Cry
By: Max Pilote
Chapter Four: Three Moments
Aragorn walked into the room and smiled as he saw Legolas standing in the light of the sun, silhouetted against the window. As he stepped closer, though, he saw the look of sorrow on his dearest friend's face.
"Legolas, mellon nin, what is wrong?" asked the king softly.
Legolas stepped forward, standing closer to the human. "My adar...is sailing to Valinor in a few days," he whispered, his voice shaking. "I did not know who to talk to...so I came here."
The king smiled softly and placed his hand on the elf's shoulder. "I am not sure what I can do to ease your sorrow," he replied softly.
A tear rolled down the prince's cheek and looked from the ground to Aragorn once more. "Just be here for me. That's all I need. I need someone to hold on to," he said with a soft, weak smile.
He looked more like Estel than he had in years as he reached over and gently wiped away his friend's tears. "I will be with you for as long as you need," he said gently, pulling Legolas into his embrace.
"I feel so pathetic," whispered the prince as more tears rolled down his face. "Well over two thousand years old and I'm crying."
"It is not pathetic. It's beautiful, Legolas," replied Aragorn. "Crying does not make you weak, but stronger..."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The rain became a torrent outside. Lightning flashed once more and the rumble of thunder shook the windows.
A tear ran down Legolas's cheek. "Estel, I'm so sorry," he whispered. "I saw everyone at your funeral...and they were so sad and weeping. I, however, just stood there. I couldn't bring myself to admit that you were gone forever...that time had finally claimed you as it had most mortals I've known."
"But I am not gone forever," replied Estel, still holding Legolas's hand. "I am just hard to reach. I'll always be with you. In memory, and in heart. Don't forget, you are never alone."
That was it—the final bit of pressure needed to break the dam. First, it was only one that ran slowly down his cheek. Then, a second came, followed by a third. Estel smiled up at Legolas.
"I couldn't leave knowing you still needed me. You aren't perfect, Legolas, and you can't be. If you need me to reach in and pull your feelings out of you again, I'll come back. I'll always come back when you need me," he said. "And I'll always know when you need me."
The prince smiled and hugged Estel, "Hannon le, mellon nin."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
After hugging his son one last time, Thranduil boarded the boat that would take him far away from his son and the forests of Eryn Lasgalen. Rymir followed shortly after, smiling at his friend and assuring him that everything would be all right and they would see each other soon. Then, Ryldor was the last to board. He looked at Legolas and smiled, not one to show a lot of emotion after his life.
"You are the one person who could thaw my frozen heart. Hannon le, gwador nin. Hannon le," he whispered before turning and boarding the ship.
As the ship sailed into the horizon, Legolas waved sadly at his father and friends. It was hard to watch this again. The memory of his mother riding away towards the shore when he was but an elfling, though old, was still a painful wound.
A gently hand gripped his shoulder as Aragorn, king of Gondor, stepped beside him. "I am holding you back, Legolas," he whispered, sensing the pain and sorrow in his friend. "Go to your father and mother across the sea."
"Do not say such things," replied Legolas, turning to his friend. "I cannot leave while there are still people who need me."
Aragorn laughed, "I do believe I am capable of taking care of myself, Legolas Thranduilion."
"Oh, stop lying to yourself," replied the elf jokingly. "You would be lost without me, king of Gondor."
The two friends laughed. Aragorn brushed away a tear that had found it's way down Legolas's cheek.
"Come now, I am sure that Gimli is waiting for us. 'Twas a shame he couldn't come."
Legolas laughed and sighed heavily, "Eru has blessed me to have a friend such as you, Aragorn. If I left now, I would never forgive myself."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The sound of a hammer beating against wood alerted Gimli to his friend's whereabouts. Legolas had not moved from the same place in the past three days. Of course, his determination had rewarded him greatly.
Gimli came upon his friend as he put the last piece of the frame in place.
"It's almost done," said Legolas with a smile. "Maybe a week or so and it will be ready to face even the toughest of seas. What do you think?"
"Ah, looks as if I have doubted the craftsmanship of an elf. It is truly a beautiful boat," answered Gimli. "I'm going to miss you greatly, lad."
The elf turned and frowned, "Gimli, son of Gloin...sail with me to Valinor."
His friend was stunned by the request. "Ah, but it is no place for a dwarf. I would be just as happy if I stayed here," he replied.
"You're a horrible liar. Come with me to Valinor. I won't take no for an answer."
Gimli laughed and smiled, "Very well then. I will come with you. But you forced me to do it."
The elf laughed and smiled brightly, "Why don't you help me put the boards on this thing and paint it. I'm thinking grey would be a nice color."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Lord Legolas! You came!" cried Eldarion as he saw the elf standing by the doors.
He laughed as Eldarion came up and hugged him. "You've gotten big. Now, I asked you not to use the title 'lord' for me," replied Legolas with a soft chuckle.
"How about uncle?" asked the soon-to-be king.
The elf laughed, "Very well, it will do. I couldn't miss your coronation. It will be a grand event. I know you will do as well as your father did."
The young man smiled, "Thank you. Oh, Gimli tells me that you two are going to sail to the Undying Lands in about a week or so. Is this true?"
"I am sorry, Eldarion. The call of the gulls is too strong for me. I cannot stay. Please understand me."
"I understand, I just thought you would have gone sooner. This makes this whole event even better."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gimli smiled as the two put the last coat of paint on the boat. It would probably only be used once, but Legolas was sure someone else could find a use for it. In just a few days, what used to be a pile of wood would bring him to his friends and family. Legolas longed to see his mother again. He wanted so much to show her much he had grown.
He looked down at Gimli and smiled. "My heart feels at ease now."