A/N: Thanks for all the fab reviews, you guys! Orlandofan13: I get my
Elvish from these two really good sites: www.CouncilofElrond.com
Fading Light
Peregrin Took spent much of the day poking about, looking for things to nibble on. His cousin, Merry, walked beside him, eager to find food as well.
"'There once was an inn, a merry old inn . . .'" Pippin began to sing to himself, when he suddenly stopped. He had passed a doorway and in the corner of his eye, saw something for a moment that caught his interest. The hobbit backed up a pace and peered into the room. He gasped then called to his cousin.
"Merry!"
"What, Pip?"
"Look!"
Merry ambled up and joined Pippin in his gaze. He beheld a figure lying on a bed at the end of a dimly lit room.
With his curiosity peaked, Pippin stepped over the threshold of the doorway.
"Pip, what are you doing? Get back here!" Merry hissed.
"I just want to have a look," he whispered over his shoulder. Merry sighed and then reluctantly followed after him.
When he came up behind Pippin he heard him exclaim, "It's an elf
lady!"
"What!" Merry quickly moved to get a better look.
The pale light of the moon shone through the window and lit her pale figure, intensifying the subtle glow of the elves that already surrounded her.
"What are you two mischief-makers doing in here?" A well-known voice demanded sharply.
Merry and Pippin jumped and turned to see Gandalf towering over them, his glare pinning them to the ground.
"It was his fault!" Merry cried, pointing an accusing finger at Pippin.
Pippin's mouth dropped open for a retort, but Gandalf raised his hands.
"It does not matter whose fault or any other such nonsense, your curious hobbit minds were ensnared."
"Who is she, Gandalf?" Pippin asked before Gandalf could speak
further.
"She is Elwen, daughter of Laurëfin who departed for the Grey Havens some time ago. Does that satisfy you?"
The two hobbits nodded.
"Good." Gandalf then took them promptly by the ears and dragged them out of the room.
*~*~*~*~*~*
The ever-deepening night found Legolas pacing wall of the Keep. Thoughts ran wildly through his head and they were all bent on Elwen.
"Might I . . .? Could I . . .? Do I . . .?"
"My lord?"
Legolas turned sharply about to see Lady Éowyn looking at him with a concerned expression. "Are you ill?"
"No, my lady, elves are not subject to sickness."
"Oh, of course. I'm sorry. I had forgotten. I am not used to the presence of elves."
"It is quite all right," Legolas managed a small smile, "but, I thank you for your concern."
"You are welcome."
Silence reigned and Legolas resumed his pacing, but was again stopped.
"Where is Lord Aragorn, do you know?"
"You do not?"
"No," Éowyn replied, bristling slightly. "Last I heard he was tending the elf woman you brought back."
"He was?" Legolas exclaimed, his heart speeding up. Perhaps Aragorn could offer more on her condition.
"Yes."
"Pray, excuse me, Lady," Legolas said hurriedly and with a quick bow he left the wall.
*~*~*~*~*
Aragorn heard Legolas approach. He was perhaps the only human being who could.
"How is she?" the anxiety threaded in his voice could not be hidden.
Aragorn did not turn his head to face the elf, nor did he rise from the floor. "Elwen is on the turning point," he answered. "By the light of dawn, we will know which way she will go."
Silence filled the room. A long silence, until Legolas finally broke it.
"She loves me, Aragorn."
Estel finally rose from the bedside and turned to the elf. He then gently grasped Legolas' shoulder.
"I know," he said quietly. Then his gaze became intense and he looked his old friend squarely in the eye "But, do you love her?" he asked quietly.
Legolas broke eye contact and his gaze shifted over Aragorn's shoulder to the sleeping figure on the bed. His brows drew worriedly together.
The idea of Elwen passing to the Halls of Mandos struck into him a sorrow and an anguish he had never felt before . . . He knew then that if she were to depart he would fade. He knew that life without Elwen would break his immortal heart.
Legolas drew in a deep breath then let it out.
"Yes," he answered.
"Then stay by her bedside tonight, Legolas," said Aragorn. "Be there when she awakes."
Legolas's eye widened with hope.
"Yes, Legolas," came Gandalf's voice from behind the two. "Elwen will live. Actually," he continued with a chuckle, "she's been healed for two days now."
Legolas whipped around to face Aragorn again.
"Why did you not tell me?" he demanded angrily.
The ranger smiled, "how else would I have been able to get you to admit it?"
"It was really Gandalf's idea," said Gimli, who had just entered the room after overhearing the previous words.
The wizard's only response to that was a hearty laugh. But, then he suddenly sobered. He stared at Elwen's sleeping form and frowned.
"What is it?" Aragorn asked. Gandalf didn't answer but swiftly moved to Elwen's bedside. The wizard put his wrinkled hand on the elf-maiden's forehead and closed his eyes. It was only for a brief time, because in the next moment he opened them.
"She is fading!" he exclaimed.
"No!" cried Legolas. "You said she was healed, why is she fading?"
"Elwen, possibly, heard your ranting about her being a 'foolish' and 'unwise girl.' She believes you bear no love for her. She has nothing to hold on to. Her heart is breaking"
"But, I do love her!" Legolas passionately protested.
"Then, stay by her. Perhaps your presence will restore her light."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The group then slowly filed out of the room, but not before giving Legolas' shoulder a comforting and hopeful squeeze.
Soon, the Prince of Mirkwood was left alone.
He knelt by her and lovingly stroked her forehead. Then his eyes rested on Elwen's small hand, which lay across the top of the blanket. Legolas touched it and his chest tightened. It was slightly cooler then what was normal.
Legolas brought her palm to his lips and tenderly kissed it. Then, he held it against his cheek and began to sing softly:
"'Namárië lissë kemen ar formenwa menel,
An voro laitanë, an sinome né caita ar
Sinome hroanen tyelca né nornoroa undu
Isil, undu Anar, Lúthien Tindómerel yanta
Vanima i fírima lambë voro nyarë. Nan ilya
An atalantë lantanë Ambar ar né úcarna
Ar nanehortanë úcarna undumënna enwina,
Né cáralarya mára, i histen, i ara, i kemen, i
Eär i Lúthien lúlin núva.
Farewell sweet earth and northern sky,
For ever blest, since here did lie and
Here with lissom limbs did run beneath
The Moon, beneath the Sun, Lúthien Tinúviel
More fair than mortal tongue can tell. Though
All to ruin fell the world and were dissolved and
Backward hurled unmade into the old abyss,
Yet were its making good, for this the dusk,
The dawn, the earth, the sea that Lúthien
For a time should be.'"
When Legolas finished he took a deep, almost shuddering, breath. He felt her hand. It was considerably warmer now, but of course because he had been holding it, so, he reached over and touched her other hand. A thrill or hope leapt through him. It was just as warm!
Legolas stroked the side of Elwen's cheek with the back of his hand. His sharp blue eyes caressed her face.
"Le bainon," he whispered. (You are so beautiful)
The Prince's gaze then came to rest on Elwen's mouth. He moved his hand to gently trace his fingers over her lips. Then, Legolas leaned down and gingerly captured them with own. He wasn't sure if he had imagined it or not, but for a split second he thought that he felt Elwen's lips respond.
"If you depart, Elwen," he whispered, hoping she could hear, "I shall fade and when I do, at least we shall be reunited in the Halls of Mandos." Legolas managed a weak smile at this, but it did not last long. "Do not leave me, Elwen. Le melon." (I love you)
The elven prince then bowed his head and allowed himself to do something he had not done since he was an elf ling: He wept.
*~*~*~*~*~ I hope you liked it! More to come! Ciao amicos!
Fading Light
Peregrin Took spent much of the day poking about, looking for things to nibble on. His cousin, Merry, walked beside him, eager to find food as well.
"'There once was an inn, a merry old inn . . .'" Pippin began to sing to himself, when he suddenly stopped. He had passed a doorway and in the corner of his eye, saw something for a moment that caught his interest. The hobbit backed up a pace and peered into the room. He gasped then called to his cousin.
"Merry!"
"What, Pip?"
"Look!"
Merry ambled up and joined Pippin in his gaze. He beheld a figure lying on a bed at the end of a dimly lit room.
With his curiosity peaked, Pippin stepped over the threshold of the doorway.
"Pip, what are you doing? Get back here!" Merry hissed.
"I just want to have a look," he whispered over his shoulder. Merry sighed and then reluctantly followed after him.
When he came up behind Pippin he heard him exclaim, "It's an elf
lady!"
"What!" Merry quickly moved to get a better look.
The pale light of the moon shone through the window and lit her pale figure, intensifying the subtle glow of the elves that already surrounded her.
"What are you two mischief-makers doing in here?" A well-known voice demanded sharply.
Merry and Pippin jumped and turned to see Gandalf towering over them, his glare pinning them to the ground.
"It was his fault!" Merry cried, pointing an accusing finger at Pippin.
Pippin's mouth dropped open for a retort, but Gandalf raised his hands.
"It does not matter whose fault or any other such nonsense, your curious hobbit minds were ensnared."
"Who is she, Gandalf?" Pippin asked before Gandalf could speak
further.
"She is Elwen, daughter of Laurëfin who departed for the Grey Havens some time ago. Does that satisfy you?"
The two hobbits nodded.
"Good." Gandalf then took them promptly by the ears and dragged them out of the room.
*~*~*~*~*~*
The ever-deepening night found Legolas pacing wall of the Keep. Thoughts ran wildly through his head and they were all bent on Elwen.
"Might I . . .? Could I . . .? Do I . . .?"
"My lord?"
Legolas turned sharply about to see Lady Éowyn looking at him with a concerned expression. "Are you ill?"
"No, my lady, elves are not subject to sickness."
"Oh, of course. I'm sorry. I had forgotten. I am not used to the presence of elves."
"It is quite all right," Legolas managed a small smile, "but, I thank you for your concern."
"You are welcome."
Silence reigned and Legolas resumed his pacing, but was again stopped.
"Where is Lord Aragorn, do you know?"
"You do not?"
"No," Éowyn replied, bristling slightly. "Last I heard he was tending the elf woman you brought back."
"He was?" Legolas exclaimed, his heart speeding up. Perhaps Aragorn could offer more on her condition.
"Yes."
"Pray, excuse me, Lady," Legolas said hurriedly and with a quick bow he left the wall.
*~*~*~*~*
Aragorn heard Legolas approach. He was perhaps the only human being who could.
"How is she?" the anxiety threaded in his voice could not be hidden.
Aragorn did not turn his head to face the elf, nor did he rise from the floor. "Elwen is on the turning point," he answered. "By the light of dawn, we will know which way she will go."
Silence filled the room. A long silence, until Legolas finally broke it.
"She loves me, Aragorn."
Estel finally rose from the bedside and turned to the elf. He then gently grasped Legolas' shoulder.
"I know," he said quietly. Then his gaze became intense and he looked his old friend squarely in the eye "But, do you love her?" he asked quietly.
Legolas broke eye contact and his gaze shifted over Aragorn's shoulder to the sleeping figure on the bed. His brows drew worriedly together.
The idea of Elwen passing to the Halls of Mandos struck into him a sorrow and an anguish he had never felt before . . . He knew then that if she were to depart he would fade. He knew that life without Elwen would break his immortal heart.
Legolas drew in a deep breath then let it out.
"Yes," he answered.
"Then stay by her bedside tonight, Legolas," said Aragorn. "Be there when she awakes."
Legolas's eye widened with hope.
"Yes, Legolas," came Gandalf's voice from behind the two. "Elwen will live. Actually," he continued with a chuckle, "she's been healed for two days now."
Legolas whipped around to face Aragorn again.
"Why did you not tell me?" he demanded angrily.
The ranger smiled, "how else would I have been able to get you to admit it?"
"It was really Gandalf's idea," said Gimli, who had just entered the room after overhearing the previous words.
The wizard's only response to that was a hearty laugh. But, then he suddenly sobered. He stared at Elwen's sleeping form and frowned.
"What is it?" Aragorn asked. Gandalf didn't answer but swiftly moved to Elwen's bedside. The wizard put his wrinkled hand on the elf-maiden's forehead and closed his eyes. It was only for a brief time, because in the next moment he opened them.
"She is fading!" he exclaimed.
"No!" cried Legolas. "You said she was healed, why is she fading?"
"Elwen, possibly, heard your ranting about her being a 'foolish' and 'unwise girl.' She believes you bear no love for her. She has nothing to hold on to. Her heart is breaking"
"But, I do love her!" Legolas passionately protested.
"Then, stay by her. Perhaps your presence will restore her light."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The group then slowly filed out of the room, but not before giving Legolas' shoulder a comforting and hopeful squeeze.
Soon, the Prince of Mirkwood was left alone.
He knelt by her and lovingly stroked her forehead. Then his eyes rested on Elwen's small hand, which lay across the top of the blanket. Legolas touched it and his chest tightened. It was slightly cooler then what was normal.
Legolas brought her palm to his lips and tenderly kissed it. Then, he held it against his cheek and began to sing softly:
"'Namárië lissë kemen ar formenwa menel,
An voro laitanë, an sinome né caita ar
Sinome hroanen tyelca né nornoroa undu
Isil, undu Anar, Lúthien Tindómerel yanta
Vanima i fírima lambë voro nyarë. Nan ilya
An atalantë lantanë Ambar ar né úcarna
Ar nanehortanë úcarna undumënna enwina,
Né cáralarya mára, i histen, i ara, i kemen, i
Eär i Lúthien lúlin núva.
Farewell sweet earth and northern sky,
For ever blest, since here did lie and
Here with lissom limbs did run beneath
The Moon, beneath the Sun, Lúthien Tinúviel
More fair than mortal tongue can tell. Though
All to ruin fell the world and were dissolved and
Backward hurled unmade into the old abyss,
Yet were its making good, for this the dusk,
The dawn, the earth, the sea that Lúthien
For a time should be.'"
When Legolas finished he took a deep, almost shuddering, breath. He felt her hand. It was considerably warmer now, but of course because he had been holding it, so, he reached over and touched her other hand. A thrill or hope leapt through him. It was just as warm!
Legolas stroked the side of Elwen's cheek with the back of his hand. His sharp blue eyes caressed her face.
"Le bainon," he whispered. (You are so beautiful)
The Prince's gaze then came to rest on Elwen's mouth. He moved his hand to gently trace his fingers over her lips. Then, Legolas leaned down and gingerly captured them with own. He wasn't sure if he had imagined it or not, but for a split second he thought that he felt Elwen's lips respond.
"If you depart, Elwen," he whispered, hoping she could hear, "I shall fade and when I do, at least we shall be reunited in the Halls of Mandos." Legolas managed a weak smile at this, but it did not last long. "Do not leave me, Elwen. Le melon." (I love you)
The elven prince then bowed his head and allowed himself to do something he had not done since he was an elf ling: He wept.
*~*~*~*~*~ I hope you liked it! More to come! Ciao amicos!