Disclaimer: I don't anything to do with Lord of the Rings.

A/N: I just like to say that this chapter almost moved me to tears when I wrote it, so get your tissues ready, just in case. P.S Alannah was Milo's wife.

Chapter 36

Alannah's demise.

The chill of November had settled upon Rohan and the grass was frosted. The tree's had lost their leaves, the plants had died and animals were hibernating. But it wasn't a chilly breeze that awoke Tom Solaris, the eldest son of the late Milo Solaris. It was a feeling of death. The poor boy had already lost his father and had worked very hard to help his mother when she gave birth to her new daughter, Melilot. He got up and pulled on his shoes as the floor of their house, which they shared with Meryn and Rose, were very cold. He stood up and left his room where his younger brother lay sleeping. He crept silently along the hall to his mother's door. He gently pushed the door open and whispered, "Mama?" No answer came. He looked around the door. No movement came from Alannah's bed. Tom tip-toed closer to see his mother's face. "Mama?" he said quietly. It was in that moment that realization struck Tom and sent shivers down his spine. Alannah wasn't even breathing! "Mama!" he cried out and desperately shook his mother's body, trying to wake her. Tom began to scream for help but he knew it was too late. His mother was dead. Rose came bursting into the room. "Tom?" she said, "What's wrong? Alannah?" Rose gently shook Alannah's shoulder while holding the weeping little boy close to her. "What's going on?" demanded Meryn from the door.

"Alannah's dead, Meryn," said Rose, "There, there now, Tom, be a brave boy. Meryn go fetch someone!"

The horse's hooves pounded along the beaten track through the forest. It was a perilous journey but it's rider didn't dare slow down incase the infamous spider's caught him. "Halt!" cried an elvish voice. The rider stopped.

"Who are you and what is your purpose here?" said the voice.

"My name is Elfhelm," said the rider, "I have a message to deliver to Tigerlily, daughter of Meryn."

"You mean Princess Tigerlily?" asked the unseen elf.

"Yes," said the rider, "It's a most urgent matter regarding her family."

"This way then," said the elf, dropping down from the tree and summoning his horse, "And you can tell me this message, for I am Prince Legolas, Tigerlily's husband."

"Are you absolutely sure?" asked Tigerlily, tightening her hold on Legolas' hand. Her face had gone pale and she was shaking. "Yes, milady," said Elfhelm, "Alannah was found dead in her bed by her son, Tom, almost three weeks ago. I apologise that it took so long but to travel from Rohan to Eryn Lasgalen is a perilous journey and takes a long time."

"I…I understand," said Tigerlily, "Please stay for a night and rest. I shall give you a letter to give to my mother tomorrow morning. Legolas and I shall come shortly afterwards."

"Thank you milady," said Elfhelm, "I appreciate it very much. King Eomer told me you were a kind person and a great fighter, as is your husband. My King is honored to have your friendship and was present at Alannah's funeral."

Tigerlily sat at the desk in her chambers staring at the blank paper in front of her. What was she to write? How could she put how she felt into words? She reached for her quill, dipped it in her ink and began to write very slowly.

Dear Mama and Papa,

I have just heard of Alannah's death. I'm unsure of how to put my thoughts into words. First of all, Legolas and I will come to Rohan as soon as possible. We will arrive by Milo's first birthday, I promise. It is just that Legolas' friend, Gelmir is to be married in early December and we are to be present. The life of a princess demands that I be present to such an occasion. Secondly, who is to look after Alannah's children, my brother's sons and daughter? I understand that you would be willing to care for all three but the boys can be a handful and I doubt you both have the strength to care for a child the age of Melilot. I would happily take care of her as she is close to Milo's age. Plus, I desire for him to have a playmate of his own age, rather than the soldiers of Thranduil's army. I have not yet told you of Legolas' parents, have I? With the formalities of Alannah's death dealt with I shall tell you. Thranduil is a noble elf, much like Legolas and I can see where Legolas gets most of his character. Legolas' mother, Queen Nimwen, seems to have passed her appearance on to Legolas. She is a beautiful lady and seems to be no older than I am. She is of course, more than five thousand years of age. I can see a lot of her both in Legolas and in Milo…sorry, I was distracted by Legolas asking why I kept referring to our son as Milo. I explained to him that is what our family called him, like his family calls him 'Oropher'. I never did explain the significance of the name Oropher did I? Oropher was the name of Legolas' grandfather who died in the first war against Sauron, I believe. I don't want to ask Legolas as it upsets him greatly, Thranduil too. Speaking of Milo, he is growing up so fast. He is already crawling almost as fast as I can walk! He is even learning to feed himself! Although he is still showing no inclination to speak or walk as of yet but I am sure it is just a matter of time. Give my love to the family and tell the boys that their Aunt Tigerlily and Uncle Legolas are thinking of them.

All my love Tigerlily.

"All done?" asked Legolas as he watched Tigerlily put her quill down.

"Yes," said Tigerlily, "I have told my parents that we can take care of Melilot if they want us to. They will have a hard time taking care of children at their age."

"I agree," said Legolas, "Your father is…as they say in Esgaroth…no spring chicken?"

Tigerlily laughed. "You're afraid of him aren't you?" she asked.

"Your father, no," said Legolas, "His plans to castrate me, yes!" Tigerlily smiled again. Legolas walked up to her and kissed her. Tigerlily began to cry.

"Shh, don't cry, my love," said Legolas, "I know it is difficult to accept but grief can only hold onto you for so long and then you have to let it go."

"Like I'll have to do with Oropher one day," whispered Tigerlily.

"What was that?" asked Legolas.

"One day, we'll have to say goodbye to Oropher," she said, "He's going to grow up Legolas, and if he's anything like us, he'll want to explore the world. One day, we'll have to say goodbye to him, let him go."

"I know, I've known since the moment I first saw him, that one day, I'd have to let go," said Legolas, "Much as I didn't want to. That is why I spend every precious moment I can with him. I'll never get a second chance otherwise." He placed a kiss on Tigerlily's cheek. "We have many more moments left with him before that time comes," said Legolas, "He isn't even a year-old yet." Tigerlily smiled down at her son.

Oropher put his head on one side as he looked at the sad smile on his mother's face. Now was the perfect time. "Mama," he said, clear as a bell. Tigerlily looked shocked. Were her ears fooling her? "Legolas, did you hear that?" she said.

"I heard it," replied Legolas. Tigerlily bent down and picked up Oropher.

"Oropher, what did you say?" she said softly.

"Mama!" said Oropher. Tigerlily laughed.

"Yes, I'm mama," said Tigerlily, "Oh you clever boy!" Oropher laughed and looked at Legolas. "Ada!" he said. Legolas looked as though he was going to fall over.

"I don't believe it," said Tigerlily, "He's silent for months and then he says two words on the same day!"

"Mama! Ada!" said Oropher. A small tear trickled down from Tigerlily's eye. This will be the only time I hear my child say their first words.