A/N: Thanks to the following reviewers –
Goldfire: I am so happy and honoured that you think my story is good. And I am so sorry that the story is about to end. But as it is said, every good thing must have an end or else it is not good at all. I reckon you will be happy to know that I am writing a story about Haldir. It is titled "Crystal Dreams" and will be out by Monday. So, even though I can't promise you a sequel now, it might happen in the future and in the mean time, please enjoy "Crystal Dreams" and tell me what you think of that.
Iloveelves (so do I! LOL): well, life is not a bed of roses and that was not the last chapter… Hope you enjoyed it! I am writing another story, titled "Crystal Dreams". Be sure to read that!
Slowness: Thanks again for reviewing! I am also happy that Nwalme is dead, which means the story will end soon and I can move on to Haldir…
Disclaimer: Nope! Don't own anything!
Oh Woe…or joy? This cannot be the last chapter as it turned out to be too long. So, here it is!
- Anarya of Lorien.
The Prophecy
Chapter 19 ('Twas a dream)
The clip clop of the hooves rang through the glade as the party rode on silently. Luinil rode with Aragorn who remained silent. Silme turned to look at Legolas who was seated atop Arod, thanks to Shadowfax.
"The lord of the woods remains silent?" Isilya jested from behind. Legolas turned to smile weakly at the elleth. Silme understood why he was so. He was the prince of Mirkwood. The guardian of Ithilien, who couldn't leave his people. And she was the heir of Edona. Though the trouble from the Torment was over, she couldn't leave her country. That meant they would be seeing the last of each other. Vala would soon leave for Valinor and Silme would become queen. It meant that even if there were an alliance with Mirkwood or Ithilien, she wouldn't be the one acting as ambassador. She sighed as she closed her eyes and lowered her head, in an effort to drown the pain.
But at least her fate was not as bad as the one awaiting the king of Gondor and his daughter. Aragorn turned back sensing someone's eye on him. His gaze met those of Silme. He nodded at her as she smiled understandingly.
It surprised her how the most powerful individuals could be made so powerless. She smiled.
"What amuses you, melamin?" she turned to find Legolas stare ahead of them, though his question was for her. She looked behind him. Gimli was absent.
"Where is Gimli?" Legolas now turned to look at her with the slightest traces of a smile.
"The answer to a question is not another query, Silme." Silme smiled at this as she lowered her eyes to hide her face from him. The closer they got to Edona, the heavier her heart became. She opened her eyes wide to stop tears from falling.
"You shall be leaving for-"
"- I know." he interrupted. She turned to look at him. Though his eyes weren't glassy with tears, his face looked sad beyond measure. It made him look more beautiful if possible. She nodded in understanding as she clicked Amrûn to keep pace with the others.
"I cannot thank you enough, Mithrandir." Vala smiled at the mage as he knelt before her. She rose from her throne and descended down the steps and placed her hands on top of Gandalf's and smiled. A simple notion but that which spoke volumes of the gratefulness she felt inside.
"Now I may sail away to Valinor in peace. Silme has become an able stateswoman. She would make a wonderful queen." The queen turned to her child. Silme bowed down a little. They had just arrived and the queen had welcomed them in. Luinil was seated next to Vala, her blue eyes looking radiant and charming though her heart-hung heavy within her.
"And if lord Aragorn wishes, he might come back again with lady Arwen to honour this court. But I daresay, I shall stop by Minas-Tirith en route to the Gray Havens." She smiled gracefully at the king. Aragorn managed a forced smile as his gaze fell on Luinil. She was smiling sadly at him.
"I must tell you, Aragorn. All that happens, happens for the betterment of the world around us. And if we were to stop their progress, we would be clearly termed selfish." Her eyes twinkled as Aragorn stared at her. He lowered his head slowly though his eyes remained wide open with surprise.
Vala smiled a little as she turned back towards her throne. Silme was standing beside it. Silme smiled a little on greeting her grandmother but even her heart seemed sad. Vala sat back onto the throne. She surveyed the travelers, placing her fingertips joined before her pursed lips.
"I declare! The heroes who have achieved this noble and seemingly impossible task seem gloomy and sad. Surely you have not taken a liking for Nwalme that you find her passing difficult to bear?" amusement rang through her voice.
"They leave tomorrow, my queen." Silme spoke. Legolas who was standing beside Aragorn looked sharply at her. His eyes wide. Vala smiled a little as she said,
"Then it is Edona that you shall miss. Am I wrong?"
"No you are not, my queen. I have found home away from home." Legolas bowed down before the queen.
"And people whom I shall not forget in haste." His gaze lingered on Silme. She lowered her head trying to act as though she had not heard what he had said,
"Certain individuals who have become a part of our existence." Silme looked up sharply to gape at Legolas. He was staring at her. There was despair and sadness in his eyes. Tears involuntarily slipped from her eyes.
"The queen must excuse me." She breathed near her grandmother's ears. Vala turned to look at her granddaughter. She smiled and nodded her head in ascent. Silme was about to leave the court when Vala discreetly pulled her back. Silme looked questioningly into her eyes. The gray depths stared back at her.
"Remember that though Edona needs you, you must have a heart of your own." She left Silme's hand; she stood there for a minute before running back into her chambers. Legolas followed her with his gaze as far as he could. When he turned his gaze back to the hall, he found Vala smiling at him mysteriously.
"Let the weary ones rest." She proclaimed and Legolas was forced to take a seat beside Gimli and Gandalf. Aragorn was seated with Luinil. Both of them laughing. It gave him happiness to see his friend seeming so amused and happy. He kept craning his neck towards the door through which Silme had escaped, hoping to catch sight of her silhouette, lurking somewhere near the entrance, waiting for him, but there was nobody. He sighed and turned his gaze back to the goblet in his hand.
"And now, you rest your bodies and souls." Vala proclaimed mistily as she bade each of them good night. When she came to Legolas, she caught his arms and looked into his eyes.
"You take something away from here. I know you cannot return it even if you wish to… pray take good care of it." She released him. But Legolas stood rooted to the place.
"I beg your pardon, milady?"
Vala smiled mysteriously as she sighed and replied. " There are things that shall come to light later in your life, Legolas Thrandulion. I only ask you to go to Mirkwood to visit your father, as soon as you reach home. Home away from home is it?" she smiled as she stroked his cheek and moved back. She bowed down to bid a good rest to Gimli, who smiled and replied,
"Aye! Here is another lady whose grace has smitten me." Vala smiled, as though touched. She nodded towards the dwarf. A gesture more eloquent than words.
"I am going to talk to Luinil. There seems to be such short time left." His voice trailed off to a murmur as Aragorn lowered his head. Legolas patted his friend's shoulder understandingly.
"I understand what you feel my friend. But there is nothing we can do about it." Aragorn nodded and smiled a little as he hugged Legolas and whispered, "Hannon lle."
Legolas smiled and nodded back. "You are most welcome."
Aragorn vanished through one of the doors in the corridor. Legolas stood there for a minute not deciding whether he should go through the door opposite o him or go in search of her. He sighed and proceeded to his room opposite. He had not the least idea where her room was and Vala would be with her no doubt. It would embarrass the both of them. He smiled as he remembered how she had blushed when they had shared their first kiss. His hands groped the smooth handle of the door and the door fell open without a sound.
There, on his bed, she sat, her head resting on her knees as though she had fallen asleep waiting for him. Shock was soon replaced by anxiety. What was he to tell her? Should he wake her up or perhaps shift her to a more comfortable position? His questions were put to rest when she jerked awake from the sound of his footfalls. She turned abruptly to stare at him.
"Silme," someone hugging him tightly cutting his words short. He looked down to see Silme sobbing unrestrained onto his shoulder. A warrior so seasoned, one who ad her emotions under control was now letting it all out. He hugged her back, placing his chin above her head.
"Shh… it is all right." He whispered into her dark hair. She shook her head slightly as she mumbled a muffled response,
"You're to leave tomorrow morn. How is it all right? Will we meet again?" she raised her head to look at him. Her eyes swam in tears as her lips quivered. He swallowed a little to maintain his voice,
"I do not know, melamin." He whispered as he kissed her head. She hugged him back,
" I love you, Legolas." He smiled as he stroked her back soothingly, "so do I. But I think you know that." He teased her. She let out a snort of laughter as she came away from him.
"Then, it was all a dream wasn't it?" she asked turning to walk towards a high rising balcony, which portrayed the stars in their entire splendor. Legolas looked at er back quizzically, she was still dressed in the armour and skirt she wore when she traveled with them, she had not done much after coming here, he walked closer and placed his hands on her shoulder.
"Silme,"
"I understand, Legolas. I truly do." She smiled though tears ran down her cheeks. He cupped her face and lifted it gently. With his thumbs he wiped her tears away as he slowly brought her face closer to his, she looked into those deep eyes as she closed her eyes, triggering another stream of tears as their kiss drew ever closer.
When their lips met, it was a kiss filled with passion and sadness, lingering yet ending soon. When they broke apart, Silme smiled a little at Legolas.
"Hannon lle." He smiled as he enveloped her into his embrace. Slowly drawing closer to the bed. Silme, fell gently to the bed as Legolas climbed after her. He sat down beside her and caressing her arm gently, he asked her,
"Now tell me all that you desire to." She smiled and placed her hand over his, this would be a long night.
The queen stood there, shimmering with a grace from within her, dressed in a pale silver robe. Her hair fell free and the breeze played with those tendrils.
"The weather holds good, today." She stated. Gandalf who stood beside her nodded his head absently. Vala turned to look at the mage.
"Are you sure that Luinil shall travel with you to the Grey Havens? Will she not be going to Gondor at all?" Gandalf sighed and nodded his head again. He turned to look at the queen,
"It is better to let the queen mourn for a while with no trace of Luinil to egg her sadness on than to give her a moment's pleasure before a lifetime of painful memories."
Vala sighed as she moved some of her hair from her face. "Yes, maybe you are right. But it will break her heart."
"She has Aragorn." Vala smiled a little. "And who does Aragorn have?"
Gandalf looked quizzically at the queen. "Doesn't he have us all?" Vala narrowed her eyes at some distant speck that moved, probably a scout from the glade not far form there.
"Yes, but that would never-"
Isilya interrupted her. "My queen-"
"Yes Isilya, I know, everything is ready as it should be. They shall leave Edona, they shall be remembered, but seldom shall they return…"
She turned to gaze at the stables where a figure stood, beside his Arod. Legolas.
He stroked the horse's mane slowly, his calloused hand extremely gentle.
"We are leaving mellon amin. We shall travel back home." The horse shook his head as though denying what he said, Legolas smiled.
"I just wish I could be like you. Run as fast as I can, to reside here. Mirkwood and Ithilien would definitely be gloomy from now."
"You shouldn't say that." He turned back to see Silme stand there with her hands on the doorway. She smiled at the prince as she walked slowly towards him.
"I offer myself as an escort to the noble company till the borders of Edona."
"Silme." He surveyed her. She was dressed in her usual warrior attire, as always.
"Mani naa ta, melamin?" (What is it, my love?)
He shook his head as he completely turned to face her. "Silme, it would pain us both." Her smile waned a little.
"And I understand that."
"I wish you wouldn't do that." She turned up to look sharply at him. Her eyes were wide with surprise.
"Oh. I see." She breathed. He wouldn't have heard it had he not been an elf. He took a step towards her.
"Silme, I-"
"-understand what you seem to convey just perfectly. You seek not to see me so that you could aid your mission in forgetting all that happened here as a silly encounter."
"Nwalme was not a silly encounter. Neither were you."
"I beg your pardon. But my queen has ordered me to escort you. I cannot forego her direct orders, and it pains me to know that it shall be an inconvenience to you." She whipped around and was about to leave when she felt someone restraining her back. She half turned to see Legolas holding on to her hand. He was smiling slightly.
"And to say that you are true in your accusation, would be the greatest lie in the world." Silme felt the corner of her mouth twitch. She smiled a little and turned to Legolas.
"I shall miss you dearly."
"You said the same words a million times last night." She wreathed her arms around his neck loosely as she drew him near.
"Do not forget me Legolas. As I shall find it impossible to bear." Her eyes turned glassy once more. His smile marred a bit.
"And didn't we discuss tears as well?" she turned up to meet his eyes, her smile returned as she nodded her head slowly. She then closed her eyes as she drew close, hugging him.
"Hannon lle, Legolas." (Thank you, Legolas.)
He smiled as he placed a gentle and chaste kiss onto her lips.
"Here we leave you. From here, we pray to the Valar that you reach your respective destinations with safety."
Aragorn nodded as he smiled at Isilya and Silme. Silme smiled back. "I shall miss you my lord. I hope we meet again soon." Aragorn's smile grew wider as he nodded his head for that as well.
"It shall be an honour to welcome you into the halls of Minas Tirith." Silme smiled and turned to Gimli.
"And am I welcome to the halls of the dwarf lord as well?"
"Aye! What a question is that? You were never unwelcome to be welcomed. I thought you knew that lass!"
Silme laughed as she shook hands with him and then came to Luinil and Mithrandir. Gandalf embraced her like a young elfling as she clung on to him.
"You shall be missed all through Arda, Mithrandir. Must you leave?"
Gandalf smiled as he stroked her head. "Yes Silme. You of all people must understand that."
She smiled and nodded her head. Luinil smiled as Silme bowed down before her.
"I am honoured to know that I served you."
"As it does honour me to have you as my friend, Silme." Both of them hugged each other and with a kiss to Silme's brow, they drew apart. She then turned to the last person, who stood there,
"Prince Legolas."
"Princess Silme." She smiled as he jested to match her wits.
"We shall see each other soon. I pray for your safe return." She gently caressed his face. He caught her hand in his and kissed her palm as he let her hand go. She dropped her hand and backed away. Her eyes a bit sadder than before.
"I feel selfish in desiring to be with you forever, mellen amin, but it cannot be helped."
She smiled as Isilya came forward to say her farewell as well. Soon they would leave. Legolas mounted on top of his horse and turned back. Silme stood there with a smile on her face, but her eyes looked sad and desperate. His smile faltered a little as he saw this. Silme was quick to note this and waved her hand cheerily. Legolas smiled sadly and turned to face Aragorn and Luinil slowly trot away from him… he sighed and turned back to look at her one last time. But all he could see was the empty glade. She had left.
Sooooo…… what do you think? Why don't we just let Legolas and Silme mind their own business in their respective kingdoms or well… you tell me.
- Anarya of Lorien