Ok, to answer your question Brownie24, yes. The only way for an elf to die is in battle or from a broken heart. Remember when Arwen is in her room and drops the book in TTT, she's fading...she thinks Aragorn no longer returns her love (btw I adore her blood red/dying dress). If an elf loses someone they have bond with in battle or (as is in our case) their significant other sails over the sea and they have no hope of seeing them in this world they'll fade. Elves, even if they have chosen to become mortal, can choose to just die after they begin to fade (as Arwen did in Cerin Amroth). This is similar to what will happen to Arianell...but that's way, way in the future. She and Legolas have AGES together...if she decides to return to him. Tell ya'll what, I'll make it a little nicer this chapter...but I don't want to give up the tint of sorrow.

Varda lifted her hand from Arianell's shoulder, "Come child, there is time to think of these things later."

Arianell watched the mists fade again and found herself standing in the main hall, surrounded by the Valar that were present when she had first awoken.

"Could we not speak of it now?"

Nienna lay her hand on Arianell's shoulder as the elf came to stand in front of her. "You are concerned about Legolas, are you not?" Her eyes were full of sadness yet she smiled "You are of a pure soul Arianell. Legolas will be fine, he will pass into the west with the memory of your love and when the ages of this world" Nienna waved her hands toward the windows, signifying Middle Earth "have past he may choose to be rejoined with you in my halls west of West and beyond the borders of the world."

Arianell smiled "So there is some hope yet for a better end."

Nienna's sad smile was genuine "There is always hope Arianell Marian."

888

Arianell closed her eyes and waited as she felt Varda approaching. Varda's sigh was soft and made her smile as the Valier lay her hand lightly over Arianell's forhead.

Arianell had been unsure what to expect, afterall the last time she had been 'transformed' was by Lothien and that hadn't exactly felt wonderful. Her expectation of pain was not unfounded, but this time it was different...less pain and more cold. Arianell shivered and longed for warmth. As she opened her eyes she noticed that she seemed to be in some sort of a tunnel.

At the end nearest her she could see the other Valar, including those she had not met, assembled. Arianell could feel the warmth radiating from the room and longed to go back but Varda's voice stopped her "The transformation is complete Arianell you are now truly immortal but the time has come for you to make your choice. To your left are the halls of Manwe and the other Valar. To your right" Arianell looked down the tunnel to her right...at the far end was a spot of light the size of a mirror that shimmered like the surface of water. "Legolas" she breathed as she unconsciously took the first step towards the water-window, cold overcoming her in waves.

Through the waterwindow she could see Legolas' face leaning over her prone form, his lips moving. The closer she got to him the colder she became yet something pulled her forward...something that tugged gently at her heart and filled her with as much despair as hope.

As Arianell took the one last step over the threshold into her world she turned towards Varda

"You have made a wise choice Arianell Greenleaf. Go, join your husband."

End Dream Sequence

Arianel's eyelids slowly fluttered open, she looked to her left to see Legolas pouring over a book, the words he was reading echoing faintly in her ears.

"M'Lord, I am cold."

Just a glance from him was almost enough to warm her soul.

Normal POV...set right before Arianell awakens

When Arianell had begun to confront Lothien Legolas had run to find the guards he had momentarily dismissed. Upon arriving back he and Elzar had attempted to come to Arianell's rescue but some sort of a barrier had kept him from her.

Legolas looked at Arianell's sleeping figure, some sort of a barrier kept him from her now.

Legolas' gaze fell back to the tome resting gently in his lap. Elzar had brought it to him earlier that evening, suggesting that, since the poems contained within it were written by Arianell's hand, he should read them aloud and perhaps it would help in awakening her.

Legolas sighed; the healers had already been in to see her and had said there was, essentially, nothing they could do and that it would be best to just allow her to awaken on her own.

Clearing his throat he began to read, his strong voice filling the room.

I'm sorry it's short, any care to know what Legolas is reading? Let me know...