Ducks various heavy flying objects.

I AM SO SORRY! Seriously, I KNOW I promised to update, but I have been up to my eyeballs in homework. I now officially hate year 10. And year 11 is bound to be worse!

TA DA! LAST CHAPTER!!! So that of course means…

NEW STORY ROUND THE CORNER!

Yes me dears, a new story is zooming towards you at a rate of…10mph by the looks of things.

Nah, just kidding. It'll be up very soon, if not tonight! I'll see what I can do.

Faerlain.

Rayame325 – Kind and happy! Just how everything in life should be. Thanks for reviewing.

DaydreamingTurtle – You will not believe how busy I've been! Well, I guess you can, but anyways…

I like giving Leggy siblings. Its fun! Thanks for reviewing.

P.S. I'm an only child! Which is good and bad…

Tiara Sin – It was kinda long, as was this wait. Apologies! No, she won't, cos she's human. Darn mortality! Leggy says hi back! Both wave. Say hi to Haldy as well. Thanks for reviewing.

Elerrina – No probs, took me ages to update! Of course I have to kill Celille eventually. Unfortunately. But I've decided it won't be painful, cos that's just mean. And Celille could never be replaced, so Rániond arrived on the scene! Thanks for reviewing. And update very soon! Like me…

Popular Galinda – Go Leggy! Ta very much. Thanks for reviewing.

Lindele – Your fave? Woo! Glad you liked it. Thanks for reviewing.

Chapter 14: I Don't Know How.

Legolas met up with Celille every few months in her forest home. Now he had found her again, he refused to let her go. Celille did not mind; she appreciated his company. Sometimes, he would stay overnight, and they would talk long until the moon was high in the sky. She would tell him tales of her travels throughout Mirkwood Forest, and he would tell her what had been happening at the palace.

They were happy times. But gradually, Celille grew older, and less able to wander as she had been doing. The last time Legolas saw her, was when she was in her mid-seventies, and staying indoors much more. The years had been kind to her though. She did not look seventy-odd. Legolas could still see the child within her, the child he had befriended decades before. Her eyes never lost their sparkle, and although her hair started getting grey streaks, it still held that rich darkness.

One day, a couple of months after his last visit, he was sat on his balcony, reading. Rániond was out with some friends, and he was not needed around the palace. He had the afternoon off.

He heard wings, and looked up to see a kestrel flying straight towards him. He put the book down, and held out his arm. It landed neatly, and nipped his finger.

"What? What is it?"

It cawed at him, then took off again, heading for the woods. He watched it circle the courtyard, and then it came back to him. It cawed again, and flew, only to come back and sit upon his arm once more.

He got the message, and let it fly off. He left the palace, took a horse, and rode out of the courtyard. He could see the kestrel high above him, and then it disappeared as the trees hid it from view.

A stag suddenly bounded across his path, and his horse reared up to miss it. It stopped and looked at him, one hoof pawing the ground. It started to walk away. Legolas urged his horse to follow it, and he did so.

They were trotting along at a reasonable pace, when the kestrel reappeared, and settled itself on Legolas' shoulder. He let it stay there. He knew these animals. They were friends of Celille. Something must have happened to her.

After an hour of travelling, they came to the hidden path, and then the clearing. It was quiet. The fire was not lit, and the ground had not been swept clear of leaves. It was mid-autumn, quite cold, and he was surprised Celille had not kindled the fire awake. He left his horse to graze, and walked over to the door of the hut.

He knocked once, twice, three times, but there was no answer. "Celille?" he called out. He looked back at the stag, and the kestrel that was now perched atop the stag's antlers. He turned back to the door. "Celille, are you in?" Still no answer, so he opened the door.

It was freezing inside. It was also completely dark, but he could see a figure huddled in the chair beside the fire.

"Oh no…" he whispered. "Celille!" He ran over, and felt her skin. It was like ice.

"Celille, mellonnen?" He felt for a pulse at her neck.

There was none.

I do not know how long I sat there and sobbed. I knew this had to happen, but it still hurt. A lot.

I wasn't ready for it. No one is ever ready for death. It can come so suddenly, or it can drag on for so long that you think it will never come. But eventually it does, to all mortals, and I was now bearing the brunt of befriending a human.

Adar had warned me against making friends with Celille, but I loved her. Not in the sense that I would give up my immortality to be with her for all eternity, but I loved her as my closest friend. Because that was what she was.

And now she had gone.

I hoped it had been a painless death. It looked as if she had just passed away in her sleep. It would have been nice if that was what had happened. Not that she had caught some nasty illness, and struggled on for the last few days, in pain and alone.

I buried her in her favourite spot beneath a tall oak tree that stood beside the hut, sheltering it from the harsh wind and rain. I took my time, and made sure she looked nice before I filled in the grave. As I did so, the animals arrived one by one, and stood around, watching me. I could feel their sorrow, and they could feel mine.

I stayed there all night, and all the next day and night too. Naneth and Adar were probably wondering where I was, and Rániond was probably already out looking for me. But I needed this time alone. I needed to stay in her place for just a little longer. Like a final goodbye.

I had said farewell the last time we had met. And when I look back at that meeting, it was almost as if Celille knew it would be our last ever. She kissed me as I left, and held me close. It was a longer goodbye than we usually had, and I wondered about it at the time. So, just in case, I had kissed her back, and held her close as well. I told her how much she meant to me, and how much like a sister she had been. She then scolded me for being so sentimental, and I had gone.

And I never saw her living again.

I would never hear her voice, calm and smooth, telling me tales of her younger days, running around the forest, all carefree and joyful. She used to sing, make up songs on the spot, and we would laugh when she would try and get words to rhyme, and end up using words that didn't go with the rest of the song at all. Her laugh, so young and full of happiness. Her eyes, glittering whenever she smiled. Her gentle touch, her loving way with everything.

I looked around the hut, and found pictures she had drawn on rough pieces of parchment, scarves and small items of clothing she had knitted from wool, pots of ink she had made from water and ground sandstone. Various feathers she had collected, and lined up along the window ledge. Small clay pots she had crafted, probably on a winter's day when there was nothing else to be done outside. A few letters from myself, and other people from different villages, all spread around the borders of Mirkwood.

I swept up the clearing, tidied the house, and made sure it was locked and bolted before I left. I had taken a few things I knew were precious to her with me, to keep them safe. The letters from everyone, the tiny pieces of jewellery she had made from different coloured stones and twine. A couple of home-made scarves, mostly for my own comfort, and of course, the key.

I put them all away carefully in my saddlebag and looked around one last time. I had buried a few things with her, and there were now white flowers lying on top of her grave. Her favourite type, chrysanthemums. Not many flowers grew in autumn, and she had always loved those. There were some clasped in her hands as well I remember.

I wiped the last of the tears away, muttered a final farewell, and led my horse away. I felt like walking. The animals were still gathered in the clearing, not knowing what to do or where to go. I had to leave them.

I felt something nudge my back, and turned round to see a doe standing there, her brown eyes wide. I cannot be sure, but I am certain there were tears in her large eyes.

I fondled her ears. "She's gone mellonnen," I whispered. "Say goodbye and go. Back to the woods, where you belong."

She nuzzled my hand affectionately, then went back to her mate. I watched her with a heavy heart. She would be pregnant soon, carrying her children, but this time, Celille wouldn't be there to help her. Last spring flew into my mind, the scenes of the doe and her young fawns playing around in the clearing, Celille looking on proudly.

"Her first lot," she told me, grinning. "She's done well, don't you think?"

Yes Celille, she did well. But will she manage without you…?

I would just have to hope that they would. I turned away again, and carried on walking.

"Legolas, where have you been? Come on in, you're soaked!"

I let my worried mother lead me inside. I had my saddlebag slung over one shoulder, and my horse was being stabled. It had taken me all day to return to the palace, as I had walked most of the way, and it had rained. So I was now dripping wet, cold, and numb.

She took me to my room, and I put my bag on the bed. She fetched a towel and draped it around my shoulders. "Greenleaf, where have you been?" she asked, rubbing my face dry gently.

"Nowhere," I answered. My voice sounded empty, lifeless.

She looked critically at me. "Legolas? What's wrong? Get into dry clothes, and tell me."

I got changed, and tied my damp hair up in a loose ponytail. I sat cross-legged on the bed next to mother, and leant my head against her shoulder. I had the bag in my lap.

"She's gone," I told her. "Celille. She's…" I couldn't even choke out the word dead.

But Naneth knew. She could see it in my eyes, and hear it in my voice, feel it as I leant against her. "She's passed away?"

I nodded, feeling the tears well up again. "The kestrel fetched me, and the stag led me. I found her in her chair. I don't know how long she had been…dead, but she was as cold as ice. I buried her, and tidied things up a bit. I had to stay, just for a while."

"I understand." She curled one arm round my shoulders, and held me close. "I'm sorry Legolas, but it had to happen one day."

"I know it did, and I thought I would be ready for it, after thinking I had lost her twice before. But it still hurts so much. Surely…surely it shouldn't be this painful?"

"When one encounters death, one never knows how one will feel," she answered solemnly. "Different people react in different ways. You need to grieve. There is no need for you to join the rest of your family at mealtime if you do not wish to. I'll tell your father, but you can tell Rániond yourself. Have a few days to yourself; get over the worst of the grief. But you will be ok, I promise."

I nodded, and she left, giving me a last kiss on the forehead as she did so. Once she had gone, I emptied my bag. I read and re-read the letters I had sent her, and the ones other people had sent her. It was clear she was well loved throughout Mirkwood. People she had helped said how grateful they were to her, and if she ever needed anything, only to ask. I lay out the small bracelets and necklaces she had made on my quilt, and examined each one carefully. They were roughly made, but each was different. Every stone was a distinct colour, and some were carved into shapes, some as animals, and some as random figures. Her scarves still held a hint of her smell, light and airy. I tied one around my waist. It was dark green, with silver lining. I do not know where she would have gotten the silver from, probably from one of her village friends. The others I put away safely in a drawer.

I slipped one of the bracelets on around my right wrist. It was made from black twine, and had five tiny blue stones attached. She had also made a copy of the sapphire leaf necklace, only this time with a green leaf. I put that round my neck, and felt more at peace. I would always carry a part of her with me.

As I sifted through the various letters, I found one in a plain envelope. I hadn't noticed it before, only the opened ones with writing on. The envelope was not sealed, and I could tell it was from Celille to someone, because of the type of parchment. I opened it, and unfolded the letter.

It was for me.

Dearest Legolas,

By the time you find me and read this, I will have already passed away. I am writing this now, as a final farewell. I shall never get the chance to see you again. I have sent my most faithful bird to you, but I don't think he shall reach you in time.

This is also a thank you. A thank you for your forgiveness at my running away from you that night. But you understand why I did so, don't you? I needed to be a free person, be myself. And this is how I did it. I created a whole new home in your father's kingdom, right under your noses, and you never found me!

I have always loved you Legolas. Loved you as a friend, and as a brother. You were my brother; I can see that now. And I was your sister, as you kept reminding me. I don't think even death will severe the bond we shared. I was mortal, you are immortal, but we never let it get in the way.

I was eternally grateful to you for letting me run away with you. I could never have stayed in Befret without my father. I was used to not having a mother, but father…he was my last real link with her, and when he went…I had to go too. I could stay where he was not.

Those few months we spent together were great fun. All the adventure, all the freedom! I am a very free person, as you know. I like to have my own way and my independence. Sure, when the Orcs captured me, it did kind of put a stop to all the fun and turned the journey serious, but it was worth it. You rescued me, and then we had to go home.

My life in the forest with the creatures has been amazing. I have learnt so many new things, about the world and nature. I healed both people and animals, and taught myself to fight. Some men from a nearby village helped me build the house, and that was where I spent the last of my years.

I was overjoyed when I saw you and your brother by the pool. I knew that was my chance to be with you again, and so I took it. Aren't you glad I did? We've had fun these past few years. I have been old and wrinkly (no matter what you say, I have been!), but it has never changed things between us.

I'm making us sound like an old married couple!

My life was well worth living, and it was you that saved me all those years ago. Without you, I would never have gotten so far. Hannon lle, mellonen. (See, I can remember the Elvish!)

All my Love,

Celille.

My hands were shaking, and the tears were flowing freely. I put the letter down and brought my knees up to my chest, hugging them tightly. She had put everything into words so perfectly…

I could not help myself. I broke down, and cried until I fell asleep.

Life was just about bearable without her. The time passed, and I grew better at coping. I stayed in my room for almost an entire week, only letting my family speak to me. But eventually, I ventured back outside, and got back into a normal routine.

I never went back to Celille's clearing. The pain would have been too much. But one day, the following spring, I was out with Rániond down by the river, and saw the doe walking by with two babies, and the stag walking proudly beside her. They did not see me, but I saw them, and felt glad. I knew it was the same ones that Celille had cared for.

The kestrel that had fetched me that day stayed with me. It arrived about two days after I had got back to the palace, and acted as a messenger for me.

What became of the little hut, I do not know. The weather and nature probably took it over eventually, and it rotted and crumbled away into the ground, becoming part of the forest.

Celille had gone. But she would live on in my mind forever. I would never forget the little girl, who I had first met at a feast I had almost purposefully missed. If Naneth had not made me go down, I would never have met her, and never have known her.

I was glad I had not missed that feast.

My life passed by, and I grew older. Naneth had another child, a girl this time. We named her Erynrél, Forest Daughter. I would always have a Celille beside me.

Forever and always. Two runaways, eternal, if only in memory.

And that's it! All over. Did you enjoy it? I hope the ending was ok. I always have trouble with me endings. They either tend to drag out for aaagggeeesss, or spring out at me! SO ANNOYING!

Thanks you to everybody who has reviewed, and go check out my profile for more stories. Thanks again, and see y'all soon.

Faerlain.