Disclaimer: I own nothing that belongs to J. R. R. Tolkein.
Remember
I am weary tonight, so weary. So much has happened in the last few months. It has been hectic and without pause. But it is over, finally.
Finally Sauron has been defeated; his minion's taken back to whence they came.
Middle Earth will be at peace and my task here is over. I have to admit that there were minutes when I thought the task was beyond us, for the future to be in the hands of a small Hobbit… But he did it him and Sam. And Middle Earth is safe.
They are resting upstairs now in the hands of the healers. They will recover. That is all I need to know.
I walk into the great hall. There is a celebration this night, a mighty party to celebrate the fall of Sauron and the fact that Gondor has a King again. It is a day I never thought I would see, not least after I fell fighting the Balrog in Moria.
I walk in through the doors and look around for my companions. There in the corner is Eowyn, Faramir and Gimli. As I watch I can see the looks the two human's are giving to each other. It brings a warm glow to my heart. It seems as if Aragorn's will not be the only wedding that Gondor will be having. That is good, we need and deserve some happiness after all that has happened.
I look around for Aragorn and I can see something us worrying him. He heads for Gimli. He is too far away for me to hear what he says. But the look on Gimli's face tells me that he is not happy either. Aragorn whirls and strides from the room, but I find myself stepping in front of him.
"Frodo is doing well, Aragorn. The healers think he should be well in time for your coronation. Sam should be up and about tomorrow."
He makes an inarticulate sound and he is searching the room as if looking for some one.
"Gimli does not look happy." I try again.
"Yes, he wants another drinking game with Legolas." Aragorn's voice is distracted and I realise he is not listening to me.
"Yes, I think he would enjoy the pink Mumakil."
"Hmmm."
I frown and then try again. "You look good; I like the pink bows in your hair."
"Good, good. I am glad. I need to go." He turns and moves towards the exit.
I turn then to see that the other three are drawing close to me. There is something amiss here.
"What is wrong?" I find that Gimli will not look me in the eye.
It is Eowyn who answer's much to my surprise. "We can not find Legolas. Aragorn is looking for him."
I frown at that, this is unlike my Elven friend and I have known him from birth. There is another possibility as to why he is making himself scarce. "Is he injured?" It would not be the first time the Prince has hidden an injury rather than have it treated. He seems to think it is a sign of weakness.
I fear that is down to his Elfhood. He shunned healers after his mother's death, feeling that they should have been able to help even though by the time they found the Queen she was dead. Still it has left emotional scars that seem never to have healed.
"Not that I am aware of." The Dwarf's voice is gruff and I think that if my fears are true then my Young Elf friend is going to be in a lot of trouble. He will have to get in line behind me.
We make it through the crowds to the door that opens out onto the battlement. Aragorn has stopped just outside and is watching the Elf on the wall.
I find myself unable to take my eyes off of him. He looks thin, almost frail in the weak light that comes from the hall. I never thought I would think that of Legolas, he is always so strong.
I have so many memories from his formative years. I will never forget those years; they held a mixture of joy and terror. Joy as he is such a fine Elf and terror when the adventures he seemed to get into so frequently went so wrong.
You'll remember me,
As the West Wind moves,
Among the fields of Barley.
You can tell the sun,
In it's jealous skies
As we walked in fields of Gold
I find my breath faltering; he looks as if a good rush of wind will send him crashing to the parapets below. I can feel Gimli's muscles tense before me as if he is about to move and I find my hand on his shoulder holding him in place. The last thing Legolas needs now is to feel as if he is being crowded.
Especially as Aragorn has woken from his trance and is moving to Legolas' side. All is silent and not one of us moves a muscle.
"Are you alright, Legolas?" I think my eyes have just jumped out of their sockets. What an unbelievably stupid question to ask! Of course the elf is not alright, that much is becoming increasingly obvious. I calm myself somehow. After all Aragorn is not the only one to blame as we all have failed to realise the Prince was not him self. I can see it now, all too clearly.
But when did it start? Thinking back he was a little more reserved than normal after the battle on the Pelennor Fields.
I never made promises lightly,
And there have been some that I've broken,
But I swear in the days still left,
We will walk in fields of Gold.
I give myself a shake, Legolas is speaking now.
"Yes, Aragorn I just needed some quiet and respite from your foul smoke." I hear Gimli grumble at that. One day I will tell him just why Legolas hates the smell of pipe weed burning. It has always been the same since his younger years. No elf in their right mind would smoke and the one time only that I witnessed it, will forever be a fond tale to tell. Poor Glorfindel I fear will never live it down.
Who would believe that Elf's can become drunk on the finest pipe weed? Give them any Beverage; they will drink you under the table, as my Dwarven friend will tell you, from bitter experience. But pipe weed, that is another matter altogether.
Still I did wonder what happened to my last pipe. That is another little tradition of his; he hides my pipes and weed. I think he has widened his field on that as I heard Gimli muttering about it the other day.
"You have been out here for sometime, I was getting worried." Aragorn's voice is sure now that he has started. "Gimli asked me to ask if you would like to join him in a drinking game. I think he wants his revenge." I have no doubt of that. Legolas was the last Elf standing after that particular game. And will be again, I have no doubt.
Legolas laughs at that, a real genuine tinkling laugh and I find that I have missed it so much. It has been far, far too long for my liking.
"The night is veiled." Aragorn looks up into the cloudless and moonless night. It seems to me that they do not wish to celebrate unless the Elf does. That may sound stupid and you may think I have lost leave of my senses. But I know the bond between Elves and the elements. And this elf in particular.
"Yes, it should be clear and not dull like this. The heavens should be celebrating." As should you my dear, dear friend. You have after all been fighting Sauron's darkness for much longer than any here. If there is one Elf, one Kingdom that has the right to celebrate this victory it is Legolas and Mirkwood.
"Are you going to join us?" Aragorn is giving Legolas that look. A look courtesy to his foster Father Elrond. If you know my old friend as I do then you will know how he loves to charm with his facial movements and believe me he will not let it drop.
Legolas is steadfastly ignoring him. These two know each other far too well. "In a while." The answer is none committal and I know that as it stands he will not be gracing us with his presence.
The words that Aragorn speaks next makes my heart plummet into my stomach.
"Legolas, I am here for you when your longing gets too much for you." Sea longing? Valar no, not Legolas. Not my friend. Middle Earth had too much need of him. He can not leave and go to the West.
I should have known. I am an old fool. A blind old fool, I relayed Galadriel's warning to him, how could I forget? My only consolation is that I am not the only one, surprised at this news. Gimli's can not take his eyes off of Legolas and his look of shock is covered by compassion.
I would never have thought that these two would become such firm friend's, different as chalk and cheese and wonderful to behold.
But, Legolas my friend you must hurt deep down inside, I have seen Elves who have tried to ignore the calling. I know the pain that poor, poor boy felt until he had no choice and had to sail or go to join his past companions in Mandos Halls. I do not want that for you.
Why have you hidden this from us, we are your friends and we would do anything for you, anything. As I know you would do for us.
I can only wonder at your next words, they are full of pain and relief. Relief I think that everyone knows. "Hannon lle, Mellon-nin."
We will be here for you Legolas, as I stand here now I promise you need not go through this alone.
You'll remember me
As the West wind moves
Among the fields of barley,
See the children run as the sun comes down,
Among the fields of Gold.
The look on Aragorn's face as he turns to see us all standing here is one I will keep close to my old heart for many years to come. Then he smiles. He nod's at me as he claps Gimli's shoulder and I can see the silent communication between them. They will talk before the night is out, I have no doubt.
Legolas is loved; he will have his friends to help him when times become hard. I number myself in that number.
We all pause as a soft lilting voice begins to sing behind us and it is then that I know. I know he will cope, he is strong, I need not fear, and my friend will stay where he belongs. With his friends.
The End?
Thank you to all who have reviewed, you are wonderful!
Replies:
Deana: Thank you. I hope you like this one, too.
LishaChan: Thank you, it just seemed the right way to write this. It was initially only going to be Legolas, but it snowballed from there.
Barbara Kennedy: Thank you, I will bear that in mind. Silly really, give me nice big complicated medical terms and could recite them off pat. Give me now and know and I'm completely stumped!
Laer4572: I am so glad that that is how it is coming over. I wanted to show the love these people have for one another.
InterstellarHobbit: Thank you, more to come I promise.
Thank you all once again. Next time it is Eowyn's turn.
Love,
Shell