When Will the Sun Shine Again?
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Chapter 2- The wishes of Friends
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A.N: this chapter will be a lil longer, and could get a little boring, I hope not but we shall see, I'm trying not to make this too much into a Legolas romance fic even though it seems it now, but who knows? Review please? Oh and go and read my other fic Unseen Guardians if you get time J
Arwen sat bolt upright. Her fair head was beaded with sweat and her gown stuck to her body. But it was not the heat of the night that roused her from her slumber, indeed as a soft breeze wafted through her room.
No instead it was the fires of her dreams that stirred her. She felt sickened to her stomach and a veil of despair set upon her.
For her visions chilled her to the core. She saw her beloved Estel lying in a pool of crimson, like the sea, and her heart was torn asunder. For it was known that the dreams of some elves were prophetic, and so Arwen collapsed to the floor of her chambers and sobbed crystal tears until she could cry no more.
Then, roused by her cries came her brothers Elledan and Elrohir with Legolas and two guards.
"Arwen!" Elrohir cried as the three princes rushed to her side.
"What on middle earth is wrong?" Elledan asked as Legolas helped her up.
Arwen remained silent but sniffled, tears still on her cheeks.
"May I speak to Arwen alone by your leave?" Legolas asked Elrond's sons.
The two regarded Arwen for a moment then nodded and left.
"What did you see? How does Aragorn fare?" Legolas asked, almost reading her mind.
"He is dead Legolas…I saw him die. It…it pains me badly…I cannot breathe nor think, nor feel aught but hurt and darkness." She started crying again, clutching to Legolas and filling the air with heart wrenching sobs.
"Shhh, are you but mistaken? Surely one eves dream cannot reduce you to this. Visions can be deceiving, for Aragorn has a great destiny to fulfill."
"I swear it so Legolas, I wouldst not deceive you on this would I?"
"Sometimes our minds deceive our hearts, through no fault of our own, but I do not doubt your word Arwen."
And so the night passed into day, but Arwen slept not, simply cried into the arms of Legolas, who held her through the night, his strong hands her only comfort and shield from her unimaginable hurt. And she knew not his hidden desires even then.
*
The next afternoon Arwen sought council with her father, in his chambers.
"Father?" Arwen slipped through the large doors and stood, expectantly, for her father to look up from a book.
"My daughter, what troubles you so? Elledan told me of your tears, why did you not see me sooner?" Elrond frowned at his daughter, seeing her blue eyes full of worry.
"I sought to spend as much time with Legolas before he departs for Mirkwood next morning."
"You two have grown close as you once were, it is refreshing to see."
"Indeed. That is not why I came to you father, for you are as wise as any I know."
"So pray tell what is this problem that only my mind can master?" Elrond allowed a slight smile to creep across his face, he had no need for his daughters compliments.
"I had a dream, 'twas what woke me last eve. It…it was awful, my beloved Aragorn slain, could it be true? Or is it nothing?"
"Only you can answer that question, my child." Elrond said quietly and turned back to his reading. Arwen sensed she would get no more from her father, so retired back to her room to seek solace.
*
Legolas pulled his green cloak around him, and laid a hand on his snow white steed who brayed uneasily, in the grey morning. He dared a glance up at Arwens room and saw her silhouetted against the darkness in her chambers. Her raven hair flowed around her shoulders and a golden circlet adorned her head. She was garbed in a rose red gown, with gold lining the hem,
Rose red, or blood red. Legolas sighed, and raised a hand to Arwen as he mounted his horse. She returned the gesture, a small smile on her lips, but her eyes did not deceive him, for they had lost their light and joy, and seemed dull. It pained Legolas to see the Lady Evenstar like that, but he turned away, pain heavy in his heart and rode away, without a glance back.
*
From the day of Legolas' departure Arwen stole herself away in her chambers, refusing food or drink of any kind, many feared she might die. For her mourning consumed her being and her only grip on reality was Legolas who had tried to take her mind from her grief, but with him gone there was no-one to pull her from her own darkness. And so it was when a rider came, from the fields where Aragorn had fallen, and confirmed his death to Elrond, who shed a tear too for his adopted son, but Arwen needed no confirmation, for she felt it in her heart.
Every day Elrond and Arwens brothers came to check on her, and to offer food, but she would take none. It had been days, and nothing but heart wrenching sobs could be heard from her chambers all day and night. Elrond became increasingly worried about his daughters welfare. He sent messages to Mirkwood, begging Legolas' return but attacks had been made on the outer boarders of Mirkwood that Legolas and his kin were defending and made travel impossible.
In the end Elrohir and Elledan were sent to Mirkwood to plead Legolas' return and it was grudgingly allowed by King Thranduil for his leave. The three elven princes rode hard to Rivendell, where an anxious Elrond awaited.
Legolas went at once to Arwens quarters.
"Lady Arwen?"
"Go away, I wish not food nor drink, for what is life worth without my lord?"
"Worth friendship, even if all turn their backs on you Arwen I never shall."
"Legolas?"
"Aye, your father was truly worried for you and so sent your brothers to bring me here to you."
There was silence for a moment, and then the great wooden doors swung open. Arwen stood there, in a dress of ebony, black as night, more pale and withdrawn than ever before.
"Milady, you must eat, you look as pale as death, I beg you, take some sustenance, Aragorn would not wish you to suffer on his behalf."
"And who are you to say what Aragorn wished?!" She snapped, "Where you there in his hour of need, by his side as you and all the fellowship once were? What value is your friendship Legolas, if you are not there when you are needed, and come when you are not?"
Legolas was shocked at Arwens behavior. She was never this spiteful or hostile.
"Arwen, what has come over you? I meant no harm, only comfort. I wished greatly I was there to help, but it was not my battle and was not my blame no matter how troubled you are, do not lay your heat upon those who are here to help, for you will become short of friends if you blame them or turn them away." And with that Legolas shook his head sadly and left, to his chambers.
Arwen sat silently, reflecting upon Legolas' words. He speaks true. Alas! How foolish I have become in grief, and harmed those dearest to me, Estel wouldst despair of me in such a state, what good shall I be to this cruel world if I harm all who care? I shall overcome this grief somehow, with my dearest Legolas' help. What have I said?!
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Review please?