NOTE: "I regret to say this is the end. I'm going now. I bid you all a very fond farewell." :( I thank everyone for the wonderful, kind, warm, and encouraging reviews! Do not be sad, for there will be a sequel. I plan on naming it To Heal a Prince's Heart or Healing a Prince's Heart. To set the mood for this chapter, I played Evenstar from TTT track. Sorry if the ending wasn't great, but I just finished writing a research paper and so my writing skill is burned out. It may take me some time to get the sequel started, so keep checking! Enjoy, and once more, thanx from the bottom of my heart for all the wonderful reviews!
Chapter Thirty-one: Farewell to Eryn Lasgalen
Legolas and Síriel did not linger long in the palace of the King of Eryn Lasgalen. There were several reasons, the most important one being that Síriel could no longer hide her pregnancy as well. A careful glance at her abdomen would reveal that it was starting to swell. Not that there were many glances thrown at that region of her body, but both Legolas and Síriel felt it wise to avoid any uncomfortable questions. The second reason was that word reached them that their new home was ready in Ithilien. As soon as they knew, they immediately informed Celebrindal.
"Very well then, I shall prepare myself." she said eagerly.
Síriel took to spending the last few days in Eryn Lasgalen with her sire. She could see the grief in his eyes clearly, though he tried to hide it. There was a small feeling of guilt deep within her at leaving him forever.
"Sire, I am so very sorry…" she said quietly one evening to him.
He shook his head slowly at her.
"There is no need. I knew this day would eventually come, and I dreaded it. I have grown so accustomed to your company." he replied.
That evening, her rafting friends came to see her. They brought with them musical instruments, and before long, father and daughter were dancing in each other's arms. Legolas happened to arrive, and upon seeing them together, he left them alone. However, before leaving, he watched from the trees the simplicity with which Síriel's friends were giving to her their farewells, yet it was unlike anything Legolas had ever seen. Clearly, they were pained to see her go, yet happy at the same time. And he was glad to see that they did not view her as a half-breed, but as an equal, like themselves. Yet, that could be because the elite scorned them because they did not have high status either. Whatever the reason, Legolas was touched by their love, love as friends, for her.
The fated day finally came. Legolas awoke early and went to Síriel's cottage for the final time, feeling his feet quite heavy as he went, each step forcing him to exert much effort to take it. He wondered vaguely if Gil-celeb was feeling some sort of anger at him for taking Síriel away. Before the wooden door he hesitated, attempting unsuccessfully to knock, but his hands would not rise from his sides. For how long he stood there he knew not, but at last Gil-celeb threw open the door, and seeing Legolas standing there, quickly beckoned him inside.
"I did not know you were standing on the doorstep, ernil." Gil-celeb said. "I was going to call her rafting friends to eat with us."
Legolas rose.
"Forgive me for intruding, then." the Prince said. "I shall go."
Gil-celeb forced him to sit.
"You are being foolish. You forget that you are married to my daughter, that you are part of my family? Her friends are your friends as well. You will eat with us. I shall go and bring them now. Síriel is still in her room. Go to her, for I am sure you miss her." he said to Legolas.
The Prince nodded to Gil-celeb. He saw him to the door before closing it softly and making his way to Síriel's room. His wife was awake, crouched before a trunk, gazing at something. She did not appear to hear her husband behind her. The Prince stood for a few moments drinking her in: her copper-red hair falling like a marvelous river down her back, her body, visible beneath the semi-translucent night-dress she wore.
"Síriel…" he whispered to her lovingly.
She turned her head to look at him.
"Legolas!" she said softly.
He lifted her to her feet in the next instant, his arms embracing her to him in a powerful crush. Their lips were sealed in a passionate kiss. A single moan escaped Síriel, which only drove Legolas' kisses more. They became aware after some time of voices, and knew the river rafters had come. At once they broke their kiss, and Síriel dressed quickly.
The morning meal was unusually noisy. Celebrindal was present, and she had brought with her all of the food and drink. Legolas smiled at her graciously. All helped themselves to what she brought, including Síriel, which surprised Legolas. He had anticipated forcing her to eat. Even Gil-celeb seemed particularly cheerful. Yet, deep down inside of him, the Prince knew all the seemingly happy faces and merry laughter to be false. They were behaving this way to mask their true feelings. Legolas could not blame them, and he felt somewhat guilty again.
Once the meal was over, Síriel's friends carried her trunks out of the cottage. Celebrindal left in the company of an Elf who volunteered to carry her belongings. Legolas, Síriel, and Gil-celeb were left alone.
"Well, I suppose it is time to say farewell, then…" she whispered.
"You will not be seeing us off?" Legolas asked Gil-celeb quickly.
The Elf shook his head.
"I will not. I leave for Lake-town today." he said.
Legolas was devastated. He knew this was affecting his wife, and he feared she would become too saddened and endanger their child. The Prince watched as she slowly drank in every detail of her home for the final time with her emerald eyes. He could almost see the memories. She ran her hands lightly over everything: chairs, windows, tables, curtains. Gil-celeb was watching her silently, his eyes shining brightly with many unshed tears. Legolas knew their parting would be very difficult.
"Sire…" she said at last, standing before him.
Her lips moved as if to speak, but no words came out. Then she
choked, and covered her mouth with both her hands. Legolas made to comfort her, but Gil-celeb had her in a tight embrace. He saw him patting his daughter's back, struggling valiantly to suppress the urge to weep, but he could not hold back his tears. They fell unceasingly.
"You are weeping, adar!" she whispered.
He did not reply, his tears dampening the back of her dress. When they pulled apart, Gil-celeb looked at Legolas.
"Take care of her well, ernil." he said, blue eyes shimmering.
Legolas took hold of both his work-worn hands and answered:
"I will. Gweston."
Gil-celeb lingered a moment before leaving the cottage. Síriel watched him through the windows, sobs shaking her body.
"Come, let us go now…" Legolas told her gently.
She gave her home a last parting glance before allowing Legolas to lead her out of it. They went directly to the gates, where they knew the Elves who were to accompany them were waiting.
"Ah, there you are!" Thranduil said.
Celebrindal appeared at his side.
"We just said farewell to Gil-celeb." Legolas explained.
"Indeed." Thranduil said.
Celebrindal helped Síriel mount her horse.
"Well, this is the end, then…" Legolas said, turning to his sire.
"It is." the King replied. "There is a surprise for you, Síriel."
"What is it?" she asked, trying to make her voice cheerful.
"Giliath, Amorith, Forfirith, and Elenath are being punished for their ill behavior towards you. Legolas informed me what they did. They are learning the nature of hard work…under your sire."
Síriel stared at him, shocked.
"Of course, he will not know until he arrives at the docks. A messenger will deliver the four maidens into his service, along with an explanation. I think it is fair they should serve under him. I warned them not to try anything, or they will be banished this time." Thranduil said.
There was a sound as the gates were opened.
"I suppose we should say our farewells now." Thranduil said.
The two grew suddenly somber. Legolas knew better than to expect his sire to weep in public. He would do that later, in private. They only embraced each other and whispered warm departing words.
"May your life be filled with happiness, Síriel." Thranduil said as Legolas mounted his horse, Arod. "My congratulations for the new life."
Síriel blushed slightly.
"Hannon le." she said softly.
Thranduil nodded.
"Ready?" Legolas called to those who were accompanying them.
When he was assured that everyone was ready, he gave the order, and they rode out of the gates, leaving in their wake a cloud of dust.