*1Nilda: Loved
Alda: Tree
My Darling Lillian
Epilog
The tale of the second journey is over, but what tale is ever over? A story never ends. Our part may end, but not the tale. No, it continues through our children or any one we have ever affected or loved. It is much like the song: "The road goes ever on and on..." This being said, now I will tell of what happened to Legolas and Lillian. While still in Middle Earth, Legolas and Lillian were married. Soon after, most Elves had left Middle Earth and continued on to Valinor. Legolas lingered behind for many years, but finally left. He left with Gimly and Lillian, and arrived upon the eve of Frodo and Sam's death.
"Legolas! Legolas!" A she Elf ran to the shore to meet the weary travelers, she tripped, but stood again and continued running. "What is it, Nildalda*1?" Legolas asked his cousin, standing up in the boat. "Sir Frodo and Sam are dyeing." She reported, a tears glistening in her eyes and reflecting the soft flicker of the stars. Legolas blinked several times, trying to absorb the information presented. "Legolas, you must see them!" Lillian cried, embracing Legolas' arm in a childlike manner. Legolas nodded numbly and Nildalda led them into a room where Sam and Frodo lay in beds separated by only inches. "Sam," Frodo smiled, too weak to sit, "Legolas, and Gimly have come!" Sam laughed cheerfully, but his laugh turned into spasms of coughing. Frodo looked over at Sam mournfully, sad that he could not help his friend that had saved his life so many times, then looked up at Legolas, Lillian, and Gimly. In his eyes there was peace. Legolas wanted to ask: "How can you remain so calm? Are you and Sam not dying?" but Legolas knew what Frodo would have answered: "Ilúvatar will care for us." "You forgot Lillian." Sam wheezed. Lillian had met Sam and Frodo years ago. "I did," Frodo replied, "probably because she hasn't changed a bit." Lillian smiled, she had. She fingered a strand of hair; it was peppered with silver and white strands. "Legolas?" A voice behind them asked surprisedly. They turned to see Elrond. Robed in midnight blue he was, with a thin silver crown set upon his brow. "You have come at last." "Yes," Legolas replied, "I could no longer remain parted from my kindred." "You have brought Lillian," Elrond said, inclining his head, "and Gimly." He added smiling, though slight surprise betrayed his shock at seeing a Dwarf in Valinor. "The Gray Havens are beautiful." Lillian said, smiling. "Yes, Ilúvatar is truly wonderful." Elrond replied, "Do you wish not to go to the rooms that have been made ready for you?" "No," Legolas replied. "Not now." Lillian added, continuing Legolas' thought. "We will stay here tonight." Legolas finished. Elrond nodded sympathetically then left the room.
The five friends stayed up late into the night, conversing about ancient doing, and recent happenings; but the next morning only the physical material of Sam and Frodo remained. The burial was solemn and sad, and there was not an eye among any of the Elves that did not shed a tear, those that had known the Hobbits well wept the most, Legolas, Gimly, and Lillian included. The funerals were neither lavish nor simple and were followed by many sad songs of mourning. All of Valinor grieved for Sam and Frodo for nearly two years. Then Valinor grieved again, though this time their odes of sorrow were for Gimly. It had not been twenty-four months after the Hobbits' death, before Gimly became ill and fell into a sleep from which he never woke. Lillian and Legolas had remained at his bedside until the end. Lillian attended the funeral, though Legolas in his grief could not bring himself to attend. O how amongst the endless nights of immortality would the decision later torment him! Lillian would often describe it for him, as being sad, but a strange aurora seemed to make the glade in which Gimly's body was buried seemed to glow, and how Galadriel, the only of the Elves to leave Valinor and return to it, sang an ode for him. A year after Gimly death, an unexpected happening interrupted Legolas' grief: Lillian was with child. O how Valinor was once again joyous! In time Lillian had her children. Twins they were one a boy and one a girl. Their names had not yet been decided when joy was again slaughtered by sadness. Lillian suddenly became ill.
Legolas paced in front of the door where Lillian was being examined. Finally Elrond exited the room, the years of his life showing in the creases on his forehead as he frowned. "Elrond..." Legolas ventured, although he felt that he knew what the sad tidings were. "Legolas," Elrond began, "Lillian is not immortal, and Gimly was not. Not Frodo, nor Sam." "No..." Legolas breathed as he groped for a chair as his father had done so many years ago. Elrond turned to leave. "She can't die, there must be something else you can do!" Legolas insisted. "Legolas-" Elrond began, but was cut off. "There must be something!" "Legolas!" Elrond said, suddenly becoming angry, "Do you not think that I have tried everything, that I am withholding something? Or do you not think that I have tasted death? My own daughter died! I am a healer, at times there in nothing I nor anyone can do." Though Elrond was angry, tears glistened in his own eyes. Legolas was humbled: truly this Elf had lived through more death and disappointment than he, yet he had not given up hope. "I am sorry." Legolas murmured. Elrond sighed, "I was harsh." "But not unjust."
For months Lillian fought once again for her life, but this time she had met a foe that no mortal had ever conquered.
"Legolas." Lillian called weakly one day. "Yes, my love?" Legolas asked, taking her old frail hand in his strong youthful one. "Legolas, Arwen followed Aragorn." "Yes." "But you must not follow me, our children need a father. They cannot have a mother." Tears glistened on Lillian's cheeks, but too weak was she to reach up and wipe them off. "Lillian..." Legolas choked, "I-" But he could think of no words that would fit nor would change Lillian's mind. "For me every year, ever day brings change, but Elves were not meant to change. They were the favored race, they were meant to heal, not to kill. They were meant to live on, not to die." "Lillian, I cannot live without you!" Legolas exclaimed! "Yes you will, and remember I love you." Lillian said softly, after which a long silence followed. "You are my darling..." Legolas said after a while, unbidden tears blurring his vision, "My Lillian..." "I will see you again when Ilúvatar calls his own back to him." Lillian whispered, closing her eyes. With tears streaming down both of their faces, Lillian drew her last breath calmly, a gentle smile lying upon her lips.
Lillian was buried not long after, but Legolas would not leave her grave for days. Finally Gandalf was sent to try to talk some sense into Legolas.
"Legolas?" Gandalf called, approaching the gravesite. Legolas did not respond, but sat staring at the tombstones that marked the place where three of his dearest friends lay and the one where his wife lay. "Legolas!" Gandalf called more loudly. "Why do you come?" Legolas asked testily. "Because you have two children that need the one thing that you are depriving them of: a father!" Gandalf answered angrily. Legolas turned around slowly. His skin was pale and seemed to hang limply on his frame. "They need a mother." "Legolas, do you think Lillian wanted to die?" Gandalf asked, "Do you think she meant to leave?" "No" Legolas responded, looking back at the tombstones again. "Then do what she bade you do! Look after your children! You sit mourning over that which cannot be changed, while your children are still nameless!" Gandalf cried, sweeping one arm in the direction of the house where Legolas' cousin was caring for his children. Reality seemed to slap Legolas in the face. How could he have been so cruel? Legolas remembered the Lady Galadriel's words to him so long ago: 'Do not mourn over much that which is best forgotten.' "You are right." Legolas said slowly, a tear sliding down his cheek. "I will not follow Lillian, but wait for her return." Gandalf smiled as Legolas stood and began walking towards the home where his twins lie asleep. "Do not tarry too much before your return." Gandalf chuckled into the wind, and it seemed a response was whispered back: 'Do not worry, I won't.'
Legolas entered the room where his two twins were gurgling contentedly. When they saw him, they both smiled as though they knew that he had triumphed over a great sorrow. Legolas first took up his son, "After a friend who has saved me too many times to be numbered, I give you the name Gimly." Legolas' son, Gimly, screamed happily in his high voice, as though cheering for his name. Then Legolas put Gimly down and walked to his daughter. "After a mother you will some day meet, I give you the name Lillian." Looked out the window towards the sun setting over the sea. The waters were bathed in pinks and yellows, making the water seem as though it was glowing. "Come." Legolas said, scooping up both of his children and walking outside. After a few minutes of walking, Legolas arrived at the shore, and looked out across the ocean. "My wonderful Gimly." Legolas whispered looking at the innocent face of his son. Gimly squealed and threw his tiny fist about. "And my darling, my Lillian." A sudden gentle wind blew up behind them. Lillian closed her eyes and let the wind tussle her short red hair. Along with the wind there seemed to be a voice. Legolas teared as he listened to its message. 'I will see you again...'
My Darling Lillian
Epilog
The tale of the second journey is over, but what tale is ever over? A story never ends. Our part may end, but not the tale. No, it continues through our children or any one we have ever affected or loved. It is much like the song: "The road goes ever on and on..." This being said, now I will tell of what happened to Legolas and Lillian. While still in Middle Earth, Legolas and Lillian were married. Soon after, most Elves had left Middle Earth and continued on to Valinor. Legolas lingered behind for many years, but finally left. He left with Gimly and Lillian, and arrived upon the eve of Frodo and Sam's death.
"Legolas! Legolas!" A she Elf ran to the shore to meet the weary travelers, she tripped, but stood again and continued running. "What is it, Nildalda*1?" Legolas asked his cousin, standing up in the boat. "Sir Frodo and Sam are dyeing." She reported, a tears glistening in her eyes and reflecting the soft flicker of the stars. Legolas blinked several times, trying to absorb the information presented. "Legolas, you must see them!" Lillian cried, embracing Legolas' arm in a childlike manner. Legolas nodded numbly and Nildalda led them into a room where Sam and Frodo lay in beds separated by only inches. "Sam," Frodo smiled, too weak to sit, "Legolas, and Gimly have come!" Sam laughed cheerfully, but his laugh turned into spasms of coughing. Frodo looked over at Sam mournfully, sad that he could not help his friend that had saved his life so many times, then looked up at Legolas, Lillian, and Gimly. In his eyes there was peace. Legolas wanted to ask: "How can you remain so calm? Are you and Sam not dying?" but Legolas knew what Frodo would have answered: "Ilúvatar will care for us." "You forgot Lillian." Sam wheezed. Lillian had met Sam and Frodo years ago. "I did," Frodo replied, "probably because she hasn't changed a bit." Lillian smiled, she had. She fingered a strand of hair; it was peppered with silver and white strands. "Legolas?" A voice behind them asked surprisedly. They turned to see Elrond. Robed in midnight blue he was, with a thin silver crown set upon his brow. "You have come at last." "Yes," Legolas replied, "I could no longer remain parted from my kindred." "You have brought Lillian," Elrond said, inclining his head, "and Gimly." He added smiling, though slight surprise betrayed his shock at seeing a Dwarf in Valinor. "The Gray Havens are beautiful." Lillian said, smiling. "Yes, Ilúvatar is truly wonderful." Elrond replied, "Do you wish not to go to the rooms that have been made ready for you?" "No," Legolas replied. "Not now." Lillian added, continuing Legolas' thought. "We will stay here tonight." Legolas finished. Elrond nodded sympathetically then left the room.
The five friends stayed up late into the night, conversing about ancient doing, and recent happenings; but the next morning only the physical material of Sam and Frodo remained. The burial was solemn and sad, and there was not an eye among any of the Elves that did not shed a tear, those that had known the Hobbits well wept the most, Legolas, Gimly, and Lillian included. The funerals were neither lavish nor simple and were followed by many sad songs of mourning. All of Valinor grieved for Sam and Frodo for nearly two years. Then Valinor grieved again, though this time their odes of sorrow were for Gimly. It had not been twenty-four months after the Hobbits' death, before Gimly became ill and fell into a sleep from which he never woke. Lillian and Legolas had remained at his bedside until the end. Lillian attended the funeral, though Legolas in his grief could not bring himself to attend. O how amongst the endless nights of immortality would the decision later torment him! Lillian would often describe it for him, as being sad, but a strange aurora seemed to make the glade in which Gimly's body was buried seemed to glow, and how Galadriel, the only of the Elves to leave Valinor and return to it, sang an ode for him. A year after Gimly death, an unexpected happening interrupted Legolas' grief: Lillian was with child. O how Valinor was once again joyous! In time Lillian had her children. Twins they were one a boy and one a girl. Their names had not yet been decided when joy was again slaughtered by sadness. Lillian suddenly became ill.
Legolas paced in front of the door where Lillian was being examined. Finally Elrond exited the room, the years of his life showing in the creases on his forehead as he frowned. "Elrond..." Legolas ventured, although he felt that he knew what the sad tidings were. "Legolas," Elrond began, "Lillian is not immortal, and Gimly was not. Not Frodo, nor Sam." "No..." Legolas breathed as he groped for a chair as his father had done so many years ago. Elrond turned to leave. "She can't die, there must be something else you can do!" Legolas insisted. "Legolas-" Elrond began, but was cut off. "There must be something!" "Legolas!" Elrond said, suddenly becoming angry, "Do you not think that I have tried everything, that I am withholding something? Or do you not think that I have tasted death? My own daughter died! I am a healer, at times there in nothing I nor anyone can do." Though Elrond was angry, tears glistened in his own eyes. Legolas was humbled: truly this Elf had lived through more death and disappointment than he, yet he had not given up hope. "I am sorry." Legolas murmured. Elrond sighed, "I was harsh." "But not unjust."
For months Lillian fought once again for her life, but this time she had met a foe that no mortal had ever conquered.
"Legolas." Lillian called weakly one day. "Yes, my love?" Legolas asked, taking her old frail hand in his strong youthful one. "Legolas, Arwen followed Aragorn." "Yes." "But you must not follow me, our children need a father. They cannot have a mother." Tears glistened on Lillian's cheeks, but too weak was she to reach up and wipe them off. "Lillian..." Legolas choked, "I-" But he could think of no words that would fit nor would change Lillian's mind. "For me every year, ever day brings change, but Elves were not meant to change. They were the favored race, they were meant to heal, not to kill. They were meant to live on, not to die." "Lillian, I cannot live without you!" Legolas exclaimed! "Yes you will, and remember I love you." Lillian said softly, after which a long silence followed. "You are my darling..." Legolas said after a while, unbidden tears blurring his vision, "My Lillian..." "I will see you again when Ilúvatar calls his own back to him." Lillian whispered, closing her eyes. With tears streaming down both of their faces, Lillian drew her last breath calmly, a gentle smile lying upon her lips.
Lillian was buried not long after, but Legolas would not leave her grave for days. Finally Gandalf was sent to try to talk some sense into Legolas.
"Legolas?" Gandalf called, approaching the gravesite. Legolas did not respond, but sat staring at the tombstones that marked the place where three of his dearest friends lay and the one where his wife lay. "Legolas!" Gandalf called more loudly. "Why do you come?" Legolas asked testily. "Because you have two children that need the one thing that you are depriving them of: a father!" Gandalf answered angrily. Legolas turned around slowly. His skin was pale and seemed to hang limply on his frame. "They need a mother." "Legolas, do you think Lillian wanted to die?" Gandalf asked, "Do you think she meant to leave?" "No" Legolas responded, looking back at the tombstones again. "Then do what she bade you do! Look after your children! You sit mourning over that which cannot be changed, while your children are still nameless!" Gandalf cried, sweeping one arm in the direction of the house where Legolas' cousin was caring for his children. Reality seemed to slap Legolas in the face. How could he have been so cruel? Legolas remembered the Lady Galadriel's words to him so long ago: 'Do not mourn over much that which is best forgotten.' "You are right." Legolas said slowly, a tear sliding down his cheek. "I will not follow Lillian, but wait for her return." Gandalf smiled as Legolas stood and began walking towards the home where his twins lie asleep. "Do not tarry too much before your return." Gandalf chuckled into the wind, and it seemed a response was whispered back: 'Do not worry, I won't.'
Legolas entered the room where his two twins were gurgling contentedly. When they saw him, they both smiled as though they knew that he had triumphed over a great sorrow. Legolas first took up his son, "After a friend who has saved me too many times to be numbered, I give you the name Gimly." Legolas' son, Gimly, screamed happily in his high voice, as though cheering for his name. Then Legolas put Gimly down and walked to his daughter. "After a mother you will some day meet, I give you the name Lillian." Looked out the window towards the sun setting over the sea. The waters were bathed in pinks and yellows, making the water seem as though it was glowing. "Come." Legolas said, scooping up both of his children and walking outside. After a few minutes of walking, Legolas arrived at the shore, and looked out across the ocean. "My wonderful Gimly." Legolas whispered looking at the innocent face of his son. Gimly squealed and threw his tiny fist about. "And my darling, my Lillian." A sudden gentle wind blew up behind them. Lillian closed her eyes and let the wind tussle her short red hair. Along with the wind there seemed to be a voice. Legolas teared as he listened to its message. 'I will see you again...'