When Will the Sun Shine Again?
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Chapter 4- Farewells
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A.N: Okay I haven't updated this in the longest time I guess I just let work get on top of me, anyway thanks for coming to read this. I hope I will have more time to update, for those of you who like rude but extremely funny (or so I'm told) comedy LotR parodies, I've updated LotR- College style: Drugs, sex and donkey whackers, so if you wanna laugh go check it out. Okay enough with the plugs, I got very mixed reviews about Arwen/Leggy pairing, so you'll just have to wait and see what I come up with huh *evil cackle* anyhoo, please review, thanks for coming back to check this out!
Oh and in case you hadn't guessed this story doesn't follow the Lord of the Rings timeline, as Arwen and Aragorn are not yet married and the High Elves such as Galadriel and Elrond haven't departed for the Grey Havens yet, but don't worry about it or even think about it, just enjoy the story, after all this in Fan fiction! No offence is meant, so don't take any.
Oh yeah and stuff in italics are either phrases/words in elvish, flashbacks, dreams or things with extra emphasis (you'll understand better when you see it) and bold is thoughts. And btw, the elvish is not definite, the meaning is just about right, its not perfect by any means and it's the words stuck together with information gleaned from articles and other complicated sources so don't even think about how right it is or not because I know that it isn't but the meaning is just about there so concentrate on that not the actual perfect words! Anyway, don't think, just enjoy it!
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Legolas had decided to go riding to try and rid his mind of worries and was now fast speeding over the fields near Rivendell.
"Noro lim roch Imladris (Ride fast horse [of] Rivendell)" He whispered to the horse, who sped up with no hesitation, responding to the slightest word as was the way with elves and any good creature.
I hope I do not worry Arwen with my absence. It is time I returned to Mirkwood in any case, she has recovered well and I should be there with my father in case of another attack. It's settled then, I will break the news on my arrival and return home at the first light of dawn on the morrow.
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"Legolas, you were absent in lunch. Have you a fever? What ails you?" Arwen assaulted the elven prince as he arrived back.
"Nay, naught like that milady. I simply went for a ride instead, I feel it does me more good to ride among the trees and in the pure woodland air than to stay cooped up eating on a day like this. Did you see the river? It sparkles like a million shards of diamond upon the surface! The flowers are in full bloom, their perfume ensnares me so, tell me lady, would it do to stay inside on such a day?"
"Nay, I suppose not my good Legolas, wouldst you have told me I would have accompanied you on such a perfect day. You have cheered considerably since our last encounter."
"That I have, as you too have, it would seem as of late but I hope my next words do not darken your mood."
"Why, what is the matter?"
"I feel I should return home, the Valar knows, you do not need me here. You have recovered well, and I feel I should be at my fathers side in case of another attack. Do I have your leave to go?"
"It would be selfish of me to keep you from those who need you most my old friend, you do not even have to ask it. But I pray, stay for tonight and we shall send you off with a fitting farewell."
"As you wish milady. I will go now and inform your father, then send word to my own. I will see you at the evening meal?"
"Aye, you shall. Dress your finest my good prince, tonight we feast well!"
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The banquets of Rivendell were rivalled by none, and tonight's feast was no exception. Glittering candles stood glimmering in corners and fireflies swam about the rafters as fish in a stream casting an ethereal glow as was common with anything related to Elven kind. It seemed all of Lord Elronds house were present for the gathering, and Legolas hoped all this trouble had not been taken for him. His suspicions were heightened when he noticed those already seated stand for his entrance and sit when he took his place.
Elrond and Arwen were already present and Legolas took his seat beside the Lady Evenstar and started down at his plate.
"Legolas are you well?" Elrond asked softly.
"Aye my lord, but put my mind at ease. Say not that all this finery was for my benefit?"
"Apologies Legolas, I must admit it is. Why with the help you have given to our Lady Evenstar, there is none who is more deserving."
"Nay I fear many are more deserving. But I thank you for your kindness and hospitality Lord Elrond, you bring light to my heavy heart."
"Then let us feast, for too soon are you leaving us." Elrond said, and signalled the start of the feast.
The feast carried on well into the night, when the fireflies had departed and the candles had shrank down into themselves in the darkness, casting flickering shadows onto the wooden haven of the banquet hall, Elrond stood.
"Now may I propose a toast, to our friend from our cousins to the East. Prince Legolas has been a constant friend and ally to us, and as a brother to our beloved Lady Arwen, even now in such dark times. And with such words we must also spare a moment to remember our valiant Elessar. A true son, and greatest in the line of Isildur. A king among men. We will never forget him. To Legolas and Aragorn."
The other elves repeated the call and Legolas glanced worriedly at Arwen who discreetly slipped from the room like a wisp of mist.
"My lord, I beg your leave, I must prepare for my departure." Legolas whispered to Elrond who bowed his head in concession.
Legolas left noiselessly and followed Arwen's path. His keen eyes soon spotted her trail but he allowed her to distance herself from his pursuit, so it didn't seem as if he were following her.
As he slowly came upon her destination he paused to survey the scene.
Bathed in moonlight she sat, her skirts settled around her like petals to a flower. Moonbeams created a halo around her raven hair and she looked otherworldly in her radiance. But to Legolas' dismay he also saw her tears, trailing like miniscule streams across her porcelain cheeks, and her hands were buried in the flowers that surrounded her, and she clutched them like salvation.
He did not want to disturb her but he could not bear to see her in such a state so stepped into the garden, his nimble feet making sure to crush no delicate blooms in his path.
"Im cofnol Laeglass (I am empty Legolas)" She said quietly, without looking up, startling the elven prince somewhat.
"Man naegrach? (What pains you?)" He stood beside her, but made no move to sit by her or touch her, he did not think he could bear it.
"Nín meld' aran. Im naergon dîn aglonn (My beloved lord. I lament his pass[ing] )" Legolas sighed, it was as he expected, he missed Aragorn too, and he knew there was a distinct possibility Arwen would never recover or return to her old self.
"He would not wish to pain you milady. It would indeed pain him to cause you any hurt, do not allow your heart to break, I cannot bear to look upon you with such grief upon your heart."
"Im Erol (I am alone)"
"Never!" Legolas said boldly, he knelt in front of Arwen and took her hand, though avoiding her eyes.
"You will never be alone while there is breath still in me, while there are still stars in the heavens, never Arwen." He finally looked her in the face, sincerity shone in his stormy eyes.
"Laeglass, nín thenid mellon. (Legolas, my true friend.)" She said gratefully, putting a hand over his.
Arwen thought she felt him tense but couldn't be sure.
"You will never be alone Arwen. Never." He repeated and Arwen made to kiss his cheek but he withdrew quickly, as if anticipating her move. He stood and inclined his head slightly.
"I will leave you now milady. Maer daw. (Good night)"
And as silently as the dawn creeps across the sky, Legolas was gone, with only a whisper of his scent on the breeze to testament his presence at all.