Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR or Beorn.

Silent – voices: I know they're not ME names but I find it a bit of a cliché when the women are given elvish names.

Chapter 7

Grieving

For the next few weeks, Sky and Legolas spent little time together. What they did was spent kissing each other before Legolas got dragged away to discuss how to rescue Star. Aragorn and Gimli had moved on to return home and Legolas had sent a message with one of the Beornings to his father, telling him of why he hadn't yet returned home and of Sky. One day Legolas wasn't able to escape Beorn and Gandalf until late into the night. He slipped into Sky's room. She was asleep. Legolas lay down beside her, curving his body to hers and placing on arm over her waist. He slowly slipped into elven dreams. That night a storm hit. Legolas was used to loud noises and slept through it. The thunder and lightning disturbed Sky. She opened her eyes. Each time there was lightning the shadow of the tree outside flashed up on her wall. Suddenly a second shadow appeared as if it were hanging from the tree. Then Sky realised what shape it was. It was a person. She very carefully looked out of the window and screamed. Her scream woke Legolas up. "What is it, Sky?" he asked. He looked out the window too. Star was hanging from the tree. Legolas couldn't tell if she was alive or not. He leapt off of Sky's bed and ran out of the room. Sky was right behind him. He ran outside to the tree and using one of his elvish blades, cut Star from the tree. She was already dead. Legolas couldn't tell what had killed her. The sound of footsteps alerted him to the arrival of Beorn, Gandalf and Serena. Serena screamed at the sight of her sister's lifeless body. Legolas gently moved his hand and closed Star's unfocused staring eyes. Beorn lifted his daughter up. Tears were forming in his eyes. Sky and Serena followed him back inside the house. Legolas was about to follow when he felt Gandalf's hand stop him. Gandalf shook his head. They had to leave the family to grieve. Legolas stood there as the rain soaked him. He swore to protect Sky so she didn't have the same fate as her sister.

The next morning, Legolas stood in the courtyard. He could see two Beornings digging Star's grave. No one had spoken that morning. He hadn't even seen Beorn. He couldn't stand there any longer. He went inside and went to Sky's room. He knocked on her door. "Come in," she said. He pushed the door open. Sky looked so different. She had abandoned the brown wool tunic and adopted a black dress. Her black hair was braided and elegant. Legolas shut the door behind him. He went up to her and took her in his arms. She cried into his chest. "Why did he do it?" she sobbed.

"I don't know," said Legolas, "But I promise I will not allow him to hurt you."

Beorn and three other Beornings carried out Star's body. Her sisters had dressed her in an elegant dress and arranged her hair so she looked more beautiful in death than ever in life. As the body was lowered into the grave, Legolas realised he could never turn his back on this family. He had seen them at their weakest and that was something that means a lot. It also reminded him of Sky's mortality. He remembered the words of the return message from his father. If she makes you happy was what he had said. So long as Sky made Legolas happy, Thranduil was happy for him. Gandalf elbowed him bringing him from his thoughts. He indicated Sky and her family. Each one was taking a handful of dirt and throwing it into the grave. He nodded, telling Legolas that they must join in also. Sky smiled at him weakly as he threw the dirt into the grave. It fell and covered Star's face. For a brief moment, Legolas thought Star herself was smiling.

After the funeral, the tradition of the Beornings demanded a party to give the deceased a good send off. Sky sat by herself in the corner, mulling over one tankard half the night. Serena on the other hand seemed content in trying to drink herself into oblivion. Legolas went up to Sky and sat beside her. "To Star," he said. Sky tapped his tankard with her own. "To Star," she said quietly, "Cheers." She took a small sip.

"I saw you taking part in the Covering today," she said, "Do you know what it signifies?" Legolas shook his head as he drank. "It shows you are protecting them in death as you did in life," said Sky, "I shouldn't have taken part. I did nothing but cause trouble. I caused her death."

"You can't blame yourself," said Legolas, "It's not your fault what Suiadan is."

"But I should have been stronger," said Sky, "I should have fought him, I shouldn't have given in to him." Legolas gently stroked her hair.

"Do not think of him now," said Legolas, "Think of fond memories of your sister and remember them forever." Sky closed her eyes and remembered when she was younger, playing in the fields about the house with Star and Serena. This had been back when her mother was with them. She suddenly remembered something she had long forgotten. Her mother, a tall, blonde beauty, walking away from Beorn as he held a young Sky. Beorn yelled after her, begging her to stay but her mother kept walking. She reached the gate, opened it and walked out never to be seen alive again. "He doesn't know," she said.

"What?" said Legolas, "Who doesn't know what?"

"My father," said Sky, "He doesn't know my mother died by Suiadan's hand. That would be two women of my family he has killed."

"He killed your mother?" said Legolas. Sky nodded.

"She was on her way here when he caught her," she said, "He tortured her for fun with his friends and then she died. He hid her body until he gave it to me. There was so little left of her that it wasn't hard to dig a grave for her. Even with my bare hands." Legolas made her look at him. His icy blue eyes looked down into her sky-colored ones. He bent down and placed a kiss on her lips. "I swear I will never allow Suiadan to hurt you or your family again," he said before pulling her in for a deeper kiss.

That night, the two of them sat on the verandah, looking up at the stars. "Do you remember?" asked Legolas, "This is where you first spoke to me."

"I remember," said Sky softly, "You told me you were no good with children."

"Sky, I'd be willing to try to change that if we ever have children," he whispered to her. Sky smiled. "Let's focus on beating Suiadan first," she said. Legolas sighed.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I have to return to Mirkwood in a few days," he said, "My father wants me to lead our army against Suiadan. Sky, I still want you to come with me. My father has announced our engagement to my people. There are a few jealous maidens apparently but I don't want to leave you here where Suiadan can hurt you. I love you."

"You want to leave my family," she said, "So I can hide in trees and leaves until it's safe to come out. To hide like a coward."

"No, I want you to go somewhere you'll be safe," said Legolas, "Somewhere where we can be together and I can wake every morning and know you will be there in my arms. Where you belong. Sky. I cannot go another day without you. Every time I see you I long to take you in my arms and not let go. Please Sky, come to Mirkwood with me." Sky pulled away from him and stood up. She walked back into the house and out of Legolas' sight.