Author's Note: For disclaimer and information on Legolas' family history see part one.

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Undying Lands part 4 by Ecri (This is the last chapter. Enjoy!)

By the following evening, Aragorn's worry increased. He turned to Elladan as he prepared the evening meal. "He should have shown some signs of recovery by now!"

Elladan nodded. He moved to Legolas' side and examined the Prince, but he found nothing amiss. "He is not ill or injured, Estel. He will be well. Aglarelen must have given him a hefty dose indeed for Legolas to be asleep so long."

Elrohir had listened to his brothers, and added his own speculation. "Perhaps he thought to delay Legolas as long as he could so that he could be sure he would sail long before his brother awoke to give chase."

Aragorn had considered this. "But surely he could not have given so much!"

Elladan put a hand to Aragorn's shoulder. "There is no cause to worry, yet, Estel. We will continue to travel to Rivendell as quickly as we are able. If he does not wake before we get there, Ada will know what to do."

Aragorn nodded. There really was little else they could do.

**

Legolas heard a slight rustle of wind in the leaves. A pounding in his head and a turning in his stomach told him he was not himself. Dark? Why is it dark? Confused, Legolas finally realized his eyes were closed. Why were his eyes closed? Had he been injured? That would explain the way he felt. With a great deal of trepidation, he opened his eyes.

Everything seemed blurred, unfocused. Attempting to move caused a moan to escape his lips before he knew it was happening. Immediately, he felt, rather than saw, three forms surround him.

"Legolas? Legolas? Wake up!"

"Are you sure he's waking?"

"No, but that was the first sound he's made in days!"

"Legolas"

"Sidh, EstelI am well." Legolas' whisper was difficult to hear, but so long had the man been waiting for some sign of life from his friend that it gladdened his heart as much as a shout from the mountaintops would have. (Peace)

"Legolas! We feared for you!"

"What happened?" He blinked his eyes hoping to clear his vision.

The trio hesitated. Finally, Elladan spoke. "You have slept for four and a half days, Legolas. We could not rouse you."


Legolas raised his head in surprise and tried to sit up, but the pounding in his head permitted him only a moment or two before forcing him to lie still. Another moan escaped him as he settled down again. "Why did I sleep so long? I remember no battle. I have taken no injury, have I?"

"Nay, Legolas, you are well." Elladan avoided directly answering half of his question.

Legolas frowned as his gaze shifted from one brother to the next. "Where is Aglarelen?"

The sons of Elrond traded glances, each showing their discomfort with the question.

Legolas, still foggy from the herbs, assumed the worst and struggled madly to sit. "He is hurt? What has happened to him! Ai! Tell me he is not dead!"

Aragorn hastened to Legolas' side and eased him down again. "Nay! Legolas, he is well! He has not been injuredit is just that" Aragorn looked into those fear laden eyes and his heart broke. "Legolas," he laid a hand upon his friend's shoulder. "Your brother has gone ahead to the Havens. He will have sailed by now."

Legolas inhaled sharply, losing what little color he still had. "Nay. He would not leave me while I was injured."

Elladan spoke soothingly much as his father might have had the Lord been there. "You are right, Legolas. For he loves you more than life itself. But you are not injured. You merely slept. He wished for you to go no further"

Legolas' tired mind made the connection Elladan would not speak aloud. "He slipped something to me. That is why I felt dizzy. That is why I fell asleep" He looked again at Elladan. "How long?"

"Four and a half days."

Legolas did not move. He was not capable of much, but his stillness had naught to do with his lack of strength. Aglarelen had gone. He would not see him again for many years, assuming he lived long enough to sail to the west. He had been robbed of the chance to say goodbyejust like with Naneth and Lindëriel. Oropherin and Tarmathalion had at least let him say goodbye, even if they had not allowed him to go to the Havens! Why would his brother not trust him! Why would he not say goodbye?

Legolas took in a shaky breath. One tear slid down his smooth, pale cheek, but he would speak no more that day.

**

Aragorn, Elladan, and Elrohir had traveled for slightly less than a day before Legolas had awoken. Now that they could examine him for themselves, and that he had actually woke, they decided it best to allow him some chance to recover before forcing him to ride all the way to Rivendell.

Aragorn watched the motionless elf by the fire. Legolas had not spoken nor moved since he had learned what had happened. The Ranger wanted to help his friend, but how could he? What could he say?

He looked to Elladan. "Should we not do something?"

"What would you suggest?"

"I know not, but surely, something is better than nothing!" Aragorn spoke in hushed, yet frantic, tones.

"He needs to regain his strength, brother. He cannot sit a horse right now." Elladan rested a hand on his brother's arm. "Estel, he will be well. It is not poison. It is only a sleeping draught. Granted, the dosage was wrong, but he will recover."

"I do not fear for his physical recovery, but for his mental recovery."

Elrohir joined the conversation. "He feels betrayed, Estel. He will speak to us soon."

Aragorn was not comforted. He moved to Legolas' side. For the next two days, he cared for the elf. He brought him food and water, oftentimes forcing him to eat and drink. He helped Legolas to sit up, oftentimes against his will. After three days, he asked Legolas if he felt he could stand. Legolas almost did not respond, but he knew Aragorn was truly worried for him, and he felt selfish to lie on the ground unmoving and unmoved by action or speech.

Letting Aragorn help him to his feet, he tried to take a step, and was embarrassed when his legs buckled. Only Aragorn's strong grip kept him upright.

"It is well, Legolas! You cannot expect to stand and walk so soon!"

Legolas did not respond.

But then Aragorn had not expected a response.

**

That evening, Legolas stared into the fire, allowing the flicker of the flames to mesmerize him. Aglarelen had gone. Aragorn had explained what his brother had said, and why he had left this way. Legolas understood, yet at the same time, he did not understand.

He did not want to understand, for understanding would mean he had no reason not to forgive his brother, and he hurt too much to forgive him just now.

He moved then, grateful that the motion, though not as easy as it should have been, came easier than it had when he had first come to his senses. Staring up at the stars now, he allowed them to comfort his broken heart. Unable to move his arms and legs, or even his head to any great degree without much forethought, he realized why this was so hard for him to bear.


In the past, when something bothered him, Legolas would run. He'd find a tree and climb to its top, allowing its song and the sight of the stars to sooth him. Now, unable to do such a thing, he was forced to face his heart's pain and to think on it until he could deal with it.


That was when he knew Aglarelen had not misjudged the dose as Elladan kept telling him. Legolas knew Aglarelen had wanted him to be unable to run from this.

Legolas stared at the stars, brooding waiting for sleep to claim him.

He heard a soft rustle as someone crept silently to his side. "I am awake, Estel." He whispered so that Elladan and Elrohir would not hear him.

"I just wanted to be sure you were well."

"Even if I am not, I suppose I will be." The admission was not easy to make. "Aragorn, when he left, was Aglarelen well?"

Aragorn sighed. "Aside from his worry over you, he was quite well, though I am afraid I was less than friendly."

Legolas turned his head sharply to his friend. "What? Why?"

"I didn't approve of how he left things with you, Legolas. I know he did what he thought best as sure as I know if he had not done it you would have followed him to the Havens against his will."


"I would have."

"Ah! See, and that is why I feel badly about having been less than understanding with him." He sighed again, and looked into Legolas' eyes. "He was right, Legolas. I see that now. I only wish I could tell him. His fear was that you would awaken the longing in yourself. He wanted to spare you years of torment, for he knew you were not ready to leave Middle-earth. He loves you, Legolas."

Legolas turned to study the stars yet again, not minding, indeed, barely noticing, the single tear that escaped to roll down his cheek. After several interminable moments, he spoke to Aragorn, though his eyes were fixed on Aragorn's many times great-grandfather as he rode high in the sky with the Silmaril. "I know. He" he cut himself off, his throat closing around the words. When he spoke again, his emotions colored his voice. "I will miss him, Estel. I will miss him."

"I know, mellonin. I am sorry."

Legolas turned then to take Aragorn's hand in a strong, fierce grip. "I am glad you are here, Estel. For this journey home would seem impossible if I were on my own."

Argorn settled down beside the elf. His own eyes moved quickly across the heavens finally finding Eärendil. "I know that, too, Legolas."

In silence, the friends counted the stars as the moon made its journey across the sky.

**

The next morning, Aragorn rose first and set about making breakfast. Elrohir, who'd had the last watch, helped.

"Do you think he will be able to ride, today?" Aragorn asked his brother.

Elrohir smiled. "I think it likely. If not today, then surely tomorrow."

Aragorn's thought were distracted by the words Aglarelen had said about elves and the sea longing. He was unable to keep silent. "Elrohir, Aglarelen told me something I did not know."

Elrohir laughed. "You admit there are things you do not" he stopped when he saw the scowl on Aragorn's face. "What is it my brother?"

"He said that for a Woodland Elf to deny the sea longing for too long would threaten his life. That it could make him sloppy in battle or threaten his sanity." Aragorn's eyes locked on Elrohir's. "Tell me, is that true?"

Elrohir nodded. "I am afraid it is. You worry because for Legolas?"

Aragorn nodded.

"Legolas is a strong elf"

"Don't, Elrohir. I need to know what you really think." Aragorn stared his brother down.

With a great sigh, Elrohir told him. "Legolas is a Woodland Elf, it is true, but there is no saying when the longing will hit him, nor how strong it will be at first. He may conquer it for a time."

"For a time?"

Elrohir looked at him a guilty glint in his eyes. "Nothing is forever, Estel. Not even elves."

Aragorn turned back to his meal preparations. He did not want to think about that.

**

Legolas smelled the breakfast cooking and allowed himself a small smile. His stomach rumbled, and the elf wondered when his last meal had been. Easing himself gently up, he was rewarded when there was no flash of pain in his head or weakness in his muscles. When no one noticed his movements, he decided to push his luck.

Getting to his feet, he walked towards Aragorn and Elrohir.


The two turned expecting to see Elladan. When they saw who it was, they rushed over to him, rousing Elladan from his long slumber.

"Legolas! You should not be up!" Aragorn admonished.

"I am well, Estel." Legolas assured him, and Aragorn felt his heart leap at the sight of the old twinkle in his eyes.

"Are you?"

Legolas smiled. "I am well. II cannot say I feel no pain at this parting, but I can say that I am not willing that such pain should take my life. I shall not despair, Estel, but" He looked away, and Aragorn was sure he meant not to continue.

"What? Legolas, speak!"

"But, my life will seem empty with no brothers"I have never been without brothers, EstelI hope" he smiled at what he had said.

Aragorn smiled as well, picking up on the use of his elvish name in its other capacity. "I understand, gwanurnin, but you are not without brothers!" He looked to Elladan and Elrohir a mischievous twinkle dancing in his eyes.

"No brothers!" Elladan joined them then, laughing at the youngest elf's words. "Why Legolas, are the counting skills of Mirkwood elves so poor? I count three brothers." He gestured to himself, Elrohir, and Estel.


Legolas smiled. "Won't Lord Elrond wonder at my calling you my brothers?"

Aragorn stared at Legolas in disbelief. "Do you not know that Ada has long considered you one of the family?"

Legolas blinked in surprise. "Lord Elrond"

"Has healed you so often, he must consider you a son, for only his sons appear so often in need of his skills!" Elladan spoke sincerely though he still smiled.

Legolas smiled as well. "Then I am truly a lucky elf!"

Aragorn laughed, embracing his elven brothers. "Yes, elves often think such things once they know me!"

Elladan cuffed Aragorn lightly. Aragorn, indignant, returned the favor. Elrohir, not taking sides, gave one to each.

Legolas watched the trio, happy to have been considered one of them. His heart still ached for his brotherfor all his familyand he knew he would have to speak of it long and often to his father before he could begin to pit this behind him, but he saw also that he was not as alone as he had feared. He had brothers still.

End

Replies to reviews:

Bumper: Actually, it's generally accepted by many that Elladan and Elrohir stay in Middle-earth. The only reason for this that I can find is that no where does it say that they sailed to Valinor. By that logic, though, Legolas doesn't have a mother! Anyway, I think it's open for interpretation. There's no indication one way or the other. (Hence the reason I had them change their minds.)

ck1235321: Why, thank you so much! I think that's what drew me to Legolas. He is a generally happy sort of a fellow. (That bit in the book about finding the sun! I really wish that had been kept in the film!) But the potential for sorrow and griefand the losses he suffers just because of the mortal friends he makes! Thank you again for your comments. I wrote this one for myself, but I'm glad there are readers who enjoyed it, too.