Chapter 10 Aftermath

Elrond stood up, and put his hand on Legolas' shoulder.

"My heart grieves with yours Legolas. We should get back to the palace. We need to let the others know what has happened." Legolas remained motionless for several moments then carefully stood up. He cradled her body against his and headed back to the palace with Elrond, Elladan, and Aragorn following him.. When the reached the courtyard they found Thranduil, Arwen, Gandalf and Elrohir waiting for them. Arwen took one look at Legolas' ravaged face and buried her head on her brother's shoulder. Thranduil said, "Son?" Legolas meet his gaze and said in a toneless voice, "She's dead." Thranduil closed his eyes. Elrohir swallowed hard. Thranduil opened his eyes and approached his son, while beckoning to a servant.

"Legolas, let Alarial take her." Alarial took her carefully.

"Don't worry my prince, I'll be gentle with her." Legolas watched him walk into the palace, then sat down on a bench and put his head in his hands. Thranduil next went to Elrond and spoke with him. Elrond nodded and led Arwen, Elladan, and Elrohir into the palace. Aragorn went to follow them but stopped at a gesture from Thranduil.

"What happened Aragorn? The twins were vague."

"A group of orcs took Yesel captive and led her to the bridge. Their leader was the same one that attacked Legolas and Yesel earlier this year. He wanted revenge. They set up an ambush on the other side. None of us saw it. Yesel called out a warning and the orc stabbed her. Legolas shot and killed him. The remaining orcs fled. The orcs had treated her viciously, she had numerous wounds. She was still alive when he reached her, but was too close too death to be healed, even by Elrond. She died in his arms." Thranduil looked at his son. Legolas had not moved.

"How has Legolas reacted to this Aragorn?"

"He wept a little when he realized she was dying. He spoke a little to her and to Elrond, but nothing since. He's in shock." Thranduil sighed, then walked over to his son.

"Legolas." Legolas looked up at him and the anguish he saw in his son's eyes broke Thranduil's heart. He searched for words of comfort that would not sound hollow.

"There is nothing I can say or do to lessen your grief right now. All I can tell you is that the pain will fade, leaving only the love and fond memories. Just remember that you are not alone. You have family and friends to help you bear your burden." He gave him a hug then got up. He went back to Aragorn.

"Stay with him. Try to get through to him. You're probably the only one who can."

"I will not leave his side," Aragorn assured him. Thranduil nodded.

"I'll go make the arrangements for the funeral. I asked Arwen to attend to the preparation of the body. The burial should be tomorrow at dawn, as is our custom." His voice broke as it hit him again that on the morrow he would have to bury one who was like a daughter to him. He shook his head regretfully and went into the palace followed slowly by Gandalf. Aragorn went and sat beside Legolas. He didn't know what words to say. He did not know how to reach his friend through his grief. All he could do was to stay beside him. To be there when Legolas needed him. He had made a promise to Yesel, and he intended to keep it.

Legolas was aware that Aragorn was beside him, but he was too consumed by grief and guilt to turn to him. He felt that he was drowning. All he saw in his mind was Yesel calling out a warning, getting pierced, and dying in his arms. Those three images played themselves over and over again until he thought he would burst. He wanted to go out and slay every orc he saw. He wanted to replay the last five hours of his life so he could change it. He wanted Yesel alive again. He wanted to be with his love, and there was only one way that could be. He wanted to scream his grief to the heavens, but nothing came out. He couldn't sit still anymore. He jumped up and began pacing.

Thranduil watched from a balcony. He didn't turn as Elrond came out.

"How could this happen Elrond? Less than a year ago I was standing here with Largolas as he told me that he was leaving. I remember thinking then that I hoped Yesel would stay here with Legolas. Now I wish she had left with him. That would have been a lot easier on my son." "Would you really have wanted to deny Legolas of love," Elrond asked him.

"No. It's just." He smacked his fist against the railing. "How can she be dead? She was so young yet, only the age of my son or your daughter." He sighed. "Elrond, I'm afraid for my son. This is Legolas' first experience with the death of someone he really cares for. I'm afraid he'll try to follow her. You know how possible that is. I don't want to lose my son."

"Legolas is stronger than that Thranduil. He will survive."

"I hope so Elrond, I hope so."

Several hours passed. Legolas still hadn't spoken, and was still pacing. Aragorn watched him, his worry for Legolas outweighing his grief over Yesel. Legolas suddenly stopped pacing and sat back down, wincing. Aragorn remembered that he had been injured. He stood up and went into the palace. He came back out a few minutes later with Elrond. They went over to where Legolas was sitting.

"Legolas," Aragorn said. There was no response. Elrond put his hand on his uninjured shoulder and said, "Legolas," a little more forcefully, and was rewarded by Legolas looking at him.

"Estel tells me that you were wounded. I'd like to take a look at it. Is it paining you?" Legolas nodded assent.

"Why didn't you say anything," Aragorn chided him, not really expecting an answer. "Because the pain in my shoulder is so much less than the pain of my heart," Legolas replied softly, as a fresh wave of grief passed over his face. Elrond and Aragorn exchanged looks over his head, the Elrond went back to tending his shoulder. It had bled again, although it was not bleeding now. Elrond cleaned it out, applied some herbs and rebandaged it.

"I'll want to recheck that in a few days. If it starts bleeding or hurting again let me know immediately." He turned to leave, but turned back.

"I know how you feel Legolas. I too lost a wife. I also know what you're thinking, but Yesel would not want you to join her so soon in this way." Aragorn looked at his father in shock. That Legolas would seek to end his life had never crossed his mind.

"Legolas, I want you to look at something. He pulled out a silver chalice. "Read what it says at the bottom."

"To Elrond, love never dies, Yesel."

"Yesel gave this to me this morning. She made it to remind me of what I still had. It also applies to you. You will be reunited with her someday, but not today, nor tomorrow, nor the day after. Remember Legolas, only the physical form is gone. All the love she felt for you, and you for her is still here. The only one who can take that away from you is you." He turned then and went back into the palace.

After Elrond had left, Legolas and Aragorn sat in complete silence. Legolas was still trying to grasp the enormity of what had happened. He couldn't, wouldn't believe that she would never come out and join them. Never say his name again. Never smile at him again. Aragorn now feared that his friend would follow his love into the next world. He strengthened his resolve to not leave Legolas' side. After some time had passed, Legolas stood up. He looked down at Aragorn and said in a voice draped with sorrow, " I go to keep vigil over my wife. It is the most I can do for her now. I do not," he trailed off, then took a deep breath and continued, "I do not wish to be alone this eve. I do not have faith in myself. Would you keep watch with me?" Aragorn stood up. He had never heard the elf speak so formally.

"Of course I will go with you Legolas. I was her friend as you are ever mine." Together they entered the palace.