Chapter 14: The Fellowship Leaves
A/N: Eek it's been forever! Well I think this chapter is a bit longer than normal.. So the story is starting to progress some, finally. Hopefully it will get more interesting. Thanks for everyone who reads and reviews!
Disclaimer: Never have, don't now, and never will.
When Elerina finally got up from the window where she had been deep in thought, it was already late. She had been thinking for hours about everything, but mainly about Legolas. What was it that she felt for him? An urgent need to make sure he was safe. A longing to tell him what was on her mind, to be with him…
Was it love?
She walked over to her bed and lay down, her head swimming. She quickly fell into a deep sleep.
Legolas rose early. He had packed most of his things, which was little, the night before. He quickly dressed and went outside to the stables. He entered and said one last goodbye to his grey stallion.
As he passed Wingfoot's stall, he thought of Elerina. He hadn't seen her all day yesterday. He wondered if he'd see her today. He had been trying to put her out of his mind these past few days. He knew that he was leaving, and he intended not to see her before he left. He hated good-byes. He didn't know what was going to happen, or if he would ever come back. He didn't want to cause her any hurt or pain.
Elerina woke with a start. How late was it? Had she slept in? She ran to the window and looked at the sun. It wasn't too late, but if she wanted to talk to Legolas, she needed to find him now.
She dressed quickly, and practically ran down the hallway. By some unknown reason, she remembered the way to Legolas' room. She knocked on the door. There was no answer. She went outside. There was a great gathering of Elves, and Elerina couldn't see over most of their heads. She heard Elrond's voice.
"Ná Elbereth veria le, ná elenath dín síla erin rád o chuil lín. May Elbereth protect you, may her stars shine on the path of your life. Go with the peace of the Elves."
Elerina finally found an opening between some Elves that she could squeeze through. She caught a glimpse of Gandalf's hat, but only for a moment. Everyone was silent, and they started filing back into the Main House. Then she saw him.
"Legolas!" she tried to get his attention. He turned his head, looked into her eyes, smiled, and continued to follow Aragorn out of Rivendell.
Elerina felt like crying. He was gone. She didn't get to tell him goodbye. She might never see him again.
Elerina sat on Wingfoot as the small group of Elves passed through the trees. Míriel hadn't said a word the entire time. Elrond had said it would take a few days to travel to the Grey Havens. Elerina insisted that she would accompany Míriel there, but she would return to Rivendell with the Escorts after Míriel was gone.
A song was running through Elerina's head. She didn't know where it was from, it was just there.
Lay down your sweet and weary head,
Night is falling, you have come to journey's end.
Sleep now, and dream of the ones who came before,
They are calling from across a distant shore.
Why do you weep? What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see, all of your fears will pass away.
safe in my arms, you're only sleeping.
What can you see on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea a pale moon rises,
The ships have come to carry you home.
And all will turn to silver glass,
A light on the water, all souls pass.
Hope fades into the world of night,
Through shadows falling out of memory and time.
Don't say, "We have come now to the end."
White shores are calling, you and I will meet again
And you'll be here in my arms, just sleeping.
What can you see on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea a pale moon rises,
The ships have come to carry you home.
And all will turn to silver glass
A light on the water, Grey Ships pass
Into the west.
Elerina could feel tears well up in her eyes at the thought of Míriel leaving. She was a wonderful friend, one she could trust with anything that was on her heart.
"Elerina?" Míriel asked. Elerina turned to the woman beside her.
"Yes, Míriel?"
"I just want to thank you for being the friend that you are. You have been the best friend that I've ever had, and I dearly hope you understand why I must be with Thorontur," she said.
"Yes, Míriel. I understand completely. You love him, and you should be with him. I-," Elerina began, but stopped.
"You…?" Míriel questioned.
"I just wish I had someone to love and to have him love me back the way you have Thorontur," she explained.
"But you do." Elerina looked at Míriel with a look of surprise on her face. "Yes. I can see it in your eyes. You love Legolas, and he loves you. Trust me, I know these things," Míriel smiled.
"I don't know… it's too complicated," Elerina sighed.
"It seems complicated, but love is one of the most simplest things known. It comes naturally. That's why it's so easy to "accidentally" fall in love," said Míriel.
"Yes… I suppose."