soon," Gelion was comforting her but she couldn't hide the concern in her voice. "Then you will gain your strength back, you will see the child and everything will be all right again."
Vesper squirmed as another contraction roared through her body. She couldn't cry anymore because she was too tired, feeling too weary even to breathe.
She fainted and Gelion yelped for the cold cloth and Faonor brought it to her. Then the she-elf wiped girl's face to get Vesper back.
"Don't surrender now, push and breathe," Gelion held her hand on Vesper's hot forehead. Vesper couldn't even open her heavy eyelids so she just lay there limp and lifeless. She saw her mama coming through the door and she sat down by her side.
"Mama, I can't bear this any longer, it hurts so much, I can't," Vesper let the tears escape her eyes.
"You are crying again, you haven't cry after father died," mother said and kissed Vesper's cheeks.
"I will help you, I will give you some my strength derived from my sadness and despair but you will feel cold... But we have to save a child. Because he is the child promised, the child born in the hour of dead shadows that shall become a light and make the Tree bloom in silver and white for all the peoples of Arda. Breathe!" mother yelled in loud voice that made the glass break and all the windows opened and the room was lit with the brightest silver light ever seen.
Gelion and Faonor felt cold stream of air spinning around them and Vesper's skin was cooling down, fever was gone.
"Push!" Gelion told Vesper and held her hands firmly. Vesper pushed.
She gasped and crimson light exploded in front of her eyes. Then a strong yet clear and melodic voice was heard in the room. The child was born. His crying was heard among the singing of the birds before the dark was vaporising into twilight that was promising new dawn to be born.
Gelion took care of the child and his mother and then she lifted him and wrapped him in a white sheet. "A hope has come to us," she said in quite voice and put him in Vesper's arms. She had just gained her consciousness and hugged the child with trembling hands. The child nestled his small head covered with fine golden hair in the soft curve of Vesper's neck and collarbone. A single tear slit down her cheek as she touched baby's warm and silky skin. She skimmed his golden locks and saw tiny but perfect pointy ears. She froze for a moment but then she gently ran her finger down his ear. Baby's skin was warmer than her and suddenly he looked at her and two grey gazes were locked for long moments, before baby leant his head back on his mother's skin.
Gelion and Faonor were startled, they were just standing still and drinking the glorious sight in front of them. They both thought that this was the most majestic scene they had ever witnessed in the long course of their immortal life.
The child was breathing evenly and he fell asleep in his mother's arms. Then both Elves finally tore their eyes away and Gelion stepped to the bed to cover Vesper and her child with warm blanket and smiled. Vesper's eyes were closing, she had spent last drops of her strength.
"Sleep, Vesper, we will leave you alone, you need some rest. I'm going to bring you something warm to drink." Gelion wanted to leave the room with Faonor when Vesper's words stopped her.
"Don't bring my child to Legolas because it will not help. Let me have him for these short moments before we part," said Vesper in faint voice.
"I would never do that Vesper, I would never interfere with the destiny, do not worry about that. We will help you to recover and you won't part, I can feel hope surrounding us and so does Faonor, don't you?" she turned to the Elf whose face was lit with the hope and happiness.
"Indeed I do, my lady," he said. And he spoke the truth because he knew that from this time on things could be only better. No one, no force even the darkness that caught his lord into its webs cannot resist against such pure innocence.
"I shall go now and shall return if you need me. Have a good rest," he said to Vesper and left the room.
"You have my word that I won't try anything with the child and Legolas," Gelion swore before she left the mother and the child to go to her quarters to make some herbal tea for young mother.
Vesper and the child sleeping in her arms were now alone, there were just some candles left burning. Vesper felt soft and comfortable slumber claiming her body, but she was fighting it for a short time to say words to her son.
"I love you and I hope that you feel it. I will love you without my body and I will hope without my heart. Be in peace, be happy my child," Vesper kissed her son's head covered with soft golden curls. Sleep had overcome her and she slipped into dreamless slumber.
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Meanwhile Faonor almost reached his room while great struggle was roaring inside him. He cannot let Legolas to go away. His lord can change back to good, he knew that. He was sure that one, just one look at the child was needed to bring his lord back to the paths of light. Vesper thought that wasn't possible but he was an Eldar and he felt and knew certain things mortals couldn't. He had heard Gelion's promise but him, he had never promised anything. Just for few moments, Legolas has to see his child for a few moments. Even he cannot resist the beauty and innocence of this child. Faonor turned and swiftly hurried back to the Vesper's chamber. Without any sound he turned the knob and opened the heavy wooden doors.
He approached the bed and looked at the sleeping mother and child. He held his breath when he gently lifted small body in his arms. Vesper shifted a bit as she would sense even in her deep slumber when the child was withdrawn from her. But she didn't wake. The child only half opened his grey eyes and took a look at the Elf before he closed his eyes again as Faonor carefully placed the baby against his chest and he held baby's head for support. The Elf felt warmth and joy running through his veins while holding this child. It is a miracle, pure miracle. This child shall bring Legolas back and then the real Golden Age of the Firstborns shall start. The child shall make Legolas himself again. The brightest soul of their kin that was what Faonor firmly believed.
"We shall return in no time," Faonor whispered to the sleeping Vesper. "Legolas has to see his child just for a brief moment." Then Faonor closed the doors with caution and hurried through the corridors and staircases carrying light and warm weight nicely curled in his arms.
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Legolas got dressed in his dark cloak and then he put silver dagger behind his belt. His moves were still and determined, there was no way back. The Elf turned and opened the door. The stoned corridor was lit with soft light and Legolas closed the doors behind him without looking back. His steps were leading him through the corridors to the secret passage that was connecting his quarters with the corridor where Vesper's room was.
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Gelion was making some herbal tea and when she lifted the cup from the fire a blaze of realisation hit her as a blow.
"Faonor!" she said with surprise and dropped the cup. It hit the floor and broke into thousand pieces that looked like tears on the marble floor. "Faonor!" Gelion shouted and ran through the doors. The fair she-elf was almost flying through the halls and up the stairs while icy feeling was creeping up her spine.
Faonor wouldn't do that, he knew how dangerous it was to mess with the destiny, she was trying to calm herself down. Her pulse was hammering in fear in spite of her efforts to prove her feelings wrong.
Faonor loved his lord and cared for the well-being of his kin - he was sure that he was doing the right thing. Gelion arrived to Faonor's room only to find it empty and the bed was untouched.
Fear made her legs heavy but desperate hope chased her further to Legolas' quarters. Her darkest fears came true - his room was sunk in darkness and completely empty. Gelion felt like someone would take the grounds beneath her feet away. She rushed to the Vesper's chamber and hardly managed few steps to enter the room. Her heart felt heavy. Her hope was cracked at the sight of Faonor sitting on the empty bed with sleeping child in his lap.
"They both are gone," said Faonor in weary voice. His face looked aged from the burden he had to wear. "I'm so sorry, ... I thought that I will help... It happened because of me, it's my fault! She knew that, she knew. She told us not to interfere with fate but I didn't listen. I failed. I thought that being an Eldar is above mortal's wisdom and assumptions..."
Gelion stood there like frozen, she felt as bitter as Faonor's voice. How could he do that? Oh, the stupid and impatient Elf! Rage consumed her heart. But soon her sharp gaze softened.
"It's not your fault Faonor. You have done it in good faith that you can make a difference and help. We cannot control everything although we are Eldars. No one can control everything. Even Legolas. Come, now we have to take care of this child." The child was still sleeping as the great sorrow had nothing to do with him.
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/Few minutes before/:
Legolas came to Vesper's room clad in his dark coat and stopped at the table. Vesper was alone. That was good because he didn't know what would be his reaction like at the sight of his child. Vesper was sleeping, her face almost transparent from the exhaustion but peaceful and with a dreamy smile on her pale lips. He approached the bed and wrapped one hand around her shoulders and put one hand under her knees. When he lifted her the lightness of her body surprised him. Without the smallest sound he left the room with sleeping girl in his arms. He wrapped her in the cloak and mounted her horse. He whispered encouraging words in the beast's ear and they left the Greenwood the Great like on wings.
They fiercely flew to the ruins of Gondor and to the Great Waterfalls of Anduin river, to the Rauros. Legolas wasn't aware of the time, they just travelled through the darkness. There he dismounted and walked with Vesper in his arms to the cliff that was near the great waterfall. Crispy air wake Vesper up and she opened her eyes to see Legolas' fair face few inches away from her. Then she saw scars marking his cheek.
She looked at him and said in sad voice. "One cannot control everything."
Legolas didn't stop walking till they reached the edge of the cliff. Then he lowered his head and said: "Who said that I want to control everything? I want to control me. And you. Because you are a part of me. I am no tool to anyone, I refuse to be merely a tool. Playing games for the greater cause with me was a bitter mistake. The Firstborns are not a toy that can be switched from evil to good as someone above pleases."
"You haven't seen the child," Vesper figured.
"No, I didn't want to be surrendered because of the form of pure innocence would make me. My will is the only thing I had left. But although I shall never see the child I know that he is the most beautiful and strong child ever born in the Middle earth. A perfection but even he couldn't avoided the Nienna's gift. He shall have no father and no mother," Legolas voice died with the last words. Vesper leaned her weary body against his chest and remained silent. What use would be of words? None.
A cold icy mist swirled around them. It lifted for a moment, and then revealed the look at waterfalls of Rauros. They were standing at the very edge of the rock. Now they were facing each other, Legolas put Vesper on her feet although he was holding her so she didn't slide down because she was too weak to stand by herself. Her legs were too jelly to provide enough support. Legolas put his arms around her more tightly and lowered his head to catch her lips. While kissing Vesper he felt the blood in his veins cooling, her lips were so cold. She knew. She knew their time had come. She knew from the moment he entered that room and lifted her in his arms. She didn't resist, they both were too tired. She was hanging in his hands as a rag doll.
Legolas produced a small but sharp looking silver dagger that he used on his token. The first rays of morning sun gleamed at the sharp edge of the blade. "With this deed I claim your soul for ever. We shall be doomed together the rivers stoop flowing, the sky fall upon the Arda and melt into the ground, or until Time itself expire - two houseless spirits trapped in one. We shall never part!" The Elf's dark and melodic voice echoed in the valley beneath them.
"It is me
that shall guide your soul
from the days of endless dreams
into the time of somber
me, child of light
who became the dead shadow
I want you
I want without my body
I hope without my heart.
And here you are
with cold lips
by my side
and now my blood is boiling in your veins
but you are cold, you are leaving, you are running away from me
but listen! We shall no part
morning calls you
back into the day
but I shall not let you go.
Because away from my shelter
there is no roses for me
there is nothing but cold and dark
cold and dark
we shall not part!"
His hand slid up to cup Vesper's face, the other resting on his dagger. Legolas' hands were tangling in her long black hair. Vesper looked into the blue eyes, which were now blackened with determination. Then she closed her eyes.
Legolas kissed her again. It burned like liquid fire. He kept his head bowed down, kissing her hungrily. A soft whimper left Vesper's lips but she could not make a move, except to half open her dimmed eyes.
Then Legolas withdrew his lips and stared at her in silence, before he moved to use his dagger.
"Let me take you away," he said quietly.
Vesper didn't utter a sound as he drove the silver blade through her heart. Legolas held her while her blood was soaking their clothes. His intense gaze met her clear eyes where the light of life was fading as warm blood was rushing from her wound through his fingers.
"With this I claim you mine for ever. I'm no tool to anyone and I curse the Valars. I refuse Halls of Mandos! I'm doomed you cannot doom me more than I had already been! I have too much rage in my veins to die or to live like a mortal or an Elf!" Legolas whispered in Elvish and then he pushed the bloody dagger in his chest. He felt cold steel grazing his flesh, he kissed Vesper on her cooling lips coloured with few drops of blood for the last time. Vesper closed her eyes and simply stopped living as the last drop of blood left her body. Their souls mingled as their blood mixed. Legolas lifted Vesper's light body and made a final step toward the edge of the cliff. Mists cleared for a moment when he left the rock and entered the thin air. They both disappeared in the thunder of the great waterfalls.
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They had never seen Legolas and Vesper again. Faonor told the lords about Legolas' wish and they agreed. Gelion and the Elvish lords formed the White council and Gelion moved to the Imladris with the child. Faonor came along to be child's guard and friend.
The Elves were enthusiastic when they found out about child's birth - he had many names. Some called him Fëah?ndil - son of spirits and other thought of the child as of Legolas' gleaming gift, so they called him Annaglîdil. But Gelion named him Ariendil, he was a sunlight to her and his people after the dark no one except her and Faonor knew.
The sun was shining on the Middle earth. Rich, emerald green grass seemed like an ocean as the fine breeze curled the grass in waves. Countless flowers were blooming in intense colours, birds were singing in the clear sky and butterflies with silken wings played across the ocean of grass. Mountain's peaks gleamed covered in white snow and leaves on the ancient trees whispered in peaceful joy. Silver elvish ballads were heard from one place to another all across the Middle earth. Children's voices echoed in melodic laughs under the rainbows that embellished great waterfalls.
Mordor became a name forgotten and along with the Men just a part of legends of the Dark Ages. Men's cities made of stones and rock decayed and woods claimed their realm back. The Middle earth was a place that could make Eru the great proud if he visited them. The Elves had never seen a man again. The Men became a mere legend, a distant memory, nothing but a bad dream from the dark time.
They had The White council of Gelion and other Elvish lords all wise and noble that made decisions when the Elves themselves couldn't settle some matter. Which was seldom. The Elves lived happily ever after - but few of them still remembered about the legend of the last mortal and the prophecy. Young Elves were eager to hear a legend of the mortal girl, called Vesper and an Elvish prince who saved them, Legolas. And who were also parents of their king-to-be Ariendil.
The legend of Legolas and Vesper said:
All the Man left the Middle earth because they would destroy it. Legolas who was one of the wooden kin and best archer, was the chosen one therefore he gave up his brotherhood with a man and made the men left the Middle earth.
After that only one mortal stayed here - a girl called Vesper whose life was saved by Legolas. She loved him and he let her stay.
She had to sacrifice herself to bring the Second golden age of the Firstborns.
Legolas and Vesper had a child - a child that was both beautiful and strong. It was an immortal and his mother spent all of her energy while carrying him.
Gelion the White told that never before a mortal mother had carried an elvish child. Vesper was so exhausted after giving birth to her Elvish son, that no cure known to Elves could save her.
So Legolas took her to the waterfall Rauros of Anduin and disappeared there with her. He could not live without her, they said. Even his great powers and wizardry could not prevent what had to happen.
No one can control life.
No one, Gelion thought bitterly, but I had invented a lie and spread it around like it would be the most sacred truth. For the good of the Elves. But wasn't that what destroyed the good?
To sacrifice an innocent girl and to sacrifice the truth for the better cause.
That destroyed the good.
The End
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So, this is the last part of my fic. *Big thanks* for reviews and that you stuck with me for awhile.
Ehm, I hope you like the ending; it isn't too pathetic is it? If you find it too soby and pathetic let me know and I might make a new one, I guess.
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A CHILD OF DEAD SHADOWS SHALL BECOME A LIGHT (part 2)
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"A child of an Elf and a mortal. Immortality combined with human intensity and passion in a perfect form. Born perfection," Legolas let his gaze wander behind the present. Then he bowed his head in realisation.
"A fool, nothing but a fool I was. A chosen one, mighty one, oh yes, but chosen to be a mighty tool. Well. In vain my struggle." Sad smile played on his lips for a bit and showed Legolas' true face. Face that was loved by his father, his friends, the face Vesper trusted what it seemed now thousand years ago. But soon it vanished under cold words.
"Do what you want to do." Legolas said and left her alone. He didn't ask how far was Vesper or how his child was. That filled her with rage. After all it was his child. Gelion watched him disappearing into the shadows and started to feel strange sympathy for him.
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Legolas deserved no sympathy what so ever regarding what he had done in past few months, Gelion reminded herself as she walked back to the hall. But can she really condemn Legolas? Maybe he did all that because he thought that he was doing the right thing. She violently shook her head in disbelief - he knew that hurting Vesper was wrong and cruel, but he didn't stop.
Well, what had been done could not be changed. There is no wizardry to turn the wheel of time back and change deeds. Now it is time to go and tell Vesper what happened to her. Gelion was walking to the Vesper's chamber.
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It was late in the night when the door opened and Gelion entered the room, she walked carefully to the bed and stopped there to see the pitiful mortal lying on the bed. Vesper heard soft steps and got up and sat on the bed to face him. Gelion was surprised to find her awake because she didn't know about Legolas' "routine".
Vesper saw the fair she-elf and felt a little relieved. So no more pain tonight? At least the pain induced by him.
"How do you feel?" asked Gelion the girl that was sitting on the edge of the bed and wearing her dress.
"Better, I guess," Vesper answered in weary voice. "The pain ceased but I can feel that it will return. You know that something is wrong with me. That's why you came, isn't it?"
Vesper's face was still pale and empty of all expressions. She would ask what was wrong but it seemed as the answer was not important. She thought that Gelion was his assistant like Faonor or something.
"I'm not helping Legolas, I was just called to help you," Gelion guessed girl's thoughts. "Listen to what I have to say to you. I know why you have that searing pain."
Vesper looked at her without the smallest expectation and even without a hint of curiosity. Like it didn't matter. Her dark hair cascaded around her shoulders and she had shadows under her eyes.
"You carry a child. You carry an Elvish child and that happened for the first time in history. He is growing on your strengths, using your energy. That's why you feel pains and they might increase through the time," Gelion said while observing the girl in front of her.
Not a line moved in Vesper's face. It took some time that words reached her minds and that she understood the meaning of them. Then a shiver coursed through her body. A child? An Elvish child? HIS child? HIS child growing inside of her weary body? Suddenly the images rose in her mind that brought back the feeling of his savage thrusts into her body, hard, sharp breaths when he poured his seed out inside her body, then the seed anchoring in her womb and cells splitting like warms or insects. And then that indefinite dark bundle growing, stretching her body, feeding on her energy, sucking her strength as a vampire. Vesper felt the intensifying heaviness in her abdomen as the thing would grow inside of her from minute to minute, claiming her body for its dark realm. Her stomach twisted in disgust and in a second Vesper was throwing up on the stone floor. Her whole body was rebelling against the perverted words she had just heard. Convulsions were shooting through her body and Gelion jumped to help her. She held Vesper's trembling body for as long as the spasms roamed through her. Finally the cramps abated. Gelion wanted to soothe Vesper and murmured soft words in Elvish. Vesper stiffed.
"Stop! Don't talk like him! Stop! Stop!" girl's dreadful shriek surprised Gelion and she let Vesper go. She curled on the bed and hid her face in her hands.
"Do something, help me please! I can't have this thing, I can't... can't... NO!" the rest was muffed by pillow where Vesper had buried her head. Gelion's heart was tearing at the sound of desperate and small voice. She quickly skimmed her eyes to wipe few tears away.
"I'll come back with something for you to drink," then she left the room but she could still overhear what the girl said.
"Let it be poisonous..."
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As the door closed behind Gelion Vesper started violently shaking her head and hitting bedpost with her clenched fists until she hurt her knuckles and they started to bleed.
"No, no, no,...NOOO!" she was repeating words of denial in fever. "I'm not, I'm not, not,..." she kept saying louder until she was screaming in the empty room. then she was crying hard until she was too tired and felt back onto the pillows and panted into blankets.
By the time Gelion returned Vesper was exhausted and she sank into bleak existence, but only for a few moments. Later one only had to look into her eyes to see sadness and rage that ached within her soul. Vesper regarded her body with revolt. "All good had passed long ago. It does not matter if I accept this, or not - I shall have to live and die with it."
"I brought you potion that will help you to regain your strength! Drink please," Gelion gently placed Vesper's head in her lap and pressed the cup to girl's dry lips.
"Please drink, it will do you good!"
"No," Vesper said in a tortured whisper; her eyes hazed over with pain and sadness. "I refuse to exist like this."
An overwhelming sense of sympathy and remorse washed through Gelion. "You will sleep after the potion," she told Vesper.
To sleep and to forget, to forget if only for a moment. Sweet oblivion in sleep! Then Vesper obeyed Gelion and parted her lips to drink it all. She closed her eyes and welcomed slumber that soon claimed her.
"Rest now," Gelion said quietly and closed the doors behind her. Gelion spent the night sitting under the great tree while listening to the wind that was playing with the leaves above her head. In the morning, at the dawn, she walked back to her library, meeting other Elves and she couldn't understand their happy faces, their bright eyes glowing in joy and peace, their melodic voices sounding as a clear stream in the rising sun. How come that they didn't sense great suffering in their middle? Did some great magic help Legolas after it had captured him in its dark webs? That was going on in Gelion's head as she was observing Elvish fair faces. Are they all under the spell? Had she been like them before she met Vesper yesterday, Gelion wondered. She knew that something strange was dwelling in Greenwood the Great before she was called. But it was just a hint - her keen senses should feel the agony so near her. And yet she hadn't felt. Maybe that had something to do with the scar, actually with fine lines on Vesper's arm that said something in ancient language even Gelion wasn't familiar with. Ancient force was at work here. Could she find something in her books? She should try at least, Gelion was discussing with herself. Then she saw Faonor and called him to follow her. He didn't ask her anything and she was grateful. After they had come to the library Gelion scanned the place to see if anyone was around, but no, they were alone.
"Faonor, your lord Legolas and Vesper are to have a child." Gelion told him right away after she failed at finding suitable words to prepare him for the fact.
Faonor was obviously struck with the news although he looked more pleased than shocked. He felt sorry for mortal girl and unspeakable things that she had to suffer but maybe from now everything would be like before.
"The birth of his child will change him back," Faonor said with firm trust in his voice. "I know it sounds weird but he truly cares for her..."
"And I thought that only the Men were the cruelest with the people they loved..." Gelion's words died on her lips.
"I will make more potion, that's the only way to give a try in order to save her and child's life," she told Faonor and he bowed his head in acknowledgement. "And pray to the Valars that both of them will endure the pregnancy," Gelion added as an afterthought.
"We are the only ones that know about the drama - let it stay that way," she finally spit the words and felt dirty. Hiding things and making them secret was not her way of solving matters but at the time being that was the only solution. Faonor didn't have any objections. "Others wouldn't understand. He is the chosen one. It is a hard and lonely job."
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After the conversation spiced with Gelion's accusations Legolas mounted his horse and left the borders of Greenwood. He needed to be alone with the turmoil that was threatening to consume all the sanity he had left. Clad in dark clothes, with fire in his eyes and riding as a wind he was like a thunder running through the dark shadows and meadows lit with silver moonlight.
He was running from himself although no speed was fast enough to leave his scattered soul behind. Images of the battle for Helm's Deep, journey of the Grey fellowship, Sauron's dungeons and fight with Aragorn were mixed into one bloody and confusing cluster. Suddenly his horse collapsed beneath the fiercely rider and Legolas hit the ground. As his face made contact with the rough surface of the rock Legolas almost sighed in relief. Physical pain helped to forget scars of the soul. The right side of his fair face was scratched and bleeding, stinging would be rather unbearable if he didn't welcome the ache in order to keep his twisted memories at bay.
Legolas saw his horse covered with sweat and blood. Legolas felt stab in the place where his heart used to be at the sight of dying animal that was his companion for many years. He rose on his feet and approached the tormented beast then he caressed the beast's head with gently strokes and lowered his head whispering calming words in horse's ear. With a swift grip Legolas broke beast's elegant neck. Without a sound the great animal died while his eyes were still resting at Legolas. He stood there silently for few moments before he turned and walked away, dark haze blurring his vision. Legolas didn't see the river gleaming like silver in the moonlight, mirroring the starry sky above his head. He stopped by the river and let the searing pain overwhelmed his body - his ribs protested at every breath he made, therefore Legolas clenched his hands in fists that his nails bruised his skin. His breathing was rapid and shallow, headache blinding him, he felt burning inside his skull and blood streamed from his nose down his lips and mingling with the blood from his scratched cheek.
"WHY?" he suddenly let a scream into the soundless night around him. Not even an echo answered him.
"Why me? I helped with the ring, I fought Sauron, why playing games with me? I lost everything, my family, my friends, my pride, myself just to realize that I'm nothing but a tool, a puppet on the strings to Valars or Eru or someone. Damn Valars! I curse you from the bottom of my dead heart, I refuse being a tool, I'm a warrior and an Eldar. I shall not obey, shall not listen. Not anymore." His pulse was hammering like mad and his bruised ribs hurt.
"I wish," Legolas knelt panting and tore his shirt off his body, exposing his ivory chest with scars to the moonlight, "that Sauron had time or will to finish me there in Barad Dur or to win!" Legolas produced silver dagger from his belt and incised long and numerous lines down his scar that represented what Sauron engraved on him. Cuts were deeper than the scar, pain roaring through his body, his hands covered with his own dark blood. Legolas felt sudden blow that knocked him down and the darkness claimed him.
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Few days passed but Legolas hadn't returned. Faonor was worried about the whereabouts of his lord and he asked Gelion what to do. She was far more concerned for Vesper's well-being.
"Maybe he is checking the borders, there might be still some mortals or Orcs left," Gelion shrugged and returned her attention to the ancient book she was reading. "He would have told me and he would have taken some lords with him if that had been the reason of his disappearance. I can sense some strange vibrations that I cannot explain. It makes me nervous," Faonor finally admitted.
Gelion frowned, a nervous Elf was something extremely rare to see.
"He might need to spend some time alone to think, because there is *a lot* to think about," she answered to Faonor and Gelion sounded more sure than she really was because doubts started to raise in her minds. Other Elves took their lord's absence for granted and didn't worry. Because he was the chosen one, he had duties beyond their understanding. They lived in harmony and peace what more should they want?
Gelion brought more potion to Vesper. She gave her stronger potion because the child was bringing more and more pain to his mother. More than once Gelion found Vesper slamming her head into the bedpost because of the pain. Other time Vesper was crying and yelling that she cannot have this thing. So Gelion mixed tranquilizing potion with the one for strength. That was why for the last three days Vesper spent her time between the deep slumber and being half awake just to have her potion. She have been using sleep for escape to the better world, spending her days lost in dreams and sometimes in nightmares waking up all sweaty and screaming.
Vesper dreamt about her childhood - she was a girl again, playing in the rich grass in the meadows of the warm South. Father gave her a beautiful horse and she was riding through the fields, jumping over the streams and inhaling deeply when the wind brought the smell of salty air from the sea. She told her mama about the dreadful dreams she had about Elves.
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"Silly isn't it? As the Elves could hurt anyone." Little girl was giggling while sitting next to her mother and reading books with beautiful pictures.
"Silly indeed my child," said her mother and put a lock of Vesper's black hair behind her ear. She was smiling. Then she hugged her daughter and comforted her.
"Let's make you some warm milk and then you can go back to bed. We are to have a company for the dinner tomorrow evening."
Next day Vesper wake early and fresh. She was helping her mum when mama forced her to drink some bitter medicine while she was still half-asleep.
"I'm not sick," Vesper was protesting. "I was to get up when you came!"
"I know, child. But your child needs vitamins," mama kissed her cheeks gently.
"Oh, yes, the baby," Vesper remembered. What about the memory of being just a little girl? Oh, another dreams, Vesper sighed. She had been dreaming a lot and sometimes her memories mingled with the pictures from her dreams or nightmares and stories from the books mama read her.
"When Legolas returns we are going to settle everything for the wedding," mama was chopping carrots and they were sitting in the kitchen by the great fireplace. Wasn't she in her bedroom just few moments before? Oh, it must be the medicine that makes her so dizzy and sleepy, Vesper rubbed her eyes.
"Do you thing that baby will look more like me or like him?" Vesper asked her. Mum was silent while thinking deeply.
"I'm sure that the baby will look like you, well, except for the pointy ears. We can do nothing about that, can we," mama smiled and there was a big cake in front of her. "Here is the carrot cake Legolas likes the best, these Elves just love carrots!" Vesper giggled but when she saw the spreading dark outside the windows her smile disappeared. Vesper was little confused - it was getting dark outside but she got up just few minutes ago. How come?
"Oh, baby, you were so tired because of that nightmare so I just left you sleeping, get dressed for the dinner, sweetie," mama reminded Vesper and gave her the dress.
When she returned from her room there, in the dining room, were Aragorn and Gimli sitting around the table with her parents and Legolas was waiting for her at the stairs.
"You came back," she hugged Aragorn and Gimli.
"Well, it is your engagement, we couldn't miss that, could we? Arwen sends you her good wishes, she stayed with the twins," Aragorn smiled at her and kissed her forehead.
"Congratulations, Vesper, you got a great guy, great for an Elf I mean," said the dwarf when she bent to hug him.
"How are you?" Legolas asked her when he held her in his arms. His eyes were warm and loving.
"Fine now that you have returned. But I had these horrible nightmares, you attacked me with this dagger and locked me in the room and... it's all right now," she sighed and leaned her head on his chest.
"You are bleeding," Vesper cried when she saw big blood stain on his shirt.
"I had to free myself again. Do not worry, I will heal soon and never leave you again. We will take care of our child," Legolas placed a tender kiss on her lips. The gentle breeze came through the open windows and soft glow of the sinking sun lit the room.
"I'm so happy that the nightmare is finally over," Vesper sighed. She felt goodness and light radiating from the fair Elf's body.
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"Vesper, wake up, drink your potion, it will do you good," Gelion lifted girl's head and tried to make her open her eyes.
"I will, mama, I will." Vesper was half-asleep when she drank her potion without looking at Gelion. Then she curled back in the bed.
"Legolas is hurt. Where is he now?" that question left Gelion speechless.
"He hasn't returned yet," she told Vesper. Vesper sighed and murmured something that sounded that he is probably looking for the crib for the child. Gelion suddenly realized that Vesper has been living in a fantasy world since last week. Maybe that is the best solution, she thought by herself. It seemed that in the alternative world Vesper loved her child deeply. That was going on for almost a month and Legolas didn't appear.
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Then one day Legolas had simply returned, looking pale and weary as he would go to the Barlog's nest and back. He went straight to his chamber and slept for three days. Faonor was relieved to see his lord sound and alive although he had scars on his face.
In the evening Legolas wake and took a cold bath. While eating his dinner he talked to Faonor. "I order you to help Gelion with the forming of a council like Elrond's was and with the governing when the time is ripe, promise me that you will obey my order," he looked in Faonor's loyal and surprised eyes.
"Of course I shall, my lord. But why? Are you going somewhere?" he was confused.
"Indeed I am when the time is right," he looked beyond Faonor.
When Legolas was alone he closed his eyes for a moment, he had to stay determined and not to allow himself to get soften. The lines in his fair face mirrored dull torment and doubts that started after he had mutilated the token on his chest. He refused to go and see Vesper and neither he wanted to see the child when he would be delivered. Legolas had a plan to complete - when things were to complicated one has to make a clean cut. Without any remorse or guilt. Clean cut.
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At the same time Vesper woke up screaming - she dreamt about Legolas only this time he had fire instead of his eyes, his fair face was covered with dark blood, his sharp teeth were tearing the tender skin on her throat and he was drinking blood from her veins. Gelion who had been sleeping in the next room since first nightmare ran to the room and tried to calm her down with soothing words. She was afraid that Vesper could not endure any longer. Next day Gelion helped Vesper with a bath.
Sitting in a bath Vesper couldn't avoid seeing the curve of her abdomen and she touched her body with disgust. A stranger within her body, feeding on her. Will it look like him, subtle cruelty in the form of perfection? His child. Her child. Their child. A child. Thinking about the thing in the term of child was dangerously. It was risky to carry an immortal child, she heard from Gelion. But Vesper didn't care. She was tired, so tired.
"You have three months left, but the child might come earlier because you are exhausted," Gelion explained her when she wrapped her in huge soft sheet. Vesper tore her eyes away from her body and only wished to escape into sleep. She longed for the deep sleep dreaming.
But during the same night pain in her abdomen ended her escape and wake her up. Vesper knew at once that she would give birth.
"It's time," Gelion said as she hurried to her room. She called for Faonor and he came immediately, more nervous than ever. They lit numerous candles and held Vesper as she was hitting the bedpost with her hands that were already bleeding because of the strong blows.
"It is the hour of dead shadows," Faonor told Gelion as he caught mists and dark outside the window.
"Well, the child wants to come, so let's help him and pray that both of them will be all right," she said to Faonor and tied Vesper's hands not to hurt herself anymore. Vesper let a cry escape her throat as the searing pain threatened to tear her body in two from the inside. Her vision was blurred and with her tied hands she was grabbing for support. Gelion had no potion to help because the contractions were too early and too strong. All she could do now was to wait that the child sucked the last drops of his mother's strength and then he would be forced to enter the world and leave his mother's body. Gelion put cold cloth on Vesper's feverish forehead.
"It is too early," Vesper whispered between two contractions. "Will child be all right?"
Gelion was surprised - during the whole time she knew how much was this child burden to the mortal girl, but in the hour of the greatest suffering she asked *how is the child*.
"It will be fine, just try to save some strength for the final push," Gelion caressed Vesper's damp hair. The pain covered Vesper's skin with cold sweat and stuck her hair to her face. Then the contractions were back and feeling of tearing her body apart made Vesper scream although she tried to muff her cry. She arched and inhaled sharply. Gelion tried to gently push her down but new strength was running in Veper's veins and she had to ask for Faonor's help. When the pain subdued for a brief moment Vesper exhausted slipped into the pillows.
"I feel like I'm dying," Vesper said quietly in weary and cracked voice, using all of her power to fight against the unconsciousness that was trying to suck her in the dark valley.
"Just for a few moments, it will be over soon," Gelion was comforting her but she couldn't hide the concern in her voice. "Then you will gain your strength back, you will see the child and everything will be all right again."
Vesper squirmed as another contraction roared through her body. She couldn't cry anymore because she was too tired, feeling too weary even to breathe.
She fainted and Gelion yelped for the cold cloth and Faonor brought it to her. Then the she-elf wiped girl's face to get Vesper back.
"Don't surrender now, push and breathe," Gelion held her hand on Vesper's hot forehead. Vesper couldn't even open her heavy eyelids so she just lay there limp and lifeless. She saw her mama coming through the door and she sat down by her side.
"Mama, I can't bear this any longer, it hurts so much, I can't," Vesper let the tears escape her eyes.
"You are crying again, you haven't cry after father died," mother said and kissed Vesper's cheeks.
"I will help you, I will give you some my strength derived from my sadness and despair but you will feel cold... But we have to save a child. Because he is the child promised, the child born in the hour of dead shadows that shall become a light and make the Tree bloom in silver and white for all the peoples of Arda. Breathe!" mother yelled in loud voice that made the glass break and all the windows opened and the room was lit with the brightest silver light ever seen.
Gelion and Faonor felt cold stream of air spinning around them and Vesper's skin was cooling down, fever was gone.
"Push!" Gelion told Vesper and held her hands firmly. Vesper pushed.
She gasped and crimson light exploded in front of her eyes. Then a strong yet clear and melodic voice was heard in the room. The child was born. His crying was heard among the singing of the birds before the dark was vaporising into twilight that was promising new dawn to be born.
Gelion took care of the child and his mother and then she lifted him and wrapped him in a white sheet. "A hope has come to us," she said in quite voice and put him in Vesper's arms. She had just gained her consciousness and hugged the child with trembling hands. The child nestled his small head covered with fine golden hair in the soft curve of Vesper's neck and collarbone. A single tear slit down her cheek as she touched baby's warm and silky skin. She skimmed his golden locks and saw tiny but perfect pointy ears. She froze for a moment but then she gently ran her finger down his ear. Baby's skin was warmer than her and suddenly he looked at her and two grey gazes were locked for long moments, before baby leant his head back on his mother's skin.
Gelion and Faonor were startled, they were just standing still and drinking the glorious sight in front of them. They both thought that this was the most majestic scene they had ever witnessed in the long course of their immortal life.
The child was breathing evenly and he fell asleep in his mother's arms. Then both Elves finally tore their eyes away and Gelion stepped to the bed to cover Vesper and her child with warm blanket and smiled. Vesper's eyes were closing, she had spent last drops of her strength.
"Sleep, Vesper, we will leave you alone, you need some rest. I'm going to bring you something warm to drink." Gelion wanted to leave the room with Faonor when Vesper's words stopped her.
"Don't bring my child to Legolas because it will not help. Let me have him for these short moments before we part," said Vesper in faint voice.
"I would never do that Vesper, I would never interfere with the destiny, do not worry about that. We will help you to recover and you won't part, I can feel hope surrounding us and so does Faonor, don't you?" she turned to the Elf whose face was lit with the hope and happiness.
"Indeed I do, my lady," he said. And he spoke the truth because he knew that from this time on things could be only better. No one, no force even the darkness that caught his lord into its webs cannot resist against such pure innocence.
"I shall go now and shall return if you need me. Have a good rest," he said to Vesper and left the room.
"You have my word that I won't try anything with the child and Legolas," Gelion swore before she left the mother and the child to go to her quarters to make some herbal tea for young mother.
Vesper and the child sleeping in her arms were now alone, there were just some candles left burning. Vesper felt soft and comfortable slumber claiming her body, but she was fighting it for a short time to say words to her son.
"I love you and I hope that you feel it. I will love you without my body and I will hope without my heart. Be in peace, be happy my child," Vesper kissed her son's head covered with soft golden curls. Sleep had overcome her and she slipped into dreamless slumber.
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Meanwhile Faonor almost reached his room while great struggle was roaring inside him. He cannot let Legolas to go away. His lord can change back to good, he knew that. He was sure that one, just one look at the child was needed to bring his lord back to the paths of light. Vesper thought that wasn't possible but he was an Eldar and he felt and knew certain things mortals couldn't. He had heard Gelion's promise but him, he had never promised anything. Just for few moments, Legolas has to see his child for a few moments. Even he cannot resist the beauty and innocence of this child. Faonor turned and swiftly hurried back to the Vesper's chamber. Without any sound he turned the knob and opened the heavy wooden doors.
He approached the bed and looked at the sleeping mother and child. He held his breath when he gently lifted small body in his arms. Vesper shifted a bit as she would sense even in her deep slumber when the child was withdrawn from her. But she didn't wake. The child only half opened his grey eyes and took a look at the Elf before he closed his eyes again as Faonor carefully placed the baby against his chest and he held baby's head for support. The Elf felt warmth and joy running through his veins while holding this child. It is a miracle, pure miracle. This child shall bring Legolas back and then the real Golden Age of the Firstborns shall start. The child shall make Legolas himself again. The brightest soul of their kin that was what Faonor firmly believed.
"We shall return in no time," Faonor whispered to the sleeping Vesper. "Legolas has to see his child just for a brief moment." Then Faonor closed the doors with caution and hurried through the corridors and staircases carrying light and warm weight nicely curled in his arms.
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Legolas got dressed in his dark cloak and then he put silver dagger behind his belt. His moves were still and determined, there was no way back. The Elf turned and opened the door. The stoned corridor was lit with soft light and Legolas closed the doors behind him without looking back. His steps were leading him through the corridors to the secret passage that was connecting his quarters with the corridor where Vesper's room was.
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Gelion was making some herbal tea and when she lifted the cup from the fire a blaze of realisation hit her as a blow.
"Faonor!" she said with surprise and dropped the cup. It hit the floor and broke into thousand pieces that looked like tears on the marble floor. "Faonor!" Gelion shouted and ran through the doors. The fair she-elf was almost flying through the halls and up the stairs while icy feeling was creeping up her spine.
Faonor wouldn't do that, he knew how dangerous it was to mess with the destiny, she was trying to calm herself down. Her pulse was hammering in fear in spite of her efforts to prove her feelings wrong.
Faonor loved his lord and cared for the well-being of his kin - he was sure that he was doing the right thing. Gelion arrived to Faonor's room only to find it empty and the bed was untouched.
Fear made her legs heavy but desperate hope chased her further to Legolas' quarters. Her darkest fears came true - his room was sunk in darkness and completely empty. Gelion felt like someone would take the grounds beneath her feet away. She rushed to the Vesper's chamber and hardly managed few steps to enter the room. Her heart felt heavy. Her hope was cracked at the sight of Faonor sitting on the empty bed with sleeping child in his lap.
"They both are gone," said Faonor in weary voice. His face looked aged from the burden he had to wear. "I'm so sorry, ... I thought that I will help... It happened because of me, it's my fault! She knew that, she knew. She told us not to interfere with fate but I didn't listen. I failed. I thought that being an Eldar is above mortal's wisdom and assumptions..."
Gelion stood there like frozen, she felt as bitter as Faonor's voice. How could he do that? Oh, the stupid and impatient Elf! Rage consumed her heart. But soon her sharp gaze softened.
"It's not your fault Faonor. You have done it in good faith that you can make a difference and help. We cannot control everything although we are Eldars. No one can control everything. Even Legolas. Come, now we have to take care of this child." The child was still sleeping as the great sorrow had nothing to do with him.
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/Few minutes before/:
Legolas came to Vesper's room clad in his dark coat and stopped at the table. Vesper was alone. That was good because he didn't know what would be his reaction like at the sight of his child. Vesper was sleeping, her face almost transparent from the exhaustion but peaceful and with a dreamy smile on her pale lips. He approached the bed and wrapped one hand around her shoulders and put one hand under her knees. When he lifted her the lightness of her body surprised him. Without the smallest sound he left the room with sleeping girl in his arms. He wrapped her in the cloak and mounted her horse. He whispered encouraging words in the beast's ear and they left the Greenwood the Great like on wings.
They fiercely flew to the ruins of Gondor and to the Great Waterfalls of Anduin river, to the Rauros. Legolas wasn't aware of the time, they just travelled through the darkness. There he dismounted and walked with Vesper in his arms to the cliff that was near the great waterfall. Crispy air wake Vesper up and she opened her eyes to see Legolas' fair face few inches away from her. Then she saw scars marking his cheek.
She looked at him and said in sad voice. "One cannot control everything."
Legolas didn't stop walking till they reached the edge of the cliff. Then he lowered his head and said: "Who said that I want to control everything? I want to control me. And you. Because you are a part of me. I am no tool to anyone, I refuse to be merely a tool. Playing games for the greater cause with me was a bitter mistake. The Firstborns are not a toy that can be switched from evil to good as someone above pleases."
"You haven't seen the child," Vesper figured.
"No, I didn't want to be surrendered because of the form of pure innocence would make me. My will is the only thing I had left. But although I shall never see the child I know that he is the most beautiful and strong child ever born in the Middle earth. A perfection but even he couldn't avoided the Nienna's gift. He shall have no father and no mother," Legolas voice died with the last words. Vesper leaned her weary body against his chest and remained silent. What use would be of words? None.
A cold icy mist swirled around them. It lifted for a moment, and then revealed the look at waterfalls of Rauros. They were standing at the very edge of the rock. Now they were facing each other, Legolas put Vesper on her feet although he was holding her so she didn't slide down because she was too weak to stand by herself. Her legs were too jelly to provide enough support. Legolas put his arms around her more tightly and lowered his head to catch her lips. While kissing Vesper he felt the blood in his veins cooling, her lips were so cold. She knew. She knew their time had come. She knew from the moment he entered that room and lifted her in his arms. She didn't resist, they both were too tired. She was hanging in his hands as a rag doll.
Legolas produced a small but sharp looking silver dagger that he used on his token. The first rays of morning sun gleamed at the sharp edge of the blade. "With this deed I claim your soul for ever. We shall be doomed together the rivers stoop flowing, the sky fall upon the Arda and melt into the ground, or until Time itself expire - two houseless spirits trapped in one. We shall never part!" The Elf's dark and melodic voice echoed in the valley beneath them.
"It is me
that shall guide your soul
from the days of endless dreams
into the time of somber
me, child of light
who became the dead shadow
I want you
I want without my body
I hope without my heart.
And here you are
with cold lips
by my side
and now my blood is boiling in your veins
but you are cold, you are leaving, you are running away from me
but listen! We shall no part
morning calls you
back into the day
but I shall not let you go.
Because away from my shelter
there is no roses for me
there is nothing but cold and dark
cold and dark
we shall not part!"
His hand slid up to cup Vesper's face, the other resting on his dagger. Legolas' hands were tangling in her long black hair. Vesper looked into the blue eyes, which were now blackened with determination. Then she closed her eyes.
Legolas kissed her again. It burned like liquid fire. He kept his head bowed down, kissing her hungrily. A soft whimper left Vesper's lips but she could not make a move, except to half open her dimmed eyes.
Then Legolas withdrew his lips and stared at her in silence, before he moved to use his dagger.
"Let me take you away," he said quietly.
Vesper didn't utter a sound as he drove the silver blade through her heart. Legolas held her while her blood was soaking their clothes. His intense gaze met her clear eyes where the light of life was fading as warm blood was rushing from her wound through his fingers.
"With this I claim you mine for ever. I'm no tool to anyone and I curse the Valars. I refuse Halls of Mandos! I'm doomed you cannot doom me more than I had already been! I have too much rage in my veins to die or to live like a mortal or an Elf!" Legolas whispered in Elvish and then he pushed the bloody dagger in his chest. He felt cold steel grazing his flesh, he kissed Vesper on her cooling lips coloured with few drops of blood for the last time. Vesper closed her eyes and simply stopped living as the last drop of blood left her body. Their souls mingled as their blood mixed. Legolas lifted Vesper's light body and made a final step toward the edge of the cliff. Mists cleared for a moment when he left the rock and entered the thin air. They both disappeared in the thunder of the great waterfalls.
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They had never seen Legolas and Vesper again. Faonor told the lords about Legolas' wish and they agreed. Gelion and the Elvish lords formed the White council and Gelion moved to the Imladris with the child. Faonor came along to be child's guard and friend.
The Elves were enthusiastic when they found out about child's birth - he had many names. Some called him Fëah?ndil - son of spirits and other thought of the child as of Legolas' gleaming gift, so they called him Annaglîdil. But Gelion named him Ariendil, he was a sunlight to her and his people after the dark no one except her and Faonor knew.
The sun was shining on the Middle earth. Rich, emerald green grass seemed like an ocean as the fine breeze curled the grass in waves. Countless flowers were blooming in intense colours, birds were singing in the clear sky and butterflies with silken wings played across the ocean of grass. Mountain's peaks gleamed covered in white snow and leaves on the ancient trees whispered in peaceful joy. Silver elvish ballads were heard from one place to another all across the Middle earth. Children's voices echoed in melodic laughs under the rainbows that embellished great waterfalls.
Mordor became a name forgotten and along with the Men just a part of legends of the Dark Ages. Men's cities made of stones and rock decayed and woods claimed their realm back. The Middle earth was a place that could make Eru the great proud if he visited them. The Elves had never seen a man again. The Men became a mere legend, a distant memory, nothing but a bad dream from the dark time.
They had The White council of Gelion and other Elvish lords all wise and noble that made decisions when the Elves themselves couldn't settle some matter. Which was seldom. The Elves lived happily ever after - but few of them still remembered about the legend of the last mortal and the prophecy. Young Elves were eager to hear a legend of the mortal girl, called Vesper and an Elvish prince who saved them, Legolas. And who were also parents of their king-to-be Ariendil.
The legend of Legolas and Vesper said:
All the Man left the Middle earth because they would destroy it. Legolas who was one of the wooden kin and best archer, was the chosen one therefore he gave up his brotherhood with a man and made the men left the Middle earth.
After that only one mortal stayed here - a girl called Vesper whose life was saved by Legolas. She loved him and he let her stay.
She had to sacrifice herself to bring the Second golden age of the Firstborns.
Legolas and Vesper had a child - a child that was both beautiful and strong. It was an immortal and his mother spent all of her energy while carrying him.
Gelion the White told that never before a mortal mother had carried an elvish child. Vesper was so exhausted after giving birth to her Elvish son, that no cure known to Elves could save her.
So Legolas took her to the waterfall Rauros of Anduin and disappeared there with her. He could not live without her, they said. Even his great powers and wizardry could not prevent what had to happen.
No one can control life.
No one, Gelion thought bitterly, but I had invented a lie and spread it around like it would be the most sacred truth. For the good of the Elves. But wasn't that what destroyed the good?
To sacrifice an innocent girl and to sacrifice the truth for the better cause.
That destroyed the good.
The End
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So, this is the last part of my fic. *Big thanks* for reviews and that you stuck with me for awhile.
Ehm, I hope you like the ending; it isn't too pathetic is it? If you find it too soby and pathetic let me know and I might make a new one, I guess.