Chapter 14
Oh how I wish for soothing rain,
All I wish is to dream again,
My loving heart, lost in the dark,
For hope I'd give my everything.
Nightwish - Nemo
Six months had passed since Legolas had given his soul to defeat the evil that the people of Gondor were simply calling ''The Shadow'. The evil's real name remained unknown - assuming it even had one.
In that time Gondor had entered a period of unprecedented peace. True to his word, Aragorn, with the assistance of Gimli, his father, brothers and Glorfindel, had worked to turn Gondor into a paradise worthy of the memory of the Woodland Prince.
Crime was almost non-existent after Glorfindel personally saw to the training of a new guard regiment. Any remaining bandit groups were wiped out in short order, giving Aragorn wonderful peace of mind.
The Balrog-slayer had remained in Gondor to help Aragorn, even after Lord Elrond and his sons had been compelled to return to Imladris.
As a result Estel was able to spend far more time with Arwen than before. She was coping quite well without her sight; despite being mortal she still had elven hearing and senses, which were a great asset in her re-adjustment. Yet without a doubt it was Estel's love that truly got her through, he was ever at her side, guiding and helping her. It was not true darkness for her, as the image of his face was burned eternally in her mind.
Tonight they sat on the large balcony overlooking the city, Estel holding Arwen close as she hummed softly. He was not looking at the city though, but staring up at the stars as he thought on his lost friend. The grief had been easier this time, having been through the worst of it already, but knowing that Legolas had sacrificed his soul had been a terrible shock. Despite the passing of time he had yet to tell Thranduil, for he did not know if he had the strength to crush the Elvenking's heart yet again. Thranduil had loved Legolas very much; his son had been his world. Aragorn did not know if he would survive the knowledge that he would never see his son again.
It was with these thoughts that he finally slipped into a troubled sleep under the night sky.
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There was much confusion amongst the speakers.
"Are you sure?"
"Ai, I am sure."
"It was not supposed to be."
"This I know, but yet it is."
"Is it retrievable?"
"If we all work together, I believe so, yes."
"Then we shall. It should not be left thus, if an alternative remains."
"I agree. Let us start."
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The speakers came together then, reaching out towards their goal. Glorfindel sighed and put down the book he had been reading. He had become so accustomed to Legolas' ghostly presence he still found the absence unsettling sometimes, even after six months.
"I hope you are at peace Legolas." He whispered. "Eru knows you at least deserve that."
Rising, he realised that he would get no sleep that night. He decided to seek out Gimli, who he'd discovered was something of an insomniac. He'd lost count of the nights he'd been awoken by the dwarf stomping past his rooms in the early hours.
He made his way along the stone corridors to Gimli's rooms and knocked on the door.
When he got no reply he knocked again, then tried the door. It was unlocked and he peered in, only to find the room empty.
"It seems the dwarf is even more restless than I." He muttered with a small smile. Giving up on the idea of company he closed the door and headed out for a walk in the pre-dawn light. Nothing, that was all there was. No thoughts or feelings, no past, present or future. Only the darkness that was the sheer lack of anything.
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Identity was lost – had it ever existed? This was not life, nor death it was simply – nothing.
"Come. This is not the place for you."
A voice? There were no voices here.
"Follow us, heed our words."
Who was it that spoke in the darkness?
"There is little time – please follow us."
Urgency. The voice was worried. It could be a trap though. Yet, what was there to lose?
Wait, this was thought. Thought must mean an identity in world beyond the emptiness. There was nothing to lose by following the voice, yet everything to gain. That was a risk worth taking.
"I will come."
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Aragorn yawned and stretched, blinking as he looked to the sky. With a slight smile he realised that he had slept on the balcony all night, with Arwen in his arms.
Deciding that there was no point in moving now he settled back again.
Arwen mumbled in her sleep and he pulled her closer as the sun began to rise.
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The speakers were pleased.
"Much will come of this, I am sure."
"As am I, though to truly go back is not possible."
"Why not?"
"We have not the power for a new vessel, you know this. Not there."
"True, we cannot create anew. But that which was destroyed can be restored."
"It has never been done."
"It has never been needed."
"It will work, the elements will see that it does."
"If you would see this done, then so will I."
"You have my support also."
"Then let it be."
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Glorfindel had finally found Gimli, sitting under a tree near the courtyard.
"Care for some company, mellon nin?" He said with a smile.
"Aye, so long as you speak words I can understand!" The dwarf replied with a grin.
Glorfindel laughed and sat down. "I promise!" He looked upwards. "The sun is bright already, it looks to be a beautiful day!"
"That it does." Gimli agreed. "So long as we're not continually troubled by this damn wind!"
Glorfindel laughed again as the breeze wafted through them. "So long as the sun is shining, that is good enough for me!"
My, but the sun was bright! Aragorn shielded his face with his hand as he looked. By the Valar, had it ever shone so? It was like pure gold!
"Estel? Is something wrong?" Arwen asked, waking as her husband moved.
"I am not sure." He replied. "I think we should go down to the courtyard."
She nodded and he took her arm, guiding her back into their rooms.
He quickly changed before helping Arwen into a fresh dress, then guiding her as quickly as possible down the stairs to the courtyard.
"We need to head back." Glorfindel said suddenly, standing up.
Gimli frowned. "Why?"
"I don't know exactly." The Balrog-slayer replied. "It's just a feeling."
"Very well then." Gimli grunted. "Far be it from me to question an elf who talks to ghosts."
Glorfindel smiled and the two of them hurried back to the palace.
They came across Estel and Arwen standing in the courtyard in the now brilliant sunlight.
Others were also filling the area, as more and more noticed the strange intensity of the morning sun.
Even Arwen in her blindness could sense that something was different.
Suddenly, without warning, the sunlight flared even brighter than before. Then it channelled itself into a beam, hitting the hastily cleared centre of the courtyard.
A wind whipped by, to be caught in the beam of light and held there.
Carried by the wind were ashes, the remains of one fallen long ago. In the sunlight they gathered, reforming into the shape they had once held. Light pulsed; fusing them together, while the power of those who had spoken flowed through, restoring life and form to a soul thought eternally lost.
Aragorn stared. This was not like before, this was no pale figure in a shadow of evil. This was a miracle of life.
He could not tear his eyes away as his wish of well over a decade literally took shape before his eyes.
That power, Glorfindel knew that power. He had felt it once before, when he was sent back. He remembered how it felt to have life return, to revel in the miracle that was drawing breath and to be truly aware of the world around you. Now another would know that bliss and he couldn't be happier.
Brighter than mithril and infinitely more valuable, was the light before Gimli's eyes. His elven friend, who had died saving his life, was before him, no longer a ghost but flesh and blood once more. His gaze locked on the sight before him, Gimli silently thanked Aulë.
In the sunlight he glowed, with the presence of one that has seen death and beyond and has returned to tell the tale. The light began to separate into strands, wrapping around the newly restored body and fusing within. Not until the body had absorbed all the light did it stop, but when it was done a vision stood before them.
Legolas, restored to life, to the world he called home and to the friends he loved.
He smiled, looking around him and spoke two simple words.
"Hello, Estel."
Forgetting dignity, forgetting everything, the King of Gondor ran forward and embraced his long-lost friend in a crushing hug. Unbidden, he felt tears falling, tears of joy for this incredible gift.
Legolas returned the embrace, smiling softly. He was home.
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Ilúvatar nodded in approval.
"It is done."
Then he turned away, Elbereth and Namo close behind him.
END CHAPTER 14