Sorry about bunching up the first four chapters on the one down load, still very new at all this !!
Chapter Five ; Grieving
The Prince of Eryn Lasgalen walked blindly through the moon lit forests of his homeland. He stared vacantly ahead, lost in thought while his sure footed feet carried him over the leaf littered earth.
He was not sure how long he had continued in this manner, time had escaped him, but for some reason he found himself coming to a halt before a large oak tree whose branches were heavily laden with perfectly formed leaves, the symbol of his father's house.
He reached up and touched one of the leaves, rubbing the green pliable shape between his fingers.
So full of life, he thought, still young, still growing, still part of nature's great song but all too soon it will become brittle, it's colour will change to burnt amber and with the coming of winter it will fall, leaving the tree which gave it life, to return to the ground and rot.
Just like my friends, he thought miserably as he leaned heavily against the rough bark of the ancient tree.
Part of him just wanted to sink to the ground and sit here at the base of the great oak while he grieved but his instincts would not allow it.
He knew he would be vulnerable and open, better to remain hidden, better to be up high, his instincts whispered.
So with more effort than usual he vaulted up into the branches above where he would be safe and concealed, hidden from prying eyes, free to grieve in solitude.
He sat there in silence, his arms wrapped tightly around his knees, unaware of the slight rocking motion that had taken over his lithe frame.
The faces of his friends flittered across his mind's eye while he remembered when he had seen them last.
With Thathordur and Gildil, it was at home in Eryn Lasgalen. He remembered wishing them and several other members of the patrol fare well in the court yard outside the stables just before he had set off with Galadon and Aradae to Imladris for Lord Elrond's council.
They had teased him mercilessly over the mission, loudly proclaiming that he was only going to avoid their next patrol duty, which was due to last at least eight months. They laughed saying that he was too soft, too accustomed to clean sheets and a warm cosy bed. He smiled weakly at the fond memory, for it was all that he had and the pain pierced him once more knowing that there would never be any new memories to smile at.
But the worst parting memory was that of his best friend, Galadon.
After the council was over Galadon had been furious with Legolas for volunteering to go with the ring bearer. He did not want the Prince to go unless he could go also and watch out for him. But that decision was not his to make. Lord Elrond had chosen the nine walkers, no one else was permitted to go.
Galadon had used every trick in the book to get him to return home. He mentioned the King, he spoke about his responsibilities in Mirkwood, he even tried to use their friendship but Legolas was adamant in his choice and would not be deterred.
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"But why does it have to be you ?" Galadon demanded harshly as he tried to hide the fear in his voice. He did not want Legolas to go on this hazardous mission alone and he feared for his friend's safety.
"I want to do this Galadon, please understand……it is not for personal glory that I go my friend, you know this but some one has to represent the race of elves and is it not a good thing that some one from our home shall do so ?" Legolas tried to reason with his agitated friend.
"Yes, wonderful," he answered sarcastically, "but why does it have to be you ? And why can I not go with you ?"
The prince sighed and rubbed his forehead in growing frustration, he wondered how he was ever going to get his friend to see sense.
"Galadon I am to go with the ring bearer, my decision is made, I am only glad that Lord Elrond has allowed me to do this. If my bow can help the Fellowship in any way then they may have it and I shall do my best to protect them, with my life if I must…."
But his friend interrupted the sincere declaration.
"That is exactly the attitude I am afraid of Legolas, I would not have you risk your life for these people.."
"I risk my life for the safety of Arda my friend," the Prince clarified with a slight edge in his voice, " just as we risk it for Mirkwood every time we go out on a patrol."
He sighed heavily once more, this is not how he would wish to part company with his friend, especially if things were to go badly. The Prince was under no illusions, this mission would be perilous.
He gripped his fellow warrior by the shoulders and looked him in the eye.
"This Fellowship goes to destroy the one ring Galadon, I know where it will take us, I know how dangerous it may turn out but I still go gladly. Of course your company would be appreciated but the decision of the council is final and I stand by it. Besides I have a request to ask of you my friend."
"You have but to ask my Prince" Galadon replied.
Legolas knew by his friend's tone that he was finally coming around to accepting his decision but by using his title, Galadon was also letting him know that he was still annoyed over the matter. Legolas smiled faintly at the reply.
"I need you to explain my decision to go to the King, he will most likely look upon my reasoning unfavourably.."
"You think ?!"
"He will come around eventually my friend, just as you will……..tell him……tell him I love him and that I would never do anything to dishonour our house or our home."
Galadon nodded, he would do his best to explain matters to the King. Then the two friends hugged each other in farewell.
"Do not be angry with me for too long my friend" Legolas pleaded lightly while the companions broke their holds on one another.
"I'll see what I can do but I promise nothing Prince of Mirkwood, we may still need to settle this argument when you return."
And with that parting comment Galadon and Aradae mounted their horses and departed for home leaving their Prince behind.
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The memory of their leave-taking in Imladris was as clear in his mind as if it had happened only yesterday. He truly wished they had parted on better terms and he prayed that his friend had forgiven him before he…before he died.
He felt once more the bitter anguish build up deep inside him, demanding release. It twisted his gut in a knot, it suffocated his lungs, it gripped his heart and squeezed and burned in his throat until it finally burst out in a bitter tormented cry.
It was then that the tears finally began to fall, sliver drops of sorrow making their way steadily down his face until they too fell to their silent demise.
The tremors in his limbs became more noticeable now and the rocking more pronounced as he openly wept for his lost friends.
Even the very mood of the forest surrounding him seemed to change as the trees sensed the grief of the first born.
He wept till he could weep no more and afterwards he felt drained and empty as if a part of him was missing and could never be replaced.
It was then that he began to sing his lament, a homage to the fallen.
The sorrowful tones filled the night air while the elf's lilting voice soared over the trees. The ancient song seemed to calm his soul and ease his spirit while he sang.
When it was over he rubbed his face and dried his red eyes as best he could.
"Hiro hon hidh ab'wanath. Namarie mellyn-nin" he whispered to the stars. (Let them find peace after death. Farewell my friends)