TISSUE WARNING!

Chapter 18 - After the Rain
"Through Fears and Tears"

He vaguely felt the large, heavy drops of rain the heavens sent down to cool the fire of despair that burned in his heart. He faintly heard his father call his name and place a hand on his shoulder. He didn't know how long he held her in his arms, crying over her body. But he prayed for death. He prayed for the Gods to end the suffering he knew he'd endure for the rest of his short life. But his prayers went unanswered.

All the Gods did to dull his pain was give him rain. They cried with him that night. They cried for his pain, the world's loss of such an extraordinary Elf.

Thranduil attempted to pull him up and bring him inside, but Legolas shoved him away. He did not want to leave her. She looked so beautiful in the rain. So peaceful, with her eyes closed. Thranduil attempted again, and Legolas did not have the strength to resist anymore.

He looked back toward Lianna as Thranduil half carried, half lead him inside. He saw several servants scurry from out of nowhere, place a sheet over her body, and carry her away. Legolas stared at the ground as he walked. His heart was so heavy he didn't know how much further he could carry it. Maybe he should stop right in his tracks and cut it out of his body. Yeah, that seemed like a good idea. But then again, he didn't think he had the strength to lift a knife anyway.

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She was buried on a Tuesday. July 19th. Five days after she died. Twenty five days after they wed. It was much, much too short a time that they were together.

In those five days, Legolas shed more tears than he thought he could carry in his body. They just wouldn't stop. He couldn't eat, he couldn't sleep, because he was too busy weeping.

One of those days, Legolas couldn't remember which since all the days seemed to blur together, was the killer's trial. The Elf was named Dínalagos, and was sentenced to life in prison. Firlas the Steward, however, was banished from Mirkwood forever. His family was shunned, since most thought they were in on the plot.

One night, Thranduil thought he even heard his son's tears falling on the floor, from all the way down the hall. As if he was crying bricks, his son's tears echoed in his mind. He understood it now. He saw why his son loved Lianna. She was the kindest, most beautiful soul in Middle Earth.

All of Mirkwood was in mourning, even those who'd never met Lianna. They grieved because their beloved Prince grieved. They trusted him. If he gave so much up for her, she must have been worth their tears. So they cried.

The King paced the floor the night before her funeral. It was still raining. He felt as much guilt as any Elf could have. How could he have turned her away without knowing her? Just because she was a pauper. She was more valiant and worthy than any royalty he had ever known. It would have been an honor for him and his realm to have her as a Princess. With that thought, Thranduil hurried from his room, in just his robe, to his son's room.

Legolas ran out of tears hours before. He didn't want to die anymore. He wanted to carry out Lianna's last wish. For him to be happy. He'd try, Valar help him, he'd try to be happy. But it would be so hard, because he knew he'd never be that happy again.

Just then, Thranduil cracked the door. "Legolas, may I come in?"

Legolas didn't answer. Hearing his father's voice made his blood run cold. It was all his fault.

Thranduil entered and stood in the middle of the room. "I'm so sorry." He stated.

A more sincere statement was never uttered. Legolas heard it in his voice. Suddenly, he couldn't bring himself to say all the mean things he'd wanted to say. The 'It's all your fault. You killed her' speech he'd imagined himself saying went out the window. He didn't want to fight anymore. He wanted to be someone's son again.

"It hurts so bad." Legolas whispered. Thranduil sat next to him on his bed. A memory of himself tucking his son into bed as an Elfling came to his mind.

"I know." He said simply.

"How would you know?" Legolas asked, not intending to sound bitter.

"I lost my wife, too. My love died with your mother. Valar, I loved her so much it hurt. I see so much of her in you."

There was silence. Then Thranduil spoke again. Legolas thought there was pride in his voice as he said,

"Legolas, you couldn't have chosen a better Princess."

"Princess?" Legolas looked to his father.

"I'd be honored…Mirkwood would be honored if you would accept reinstatement as Prince, with Lianna as your Princess."

Legolas looked away. "I'm glad you finally accept her. But it's a little too late for that."

"No, no it's never too late. She will be honored as Princess even in death. Loved as a Princess, for as long as Mirkwood remains. And you will get your homeland back. I only hope you can forgive me for my narrow mind that caused such pain. You're the last person in the world I'd want to see hurt like this."

Legolas looked square in Thranduil's eye and continued, "You know, it's kind of sad. That it took something so tragic to make you understand."

After Thranduil got past the depth and coldness of his son's stare, he replied, "What's sad is that the person who cleared my vision can't see the work she did."

Legolas breathed deeply, pushing back tears he didn't know he still had in him. "She sees."

Thranduil wrapped an arm around his son's shoulders, pulling him into his body. Legolas didn't move for a moment, then he stood quickly, pulling Thranduil up with him, and threw his arms around his father. Legolas balled his fists in his father's tunic, and held on for dear life. Thranduil held his son tightly back, fearing this beautiful moment was all a dream that would slip away.

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The next morning, the morning of Lianna's funeral, the clouds that had covered the sky so wholly finally lifted. The sun shone on Mirkwood, proof that life does go on. Half of Rivendell was there, to say goodbye to their daughter. Their sister. Their friend. Lianna was something to everyone.

When Legolas saw Belegûr and Reuben arrive, he threw a gigantic hug to each of them, and it was returned twofold. He could tell they had been crying for days, as he had. Legolas knew what was left of the Clearwater family would have a hard time in the following days. Belegûr lost two of his children. Reuben had lost both of his siblings. But Belegûr had also gained a son, and Reuben had gained a brother, and he would always be there for them.

Lianna was buried on a hill under a willow tree. The Elves of Mirkwood stood outside their homes to watch the procession pass down the streets. After Legolas and the Clearwaters passed them, following the casket, they fell in behind.

Her casket was set beside the grave, with a large headstone of a woman sitting on a rock, looking down toward the city. On the rock was engraved:

Princess Lianna Clearwater
Daughter, Sister, Friend and
Beloved Wife
For Too Short A Time

Thranduil spoke,

"Lianna Clearwater was the most selfless Elf I have ever met. She made the ultimate sacrifice for me, an Elf who'd caused her so much pain, because that was the kind of Elf she was. She'd do the right thing no matter what the cost. Let us mourn her death, the death of a brave Elf, but also let us celebrate her life, one so short, yet full of more love than most can say they've felt in an immortal lifetime. So cheers, to Princess Lianna. She was as every Princess should be and we will never forget her."

All Elves within earshot of Thranduil's booming voice placed a hand over their heart and bowed their head. Legolas paused before speaking, trying to find words fitting to explain the feelings he felt,

"Lianna was a part of me, for nearly half my life up til now. We only got closer with every day we spent together. She taught me many things. About the world, and about others. But mostly about myself. I've felt happiness. Happiness that I pray each and every one of you get the chance to feel. I've felt pain. More than any of you should ever have to experience. But what I'll remember most is how I felt love, deeper than I ever thought I could feel. And I'll never love so completely again.

"Lianna wanted me to be happy. That's all she ever wanted. I'll never truly be happy again, without her by my side. But I can start to. I know she'd want me to live and serve the people whom I love and who love me, the best I can. So I'll go on, and I'll think of her every day, and she'll be with me."

Sniffles and sobs could be heard throughout the crowd, but not one word was spoken. Legolas kissed her casket and placed a lily in the center, and stepped away to let her family do the same. Several Elves then lowered her casket into the grave as flutes played a requiem.

Legolas then walked away, down the hill, beside his father. Thranduil placed his arm around his son's shoulders. Legolas wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but he thought he heard his father whisper,

"I love you, son."

Legolas looked to him, but Thranduil just stared straight ahead. So, Legolas did the same, but whispered back,

"I love you too, Ada."

The old elleth watched from afar and dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. She followed behind the long line of Elves who were walking past Lianna's grave. One by one, they tossed in flowers and trinkets that held great value to them, as gifts to their Princess. As she came up to the grave, the elleth knelt on the ground and whispered,

"Don't worry, my Princess, I'll take care of him. He won't be sad forever. You did good, Lianna. May you always be with him, but let him let go." She dug a white handkerchief out of her old robes, kissed it and dropped it onto the casket.

The Elves were going home, and the old elleth walked away. She knew Legolas would hold true to his word. She knew he'd live, and serve his people well. But she also knew he spoke truth in that he'd never be truly happy, or love so deeply again.

The elleth looked over her shoulder, just in time to see a dove flutter up from Lianna's grave and into the sky. She smiled.

What do you do after the rain? You pick up the pieces that haven't washed away in the storm. You cherish things in your life that you realize could've easily been swept away as well. Lianna brought together a kingdom that had lost its Prince and nearly lost its King. She brought together a father and a son. What's more beautiful than that?

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The End

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A/N…Don't you dare review and answer that question. It's rhetorical.

Dínalagos - Silent Storm
deen-ah-lah-gohs

Childofgod-4ever - I had to wait for you to review so I could update! Lol I'm not sure how Elvishly correct my writing is. Like, I don't know if he could actually survive after someone he loved so much died, but hey, it doesn't really matter to me. It's my story, if I say he's gonna live, gosh darnit he's gonna!

Butterfly elf - yeah you reviewed before, but I'm glad you did again!

Vampire Feuer - thanks, and I don't mind rambling in reviews, just ask Artria.

shieldmaidenofmithrilhall - thanks, sorry I made you cry…well, not really, but it's the thought that counts. : ) Great Screen name!

Muddie21 - did that chapter answer your question?

bbysail28 - thanks, I like the name Lianna, too. That's why I used it, even though it isn't an Elvish name. I learned most of my Elvish by looking it up online. Navaer Lalaith's bio has some good links. That's where I got most of it. Try looking there first, and you can google search it, too to get some good sites.

Artria - do you cry for other stories, too? Or is this story just that tragic? Lol your review made me feel so good. I'm glad you liked that line. And I just love Lianna so much, I feel terrible for killing her, but it sounded good, so, you know how that goes. I put the paragraph about the killer and the Steward's punishment in there for you. It wasn't much…I just hope it was enough. Lol I wouldn't go so far as to call me a miracle, but I'm glad I'm your hero. ; ) Luv ya!

Loz-179 - good guess. He did feel terrible. Thanks for being such a faithful reviewer!

It's looking as though I'll post the alternate ending. But still, tell me if you have a strong opinion on the issue.

-Austin B. ;)