Here we are, chapter one! A lot of the first couple of chapters will be flashbacks or memories, then the story will move into the 'present.' Also, most of the story will be from Legolas' point of view, but occasionally I'll switch to someone else. It should be pretty clear who's POV it is though! (But I make no promises!)
Anyway, on with the story!
Disclaimer - Not mine
Ever After - Chapter 1
Legolas sat in a tree, thinking. He remembered the final battle. It was burned forever into his mind.
The day had dawned crisp and clear, a beautiful spring day in mid-march. Legolas had woken early and having washed and dressed, headed down to the stables. He was staying in Gondor for week with Aragorn, while Faramir looked after Ithilien. Gimli was also there, taking a holiday from the Glittering Caves. All were in high spirits, it had been some time since they were all together and they were planning to make the most of the time. That day they were going hunting and since he was up early, Legolas had gone to ready their horses.
As he placed the saddle on Aragorn's horse, he became aware of another presence behind him. Turning, he saw Arwen just coming through the stable doors, already dressed for riding. Legolas smiled. "Good morning My Lady." He said politely. She glared at him.
"Good morning - Legolas." She said pointedly. She hated formalities between them, especially as they were of the same status, but Legolas always acted as if she were above him. Even after all these centuries, she had yet to figure out if he really thought that, of if he did it simply to annoy her. She strongly suspected the latter.
Ignoring her pointed use of his name, the Prince changed the subject. "The hunting should be good today. The fine weather will draw the prey into the open." Arwen smiled.
"I have no wish to hunt today. I just wish to enjoy the ride." She opened the stall door and led her horse out before swinging gracefully onto the mare's back. Legolas nodded.
"Have a good ride then, My Lady." Arwen sighed.
"I will - Legolas." Nudging her horse, she rode out of the stables. Legolas returned to preparing the horses for the day's hunt. His own horse had neither saddle nor bridle, but Aragorn had both and Gimli - Gimli had everything possible to help him remain on the back of his small, gentle horse.
He had just finished when Aragorn entered the stables, with Gimli in tow. The dwarf was grumbling about the hour, the sun was up, but it was not yet seven in the morning. "This was supposed to be a holiday." He muttered under his breath. Legolas laughed and handed each of his friends their mounts.
Minutes later they were riding into the forests south of Gondor. As the morning went on, the sun rose higher into the sky and though there was a slight chill they were not unduly cold. Even Gimli could find no cause for complaint. It was a perfect day.
They returned several hours later, after a very successful hunt. No less than three deer, four partridge and two rabbits had fallen to their weapons, dinner that night would be something special indeed. They had just returned their horses to the stables when they heard a commotion near by. A moment later, Arwen rushed in. "Estel!" She cried. "Thank the Valar you're back!" The King rushed to her.
"What is it?!" He asked urgently. "What's wrong?!"
"Soldiers!" She said. "The renegades we thought we were rid of! They have returned!" Aragorn swore loudly. Had the situation been less severe, Arwen would have chastised him for his language. But this was not the time. Thankfully, due to the day's activities, all three of them were armed. The King looked at his long-time friends, who nodded in reply to his unspoken and unnecessary question.
"Stay here." Aragorn told his wife. "If the fighting comes near you, take your horse and ride away!" Arwen was not pleased at having to hide away during battle, but as Queen, she could not risk herself. Valar forbid that something should happen to Estel, somebody had to be around to rule the kingdom.
"Be careful." She told him, her worry evident in her voice.
"I will be." He replied gently before rushing out of the stables, Legolas and Gimli close behind.
The scene that met their eyes when they got to the front of the palace was one of total chaos. Gondorian soldiers battled the renegades as far as he could see and there were signs that the battle had been going on for some time. Many bodies littered the battlefield, mostly of the enemy, but some were Aragorn's own men. The King's face set in a grim line. They would pay for this. With a ringing battle cry, he charged into the fray.
The wrath of the King and his friends was a terrible thing to behold. In minutes, no less than fourteen enemy soldiers lay dead. But many more still remained.
Legolas spun as two soldiers came at him. He drew his knives and twirled them around in his hands, so the blades appeared as whirling silver discs. The two soldiers tried to dodge, but they were no match for the elf's skill. One of the blades sliced into the closest man's shoulder, incapacitating him, the other died instantly when the second blade slit his throat.
With the two men down, Legolas turned his attention to the rest of the fight. Spotting several of the renegades attacking a group of Gondorian soldiers, he raised his bow and loosed several shots in quick succession. The renegades fell and Aragorn's men nodded their thanks to the elf before returning to the battle.
Looking round for his friends, Legolas quickly spotted Aragorn, doing fine against three of the enemy. Legolas smiled. He needed no help. He looked instead for Gimli. He found the dwarf a moment later, fighting off a soldier twice his size and struggling slightly, but he could do nothing to help him as he was then attacked by four men who seemed very determined to take him down. He was unimpressed and dispatched them quickly with his knives, moving then to Gimli's side. Gimli laughed as he brandished his axe at another soldier. "Go on!" He yelled. "Get out of here you sons of orcs!"
By now, many of the enemy were dead, injured, or had retreated. But a few still remained, determined to do as much damage as they could before they fell. Legolas turned to speak to Gimli, but stopped as he saw a soldier to his left, armed with a bow, the arrow aimed directly at him. He raised his own bow, knowing that he could easily get the other before he got him, but as he went to shoot, his eyes glimpsed a movement to his right. A feeling of dread rose within him as he saw that there was another soldier, also with a bow, this one's arrow aimed at Gimli. Legolas was an incredibly fast shot, but not even he could shoot in two different directions at once. He would only have time for one shot.
Swinging his bow around, he released the arrow at the soldier to the right, killing the man instantly. But the other soldier's arrow had also been released.
Gimli realised the danger too late. But as fear of death grew within him, an elven arrow felled the man where he stood. Gimli breathed a sigh of relief and turned around to thank his friend - just in time to see the second soldier's arrow strike the elf just left of his chest. "LEGOLAS!" Gimli cried out in horror as the elven prince fell.
Legolas felt the arrow strike. He gasped as pain overwhelmed him and he fell to his knees. His bow fell from his hands and his vision started to blur.
Aragorn's head shot up as he heard Gimli cry out. Quickly finishing off the soldier he was still dealing with, he rushed to where Gimli stood. As he neared, he could see Legolas, on his knees, an arrow protruding from his chest. "NO!" Dread washed over him. It couldn't be! He ran to his old friend's side, slaughtering any that got in his way.
With a cry of rage, Gimli leapt at the man who had shot his friend. The soldier never stood a chance against the enraged dwarf and Gimli's axe took his head from his shoulders almost before he knew what was happening.
All around, the remaining renegades were stunned at what they'd done. Not wishing to face the King or the dwarf, those that still lived, left.
Aragorn reached Legolas and pulled the Prince into his arms. "Legolas." He whispered his friend's name.
The elf blinked as he became aware of Aragorn's presence.
"Estel." His voice was faint. Everything was very fuzzy now, but he knew who it was that held him. He tried to focus on the man's face. But everything was fading, even the pain in his chest was now nothing more than a dull ache.
Arwen ran from the stables. She could feel Aragorn's pain, she had to get to him. Racing to the scene of the fight she saw Aragorn kneeling on the ground, Gimli standing beside him. Aragorn was cradling Legolas in his arms. Her breath caught. "Please, Ilutivar, no." She rushed to where her husband was desperately trying to save his oldest friend.
Aragorn forced himself to remain calm. He quickly checked his friend's wound - and his worst fears were realised. The arrow had pierced Legolas' heart. There was nothing he could do. "Legolas." He choked back a sob. "Please, don't die." The elf forced a pained smile.
"I am sorry, mellon nin." He whispered. "I do not wish to go - but I fear I must. Forgive me."
"Nooo!" Gimli dropped to his knees beside his friend. "Why Legolas?" He asked. "Why did you do it? My life isn't worth it, you damn stupid elf!" Unbidden tears fell from the dwarf's eyes. Legolas reached out and weakly grasped his friend's hand.
"It was to me." He said softly. He looked up and saw Arwen standing by Gimli and Aragorn. "Arwen." He breathed her name. Just her name, nothing more. The she-elf fought to maintain her composure. "Look after Estel?" He asked. She nodded.
"Forever - My Lord." A slight laugh escaped his lips as his old joke was finally reversed.
"Thank you." Knowing that he had very little time left, he turned his attention to the others. "Gimli. Estel. You have been the best friends I could ever have wished for. I will miss you." He gave one last, weak smile and then his heart stopped beating and his spirit fled the shores of Middle-Earth.
"LEGOLAS!" Aragorn screamed his friend's name and buried his face in the elf's shoulder, sobs wracking his body. Gimli sat beside him, still gripping Legolas' hand, crying silently. Arwen could only stand and stare, numb with shock.
They stayed that way for a long, long time.
End Chapter One
Anyway, on with the story!
Disclaimer - Not mine
Ever After - Chapter 1
Legolas sat in a tree, thinking. He remembered the final battle. It was burned forever into his mind.
The day had dawned crisp and clear, a beautiful spring day in mid-march. Legolas had woken early and having washed and dressed, headed down to the stables. He was staying in Gondor for week with Aragorn, while Faramir looked after Ithilien. Gimli was also there, taking a holiday from the Glittering Caves. All were in high spirits, it had been some time since they were all together and they were planning to make the most of the time. That day they were going hunting and since he was up early, Legolas had gone to ready their horses.
As he placed the saddle on Aragorn's horse, he became aware of another presence behind him. Turning, he saw Arwen just coming through the stable doors, already dressed for riding. Legolas smiled. "Good morning My Lady." He said politely. She glared at him.
"Good morning - Legolas." She said pointedly. She hated formalities between them, especially as they were of the same status, but Legolas always acted as if she were above him. Even after all these centuries, she had yet to figure out if he really thought that, of if he did it simply to annoy her. She strongly suspected the latter.
Ignoring her pointed use of his name, the Prince changed the subject. "The hunting should be good today. The fine weather will draw the prey into the open." Arwen smiled.
"I have no wish to hunt today. I just wish to enjoy the ride." She opened the stall door and led her horse out before swinging gracefully onto the mare's back. Legolas nodded.
"Have a good ride then, My Lady." Arwen sighed.
"I will - Legolas." Nudging her horse, she rode out of the stables. Legolas returned to preparing the horses for the day's hunt. His own horse had neither saddle nor bridle, but Aragorn had both and Gimli - Gimli had everything possible to help him remain on the back of his small, gentle horse.
He had just finished when Aragorn entered the stables, with Gimli in tow. The dwarf was grumbling about the hour, the sun was up, but it was not yet seven in the morning. "This was supposed to be a holiday." He muttered under his breath. Legolas laughed and handed each of his friends their mounts.
Minutes later they were riding into the forests south of Gondor. As the morning went on, the sun rose higher into the sky and though there was a slight chill they were not unduly cold. Even Gimli could find no cause for complaint. It was a perfect day.
They returned several hours later, after a very successful hunt. No less than three deer, four partridge and two rabbits had fallen to their weapons, dinner that night would be something special indeed. They had just returned their horses to the stables when they heard a commotion near by. A moment later, Arwen rushed in. "Estel!" She cried. "Thank the Valar you're back!" The King rushed to her.
"What is it?!" He asked urgently. "What's wrong?!"
"Soldiers!" She said. "The renegades we thought we were rid of! They have returned!" Aragorn swore loudly. Had the situation been less severe, Arwen would have chastised him for his language. But this was not the time. Thankfully, due to the day's activities, all three of them were armed. The King looked at his long-time friends, who nodded in reply to his unspoken and unnecessary question.
"Stay here." Aragorn told his wife. "If the fighting comes near you, take your horse and ride away!" Arwen was not pleased at having to hide away during battle, but as Queen, she could not risk herself. Valar forbid that something should happen to Estel, somebody had to be around to rule the kingdom.
"Be careful." She told him, her worry evident in her voice.
"I will be." He replied gently before rushing out of the stables, Legolas and Gimli close behind.
The scene that met their eyes when they got to the front of the palace was one of total chaos. Gondorian soldiers battled the renegades as far as he could see and there were signs that the battle had been going on for some time. Many bodies littered the battlefield, mostly of the enemy, but some were Aragorn's own men. The King's face set in a grim line. They would pay for this. With a ringing battle cry, he charged into the fray.
The wrath of the King and his friends was a terrible thing to behold. In minutes, no less than fourteen enemy soldiers lay dead. But many more still remained.
Legolas spun as two soldiers came at him. He drew his knives and twirled them around in his hands, so the blades appeared as whirling silver discs. The two soldiers tried to dodge, but they were no match for the elf's skill. One of the blades sliced into the closest man's shoulder, incapacitating him, the other died instantly when the second blade slit his throat.
With the two men down, Legolas turned his attention to the rest of the fight. Spotting several of the renegades attacking a group of Gondorian soldiers, he raised his bow and loosed several shots in quick succession. The renegades fell and Aragorn's men nodded their thanks to the elf before returning to the battle.
Looking round for his friends, Legolas quickly spotted Aragorn, doing fine against three of the enemy. Legolas smiled. He needed no help. He looked instead for Gimli. He found the dwarf a moment later, fighting off a soldier twice his size and struggling slightly, but he could do nothing to help him as he was then attacked by four men who seemed very determined to take him down. He was unimpressed and dispatched them quickly with his knives, moving then to Gimli's side. Gimli laughed as he brandished his axe at another soldier. "Go on!" He yelled. "Get out of here you sons of orcs!"
By now, many of the enemy were dead, injured, or had retreated. But a few still remained, determined to do as much damage as they could before they fell. Legolas turned to speak to Gimli, but stopped as he saw a soldier to his left, armed with a bow, the arrow aimed directly at him. He raised his own bow, knowing that he could easily get the other before he got him, but as he went to shoot, his eyes glimpsed a movement to his right. A feeling of dread rose within him as he saw that there was another soldier, also with a bow, this one's arrow aimed at Gimli. Legolas was an incredibly fast shot, but not even he could shoot in two different directions at once. He would only have time for one shot.
Swinging his bow around, he released the arrow at the soldier to the right, killing the man instantly. But the other soldier's arrow had also been released.
Gimli realised the danger too late. But as fear of death grew within him, an elven arrow felled the man where he stood. Gimli breathed a sigh of relief and turned around to thank his friend - just in time to see the second soldier's arrow strike the elf just left of his chest. "LEGOLAS!" Gimli cried out in horror as the elven prince fell.
Legolas felt the arrow strike. He gasped as pain overwhelmed him and he fell to his knees. His bow fell from his hands and his vision started to blur.
Aragorn's head shot up as he heard Gimli cry out. Quickly finishing off the soldier he was still dealing with, he rushed to where Gimli stood. As he neared, he could see Legolas, on his knees, an arrow protruding from his chest. "NO!" Dread washed over him. It couldn't be! He ran to his old friend's side, slaughtering any that got in his way.
With a cry of rage, Gimli leapt at the man who had shot his friend. The soldier never stood a chance against the enraged dwarf and Gimli's axe took his head from his shoulders almost before he knew what was happening.
All around, the remaining renegades were stunned at what they'd done. Not wishing to face the King or the dwarf, those that still lived, left.
Aragorn reached Legolas and pulled the Prince into his arms. "Legolas." He whispered his friend's name.
The elf blinked as he became aware of Aragorn's presence.
"Estel." His voice was faint. Everything was very fuzzy now, but he knew who it was that held him. He tried to focus on the man's face. But everything was fading, even the pain in his chest was now nothing more than a dull ache.
Arwen ran from the stables. She could feel Aragorn's pain, she had to get to him. Racing to the scene of the fight she saw Aragorn kneeling on the ground, Gimli standing beside him. Aragorn was cradling Legolas in his arms. Her breath caught. "Please, Ilutivar, no." She rushed to where her husband was desperately trying to save his oldest friend.
Aragorn forced himself to remain calm. He quickly checked his friend's wound - and his worst fears were realised. The arrow had pierced Legolas' heart. There was nothing he could do. "Legolas." He choked back a sob. "Please, don't die." The elf forced a pained smile.
"I am sorry, mellon nin." He whispered. "I do not wish to go - but I fear I must. Forgive me."
"Nooo!" Gimli dropped to his knees beside his friend. "Why Legolas?" He asked. "Why did you do it? My life isn't worth it, you damn stupid elf!" Unbidden tears fell from the dwarf's eyes. Legolas reached out and weakly grasped his friend's hand.
"It was to me." He said softly. He looked up and saw Arwen standing by Gimli and Aragorn. "Arwen." He breathed her name. Just her name, nothing more. The she-elf fought to maintain her composure. "Look after Estel?" He asked. She nodded.
"Forever - My Lord." A slight laugh escaped his lips as his old joke was finally reversed.
"Thank you." Knowing that he had very little time left, he turned his attention to the others. "Gimli. Estel. You have been the best friends I could ever have wished for. I will miss you." He gave one last, weak smile and then his heart stopped beating and his spirit fled the shores of Middle-Earth.
"LEGOLAS!" Aragorn screamed his friend's name and buried his face in the elf's shoulder, sobs wracking his body. Gimli sat beside him, still gripping Legolas' hand, crying silently. Arwen could only stand and stare, numb with shock.
They stayed that way for a long, long time.
End Chapter One