Disclaimer: Read chapter one
A/N: I'm not sure what is considered a proper Elven burial so I'm just saying they cremate their dead since it works for this story.
Now, on with the story.
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Title: Death Does Not End Love
(Faramir's POV)
Eryn Lasgalen
He's gone. Legolas is dead. It came as somewhat of a surprise to all of us. He'd seemed so happy, so alive a week ago when he congratulated Eowyn and I on our marriage. He shouldn't have died.
Looking back, though, we all should have seen it. Several elves attended Aragorn and Arwen's wedding a year ago. They all had their own unique inner light. We should have noticed Legolas' light was dimmer, moreā¦faded.
It's been said that elves can fade from a broken heart; I never really understood the full meaning of that. I don't think even Aragorn did. We should have known Legolas was fading. If not us, than the other elves should have. He grieved for my brother and a love that had been taken prematurely.
My first impression of Legolas wasn't that he was beautiful, though I've not seen any except Lady Arwen who could compare, seeing as how they both are one of the First Born. My first impression of Legolas was a heart wrenching sadness.
The first time we met face to face, he seemed to fear me, as if he was looking at a ghost. I did not understand. Why would an elf fear me? A mere man.
It wasn't until Aragorn told me of the love between Legolas and Boromir that I finally understood. Many times I've been told I resemble Boromir. People new to Minas Tirith, those who didn't know us, sometimes thought us twins, the resemblance was so close. No wonder Legolas had a hard time facing me at first.
It wasn't until the wedding of Aragorn and Arwen that Legolas approached me of his own will. He told me of his promise to Boromir, his promise to watch over me until I no longer needed him. My first reaction was amusement, even from the other side Boromir was playing big brother.
As time passed, I realized how Legolas could win my brother's heart. He was kind, gentle. He had a unique, yet wicked sense of humor. I came to love him as well. Not as Boromir loved him. For Eowyn holds that place in my heart. But Legolas became my brother. He could not replace Boromir, no one could. But it eased the pain somewhat.
That's why it hurts so much now, as I stand beside Aragorn, with Gimli in front of him, silently crying as I study the funeral pyre in front of us. I didn't only lose a friend. I lost another brother.
Legolas deserves a proper Elven burial. His father, his people, demanded it. Which is why we are all in Eryn Lasgalen, formerly known as Mirkwood.
Legolas' father, King Thranduil, stands beside me, holding the torch that will set the pyre aflame. It saddens me to see such a strong and noble creature cry. I cannot even imagine the pain he's feeling, the pain I would feel if any child Eowyn may give me died.
No parent should have to bury their child. That's not how things should be. The parent should be the first to go. Beyond that, the elves do not die. They are eternal. That makes Legolas' death even more sad. Nothing as pure and eternal as elves should die.
On the other hand, Legolas is now happy. He's with Boromir, where he has always longed to be. He died happy. With a smile that still lingers on his fair face.
I cannot regret this completely. I regret that Legolas had to leave, that his family will never see him again. But I find myself glad that he's where he wants to be. With Boromir, where his heart has always been.
We all step back now, as Thranduil sets the pyre on fire. Silent tears become louder, more heart wrenching. I can understand why elves burn their lost ones. It's a moment in time I will never forget. Though memories of times spent with Legolas will remain for a time, they will fade eventually. But through it all I will remember this, the way Legolas went out in a blaze of glory.
One day I may not remember the slow smile Legolas had, his wicked sense of humor. Never again will I see that. Nor will I here his stories of how he saw Boromir, from such a different perspective than that of the people Boromir and I grew up with. He saw Boromir's softer side, a side no one ever saw but me. To everyone else Boromir was a warrior, cold and deadly in battle. Some feared him.
It was nice to hear stories from one who loved Boromir as much as I did, if in a different way. With Legolas gone, I'll never have that again, and so too, will my memories of Boromir fade over time.
It was hard finding out I'd lost my brother. I found another brother in Legolas, one who could understand my grief at losing Boromir. And now I've lost him as well.
Is everyone I love doomed to die? Should I fear losing Eowyn as well?
I will not let that happen. I can't let that happen. I won't lose another loved one to death. I can't. I will not survive it.
Legolas once told me death did not end love. But I can't stop thinking love has the potential to end life. Why else would Legolas have died, if not for his love of Boromir?
I'll not give up on love, though. It would not be either Legolas' or Boromir's wish for me. For while I live, love makes life complete. And perhaps, for Legolas and Boromir, it makes death complete as well.
I have to agree with Legolas on one point, if nothing else.
Death does not end love.
A/N: I'm not sure what is considered a proper Elven burial so I'm just saying they cremate their dead since it works for this story.
Now, on with the story.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Title: Death Does Not End Love
(Faramir's POV)
Eryn Lasgalen
He's gone. Legolas is dead. It came as somewhat of a surprise to all of us. He'd seemed so happy, so alive a week ago when he congratulated Eowyn and I on our marriage. He shouldn't have died.
Looking back, though, we all should have seen it. Several elves attended Aragorn and Arwen's wedding a year ago. They all had their own unique inner light. We should have noticed Legolas' light was dimmer, moreā¦faded.
It's been said that elves can fade from a broken heart; I never really understood the full meaning of that. I don't think even Aragorn did. We should have known Legolas was fading. If not us, than the other elves should have. He grieved for my brother and a love that had been taken prematurely.
My first impression of Legolas wasn't that he was beautiful, though I've not seen any except Lady Arwen who could compare, seeing as how they both are one of the First Born. My first impression of Legolas was a heart wrenching sadness.
The first time we met face to face, he seemed to fear me, as if he was looking at a ghost. I did not understand. Why would an elf fear me? A mere man.
It wasn't until Aragorn told me of the love between Legolas and Boromir that I finally understood. Many times I've been told I resemble Boromir. People new to Minas Tirith, those who didn't know us, sometimes thought us twins, the resemblance was so close. No wonder Legolas had a hard time facing me at first.
It wasn't until the wedding of Aragorn and Arwen that Legolas approached me of his own will. He told me of his promise to Boromir, his promise to watch over me until I no longer needed him. My first reaction was amusement, even from the other side Boromir was playing big brother.
As time passed, I realized how Legolas could win my brother's heart. He was kind, gentle. He had a unique, yet wicked sense of humor. I came to love him as well. Not as Boromir loved him. For Eowyn holds that place in my heart. But Legolas became my brother. He could not replace Boromir, no one could. But it eased the pain somewhat.
That's why it hurts so much now, as I stand beside Aragorn, with Gimli in front of him, silently crying as I study the funeral pyre in front of us. I didn't only lose a friend. I lost another brother.
Legolas deserves a proper Elven burial. His father, his people, demanded it. Which is why we are all in Eryn Lasgalen, formerly known as Mirkwood.
Legolas' father, King Thranduil, stands beside me, holding the torch that will set the pyre aflame. It saddens me to see such a strong and noble creature cry. I cannot even imagine the pain he's feeling, the pain I would feel if any child Eowyn may give me died.
No parent should have to bury their child. That's not how things should be. The parent should be the first to go. Beyond that, the elves do not die. They are eternal. That makes Legolas' death even more sad. Nothing as pure and eternal as elves should die.
On the other hand, Legolas is now happy. He's with Boromir, where he has always longed to be. He died happy. With a smile that still lingers on his fair face.
I cannot regret this completely. I regret that Legolas had to leave, that his family will never see him again. But I find myself glad that he's where he wants to be. With Boromir, where his heart has always been.
We all step back now, as Thranduil sets the pyre on fire. Silent tears become louder, more heart wrenching. I can understand why elves burn their lost ones. It's a moment in time I will never forget. Though memories of times spent with Legolas will remain for a time, they will fade eventually. But through it all I will remember this, the way Legolas went out in a blaze of glory.
One day I may not remember the slow smile Legolas had, his wicked sense of humor. Never again will I see that. Nor will I here his stories of how he saw Boromir, from such a different perspective than that of the people Boromir and I grew up with. He saw Boromir's softer side, a side no one ever saw but me. To everyone else Boromir was a warrior, cold and deadly in battle. Some feared him.
It was nice to hear stories from one who loved Boromir as much as I did, if in a different way. With Legolas gone, I'll never have that again, and so too, will my memories of Boromir fade over time.
It was hard finding out I'd lost my brother. I found another brother in Legolas, one who could understand my grief at losing Boromir. And now I've lost him as well.
Is everyone I love doomed to die? Should I fear losing Eowyn as well?
I will not let that happen. I can't let that happen. I won't lose another loved one to death. I can't. I will not survive it.
Legolas once told me death did not end love. But I can't stop thinking love has the potential to end life. Why else would Legolas have died, if not for his love of Boromir?
I'll not give up on love, though. It would not be either Legolas' or Boromir's wish for me. For while I live, love makes life complete. And perhaps, for Legolas and Boromir, it makes death complete as well.
I have to agree with Legolas on one point, if nothing else.
Death does not end love.
