Part 64

Legolas prepared Arod wordlessly to take leave. He

loved the quiet and solitude of the stables in the evening. Torches were lit along the walls,making it quite bright. A soft chirping of a cricket somewhere and the cool night air left the Elf very content indeed.

Once Arod was ready,Legolas placed his arms around the horse's slender,velvety neck. He held it close to him and took comfort in his faithful

steed.

" You bring such simple comfort unto me,Arod ", he said wistfully. " And as simple as it is ", he paused as he stepped away from the horse and looked deeply into it's bright eyes. " I cannot help but think you,of all creatures, know what is truly in my heart. That somehow, you sense all the trouble buried deep within me,no matter how well I hide it from the rest of the world."

Arod did not answer,only continued to hold his master's gaze.

" No matter how many care for me,Arod, I still cannot escape this shadow. How selfish am I ", he said,his voice laced with self-loathing.

" I could have gone, Arod. I could have left the shores of this world long ago. And yet I did not ", he said pensively. Legolas stared into Arod's eyes.

" You know of what I speak. But I do not regret it. This has been the most fantastic adventure of my life,and long have I lived on this soil, Arod. Yet I cannot shake the shadow from my mind or be free of the thorn in my heart."

Legolas paused,his eyes wavering in silent pain at his last words.

" Thorns,Arod. Only thorns. There used to be a rose among those thorns.A beautiful rose, Arod ", he said nostalgically as he delicately brushed a piece of the horse's mane away from it' eyes.

" She would have loved you, my friend. And you would have adored her,as did anyone who came to knew her. Even I. She was my rose, Arod. My joy."

Legolas spoke with an underlying pain, still stroking the horse's face.

" But my rose has faded ", he said and his hand fell away from the stallion.

" And my joy has withered away ",he added.

And for a brief moment, all was silent. Legolas stared

at the ground,remembering her. And Arod was still, looking upon the fair, melancholy face of his rider.

" Yet hope remains,as Galadriel said ", he added, with a new smile as he looked up at Arod.

" Indeed,I have Estel ",he said,grinning.

And he suddenly felt someone laid their hand on his shoulder, tentatively. Legolas turned around to see Elladan looking upon him with wide,gray eyes, filled with compassion,concern, sadness, pain, and love. Elrohir lingered behind his twin with an identical expression on his fair face. Legolas knew not what to do or say,and he could not force a smile.

" Legolas ", Elladan began.

" Elladan? " Legolas replied nervously.

And then Elladan spoke not, but stepped forward and pulled Legolas into his arms. He wrapped his arms around his close friend's slender form,resting his head upon the blonde's slim shoulder.Legolas knew not what to do at first,but then returned the embrace,burying his face in Elladan's shoulder and the Elf's sleek,dark hair.

And they uttered not a word, for there were no words to be spoken. For a few moments, Legolas and Elladan remained this way. But Elrohir silently moved to stand behind Legolas,and he placed his arms around the prince and his hands reached to grip his twin's shoulders.

And so they remained for a while, standing in the stables, three angels's enveloped in each other's wings.