Scars Chapter 31- Journey's End (Passage for One)

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

Author's Note: Thank you all once again for your many kind responses. They are what make this story all the more worthwhile to write. I apologize for the delay in getting this chapter out, but please consider it a belated birthday present and holiday treat. As always, I hope you enjoy what follows. :)

Kneeling beside Aragorn again, he took quick possession of his brother's cold hands, rolling Legolas closer to them as well in the process. Transferring the newly attained slip into their custody, he brought them finally to rest upon Aragorn's chest. The tall, green shoot lay in stark contrast to the bulky, white bandage, which covered his brother's waist and chest, and to Legolas' golden hair, which now spilled upon the Ranger as his head found rest against the still comfort offered by his friend.

Staring at the impediment of the Silvan Elf, Elladan was loath to break the bond that the archer had established hours earlier. There would be time for that later he surmised, hoping now that through the comfort of their continued touch that Legolas would be able to commune with Aragorn's departing spirit. Returning his eyes towards the hearty blossom, Elladan noted how it reached upwards as if to tickle his brother's slack features; its white bloom falling just short of the Ranger's once strong chin.

Elladan's own hands then went on to cover those of his Human brother as he worked to keep the flower in place, before lowering his dark head towards Aragorn's until the smoothness of his cheek touched against the bearded stubble of the Ranger's face. The Elf's tears fell to mingle with the lingering heat left over from fever, which had consumed his body…its powerful effect still present as at last he spoke out his final grief.

" Galanthus, Estel. It spoke of hope then….even in the depths of grief and despair, it let us know that life continues on…that no force, no matter how dark or great…can keep that from us…I will not let go of this truth, brother, but will carry with me as a legacy to you until I draw my very last breath…"

Finishing the Elf moved forward to place one final kiss upon his brother's cooling cheek. Turning his head, his grief stricken eyes noted Elrohir sleeping just a short distance away, acknowledging as well that Halfdan lingered somewhere in the vicinity too, but the anguish of heartache and exhaustion now inhibited him, and he had not the strength or the desire to move from where he lay. "Forgive me, brother." He whispered to his twin before turning his dark eyes back towards Aragorn and allowing them to drift shut as his head dropped down towards the ground beside him.

Scars Chapter 31 Journey's End ( Passage for One)

"Do Not Be Afraid…" (Luke2:10)

His journey had been long and fraught with pain, but Legolas had made his way through the forsaken land carrying Aragorn with him until at last he reached the white shores he had left behind him. Sinking down upon their grainy softness, the Elf finally relinquished the burden of his incognizant friend to its custody allowing himself a moment of long overdue rest. Seconds passed as the Elf tried to regain some of his usual composure and push aside the biting pain which cut across his back and neck. But these moments were fleeting, as his thoughts immediately returned with concern towards his friend.

Fear had been a powerful motivator. It was what had kept him going during his relentless journey across the inhospitable wasteland, long past the time his body sustained the energy to do so for itself. His constancy had been unfailing, for it had been many hours since he had recovered Aragorn's lifeless body from the shadows by the noisome pools, and not once during that time had the Man stirred within his arms or shown any sign of life.

Now that his goal had been realized, now that his weary body rested upon the white sands beneath him and his eyes looked out longingly towards the dark and expectant void of the vast ocean of horizon before him, his mind acutely acknowledged what his heart could not.

Drawing Aragorn's cold and lifeless body once more towards his own, the Elf's blue eyes filled with anxious tears. Placing his hand and then his head against his friend's chest he detected no sound, no movement, no sign that supported life. The anguish that took hold of his heart with this finding overshadowed any corporal pain he now felt. For Legolas concluded that his friend had most likely succumbed to death's soporific call even before the two had begun this trek. Whatever hope that had remained flickering within the Elf's unflagging heart when he had first come upon his friend had been diminished and at last extinguished by the time they had reached these shores.

Aragorn's body had not been relaxed in sleep as his heavy head lolled against Legolas' breast over the many leagues of sludge ridden ground they had covered together, but the life spirit that had imbued the Human's noble soul had fled. Even now as Legolas' tearful gaze studied the man's still face, illuminated by the pale cast of moonlight above them, the Elf began to accept what he could not during the long hours of his ceaseless trek, that he would never see the twinkle of merriment that would fill Aragorn's grey eyes or the wry smile of humor that sometimes lightened his weathered features, even at his own expense, again. Continuing to stare at the Man's slackened countenance, the Elf noted that the grim lines of age and worry, which had taken their toll while his friend had walked These Lands, seemed to have disappeared as well, making the Ranger appear much younger and more vulnerable. The only thing to still stand out upon the Man's relaxed face was the thin, cruel scar above his dusky lips. Even in death, its mark remained and could not be erased. A sob caught within the Elf's throat at this acknowledgment as his long, slender finger reached out to trace the once ragged disfigurement, before drawing Aragorn further into his embrace so he could cradle his friend against him.

"I am sorry, mellon-nin …so sorry that I could not help you then…that I could not help you now!" The Elf cried.

Legolas knew not how long he sat upon the beach holding Aragorn within his aching arm, but while he sat lost in the emotions of his grief, the moon had traveled some distance across the star filled heavens. When at last the last of his tears were spent, and his tortured lament grew quieter, the forgotten cadence of the nearby sea made its mighty presence known once more. Its ceaseless rhythm reminded the Elf of the continuity of life still surrounding him, but as powerful as its claim was to be, it had not the authority to provide such a gift towards his lost friend.

Drawn by its hypnotic lure, Leoglas' now dull eyes stared off into the spaciousness of the still black expanse, surprised by how the pale cast of the heavenly orb above him sparkled like silver glass upon the rippling waves. The great tidal pools, surging forth towards the welcoming shore, broke before spreading out in lapping fingers of white foam as if attempting to gain a lock upon the pale sands , but losing their battle each time and being swept out once again to be joined with mighty progenitor from whence they came.

The repetitive motion they created was mesmerizing, soothing Legolas' frazzled emotions and for long moments the Silvan Elf fell under their trance. He did not notice the grey shadow, which loomed against the horizon though blessed with the keen eyesight of the First Born, as his thoughts remained distracted. It was not until an equally darkened silhouette fell over him and the now deceased Ranger that the Elf reacted and was ripped from the spell which had overtaken him. His heart quickened with alarm as he instinctively reached towards his daggers as if to protect his friend, though Aragorn no longer required such assistance.

Springing to his feet, Legolas positioned himself between the defenseless Ranger and the hooded figure, who had stealthily come up upon them, believing it to be the same demon, who had harmed Aragorn.

"No! You shall not have him! Not even in death! Be gone before I run you through!"

The shrouded being seemed unfazed by Legolas' threat of assault and did not draw back causing the determined Elf to launch himself forward in the offensive.

Though injured, his attack was swift, but his adversary was even quicker as the dazed Elf found himself easily disarmed of the weapons he bore. Legolas was daunted by the expertise of this creature, not even seeing the means in which it carried out its disablement of him. He was not to be deterred, however, for he would not let this monster take custody of his friend, not even in death, so it could deface Aragorn's corpse. Legolas would willingly give up his own life to stop the demon from carrying out any such depravity upon his friend.

"You shall not have him!" The Elf growled once more, this time unarmed as he flung himself at the perceived attacker before him. Their contact was brief, but it was Legolas, who suffered the worst, as he was thrown back many feet upon the sand; its contact proving harsh to his already injured state, knocking the breath from him.

Dazed momentarily, Legolas' blood ran cold as he noted the shrouded figure now bending over Aragorn, taking hold of his lifeless arms. Struggling, he rose again doing his utmost to stave off any further brutality planned by this cloaked creature. But as he rushed forward, his momentum was curtailed even before he reached his friend as the hooded being turned towards him.

"Do not be afraid…I mean him no harm." She replied.

Legolas was stopped dead in his tracks. Whether it was by his own accord or some sorcery this maiden enacted, he was unsure. But before him stood a womanlike creature, though he was quite positive she was not a member of the race of Second Born. First Born was she neither, though she resembled his kinsmen more in her appearance. Her outer mantle was as dark as midnight, outlining a stature rivaling his own in height , hence his initial confusion in mistaking her for the demon who held him captive earlier. Her underlying raiment was as white as the snows known to cover the peaks of the Misty Mountains and almost touched the ground falling just short of her bare feet. Wisps of long, golden tendrils, blown free by the sea's breeze, escaped from beneath the confines of her dark hood, but it was her eyes that held the Elf enchanted, for they were an icy blue and as fathomless as the mighty waters roaring behind them.

Noting the Elf's confusion, she spoke aloud once more. "I do not wish to harm him. I've only come to offer my assistance."

"Then you can help him?" Legolas questioned breathlessly as a flame of hope took hold within in his heart once again.

The crystal blue eyes stared down upon the Man beneath her as her long pale fingers drew one of Aragorn's chilled hands within her own while she placed her other milky white hand upon his still chest. Closing her eyes, for long seconds she remained silent as if not hearing the Elf's anxious inquiry. Finally when she opened her luminous, berylline eyes, the fringes of her flaxen lashes were heavy with shimmering tears causing the small spark of hope, which only moments before ignited within Legolas' breast, to wither.

"He is beyond my help," She announced sadly.

Tears sprang afresh within Legolas' azure depths, for her pronouncement only served to confirm his own heartbreaking estimation. Dropping down beside her, his grief was now renewed. Taking Aragorn's unclaimed hand within his own, he was surprised when something small, smooth, and white fell from its custody. As it opened further within the archer's own, all that was left within its impotent grasp was the bruised stalk from whence these petals had came.

'But from where had this crushed flower originated?' The Elf wondered. For it could not have thrived in the land in which he had found his friend, for no life bloomed within its forsaken border. It only spoke of death and grief. Looking at the plant's now sorry state, the Elf surmised that perhaps even the seeds of this hardiest of flowers may have been blown off course or carried afar by some winged fowl or small burrowing animal to this harsh and unwelcoming terrain and had taken root. Perhaps Aragorn had found it…knew of its healing properties and had tried to use it unsuccessfully to cure himself…But now it lay bruised and crushed…Its healing properties no longer necessary…

Fingering the withering petals and flattened stem lightly, he heedlessly brushed them aside to the soft sands below, acknowledging how little their worth was now as he cupped his friend's cold hand once more within his own.

Looking to the maiden before him, he spoke out, at last finding an outlet in which to share his grief.

"He was my dear friend….There is none other like him…"

Smiling tremulously, she acknowledged the outpouring of his heartache as if she knew the Man beneath them intimately as well. Then her crystalline gaze moved outward towards the sparkling expanse, drawing Legolas' attentions with hers towards the re-approach of the earlier vessel moving once again towards the shore.

It was the same grey ship he had witnessed earlier with such longing. It had called out to him to join in upon its voyage towards a better place, a place where sorrow and pain did not exist. Relinquishing Aragorn's cold hand, he positioned it upon the Ranger's still chest as the maiden across from him did likewise before rising up to stand beside him. Together, the two watched as the grey vessel's harkening approach came to a standstill upon the glimmering waters ; the great ship moving no further inland for fear of becoming grounded. In short time, a small skiff was lowered and launched from the starboard side containing two of the ship's crew as they made their way towards the shore.

The sudden urge to rush forth and greet them overcame Legolas. Turning towards his companion beside him, she beckoned him towards their impending approach, but something held the Elf back. Gazing towards the still figure of the Ranger now behind him, Legolas could not unconscionably continue any further without his friend. Turning back, he knelt down beside Aragorn, lifting the lifeless Human into his arms before turning to stride towards the approaching skiff.

The crew had made shore and were securing the boat when he approached carrying his precious burden. Although no acknowledgements were spoken, Legolas' wish to join them was immeasurable and at last he tremulously voiced his overwhelming desire.

"It is my wish to join you."

One of the two wraithlike figures turned as he drew near, hearing his urgent words, and holding up his hand as if to stop him from continuing his approach. Legolas halted and looked on in confusion as the man's hand signal changed from a full flattened palm he had held out in front of him to one waving finger pointing upwards. His bewilderment increasing, Legolas looked up towards the heavens above him as if suddenly expecting to see storm clouds brewing, which might prove to delay any hoped for departure.

Seeing none, the Elf spoke out again. "It is my wish that we should join you."

Again the ghostly figure held out but one finger as if trying to relay some mystifying message.

Brushing his communication aside, Legolas took another step towards the now empty craft hoping wearily to deposit Aragorn's additional weight within its possession before climbing aboard himself.

This time the other figure turned from what had been busying him, to hold up a hand to stave off Legolas' advance. He, too, extended one of his bony fingers skyward towards the heavens.

His frustration now paramount, Legolas spoke out once more. "It is our wish to join you. Please let us accompany you back towards the grey vessel. We seek to make passage from these shores."

Neither figure was to be dissuaded from their goal as they continued to ward off Legolas' advance, while maintaining their baffling silence.

Finally turning towards the maiden beside him, Legolas' voice broke with heavy emotion. "Why have they come? Why? If they only wish to deny us passage?"

Answering him, she spoke reassuringly, "It is not their wish to deny you anything, but they only have room for one."

"Oh!" The light of recognition finally dawning upon the Elf's strained features as Legolas realized now the meaning behind the crew's cryptic message. Though the skiff they used looked steady enough to hold four perhaps even five if the maiden was to accompany them, Legolas decided to acquiesce to their bizarre wishes though he was loath to leave Aragorn to their custody. But soon enough, the Elf reasoned, they would return to collect him as well, so he could join his friend on this voyage homeward.

Motioning towards his lifeless friend, the Elf tried to signal towards the speechless figures his intent to let Aragorn go first.

Reaching to detain him before he placed the Ranger within the confines of the boat, the almost forgotten maiden beside him further elaborated the mute oarsmen's message.

"No, you do not understand. They only have passage for one. They do not intend to return to these shores once you have boarded. Their vessel makes ready to sail."

"But… I must go… I cannot stay here…" Legolas stammered, his confusion growing by the minute. " The grey ship…it is so large…so vast…surely there is room upon it for one more…" He went on, staring down into Aragorn's pale face in sorrow and disbelief.

"No, you must leave your friend behind upon these shores if you are to go with them."

"But I can't…I cannot leave him here…to whatever the beasts or elements might bring… I cannot!"

"I shall see that no harm comes to him."

"But how can you? Are you not to go with them as well?…Is that not why they claim that there is not enough room?"

"No, my destiny is not to be shared with yours or his," She answered.

"Yet, you will see that no harm comes to him?"

"Yes."

"But you will not stay with him? You claimed your destiny was not to be linked with his, and in the end, you will abandon him. I cannot allow that to happen. I shall not leave him alone! I will not abandon my friend to an eternity of grief and despair!"

With heartbreaking assertion, the Elf's choice was suddenly made. Breaking contact with the maiden beside him, he continued walking forward until he once again reached the drifting skiff. One of the crew was already inside, for the tide was moving outward and their departure would have to be imminent. The other oarsman still stood upon the shore making ready to push the craft back into the breaking waters before climbing aboard himself.

Bowing over the small vessel, Legolas lowered Aragorn's dead weight into its custody, the oarsman inside helping the Elf to rearrange the Man's lifeless limbs. Then relinquishing his friend's weight fully, the Elf hands took hold of Aragorn's face brushing away the dark, unruly hair, which the wind had blown to cover his wan features, before moving downward to place a final kiss of goodbye upon the Human's forehead. "Namarie, mellon nin. Be at peace, my friend. "

His voice rough with emotion, Legolas instructed the silent oarsmen,"Watch over him!"

The two only nodded their agreement as the one upon the shore began pushing the skiff back towards the waning surf. The swirling tidal pool caught hold of the craft's bottom as the strong undertow worked to draw it back towards its massive relative.

Standing upon the shoreline, Legolas watched the skiff as it grew smaller and smaller in sight while carrying his friend away from him until at last it became one with the great, grey vessel. A short time later, the ship drew anchor and began its voyage towards the distant horizon. Still the Elf remained motionless, watching as a piece of his heart sailed with it, until finally it became only a small dot and then no more.

A forgotten voice sounded beside him startling him from his enforced reverie. "Why do you keep your sights upon what was, when what you seek is among the living?"

"You don't understand," Legolas argued, his blue eyes tearing up once again.

"Why do you weep for him? He was not of your race?"

"No, you are wrong there. Yes, he was not of my race, but I loved him as one loves a brother…There has never been anyone closer to me in my life…He was my friend…."

"A good friend is to be treasured…"

Legolas only nodded, unable to contain the tears which were now rolling down his grief-stricken face as he continued on. " His soul has passed from this world…I will never see him again…I will never talk to him or hear his voice… share my feelings... I vowed to walk beside him while he inhabited These Land, but now he is lost to me…"

"Ah, but it is there that you are wrong," She answered.

"How? Why?" Legolas responded, perplexed by her statement.

"To walk in someone's footsteps is follow that person's spirit. Continue upon the path that he set out on! Do not forsake him, do not lose heart, but continue what he started. For he is never lost to you, if you allow him to reside within your heart."

Legolas' throat tightened with emotion at her word, and the Elf could not respond even when she moved forward to transfer something into his custody, a small white flower. The one that he had discovered crushed within Aragorn's palm earlier, but had discarded to the sands beneath him. It was no longer withered and bruised, but as vibrant and as fragrant as if it had just been picked.

"Keep his hope alive within you. Carry on his legacy. Do not allow yourself to dwell among the dead, when what you look for is in the living… You have made your choice," she beckoned towards the sea's vast expanse. "Seek now what belongs to you, for a new day is dawning !"

Suddenly a land wind picked up replacing the earlier sea breeze, causing Legolas golden hair to blow about his face and become adhered to his dampened flesh. Turning his face towards the wind to assist himself, the sand as well rose up to limit his vision and he took a misstep as he tried to turn again losing his balance.

This second fall within hours of the first had taken its toll upon the wounded Elf along with the weariness of grief, but still the maiden's words echoed in his ears. "Seek what now belongs to you…"

Grappling with the hard earth beneath him, Legolas tried to right himself though the agony from his earlier injuries inhibited his abilities as the resurgence of cutting pain reawakened within him. Pulling himself forward, the Elf attempted to wipe away the grit that had collected within his eyes with his free hand. Though his vision was now fuzzy, the Elf could see the pinking light of the daytime star as it broke upon the land. Encouraged, he felt along the ground for some purchase to help him right himself, but the terrain felt odd, no longer grainy like the beach he had been upon, but denser and damper.

Reaching forward he grabbed hold of a garment, but it was too coarse to be that of the maiden's beside him, even her outer mantle. He had not realized until now that his other hand was impeded, wrapped around the dead weight of something else. As his numb fingers curled around it to investigate further, he realized he was grasping hold of someone's limb as he felt flesh and hair beneath his fingertips. Reluctant to let loose his superior hold while the advantage was his, he used the garments beneath his other hand to pull himself forward as he levered himself upwards.

Blinking the blinding grit away from his eyesight again, slowly a dark head came into focus in the growing daylight, then the pink tip of a pointed ear as it lay motionless upon the bulky covered torso of another. Pushing himself even further upwards upon his one elbow, Legolas at last noted that it was Elladan before him as he rested against the bandaged covered chest of his Human brother, while clasping the Man's left hand within his own two. And above the raven-haired Elf,s head upon his friend's chest, falling just short of the Ranger's chin, lay a white flower, similar to the one that the maiden had placed only a few short seconds ago within his custody.

Within the reach of his own hand he maintained possession of Aragorn's forearm. Sliding himself, further towards his friend with his free hand, the Elf moved himself into an awkward sitting position beside the pale Human and took hold of the limp hand beneath it.

In wonderment, Legolas called out his friend's name, "Estel?"

The stumbling movements taking place beside him, and at last the impetus of his spoken name, served to rouse the Ranger from his deep and troubling sleep as he groaned in acknowledgement, while his confused grey eyes flickered open once, then twice as a small smile, perhaps even just a grimace, played out upon his lips, before he surrendered himself once again to a now more restorative realm of sleep.

TBC

Author's Closing Notes: Well, I hope you enjoyed chapter 31. Thank you for reading it. My original intention was to have it posted before Christmas with the final paragraph being my holiday gift to my readers. Well, this is the fourth day of Christmas, and I've given you one recovering Ranger and three healing Elves, better than four calling birds IMHO anyday in my book . Hmmm…could have used those calling birds as the white gulls…nah!

Well if you haven't guessed it already, the song that inspired these last two chapters was "Into the West", and the unidentified maiden was my attempt at including Nienna in this story. I apologize for any discrepancies in my characterization of her. There are but a few more chapters to go in this story as it winds down to its conclusion. My many thanks to those who have stayed with this perpetual fest of angst. If I'm correct, Legolas has been suffering for almost thirty chapter now and on death's door for at least the last fifteen of them, with Aragorn as well for almost the last ten. I call that reader dedication:) Thank you!

I hope my continued use of the italics didn't cause any confusion. I always bold face and italicize any of the previous chapter's text I use. I've also been italicizing as well the happenings in Legolas' dream quest, which is why the majority of this chapter was italicized. I hope this didn't create any problems for those trying to read it. Until next time in which I will hopefully explain the origins and use of Galanthus for those of you who may not have researched this bloom's history already. (hint, hint- Latin name-There is also a tie in to the flower and two Hans Christian Anderson tales -One which I fondly remember from childhood entitled "The Angel" which if you read it will explain the importance of the bloom when Nienna handed it back to Legolas) Well, until then! Sue a.k.a. Quickbeam 1 :)

Edited 12/30/05