Chapter 29: Life's Celebration



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*[ ]* - indicated the translation of the Elvish words into English.



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Three days had passed and the entire kingdom was in an uproar. The whirlwind of death and grief, which had hung over Mirkwood for the past several days, had all but vanished. Those lives, which had been lost in the battles with Saruman, had been given hero's burials and their families, allowed to grieve. The whole realm had felt the loss of such brave warriors, and those who resided within Thranduil's Halls, felt hard the passing of young Legolia. Now, on the eve of the fourth day, feasting and celebrations were in order.

Legolia was alive, only momentarily deceased. Due to the potency of Saruman's magic, all within the kingdom had thought her gone, now residing in the Halls of Mandos. Legolas had refused to believe her death at first, wishing to speak with no one for days. Then, when his sister's burial night arrived, the prince found himself blaming the entire situation on his own actions.

Grand feasts were given after the news of Legolia's return, as well as for the victory over Saruman. Legolas too was honored, though he felt nothing like a hero. So, during times of merriment, the prince would stand alone in some forgotten corner, watching over everything.



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"Legolas?"

The prince turned, his eyes lighting on Aragorn who came to stand beside him.

"You do not join in the festivities." It was not a question.

Legolas sighed, raising a glass of wine to his lips and sipping it slowly. "I am finding comfort in…"

"In solitude?"

The Elf gazed at his friend for some time. "Yes, in solitude. I am comforted to be able to simply watch."

"But why, Legolas? You wanted Legolia to return more than any other. You defeated Saruman, stopped his new army from taking control of this realm. You of all people, Legolas, has a reason to celebrate these happy times." Aragorn replied, leaning against the wall next to his companion.

With a sigh, Legolas averted his gaze from the man's silver eyes and rested that gaze, on his sister. Legolia was laughing, having told Legede and the twin sons of Elrond some humorous tale. Thranduil sat at the head of the great banquet table, smiling at his youngest child. There was an unspeakable amount of joy in the Elven King's eyes, a joy, which Legolas had not seen in many long years.

"Mellon nin?"

The prince blinked before looking to the ground, "These are happy times, Estel. I share in them, yet I do not acknowledge that all is well." Legolas smiled slightly, looking towards Aragorn once more. "Death and the destruction of innocent lives will be a never ending battle. As long as beings exist in this world, there will always be sadness and grief."

Aragorn sighed, putting a hand on the prince's shoulder. "That is true, Legolas. Life is a never-ending struggle. Yet we must be proud for we have paved the way for future generations to take up the task of defeating all that threatens this world. The War of the Ring was one of many battles, mellon nin. Battles, which will need stout hearted warriors, such as you and Gimli and myself, to name but a few. If you get too caught up in the bloodshed, Legolas, you shall forget to live your life."

There was silence after the King of Gondor's words. These same words brought a small snatch of understanding to the Elf's mind. No matter the pain or the sadness, he had to continue his life. Elves were graced with many abilities in their creation. The strongest emotions have been, throughout history, held by the First Born of Middle-earth. Legolas was no exception to that knowledge.

"Perhaps your emotionless veil in battle is what keeps you from truly understanding." Another voice spoke out.

Both Aragorn and Legolas turned to see Lord Elrond standing not two feet from them. Neither companion had heard his approach.

"Lord Elrond, I do not understand."

The Elven Lord smiled, "There is much you still have yet to learn, young Legolas. Your years spent in combat, mainly those associated with the One Ring, have twisted your perception. You have begun to question things that, before, you knew to be true. You knew that the race of Elves represented a light in this dark world, yet you could not see that light was fading. Now you do and, from my observations, you fear it shall go out in this world and with it, so shall go the hope of all good things in Middle-earth"

Legolas blinked in surprise, "How did…"

"I too have been down that path. A different war, a different time, but the common enemy remains. Can you not see that the light of the Elves must pass to mortal men? They alone have the strength needed to defend this world once the Elves are no more."

"But Lord Elrond, I can not simply accept that we must hand over the future of Middle-earth on no more than a whim." Legolas replied, shaking his head. "The Elves can not leave this world until all has been set right. Will the race of men not need our aide?"

"Men will survive, for that is what we are known for. Do you truly wish the Elves to stay in Middle-earth forever?" Aragorn put in.

Legolas' eyes took on a confused glint, "Yes… and no. I…" he shook his head in frustration. "I no longer know what I wish."

Elrond smiled slightly, setting a hand on the prince's shoulder. "Legolas, this is what I meant. There are mortal ties, which bind you to Middle-earth yet your heart longs to be put to rest. You want no more violence or bloodshed by your hand, nor by the hands of others. You wish to sail, Legolas. I have known this for a very long time, even before you told me so in Imladris. But you can not sail and abandon Middle-earth to an unknown fate. For this reason, you stay."

"I understand that the Elves must pass and that, what they know and what they have learned, shall be granted to men. I understand that as long as life remains, there shall always be good and there shall always be evil. I even understand that pain and suffering will remain because of constant struggle. Yet, what I can not understand, what I will not allow myself to understand, is why are we all so powerless to stop it? Surely the Valar or even Eru himself, did not wish for such a fate." Legolas closed his eyes, "My grief and pain was taken away almost instantly, but the sadness of other's remains. The wife whose husband shall not return home, the mother whose son was slain upon the battlefield, the daughter whose father was ambushed and murdered, all of these people have a grief, which cannot be lifted. This… this is what I can not understand."

"But it is not this which keeps you from celebration."

Legolas locked eyes with Aragorn once the man spoke. Before he could respond however, Elrond interjected.

"There are some things, young Legolas, which neither the First Born of Middle-earth nor mortal men where destined to understand." With that, Elrond left the two friends.

Aragorn however, was not satisfied. "I know that death is a hard concept for you, Legolas, but was what you said true? Was all of it true? Or were you covering up for something else?"

The prince looked away, draining his glass of wine quickly before setting it down. "It was true, Estel. I have killed so many, their blood stains my hands even now. Is it wrong of me to feel grief for the lost lives of my enemies?"

"No…" it was all the King of Gondor could think to say. "How long?"

Legolas sighed, "Since the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. We killed more than just Orcs and Uruk-hai on that fateful day. We killed mortal men, Aragorn. They did not deserve such a death."

"No one deserves such a death, Legolas. But you know as well as I do that in times of war, one must fight for that which they hold dear, for that which they believe in."

He nodded, "Yes…"

"What truly bothers you, mellon nin? You have tip toed around the subject long enough. I know that you have been grieved since the War of the Ring's conclusion. I also have come to realize that you have been given to fits of melancholy, much like this one now. But this is a time of celebration. Surely you do not grieve for Saruman's death, nor the demise of his Orc hordes."

"I do not and you know that."

Aragorn tilted the prince's chin with his hand, forcing the Elf to look at him straight on. "Then what is it?"

Legolas' gaze was hard, full of emotion, which was hardly being held at bay. "I just wished to come to terms with death, before I meet it head on."



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The pain reflected in Aragorn's eyes was too much to bear, forcing Legolas to look away least his emotions get the best of him. The two friends quietly left the crowded banquet hall, finding comfort and solitude in the gardens outside the palace walls.

"Legolas…"

"Do not say it, Estel." The Elf responded, his back turned to his closest friend.

Aragorn sat upon a stone bench, which overlooked a beautiful fountain. His elbows rested on his knees as he starred intently at the Elf prince's back.

"Do not say it for we both know it is true."

Silence pressed in around them. The King of Gondor's mind traced back to happier times. Such times were few in these dark days after Saruon's defeat but they had once been plentiful.

Aragorn sighed, "Then what shall you do?"

"I… I know not. If there was some way to find this dark embodiment in my dreams, perhaps then I could better understand." Legolas turned, his hands folded across his chest. "But I have not dreamt of the darkness for a long time now. I know not where it resides nor even where it originally hails from."

"Mordor."

The prince's eyes narrowed, "Possibly. Though I doubt Saruon would have kept such an evil hidden from the world."

"Perhaps it simply eluded his grasp in the midst of Mordor's defeat." Aragorn put in.

Legolas sighed, "If it would only frequent my dreams once more. I might be able to…"

"Nay, Legolas. We almost lost you to those dark confines. I would not see it happen again."

The Elf sat down next to Aragorn on bench. "Then what am I to do? I am dying, Aragorn. Yes it is slow, yes it is hardly noticeable, but I am still dying."

"I swear to you, Legolas, that you shall not roam the Halls of Mandos before I myself depart from this world. You are going to outlive me, mellon nin. Besides, you have Ithilian to rebuild, remember? Was it only a fleeting dream?"

"No, and I intend to begin that as soon as possible. But I find it rather difficult to concentrate on such things as of late." He smiled slightly.

Aragorn smiled in return, "Perhaps a good night's rest will clear away some of your worries."

"Yes… but that would mean leaving the banquet early." Legolas replied, giving his friend an innocent look.

With a laugh, the man stood. "I shall give your apologies to your father. I am sure he will understand your situation."

"Yes, just as he has understood all that has happened recently?" Legolas laughed, standing as well.



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They bid one another goodnight and, as Aragorn returned to the festivities, Legolas retired for the evening. He silently made his way to his own chamber, fell over onto the bed, and was quickly rewarded with the sweet and safe confines of sleep.

What neither of the companions realized however, was that the dark presence was simply biding it's time before making a dramatic appearance. Once again, within the Prince of Mirkwood's peaceful dreams.



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Disclaimer: Refer to chapter 1 for this.

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Reviews:

Emiri-chan: Now why would I just all the sudden stop. When my story is over, you'll definitely know it. Trust me! And yep, more action to come. You wouldn't think I'd stay on this depressed kick for long, would ya?

Shanya: I couldn't kill her... she's too cute.



lembas7: I would change it but... seeing as how I'm almost done with this story (or at least this section of it anyway... wmwahaha!) It would screw everything up. I did get myself confused once, since I used Legolia and Legede in an RPG (where I'm also playing Legolas... imagine that) so I understand your own confusion. Also, I know that Aragorn is a great healer, but this was something he could not understand at all. Basically, the way my mind followed it, this was something that humans could not experience, meaning Saruman's spells would not have had the same effect on them. When it comes to being lost in a dark void, who better to have then Elrond around to help. And, through Elrond and Aragorn's combined efforts, Legolas was restored... sorta. Also, thanks on the comments about my style being very Tolkienish. In my opinion, if you're going to write fantasy, they shouldn't say things which one would say in real life.

Pirate-chica: Thanks... hehehehehe.

Mirrowa: Thanks so much. I do try... *stops* Wait... did I say that? I would never mean that I try to make people cry when reading... how silly of me... *laughs nervously* Anyway, my AIM's AshuriSaiyajin3. Though, I'm rarely on... very very busy most of the time. I've even taken to writing my chapters then typing them up.

ElizabethBlack4: I didn't kill him... yet... *grins evilly* See, he came out alright... so far *grins evilly again* No, just kidding. Would I kill Legolas? Honestly?

Merry: Have fun in Kelly's toaster! But seriously, Merry... I don't remember you attacking me either. Though, I've a very bad memory. Any way, this story may come to a close but the question is... "If it's over, how does Legolas get his immortality back?" So, as you see, it's not truly over until it's over... which that makes little sense but I'm sick and running a fever so you'll have to take my strange wisdom as it is, mellon nin. Also, I kinda forgot to do something in "Flashes of Light, Rulers of Fate" but it will be done in the 2nd chapter of "The Destined Journey" and this I swear. Also, thanks for sticking around and reading. You've no idea how much your input helps me in times of severe writer's block. Laters, oh and we're having a toaster party in my toaster next week. You know Johnny and Orli'll be there, but remember how I said Frodo wouldn't come? It's up to you to bring him. Until then!



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Author's Note:



For all of you to know... this story will only have 30 chapters. Hence, there will be a sequel. I have yet to figure out the name, though it will be Elvish. It'll probably be...

"Hiro Hyn Ith, Ab Wenneth: May They Find Peace In Death"

Though I'm not sure and I'll have to check everything to make sure the translation's right, which I'm pretty sure it is.

Until next time...

Laters!