To Pardon or Not To Pardon?
Gimli turned to Legolas, shock evident on the dwarf's bearded face. "I didn't know, lad, believe me. I'm sorry."
Legolas brusquely said, "I never told you. It's not a subject I like to discuss. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to talk to Fiondra." Quietly, he left to find her.
Gimli settled back into his chair and sighed. No wonder both the elves had sadness in their eyes. Both their lives had been destroyed in a similar way. 'Ah, well, I don't imagine he'll have an easy time consoling her,' he thought shaking his head, and then taking a long draw on his pipe.
Outside, Legolas found Fiondra kneeling in front of two graves, obviously those of her parents. He crouched beside her and took off his cloak. "Here, wear this; you're shivering."
Wiping away tears, Fiondra thanked him and the wrapped the cloak tighter, warming herself with his body heat. She looked up at him and softly said, "I'm sorry if I dredged up painful memories for you. Never have I talked to anyone about my parents' deaths. For many years, all I could feel was hate and grief, all I could think about was revenge towards you and your father. Eventually, I realized that you both must be feeling the pain and sorrow that I was, so I let it go. Now, I only think of returning home, where it's safe and where I have happy memories."
When she finished, Legolas stood up and spoke. "Immediately following my mother's death, I felt hatred for your father, but I was able to clear myself of my depression and I discovered that my father had been unfair in his punishment. He felt that Relart hadn't made the ultimate sacrifice to save my mother. Now, I see that he did. How could my father be so cruel? Could he not see that your family was suffering as well? Now you, an innocent when it came to my mother's murder, are all alone in this world. And if Gimli and I hadn't passed by these woods, you would have been in exile here for all eternity."
Fiondra's eyes widened. Dare I hope? Her heart started to race. "What are you saying?" she asked aloud.
Legolas looked down at her and smiled. He pulled her up off the wet ground, took her by her shoulders, and said, "I, Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Mirkwood, do hereby release you, Fiondra Clearbrook, from your banishment from the realm of Mirkwood."
Fiondra's eyes started spilling tears rapidly, but the sadness that had lurked in their depths had been replaced with a light of hope. She tried to thank Legolas, but the words stuck in her throat. He just pulled her close to him and she started crying even harder on his shoulder. Legolas awkwardly rubbed her back, trying to soothe her. Fiondra was finally able to sob, "I don't know how to thank you. I only wish that my parents were here to join me and know that they too were forgiven. They would have been overjoyed."
Legolas whispered, "I know. In a way, they are. They will always be there to guide you, just as my mother is constantly watching over me, making sure I do what is right."
Fiondra gave a deep sigh and dried her teardrops. She reluctantly forced herself away from Legolas' consoling shoulder. She looked at him and said, horrified, "I've completely soaked your shirt!"
Legolas glanced at his shoulder and shrugged. "It's of no matter to me," he told her. Doubtfully, she took a scrap of linen out of the pouch at her waist and tried to lessen the dampness.
As she dabbed at his shirt, Fiondra said, "May I ask you something?" At his nod, she continued. "I'm going to be honest with you. If you hadn't arrived today, I probably wouldn't have lived through this night. More and more orcs have been coming to this clearing lately. It's as if they're running from something. Perhaps you know?" She finished with the woven fabric and looked up at Legolas expectantly.
"You don't know about the war of the ring?" he asked her incredulously.
Fiondra shook her head and said, "I was going to ask Master Gimli what he meant by his comment at supper. I believe he said something to the effect of 'I haven't had a meal quite so good since before the war of the ring.' Would you care to elaborate on this so called war?"
Legolas took her by the arm and led her back inside. From in front of the fire, he and Gimli explained. They told her of the one ring of power, of Sauron, and of Saruman. Fiondra listened in amazement on their accounts of hobbits, ents, and the Nazgul. They laughed over Merry and Pippin's mischief making, and cried over the valiant deaths of Boromir and Theoden. Fiondra sighed with pleasure at the marriage of Aragorn and Arwen and at the romance of Eowyn and Faramir. She gasped in terror when they told her of Gandalf's duel with the Balrog, and of Frodo's struggle with Gollum.
The fire had dwindled to nothing but embers, when Fiondra had heard the entire tale of the Lord of the Rings. She stared off into the dying coals and murmured, "I'd love to meet all of your wonderful friends."
Gimli chuckled drowsily and said, "Perhaps one day you will, lass, but right now I fear this dwarf's better off going to sleep then on any more adventures. We've a long ride ahead of us tomorrow."
Legolas replied, "Fiondra will be coming with us. She is no longer in exile." Then to her, he said, "Would you like any help packing your belongings?"
Fiondra glanced at her small home and then slowly shook her head. "I know I can't take much, so I'll take what is needed and what is most dear to me. But I thank you."
Legolas inclined his head towards her and he and Gimli started for the door. Fiondra hurriedly called, "Wait! I can't allow you to sleep outside. You've been sleeping on the cold, hard ground for many days and you will be for the next few at least. Please sleep in here, in front of the fire, with my blessing."
Legolas looked at her and then at Gimli. The dwarf gave him a grin and then went to get their bedrolls. Legolas bowed to Fiondra and said, "We accept. Many thanks. Good night and sleep well."
He went outside to help Gimli and Fiondra called, "Good night. Sweet dreams, my Prince." And then, in a daze, she went to pack her clothing.
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For a complete summary, read the "Lord of the Rings" books or see the movie trilogy. If you're reading this, you probably already done both, many times, just like me!
Please review. Many thanks to all!