I haven't forgotten about you! I started a new job on Thursday and have been unable to update. But it's here now! Enjoy!
To my most gratifying reviewers -
Templa Otmena - Wow. What a review. So detailed and sincere. Thank you. That really made my day. As for finding out about what happened to our dear elf so long ago… sorry, but as I've told the others in a previous chapter's author's note, my muses have deemed it necessary for that whole situation to be a totally different story. Yup. But it's the next one I'm going to be posting (haven't even started writing, but if all goes according to plan the first chapter will be up in 2 to 3 weeks.) And your name, again… I looked 'magic human' up in the resources I have and came up with, well 'human' is translated 3 different ways, adan (spelled that wrong in the chapter. oops), echil, and firen. And 'magic' translated as either angol or gûl. But that's just in Sindarin. There are several Elvish languages that were created by Tolkien, so you probably just found one of those. I still like yours though. *grins*
LOTRFaith - Wow! You are amazing! Thank you Thank you Thank you! And the things you said, made my day. Once again, thank you!
LegolasLover2003 - Holy Goodness! What a time you've had. And that totally rocks about your friend! lol. 'Is that "Her" as in Ithilien?', well you'll just have to find out now won't you? *grins* And I really really hope that it doesn't end abruptly. Anpother of my pet peeves. I went back and reread it, and I don't think it does but… *cringes* I hope not.
silvertoekee - Yes, his rampage is totally understandable, except the parts where he threatens the lives of the other characters. Just… no. Not allowed. :)
Tithen Min - Well thank you. All nine in a row, huh? Wow. I've done that several times but never thought mines was worthy of such dedication. Coolness. And no worries on the strangeness. You haven't seen me when I get sleep deprived. It's not a pretty picture. *grins*
ElvenRanger13 - You'll just have to find out now won't you. *laughs evilly*
MG87 - Hey, me too! I NEVER cry. Sorry I almost made it happen for you. I don't mean to do these things!!!! lol. Anyway, I actually re-did my math (always my worst subject. I failed algebra 3 times *shudders*) and I actually needed… 13 and a half. Think you can do that? *grins*
Deana - Thank you very much, and here you are. :)
Coolio02 - Your waiting my cease.
aragorns-gurl33 - Mae govannen, mellon nin! And since I'm awesome and found the site for you (go check your e-mail if you haven't since Thursday), you can now go translate that yourself. *grins* Thank you for the review, and I have no idea how I do it. Just gifted I guess. *laughs hysterically at self* Sorry. I'm hyper. *grins*
" Memories of Ilithien "
Chapter 10 - Shadows
Estel watched with apprehension as Elrond assessed the limp body of the youngest prince of Mirkwood.
After he and Lindelen had returned to the edge of the forest with the prince Elrond had declared that they were to move out from the battlefield, the piled carcass' already alight with flame, burning all evidence of the foul creatures to ash.
So, through the dark night, those uninjured helped those who were, Estel and Elrohir supporting Elladan, Lindelen carrying Legolas' limp body on his retrieved horse. It had been a slow return to the halls of Imladris, taking over twice as long as the journey away the morning before. Was it truly only that morning past? It seemed a lifetime.
Once safely inside Imladris Elrond had left the care of those injured, even his own son, to other's while he himself took Legolas to the Hall of Healing, beckoning Lindelen and Estel to follow. Estel aided him as he saw to the injuries the prince had endured during the battle, numerous in number, though none so severe as to cause worry of death.
After the long task of cleansing and dressing the wounds as well as the elf, it had taken long indeed to rid the fair creature of the filth he had been covered in, Elrond stood, sighing sadly as he looked down at the distressed prince. His eyes, though open which was comfort in truth, spoke of more pain than any should have to endure.
Elrond glanced at Lindelen, who sat anxiously by his brother's bed, tears pooling in his identical blue eyes. "Lindelen, may I speak with you?" Elrond asked softly, placing a comforting had on the younger elf's shoulder. Lindelen nodded numbly and stood, but his eyes never left those of his brother.
"I will watch over him." Estel said softly, sensing the elder prince's apprehension at leaving his brother.
Elrond shifted knowing eyes to the young human. "What of your previous statement, ion nin?" He asked. (…, my son?")
Estel glanced down at the still form of the prince as Lindelen stared on, lost at the turn of the conversation. "He needs the help now of all those that would care for him. My past grievances are little compared to this." His eyes came up to meet those of his father, and Elrond saw a small glimmer of the man he would become in their deep gray depths. The elf lord nodded and led Lindelen from the room.
Once free of the room Elrond turned to the young prince and placed a hand on his shoulder once again. "Your brother is strong." He started, but the merest tilt in his voice spoke of his next words. Lindelen dropped his head sadly; his exhausted body sagged against the wall at his back.
"I have much faith in him." Elrond continued, moving towards the prince. "But his mind retreats to the place it once took him, long ago when he needed to escape the world. And though his body remains, I fear that this time… his mind may not return from that place. For he has lost the one thing that brought him back before."
Lindelen's eyes closed slowly as tears fell down his pale skin.
"Car-ú anno am estel nedh ho, nin caun." Elrond said softly, gripping his shoulder tightly. "He needs your strength now more than ever." ("Do not give up hope in him, my prince.")
Lindelen nodded, for he wanted to trust that his brother would return to him, though he feared his heart would not believe.
***
"So this is were you retreated, all those years ago." Ilithien said softly, her bare feet silent on the non-ground as she walked towards Legolas. "It is beautiful."
The prince stared in wonder as his love stopped beside him, her eyes, beautiful green eyes that surpassed the beauty of any plant Legolas had ever seen, took in the swirling colors around them. Those colors now seemed dim, dull compared to the light that came from the woman he loved standing before him when he thought to never see her again.
"Am I dead?" Legolas whispered, barely able to force the words passed his lips.
Ilithien looked at him then, taking her eyes away from the spinning colors, locking onto his. "No." She said softly, smiling at some private thing. "The Valar have aloud me to come here, to your sanctuary. They do not wish to lose another immortal life from Middle-Earth. Most especially one whose time has not come."
Legolas stared back at her, mesmerized by her presence. "But… I wish for death. I have prayed for the mercy of the Valar to let me return to the only thing that has brought me life. You come now to tell me they do not grant that mercy?"
Ilithien raised her hand and gently trailed her fingers down his pale cheek; Legolas leaned into the touch. "No, meleth nin, they do not grant your prayer." Legolas closed his eyes in pain, raising a hand to place over hers, holding the soft skin to his face. (…, my love,)
"But," Ilithien went on, stepping closer so that their bodies touched, molding into each other as they had done so often in the past. "They give you a choice. They will allow you to stay here," she waved her hand at the world that surrounded them. "Or you may return home."
"Will you be here?" Legolas asked, his eyes wide with hope. Ilithien shook her head and the hope vanished.
"I cannot stay long. My place now is in Mandos' halls. But the Valar will allow you one other mercy. They will allow no hurt to find you here. No suffering, not even from yourself. All your memories of pain would be gone."
An eternity without pain was a blessed offer. It was all the young prince had longed for for countless years.
"But do not make your decision too quickly." Ilithien warned. "First there is much I wish to show you. Look there." She pointed to a spot in the midst of the colors. "You have much to live for, my love. Much to return to."
Legolas looked up to see a shadowy figure emerge from the colors around them, like smoke taking solid form. There was no color to the figure, but Legolas new it to be that of his father. Another figure appeared and gave Thranduil a piece of parchment.
"He learns of your peril." Ilithien whispered in Legolas' ear.
Shadow-Thranduil opened the parchment, his smoke-eyes gliding across the paper. Shadowy tears formed in his eyes and fell, and he sunk to his knees, holding the paper close to his heart. Despair and sorrow was evident in his shadowy form. Legolas' heart broke that he would cause his father such pain.
Then the kneeling figure disappeared as if blown away by an unfeelable wind, and another took it's place. This figure was the only other child of the king, Legolas' brother.
"He comes for you." Ilithien's voice floated past his ear.
Shadow-Lindelen sat atop a horse and the legs beneath the animal moved wildly, though the figure stayed in place and the hooves made no sound. Legolas could see in the gray form that his brother was beyond exhaustion, his body sagging in the saddle, his head barely held to see in which direction he rode. But there was determination in his eyes that drove him on.
The shadow sifted, molding itself until it became a fighter surrounded by orcs, wielding an elven blade. His brother fought in the battle, his battle, and there was a fierceness in his eyes that startled the young prince. He knew his brother thought only of him.
This shadow too blew away and another emerged. This one took the shape of his two closest friends and the man he considered as a father; fighting as well, trying to reach him in a hopeless battle. One fell and another let out a soundless cry. Legolas hadn't even known that Elladan had been hurt. Did he still live?
The shadow shifted and he watched himself hit one of his dearest friends, a friend who had just risked his life for him, sending him to the ground when he had done nothing but try and help.
The shadow disappeared and another emerged in the form of the human boy. He watched as the shadow knelt beside another form, smoky rain falling on him from an invisible sky, and lifted it into his arms, carrying it towards the halls of Imladris. Legolas knew it was he that the human carried.
The shadow shifted to show the human and Avarilas racing across a dark field to throw themselves into battle at his aide.
Another shift revealed Legolas, knife raised in a killing blow, the human standing honorably still as the prince prepared to strike. Legolas cringed at the slight shift he felt from Ilithien.
The shadows shifted again to show the concern on the young humans face as Legolas collapsed in Lindelen's arms. The worry he held for him as he helped Lord Elrond dress his wounds. The gentle care he took as he cleaned the blood from his face. Then it showed him sit beside the bed his helpless body lay in and take his hand, stroking his hair softly and saying silent words of comfort.
The shadow blew away to join the others and one more emerged from the swirls. This was of four of the periannath, their small bodies embracing each other in joy as they met on a balcony in Imladris. (… hobbits …)
"Who are they?" Legolas asked softly, barely daring to break the silence as the figure blew away and no other took it's place.
"This I cannot tell you." Ilithien said, taking Legolas' hands in her own as the prince turned back to her, a soft smile adorning her face. "Just think of it as a prophecy of what may come."
They said nothing for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts, staring at the other in silence. Then Ilithien spoke again, her voice soft, betraying no emotion. "I know your pain runs deep, beloved. But you have many things to live for. What will you choose?"
Legolas said nothing for a moment, then spoke quietly. "You said that my memories of pain could not hurt me here. That they would leave me. What of my memories of you. What will happen to them?"
"Would it hurt you to remember me, but not have me here?"
Legolas nodded, pain dancing across his dark eyes.
"Then there is your answer." Ilithien whispered.
Legolas took a step back from her, though he kept her hands clutched tightly in his own. He looked at her, then to the place where the shadows had been, then back to her once again.
"Im innas gwanno bar." He whispered, tears forming in his eyes as he sealed himself to an eternity of pain. ("I will return home.")
Ilithien smiled and drew him into her arms, holding him closely. "I knew you would." She sighed. Legolas leaned down and caught her lips in a kiss and in that one moment, a moment that lasted forever, they promised each other their undying love. Love to last unanswered for all eternity.
And as they parted Legolas' eyes opened and he saw a shimmering canopy above his head and felt the warmth of his brother's hand in his.
To Be Continued…
And my I just say, my reviewers are very wonderful. *blows kisses*'
Until next time!
Adrienne
P.S. There was no 'memory' in this one because I didn't think it was necessary since Ilithien was, you know, in the chapter. *grins*