Disclaimer: I own nothing

A/N: I'm so sorry. I thought I posted this forever ago, but fan fiction was messing up the day I tried to post and I guess it never got up. Sorry. Anyway, this is it. This is the last chapter. I know the last the chapter was very depressing and very sad. I was evil. This chapter isn't much better just to warn you, but I promise the next story shall be a little less depressing. Well, actually I can't promise that, so never mind. Preview for next story at the bottom. Hope you have enjoyed this story. Thank you so much for the comments and reviews. I hope everyone comes back again next time. Take care.

Chapter 12

The Rain Falls

A cold wind blew harshly whipping Legolas' hair around his face. Storm clouds passed overhead threatening to open up and release a downpour of rain at any moment. Trees swayed slightly from the storm winds and bayed down towards the ground. The whole forest of Mirkwood seemed to be in mourning. The trees seemed to be able to sense the pain of the elves and the grief lingered heavily over them.

Legolas, however, barely noticed. He only stared straight ahead at the two wooden boxes that lay a few feet in front of him. A lump formed in his throat as he pushed his tears away. For all the tears he had cried last night, he would have thought it wouldn't be possible to cry anymore. He swallowed hard and averted his eyes. His father stood at the front preparing himself to say a few words. His face was ashen and his eyes were dull and full of pain.

It brought pain to Legolas' heart and he looked away quickly. Though where he looked didn't bring any relief. In fact, it brought even more pain to his heart. Elrond was standing near Thranduil. The usual strong elf looked shattered. His eyes were now windows into his broken soul. He was trying to be strong for everyone else, trying to be the comfort to those in pain, but he couldn't hide his own torment. Legolas looked away, but every where he looked, someone was in torment. Arwen sat alone, tears falling idly down her cheeks and her legs pulled close to her chest. Kalen's mother was standing with her head buried in her husband's chest. Kalen's father doing his best to comfort his mother, but his own heart breaking with pain. Kalen's older brother standing rigid on the other side of his mother. His face was firm and his head held high; his hands were clenched into fists as if he clenched them hard enough the pain would disappear.

Legolas averted his eyes once again. Everyone in Mirkwood was mourning today. Some more than others, but everyone felt the pain of not only loosing a great warrior in Mirkwood, but also loosing their princess. Linriel had been loved dearly by all and the news that she was with child had spread like wildfire. Just last morning, that was what everyone was talking about. Everyone was ecstatic to know the first grandchild of King Thranduil would soon be born. Yet before the day was even over the news turned from rejoicing to bitter tears. No one could believe the devastation. It was a nightmare that everyone wished they could just wake up from. But they couldn't.

As Thranduil began talking, Legolas drew in a deep breath, pushing his haunting thoughts from his mind.

"We are gathered here today to honor two fallen heroes." Thranduil swallowed hard, and somehow he was able to push himself to continue. "Kalen son of Malfin was one of my best warriors. I knew I could trust him with any task and he would do everything in his power to complete it. He always gave his best, always thought of the good of Mirkwood, and though he was young, he was wise beyond his years. He was a great friend to my son and saved his life more times than I know. He did more for Mirkwood in his short life than many of us have done in all our long years. He is a true hero and though his soul has passed from this life, his memory will forever live with us. We will never forget his sacrifice."

Thranduil bowed his head for a moment of silence. Then he draped a golden cloth across Kalen's lifeless form. The gold tapestry was the highest honor that the king could give to a fallen warrior. And yet somehow, it didn't even seem like enough.

Then Thranduil looked down at the wooden coffin that held his beautiful daughter. He swallowed hard and tried to stop the trembling in his body. He ran his hand once more over her pale, cold face before looking up at the people.

"When Linriel was born Isdilwen and I were the proudest parents in the world. She was a beautiful baby and we knew she would grow up to be a great princess in Mirkwood." He smiled slightly. "She far exceeded even our greatest dreams for her. She became a great warrior, but had the sweetest and gentlest spirit that I have ever seen. Even in the worst of times, she found the strength to keep going and the courage to hold on. And though her spirit is now faded, her light and the memory she has left in all our hearts will linger on forever."

Slowly Thranduil closed the lid to her coffin and turned away. It was a moment of silence, but the king walked away, unable to bear the crowds anymore. He needed to be alone with his grief.

Legolas thought about going to him, but he knew there was nothing he could do. He watched in cold dread as a few elves lowered the wooden boxes into the ground and began to shovel dirt over them. His heart tore and yet somehow he was not able to turn his head away. His eyes were glued to the wooden coffin that held his sister's unmoving body. Looking away would be like saying a final goodbye, and Legolas wasn't ready to do that quite yet. In only a matter of minutes the box would be covered and nothing would remain to be seen save for the mound of dirt and the rock that would be placed at her grave. Yet still, Legolas could not make himself say goodbye. He wasn't ready to let her go. He didn't want her to leave. He all ready missed her so much. How could he go on living without his little sister? She was the light in his life that shined even on the darkest of days. He did not even want to imagine living life without her in his life.

Yet fate did not care. Fate plays cruel games sometimes and this was one of those cruel, horrible games. No one had expected for the princess to die. No one can truly ever be prepared for death, but at times of war you do expect it. In times of such peace and happiness, ones tends to let down his guard.

Legolas cursed himself. He should have been more prepared. He should have made sure another guard was there to protect Linriel or that they wouldn't have walked so far out in the woods. He should have never let his guard down. It was a mistake. A mistake that had cost his sister her life and it was a mistake he would have to live the rest of his life with.

Finally, Legolas looked away from the graves as he ran a hand through his hair. Some of the elves had left to mourn in their own homes. Only a few still remained. Elladan and Elrohir were among them. Legolas bit his lip as he looked at Elrohir. He had tried to avoid looking at the younger twin. He didn't want to face the heartbreak that he would see in Elrohir's face. He felt it would kill him inside. He closed his eyes quickly, but what he had seen was enough.

Elladan was standing beside Elrohir. Tears were in his eyes and he stared at the ground. He looked up at his brother slightly, as pain crossed his features, and would stare into his brother's lifeless eyes for a moment before looking back down. He was wishing there was something he could do. Some way he could alleviate his brother's pain. But there was no cure, no potion, no healing remedy to a broken heart.

Legolas shook his head sadly and looked once more at the grave. "Goodbye my dear sweet sister." He muttered softly as the elves finished their work. "May you find peace."

One last tear trailed down his face as he looked down. He wasn't yet ready to leave, yet at the same time he felt if he stayed here any longer his heart would burst.

Suddenly, Elrohir ran to the grave and collapsed near the headstone. He began to sob uncontrollably. Elladan didn't move to comfort his brother. No one that was left moved to intercept the young twin. All knew there was nothing they could do. All knew that any comfort, any attempt to help the elf would be futile. Instead the remaining elves only turned away to leave the elf to his grief. There was nothing more they could do by lingering any longer. Even Legolas turned away in sadness and headed back towards the palace. Only Elladan remained where he was. The twin didn't move. He would not leave his brother to suffer alone. Even if he just stood there, he wouldn't leave his brother alone in this darkness. He could not.

Suddenly the clouds over head opened up and rain began to fall heavily to the ground. In minutes, Elrohir was soaked and the mud around him was turned into slop. Yet the elf didn't take care. His wet hair clung to his face and his pants were becoming stained in the wet mud, but still Elrohir wept bitter tears. Thunder clapped loudly over his head and lighting lit up the whole sky, but Elrohir did not flinch. Then he looked up into the gray sky and with a loud voice he cried out to Iluvatar.

"Just let me die here. I have no reason to live. Kill me now!"

He received to response other than the continual falling of rain. In frustration he slammed into fist into the wet mud. "Take my life!" He screamed yet again. "Strike me down." He raised his hands towards the sky. Thunder boomed above and the rain came down.

---Two Months Later ---

Legolas opened his eyes as sunlight streamed into his room. He rose and walked to the window. It was a beautiful morning but he did not smile. He was becoming weary of staying in Mirkwood. He wanted to be out doing something, like exploring or traveling. He thought about Aragorn and how much he missed the ranger. He wondered what the human had been up to for the past five months. Was he well? Did he find the answers he was looking for or was he still as lost as ever? Had he met up with the rangers and found his place? Or did he still feel like an outcast even among his own people? Did he need a friend right now?

Perhaps that was what they both needed. Legolas needed to get away and he was sure that Aragorn needed a friend right now. It would do both of their hearts good. Now the only problem was to convince his father to let him leave.

With a determined sigh, Legolas squared his shoulders and walked out the door. He couldn't help the cold feeling that passed through him as he passed what use to be Linriel's bedroom. His heart still mourned her death. That was another reason he had to leave. This place held too many memories. He needed to get away.

The past two months hadn't been easy on him or on anyone. Some days were harder than others, but everyone was at least trying to move on, trying to cope. Everyone except for Elrohir. He didn't want to move on. He wanted to live life with Linriel or not live at all. As the days passed he was sinking further and further into depression. No one knew what to do for him. Elrond had said that 'a broken heart can be mended with time, but Elrohir's heart was more than broken. Part of his heart and soul died the day Linriel passed. Something dead cannot be healed. He would either have to learn to live with it, or he too would fade away.' Everyone hoped that the twin would learn to live with the pain and be able to move on. Everyone feared that he could not. He had been bonded to Linriel and his heart had been given to her. Without her, he wasn't whole.

Legolas pushed those thoughts from his mind and went to his father. His father was in the throne room talking to another elf about some issue. Legolas waited patiently for his father to finish. Finally the king sent the elf away and looked to his son.

"Something on your mind, my son?"

Legolas looked at his father a moment before answering. "I want to ask your permission to leave Mirkwood and go find Estel."

Thranduil stood and walked away from his son.

"Ada, I know what you are going to say, but I need to get away from here. I need to find my best friend and get away from the hopeless dread that still lingers over this place."

"And what makes you think the human is still your friend?"

Legolas sighed. "I don't. But I do not believe he would give up our friendship that easily. He probably needs a friend right now."

"And what about the people of Mirkwood, Legolas?" Thranduil asked as he turned. "Don't you think they need their prince?"

"What more can I do for them, Ada? We all just need to move on in our own way."

Thranduil turned away again and brought a hand to his face. "I would advise you to stay here with your people. But since when do you listen to your father's advice?"

His words hit Legolas hard in the gut. He knew the cold tone was only because his father was suffering but it still hurt. He knew however, that he couldn't stay here any longer. He had to get out. He had to travel and let himself be free of the darkness that was lingering over this place. He did not know how to reply to his father so he simply turned away. Before he could make it to the door, however, he heard his father mutter.

"I hope you find your friend."

Legolas bowed his head. "Be safe, Ada. I will return soon."

With that Legolas left the room. He quickly packed his belongings and some food in a bag. He stopped by Elladan's bedroom and knocked lightly. Elladan opened the door after a few minutes.

"I wanted to say goodbye." Legolas stated plainly.

Elladan nodded. He had a feeling the prince would eventually leave. "Where will you go?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe I will find Aragorn."

A hint of sadness passed over the elf's already laden face. "That sounds good. I will tell Elrohir that you say goodbye."

Legolas nodded. "Any change?"

Elladan shook his head dejectedly. "He hardly eats or sleeps and he hasn't said a word for days. I believe Ada has decided to take him back to Imladris. Perhaps there his heart can find peace again."

"I hope that will help. Be safe, my friend."

"You too."

Legolas turned and walked towards the stables. He quickly mounted and rode out the palace gate. He took one last look before drawing in a deep breath and turning away. He gave his horse a gentle, but firm kick and the horse began to take Legolas away from his home. He squared his shoulders and looked ahead. He had a long journey ahead of him.

Summary of next story

Legolas goes out to search for Aragorn hoping the ranger will still want to remain friends. When Aragorn hears of Elrohir's dire condition, the two friends decide to travel back to Rivendell, but getting there won't be easy. Old fears and memories must be faced first. And one of them might commit the ultimate act of betrayal. Find out if our friends will survive, if family can be reunited and if love can really bring someone through anything.