AN: Almost there guys! I can't believe I'm actually almost done with this
story! I've hardly ever finished anything I've started! I'm so proud! Go
me!
Thanx for stayin with me, Rusty
Ps- Oh, and I was told that there are only...four or five (sorry, can't remember now...) Istari and I honestly didn't know that, so if there are, sorry 'bout that. It does make sense though. There are only a certain number of colors they could have used. It's not like you would be named Higglysnout the Pink! Or Sarevok the Aquamarine! (Yes, that name should sound familiar if any of you play Baldur's Gate. He wants to kill me! And poor little Imoen too!)
Chapter Sixteen: The Nameless Chapter
At this Aliana thought. Was she really going to stay here with Legolas? Was she honestly just going to forget everything she'd traveled so far to find? Could she truly just leave all her friends and her old life and stay here?
Legolas was also thinking to himself. He knew he should give them the feather and let them go home. But he also knew he could refuse to hand it over, forcing Aliana to stay here in Middle Earth. But how could he do that to her? Make her stay with him just for his own needs. And what about Rina and Ben? It wouldn't be fair to them either.
In the same moment, Aliana and Legolas looked at each other. Maybe they were looking for comfort, maybe they were looking for answers. Neither seemed real successful in finding what they were searching for.
Turning his head away, Legolas spoke. "Let's go downstairs to the portal. You three will be wanting to get back as soon as possible I expect."
It was almost sadly that the three elves and three humans turned to leave the room. Gandalf led the way to a dark stairway covered in dust and grime. It was apparent that no one had traveled down this way for many years.
Gandalf's staff lit up at the whisper of a few magical words. ((Not going to go look those up now)) Light illuminated the tight and clammy hallway. Rina blinked her eyes in the sudden light.
They walked in silence, no one looking at each other. They all knew what was going to happen and they were all sad about it. Even Rina knew she would dearly miss Middle Earth when she left. Aliana knew she would miss her friends, though from which world, no one knew.
Ben spun around suddenly and bumped into Aliana. She stumbled backwards and tripped on the step behind her. Rina caught her before she hit the floor and pulled her back to her feet.
"Sorry... I just thought I heard someone behind me..."
"That was probably just Aliana or me your dork!" Rina snapped.
Ben turned around sheepishly and the troupe continued its journey down the stairway.
It was nearly fifteen minutes after they left Gandalf's hall when they reached the bottom. A tiny room opened before them with a wooden doorway at the opposite end. The door and its hinges were rusted but still useable.
"Hey Rusty, the hinges are rusted a lot. Do you think we can open it, Rusty, or will it be too rusty?" Ben laughed at his lame joke, earning him an annoyed glare from Rina.
Gandalf whacked him on the head with his staff. "Fool! Be serious in a place with so much magic and power as the room before us!"
Legolas strode swiftly to the door and opened it. The hinges creaked as they swung forward. Gandalf was the first to enter, followed immediately by Rina and more slowly by Ben and Maleena.
Aliana waited for them to be safely out of ear shot before stepping in front of Legolas, blocking his way into the room. He stepped to the side, planning to go around her, but she merely blocked his way again.
"We shouldn't keep them waiting," Legolas said.
"It doesn't have to be like this, you know."
"Oh yeah, then what does it have to be like?!" he yelled harshly. "Happy?! Cheerful?!"
Aliana's eyes were rimmed with tears. "You don't have to be so hateful! It's not easy for me either!"
"Then don't go! Stay here and don't go home!"
"I can't... I have my whole life ahead of me. My world...it isn't like yours. We don't have forever to just run around on quests and such. We have school and college and jobs. I'm still so young in my world. I'm not even considered an adult. I'm only 16."
After a moment's pause in which both thought silently to themselves, Legolas leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll miss you." He turned and started up the stairs without another word or backwards glance.
Aliana watched him until he could no longer be seen. She watched his feet move soundlessly from stair to stair, his cloak sway back and forth gently, but mostly she watched his light blonde hair. Even without any light it shimmered.
It was like his hair was a light itself. And it was walking further and further away. It was leaving her, the light was leaving her. Never again would she see its shimmering light or hold it between her fingers. It was gone forever, it seemed.
She stood just outside the doorway in a strange sense of shock. She knew this day would come, but she never thought it would be this hard to say goodbye. Maybe it was that she didn't say anything at all that made it so hard. Maybe their unspoken words were the answer.
She dashed up the stairs after him, wanting to thank him for all he'd done for her. For someone walking he had sure gotten a long way up the stairs. Finally she began to see the figure of someone in front of her. But this someone wasn't the Legolas that had left her not five minutes ago.
He was leaning against the wall with his sword in one arm. Her steps became quicker as she raced to his side. Her feet seemed to fly right over every stone step. Her heart pounded in her chest and she could almost hear its hollow beat. What happened?! Is he hurt?!
"Legolas!" She reached his side, panting and out of breath.
He looked over at her, startled. His shoulder closest to the wall he leaned upon was bloody and his shirt was torn open. The blood ran down his arm as he tried to wipe it off his hand to better grip his dagger. His face had a few cuts and bruises as well.
"Go! Now!" he cried.
"I don't understand! What's happened?!"
"There's no time to explain! Just go!"
"No! I won't leave you like this! I-"
A figure stepped out from the shadows ahead. Though she could not make out his form, his evil steel grey eyes gave his identity away instantly. Aliana's worried expression turned into a scowl of hatred as she looked upon this figure.
"My my, what a pleasant surprise," Ivellios sneered, stepping closer to them. "This does make things difficult. Now I must decide which one of you to kill first."
Suddenly he jumped down the remaining steps and swung his sword at Legolas. But Aliana was quicker. She drew her sword and knocked his away. Startled by her action, Ivellios fell at their feet with a loud groan.
"How about neither?!" Aliana shouted, kicking him in the face.
"Run!" Legolas commanded.
And run she did. Making sure Legolas was going to follow her she ran down the steps. Ivellios's miscalculation had given them enough time to make it to the wooden door and slam it shut behind them. Legolas leaned up against the door to hold it while Aliana stood ready with her sword.
"What happened?!" Rina yelled, running over to Legolas's side.
"Ivellios followed us," Aliana said. "We managed to get away when he fell. Quite stupid of him actually..."
A soft groan from Legolas caused Aliana to remember that he was injured. She tore a strip of fabric from her shirt and tied it around his shoulder. Then she tore another and helped him wipe off some of the blood while Rina and Ben held the door.
"Thanks," Legolas said. "He jumped out at me and stabbed me before I could even draw my sword."
"Why didn't you call for help?" Aliana asked.
"I figured if I could hold him off, you guys could make it home."
"But you could have died!"
"Would've been better than this," he said softly to her.
"Then what?" she asked absently.
"Having to watch you go."
She looked up from his wound and stared into his eyes. Even in his pain he still managed to smile at her. This only made her tears return. Why did he have to be so perfect?! Why did all of this have to happen?!
Maleena was suddenly standing beside them with a bottle in one hand. She pulled off the already blood soaked cloth and rubbed some of the liquid on his shoulder. It bubbled and fizzed and hissed and seemed to be doing little good. But when the liquid had disappeared the cut was sealed with not but a scar left.
"I told you I would come in handy," Maleena said mockingly at Legolas.
Before he could thank her, there was a loud thud at the door. Rina and Ben still held it shut but the wood began to crack. Legolas stepped backwards into the shadows and silently replaced his sword with his bow and drew an arrow from his quiver. Aliana pulled Maleena back towards the corner.
Gandalf stood beside the portal with his staff ready. It was a large arch shaped opening with two dragon heads facing each other. They curved themselves around brass bars all the way to the top where fire from the mouths collided in one giant flame. One was red the other gold, no doubt signifying the meaning of darkness and light.
"As soon as the doorway's clear, get out of here," Aliana said to Maleena.
After a few more thuds from the other side, the door broke and Ivellios now stood ready to fight, staring around the room. He grinned when he saw Aliana, standing in front of Maleena, and took a step towards her.
Hoping to startle him, Ben jumped from the floor where he'd fallen when Ivellios broke the door and ran towards him. Instead of being startled or losing balance, Ivellios thrust his sword into Ben's stomach and continued towards Aliana.
"Ben!" Aliana screamed as her friend fell to the floor in a heap of blood.
She charged at Ivellios with her sword drawn. Their blades clanged together and Aliana's face was dangerously close to his. She wanted to bite his pointed nose, but thought better of it, knowing how bad it would taste.
She pushed herself away from him and swung again. His blade met hers with a force that knocked her to the ground. She reached for her weapon, but Ivellios kicked it away with his boot. He put a foot on her chest, the tip of his boot pressing against her thought.
She gasped for air and tried to push his foot off her. But he simply pressed it down harder. Now his sword was slowly digging into her neck. Drops of blood trickled to the floor, mingling with Ben's. His blood was already in her hair and she could feel it run between her fingers.
"I have waited for this moment for such a long time. You have ruined my life and now I get to take yours away. Revenge is a sweet thing indeed."
An arrow struck him in the shoulder and he dropped his sword with a clang. Aliana was able to free herself from him. She rolled over and grabbed her sword. Rina was at her side with her sword drawn as well.
"Maleena run!" Aliana shouted.
The elf dashed out the door and up the stairway. Ivellios broke off the tip of the arrow angrily and stepped towards Aliana. She pushed herself off the floor and stood ready. She knew this was going to be a tough battle. Ivellios had gotten stronger since their last encounter.
She held her arm straight out in front of her and motioned for him to come closer. Rina managed a grin at her Matrix imitation. Ivellios raised an eyebrow, but continued towards Aliana like a lioness hunting her prey.
Rina leaped forwards and sliced his arm. She managed to duck just in time as his blade came swinging down towards her head. Aliana swung at him, but he blocked her attack with one of his own. She raised her sword to swing again, but he ducked and spun around to face Rina.
Rina was startled by this sudden action, but managed to keep her balance. From behind him Aliana thrust her sword into his hamstring. He cried out in pain and with a strong blow, knocked her sword from Rina's hands.
She stumbled backwards as he raised his sword and prepared to swing. Just in time an arrow hit him in the opposite shoulder. Now it was Rina's turn to retrieve her sword.
After breaking the tip from this arrow as well, Ivellios now faced Aliana. He swung his sword and she blocked it with hers. Over and over their swords clanged and neither one had a single scratch. Rina returned with her sword.
Ivellios swung at her and then at Aliana, both missing. He jumped backwards and took a second shot at Aliana. She leaned backwards to dodge the blow, but the blade still cut her across the eye.
"Fuck!" she yelled. "That really hurt!"
She closed her eye tightly as blood began to drip down her face. She held her hand over it tightly and collapsed on the floor. Now that Maleena had gone she was left to fend for herself. But she would have to let Rina fight Ivellios alone for a while until she could see.
The battle raged across the floor from one corner to another. Arrows flew and swords slashed. Both combatants were worn out and breathing heavily. They circled each other, patiently biding their time. Rina had a large gash across her arm and Ivellios had one across his face plus all the arrows that Legolas's keen eye had shot.
Suddenly Ivellios lunged at Rina. She was taken by surprise and fumbled with her sword. The only thing between her neck and his sword was the very tip of her sword. A drop of sweat fell from her forehead and ran down the edge of the sword.
Ivellios grinned madly. He could taste his almost certain victory. He heard Legolas drop his sword and run to Rina's aid, but he wouldn't make it here in time. After her he only had two left. One of which couldn't see.
"Ivellios!" came a startling voice behind him.
He turned to look over his shoulder and saw Aliana standing behind him, sword raised. He started to turn around but the blade fell before he could. Suddenly everything went black. His blade fell to the floor with a loud clang.
Aliana winced as Ivellios's head rolled across the floor. His steel grey eyes stared lifelessly into space and his blonde hair was mingled with blood. His body fell to the floor, blood pouring from his headless neck.
"EEEWWW!" Aliana shrieked. "That's gross!"
Legolas stood beside her and rested his arm on the shoulder. Rina dropped her sword and plopped down on the floor. Gandalf came to stand beside them all.
Suddenly Aliana's eyes were filled with tears and her heart with realization. She looked behind her towards the body of Ben. His face was pale and his eyes closed and he showed no sign of life. Without a word she sat down beside Rina.
Together the two girls cried, each leaning on the other's shoulder. Legolas left to get Maleena and Gandalf strode over to look at the portal. No one said a word in respect for the dead, but many thoughts were shared.
Soon Legolas returned with Maleena. She looked over at Aliana and Rina and got to work mending their cuts and bruises. Legolas stood silently and watched Aliana kick and scream as Maleena's healing potion stung her eye terribly.
While Maleena tended to Rina, Aliana went over to Legolas. "Thank you for everything you've done, but I'm afraid I must ask you for something else."
Before she could finish, Legolas placed the feather in her hands and walked off. She was at a loss of words and her feet refused to follow. It was like her whole body was numb. All she could do was watch him walk out the door.
Thanx for stayin with me, Rusty
Ps- Oh, and I was told that there are only...four or five (sorry, can't remember now...) Istari and I honestly didn't know that, so if there are, sorry 'bout that. It does make sense though. There are only a certain number of colors they could have used. It's not like you would be named Higglysnout the Pink! Or Sarevok the Aquamarine! (Yes, that name should sound familiar if any of you play Baldur's Gate. He wants to kill me! And poor little Imoen too!)
Chapter Sixteen: The Nameless Chapter
At this Aliana thought. Was she really going to stay here with Legolas? Was she honestly just going to forget everything she'd traveled so far to find? Could she truly just leave all her friends and her old life and stay here?
Legolas was also thinking to himself. He knew he should give them the feather and let them go home. But he also knew he could refuse to hand it over, forcing Aliana to stay here in Middle Earth. But how could he do that to her? Make her stay with him just for his own needs. And what about Rina and Ben? It wouldn't be fair to them either.
In the same moment, Aliana and Legolas looked at each other. Maybe they were looking for comfort, maybe they were looking for answers. Neither seemed real successful in finding what they were searching for.
Turning his head away, Legolas spoke. "Let's go downstairs to the portal. You three will be wanting to get back as soon as possible I expect."
It was almost sadly that the three elves and three humans turned to leave the room. Gandalf led the way to a dark stairway covered in dust and grime. It was apparent that no one had traveled down this way for many years.
Gandalf's staff lit up at the whisper of a few magical words. ((Not going to go look those up now)) Light illuminated the tight and clammy hallway. Rina blinked her eyes in the sudden light.
They walked in silence, no one looking at each other. They all knew what was going to happen and they were all sad about it. Even Rina knew she would dearly miss Middle Earth when she left. Aliana knew she would miss her friends, though from which world, no one knew.
Ben spun around suddenly and bumped into Aliana. She stumbled backwards and tripped on the step behind her. Rina caught her before she hit the floor and pulled her back to her feet.
"Sorry... I just thought I heard someone behind me..."
"That was probably just Aliana or me your dork!" Rina snapped.
Ben turned around sheepishly and the troupe continued its journey down the stairway.
It was nearly fifteen minutes after they left Gandalf's hall when they reached the bottom. A tiny room opened before them with a wooden doorway at the opposite end. The door and its hinges were rusted but still useable.
"Hey Rusty, the hinges are rusted a lot. Do you think we can open it, Rusty, or will it be too rusty?" Ben laughed at his lame joke, earning him an annoyed glare from Rina.
Gandalf whacked him on the head with his staff. "Fool! Be serious in a place with so much magic and power as the room before us!"
Legolas strode swiftly to the door and opened it. The hinges creaked as they swung forward. Gandalf was the first to enter, followed immediately by Rina and more slowly by Ben and Maleena.
Aliana waited for them to be safely out of ear shot before stepping in front of Legolas, blocking his way into the room. He stepped to the side, planning to go around her, but she merely blocked his way again.
"We shouldn't keep them waiting," Legolas said.
"It doesn't have to be like this, you know."
"Oh yeah, then what does it have to be like?!" he yelled harshly. "Happy?! Cheerful?!"
Aliana's eyes were rimmed with tears. "You don't have to be so hateful! It's not easy for me either!"
"Then don't go! Stay here and don't go home!"
"I can't... I have my whole life ahead of me. My world...it isn't like yours. We don't have forever to just run around on quests and such. We have school and college and jobs. I'm still so young in my world. I'm not even considered an adult. I'm only 16."
After a moment's pause in which both thought silently to themselves, Legolas leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll miss you." He turned and started up the stairs without another word or backwards glance.
Aliana watched him until he could no longer be seen. She watched his feet move soundlessly from stair to stair, his cloak sway back and forth gently, but mostly she watched his light blonde hair. Even without any light it shimmered.
It was like his hair was a light itself. And it was walking further and further away. It was leaving her, the light was leaving her. Never again would she see its shimmering light or hold it between her fingers. It was gone forever, it seemed.
She stood just outside the doorway in a strange sense of shock. She knew this day would come, but she never thought it would be this hard to say goodbye. Maybe it was that she didn't say anything at all that made it so hard. Maybe their unspoken words were the answer.
She dashed up the stairs after him, wanting to thank him for all he'd done for her. For someone walking he had sure gotten a long way up the stairs. Finally she began to see the figure of someone in front of her. But this someone wasn't the Legolas that had left her not five minutes ago.
He was leaning against the wall with his sword in one arm. Her steps became quicker as she raced to his side. Her feet seemed to fly right over every stone step. Her heart pounded in her chest and she could almost hear its hollow beat. What happened?! Is he hurt?!
"Legolas!" She reached his side, panting and out of breath.
He looked over at her, startled. His shoulder closest to the wall he leaned upon was bloody and his shirt was torn open. The blood ran down his arm as he tried to wipe it off his hand to better grip his dagger. His face had a few cuts and bruises as well.
"Go! Now!" he cried.
"I don't understand! What's happened?!"
"There's no time to explain! Just go!"
"No! I won't leave you like this! I-"
A figure stepped out from the shadows ahead. Though she could not make out his form, his evil steel grey eyes gave his identity away instantly. Aliana's worried expression turned into a scowl of hatred as she looked upon this figure.
"My my, what a pleasant surprise," Ivellios sneered, stepping closer to them. "This does make things difficult. Now I must decide which one of you to kill first."
Suddenly he jumped down the remaining steps and swung his sword at Legolas. But Aliana was quicker. She drew her sword and knocked his away. Startled by her action, Ivellios fell at their feet with a loud groan.
"How about neither?!" Aliana shouted, kicking him in the face.
"Run!" Legolas commanded.
And run she did. Making sure Legolas was going to follow her she ran down the steps. Ivellios's miscalculation had given them enough time to make it to the wooden door and slam it shut behind them. Legolas leaned up against the door to hold it while Aliana stood ready with her sword.
"What happened?!" Rina yelled, running over to Legolas's side.
"Ivellios followed us," Aliana said. "We managed to get away when he fell. Quite stupid of him actually..."
A soft groan from Legolas caused Aliana to remember that he was injured. She tore a strip of fabric from her shirt and tied it around his shoulder. Then she tore another and helped him wipe off some of the blood while Rina and Ben held the door.
"Thanks," Legolas said. "He jumped out at me and stabbed me before I could even draw my sword."
"Why didn't you call for help?" Aliana asked.
"I figured if I could hold him off, you guys could make it home."
"But you could have died!"
"Would've been better than this," he said softly to her.
"Then what?" she asked absently.
"Having to watch you go."
She looked up from his wound and stared into his eyes. Even in his pain he still managed to smile at her. This only made her tears return. Why did he have to be so perfect?! Why did all of this have to happen?!
Maleena was suddenly standing beside them with a bottle in one hand. She pulled off the already blood soaked cloth and rubbed some of the liquid on his shoulder. It bubbled and fizzed and hissed and seemed to be doing little good. But when the liquid had disappeared the cut was sealed with not but a scar left.
"I told you I would come in handy," Maleena said mockingly at Legolas.
Before he could thank her, there was a loud thud at the door. Rina and Ben still held it shut but the wood began to crack. Legolas stepped backwards into the shadows and silently replaced his sword with his bow and drew an arrow from his quiver. Aliana pulled Maleena back towards the corner.
Gandalf stood beside the portal with his staff ready. It was a large arch shaped opening with two dragon heads facing each other. They curved themselves around brass bars all the way to the top where fire from the mouths collided in one giant flame. One was red the other gold, no doubt signifying the meaning of darkness and light.
"As soon as the doorway's clear, get out of here," Aliana said to Maleena.
After a few more thuds from the other side, the door broke and Ivellios now stood ready to fight, staring around the room. He grinned when he saw Aliana, standing in front of Maleena, and took a step towards her.
Hoping to startle him, Ben jumped from the floor where he'd fallen when Ivellios broke the door and ran towards him. Instead of being startled or losing balance, Ivellios thrust his sword into Ben's stomach and continued towards Aliana.
"Ben!" Aliana screamed as her friend fell to the floor in a heap of blood.
She charged at Ivellios with her sword drawn. Their blades clanged together and Aliana's face was dangerously close to his. She wanted to bite his pointed nose, but thought better of it, knowing how bad it would taste.
She pushed herself away from him and swung again. His blade met hers with a force that knocked her to the ground. She reached for her weapon, but Ivellios kicked it away with his boot. He put a foot on her chest, the tip of his boot pressing against her thought.
She gasped for air and tried to push his foot off her. But he simply pressed it down harder. Now his sword was slowly digging into her neck. Drops of blood trickled to the floor, mingling with Ben's. His blood was already in her hair and she could feel it run between her fingers.
"I have waited for this moment for such a long time. You have ruined my life and now I get to take yours away. Revenge is a sweet thing indeed."
An arrow struck him in the shoulder and he dropped his sword with a clang. Aliana was able to free herself from him. She rolled over and grabbed her sword. Rina was at her side with her sword drawn as well.
"Maleena run!" Aliana shouted.
The elf dashed out the door and up the stairway. Ivellios broke off the tip of the arrow angrily and stepped towards Aliana. She pushed herself off the floor and stood ready. She knew this was going to be a tough battle. Ivellios had gotten stronger since their last encounter.
She held her arm straight out in front of her and motioned for him to come closer. Rina managed a grin at her Matrix imitation. Ivellios raised an eyebrow, but continued towards Aliana like a lioness hunting her prey.
Rina leaped forwards and sliced his arm. She managed to duck just in time as his blade came swinging down towards her head. Aliana swung at him, but he blocked her attack with one of his own. She raised her sword to swing again, but he ducked and spun around to face Rina.
Rina was startled by this sudden action, but managed to keep her balance. From behind him Aliana thrust her sword into his hamstring. He cried out in pain and with a strong blow, knocked her sword from Rina's hands.
She stumbled backwards as he raised his sword and prepared to swing. Just in time an arrow hit him in the opposite shoulder. Now it was Rina's turn to retrieve her sword.
After breaking the tip from this arrow as well, Ivellios now faced Aliana. He swung his sword and she blocked it with hers. Over and over their swords clanged and neither one had a single scratch. Rina returned with her sword.
Ivellios swung at her and then at Aliana, both missing. He jumped backwards and took a second shot at Aliana. She leaned backwards to dodge the blow, but the blade still cut her across the eye.
"Fuck!" she yelled. "That really hurt!"
She closed her eye tightly as blood began to drip down her face. She held her hand over it tightly and collapsed on the floor. Now that Maleena had gone she was left to fend for herself. But she would have to let Rina fight Ivellios alone for a while until she could see.
The battle raged across the floor from one corner to another. Arrows flew and swords slashed. Both combatants were worn out and breathing heavily. They circled each other, patiently biding their time. Rina had a large gash across her arm and Ivellios had one across his face plus all the arrows that Legolas's keen eye had shot.
Suddenly Ivellios lunged at Rina. She was taken by surprise and fumbled with her sword. The only thing between her neck and his sword was the very tip of her sword. A drop of sweat fell from her forehead and ran down the edge of the sword.
Ivellios grinned madly. He could taste his almost certain victory. He heard Legolas drop his sword and run to Rina's aid, but he wouldn't make it here in time. After her he only had two left. One of which couldn't see.
"Ivellios!" came a startling voice behind him.
He turned to look over his shoulder and saw Aliana standing behind him, sword raised. He started to turn around but the blade fell before he could. Suddenly everything went black. His blade fell to the floor with a loud clang.
Aliana winced as Ivellios's head rolled across the floor. His steel grey eyes stared lifelessly into space and his blonde hair was mingled with blood. His body fell to the floor, blood pouring from his headless neck.
"EEEWWW!" Aliana shrieked. "That's gross!"
Legolas stood beside her and rested his arm on the shoulder. Rina dropped her sword and plopped down on the floor. Gandalf came to stand beside them all.
Suddenly Aliana's eyes were filled with tears and her heart with realization. She looked behind her towards the body of Ben. His face was pale and his eyes closed and he showed no sign of life. Without a word she sat down beside Rina.
Together the two girls cried, each leaning on the other's shoulder. Legolas left to get Maleena and Gandalf strode over to look at the portal. No one said a word in respect for the dead, but many thoughts were shared.
Soon Legolas returned with Maleena. She looked over at Aliana and Rina and got to work mending their cuts and bruises. Legolas stood silently and watched Aliana kick and scream as Maleena's healing potion stung her eye terribly.
While Maleena tended to Rina, Aliana went over to Legolas. "Thank you for everything you've done, but I'm afraid I must ask you for something else."
Before she could finish, Legolas placed the feather in her hands and walked off. She was at a loss of words and her feet refused to follow. It was like her whole body was numb. All she could do was watch him walk out the door.