The Power of Love

Disclaimer: I own nothing of J.R.R. Tolkien's and in no way mean any disrespect towards him in the process of writing this story. All characters except those created by me belong wholly and fully to J.R.R. Tolkien.

An: Thanks to all of my good reviewers. Please keep reviewing!

Chapter 17: A Final Decision

Araviniel and her small party of elves stood inside the forests of Mirkwood. Confrontation evident in her eyes, she remained, as seemingly she always will, a shell of what she once was. Her father rode behind her, picking up the rear, Tatharion in front of her and Legolas leading them on. She did not see them as they were. In her mind it was: uncertainty leading, followed by heartbreak, followed by brokenness, followed by sorrow.

Araviniel had only one thing left to hold on to; the mission.

Sirdail wove his way over fallen brush and rocks, picking a careful trail through the dark forest. Araviniel looked forward, once again seeing Alphril. Even though the small elleth represented the pain and hurt she experienced last time she was here she wanted to once again behold a friend.

After hours of careful riding the party was ambushed from above by the patrols of Mirkwood. A tall dark haired Ellon approached them and bowed to Legolas.

"It is well that you have returned my prince. Your sister does not fair well "

Araviniel looked quickly to where Legolas was and saw the extreme worry on his face.

"What is it Nauralad? What is wrong with her?"

The elf came closer and Araviniel saw that he had blue eyes and brown hair. His features were broad and strong.

"She has taken to her room and refuses to speak or eat. She has not faired well since you left. She is fading my lord."

Silence swept the elves. No one spoke. Finally Legolas jammed his heels into his horse's side and took off for the palace, galloping dangerously in the close-knit trees. Araviniel quickly headed off after him, her father following close behind. Sirdail was more agile then she imagined, he swept through the trees, never faltering.

When at last the two riders reached the gates, they swung open. Legolas and Araviniel jumped off their horses, Araviniel running after Legolas into the palace. He charged up the stairs and to his sister's room. Outside of it sat the king, distraught and exhausted.

"Where is she father?"

Thranduil lifted his head suddenly and jumped to his feet at the sound of his son's voice.

"We thought you would not come in time. She…no longer cares for the worries of this world. After you left she went to her chambers and did not return. She has locked us out; seemingly she has also locked out her will."

Legolas approached the door slowly as Araviniel shared a greeting with the

king. No noise came from inside, except a soft singing, mournful and

indecisive. He knocked softly.

"Alphril? It is I, Legolas. Will you not let me in?"

No answer.

Araviniel put a hand on his shoulder but he shrugged it off.

"Very well, I will go myself." She said.

Araviniel left the palace and went around to the sides, where Alphril's room

was. She spied the balcony way up top. She also saw a nearby tree. Araviniel

grasped the lower branches and pulled herself effortlessly up to the balcony's

height. Peering into the window, she saw Alphril in a light blue dress,

sitting on the floor by her bed with a dagger in her hand.

Araviniel jumped to the balcony unnoticed and walked into the room. Alphril

looked up at her and said softly,

"I knew you would come. Calenmir said you would come. He told me what

happened to you. Do you love my brother?"

The question took Araviniel off guard, as did the reference to Alphril's

dead brother. She answered the truth though.

"Deeply"

"It's so delicate. The bond of friendship can be broken with only a few

words. I believe love can be broken the same way. Are you so sure of your

choice Araviniel? Are you sure you truely love my brother?"

"No."

"Death is only the beginning. Life begins with death. Do you love

Tatharion?"

"Yes."

"The line between love and friendship is sometimes grey. Black and white is

only in our minds. Do you need him for your happiness?"

"Yes"

"Sometimes we must go with out pleasure and happiness. Can you live without

him?"

"…Yes"

"When you no longer see the way in front of you, it comes time to make your

own way. What becomes of us when we no longer have a reason? We either make

our way to Mandos or we live a shell of what we once were. I could never

pretend like that. I could never fight on when there is nothing left to

fight for. Take my heart and crush my soul, build me up with false words and

call me the queen of sorrow. I no longer wish for that.

"I find no comfort in these halls and in this forest. What joy is left when

you can no longer hear the laughter of the ones you love? When half your

family is broken and the other half, destroyed. What reason still remains

when the pleasure and happiness is gone from your brother's eyes? When he

suffers and you can only watch on. Such a perfect place, broken in seconds."

"I will tell you what is left sweet Alphril."

Araviniel knelt down in front of the fragile elleth and lifted her face up

by her chin.

"You are left, in your brokenness and strife. May the leaves go dark upon

you and the walls around you crumble yet you will still have what once was.

In your pain and devastation you will still have a piece of them. Legolas

loves you like I have never seen before. If you were to fade I know he would

soon after. And then so would I. That is why I know I love him, because if

he died I would soon after."

Alphril lifted the dagger and placed it in both her hands.

"I no longer wish to be a part of this world Araviniel. No more death…"

"You are causing it here and now! You are causing pain! You are causing so

much pain…"

Alphril froze, her face became like stone and then she said,

"Then let it be so."

With her hands grasped tightly on the hilt she thrust the dagger into her

chest. Araviniel screamed and caught Alphril as she fell to the floor. Blood

ran over her and tears flowed from both of their eyes.

"Tell…Legolas…I love him…and Adar…I shall soon be with Calenmir and

Naneth…tell them" Her soft eyes fell shut and Araviniel sobbed heavily.

"Alphril! Araviniel!"

Legolas's shouts were heard but she could not answer. She bent down and

kissed Alphril's eyelids gently.

"May… You find rest…Mellon nin…In the halls of our people."

The words were shaky but she meant them deeply. Crimson blood rushed over

her leggings and dripped down to the floor. Her hands felt the warm sticky

fluid. Araviniel pulled the dagger out of Alphril's small body and placed it

on the floor. The blood came quicker. She sat in a pool of it now. Araviniel

closed her eyes as a small mournful cry escaped them. Wailing was not a

thing she did but she could not help the pain filled cries that left her

lips.

Suddenly a crash filled the room and Legolas, disheveled and tearstained

burst into the room. He fell to his knees besides Araviniel and Alphril.

Araviniel, her eyes still closed, wondered why she was the one who had

suddenly become the death wisher of the royal family. Why had she been the

one to witness the deaths of the Prince and Princess of Mirkwood?

The blood ran slowly over her and she heard the whimpers of Legolas and the

king beside her. This was their last ray of sunshine, and she was holding

it in her arms. Alphril was dead. Death, sorrow, hate, and lust were so

evident in this world.

'When you no longer see the way in front of you, it comes time to make your

own way. What becomes of us when we no longer have a reason? We either make

our way to Mandos or we live a shell of what we once were. I could never

pretend like that. I could never fight on when there is nothing left to

fight for. Take my heart and crush my soul, build me up with false words and

call me the queen of sorrow. I no longer wish for that.'

"Nor do I Alphril. Nor do I."

Looking at the pain in the eyes of Legolas, Araviniel then realized the extremes this small elleth had taken.

"But that is not the only choice you had sweet princess. I am living dead. I have nothing left. But I will not give in. To die is to complete the hate and sorrow of the world. I chose to overcome it. By living I make my way. By learning I face my fears. By loving I destroy what I am."

Araviniel swept her bloody hand over Legolas's. She clutched it tightly and he responded. He hated.

He quickly picked up the princess and with one more look at her he ran out of the room. Araviniel was left in a pool of blood, her heart was crying as well as her eyes. Slowly she unfolded her legs and rose up off the floor.

She whispered,

"Emelen ninnatha ir cenir adlen. Bost vaer Alphril, Ir adgevedim." (My heart shall weep until it sees you again. Sleep well Alphril, until next we meet.)

Araviniel found him in the garden he had brought her to the night his brother died. He was standing, solitary and unmoving. His face was cold and she saw the hatred and anger there. Pure rage. Yet she would brave it. Alphril's body was not with him. She suspected he buried it.

She approached him softly and laid a hand on his shoulder. He did not respond. She walked around to face him and said softly,

"I'm so sorry Legolas. Your pain grieves me."

His eyes flashed and in that moment Araviniel knew she shouldn't have come.

He grabbed her wrists and shook her roughly.

"Then why didn't you stop her! Why didn't you do something!?" She tried to say something in her defense but he shoved her to the ground. Kneeling besides her he said, "What is wrong with you?! Why don't you do anything?! You could have stopped her!"

Tears fell from her eyes.

"Please Legolas…don't."

He shoved her harder into the ground.

"You will pay! You deserve to die! Not her! Why Araviniel?! WHY?!"

"It's so delicate. The bond of friendship can be broken with only a few words. I believe love can be broken the same way."

He broke down, sobs raking through him. Tears flowed over his cheeks and Araviniel slowly sat up. She pulled his head to her and stroked his long golden hair. His head lay gently on her breast and she closed her eyes as she held back her own tears. He sobbed softly and she heard him say in a broken yet strong voice, "I'm so sorry."

She nodded.

"Shhh…It's all right. Everything is going to be all right Legolas."

She was hurt, yes. The words he had said to her ran deep to her heart and stung like needles, but how many things had she said and regretted? It should have been her. Alphril was so innocent and perfect. Araviniel was so tainted and flawed.

"I'm sorry Araviniel." He said and lifted his head to face her. "I didn't mean to say that. I'm so sorry. I love you. I really love you. Please…"

She looked down at the ground. Her tears were not of grief but of betrayal.

"You were right Legolas. It should have been me. She was so perfect, I'm nothing."

"No! I'm sorry I ever said that! It's not true Araviniel. I loved my sister more then anything. She was so… much like our mother. But you are more then I could have ever hoped for. I truly love you like nothing else. I will always be here for you. I know you must doubt my integrity. Your father thinks I only want to use you. Do you believe that Araviniel?"

She looked into his eyes and saw him well.

"No. I believe you love the idea of me. I will not be able to live up to what you say I am. You say I am more then anything you ever hoped for. There are so many others out there Legolas. I want you to be happy."

"I'm happy when I am with you. I never meant for any of this to happen and I only ask if you love me?"

'Legolas loves you like I have never seen before. If you were to fade I know he would soon after. And then so would I. That is why I know I love him, because if he died I would soon after.'

"Yes. If you left this world I would soon after. Please tell me you still have hope."

He brushed the tears off her face and pulled her into his strong embrace. She pulled her knees in between his legs and knelt there with her head on his chest and his arms around her. Wallowing in their love and grief the couple found solace in each other. What she lacked he made up for. What he lacked she filled.

"I don't know if I'm strong enough to face the approaching war."

He stroked her hair and kissed her head.

"You will be, Araviniel, you will be."

She wrapped her slender arms around his waist and closed her eyes. She began to just concentrate on his steady breathing, the wetness of his tears that had fallen on her cheek, his smells, the grass, and the dimming light. She soon was completely relaxed.

"She wanted me to tell you she loved you and would soon find comfort in the arms of your mother and brother. She… she would not have lasted Legolas. I have seen her kind of pain before. It would not have been a happy existence for her. She believed she had no way out. I know her pain.

"My brother died when I was younger. He left for Rivendell with five companions. Only one returned to us with my brother's sword. The rest were slain. Yet...they never found his body. The orcs took him, to who knows what fate. I have no hope of him living. His death forever changed me. I no longer live the same. My mother soon followed him. I know however, that she would have died from grief if not by her own hand."

Legolas sighed, her head rising with his chest and he said, "I did not know. Were those things you were looking at in the talon in Lothlorien his?"

She nodded.

He took a deep breath and pulled her closer to him. "We must speak to my father. We do not have much time. She nodded and stood to her feet. Dirt stained her back from where he had pushed her into the ground. Legolas winced and reached up to her, standing. She took his hand and said,

"My mother once said that people do terrible things in their grief. Your sister took her life. You lost your soul. I'm not so sure which is worse. To live a life without hope is no less painful then dying. In fact I see dying as better. Yet I myself have work yet to accomplish. I fear I shall have no sweet relief."

He stroked her cheek and said,

"I also hurt the one I love. My heart aches for that betrayal."

"I forgave you Legolas. I have done worse."

She then led him back to the palace. The meeting with the king would not go smoothly. If anything the king of Mirkwood could be stubborn. Yet with all but one of his children dead it would be extremely difficult to have him to agree to her terms, and Legolas's departure.

When she stepped foot inside the palace it was strangely silent. The peace they had found in the garden suddenly evaporated like steam. She felt Legolas grow tense and the reality of what had taken place once again stormed through both of them like a wind from the evil mountains.

Legolas stood rigid, reluctant to continue on. Araviniel closed her eyes and with surprising strength she said to him mentally, "Fear not Prince. These walls should not hold memories of sadness. Your father is in need of sweet and loving company. He suffers."

Legolas looked at her, stunned. Her eyes flew open and she looked at him with confusion.

"How did you do that?"

"I do not know."

He nodded and continued his walk to the throne room. When they entered Araviniel saw a side of Legolas she had yet to discover. He walked up to his father and bowed five feet from the throne.

"We come bearing a request from the Lady Galadriel of Lothlorien."

The king, slouched down on his throne, his robs flowing over the chair, lifted his head and with broken eyes he said emptily,

"I shall hear this request, bring it forth."

Araviniel then approached the throne and bowed saying,

"Great King, I come to you in need of aid. Orcs are scattered round our forest. We are lacking in defenses against this attack."

She searched her head for the right words. Nothing. She then remembered her brother.

"My brother was attacked many years ago by these animals not five miles from our borders. He was accompanying five others to journey to Rivendell. His first journey. His last. My brother never got to see the great Mirkwood forest, nor did he ever touch the waters of Rivendell; he never saw anything outside of Lothlorien. I have known despair all my life but never have I seen it most in the eyes of those who fight for our freedom. The black armies increase. And slowly My Lord, we, the elves, the first born, decrease. Will you not aid your brothers and sisters? Will you not help us fight?"

The king was quiet for what seemed to Araviniel like days. Then, with sudden strength he proclaimed,

"In these halls many have been brought; wounded, sick, helpless, and dead. I have lived, breathed, seen, and known it. Nothing hurts worse then the deaths of those you know and love. But I am afraid that there are thousands out there child. There are hundreds calling right now for help and it will never come. Come morning they will be brought to their doors on a stretcher, bloody and lifeless. That is life. I cannot stop it.

"I have seen a girl enter the city with her eyes burned out because she wandered too far. I have seen babies decapitated and husbands stabbed and gutted by these foul creatures. Don't presume to try and convince me by bringing forth flowered words and heartbroken stories. What good will it do to weaken both the defenses of my home and the Lady's? It will not stop the black armies, nor will it save us. It only serves to delay."

Araviniel stood speechless, before words flowed from her unheeded.

"Do not mock my brother's death! I was wrong about you. I truly believed you were a leader. All I see before me is a coward!"

The king rose in rage and Araviniel flinched.

"Have you no respect?! I am King of this Forest! While you are in my care

I will have you know your place! You dare bring forth insults while you ask for a favor! I have neither the time nor the penitence to give to someone undeserving! Leave my sight!"

Araviniel closed her eyes, bowed and turned on her heel, leaving the room with only the sound of her boots tapping on the stone floor. Legolas followed her.

'How can he be so submissive!?' she thought. She had never seen him like this before. The King enraged her. He was so heartless. Then again he had just lost his only daughter. But Alphril would want the help to come. She, to her dismay felt tears come to her eyes. She had failed. Help would not come. They would all be burned under the very trees they lived in, or slaughtered against them, their elven blood feeding the roots.

Legolas stopped her and pulled her against him. She gave in and sobbed against his chest. Was this some cruel joke? How could this be happening?

"It will be ok Araviniel. Please don't cry. I promise I will talk to him come morning. Let us find the others and I will get us all some clean clothes and rooms to stay in. Come morning your troubles will be gone. Alphril would want me to try my best at it. She would beg him herself. I know she would."

Suddenly there came a cry from across the hall. Araviniel looked down from where she and Legolas stood on the staircase to the marble floor below. There stood an elleth with dark hair and smoky gray eyes. Her figure was small and she had a soft yet almost noble face. Her stance was commanding and powerful.

Her voice rose once again and in a gentle yet powerful voice she said,

"Dear sweet Legolas! Is that really you?"

His arms slowly dropped from Araviniel's waist. She looked from the girl back to him and saw great sadness and regret in his eyes. He walked past her without even a glance and descended the stairs. The girl was crying now. Araviniel let her arms drop as she watched him jump the last steps and run to her. He wrapped his arms around her and spun around with her two times. She could hear the girl sobbing in his hold.

"I thought I should never behold you again. Yet here you stand, mighty against the presence of death in these halls."

"I am anything but mighty sweet, sweet Morveril. Yet your face brings me strength."

"Oh Legolas! Emelen linna ceni Chen! Nurnon." (My heart sings to see you. I am so sorry.)

"Let not the past cloud our future. I have forgiven you long ago. You were right to leave."

"I was anything but right to leave you. You aided me and I broke your trust. I heard of Calenmir's death and came as soon as I could, only to find your sister gone as well. Please tell me you shall not follow."

"I have too much here for me to ever leave."

Araviniel watched on as they talked. Something like fear rose inside of her. Her smile and the way she spoke caused painful memories to surface in Araviniel's mind.

Araviniel slowly came down the stairs and stood behind Legolas. The girl looked at her oddly as Legolas turned around to face her.

"Araviniel…"

She looked back at the girl with question and Legolas said suddenly.

"I would like you to meet my brother's formally betrothed."

Araviniel nodded and bowed slightly in a greeting. The elf did the same and Legolas said,

"Araviniel I would like you to meet my dearest friend and sworn sister, Morveril."

She nodded and Morveril said to her,

"I am pleased to meet you. In what relation are you to the prince?"

Ah, a sugar coated jealousy.

"She is from Lothlorien. We have come to ask the aid of my father for the defenses there."

She nodded and said with a slight glint in her eyes,

"I sense a bond between you. It seems you have finally found a match for yourself then Legolas."

He grinned and nodded.

"I fear I cannot stay long. I am still unwelcome in this place."

He shook his head saying,

"No Morveril. You are forever welcome in my heart and home."

"Your father does not agree. I must leave for the stables. My horse needs to be taken care of."

She bowed and left the halls.

Legolas sighed and kneaded his forehead with his fingers. He then offered his arm to Araviniel and she took it. He slowly led her to the underground section of the palace. As they walked he spoke.

"She was a great light in this place of darkness. My brother loved her so much. My father did as well. Alphril took her in as a sister. She stayed here and lived with us during her engagement.

"We were ready to accept her into our family when I found her one night in my chambers. She was upset and disgruntled. She told me that she had actually only wanted to get the title of princess. She had used my brother to get to the throne. The problem was she had fallen in love with him in the process and regretted what she had done. She could not live with the lie she had created and wanted him to know the truth

"I was outraged at the time and I cast her out of the palace. My brother came running when he heard and demanded to know why I was treating her as such. I did not want to break his heart but he needed to know. I made her tell him.

"He looked at her with such a blend of love and hate it drove me into a mix of emotions myself. She begged him on the palace steps to believe her but he would not hear of it. He was heartbroken and betrayed. He just returned to his rooms and lived the rest of his life lonely and regretful. The years after, I knew he regretted what he had done and longed for her to return.

"My father took it harder. He was forever cold against her. He banished her from the wood and she has forever been a mystery. Ten years ago in my journeys to Rivendell I found her there. She was a lonely shell of what she once was. She had taken no other lover except my brother; remaining true to him even after the banishment. I was finally able to begin to rebuild the brokenness we had created between us. Now she has lost my brother. It was all a big mistake. 'A tragedy of love' as my sister would say."

Araviniel digested the information and was silent as she listened to him. When he finished he stopped in the hall way and said to her,

"You see it isn't just you who has to worry about the intentions of other people. Your father was wrong to doubt me but also wise in doing so."

She nodded and smiled up at him. Brushing away a few loose strands of his golden hair, she rose up on her toes and kissed his neck.

"I do not doubt you."

He grinned and kissed her lightly on the lips.

"I love you."

"I love you too Legolas Greenleaf."

AN/ Ok. That was the last bit of personal stuff before the confrontation with the king and the journey to find the Wizard's son. After this chapter there shall be bloodshed! See ya then! ;) lol really anxious to get this one out.