Chapter 14
Legolas emerged from the woods, his steps more heavy-hearted then usual. He lifted his head, his usual shining eyes dim with sorrow. He had just returned from visiting Ithilwen a final visit his mother's graves for a last time before he left.
Thranduil, Adrahil, Brethilorn, and Thalion turned to look at the youngest member of their family upon hearing his return. They stood somberly waiting for Legolas.
Adrahil held to Arod's bridle. The horse was once again slung with the light elven packs Legolas had traveled with. The other three stood in a semi-circle around the crown prince and the horse. Behind them, the men that were leaving with Legolas were readying themselves for the journey ahead.
The five of them stood in silence, staring at each other for a few moments for none could think of anything to say. Finally, Adrahil broke the tense silence.
"Two-hundred of our finest warriors will travel with you to Gondor."
Legolas nodded in response. "Thank you, I am sure Estel – or rather, King Telcontar – will be pleased."
Again, silence.
"Food is in your pack, and your water skins have been filled," Adrahil tried again.
Legolas nodded again. He bit the inside of his lower lip, trying to keep tears from welling in his eyes.
The setting sun cast long, red shadows into the sky, night was quickly approaching. All knew that Legolas and his men would have to leave soon.
Thranduil sighed, placing a gentle hand on his son's cheek. "I wish for nothing more for you than a safe journey, a swift return."
"And I wish for nothing more than the same, Ada," responded Legolas in a hoarse whisper.
Adrahil clapped a hand on his younger brother's shoulder as their father moved his hand. "Maer manadh, gwador*," he said.
Legolas fell into his brother's arms in a final embrace as Brethilorn and Thalion joined in as well. The brothers' tears of parting mingled together upon their cheeks.
As they parted, Legolas turned towards his father. He slipped into Thranduil's embrace, feeling like an elfling again.
"Remember, ion-nin, we love you, no matter what. Do not carry anymore false guilt upon your shoulders," Thranduil whispered softly into Legolas's ear so that nobody else could hear.
Legolas nodded slightly as he pulled out of his father's arms. He wiped away the tears clinging to his cheeks. He turned and mounted on Arod in one swift, practiced movement. Seeing this, his men followed suit.
He gently nudged his steed's sides, and with a final wave of his hand, Legolas set out once again for Gondor. He turned east, away from the falling sun with silver tears glinting in his eyes. "I will see you again," he vowed in a whisper to himself and rode away.
But by some chance of fate and the road of life that had been mapped out for him, he never returned home, to the halls where he had grown up, to his brothers' waiting smiles, to his father's waiting arms.
Lives of many men passed, none escaping from their mortal destiny. Estel was no different to this fate and passed, too soon for Legolas. To him, he had lost another friend, another sibling, a brother. Such many pains of loss that he bore were never meant for an elf's heart and the sea ever beckoned to him, to lose his sorrow in its silver plumes.
As Legolas sailed away from the lands that had born him, and away from his father and brothers, his mother's and sister's memories, his last thoughts were of his mother's smile, his sister's song, Adrahil's voice, Brethilorn's pranks, Thalion's laugh, his father's everlasting love.
"Namarië," he whispered.
And as the ship was born away upon the rocking waves, in the coming wind Legolas heard his father's voice, "Namarië, ion-nin. Amin thel meltha lle ullume. I will love you forever."
I Meth
The End
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*Maer manadh, gwador = Good luck, brother.
*Namarië, ion-nin. Amin thel meltha lle ullume = Farewell, my son. I will love you forever.
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BButtercup – I'm glad they talked too ^_^
Zammy – Thanks for the review! Hope it was soon enough!
mistopurr – Thanks for all your reviews! I thought the last chapter was sad too, but it was kinda happy cuz Legolas finally gets it that he's been forgiven. Silly elf. I never would have been able to get all the elvish without your help! Thanks!
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Thanks for all the reviews everyone! I've started work on another fic, set during The Hobbit. It's going to include all the characters (well, almost all) from A Lost Life, A Lost Soul, and Forgiven. So, I guess it could be a sort of prequel. Possibly also looking to do a parody/humor thing (O_O)
Thanks again, everyone!
-Silwen
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Any last reviews, comments, etc? Lay 'em on.