Chapter Eleven
The crowd departed shortly after until there were very few people left, all of them being elves. Brendan was still starring at Rose's body in horror, Arwen still holding onto the back of his shirt. She finally let go as two elves released Rose from the noose, laying her flat upon the platform and saying a soft prayer. Brendan backed away and finally turned, disappearing into a bar.
Legolas knelt beside Rose's body, gently kissing her forehead. He felt Arwen's hand on his back, and softly said a prayer with the rest of the elves. Legolas knelt overtop of her for a long time, his hand gently touching hers and a single tear in his eye. Arwen touched his shoulder and he finally stood, not looking at anyone as the other elves finished their prayer. Legolas gently lifted Rose's body, carrying it to his horse and then riding with her towards Rivendell, the sun following their path alone.
Elrond was standing at the top of the stairs to his house as the small group of elves rode through the gates. The elves of Rivendell lined the street, praying quietly. Elrond made his way down the stairs, meeting Legolas at their base. Legolas had Rose in his arms and Elrond touched her forehead, closing his eyes. He looked at Legolas, who was starring back at him in grief and despair. He put a hand on Legolas' shoulder, talking to him softly. They stood for a long while, soothing one another's aching hearts. Arwen stood in the background, finally removing her hood. She joined the other elves in a soothing song that was a prayer for a peaceful passing.
The elves gave Rose a funeral as grand as the one for Kiyala so many years ago. Legolas stood by the casket as the elves filed by, paying their last regard to the one they had known for such little time, but who had died for them and had touched each one of their hearts. Legolas' eyes never left her face as the elves passed. Elrond stood beside him, starring straight ahead. Neither of them said a word to anyone, and no elf in the line saw any difference in them throughout the entire funeral. When she was buried and a design for the statue was to be constructed, Legolas drew the final picture. It was of Rose in the blue dress with her arms outstretched and the bird beginning to take off, it's wings outstretched to the world.
Legolas sat alone in the courtyard that night, starring down at the necklace. He ran his fingers over it as it sat in his palm, shining in the moonlight. The sky was clear and the stars shone magnificently, illuminating the city beyond the usual. Most of the elves were out enjoying the night despite the funeral that had taken place just that afternoon. Elrond had disappeared just after the funeral, and had not been seen since. Legolas had done so as well, but those who knew him knew where to find him. They chose to let him be, and let him speak to the night sky alone. Legolas asked the sky the unanswerable questions that were tugging at his heart, begging it for even the smallest answer. After what seemed to be a lifetime of arguing with the stars Legolas turned back to the necklace, stroking the small flower pendant.
"The heart can bleed more severely than any wound caused by even the sharpest of swords." Elrond said softly, walking up from behind him, and sitting beside him on the bench. Legolas did not look away from the pendant.
"I thought you had long since retired." Legolas said. "I should have hours ago."
"You mind is too awake to sleep." Elrond said. "I have been through the grief before."
"Have you ever come away from it?" Legolas asked, closing his fingers around the necklace and looking at Elrond. Elrond slowly looked down.
"There hasn't been a moment since her death that I have not asked myself why I had not done something different." He confessed. "It is a miserable weight to carry."
"And a miserable pain to suffer." Legolas added. "I should have attempted to save her."
"You would have been slaughtered faster than you could imagine." Elrond said. "Humans are weak, but their numbers outnumber a single elf."
"Why is it so hard for a human to expand their minds past what they have known for centuries?" Legolas asked, looking at Elrond. "There is so little they will accept, and few stray from their beliefs."
"Humans are afraid of what they do not know or understand. They did not understand one another, which led to the destruction of their former planet. The course of their nature since the beginning of their time can not be altered with one person." Elrond said. "It can only chip away at the stone they have cast around themselves."
"They do not see they destroyed themselves because of what occurred on their old planet?"
"They do not see what they are doing to this planet as well. Over time Rohan will become the barren wasteland that Earth has become, and they will flee again to another planet."
"If you knew this why did you allow the council to let them stay?" Legolas asked, frowning. "Where shall the elves go?"
"The elves will return to Lothorien and the Lady Galadriel." Elrond answered. "There are things not even the wizards can change. It is these times that we take as they come, and pray they do not bring us to our end. The human race is weak in mind, but not in destruction."
"I do not think I will ever understand the mind of a human." Legolas said softly.
"Do not trouble your mind with the riddle, Legolas." Elrond said, standing. "The riddle has put a shadow over my mind long ago that will not be raised until my days are through." He placed a hand on Legolas' shoulder. "The heart never does mend, Legolas. It can only be covered."
"I shall cover it by returning to Mirkwood." Legolas answered. "There is nothing left for me here."
"Her spirit will forever live in this city. It is where she belonged." Elrond said. Legolas sighed, standing.
"Than I shall remain in Rivendell, with her spirit. And she will remain in my heart, just as she promised." He said, looking at the pendant then turning towards the house. "It is all that will allow me to breathe." He went to his room, laying in his bed and allowing his heart to cry throughout him until there were no tears left, and he fell into an exhausted sleep.
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