I Believe
VI.
And With All My Heart I'm Sure We're Closer Than We Ever Were
The Ranger paused. There was a sense of familiarity about the figure before him, who had stopped, allowing him to approach. Aragorn blinked several times, attempting to scrutinize any feature of the form in the near-darkness of the crescent-moon's light. A sudden hope came to him. His voice was but a whispered breath. "Legolas?"
The head of the figure in shroud whipped about to look at him. "So that is his name then, is it?"
The voice belonged to a woman. Aragorn stood a bit taller. The woman eyed him for a moment more before cautiously stepping forward. "He told me you would be here."
The king's heart began to race. "You've seen him?"
A wistful smile played under the hood. "No, I have not seen him. Not in any sense that you may believe, at least."
Aragorn swallowed hard. "I have seen much in my time. You may be surprised by what I am willing to believe."
The woman took another step forward and lowered her hood. Aragorn could see that her face was yet young. Her long dark hair was oddly poofed where the hood hindered it. She blinked as she cocked her head slightly. Aragorn had to resist biting his lip. How many times had his dear friend made that very move…
"I am honored that you have sought me out, My King." She dipped her head in a bow. Aragorn wondered how she could possibly know that which she had said so far. "But unfortunately, I cannot serve you in the way you wish." She began to turn back into the forest.
"Wait! Please, I wish only to speak with you." The figure paused. He continued to her back. "You say you have spoken with my friend. He passed on many weeks ago. So how can it be that you can speak with him?"
The woman's shoulder's slumped slightly. She turned to face her king, still keeping her distance. "I do not speak to the dead, Elessar. They speak to me."
Aragorn blinked, waiting for her to continue.
"About a week ago the Light One made himself known to me. First an insistent whisper yet as the days passed his voice grew into words. It troubles me greatly to discern the voices of those who no longer draw breath. Yet his was soft and unconfused." She turned to face him. "He knew that you'd come to look for me."
The king took a few steps closer. "What is it that he says?"
"He does not speak in words."
Aragorn clenched his molars, fighting irritation. This woman was nearly as contradictory as an Elf. She continued to stare at him, her dark eyes never leaving his. A moment later he turned away, afraid of what she would see in his blue depths. "Why do you seek me, Elessar?"
Sighing, the king sat down on a nearby boulder. "I thought you might be able to give me some answers. I know Legolas is dead, yet sometimes, especially at night, it feels so strongly as if he is still with me, waiting for me somewhere. Elves have… abilities that we mortals cannot understand. I thought that, perhaps somehow he had…"
He was slightly surprised to find the Spirit Talker kneeling next to him. He had not heard her soft approach. She touched his cheek, turning his face to her. His irritation at her assumed familiarity with him melted immediately when he gazed into her eyes. They were dark and deep yet full of wisdom that her years in this life could not have provided her with. "What is death, Aragorn?"
The man parted his lips yet knew not what he was going to say.
"You search for something you already have. The Light One is with you still. This is what you have sensed. There is no breathing a spirit back into a corpse that has already begun to meld with the earth. The rebirth is in your heart. Our existences do not end here. This world we know, great Elessar, is but a shadow of a thought. We do not wake on the other side knowing all that we are and all that is. We are each part of something greater than ourselves. Love your world. Cherish those dear to you. That is all the part you have to play in this dance. Love, Elessar. Love is what binds us all, no matter where we may be. Your friend no longer exists in a way that you nor I can understand, but he exists because love exists. Because you love him." She paused, searching his teary visage. "He had a great gift in you. He bids me to tell you to go home. You have come so far. It is time for you to go home."
Aragorn tilted his head slightly to meet her gaze.
"Do you understand, Elessar? Go home."
Please Review!
Review Responses:
Partheon: My dear sweet friend! I always look forward to seeing/reading your reviews and your ever-helpful comments. Hannon le, mellon-nïn. I'm glad that you have enjoyed the way I've portrayed Aragorn throughout this tale. As you can probably tell, I am quite in love with him. ;o) The many different aspects of his character make him realistically human and endearing.
Thank you for also appreciating the role that Arwen plays in this story. She has a way of demanding respect through her quiet strength- it's just her nature, no? And thank you also for commenting on the wording of the dialogue- that was exactly the style I was going for. Any more than that, however, I cannot take credit for. Since I did not create these characters I am merely mimicking the wonderful perfomances of the actresses and actors of the films which easily lend each character her or his own voice.
I am greatly looking forward to your thoughts on this chapter, my fair friend. I hope you are well. May stars shine upon you, mellon-nïn!
Evil Spapple Pie: I apologize for the abruptness of the last paragraph of the last chapter. That was rather crude of me to end it there, wasn't it? However, I hope that the continuation of that last scene in this chapter has helped soothe your buring questions over Legolas' appearance. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it all. :o) May you be well, mellon!
LegolasLover2003: Oh my dear friend, I hope that you are not stressing over getting my story up on your site! How isit going? The Return of the King Extended Edition comes out tomorrow, doesn't it? Well, I hope that I got this chapter up soon enough to distract you from your anticipation! LOL.I shall certainly be asking for said DVD for Christmas. ;o)
I hope you enjoyed this last chapter- be sure to tell me your thoughts on it! Be at peace.
Laebeth: My dear reader! I hope that my stories break your heart in a good way, for I have had mine broken ina bad way before and is not something I would ever wish upon another! How are you my dear? Thank you so much for your feedback- I greatly value it. I hope some of your pain over Legolas' passing has been assuaged with Aragorn's in this chapter. :o)
Yes, lol, Legolas and Aragorn know each other's strengths and weaknesses too well if they are able to manipulate each other so. And I'm so glad that you were able to visualize Estel hearing his name breathed upon the wind! I was so hoping to create a scene to that effect! Hannon le for pin-pointing that, mellon. :o) I hope that you enjoyed this chapter and that you and yours are well. Take care my Elven lady. :o)
Viviana: I know- poor Arwen! You have such a lovely name! (Random, I know, lol!) I'm so glad that you're reading and hope that you have enjoyed this chapter and will enjoy the next. I look forward to hearing your thoughts once more, mellon-nïn. Be well, Viviana! (Is your name any relation to the Lady of the Lake in the Mists of Avalon, perchance?)
Merrylad: Ah, yes, suspense can drive one mad. I only hope that this last chapter wasn't too suspenseful. I'd hate to be to blame for driving any others insane more than I do already through simply existing, LOL. I hope you enjoyed this last chapter my Hobbity lassie! Ride on, my friend! :o)
Dreamality: Your arrow has struck true, my friend. As you now know, it is Lethara who was out for a midnight stroll, lol. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on the events of this chapter. I know you have been hoping for a different outcome, but perchance this is also to your liking?
And I completely agree with you- if I were Arwen I'd be giving Aragorn the silent treatment for leaving in the last stage of pregnancy. Stupid sod of a husband. And yet I still love him. Perhaps some of her feelings will be unleashed upon him in the next chapter? Visualizes Arwen muttering to herself: "Father warned me about these lame-ass humans but did I listen? Nooo...." ;o) I can't wait to hear your thoughts on this last chapter, mellon-nïn! Be well!
LiLCwick: I hope that this is updating in the near-enough-future! LOL. I'm so happy to hear that you are enjoying this tale and would love to hear your thoughts on this most recent post. Thank you so much for writing! I hope to hear from you again soon mellon!