Disclaimer: The Lord of the Rings plots and characters are the properties
of J.R.R. Tolkien.
Farewell to the Fellowship
By: Young Storyteller
Chapter 3: Of Friendships and Farewells
The two companions reached the Gates to the city one hour ere the setting of the sun, hard though were their riding without any delay from Ithilien that afternoon. Although the desires to meet with their friend were great, alas, a fuel for speed it is not. Yet in the end, they had arrived at last to their destination before the ending of the day. The great gates of the city that were forged by the skilled hands of the crafty dwarves were about to be closed.
The guards of the city hurried forward to receive such honoured guests. They were yet young men, far too young to have lived through the dark days but they knew who these riders were and looked of awe could not be concealed from their faces.
Legolas drew reigned there and leapt lightly down. Immediately he offered a hand to Gimli who was none too thrilled in heart after the long and hurried ride. Elven horses were perhaps more comfortable to ride to most people as compared to other horses, but to an aging dwarf who had never taken to riding kindly, it was not a pleasurable experience. Rather, if it was not due to the haste that was needed, the dwarf-lord would have preferred the use of his own sturdy legs over horses especially Legolas's horse any day. Gimli who had on more than one occasion voiced his opinion that the elf's horse was trying to do him in was more so convince in his suspicion now. He would have to talk to Legolas about the matter again. The last time he had tried to tell the elf of the horse's 'ill intent' towards him had earned Gimli a long-suffering sigh from his elven friend.
One of the guards hurried forward bearing a mounting block.
'We have been riding for hours on end and that beast of yours was non too kind to my back,' grumbled Gimli to Legolas once he had gotten both his feet safely planted upon the ground.
'Come now Gimli. We needed the speed and you have arrived in one piece, have you not?' Legolas's voice was calm and his expression serene, which served to irate the dwarf even further than he already was.
'Indeed,' said Gimli eyeing the horse darkly as though it was a vile creature that he had a mind to fell. In response, the horse neighed indignantly in protest.
Legolas laughed. Yet again Gimli's strange ways had helped in easing his worries. 'Now Gimli, leave my horse alone!' said he stroking the magnificent creature's snout lovingly. Gimli's only answer was a look of pure disgust, which brought another smile to grace his fair friend's face.
The exchanged between the two lords were not lost on the guards and they allowed themselves small smiles to adorn their own stern faces. Another guard stepped forward to tend to the horse.
Their arrival was expected (unsurprisingly to either of them) and there waiting to greet them was the steward of the city, Boromir son of Faramir. It never fails to impress Gimli on how very much alike the young man was to his late father. He had the same air of nobility that Faramir had always seemed to carry with him, stern yet soft and kindly at the same time. Much alike to their king in a way, for the blood of ancient Numenor yet runs in the heirs of the House of Steward although it had lessened with time. But he was among the very few flaxen-haired citizens in Gondor where most of the people are dark-haired. He had inherited them from his mother, the Lady Eowyn of the Rohirrim. She too had since passed and it saddened the dwarf greatly to think of it.
Together, the young Steward and his two guests went to the palace. No announcement of the arrival was made for both the lords required it not. For Legolas, all the stone carven buildings in the city were very much similar. To his elven eyes, he deemed that there were too few things that were alive and glad in the city when he first set foot in the city. The elves since then had helped Aragorn to set up many gardens so that the people of the realm could yet feel the comforting whispers of living things within the confinement of the city. Gimli's people, for their part, had restored the many damaged buildings with such skills that could only be found in the hands of the doughty dwarves. They had also rebuild the damaged gates with one wrought of mithril that would be standing yet long after the ages has passed. The blending of elven and dwarvish skills, had brought back the splendour of Minas Tirith as it was of old while the world of Men was yet young and before the failing years of the race of the noble Numenoreans.
When Boromir had offered to bring them to their respective lodgings that had been prepared, both Legolas and Gimli declined the offer, being eager to meet with their friend as soon as possible. After all, that was their purpose in the first place. Even Gimli had forgotten of the excruciating pain on his back in his eagerness.
'The King Elessar is in the palace's garden with his son,' the steward informed them and they took their leaves from him to go thither.
They needed no escort for the ways of the palace were well known to them. They had spent countless times there and between them, they felt that they could find their ways around even blindfolded.
An unexpected meeting, delayed their going for a while. Eldarion, the heir of the King was walking up to them, evidently he had just came from the garden. The young prince seemed pre-occupied, as though something weighs heavily upon his mind and in his hands he held a cloth, and the item underneath was hidden from sight under the rich velveteen material. Yet, he caught sight of the newcomers and his grave face broke into a smile when he saw the both of them. He was indeed his father's son. Dark-haired and grey- eyed he was a mirror image of his father though the softness of his mother's elven features was not lost on him. To both the elf and dwarf lords, Eldarion was indeed a jewel among men, even as his father had been.
'Mae govannen lords,' he said coming forward to clasp both the visitors by the hand, mindful of the bundle that he was carrying.
'Mae govannen Eldarion,' they answered simultaneously. An explanation was not needed when Eldarion announced:
'Father awaits the both of you in the garden. He knew that you would arrive ere sunset. How he knew of this I could not tell. But father had always been blessed with the gift of foresight, especially when it concerns the both of you,' said the prince, smiling.
'Is your father well, Eldarion?' asked Gimli suddenly. 'I do not wish to come all this way, bumping like an over-filled sack for nothing,' the dwarf's gruff tone though, did nothing to hide the worries of his heart.
For his part, Legolas remained silent. But he saw that the smile had left the young one's face at the inquiry. Once again he looked as grave as he had looked before he had noticed them. And Legolas could discern more in the depth of the youth's grey eyes than any word could ever have done. He saw there, sadness and grief and all of a sudden began to understand more of the answer to the riddle that they sought.
It did not comfort him.
'I cannot say. Come, I will take you to him,' said Eldarion, refusing to meet their gazes.
Gimli looked at Legolas in alarmed, but said nothing. And the elf offered no words to the inquisitive look he saw in his friend's eyes. Without another word, they had followed Eldarion's lead. Evening was beginning to get old when they walked in the fair garden of the palace.
Finally, they reached a part of the garden where it was said to be the most beautiful in the whole of the realm. It was the place where the white tree was planted by the king in the young hours of his ruling of the kingdom. It still stood there amongst the greenery and trickling of a fountain nearby. The tree was a symbol of peace and of hope of a better future and it had always been regarded with silent reverence by all. A figure stood by it now, running gentle fingers along the tree's sturdy branch obscured by the shadows cast by the failing lights. Day is fast drawing to an end.
'Aragorn,'
Legolas could recognized the silhouette anywhere. The silhouette turned to reveal the figure of his long-time friend. A gentle smile graced the aged face. It was said that time worked but slowly upon the children of the race of Numenor, but its work was already evident in Aragorn's wise visage. Lines adorned the handsome face and the once dark locks of hair were now covered in frost. Only his eyes remained as it ever was, since the days when he was only known as a Ranger of the North. But that also had grown wiser from vast experiences in his long life. Their eyes were locked upon the wise visage of their beloved friend and none of them noticed when Eldarion chose to leave them. Something else caught the elf's eyes; Aragorn was not wearing his crown. A suspicion was roused in Legolas's mind then to the mysterious bundle that Eldarion had with him when they met.
'I'm glad to see the both of you again,' he said casting a smile that was most beloved by his friends. 'You must be weary after such a long ride.' He cast a look upon Gimli. 'I hope the ride hither was to your liking?' he said in a knowing smile.
'It would be, if only the elf's arrogant beast would do better to allow smoother gallops,' growled Gimli.
Legolas raised an eyebrow to the remark and Aragorn laughed softly.
The king sat himself on a stone seat.
'Come and sit with me my friends and ease your weariness. I see that you have ridden hard. I have to thank you for coming as swiftly as you did. Forgive me if it was a trouble to the both of you,' said Aragorn.
'Do not mention it, my friend. We are glad as well to see you again,' said Legolas while Gimli nodded in agreement.
Aragorn just smiled.
'My thoughts had often strayed to you of late my friend. Tell me, is there something wrong, or was it merely my imagination?' asked Legolas. Gimli did not interrupt, but he was watching Aragorn with the most rapt attention.
'Nay, I do not supposed it was just your imagination my friend. It is well that the both of you are here already, for I wish to spend some time again with the both you,' Aragorn looked away to the darkening sky and added almost wistfully, 'for a while more.'
Both Legolas and Gimli's attention was upon the men who was their long-time friend. Legolas could sense a deep weariness in Aragorn's demeanor, for a while to the elf that he seemed almost distant. But then they spoke together as they always had, about their long roads together and of all the joys and sorrows in their lives. They laughed again together and were glad to be there with each other thus. As the lights began to fail, they fell silent, contented to just be spending their time together. They needed no words to describe their friendship for none was needed. Their friendship was a sacred thing and each held it in high reverence in their hearts.
At length, Aragorn spoke again. 'I wonder if our friends have ever thought of us from another shore?'
Both Legolas and Gimli knew whom Aragorn were referring to. Three of their Fellowship had long since departed to the Grey Havens. Gandalf, whose errand in middle-earth had been fulfilled with the demise of Sauron after the one ring was unmade. With him also went Frodo, the ring-bearer and Samwise Gamgee had followed soon after, the last of the ring-bearers.
'I know in my heart that they always thought of all of us,' answered Legolas gently.
Aragorn nodded.' And whither do I go beyond the world of the living?' Aragorn's voice was quiet as if he was pondering the thought to himself. In that moment Legolas greatest fear had been proven true. Gimli beside him stood up abruptly when understanding finally dawned upon him.
'Aragorn?'
'We have come to the road's end my friends. And I have pass on the throne to Eldarion to govern,' Aragorn continued. He gazed upon his friends' eyes then and he could see there, only love and understanding.
'He is much like you Aragorn, he is indeed the right choice. The world of men will survive to see many generations for your line will never fail my friend,' said Legolas past the tightness in his throat. Words seemed to have failed Gimli completely as the shadows darkened all their faces.
'I have held your friendships more dearly than all the treasures in the world. I release you now from all claims except friendship alone for all your services to me had been without flaws. Only one thing do I bid you now,' said Aragorn.
'You need only name it Aragorn,' said Legolas laying his hand on Aragorn.
He looked up to face his friends again. 'I bid you only this. Seek for your peace my friends. If it had eluded here, perhaps you may find it waiting in other shores,' Aragorn's voice was soft and barely heard as the sighing wind brought with it the chill of the coming night. Legolas knew those words were meant especially to him and the elf could tell that Gimli understood this as well.
'I go now to seek my peace. Fail me not in seeking for your own, my friends', said Aragorn.
He then knelt down and embraced Gimli. Long was the embraced and for the first time Gimli threw all pride to the winds. Openly he wept.
'I can't believe I finally get to see you cry thus Gimli,'said Aragorn, his voice breaking a little though his smile was genuine.
And for once, Gimli didn't have an answer to the tease but he also smiled amidst his tears.
The Aragorn stood again and he and Legolas looked into each other's eyes. Their eyes beheld each other for a while, finding there understanding borne from the love that was forged so many ages ago. A bond that was so true runs between them and in that silent moment when their eyes were locked together, they knew that; this bond, this love they have will never be broken, not even by death. And they embraced, a long embrace and it seemed that neither wants to let go of the other.
'I hope you will always remember all that we have shared my brother,' interlocked in an embrace, Aragorn whispered for Legolas's ears only.
Legolas fought to keep his voice steady past the tightness in his throat but he managed to whisper reassuring words to his friend in the beautiful Elven tongue:
'An uir, Estel, gwaidor nin.'
When they drew apart, Aragorn smiled. They watched together as the sun set completely, plunging the whole world into darkness. That was when Aragorn whispered a single word:
'Farewell.'
And he went away and never will he return again to the beautiful garden of Gondor that he had always loved as a living man.
As the two friends he had left still standing in the darkened garden, a lone star appeared gracing the sky of black velvet. And the wind sighs into the night sky.
Elvish translations:
Mae govannen: Welcome or in some cases Well met
An uir: For eternity
Estel: Hope
Gwaidor nin: My brother
I hope all the readers had enjoyed this chapter. It was rather difficult to write and hopefully it holds true to the three friends' friendship. I'm sorry for the faulty elvish. I'm really bad at it and these words were borrowed from various websites.
I would like to thank the readers and especially to all of the wonderful reviewers from the previous chapter: Foxy03, Frodo3791, Gozilla and Lia06.
Thank you.
Farewell to the Fellowship
By: Young Storyteller
Chapter 3: Of Friendships and Farewells
The two companions reached the Gates to the city one hour ere the setting of the sun, hard though were their riding without any delay from Ithilien that afternoon. Although the desires to meet with their friend were great, alas, a fuel for speed it is not. Yet in the end, they had arrived at last to their destination before the ending of the day. The great gates of the city that were forged by the skilled hands of the crafty dwarves were about to be closed.
The guards of the city hurried forward to receive such honoured guests. They were yet young men, far too young to have lived through the dark days but they knew who these riders were and looked of awe could not be concealed from their faces.
Legolas drew reigned there and leapt lightly down. Immediately he offered a hand to Gimli who was none too thrilled in heart after the long and hurried ride. Elven horses were perhaps more comfortable to ride to most people as compared to other horses, but to an aging dwarf who had never taken to riding kindly, it was not a pleasurable experience. Rather, if it was not due to the haste that was needed, the dwarf-lord would have preferred the use of his own sturdy legs over horses especially Legolas's horse any day. Gimli who had on more than one occasion voiced his opinion that the elf's horse was trying to do him in was more so convince in his suspicion now. He would have to talk to Legolas about the matter again. The last time he had tried to tell the elf of the horse's 'ill intent' towards him had earned Gimli a long-suffering sigh from his elven friend.
One of the guards hurried forward bearing a mounting block.
'We have been riding for hours on end and that beast of yours was non too kind to my back,' grumbled Gimli to Legolas once he had gotten both his feet safely planted upon the ground.
'Come now Gimli. We needed the speed and you have arrived in one piece, have you not?' Legolas's voice was calm and his expression serene, which served to irate the dwarf even further than he already was.
'Indeed,' said Gimli eyeing the horse darkly as though it was a vile creature that he had a mind to fell. In response, the horse neighed indignantly in protest.
Legolas laughed. Yet again Gimli's strange ways had helped in easing his worries. 'Now Gimli, leave my horse alone!' said he stroking the magnificent creature's snout lovingly. Gimli's only answer was a look of pure disgust, which brought another smile to grace his fair friend's face.
The exchanged between the two lords were not lost on the guards and they allowed themselves small smiles to adorn their own stern faces. Another guard stepped forward to tend to the horse.
Their arrival was expected (unsurprisingly to either of them) and there waiting to greet them was the steward of the city, Boromir son of Faramir. It never fails to impress Gimli on how very much alike the young man was to his late father. He had the same air of nobility that Faramir had always seemed to carry with him, stern yet soft and kindly at the same time. Much alike to their king in a way, for the blood of ancient Numenor yet runs in the heirs of the House of Steward although it had lessened with time. But he was among the very few flaxen-haired citizens in Gondor where most of the people are dark-haired. He had inherited them from his mother, the Lady Eowyn of the Rohirrim. She too had since passed and it saddened the dwarf greatly to think of it.
Together, the young Steward and his two guests went to the palace. No announcement of the arrival was made for both the lords required it not. For Legolas, all the stone carven buildings in the city were very much similar. To his elven eyes, he deemed that there were too few things that were alive and glad in the city when he first set foot in the city. The elves since then had helped Aragorn to set up many gardens so that the people of the realm could yet feel the comforting whispers of living things within the confinement of the city. Gimli's people, for their part, had restored the many damaged buildings with such skills that could only be found in the hands of the doughty dwarves. They had also rebuild the damaged gates with one wrought of mithril that would be standing yet long after the ages has passed. The blending of elven and dwarvish skills, had brought back the splendour of Minas Tirith as it was of old while the world of Men was yet young and before the failing years of the race of the noble Numenoreans.
When Boromir had offered to bring them to their respective lodgings that had been prepared, both Legolas and Gimli declined the offer, being eager to meet with their friend as soon as possible. After all, that was their purpose in the first place. Even Gimli had forgotten of the excruciating pain on his back in his eagerness.
'The King Elessar is in the palace's garden with his son,' the steward informed them and they took their leaves from him to go thither.
They needed no escort for the ways of the palace were well known to them. They had spent countless times there and between them, they felt that they could find their ways around even blindfolded.
An unexpected meeting, delayed their going for a while. Eldarion, the heir of the King was walking up to them, evidently he had just came from the garden. The young prince seemed pre-occupied, as though something weighs heavily upon his mind and in his hands he held a cloth, and the item underneath was hidden from sight under the rich velveteen material. Yet, he caught sight of the newcomers and his grave face broke into a smile when he saw the both of them. He was indeed his father's son. Dark-haired and grey- eyed he was a mirror image of his father though the softness of his mother's elven features was not lost on him. To both the elf and dwarf lords, Eldarion was indeed a jewel among men, even as his father had been.
'Mae govannen lords,' he said coming forward to clasp both the visitors by the hand, mindful of the bundle that he was carrying.
'Mae govannen Eldarion,' they answered simultaneously. An explanation was not needed when Eldarion announced:
'Father awaits the both of you in the garden. He knew that you would arrive ere sunset. How he knew of this I could not tell. But father had always been blessed with the gift of foresight, especially when it concerns the both of you,' said the prince, smiling.
'Is your father well, Eldarion?' asked Gimli suddenly. 'I do not wish to come all this way, bumping like an over-filled sack for nothing,' the dwarf's gruff tone though, did nothing to hide the worries of his heart.
For his part, Legolas remained silent. But he saw that the smile had left the young one's face at the inquiry. Once again he looked as grave as he had looked before he had noticed them. And Legolas could discern more in the depth of the youth's grey eyes than any word could ever have done. He saw there, sadness and grief and all of a sudden began to understand more of the answer to the riddle that they sought.
It did not comfort him.
'I cannot say. Come, I will take you to him,' said Eldarion, refusing to meet their gazes.
Gimli looked at Legolas in alarmed, but said nothing. And the elf offered no words to the inquisitive look he saw in his friend's eyes. Without another word, they had followed Eldarion's lead. Evening was beginning to get old when they walked in the fair garden of the palace.
Finally, they reached a part of the garden where it was said to be the most beautiful in the whole of the realm. It was the place where the white tree was planted by the king in the young hours of his ruling of the kingdom. It still stood there amongst the greenery and trickling of a fountain nearby. The tree was a symbol of peace and of hope of a better future and it had always been regarded with silent reverence by all. A figure stood by it now, running gentle fingers along the tree's sturdy branch obscured by the shadows cast by the failing lights. Day is fast drawing to an end.
'Aragorn,'
Legolas could recognized the silhouette anywhere. The silhouette turned to reveal the figure of his long-time friend. A gentle smile graced the aged face. It was said that time worked but slowly upon the children of the race of Numenor, but its work was already evident in Aragorn's wise visage. Lines adorned the handsome face and the once dark locks of hair were now covered in frost. Only his eyes remained as it ever was, since the days when he was only known as a Ranger of the North. But that also had grown wiser from vast experiences in his long life. Their eyes were locked upon the wise visage of their beloved friend and none of them noticed when Eldarion chose to leave them. Something else caught the elf's eyes; Aragorn was not wearing his crown. A suspicion was roused in Legolas's mind then to the mysterious bundle that Eldarion had with him when they met.
'I'm glad to see the both of you again,' he said casting a smile that was most beloved by his friends. 'You must be weary after such a long ride.' He cast a look upon Gimli. 'I hope the ride hither was to your liking?' he said in a knowing smile.
'It would be, if only the elf's arrogant beast would do better to allow smoother gallops,' growled Gimli.
Legolas raised an eyebrow to the remark and Aragorn laughed softly.
The king sat himself on a stone seat.
'Come and sit with me my friends and ease your weariness. I see that you have ridden hard. I have to thank you for coming as swiftly as you did. Forgive me if it was a trouble to the both of you,' said Aragorn.
'Do not mention it, my friend. We are glad as well to see you again,' said Legolas while Gimli nodded in agreement.
Aragorn just smiled.
'My thoughts had often strayed to you of late my friend. Tell me, is there something wrong, or was it merely my imagination?' asked Legolas. Gimli did not interrupt, but he was watching Aragorn with the most rapt attention.
'Nay, I do not supposed it was just your imagination my friend. It is well that the both of you are here already, for I wish to spend some time again with the both you,' Aragorn looked away to the darkening sky and added almost wistfully, 'for a while more.'
Both Legolas and Gimli's attention was upon the men who was their long-time friend. Legolas could sense a deep weariness in Aragorn's demeanor, for a while to the elf that he seemed almost distant. But then they spoke together as they always had, about their long roads together and of all the joys and sorrows in their lives. They laughed again together and were glad to be there with each other thus. As the lights began to fail, they fell silent, contented to just be spending their time together. They needed no words to describe their friendship for none was needed. Their friendship was a sacred thing and each held it in high reverence in their hearts.
At length, Aragorn spoke again. 'I wonder if our friends have ever thought of us from another shore?'
Both Legolas and Gimli knew whom Aragorn were referring to. Three of their Fellowship had long since departed to the Grey Havens. Gandalf, whose errand in middle-earth had been fulfilled with the demise of Sauron after the one ring was unmade. With him also went Frodo, the ring-bearer and Samwise Gamgee had followed soon after, the last of the ring-bearers.
'I know in my heart that they always thought of all of us,' answered Legolas gently.
Aragorn nodded.' And whither do I go beyond the world of the living?' Aragorn's voice was quiet as if he was pondering the thought to himself. In that moment Legolas greatest fear had been proven true. Gimli beside him stood up abruptly when understanding finally dawned upon him.
'Aragorn?'
'We have come to the road's end my friends. And I have pass on the throne to Eldarion to govern,' Aragorn continued. He gazed upon his friends' eyes then and he could see there, only love and understanding.
'He is much like you Aragorn, he is indeed the right choice. The world of men will survive to see many generations for your line will never fail my friend,' said Legolas past the tightness in his throat. Words seemed to have failed Gimli completely as the shadows darkened all their faces.
'I have held your friendships more dearly than all the treasures in the world. I release you now from all claims except friendship alone for all your services to me had been without flaws. Only one thing do I bid you now,' said Aragorn.
'You need only name it Aragorn,' said Legolas laying his hand on Aragorn.
He looked up to face his friends again. 'I bid you only this. Seek for your peace my friends. If it had eluded here, perhaps you may find it waiting in other shores,' Aragorn's voice was soft and barely heard as the sighing wind brought with it the chill of the coming night. Legolas knew those words were meant especially to him and the elf could tell that Gimli understood this as well.
'I go now to seek my peace. Fail me not in seeking for your own, my friends', said Aragorn.
He then knelt down and embraced Gimli. Long was the embraced and for the first time Gimli threw all pride to the winds. Openly he wept.
'I can't believe I finally get to see you cry thus Gimli,'said Aragorn, his voice breaking a little though his smile was genuine.
And for once, Gimli didn't have an answer to the tease but he also smiled amidst his tears.
The Aragorn stood again and he and Legolas looked into each other's eyes. Their eyes beheld each other for a while, finding there understanding borne from the love that was forged so many ages ago. A bond that was so true runs between them and in that silent moment when their eyes were locked together, they knew that; this bond, this love they have will never be broken, not even by death. And they embraced, a long embrace and it seemed that neither wants to let go of the other.
'I hope you will always remember all that we have shared my brother,' interlocked in an embrace, Aragorn whispered for Legolas's ears only.
Legolas fought to keep his voice steady past the tightness in his throat but he managed to whisper reassuring words to his friend in the beautiful Elven tongue:
'An uir, Estel, gwaidor nin.'
When they drew apart, Aragorn smiled. They watched together as the sun set completely, plunging the whole world into darkness. That was when Aragorn whispered a single word:
'Farewell.'
And he went away and never will he return again to the beautiful garden of Gondor that he had always loved as a living man.
As the two friends he had left still standing in the darkened garden, a lone star appeared gracing the sky of black velvet. And the wind sighs into the night sky.
Elvish translations:
Mae govannen: Welcome or in some cases Well met
An uir: For eternity
Estel: Hope
Gwaidor nin: My brother
I hope all the readers had enjoyed this chapter. It was rather difficult to write and hopefully it holds true to the three friends' friendship. I'm sorry for the faulty elvish. I'm really bad at it and these words were borrowed from various websites.
I would like to thank the readers and especially to all of the wonderful reviewers from the previous chapter: Foxy03, Frodo3791, Gozilla and Lia06.
Thank you.