Fading Light
Chapter 2
"It is cold."
"I know. Better?"
I shiver. What does he mean? It is still cold. Why is it cold? Here in the green grass under the open sky I do not think it should be cold. There is no wind. All I can see all around me is pure green and blue.
"Have you ever seen a more beautiful day, Estel?"
"No Legolas, I have not."
There is silence. A single little white cloud floats into the edge of my vision.
I feel something wet upon my face. "It is raining?" But there is only that one little cloud in the sky…over there.
"The Earth weeps."
"Oh." What does the Earth have to weep for on such a perfect day like this? At least it would be perfect if it were not still cold.
Another little cloud forms at the other end of the sky, and the two float toward each other. This is odd. There is no wind. I raise my hand toward the sky, fingers stretched to the place where I know the clouds will meet.
Estel takes my hand in his and holds it to his chest. "Legolas? My friend?"
I blink and the blue sky and green grass fade as the light ebbs. Night falls. "It is already dark. How did it get dark so fast?" With the coming of night it is even colder.
"Time passes swiftly." That is true.
I see something. It is a small white light, growing as it comes closer. "Estel, look."
"What do you see?"
"You do not see it?" How can he not see it? The light is so plain against the darkness.
"No. Tell me."
I would, but before I can, the light is upon us. It surrounds us, and suddenly it is day again. The clouds have met. I raise my hand again. The wispy cloud slips through my fingers, and I grasp it in my hand before it can escape.
"I can touch the clouds," I tell him. I hold the cloud to my chest. I hear voices on the edge of my hearing. They grow louder as they, too, come closer. I can almost make out what they are saying. "Do you hear the voices singing? They sound sad…and happy. They are happy to see someone." I wonder who.
I breathe in deeply. The smell of spring flowers wafts on the air.
"Do not go, Legolas. Stay with me for just a while longer…" His voice fades as the other sweet voices grow. I turn my head in the direction they are coming from.
"They are calling a name." The name is so familiar. I should know it. "They say…" What do they say? "They—they…want him to go to them."
"You do not have to go."
It is me they are calling. They want me to go to them. I should go to them.
"You can stay here with me for awhile."
He sounds lonely, almost sad. I will stay with him, for just a while, if it will make him not be sad any more. The voices are quiet and fade. "I think…I would like that. It is quiet here."
I stay in his arms for a little while longer. A silent figure in white approaches, followed by many others. I must go now. I release the cloud. It floats away.
I stand from Estel's arms and walk toward the figures in white. They welcome me into their embrace. I, too, am clothed in white. There are large white gates before me, and a white light shining from within.
I look back at Estel. He looks sad. I hate to leave him there all alone, but he will understand. He will be alright. I step through the Gates and into the light.
End