Disclaimer: ya know...I'm actually sad, not annoyed putting this up because I know this will be the last time I do it for this story...but I don't own it. Oh, and...
Disclaimer for Songs In Order of Appearance:
1st: When You're Gone by Hanson (2nd verse)
2nd: It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing by Shania Twain (chorus)
3rd: My Immortal by Evanescence (changed very slightly on chorus)
4th: To Where You Are by Josh Groban
Author's Note: Wow, you guyz, you've all been so great! Thx toooooo...
FunkyChunkyMunky: thx, what's with the web restriction? Don't ya just hate those? Ne way, I sent it to ya, so have fun reading!
CountessKatook: yes, I know. It's so sad...I really can't believe it's coming to an end myself. Gosh, how long have I been writing this? U guyz start the 17th? Ouch. Here it starts on the 30th. Oh, btw, have you been able to scan that picture of Gwyn for me yet? Just curious.
Arwennicole: I read the chap and loved it! I felt really bad killing the baby, but...a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do...thx for reading!
CrazyCruzet212: I know, I don't either, but I have no more to write about and school is starting soon...it'll be my first time in a school with kids since third grade...I've been homeschooled. Yeah. But I'm really sad, too!
Saera: okay, but it's so sad, lol.
angel13: thx, lol.
Piper xox Leo: I know, lol. I've actually got a guy like lego...and he actually mildly resembles orli! Lolz. Yes, Eldarion is Gwyn's lil bro. ya know in the third movie, the little boy that arwen sees? That's Eldarion. Sorry, but can't keep going after this! tears
lexi22: lol, I'd love it if my bro dared me 2 do that. I'm American but I shoulda been born brit! Lolz. Yeah, I'd LOVE to do a sequel, but school starts soon and I'm gonna be BUSY! Sorry.
Black Cherrie: thx, lolz. I'm so sad it's almost over!
thinksitsux: pouts that was me caring for one little millisecond what you think!
Lady Anck-su-namun: yes, I know it's cruel. But I am cruel. Lol. I know how you feel. One of my fave stories just ended and I'm so sad!
Kaylin: yes, the last chapter...it's hard for me to.
Aliana Archer: yes, I know, it's really sad, isn't it? Lolz. Stupid git (Tebius) lolz.
Dimonah Tralon: yes, it is coming to an end. A sad end. Lolz.
Ladyof Rivendell: lol, thx, I'm sorry it's ending.
Vampire Feuer: um...I don't know if the version I heard was by Christian Bautista, but I heard the song on the radio. And yes, I am American...ne way, I'm really said it's ending, too, but this should be a preeeettty long chapter!
Jennifer Bloom: That's fine. Oooh I see. Um I don't know if the version I heard was by Christian Bautista, but that's cool he's from there. Glad you like the story. Yeah, I'm sad it's coming to an end soon, too......
nilimade: wow. Yeah, surprising how long it takes to read stories on ...lolz. I'm really glad you liked it. Sorry, I'm not going to have time for a sequel but if I did somehow get some time, I would write one.
James'Gurl215: lol...2 miscarriages...yeah. Glad you liked the chapter this one is kinda sad...in two ways...one: it's the last chapter...two: you'll find out!
Ecellegreenleaf: thx, lol. Yes, I plan to finish those when I find precious time. Do not worry; writing is my passion so therefore I fit some in whenever possible!
A/N: oh, and 'Waurehwe' is 'Laurelle' as a toddler would say it, pronouncing the 'L' as a 'W'
Additional Disclaimer: Quote by Henry David Thoreau at the end of letter.
Two years later...
Gwyn sat curled up on the easy chair in her room one cool September evening, writing in her diary. At the moment, Legolas was out on the practice fields with Laurelle and Aniador finishing an archery lesson. The nights were beginning to fall earlier and earlier, and Gwyn was certain that Legolas would be returning any minute now.
Sure enough, the door opened five minutes later, and the nine-year-old twins came running in, followed by a smiling Legolas.
'Mama, I got my arrow this close'—she separated her forefinger and thumb about two inches apart—'to Daddy's!' Laurelle told her mother excitedly, jumping onto her mother's lap.
Gwyn laughed and set her journal aside. 'That's wonderful, darling.'
'I got this close,' Ani said, showing an inch of space between his forefinger and thumb.
'Good job, Ani,' Gwyn grinned.
Laurelle stuck her tongue out at her brother; he returned the gesture, but both of them retracted their tongues as they received warning looks from their parents. 'Alright,' Gwyn said, suddenly feeling a little irritated, 'time for bed.'
'But, Mama...' the twins groaned.
'It's time for bed,' Gwyn repeated firmly.
'Mama, can't I stay up just a little later?' Laurelle whined. 'It just turned dark outside...'
'No!'
'Pleeeeeaaaase?'
'NO! And I won't say it again, Laurelle!' Gwyn's voice began to rise. 'Go to bed now, or you will be severely punished! Do you understand me?'
Laurelle looked hurt and turned her pleas toward her father. 'Daddy...???'
Legolas chuckled. 'I don't suppose it could hurt,' he said amusedly.
'Yay!' chorused the twins, and Laurelle jumped off her mother's lap to hug Legolas.
Gwyn stared at her husband for a few seconds. 'Fine!' she said, suddenly and shrilly. 'That's fine! Undermine everything I say, all my decisions!' She jumped up from her chair and stormed from the room, leaving a very confused Legolas behind with the twins.
'Father, why did Mother yell?' Ani asked, looking up at Legolas.
'I'm not sure,' he answered quietly. 'Do me a favor, alright?'
Laurelle and Ani nodded.
'Go to bed now and let me see what's bothering your mother. I promise you that tomorrow night you may stay up as long as you like.'
Laurelle opened her mouth to protest, but shut it when Legolas added, 'Please, darling?' She stuck her lower lip out, but nodded. She grabbed her brother's arm and they walked towards the door with their father. 'I'll be in to tuck you in after I talk with your mother,' Legolas said softly before slipping off to find Gwyn.
He found her in the gardens, standing under a large maple tree. Slowly, he approached her. 'Gwyn?' he said tentatively.
'What?' she responded sharply.
'What's wrong, darling?' Legolas asked softly, drawing even nearer to her and placing a hand on her shoulder.
She shrugged him off. 'Leave me alone, Legolas!'
'Gwyn, this is ridiculous,' Legolas said, his voice growing firmer. 'Tell me what's wrong, and now.'
Gwyn didn't answer.
Legolas sighed, and slipped his arm around her waist, turning her to face him. 'Why did you lash out at me like that?' he said, his tone much softer. 'And why were you being so strict with the twins? You're never like that.'
Still, Gwyn didn't answer.
Legolas placed both hands on her waist. Gwyn breathed in a little sharply, as though she were afraid of something. 'Darling, please tell me? Something is wrong, I can tell.' There was a worry in Legolas' tone, which Gwyn heard and didn't like.
'I'm pregnant,' she whispered, looking down, 'and I—I just got irritated.'
Legolas was so relieved that nothing was seriously wrong with his wife that he laughed. 'It's not funny!' Gwyn cried, her head shooting up.
'I'm sorry, Gwyn,' Legolas apologized. 'I just thought that something was truly wrong.'
'Something is truly wrong,' Gwyn said desperately. 'Legolas, I don't know if I'm ready for this.' A few tears ran down her cheek, which were wiped away by a brush of Legolas' soft hand.
'You'll be fine,' Legolas assured, kissing her softly. 'I promise.' This time, he kissed her deeply, making her worries disappear with the magical and flowing movement of his lips.
As he drew back, Gwyn smiled. 'I needed that,' she said gratefully.
Legolas smiled back. 'Come with me to tuck the twins in?' he asked.
Gwyn nodded, and they went back inside the castle to Ani's room first. 'I love you, darling,' Gwyn whispered, kissing her son's forehead.
'I love you, too, Mother.'
Legolas kissed the side of Ani's head. 'Love you.'
'Love you, too.'
Gwyn closed the door behind them as they left. Laurelle's room was directly across from her brother's. Legolas kissed his daughter good-night and, at Gwyn's request, left mother and daughter alone in the room. Gwyn slowly sat on the edge of Laurelle's bed.
It was Laurelle who spoke first. 'Mama?' she said, sitting up.
'Yes?'
'I love you,' whispered the little girl.
Gwyn embraced her daughter tightly. 'I love you too, darling. I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier.'
'Why did you yell?' Laurelle tentatively asked, drawing back.
'I wasn't feeling very well,' Gwyn answered. 'But that was still no excuse for me to yell. I'm sorry.'
'It's alright, Mama.'
Gwyn smiled and pulled her daughter into another warm embrace. 'I love you so much,' she said softly, kissing the side of her head.
Eight months later...April 19th
It was April now, and Gwyn had grown very large around her waist. But, as she was incredibly grateful for, she was much smaller than she had been when she was pregnant with the twins.
The twins, who had turned ten in October, were very excited by the idea of a new brother or sister. (Fortunately, they had not known their mother was pregnant before she had her second miscarriage.) They were actually quite indifferent to whether it would be a girl or a boy...
'Girl!' Laurelle shouted one late afternoon when they were supposed to be helping their mother make the bed.
'Boy!' Ani returned, abandoning the task as well.
'Girl!'
'Boy!'
'Girl!'
'I think we're going to find out right now,' Gwyn said sharply, feeling the pain of going into labor.
Both of the twins looked at their mother, not knowing what to do. Gwyn slowly and torturously lay down on the bed, her breath coming in and out in short gasps. 'Mama, I'm scared!' Laurelle whimpered.
'It'll be fine,' Gwyn said jerkily, trying to smile through her pain. 'Ani, run and find your father.'
Aniador nodded, his blue eyes wide, and ran out the door.
'What do I do?' Laurelle asked, trying not to cry.
'Go down to the Healing Quarters and bring Phedra or anyone you can find there back,' Gwyn told her. 'And hurry,' she added as a tidal wave of pain swept over her stomach.
Laurelle nodded, and hurried to fulfill her mission as well.
'Thank the Valar you're still alive,' Gwyn whispered to her unborn child. 'You're going to make it.' She smiled painfully.
The door swung open a few minutes and Legolas rushed inside, closely followed by Ani. He grasped his wife's hand and whispered soft words to her. Seconds later, Laurelle returned with Phedra. 'Daaaaddyyyy...' Laurelle whined, tugging at his sleeve.
'Not now, darling,' Legolas said gently. 'Please go wait outside or in your room with your brother.'
Laurelle stuck out her lower lip. 'Can't I stay?' she begged. Over the past couple years, she had wrapped her father around her little finger and was trying to use that to her advantage now.
'No, Laurelle.' The look on Legolas' face and the tone of his voice told Laurelle that he was not kidding around.
So Laurelle went out of the room with her brother, shutting the door respectfully behind her.
Six hours later...
After much excruciating pain, Gwyn gave birth to a little baby girl. Phedra made sure that Gwyn was comfortable and situated with a crib for her child before returning to the Healing Quarters. Ani and Laurelle were permitted to come back in the room, and they excitedly were kneeling on the bed, leaning over their little sister.
The baby had curly light brown hair like her mother and deep blue eyes. 'I told you it was going to be a girl,' Laurelle said haughtily to Aniador, who stuck his tongue out at her.
Legolas scolded both of them gently. 'Your mother is exhausted,' he told them. 'The least you can do for her is be civil to one another.'
'Alriiiiight,' they said reluctantly.
'What's her name going to be?' Laurelle asked.
Gwyn looked questioningly at Legolas, and he saw in her eyes that she was too enervated to think. So after thinking a moment, he said, 'Her name is Aliana.' Gwyn smiled in agreement. 'It's perfect,' she said softly.
'Can I hold her?' Laurelle asked hopefully.
'Me too!' Ani piped up.
Gwyn sighed, but Legolas said quickly, 'Tomorrow. Your mother needs her rest now. And,' he added, 'it is an hour past your bedtime.'
'Oh, Daaaaaddy...' Laurelle whined, sticking her perfectly pouty lower lip out. 'We're too excited to sleeeeeep...' (Ani nodded vigorously)
Legolas smiled. 'Alright, you don't have to go to bed now, but you do need to give your mother some rest.'
The twins nodded. They told their mother and Aliana 'good-night' and left the room. 'Thank you,' Gwyn whispered. 'I don't know how much longer I can stay awake.'
Legolas kissed her softly and took Aliana into his arms. He rocked her gently. 'She looks just like you,' he commented.
'But she has your eyes,' Gwyn said.
Legolas smiled. 'I'll take care of her right now. Get some sleep, darling.'
Gwyn smiled back gratefully and fell asleep the instant she closed her eyes.
Three years later...April
Gwyn smiled softly as she held Aliana's hand as she walked with her to the archery practice fields. Legolas, Estel, and the twins had been down there since early that morning, and Gwyn had promised that she would bring the youngest member of their family down around noon.
Aliana was three years old, and, even in her young age, looked just like her mother. Her light brown curly hair framed her face angelically, and her blue eyes shone brightly with intelligence and innocence. She was the true princess of the family; spoiled in every possible way by her parents and siblings.
'Mamaaaaa...' she whined, holding her arms up. 'Pih' me uuuuup...'
Gwyn laughed softly and scooped her precious baby up, tickling her lightly on her stomach. Aliana giggled. Suddenly, as the practice fields came into view behind a small grove of trees, she clamored to be set down. Gwyn obliged her, and she went running off towards her father and siblings. 'Daddyyyyyyyy!' she squealed, and ran into his arms.
Legolas laughed, and twirled her around before setting her on his hip. Gwyn soon arrived, having walked down a little more slowly than her daughter. 'Good morning, darling,' Legolas greeted his wife, kissing her gently.
Aliana giggled, then held her arms out to Estel, who took her into his arms. The twins came running up to greet their sister. 'Here, Ally,' Laurelle said, slipping a clover necklace over her sister's head and placing a circlet of clover on her head.
'Oooooooh!' Aliana exclaimed, looking down and admiring her new jewelry.
'What do you say to your sister, Ally?' Gwyn prompted gently.
'Pitty,' Aliana promptly responded, making everyone laugh.
'No...' Gwyn said, still smiling. 'You say, 'Thank you, Laurelle'.'
'Tahn oo, Waurehwe...' Aliana recited, and she held her arms out to her sister, and while the twins were allowed a break from practice, they took their sister out into the field of flowers a hundred or so yards away.
Gwyn bit her lip. 'Estel, would you mind keeping an eye on them for me?' she asked worriedly. 'With the twins' reputation...'
'Say no more,' Estel grinned, and followed them.
Gwyn smiled, and lay down on the grass. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply.
Legolas sat down beside her. 'Are you up for a few shots?' he asked.
Gwyn thought for a moment before answering, 'No, that's alright. I'm too comfortable here.'
Legolas grinned. 'I understand,' he said slyly. 'I wouldn't want to embarrass you, anyway.'
Gwyn's eyes snapped open and she sat bolt upright. 'I beg your pardon?' she cried. 'I could beat you anytime!'
'Is that a fact?' Legolas raised his eyebrows in a challenging sort of way.
'Yes, it is.'
'Then prove it.' There was a mischievous gleam in the elf's eyes.
'Fine.' Gwyn stood and handed her husband his bow and an arrow. He stood as well, grinning and fitting the arrow to the bow, carefully taking aim at the target one hundred paces away. He winked at Gwyn and let the arrow fly. It cut through the air like a dagger and hit the target dead center. Legolas turned to his wife, holding out the bow with a smug smile on his lips.
Gwyn smirked back, and took the bow, fitting a new arrow to it expertly. She closed her left eye and found her target. With ever-rising confidence, she let loose her arrow. In a matter of seconds, it reached the target, splitting Legolas' arrow down the center. Gwyn turned to Legolas, that same playful smirk on her face. His mouth was slightly open and the smug smile was no longer on his face. Gwyn set the bow down and leaned into him gently. 'I believe you owe me an apology, my lord,' she murmured. Her lips brushed tauntingly against his, and in a split second, Legolas captured them with his and kissed her softly.
'Does that cover it?' Legolas smiled.
'Not. Even. Remotely,' Gwyn answered, her voice barely above a whisper.
'I can fix that,' Legolas said, and kissed her passionately. 'Is that better?'
'Much.'
Legolas leaned in to kiss her again, but Estel, Aliana, and the twins had returned. The boys started making kissy noises, and the girls giggled. Gwyn grinned.
'Valar!' Laurelle exclaimed abruptly, suddenly seeing her parents' arrows. 'Whose arrow was second?'
Gwyn blushed, but Legolas answered for her. 'That was your mother.'
The twins' mouths dropped open. 'Mother did that?' Laurelle demanded, awestruck, and Ani whispered, 'Valar.' Both of the twins were looking at their mother with a new respect. At once they bombarded her with questions on how she did it and how long it took her.
Gwyn just laughed and said, 'It took me from the time I was six to the time I was and I practiced everyday, all day.'
Laurelle groaned. 'Ugh...I'm never going to be able to do that,' she complained. 'The closest I can get is an inch.'
'Me too...' Ani moaned.
Gwyn smiled. 'Don't worry,' she told them. 'You will.'
Aliana yawned suddenly. 'Mamaaaaaaa...' she whined. 'I tiiiiired...' She held her arms up for her mother to pick her up.
Gwyn lifted her off the grass. 'You are?' she cooed.
Aliana nodded, rubbing both of her eyes with the palm of her hand.
'Alright...Let's go take a nap, hmmm?'
Again, Aliana nodded.
'Say 'good-bye' to everyone,' Gwyn said, kissing the side of her daughter's head.
'Bye-bye,' Aliana said tiredly, and she held out her arms to her father for a hug. Legolas hugged her and kissed her cheek. 'Good-bye, darling,' he smiled.
Gwyn kissed her husband and carried Aliana back to the castle, cradling her like a baby. 'Mama, sin' me a pitty wuhwahby,' Ally mumbled sleepily.
'But, darling, it's not even night-time yet,' Gwyn laughed softly.
'Sin' me a pitty wuhwahby...' Ally repeated persistently.
Gwyn laughed again. 'Alright, then,' she said softly. Smiling reminiscently, she sang, 'Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta...' By the time Gwyn laid her daughter on her bed and tucked her in, Aliana was asleep, her small chest rising and falling with peaceful breaths.
Three years later...
'Mama, Mama!'
Gwyn groaned into her pillow.
'Mama, pleeeeeeeaaaaaase wake up!' Six-year-old Aliana shook her mother, sounding close to tears.
Gwyn groggily sat up in bed. 'Ally, what is it?' she moaned. 'It's the middle of the night...'
Before Aliana could respond, lightning lit up the room, and thunder crashed outside. She screamed and hid her face in the covers. Legolas was awoken by her scream, and sat up. 'Gwyn, what's going on?' he asked tiredly. 'Aliana, why are you still awake?'
'She's scared,' Gwyn answered for her. 'It's storming outside.'
Aliana nodded, her blue eyes wide. 'Can I sleep with you?'
'Yes, you may,' Gwyn said without waiting for her husband's permission, but she knew that he would have no objections.
Thunder crashed, and Aliana hid under the covers again. Gwyn and Legolas smiled at each other, remembering the night that Laurelle and Aniador had done the same thing. And with that memory, they went to sleep, Gwyn running her hand through her daughter's soft, curly hair to sooth her, and Legolas caressing his wife's hair lovingly.
Ninety-five years later...the year 1541 of the Fourth Age...late February...
Three more miscarriages Gwyn had experienced over the past years, and it had affected her so harshly that for many years, she refused to try to have another child. It had been fifteen years since her last miscarriage, and Gwyn was beginning to feel that it was time for an attempt to have another child, for it had been so long since she had held her own child in her arms.
Her current children were grown up; Estel and Aliana were married, Laurelle was deeply in love with an elf from Rivendell; they were actually engaged and set to marry in mid-March; and Aniador was courting a young elf from Eryn Lasgalen.
'Legolas...' Gwyn began sweetly, walking into their bedroom, where he was reading on their bed.
'Yes, Gwyn?' Legolas responded, looking up from his book.
Gwyn walked over to him and bent down, kissing him gently on his lips.
'What do you want?' Legolas asked immediately as she drew back.
'I—I—nothing, I mean—' Gwyn stuttered, caught off guard. 'That's not fair,' she finished.
'What isn't?'
'You knew I wanted something.'
Legolas rolled his eyes playfully. 'Honestly, Gwyn,' he said, grinning and shaking his head, 'we've been married for over a hundred and twenty years. I think I should know you by now.'
Gwyn laughed and sat down beside him. She twirled his golden hair around her finger while saying slowly, 'I was thinking about my parents, and—'
'—and you want to travel to Gondor to visit them, is that right?' Legolas finished.
Gwyn sighed in exasperation. 'Stop reading my mind!' she whined.
Legolas laughed. 'I'll try,' he said slyly.
There was a bit of a silence between them, Gwyn waiting for an answer to her question. 'Well?' she prompted after a minute.
'Well what?'
'Legolas!'
'What?'
'You know what!'
'No, I don't; I promised I'd stop reading your mind.'
'Legolas! I'm serious!'
Legolas laughed again and kissed the side of his wife's head. 'Yes, you may go to Gondor, darling,' he told her. 'And I'll even go with you.'
'You will?' Gwyn asked excitedly.
'Yes,' Legolas confirmed.
'Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!' Gwyn squealed, squeezing her husband tightly and kissing him passionately.
Legolas grinned. 'If I get that every time I give you what you want,' he said, 'I'll do it more often.'
Gwyn laughed and kissed him again. Little did Legolas how much his decision would come to mean to Gwyn...
Well the voices fall like timber
And the fear it pours like rain.
And my heart is crushed to cinders
Underneath this kind of pain.
Well there is no resolution
When the revolution's dead.
So I'm left with no solution
For the voices in my head...
March 1st...
After the five-day journey, Gwyn and Legolas arrived in Gondor. The city was strangely quiet, and a light fog that matched the sky seemed to cling to the air, creating an almost graveyard-like atmosphere. A cold, mysterious shiver ran down Gwyn's spine as they set foot into the still city.
The people were clothed in black, all of them surrounding the castle. Gwyn's heart nearly stopped beating as a horrible realization set in. 'No...' she whispered. 'It can't be.'
Legolas seemed to realize what had happened as well. He put his arm around his wife and said, 'Come, darling, let's go inside...'
Gwyn walked slowly, the dread inside her heart growing with each torturous step. Part of her didn't want to find out the truth, but the other part was driven crazy with the desire to know. Once they were inside the castle, the latter half of her will took over, and she took off, running as fast as she could to her parent's bedroom. What she found broke her heart...
Her mother stood, dressed in black, at the foot the bed, on which her father laid, his eyes closed and his chest still. Eldarion stood by the bed as well, the winged crown of Gondor clutched tightly in his hands.
Legolas slowly entered the room, his expression changing from one of dreading curiosity to one of deep sadness and sympathy.
Arwen looked up to see her daughter and son-in-law. She smiled sadly. 'Your father wanted to see you one last time,' she said, 'but his time came too soon.'
A tear fell from Gwyn's eye. Though her voice was steady, she struggled to keep it so when she asked, 'How long ago?'
'Just half an hour,' Eldarion answered, his voice shaking.
As Gwyn fought to keep her composure, Arwen handed her a folded piece of parchment. 'Your father told me to give this to you if he did not see you...He said to read it only after you return home.'
Gwyn took it and grasped it tightly in her hand. She glanced at her father...and broke into tears. She flung her arms around her husband and let tears of pain, love, frustration, and a broken heart pour out.
Legolas held her tightly and supportively, but he knew that no gesture of love or comfort could ease her pain...
The viewing and the burial were held a day later, after which Arwen bade her children 'farewell', telling them that she would journey to Lothlórien, to remain until the end of her days. Gwyn and Legolas asked her to reside with them in Eryn Lasgalen, but Arwen shook her head and replied that her fate was set.
One day after the parting of the Evenstar, Gwyn said farewell to her brother, the new King of Gondor and returned home with Legolas. The night they arrived home, Gwyn remembered the letter given to her by Arwen from her father. She crawled into bed that night, while Legolas was outside, and opened the parchment. Her eyes filling with tears, she read:
My darling daughter,
If you are reading this, then I did not get a chance to see you one last time as I wanted to before I laid down my life.
I wanted to tell you (though you already know) that despite our early differences, I love you so much. You have grown into the beautiful woman I always knew you would become. And once again, I must say that I am deeply sorry for misleading you about your mother. It was a decision made only to protect and preserve our love.
I know you are grieving about my passing and there is nothing I can say here to lessen your pain. Whatever path you choose to take now, you have my encouragement and support. Follow your heart, for it is your beacon of light in the fog. And always remember that every blade in the field, every leaf in the forest, lays down its life in its Season as beautifully as it was taken up...
All my love to you,
Your father (Daddy)
Gwyn bit her lip. It was almost as though Aragorn had her mind at that very moment. Her pain began to swallow her, washing away all of her ability to think straight. She grabbed the side of the paper and began to tear it in half, but Legolas' soft hands were placed over hers, stopping her. 'You will want to save that,' he said softly.
Gwyn slowly nodded, her free will returning at the moment of Legolas' touch.
Legolas said nothing more, but kissed her gently before laying down to sleep. Sleep would not take Gwyn, however, no matter how low she let her guard down for it to consume her. She tossed and turned, her father's written words echoing in her head... Whatever path you choose...you have my encouragement and support...follow your heart...your beacon of light in the fog.
It only hurts when I'm breathing,
My heart only breaks when it's beating,
My dreams only die when I'm dreaming,
So I hold my breath...to forget...
The year went by very slowly for Gwyn, each day in Middle-Earth a torturing and taunting memory of her father. She attended her oldest daughter's wedding in March, was present for the birth of her fourth grandchild at the end of that year, was present when her youngest son married his love in the early winter, and became pregnant in January.
One night, on the first anniversary of Aragorn's death, just as Legolas was getting ready to go to sleep, Gwyn stopped him. 'Legolas?' she said quietly, wrapping herself in his arms.
'Yes, darling?'
'Could I talk to you for a moment?'
Legolas nodded, looking concerned. His wife had slipped into mild depression and he was becoming very worried about her.
Gwyn took a deep breath. 'Legolas, I'm leaving,' she said softly.
'Leaving?' Legolas repeated. 'What do you mean?'
'I'm leaving Middle-Earth.'
'Gwyn, why—'
'I can't stay here any longer! Each day is torture for me. I can't open my eyes without being reminded of Daddy! I just can't take it any more!' Gwyn broke into tears against Legolas' chest.
Legolas held her tightly, caressing her hair with his strong, gentle hands. 'Are you sure?' he asked softly. 'We have so much here. Ani just got married, Aria was just born, Estel and Carina have a child on the way. We have a child on the way...'
'The child can be raised in the Havens,' Gwyn said.
Legolas sighed. 'How can you leave now?' he asked.
Gwyn looked up at him, her innocent, pure blue eyes flooded with shimmering tears, and replied very quietly, almost in a whisper, 'How can I stay?'
Legolas nodded slowly, and kissed her tenderly, trying to ease her pain. 'I will go with you,' he murmured, breaking away for just a moment. Then he kissed her again, passionately and deeply, and in her returned kiss, he found love and gratitude.
I'm so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone
You used to captivate me by your resonating light
Now I'm bound by the life you left behind
Your face it haunts my once pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away all the sanity in me
I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone
But though you're still with me
I've been alone all along
These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase
When I cried you'd wipe away all of my tears
When I screamed you'd fight away all of my fears
And you've held my hand through all of these years
And you still have all of me...
Gwyn and Legolas waited a month to leave, in which time a ship was prepared to sail to the Grey Havens, Estel was crowned King of Eryn Lasgalen, and Gwyn and Legolas bade their children farewell until their next meeting far into the future...
Husband and wife stood on the dock, Legolas' arms around Gwyn's waist, and both of them quiet.
The ship was small, but breathtaking nonetheless; its aura hauntingly beautiful. Silver sails and polished body scintillated in the pink sun. It rocked gently in the soft breeze in the glassy water, sending detailed ripples across the sea into the distance...their destination. 'Are you certain this is what you desire?' Legolas said gently to her.
Gwyn nodded. 'In the Havens I will recover,' she mumbled. 'There will not be so much to remind me of my father.'
And without another word, they stepped onto the ship, and with a signal to the deckhand, slowly but smoothly parted from the deck. Into the setting sun they sailed, Legolas' arms around his wife...both of them only a dark shape against the perfect, vibrant sky....
Who can say for certain?
Maybe you're still here
I feel you all around me
Your memories so clear
Deep in the stillness
I can hear you speak
You're still an inspiration
Can it be
That you are mine?
Forever love
And you are watching over me
From up above.
Fly me up to where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for a while
To know you're there
A breath away's not far to where you are.
Are you gently sleeping
Here inside my dream?
And isn't faith believing
All power can't be seen?
As my heart holds you
Just one beat away
I cherish all you gave me
Everyday
Cause you are mine
Forever love
Watching me
From up above
And I believe
That angels breathe
And that love will live on
And never leave
Fly me up to where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upo tonight
To see you smile
If only for a while
To know you're there
A breath away's not far to where you are.
I know you're there
A breath away's not far to where you are...
THE END
Wow. I'm sorry if that was really sad. I was aiming for a dramatic end to the tale, and I hope I succeeded.
All of you reviewers have been so wonderful; supportive and encouraging in every way. I thank you all for your patience with my crazy updating schedule, your advice, critiques, and praise. I hope you will all continue to read my stories...I will be very busy since school is starting, but I will try to work on them.
There will be one last update on this, but it will not be related to this story. It is simply a preview of another story I plan to post. Most of it is written already so all I have to do is type it up. Sooooo...you all can hopefully look forward to that.
Well, good-bye for now...thanks and I hope to still hear from you!
All my love,
LilyClairePotter