A/N...I probably won't update again until...Wednesday.
Artria - Possible Tissue Warning!
Chapter 16 - An Elf's Funeral
Lianna took the news the worst. Although she did a lot less wailing and crying than Reuben and Belegûr, she showed hurt in different ways. She wouldn't talk for the longest time. It took Legolas hours of cradling and rocking and soft words of encouragement before she'd even speak.
She had stayed in her room in the Clearwater's during those days following Silvegil's death. Her family spent a lot of time huddled up in each other's embrace, crying and, after Lianna began to speak again, talking. Legolas was there most of the time with them, giving them support. That evening, as they sat together, Legolas said,
"You know, the first thing he said to me when I came back over to him was 'Are you okay?'" Legolas smiled sadly. "He wanted me to tell you, Belegûr, that he loves you. And he wanted me to tell you, Reuben, to be a kid. He said, it's the best time of your life, and you'll never get the chance again. And to you, Lianna. He said no matter what he did to you, he has always loved you, and wanted the best for you."
Lianna simply nodded. She had always known that. Reuben suddenly broke into tears. Lianna and Belegûr both huddled close to him.
As Legolas walked to the door, he placed a kiss on Reuben's head. He'd have stayed to comfort him, but he had to speak to Elrond about something that weighed heavily on his mind.
Inside Elrond's chamber, Legolas sat. His chin in his hand, he stared at the floor. Elrond sat at his desk, watching the Elf think, waiting for him to be ready to speak.
"The attacker…he was the stranger that snuck past the guards." Elrond confirmed it with a nod. "And…there was something so familiar about him. He was no stranger to me, I just know it. If I could only remember where I recognized him from." Legolas gently hit his fist against his forehead.
"At times like these, the mind is under much stress. I find that if you stop thinking about it, the answer will come." Legolas looked to him. Such a wise Elf. At that moment, Legolas felt a tremendous amount of respect for him. As if he hadn't before.
In the hall, Legolas met Aragorn. Without speaking, the friends embraced. When Aragorn drew away, he patted Legolas's shoulder.
"How are you, my friend? I know how close you and Silvegil were."
Legolas sighed. "It's not me you should be worried about. I don't know how much more heartbreak Lianna can take in her life. Has Arwen talked to her?"
Aragorn nodded, "She visited this afternoon. I'm on my way there now."
"I'll accompany you."
"And Legolas, Lianna is strong. She has a strong family, and she has you. I have no doubt she'll recover. In time."
Legolas clapped a hand on his friend's shoulder, and giving him a grateful smile, they went to visit the Clearwaters.
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Lianna didn't like the familiar feeling she got as she sat crying on her bed, hugging her knees to her chest. She had gone through something like this before. But this time, Silvegil was gone for good. She could never see his face again. And that was what she had a hard time with. Her brother whom she'd laughed with, cried with, been supported by and loved.
He had been there her whole life. She didn't know what it was like not to have him. It scared her. He was like a part of her. He was so deeply ingrained in her life that she didn't know what to do without him. How could her life possibly go on without him in it every day?
Arwen's visit had helped. Her voice, just chatting about things. Lightly, like everything was normal. To anyone else, that might've been offensive, but Arwen knew her well enough to see that was what she wanted. She wanted to pretend it was all okay. But it really wasn't.
Aragorn and Legolas came by, and she dove onto Aragorn for a fierce hug, erupting into tears. He rubbed her back slowly, and kissed her head.
Time went by fast for her. Before she knew it, three days had passed, and it was the day of his funeral. Guards had been sent out to the areas surrounding Rivendell, to search for the stranger. But the effort was more symbolic than really hope to catch him. He was already too far gone. He could be anywhere.
Lianna slid a black dress over her head, and tied her hair back. The movements were mechanical, dreading every second that brought her closer to saying goodbye to her brother forever.
Gray clouds rolled into the sky as the Clearwaters, Legolas, Arwen, and Aragorn left the cottage. Silvegil was to be buried in a special plot, where only the most honored Elves rested, behind the palace. Lianna stared at the ground as they walked, and Legolas had an arm around her. They rounded the corner of the palace and she heard him whisper in her ear,
"Look." She followed his arm, as he pointed out to the cemetery. Lianna's breath caught in her throat. Nearly the entirety of Rivendell was there. A whole mass of black. They were all gathered to bid farewell to the brave Elf whom some hadn't even met. They just knew that he had saved another's life, and they were sad to lose such an honorable Elf.
The crowd parted to let them pass. No one said a word, but friends placed a loving hand on the family's shoulders as they passed. They reached the plot, and Silvegil's casket sat next to the grave. A bouquet of red roses were placed on the casket. Lianna had always liked red roses. But never after that day.
Lianna didn't hear a word of the ceremony. All she was aware of was a voice droning on, distant sniffles every now and then, and Legolas's arm around her. All the while, she just stood there, never taking her eyes off the casket. It looked like a funny little barrette she used to have, with the red dot in the middle.
When the droning voice stopped, the crowd dispersed, some coming over to hug her and her family before they left. She appreciated their concern and condolences, but silently wished they'd stop pretending to know what it felt like to lose a sibling so close.
The family stayed. For a long while, they just stood around the casket, all of them touching each other in one way or another. Legolas had an arm around her, and a hand on Reuben's shoulder, whose head was leaned against Belegûr's.
Then, Belegûr stepped up to the casket. He kissed his fingertips and softly touched the dark wood. Reuben, next, held his head high as silent tears ran down his cheeks. He whispered something no one else could hear, then departed with his father.
Lianna didn't move. Neither did Legolas. Then she heaved a great sigh.
"Why do things keep happening to me?" Her voice wavered in her sorrow.
"You're not the only one this happened to." He replied, smooth and calm.
Then, she just sat on the ground. Like some great weight had been suddenly dropped on her. Her shoulders sagged as she sobbed and wept. Legolas knelt next to her and held her face in his hands. He wiped the tears away with his thumbs.
"He'll always be there. Just talk, and he'll listen. Try it."
Lianna looked at him, not sure if what he was telling her to do. Then she looked to the casket.
"Silvegil, I know you love me. I know you always wanted the best for me. And no matter what you did, I always loved you, too. I always will." Lianna looked at her hands in her lap.
"Better?"
She nodded, and leaned her body against his. He wrapped his arms around her. Her voice was muffled by his chest as he heard her say, "I'm sorry. I've been acting as if I'm the only one who loved him." Lianna leaned back and looked up to him, "How are you?"
Legolas touched her face. "Sad. But at least we can be sad together, for a while, anyway." He kissed her lips softly, and looked into her eyes. Then, after a moment, she saw his eyes widen, and his mouth drop. She furrowed her brow.
"What is it?"
"I know who it was." Legolas breathed, amazed at his discovery.
"What?" Lianna demanded.
"I know who killed your brother." He said quickly, as he jumped up and grabbed Lianna's wrist, dragging her after him.
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A/N…Gah! He knows!
Lex - Thanks, and I don't think you've reviewed before…so I'm glad you've started. Please don't stop! : )
Vampire Feuer - Thank you, thank you, thank you. -bows- Gee, you're throwing out compliments left and right! I love it! Lol. I'm really glad you liked the wedding, and I still feel bad for killing off Silvegil. But, it opened up a mystery!
Artria - I'm sorry you had a bad day. I hope you feel better. I don't suppose this sad chapter helped much, but Legolas just saw the light at the end of the tunnel…and things are looking up! : ) Was the tissue warning justified?
Childofgod-4ever - More suspense!! And Leggy would lay down his life for her. Hahaha.. Leggy. Ever since you said that about it I laugh whenever I see it. Leggy…hahahhahaa.
TPfan333 - I promise I will NEVER stop updating. Well, until the story is over. Then I'll have to stop. -hands you a tissue, pats you on the back- There, there.
As always, love ya's,
-Austin B.