Disclaimer: None of the events, places and characters belongs to me except Ariel and Shadowfax.
A/N: Sorry for the long delay everyone! I was recovering from some burn marks, due to some nasty flamers.
Chapter 24
Twas said that the light of the Evenstar and the Silverstar waned not, but with each passing day, the Silverstar grew dimmer, and was on the verge of going out forever, soon to become naught but a graven memory…unless the Valars performed a miracle, and even for that to happen the leave of Eru Illuvatar had to be granted.
*~~~~~~*
The motionless body of Ariel lay on a soft bed, wan and pale her face was, and her wound the most grievous. Even Aragorn shook his head as he tended it.
"Maetha, melon nin." He murmured to Ariel. Fight, my friend
"I have done all I can, it is up to her to fight for her life. I believe she has the will to do it. But it depends…" Aragorn's weary voice trailed off despondently, he had been going around treating the wounds of many, and had nary a night's rest. He did not even know if the Legolas was listening. The elf had not moved once from Ariel's side since he brought her to Henneth Anun, and there was nothing readable about his expression. 'Twas inscrutable, but those close to Legolas knew he was suffering great grief and pain.
Great grief and pain was an understatement, if one were to describe his torment. Legolas was gnawed with a frenzied desperation, one which bade him hurry seek a way to heal her, ere her fëa departs to the Halls of Mandos. Pain like a jagged knife slashed at him, clung on to her hand, holding it close, as if he were to let go her life would end immediately. All the blame should be laid on him, he thought bitterly.
I am to blame. Had I protected her better, this would not have happened.
But in the midst of these mingled confusion of emotions, there was one that stood out clearly from the rest. It was the realization that he loved her, and she held in possession his heart. Was she to die, so would he. He was in love with her voice, her laughter, and her proud stature, everything about her.
Ariel, thou art a fool. Why did thou save me? I was not worth saving, I would have gladly given up my life in exchange for yours. Why?
How was it he did not see it before? Was he so blind to the emotion of love that the realization struck him only when she lay dying? He brushed her silky strands of hair away, and thought her lovely still, even when she was close to death.
You must fight, sweet Ariel, fight for me.
*~~~~~~~*
Arwen had been sewing cheerfully when suddenly a wave of nausea passed through her.
Something terrible had happened.
Fearing the worst, she glanced up and blanched when she saw Silverstar fading quickly. Horror stricken, she reached out instinctively to her sister.
Ariel, art thou fine?
Silence greeted her.
Ariel, please answer. Whiter art thou? She sent out a desperate plea for her twin to answer. But again, she received no tidings. She tried again to connect, and when she did, pain immediately tore at her, 'twas unbearable, and she knew her sister lay dying. The torment did not leave, and Arwen dropped to the ground on her knees in pain, crying out.
Elrond strode in, and startled to see his daughter to the floor. Fear took him when he saw pain passing through Arwen's beautiful features.
"Arwen! What happened?" He tried to help her up, but she gasped, and fell into a swoon. The bond she shared with her beloved sister was dying, and Arwen chose to escape reality, for the news was too much to bear.
Foresighted was Elrond, and grief was heavy on his face as he laid Arwen tenderly on a couch. He bowed his head, and prepared for the news that was about to come and deal him the greatest blow he would receive, greater than the blow dealt to him when Celebrain was brought to him, wounded.
*~~~~~~~*
Elladhan and Elrohir were also stricken with grief, and could not bear to watch their sister fade away, her life slowly draining out of her. They felt like failures, failures that could not look after their sister, failures that have failed their brotherly duty. They took no comfort in the words of others, but only in their presence of each other.
*~~~~~~~~*
She was floating on clouds. As a young elfling she used to dream about riding those white fluffy things that traveled in the sky.
It was a blissful feeling, she laughed out aloud, mirth bubbling within her. There had been no cause for laughter, yet it was there, plain as day, the urge to laugh. There was no pain, only bliss, pure bliss. She had a feeling she was in for a delightful surprise.
Something of a great shadow lay behind her, and she sought not to turn back, wanting not to experience the dark again. It had been a bad dream, she told herself. Naneth used to tell her she dreamed too much. And now she could meet Naneth after long last. Naneth! She cried out happily, and rushed to embrace the elven maiden.
My beloved daughter.
Naneth?
Yea, it is I.
Naneth, you look like Galadriel, except you are prettier than her.
Ariel, listen to me, I was granted only a short while to see you. Please turn back to your life.
Then where am I?
It is just a meeting, by chance or by hope, which had been granted. Turn back, my beloved child.
But I do not want to be in the dark again. I want to be with you!
Nay! Not yet, Ariel, your life on Middle Earth has not ended. Someone awaits you. Go, now.
Nay!
She screamed as her mother disappeared. She wanted to look for her, but something was pulling her back, and she remembered at once.
Yea, I cannot leave yet. He needs me, I cannot leave him alone.
*~~~~~~~~*
Auramin: Actually, if you read on you will find out more. Thanks for reviewing!
Saturndragon: Thank you!
GinnyNharrysecretlove: Thanks! I hope you received my email. Wonder if I should start a mailing list? Though it seems too late for it now.
Mugz83: Thank you. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
CityofAngel: Haha…you are not sadistic! Just plain cruel. ::sob:: I still cannot believe you let her die. Btw I was that stupid anonymous reviewer of your sequel. Right…thanks for you review, I always look forward to hearing from you!
Queen-of-Damned: Thanks! Hope you enjoy this one. Sorry for the long delay.
Mademoiselle Morte: Sometimes certain things are veiled from the Sight of the wisest, like Galadriel, and people like me depend on that fact. ::grins:: Thanks for reviewing!
Moon*Child: Thank you! Likewise, I am over the moon whenever I receive a review from you too! I am quite ashamed of myself, for this chapter is very short and quite incomprehensible, and I have just reached the end of my muse. Oh well, anyway, thanks again.
EvenstarFairy: Thanks dear!
The Hobbit Ivy: I rather loved the chess part too. Hope you are not disappointed with this chapter.
Jibade: Thanks for that! I really needed to be lifted out of my gloomy spirits.
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Faenen: Thanks!
Anita: Love you my friend! I will not let those idiot flamers let me down…
Tharur: Thanks for the review. Sure, you can add my story.