A/N: Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!! It's chapter 77! Now I gotta start writing
new chappies! But this is one of the best ones in my opinion. It's long.I
made up the opening song, btw. Please don't take it! The song about
Elbereth is property of Tolkein. If the following seems a bit surreal or
sci-fi or AU, sorry about that.but I do forewarn u it's AU.definitely.
NO SLASH, PEOPLE! No matter what it seems like..PLEASE read and review
this..if u want me to continue, that is.Thank u to all my reviewers who put
me on a writer's high! ^_^ Go read my other crap if u haven't already! Oh,
and in my profile/Bio thingy, there's like advertisements for possible
stories I may write, if requested.hehe.All righty, well.I leave you to read
this and decided whether or not I should finish. ^_^ Peace - Ivory
Part 77
// " There was an Elf of royalty,
Addicted to his archery!
He talked to birds,
Made love to trees!
And he was called dear Greenleafie!"
Young Aragorn, about 21, chanted his infamous song about his best friend as he approached the Prince of Mirkwood, bounding up to him to be inches away from his stoic face. Legolas was sitting on a flat rock, cross- legged with his eyes closed.
" Estel ", he said musically with a smile creeping up his face, " I'm in my happy place."
Aragorn rolled his eyes as he backed away and aimlessly circled his best friend, thinking, Probably because he's nuts and his happy place is in his head.
" C'mon, Legolas. You're being boring. Let's do something ", he nagged the Elf aloud.
" Are you really Elrond's son or a hyper bastard puppy of one of Elladan and Elrohir's hunting dogs? " Legolas questioned slyly, keeping his eyes closed while his smile grew.
Aragorn resisted the impulse to slap Legolas upside the head and instead hurtled himself at the poised Elf, sending them both down to the ground in a fluster. //
Legolas woke up with tears streaming out of his eyes. It took him a moment to realize they were there. He had dreamt of a very pleasant memory, yet it had only deepened his loneliness for some reason. He had finally gotten to sleep after Aragorn had left. The rest had done him well, short though it had been. Legolas dried his eyes and face and slipped out of bed. Soundlessly, he crept out of his room, careful not to wake Aragorn to his left or the twins across the hall or Gimli to his right. In the shadows, he sneaked, dressed in only his light tunic of silver-blue and the leggings that matched, with his soft leather boots only making barely audible footfalls. His lovely blue eyes lit up as they caught sight of the stars again, and he came up on to the deck. Legolas wandered up to the head of the ship and, grabbing hold of a rope, leaped gracefully up on to the railing. He hung out over the side of the ship, one of the sails raising with his pulling of the rope and wavering as a splendid, white banner. The wind swept down on Legolas, lifting up his golden hair and rippling it beautifully. Then, softly, Legolas began to sing.
//A! Elbereth Gilthoniel! silivren penna miriel o menel aglar elenath na chaered paln diriel o galadrhemmin ennorath nef aear, si aearon, Fanluilos, le linnathon Nef aearon!//
His fair voice sounded melancholy and haunting, as the voices of Lothlorien had when they had sung that song to Elbereth whilst the Fellowship had stayed there.
" Legolas."
A distant, mythical voice spoke unto him his name. The wind stilled, and he looked out to see who had spoken in so fair a voice.
And there upon the water, walked the Lady Thaurnoviel Lhendrhoss, her pale, white face ever beautiful in the light of the moon. Her dark hair cascaded down her back and around her shoulders. A silver light was upon her brow and on her hair. A snow-white gown floated about her and her mantle of silver glittered as starlight. She sang in a voice lovely and gentle beyond the measure of Men, in the clear and beautiful tongue of her kindred. Legolas was entranced. He let go of the rope and simply stood watching her, enraptured by her beauty and voice. White gems were bound on her brow and adorned her hair. One shone upon her breast, the Rainstar called Rhosselin. She smiled, her beauty rivaling that of the Lady Galadriel and Arwen Undomiel. Legolas was breathless. Their eyes locked, brilliant, gentle blue meeting soft, lovely brown. She came to him, slowly and gracefully, her hair and gown flowing. Up she rose as a swan, the water lifting her with a sea-like sound, foam glittering around her just as her mantle.
" Legolas ", she spoke again.
" Thaurnoviel ", he gasped in disbelief and euphoria.
" Yes, Legolas. It is I ", she breathed, a smile dazzling her face. //"'Elen sila lummen' omentielvo."// * A star shines on the hour of our meeting.*
" My heart sings to see thee again, nin melethril ", Legolas answered ecstatically. She beamed at him.
" But.how can this be? " he asked. She saw the hope in his eyes.
" Nay, Legolas. I am not alive. My place is in Mandos. I have come back to ask you to join me there. We would be together forever, Legolas ", she said eagerly.
" Me? Go to Mandos? But, Thaurnoviel, is that possible? " he questioned incredulously.
" All you have to do is take me hand ", she smiled.
" I have a life here, Thaurnoviel. How can I leave it? "
" Legolas ", she began. " We will be together for all eternity, never to part ", she said reassuringly." Don't you want that? " she asked quietly. He looked at her silently for a moment.
" More than anything. Every day since you have gone, I have wished and longed for you to come back. I love you, Thaurnoviel", he proclaimed.
" Then come with me, Legolas. I once bound myself to you ", she said and both of them acknowledged the NirLhendrhoss that hung around the prince's neck.
" Now I ask from you that which I gave."
Just then, Elladan and Elrohir scrambled up on to the deck and froze when they saw the she-Elf, their eyes widening. Gimli appeared then too, staring in shock and disbelief, almost afraid.
// " Afado nin ath i nen na Bannos a Taen-Nimdil. Afado nin Menel a i- Anor ",// she said. * Follow me across the sea to Mandos and Manwe's Hall. Follow me to Heaven and the Sun."
Aragorn stumbled up on to the deck by the twins and Dwarf just as Legolas unclasped a necklace he wore and offered it to Thaurnoviel.
//" Im anno anim na le ",// he said, causing her eyes to sparkle.* I give myself to thee.* And Aragorn's eyes widened in horror as he realized that it was not her necklace that Legolas held out; it was the Elf prince's. It was the pendant of a greenleaf in resemblance to their Lothlorien cloak clasps, but a gold wreath encircled it and a jewel made of ithildin glimmered in the center of the leaf. It was the pendant representing Legolas' immortality. And Thaurnoviel took it. It gleamed there on her breast when it caught the moonlight, now above the //Rhosselin//. * Rain Star *
The beautiful Elf lady and Legolas moved closer to one another, their eyes bright and glassy with love and longing. Her eyes closed and then so did his, the blue orbs that Aragorn loved now concealed. Before any of them could cry out to stop them, the two Elves kissed.
The moment her lips touched his, the life flew from him, and she carried his soul in the pendant called //Laegolasethuil//. * Greenleaf of Spring * For a moment, she held him to herself, mithril tears snaking their way down her snow-white cheeks. The rose colored glow drained from his own as his friends watched helplessly. Then, she opened her eyes and stepped back, letting him go. Aragorn darted forth and caught Legolas in his arms as the Elf fell back lifelessly. She looked upon Legolas' ashen face with sorrow.
" Legolas ", Aragorn cried out. " Legolas ", he called, shaking the limp form of his best friend in vain. " Wake up. Wake up ", he pleaded frantically, his eyes burning with tears. But this time it was hopeless. Legolas was dead.
The twins finally got themselves to move and hurriedly made their way to Aragorn and Legolas. Their gray eyes dulled with grief deep and true.
" Legolas ", Aragorn whimpered, cradling his best friend as he wept. " Legolas, please. Please ", he whispered desperately. He sobbed and moaned in boundless anguish and unbearable pain. The tears flowed without ceasing. The twins sat on either side of him, both quietly singing an Elvish lament with soundless tears falling from their eyes.
Gimli the Dwarf stood dumbfounded. Incomprehensible grief filled his heart and caused an undeniable pain his chest. Tears sprang from his eyes for the first time in years.
" Legolas ', he cried out as he fell to his knees and wept. He looked upon the expressionless face of his best friend and agony erupted in his chest. He sobbed as his shoulders shook, but he could not bring himself to look away from Legolas' face.
" Wake up, lad. Wake up ", he pleaded softly and with distress. But Legolas did not stir.
It was a pain that none of them had ever known. The sorrow strangled them to the point where Elladan and Elrohir now knew what their mother had felt like when she departed,grief-stricken, for Valinor.
Suddenly, Gimli stood and turned on his heel to glare murderously at the Lady Thaurnoviel, who still remained, looking upon them all mournfully. Cheeks still wet, but with a new fire in his eyes, he spoke to her harshly.
" Give him back ", he demanded. She did not answer him.
" Give him back ", he repeated furiously.
" I am afraid I cannot, Master Dwarf ", she said sadly.
" Don't you call me that. Don't you mock Legolas ", Gimli retorted, enraged.
" I do not mock him. I love him ", she said.
" You can't take him from us ", he said stubbornly.
" I am sorry. It was his choice. Nothing can be done."
" If you can take him, you can give him back. Now do it, or, in the name of the Lady Galadriel, I will make you regret it ", he threatened, raising his ax. She looked at him calmly, with pity in her eyes.
" Please, milady ", said Aragorn, tears still flowing.
" Who are you, young man? " she asked mildly.
" Estel, Legolas' best friend ", he replied with a shudder from sobbing.
At this, her eyes shone, and she approached him. The twins stood and stepped back, leaving Aragorn holding Legolas. She looked upon him, and he beheld her beauty and was reminded of Arwen. " Estel ", she breathed.
" I feel how much you are loved by Legolas only at the mention of your name. You are more beloved to him than anyone save for me ", she told him. " And great is his love for you, Master Dwarf. And the twins are extremely dear to him as well. But you, Estel, you gave him the joy he had lost at my passing. And for that, I thank you ", she said sincerely.
" As much as he loved me, so do I love him. Please do not take him from me, milady. My heart could not bear the loss of my brother ", Aragorn said truthfully.
She smiled sadly at him. " He could never be with me again. This is our last chance to be together. My place is in Mandos and his is in Valinor ", she said. Aragorn nodded.
" I know. My fate is Mandos, also. That is why I need him back, so that I may have as much time with him as possible before our rightful time to part at my death ", he said.
She looked at him with dark eyes alight and understanding passed through them.
" I love him ", she said.
" I know. So do I ", he replied.
She smiled faintly and bowed her lovely head. Thaurnoviel stepped closer and leaned over, placing Legolas' pendant around his neck once more. She lay her lips to his tenderly, tears escaping her as she did so. Then, she carefully took Legolas' still lifeless form into her arms and drifted back over the water. Aragorn, Gimli, and the twins went to the railing to watch. She held his head to her breast and enveloped him in her arms grievously, whispering, //" Im lin an-uir."// *I am yours forever.*
She looked upon his fair face one last time before murmuring,
//" Im mel le, Legolas. Navaer."// *I love you, Legolas. Farewell*
And with that, she let him go and he fell into the water with a splash. Thaurnoviel turned back to look at his four companions with a faint smile, before opening her hands to release a white dove and raising one hand in farewell before vanishing. Elrohir caught the dove and held it in his hands, Elladan stroking it gently.
Aragorn stood up on the railing and dove into the water without a hesitation. Gimli and the twins peered over to see if he was all right. After a moment, Aragorn reappeared, Legolas visibly in his hold. The Man swam with the elf to the side of the ship, where he heaved Legolas to slump over his shoulder, and Elladan hauled them up with a rope.
Aragorn and Legolas were both soaking wet. The man panted, but the Elf was still.
" Damn ", Aragorn muttered as he crawled to the Elf's side. He lay his head on Legolas' chest and listened for a heart beat. Nothing. Aragorn titled the Elf's head back and motioned for Elladan to help him. His elder brother kneeled at the other side of Legolas' motionless body, ready to do Aragorn's bidding.
Aragorn then looked upon Legolas hopefully, before leaning over and laying his lips to the Elf's, breathing into him until he himself was breathless. He rose and Elladan pushed down on the blonde's stomach. 1,2,3. Aragorn supplied air to his best friend once more, trying to keep calm. Elladan repeated his pumping again. For a few more moments, they worked this way.
//1,2,3,breathe. 1,2,3, breathe.//
Elrohir and Gimli looked on fearfully.
" C'mon, Legolas ", Aragorn murmured. He breathed into Legolas again and as he did so, Thaurnoviel, who was now invisible to the living, breathed into him as well. Finally, Legolas returned to life.
Aragorn felt life return to Legolas' lips and the Elf went into a coughing fit. Water spilled out of Legolas' mouth as he rolled over on to his stomach and rid himself of it. Aragorn rubbed his back in small circles to help his breathing and comfort him. The twins and Gimli sighed in relief and smiled. Legolas finally quieted and sat up shakily. He fell into Aragorn's embrace, sinking into his best friend completely.
" After having innumerable near-death experiences, I finally die and you decide to bring me back ", he sighed. The others laughed lightly. They all wept happily and thanked the fair Lady Thaurnoviel for her sacrifice. She would not be forgotten.
And indeed, Legolas rose and faced the moon that hung high in the sky ahead. //" Navaer, Thaurnoviel ", he said softly and finally. " Navaer."// * Farewell, Thaurnoviel. Farewell. *
Part 77
// " There was an Elf of royalty,
Addicted to his archery!
He talked to birds,
Made love to trees!
And he was called dear Greenleafie!"
Young Aragorn, about 21, chanted his infamous song about his best friend as he approached the Prince of Mirkwood, bounding up to him to be inches away from his stoic face. Legolas was sitting on a flat rock, cross- legged with his eyes closed.
" Estel ", he said musically with a smile creeping up his face, " I'm in my happy place."
Aragorn rolled his eyes as he backed away and aimlessly circled his best friend, thinking, Probably because he's nuts and his happy place is in his head.
" C'mon, Legolas. You're being boring. Let's do something ", he nagged the Elf aloud.
" Are you really Elrond's son or a hyper bastard puppy of one of Elladan and Elrohir's hunting dogs? " Legolas questioned slyly, keeping his eyes closed while his smile grew.
Aragorn resisted the impulse to slap Legolas upside the head and instead hurtled himself at the poised Elf, sending them both down to the ground in a fluster. //
Legolas woke up with tears streaming out of his eyes. It took him a moment to realize they were there. He had dreamt of a very pleasant memory, yet it had only deepened his loneliness for some reason. He had finally gotten to sleep after Aragorn had left. The rest had done him well, short though it had been. Legolas dried his eyes and face and slipped out of bed. Soundlessly, he crept out of his room, careful not to wake Aragorn to his left or the twins across the hall or Gimli to his right. In the shadows, he sneaked, dressed in only his light tunic of silver-blue and the leggings that matched, with his soft leather boots only making barely audible footfalls. His lovely blue eyes lit up as they caught sight of the stars again, and he came up on to the deck. Legolas wandered up to the head of the ship and, grabbing hold of a rope, leaped gracefully up on to the railing. He hung out over the side of the ship, one of the sails raising with his pulling of the rope and wavering as a splendid, white banner. The wind swept down on Legolas, lifting up his golden hair and rippling it beautifully. Then, softly, Legolas began to sing.
//A! Elbereth Gilthoniel! silivren penna miriel o menel aglar elenath na chaered paln diriel o galadrhemmin ennorath nef aear, si aearon, Fanluilos, le linnathon Nef aearon!//
His fair voice sounded melancholy and haunting, as the voices of Lothlorien had when they had sung that song to Elbereth whilst the Fellowship had stayed there.
" Legolas."
A distant, mythical voice spoke unto him his name. The wind stilled, and he looked out to see who had spoken in so fair a voice.
And there upon the water, walked the Lady Thaurnoviel Lhendrhoss, her pale, white face ever beautiful in the light of the moon. Her dark hair cascaded down her back and around her shoulders. A silver light was upon her brow and on her hair. A snow-white gown floated about her and her mantle of silver glittered as starlight. She sang in a voice lovely and gentle beyond the measure of Men, in the clear and beautiful tongue of her kindred. Legolas was entranced. He let go of the rope and simply stood watching her, enraptured by her beauty and voice. White gems were bound on her brow and adorned her hair. One shone upon her breast, the Rainstar called Rhosselin. She smiled, her beauty rivaling that of the Lady Galadriel and Arwen Undomiel. Legolas was breathless. Their eyes locked, brilliant, gentle blue meeting soft, lovely brown. She came to him, slowly and gracefully, her hair and gown flowing. Up she rose as a swan, the water lifting her with a sea-like sound, foam glittering around her just as her mantle.
" Legolas ", she spoke again.
" Thaurnoviel ", he gasped in disbelief and euphoria.
" Yes, Legolas. It is I ", she breathed, a smile dazzling her face. //"'Elen sila lummen' omentielvo."// * A star shines on the hour of our meeting.*
" My heart sings to see thee again, nin melethril ", Legolas answered ecstatically. She beamed at him.
" But.how can this be? " he asked. She saw the hope in his eyes.
" Nay, Legolas. I am not alive. My place is in Mandos. I have come back to ask you to join me there. We would be together forever, Legolas ", she said eagerly.
" Me? Go to Mandos? But, Thaurnoviel, is that possible? " he questioned incredulously.
" All you have to do is take me hand ", she smiled.
" I have a life here, Thaurnoviel. How can I leave it? "
" Legolas ", she began. " We will be together for all eternity, never to part ", she said reassuringly." Don't you want that? " she asked quietly. He looked at her silently for a moment.
" More than anything. Every day since you have gone, I have wished and longed for you to come back. I love you, Thaurnoviel", he proclaimed.
" Then come with me, Legolas. I once bound myself to you ", she said and both of them acknowledged the NirLhendrhoss that hung around the prince's neck.
" Now I ask from you that which I gave."
Just then, Elladan and Elrohir scrambled up on to the deck and froze when they saw the she-Elf, their eyes widening. Gimli appeared then too, staring in shock and disbelief, almost afraid.
// " Afado nin ath i nen na Bannos a Taen-Nimdil. Afado nin Menel a i- Anor ",// she said. * Follow me across the sea to Mandos and Manwe's Hall. Follow me to Heaven and the Sun."
Aragorn stumbled up on to the deck by the twins and Dwarf just as Legolas unclasped a necklace he wore and offered it to Thaurnoviel.
//" Im anno anim na le ",// he said, causing her eyes to sparkle.* I give myself to thee.* And Aragorn's eyes widened in horror as he realized that it was not her necklace that Legolas held out; it was the Elf prince's. It was the pendant of a greenleaf in resemblance to their Lothlorien cloak clasps, but a gold wreath encircled it and a jewel made of ithildin glimmered in the center of the leaf. It was the pendant representing Legolas' immortality. And Thaurnoviel took it. It gleamed there on her breast when it caught the moonlight, now above the //Rhosselin//. * Rain Star *
The beautiful Elf lady and Legolas moved closer to one another, their eyes bright and glassy with love and longing. Her eyes closed and then so did his, the blue orbs that Aragorn loved now concealed. Before any of them could cry out to stop them, the two Elves kissed.
The moment her lips touched his, the life flew from him, and she carried his soul in the pendant called //Laegolasethuil//. * Greenleaf of Spring * For a moment, she held him to herself, mithril tears snaking their way down her snow-white cheeks. The rose colored glow drained from his own as his friends watched helplessly. Then, she opened her eyes and stepped back, letting him go. Aragorn darted forth and caught Legolas in his arms as the Elf fell back lifelessly. She looked upon Legolas' ashen face with sorrow.
" Legolas ", Aragorn cried out. " Legolas ", he called, shaking the limp form of his best friend in vain. " Wake up. Wake up ", he pleaded frantically, his eyes burning with tears. But this time it was hopeless. Legolas was dead.
The twins finally got themselves to move and hurriedly made their way to Aragorn and Legolas. Their gray eyes dulled with grief deep and true.
" Legolas ", Aragorn whimpered, cradling his best friend as he wept. " Legolas, please. Please ", he whispered desperately. He sobbed and moaned in boundless anguish and unbearable pain. The tears flowed without ceasing. The twins sat on either side of him, both quietly singing an Elvish lament with soundless tears falling from their eyes.
Gimli the Dwarf stood dumbfounded. Incomprehensible grief filled his heart and caused an undeniable pain his chest. Tears sprang from his eyes for the first time in years.
" Legolas ', he cried out as he fell to his knees and wept. He looked upon the expressionless face of his best friend and agony erupted in his chest. He sobbed as his shoulders shook, but he could not bring himself to look away from Legolas' face.
" Wake up, lad. Wake up ", he pleaded softly and with distress. But Legolas did not stir.
It was a pain that none of them had ever known. The sorrow strangled them to the point where Elladan and Elrohir now knew what their mother had felt like when she departed,grief-stricken, for Valinor.
Suddenly, Gimli stood and turned on his heel to glare murderously at the Lady Thaurnoviel, who still remained, looking upon them all mournfully. Cheeks still wet, but with a new fire in his eyes, he spoke to her harshly.
" Give him back ", he demanded. She did not answer him.
" Give him back ", he repeated furiously.
" I am afraid I cannot, Master Dwarf ", she said sadly.
" Don't you call me that. Don't you mock Legolas ", Gimli retorted, enraged.
" I do not mock him. I love him ", she said.
" You can't take him from us ", he said stubbornly.
" I am sorry. It was his choice. Nothing can be done."
" If you can take him, you can give him back. Now do it, or, in the name of the Lady Galadriel, I will make you regret it ", he threatened, raising his ax. She looked at him calmly, with pity in her eyes.
" Please, milady ", said Aragorn, tears still flowing.
" Who are you, young man? " she asked mildly.
" Estel, Legolas' best friend ", he replied with a shudder from sobbing.
At this, her eyes shone, and she approached him. The twins stood and stepped back, leaving Aragorn holding Legolas. She looked upon him, and he beheld her beauty and was reminded of Arwen. " Estel ", she breathed.
" I feel how much you are loved by Legolas only at the mention of your name. You are more beloved to him than anyone save for me ", she told him. " And great is his love for you, Master Dwarf. And the twins are extremely dear to him as well. But you, Estel, you gave him the joy he had lost at my passing. And for that, I thank you ", she said sincerely.
" As much as he loved me, so do I love him. Please do not take him from me, milady. My heart could not bear the loss of my brother ", Aragorn said truthfully.
She smiled sadly at him. " He could never be with me again. This is our last chance to be together. My place is in Mandos and his is in Valinor ", she said. Aragorn nodded.
" I know. My fate is Mandos, also. That is why I need him back, so that I may have as much time with him as possible before our rightful time to part at my death ", he said.
She looked at him with dark eyes alight and understanding passed through them.
" I love him ", she said.
" I know. So do I ", he replied.
She smiled faintly and bowed her lovely head. Thaurnoviel stepped closer and leaned over, placing Legolas' pendant around his neck once more. She lay her lips to his tenderly, tears escaping her as she did so. Then, she carefully took Legolas' still lifeless form into her arms and drifted back over the water. Aragorn, Gimli, and the twins went to the railing to watch. She held his head to her breast and enveloped him in her arms grievously, whispering, //" Im lin an-uir."// *I am yours forever.*
She looked upon his fair face one last time before murmuring,
//" Im mel le, Legolas. Navaer."// *I love you, Legolas. Farewell*
And with that, she let him go and he fell into the water with a splash. Thaurnoviel turned back to look at his four companions with a faint smile, before opening her hands to release a white dove and raising one hand in farewell before vanishing. Elrohir caught the dove and held it in his hands, Elladan stroking it gently.
Aragorn stood up on the railing and dove into the water without a hesitation. Gimli and the twins peered over to see if he was all right. After a moment, Aragorn reappeared, Legolas visibly in his hold. The Man swam with the elf to the side of the ship, where he heaved Legolas to slump over his shoulder, and Elladan hauled them up with a rope.
Aragorn and Legolas were both soaking wet. The man panted, but the Elf was still.
" Damn ", Aragorn muttered as he crawled to the Elf's side. He lay his head on Legolas' chest and listened for a heart beat. Nothing. Aragorn titled the Elf's head back and motioned for Elladan to help him. His elder brother kneeled at the other side of Legolas' motionless body, ready to do Aragorn's bidding.
Aragorn then looked upon Legolas hopefully, before leaning over and laying his lips to the Elf's, breathing into him until he himself was breathless. He rose and Elladan pushed down on the blonde's stomach. 1,2,3. Aragorn supplied air to his best friend once more, trying to keep calm. Elladan repeated his pumping again. For a few more moments, they worked this way.
//1,2,3,breathe. 1,2,3, breathe.//
Elrohir and Gimli looked on fearfully.
" C'mon, Legolas ", Aragorn murmured. He breathed into Legolas again and as he did so, Thaurnoviel, who was now invisible to the living, breathed into him as well. Finally, Legolas returned to life.
Aragorn felt life return to Legolas' lips and the Elf went into a coughing fit. Water spilled out of Legolas' mouth as he rolled over on to his stomach and rid himself of it. Aragorn rubbed his back in small circles to help his breathing and comfort him. The twins and Gimli sighed in relief and smiled. Legolas finally quieted and sat up shakily. He fell into Aragorn's embrace, sinking into his best friend completely.
" After having innumerable near-death experiences, I finally die and you decide to bring me back ", he sighed. The others laughed lightly. They all wept happily and thanked the fair Lady Thaurnoviel for her sacrifice. She would not be forgotten.
And indeed, Legolas rose and faced the moon that hung high in the sky ahead. //" Navaer, Thaurnoviel ", he said softly and finally. " Navaer."// * Farewell, Thaurnoviel. Farewell. *
