You should already know by now that I do not own anything that belongs to Tolkien. Thanks to all of you that are keeping up with this, I'll have some surprises for you soon, but I won't give any clues...don't want to give the whole thing away. So, here is the next chapter. It does little more than allow Gimli and Legolas to say their goodbye. Enjoy!
Legolas and Gimli had run throughout the night, the shining stars that had lit their way through the darkened land were now disappearing, and the Earth was beginning to rise from her slumber. Kalen and Nevaria had gone ahead only a short while before them, yet still, there appeared to be no sign that the gap in their seperation was shortening.
A sound that was carried on the wind caught Legolas' ear, causing him to pause. He cocked his head from one side to the next, desperately trying to determine its source. It had taken him but a moment and his eyes widened with terror.
"We must hurry" he said and began sprinting in the direction of the soft moans.
It was the hour before the rising of the sun, as was it the hour after the battle atop the hill. Legolas and Gimli had finally reached the site, finding the bodies of the dead Goblins and also Nevaria, who lay on the ground moaning in pain.
Legolas ran to her and kneeled beside her, his knee to the ground.
"Nevaria! Where is Kalen"? The Elf braced himself, hoping the best, but fearing the worst.
"They have taken her..Uruks". She paused in pain and then began again.
"It was my fault. She tried to protect me".
Gimli, also, had kneeled beside her, taking her hand into his.
"Nevaria, please, save your strength. I am sure that this was no fault of yours".
Nevaria looked to Gimli, the blue of her eyes had lost their shine and her breathing was labored. Her golden brown hair was caked with dried blood and strewn about the ground.
"It does not matter. I am dying. I have kept what little strength I had, in hopes that you would come as the vision in my mind showed me".
Gimli could feel the tears well up in his eyes as he counted the number of arrows, searching for some sign of hope.
"No, there are only two arrows. That is not too bad".
"The tips were poisoned and it is only a matter of time now" she said and tensed her body.
The dwarf turned his head, looking around as if in search of something.
"There must be something to counter the poison".
Nevaria coughed, blood spilling out of the corners of her mouth. Gimli turned her head to its side, preventing the female elf from choking on her own blood.
"There is nothing. Even Legolas knows I speak the truth".
Gimli looked to Legolas. The elf sadly nodded his head in agreement and placed a strong hand on Nevaria's shoulder, bracing her for removal of the arrows. She cried out in agony as the two arrows were pulled from her delicate flesh. Gimli turned his head to avoid seeing her in such pain.
"Gimli, please, forgive me my faults. I do not wish to die knowing that I have wronged you".
Her voice was growing slower and its tone was now low and raspy. Gimli raised her hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss upon it.
"I have no ill feelings for you, fair one".
Nevaria smiled and turned to Legolas. One last glimmer shone in her eyes and then faded.
"Legolas" she paused "I do not wish you to remember me the lovesick twit I have acted. Just know that the feeling I had was that of one who has discovered a new paradise and stood in awe of its beauty and wonders".
The male elf shook his head, but smiled at her.
"I am no paradise, yet instead, filled with many flaws".
"Greenleaf, I am going to die, discovering too late my many regrets. Promise me something".
"If it lies within my capabilities, I will ". Legolas looked down at her, his own sorrow had made itself known in his wavering voice.
"Your actions have betrayed you. Find Kalen, and when you do, tell her how you feel. Do not live with the regret that I now die with. If anyone can win her, it is you".
Legolas nodded, silently promising that he would find Kalen. He leaned over, placing his lips to her forehead and then withdrew, finding that she had passed out of the world.
"Goodbye, brave Nevaria. Gimli, let us hurry. We haven't much time".
Legolas looked into the distance, his future was unclear, but he would keep his promise to Nevaria.
"I can see them in the distance. We must hurry and find a place of rest for Nevaria's body".
Luck, it seemed, was beginning to take pity on them and revealed a hollowed out boulder. The elf carried the lifeless body into the 'tomb' and then searched the ground.
"Her bow. Do you see it"?
"Those scavengers must have stolen it. They have no respect for the dead or dying" the dwarf growled and shook his head with sorrow.
"Nor have they for the living. That is why we must hurry, while there is still time".
Throughout that long while, Kalen had never strayed from his thoughts and he soon became overcome by a sense of guilt. If only he had insisted that they continue to travel together, Nevaria would be alive, and Kalen would be safe. A sickening feeling made his stomach turn as he thought of the foul creatures and their torturous nature. She had fought hard, but her proud temperment might prove further reason to torment her. Still, there was hope. If she had managed to survive the battle, then she still had a chance.
Gimli, too, had thought of Kalen. He knew the Orcs were cruel and he despised them, but his hate for the Goblins was one that spanned back ages. He was not about to lose another friend to their savagery, and he knew that Legolas would not give Kalen up without a fight.
Finishing their somber work, they said one last goodbye to Nevaria and then sprinted in the direction that Kalen had been taken. Though Gimli was much shorter, he managed to keep up with Legolas' long strides. They took no rest, but seemed powered by their desperate need to reach Kalen quickly.
Legolas sent a silent plea to the Valar, hoping it would be answered and that when he finally reached her, she would be alive and as well as the circumstances allowed. His own life now hung in the balance, for he knew what fate he would suffer if his prayer went unanswered.
