Thanks, as always to everyone who reviewed!
Legolas19:here´s the requested update.
Bradleigh: I like cliffhangers, as you have noticed. Thank you for finding my writing powerful!
Stefen: No, I´m just a sucker for angst...
Forsakenon3: So happy that you still are here. This chapter you may find confusing, but I´m very interested in what you get out of it.
Isildwen: thank you, here´s the continuation...and ending (sort of.)
Kiki: Nice to know that my story touches you.
Blue: thank you for taking your time to give me some good advice. The first chapters of my NC17- version of this story is being betaed at the moment, so I agree with you. About the rating: well, the next version will not be put up here on ff-net, but I´m not sure if I am allowed to link to adult sites here.
Katie: Thank you very much!
Peace38: you need a happy ending? Hmm...
A´/N: I guess this chapter may be a bit confusing and incoherent, but it is partly meant to. I am very eager to see what you make out of this, of what really is happening.here...and I will write an epilogue for you where I explain it, I promise. Then you can decide for your selves whether it´s a happy ending or not. I feel that it is time to put an end to this story and go on with my other ideas.
Chapter 16: Fragments
"Why have you summoned me here?" Legolas asked.
"I wanted to talk to you, it felt necessary concerning the circumstances," Arwen said softly, although her tone was a bit hesitant.
Legolas crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall to steady himself, eyes narrowing slightly.
"I guess you´re referring to the fact I was in bed together with your betrothed," he said, slightly ironic. It was not like him to use such a voice, but both the physical pain and the fierce ache in his heart wore him down. "I´m not apologizing for it, it´s no use" he said more gently-"but I am truly sorry for the pain it must cause you."
Arwen´s face showed nothing but compassion and sadness- not even traces of jealousy or bitterness. She radiated the same calm she almost often did.
"It would bring great sorrow to anyone stepping between two who shares such a love" she answered. "I would not do that were it not for the fact that you are dying; which grieves us all; but most the one that we both love."
"You see a lot of things, Evenstar, since you already know it. And Aragon is suffering indeed, but I have felt a darkness in him that cannot be explained just by the loss of me. It makes him loose his will and it scares me, he needs to linger here."
She looked thoughtful for a moment, like she tried to figure out what the archer meant.
"A darkness? "I understand his entire being is consumed with grief, at his moment; such is his bond to you. But you are to referring something different, other than that."
Legolas nodded.
"Something has befallen him and it may have to do with our separation; but not entirely so. It is almost like he has been captured by an evil power that´s eating at him...well, I don´t know how exactly, but I´m sure about it. And because of the whole situation, he is responsive to it."
"These are very disturbing news, and not at all what I had expected to hear when I called for you. But if what you say is true, he may succumb to this obscurity when you leave; it´s a dilemma because I understand that you feel like you must go. Then again, I really think that your separation is the only reason for it– he feels like his true light is leaving him. Such is the love he feels for you."
The archer closed his eyes for a moment.
"I must....but I also think he will be happy to see you again, despite his feelings for me. Deep inside I think he realizes that we can never be and that you are what is best for him".
Arwen went forward and stroked his pale cheek. He caught her hand and brought it away gently, but firmly although he still held it in a tight grip. She gasped at the force of it, it almost hurt and was very unlike the calm elf she once knew.
"Do not ask me to stay, Arwen, even I have limits to what I can handle. I think I have deserved some peace of mind and that I can never have in his presence," he continued.
"I won´t, but you must set him free" she said seriously.
"Time will do so and time will hide his love for me. Bitter is the brew, for the three of us. Yet you and he will remain. Excuse me, my lady, now I wish to be alone". He let go of her hand, suddenly seeming tired.
Arwen bowed her head and when Legolas had left she turned away and cried, for the cruel turns of fate. The fate that made three hearts bleed, including her own, in such a way.
Legolas had been right about the fact that Arwen´s presence at the coronation ceremony made Aragorn pleased, he was astonished, sure as he had been that she had taken the ship to Valinor. Instead she had remained here in Middle-Earth, for his sake, and had given up her immortality. Caught by her good charm he had even kissed her on the mouth, surprising himself. Then he tried not to dwell on the fact that he had not felt anything special in doing so, rather the opposite; it made him miss the lips of another elf even more, lips that he not was supposed to taste anymore. The thought almost made him stumble; the plaguing darkness inside him once again rising to the surface. It tore him, like claws gripping for his soul; the picture suddenly became vivid before his eyes, and he could almost see them before his eyes. He let out a painful sigh, not realizing that he had stopped dead in his tracks, standing immobile for a short moment.
When he woke up he saw that both Arwen and Legolas stared at him, their faces showing both fear and concern. He was fairly sure that the other attending elves had noticed as well. What is happening to me? he thought as the proceedings of the coronation continued. However, he did not experience any more attacks of the darkness that day.
As soon as it was over, Legolas begged Gimli that they should leave.
"I thought that you wanted to meet your kin first, after all you haven´t seen them in a long time" the dwarf said.
"Yes, but we will visit my family in Mirkwood later, I think you understand why I don´t wish to remain here. I know Aragorn agrees; it´s just plain torture for the both of us."
"Well, I at least thought that you were going to greet your sister" a melodious, singing voice said behind them. No one had heard her approach.
Legolas turned around and to Gimli´s delight he saw a genuine smile in his friends face,for what it seemed, ages.
"Silmarien! " Their embrace was heartfelt, and then Legolas introduced her to Gimli.
They talked about everything for a while, but suddenly the dwarf said:
"Maybe you can talk your little brother in to not leaving so abruptly."
Silmarien smiled and looked at Legolas.
"I was coming to that "she said , "but since you´ve mentioned it, I may as well say it: I know what is happening to you, Legolas. "Her voice was serious when she continued: "I came here to bid you to stay for three days more".
Her brother looked at her with complete astonishment.
"Here? Why do you ask for this? What good will it do?" he asked in a strained tone.
Silmarien took his hands.
"Because it may be the solution to your problem" she answered calmly. "Remember that I am a healer, my brother. I cannot heal you, but I have searched for and found the one who can, so you have to linger here and wait."
"You have actually succeeded in finding someone who is able to cure me? How did you..."
Silmarien interrupted him.
"I have, but I don´t know in what way, I cannot say anything more".
Gimli smiled.
"Looks like we´re going to stay, then laddie" he said and chuckled.
His friend nodded solemnly.
(The same night)
"He didn´t leave today. He is in his room, I guess, go to him and spend the night as you wish" Arwen said. "You ache for him."
"What?!?" Her betrothed looked at her, deeply shocked." Are you really saying what I think you do?"
"Yes, go to him. I will explain later, I must be alone now".
Profoundly confused Aragorn did as he was told, not caring that he was being ordered around like a child, he wanted this too much. Arriving at Legolas room, he knocked softly at the door and the elf´s lilting voice asked him to come in.
Legolas was sitting at the window frame, looking at the moon when Aragorn entered his chamber. It was a wondrous sight to see him like that; in the illumination he seemed even more beautiful, a masterpiece of the Valar. The man stopped and just watched him, the glow of his beloved easing his tortured soul.
"I heard it was you," the elf said, not turning his eyes away from the pale silver light "though the least I have expected was to see you here this night."
"Arwen told me to; told me to go here and spend the night as I liked."
Legolas finally tore his gaze from the moon and to the man.
"She did?" he said and thought about his conversation with Silmarien earlier that day. For some reason he did not mention it to his lover, he was not sure himself why. "Strange forces are at work here." He jumped down from the window.
"Anyway, it delights me much that you are here."
Aragorn wrapped his arms around the elf and drew him close. He buried his face in the blond hair and inhaled the sweet scent.
"I did not think I would be able to hold you like this again" he whispered as Legolas melted into the embrace with a contented sigh.
"We got this chance" the elf answered and kissed him.
(At the same time in the bedchamber of Aragorn and Arwen)
At first she didn´t notice the presence in the room, but when she looked around, she saw a figure clad in a blue cowl standing immobile in the corner. Maybe she would have felt threatened, but there was something comforting about the appearance.
"Who are you?" she asked.
The figure removed her hood.
"You have never met me, but I think you understand who I am".
And Arwen did.
"Now you must listen to me" the female elf said." This is about saving the souls of two lovers."
"Is it you who made me send my betrothed straight into the arms of his special friend tonight?"
She nodded and began to talk.
(Some time later)
"I don´t understand how I will succeed in to talking Legolas into this and then make Aragorn accept" Arwen said, slightly dumbfounded.
"But you think you can go through with it?"
"Yes, Legolas is very.... and with time..."
"After dealing with it, in time Aragorn will be much grateful, with this you provide him with the most beautiful of memories and Legolas will always be with him. It will also bring them both peace of mind. "
"In a way that is true, I will talk to Legolas tomorrow night as you said."
(The following night)
He couldn´t sleep, he knew he needed to, still being weak, for the amount of blood loss, but it just wouldn´t come. He could not rid himself of the feeling that something was going on, was about to happen, something...he was unable to explain it no matter how much he tried to analyze it further. He was still somewhat surprised that he had agreed to stay those three nights Silmarien had asked for, without even demanding an explanation. But if he indeed could be healed, then maybe it was worth it. Then again, what would happen with Aragorn´s and his relationship, if he was going to live after all?
He musings was interrupted by a soft knock on the door.
"Come in" he said softly. He was more than a little amazed to see that it was Arwen. She, on her behalf, looked pale and slightly nervous, something he never had seen before.
"Arwen!" he said. "I´m surprised to see you here, yesterday you sent Aragorn and now you come yourself. What is the reason for these late night encounters? Do you wish to check me out?"
She bit her lip, and it took a long time for her to answer after Legolas had bid her to sit down.
"You might say I have a proposition to make..." her voice trailed off.
Legolas raised an eyebrow.
"Yes?"
"Well, you know Aragorn is suffering not being able to have you near...and you told me you feared for the darkness you had sensed in him..."
The other elf nodded.
"It was even stronger when he came here yesterday" he said, still a bit confused about her uneasy manners.
"Ummm...well, there´s a way to save him, a gift that forever will contain your light near him. You can give him that...or rather; you and I can...together. It can be a gift for you as well." She was not totally coherent, and Legolas did not know what to think.
"A gift??? From you and me? What exactly are you implying here? Arwen...tell me now, frankly, you seem so distressed."
If Legolas had been surprised earlier, it was nothing compared to the shock he got when she told him. It took him a long time before he was able to form a single, rational thought, but then he was able to, despite all the obvious objections and complications, see the beauty of her vision.
Aragorn stirred in his sleep, but did not wake, when Arwen returned to their bedchamber, right before the morning broke.
(The third night)
Legolas..........Legolas........
The voice calling to him drove him from his peaceful sleep. He did recognize it, although he was sure he had never heard it before. He rose from the bed, and when he looked out from the window he saw the same figure in the blue cowl, that Arwen had seen. To be quick, he merely jumped out of the window, so he came face to face with the appearance.
"Who are you?" he said. "Why are you calling to me in my sleep?"
"Have you not guessed?" was the answer he got as the figure pulled down her hood to reveal a cascade of shining golden hair. Legolas looked into the midnight blue eyes, similar to his own, and he knew.
"Mother!" he gasped. "But you......father told me you..."
"Died? Well, you may say I did and you may say I did not. Your sister, who is the powerful healer you should have been, summoned me here, my beautiful son, to save you from your suffering."
With those words she embraced him warmly. Then she laid her hands against his temples.
"Now, feel it" she said. "Feel it and be healed."
And he could feel warmth radiate from her hands, straight into his tortured body, washing away all the pain and the damage done to him. When she, after a long time, removed her hands he looked around and he saw everything around him more intensely, all colors more vivid than before.
"You must come with me," she said. "You know, you must follow me, or this have been done in vain".
"Yes, I understand, but I can´t leave like this, without saying good-bye to everyone, to him.........."
"You are not really leaving, you are leaving a part of yourself here, your and Arwens doings have come to fruition".
An enlightened smile spread across his face.
"So you were the one who instigated this? That explains a lot, I knew she did not make that up for herself, although she did not tell me".
"That´s because I asked her not to. Come, my son, we have a lot to catch up with."
Legolas followed her, away in the dim lit night.
THE END. Epilouge is coming.