Eternal Life, Eternal Pain
VI. Warnings Unheeded
~*~*~
Heart,
I know love's been hard on you,
And I'm sorry for the things I've put you through,
Before, you start to break on me, or ask for sympathy,
I need to make you see
~*~*~
Arwen just stared blankly at him.
Gimli was breathing hard. "Did you not hear what I just said? Legolas... he's gone!"
Finally, he got a reaction - though it was one Gimli wished he hadn't forced. Arwen's face began to crumble, and she dissolved into tears.
Aragorn asked Gimli, "What do you mean he's gone?"
"Disappeared! I went to where he had been sitting," Gimli said, a bit more calmly now. "And I couldn't find him. At all. Gone." His face distorted into sadness. "What if we never find him? What if I've lost him forever?"
"No need for thinking that, Gimli," Aragorn said. "We will find him. Did you catch a glimpse of him? Any sign of him at all?"
Gimli paused for a moment, and then he slowly nodded. "I saw him heading toward that," he said, pointing toward a golden castle off in the distance. Arwen looked up to where he was pointing. The castle was by a lake which glistened as the sun reflected off it. It was almost the most perfect picture she had ever seen. So perfect, she thought. So beautiful. And yet... why had I never seen it before?
"That is strange," she heard Aragorn whisper. "I never saw that..."
"And neither did I," replied Gimli. "That is, until I saw him walking into it - at least I assume it was him."
"Walking into it?" Aragorn repeated. "What, is he mad?"
"Probably," Gimli snorted. "You have no idea how Legolas can be sometimes. And if you'd pardon the stereotype, Lady Arwen," he added, "elves can be quite insane at times."
"It is pardoned," Arwen said faintly.
Aragorn looked at his wife with concern. "Are you all right, Arwen?" he asked, smoothing her brown hair back.
At first, she didn't move, but in a sudden burst of emotion, she cried out, "Oh, it's all my fault, and you two know it. Why don't you just blame me instead of standing there, mocking me? Why must you mock me?! I know it's my fault, all right?" Her voice was getting shriller and shriller. "My fault," she whispered. "All my fault..."
"Arwen, don't blame yourself like that," Aragorn said soothingly. He tried to take her into his arms, but Arwen merely pushed him away. "Didn't you hear what Gimli said?" he added softly. "He says Legolas went on his own accord, out of his own free will. Don't blame yourself."
"We must find him," Arwen stated slowly and clearly, almost as if she hadn't heard her husband's words at all. But then she looked him into the eyes and gave him a soft smile, sending relief through Aragorn.
"Let's go find him," Gimli suggested. "Now."
Aragorn smiled, took his wife's hand in one hand and his sword in the other, and got up. "I second that motion!"
Arwen smiled. "I suppose I third that motion."
"Well, what are we waiting for," Gimli demanded impatiently. "Let's go!"
Oh heart, I'm not sure it's been long enough,
To say that I feel is really love,
There is just one way to learn,
Sometimes we'll get burned,
And right now it's our turn
~*~*~
Legolas opened his eyes. Where am I? he wondered. He sat up and looked around. The room was large enough, rather cozy, and he was lying in a bed. Where am I?
"In my home, Legolas," an airy voice said off in the distance behind him.
The young prince whirled around in surprise. "What?" he managed to utter. "You can-?"
"Yes," said the voice. Legolas peered over in its direction and could see a woman coming toward him. "I can read minds."
He stared at her, careful not to think anything stupid. An elf, he finally realized. She was beautiful, as elves were, but far beyond that. She had long golden hair, not like his, but instead, truly golden. Bright like real gold, as were the robes she wore. She almost seems to glow, Legolas thought.
She smiled gently at him. Her demeanor was quite like Arwen's, although, Legolas noticed, she was far older. "My name," she said, "is Relannia. You are in my forest."
"I have never seen such a place," Legolas answered with his princely airs. "Pray tell, what is the name of this place?"
"Ah," Relennia replied. "I'm afraid I cannot tell you." She looked over at the prince. "This displeases you, fair prince? You do not trust me?"
Before Legolas could even begin to wonder over how she could read his mind so well, as he often hid his emotions from his face, he burst out, "How did you know I was a prince?"
Relennia continued to smile. "I know many things."
After a short pause, Legolas asked her, "Now I know where I am - though I don't quite trust you - how did I get here? The last thing I remember was sitting in the forest..."
"I took you here," Relennia answered. "You fainted as we approached my home."
"Why?"
"I suppose you were tired."
"No, why did you take me here?"
"Oh, I see. Well, I don't suppose I can tell you now. We must wait for you companions - they shall arrive soon."
"Oh no!" Legolas cried out. "Aragorn, Arwen, Gimli! They'll be very worried about me disappearing like that."
"No need to fear, Legolas. I have sent for them already."
To that, Legolas could only answer lamely, "Oh." She thinks of everything, doesn't she? he thought rather nastily in his mind before realizing -
"Basically," Relennia said, smiling when she saw Legolas's face flush with embarrassment.
Give it time,
Help me through,
Heart we can do this together,
You're my strength,
You're my soul,
I need you now more than ever
~*~*~
"We don't seem to be getting any nearer to the castle," Gimli declared after they had been walking toward it for at least an hour.
"Yes, and I'm getting tired," Arwen said. "This seems futile. If anything, it seems as if the castle were getting smaller." She sat down desolately on a rock nearby, her head in her hands.
"Come now," Aragorn said. "We mustn't lose hope. Legolas must be found - dead or alive."
"Dead?!"
Before anyone could reply to Arwen's cry, a dove flew through the air and landed on her shoulder. Arwen looked at the little bird in fear, almost. In its beak it held a note.
"What is it, little one?" Arwen asked. The bird opened its beak and dropped the note onto Arwen's lap.
"Read it," Gimli commanded, though there was little need. Arwen was already opening the little scroll.
After reading it several times over, she smiled. "I think I realize what we've been doing wrong," Arwen said softly.
"What?"
"Hush, Gimli, I'm trying to think." Arwen looked at the castle again, and then turned around to look at the lake. Comprehension and understanding dawned on her beautiful features, and it seemed as if darkness were being taken over by light. Her once sad face seemed lit with joy and happiness.
"Turn around, and walk into the lake."
"Are you mad, woman?" Gimli shouted. "Walk into the lake? First of all, that's in the opposite direction..."
"Listen to her, Gimli," Aragorn cut in. "Have we not been heading in the direction of the castle for some time now, and yet we have not neared it? Perhaps Arwen is right. There is no harm in trying."
"Yeh, 'cuz you can swim," Gimli said under his breath, but gave no other objections.
Slowly, the group made its way toward the glistening lake. Arwen admired how beautiful it looked, dazzling as if thousands of sapphires were in it. The sun bounced off cheerfully. But something was strange about it. As they neared, Arwen saw what it was.
The lake was completely flat. Nothing was in it. Not a single ripple moved across it...
"There's something wrong with this," Aragorn frowned.
Gimli picked up a rock. "Lesse if this lake really is a lake!" and with that he flung it in - or well at least he tried. The rock bounced back at him, plonking him right on the forehead.
"It's almost as if there's a barrier around the lake," Arwen said, ignoring Gimli's cries of pain and swearing. Slowly, she reached out her hand despite Aragorn's protests. Her hand slipped through the barrier, and it seemed to disappear. Arwen smiled. She turned to face her two companions and said, "Follow me." Before the two could say anything, she had walked right through the barrier and was gone.
The two stared for a while. "Well, what are we supposed to do now?" Gimli asked, forgetting the pain in his head for a moment.
"Follow her, I suppose!" Aragorn then did what his wife had done and disappeared.
"He-ey! Wait for me!" Gimli dashed in after Aragorn, right through the barrier.
As Gimli passed the barrier, he ran right into Aragorn who was standing immediately behind Arwen. The three fell down into an awkward heap.
"Uh, sorry." Arwen and Aragorn glared at the dwarf.
Arwen carefully got up and looked around as the two behind her did the same. Golden, just like the forest, she thought. A grand hallway stretched before her, and at the end, there was a staircase rolling down. The castle seemed to stretch all the way to the sky and to all the ends of the earth. When she looked up, she saw the ceiling was glass, making it appear it was the sky. Blue as ever, the sun shining in brightly. So beautiful here, she thought. I was right. No evil could ever create this...
"Are we going to stand here gawking all day, or are we going to do something about finding Legolas?" Gimli said, breaking her thoughts. He obviously was untouched by the gleaming beauty around him.
"Well, I don't know what to do now," Arwen said. "Any suggestions?"
"What? You don't know what to do? But the note..."
"The note only said to get here," Arwen replied. "Nothing more."
At that moment, a regal figure appeared at the end of the hallway on top of the stairs. "Hello my voyagers," she said. "I have been watching you for days."
Aragorn instantly reached for his sword, but the elf walked closer and held up her hand. "There is no need for that Elessar, King of Gondor." To his look of surprise, she answered, "Yes, I know who you are, for I know many things. This," she said, motioning to Arwen," is your wife, the Lady Arwen Evenstar, daughter of Lord Elrond, ruler of Riverdell, and this is Gimli, son of Gloin. Welcome to my humble home." She bowed to them. "I am Relennia. Ah, I see the worry on your faces." She walked closer to them. "Come, follow me. Your friend Legolas awaits your company." Relennia then turned around and slowly ascended the steps.
"What should we do?" Gimli hissed.
"Do?" Aragorn repeated. "Why, we follow her."
"What?"
"Only she knows where Legolas is now," Arwen said. "We have no choice but to follow her."
"She only says she knows where Legolas is, we don't know that for sure," retorted Gimli.
"Oh stop you two." Aragorn began ascending the steps. "Well, are you going to follow or not?" He turned with a swish of his cape and continued to go up the staircase. Arwen followed him, leaving behind Gimli yet again. Gimli was getting tired of this - he was always last. Why was it? Gimli stormed up the stairs and ran right pass Arwen, who was taking her time.
Ha, Gimli thought in his mind. Passed her. But just as soon as he thought that, Arwen gracefully passed him and joined Aragorn at the top of the stairs. What the?! Elves... he thought darkly.
Heart, all the hurt will soon be gone,
If you, if you just keep on beating strong,
You will always be my friend,
So keep on hanging in,
And we'll find love again
~*~*~
"Legolas!" Arwen cried when she finally saw him. He was sitting in a bed, staring out the window. When he heard Arwen's voice, he smiled at them.
"Arwen, Aragorn, Gimli," he said. "I hope I didn't worry you."
"Didn't worry us - baaah," Gimli said. "Don't do that again, Legolas. I was scared to Mordor and back."
"Oh, it wasn't that bad, was it?" Legolas looked at Aragorn with a worried complexion.
"No, no," Aragorn reassured him. "We were just worried something happened to you."
"Yes," Arwen said. She had taken a seat next to Legolas's bed and was just watching him. "Are you all right?"
"He willll be fine," said Relennia. Everyone turned to look at her, for she had just entered the room. "Legolas merely needs rest. Today - today as been very difficult on him, emotionally and physically. I invite you," she continued, "to rest for the night in my home. I will provide you with supper and beds to sleep in for as long as you wish." This she said almost hopefully.
"Thank you for your kindness," Aragorn said, "but perhaps we shall only stay one night. We are on a journey to destroy the threat of orcs rising. We cannot stay long."
"Ah, I see." Relennia looked away. "Well, I suppose you are hungry. Legolas," she said redirecting her piercing gaze at the young elf, "do you find the strength to join your companions for dinner tonight."
"Indeed," Legolas said. "Sitting in a bed is not high on my list of favorite things to do."
"Very well," she replied. "Supper shall be ready within the hour. I suggest you four refresh yourselves and rest. My servants shall show you three to your rooms." Relennia slowly walked out of the room. As she did, two young elves entered and bowed.
"Master Gimli," said one, "please follow me."
"Sir Elessar, Lady Arwen, follow me," requested the other.
"Please," Legolas heard Aragorn say, his voice fading as he walked down the hallway, "call me Aragorn."
"As you wish, Sir Elessar-Aragorn."
"Ooh..." Aragorn said almost impatiently, his voice echoing down the halls.
Give it time (give it time),
Help me through (help me),
Heart we can do this together,
You're my strength (you're my strength),
You're my soul,
I need you now more than ever
~*~*~
Arwen looked at Aragorn and nodded. She continued to her room, leaving him behind.
"What is it, fair lady?" Aragorn asked.
"I wish to speak with you," she repeated.
"So speak," he replied.
"But," she continued. "I find difficulty in what I must say." She paused before she went on. "Perhaps, you should follow me." Relennia rose up, walked out of the room, and beckoned him to do the same. She then led him into a room with a large window and several chairs. "Sit," she said pointing at them.
Aragorn did, but uncomfortably - not that the chairs were so. Relennia seemed so disturbed, Aragorn was afraid of the news she might deliver.
"What is it, Lady Relennia?" he asked when the silence became too much to bear.
But she didn't seem to hear him. Slowly, she opened her mouth and said, "All of us - human, elves, dwarves, hobbits - we all carry burdens. Whether they be light or heavy, burdens we indeed have."
"Yes," Aragorn agreed.
"And your greatest burden," Relennia continued, "is your loyalty."
"Loyalty?" he repeated, wondering if he had heard wrong. "Loyalty is a virtue, is it not?"
"Yes," replied the elf, "but it is also a burden - for it makes you continue your journey, even though it is against your wishes."
"I do not seem to understand."
"Aragorn, do you love your life?"
"Yes, I suppose."
"Do you love your wife? Your children? Your home?"
"Of course."
"Do you care for Gimli?"
"Naturally, he is one of my best companions."
"And above all - do you wish for Legolas's well-being?"
"Lady, you are starting to worry me."
"Aragorn, do you not comprehend what I am trying to say?"
"I am afraid I do not."
Almost impatiently, Relennia said sharply, "You must not continue your quest."
Aragorn looked at her in surprise. "I am afraid I cannot, Lady Relennia. Now, I am beginning to wonder of your motives."
His words cut to Relennia's heart and hurt her deeply. "Aragorn, do no such thing. I am here speaking merely on your behalf, although you may not see it yet. I know many things, as you have already witnessed. Perhaps I know too much, as it continually worries my heart."
The man stood there and looked at her. "I am flattered with your concern, but I cannot fulfill your request in stopping our quest. 'Twould be far too selfish to even contemplate."
"Very well," Relennia said, leaning back against the chair she was sitting in. "I have tried. Do get Legolas for me; I wish to speak with him."
"As you wish, my Lady," Aragorn said, bowing as he exited.
"I tried," Relennia whispered.
Heart, I know I've been hard on you,
I'm sorry for the things I've put you through,
Please, don't you break on me, I need to make you see,
It wasn't meant to be,
'Cause you will always be my friend,
So keep on hangin' in,
And we'll find love again
~*~*~
When supper had ended, Legolas immediately went into his room and fell into his bed. He was so tired... yet too many thoughts were bouncing i his head for him to sleep. I know, Legolas thought. I'll write in my log. He grabbed his sack of things and pulled it out.
Ever since Legolas was young, he had kept a journal. He often did so for his father, who had inquired of Legolas's doings while he was away on trips and such. When Legolas started to have a hard time remembering as Thranduil's trips became more frequent and long, his father suggested the boy keep a journal. It was a habit that stayed with Legolas all his years.
Legolas looked at it. The last time he had written was before they started their journey. Taking his pen, he began to write:
'Today was strange. Hard to understand, hard to comprehend. So many emotions and thoughts ran through my head today! In the morning, it was laughter and happiness as I watched Gimli tried to wake up Arwen. It was quite the comedy; seemed to be a complete repeat of what had happened the day before, except this time, the roles were reversed. Luckily for Aragorn and me, no war broke out this time.
'But in the afternoon, a different emotion - sadness and grief, I suppose. Perhaps even displeasure with myself. Why can't I understand love? I try my hardest every time my father asks, yet I come short every time. My mother... they all say I should love her, respect her. I can't. I want to, but I can't. Sometimes, I'd rather I was born into a family out of royalty where I had a mother and a father like normal beings have and knew love like normal beings do. But I was not. Am I not normal? I am not. I cannot be normal as long as I am Prince Legolas Greenleaf, Son of Thranduil, ruler of Mirkwood.'
He would have written more, for there was still much weighing on his heart but he was interrupted by Aragorn knocking on his door. "Legolas?" he asked softly.
"What is it, friend?" Legolas asked, opening the door.
"Relennia wishes to speak with you."
"Ah," Legolas replied. "Where might she be?"
"Go down the hall - all the way. You'll see a room with a large window and several chairs. Relennia is there."
"All right, I'll be there." Legolas closed the door as Aragorn left. Sighing, he turned and collected his things and put them back into the sack - he didn't want anyone to know of his log he still kept. Sometimes he found it a bit childish that he did such a thing, but it brought relief to him sometimes, to release his feelings. And of course, Legolas didn't want any nosy person to read it...
Legolas followed Aragorn's directions to the room, though he did have some trouble as they were not very vivid. Eventually, he stumbled into the room where Relennia was sitting. At first she did not seem to notice him. She sat in a large arm chair with her head resting in one hand. Her face was marred with wrinkles of stress and sadness. Legolas stood there for a while, uncertain of whether he should just turn back and let her be. Finally, Relennia's eyes looked up and saw Legolas standing there. She tried to smile, but it was obvious she was in pain. "Legolas," she whispered. "Sit, please."
He obliged by sitting in the chair closest to her, facing Relennia directly. "You... you wished to speak with me, Relennia? You seem tired," Legolas said. "Perhaps I should leave and let you rest."
"No!" Relennia cried out. "No... stay. The words I must share with you are far more important than my rest. I can rest later, but what I must say to you cannot wait."
"Then speak," Legolas said simply, smiling at her.
Oh to be young and free! Relennia looked at that smiling face, wondering how long he could smile like that.
"I envy you, Legolas," she whispered.
"There is nothing to envy." Legolas sighed. "I am troubled with many things..."
"And you are a prince, daring, loyal, an excellent bowman... The list continues. Your virtues are many."
"I thank you for your compliments."
"No need," Relennia said. She looked deep into his twinkling blue eyes - so full of fire and love of life! Oh, why can't you see what is your path, prince?
"We all only live once, Legolas, and it is our duty it live it as well as we can."
"Yes," Legolas nodded.
"Have you enjoyed your life?"
"Yes."
"Legolas, speak truthfully. I know all things - there is no need to hide it."
He paused. "I suppose... at times I have wished not to be myself," he finished barely above a whisper.
"There's no need for shame. We all go through phases like that. Even the very best of us," she said smiling. "And you, Legolas, are among the best."
Legolas flushed a deep red. "I - I don't know what to say..." he managed to stammer.
"Then say nothing, just listen. I have not called you in to compliment you; I have called upon you to warn you."
"Of what?" the young prince asked her in confusion. "Orcs?"
"I cannot say much," she said. "I can only warn you..."
There was a short silence before she continued, "Aragorn didn't listen, but perhaps you will. End your journey here and return home."
Legolas smiled. "I'm afraid that's not possible. The lives of thousands depend on our quest."
"I see..." Relennia sighed. "My words have been said in vain. You like Aragorn are stubborn and true-hearted. So it is... So it is." She sighed once more before she said, "You may go as you wish now, Legolas. Sleep well."
Legolas left without a word, leaving Relennia behind in silence. She stood near the window, looking out. Slowly, a tear slipped down her fair face...
It wasn't meant to be,
'Cause you will always be my friend,
So keep on hangin' in,
And we'll find love again
~*~*~
As Legolas slept silently and peacefully, a shadow passes over him. It is Relennia - she who had been watching the four. Her watchful eyes fall upon Legolas's fair face, free from worry and care. "Sleep well, dear prince," she whispers. "Oh why did you not heed my warnings? Sleep well while you still can..."
A/N: I hadn't quite intended this to be so
long! I dunno if future chapters will be so long (this is my first stab at a fan
fic, so give me time, will ya?!), but I guess I'll try! =) So the
"mystery" of the mysterious (ahhh redundancy...) lady has been solved,
but why does she keep repeating for them to end their journey? What does she
know that she cannot say? Ahhh dear reader, I supposed you'll have to wait and
find out ;-P (You probably won't wait long. This story's been bouncing in my
head for the longest time, so I have a very good idea where this plot is headed.
I might get the next chapter out by later today!... yes I have no life... =P But
it's all stuck in my head, I have to get it out!)
**Credit to Mizz Britney Spears for the song, "Heart" and to JRR Tolkien for the characters 'cept for Relennia, cuz I made her up! =)**