Eternal Life, Eternal Pain

XVI. Return of the Phoenix

~*~*~

Remember the first day when I saw your face
Remember the first day when you smiled at me
You stepped to me and you said to me
I was the woman you dreamed about
Remember the first day when you called my house
Remember the first day when you took me out
We had butterflies although we tried to hide
And we both had a beautiful night

The way we held each others hand
The way we talked the way we laughed
It felt so good to find true love
I knew right then and there you were the one

~*~*~

Days of nothing but bliss passed, yet Anya felt a tugging feeling at her heart. She knew with every passing day of peace, something had to be amiss, but what she could not say. In all her dealings with Helnulka, stillness and silence usually meant trouble.

"We leave tomorrow," Aragorn said at dinner one night.

Arwen sighed. "Already?"

Aragorn sort of laughed. "Dear, we've been here for almost two weeks. I wanted to leave earlier, but only stayed because you wished to remain longer."

"Oh," Arwen said. "I did not realize it had been that long."

"Well, I'm ready to move," Anya said suddenly. "I've been bored, hanging around here with Haryon all the time..."

Legolas shot her a look. "I bore you?"

Anya smiled sweetly and innocently. "What do you think?" she teased.

"I bore you?" Legolas repeated.

Anya heaved a sigh. "Does he know what 'sarcasm' is?"

"I doubt it," Gimli replied.

Aragorn said, "Well, remember, we leave tomorrow, so sleep well tonight."

* * *

Anya tried to heed Aragorn's words, but as usual, sleep did not come by easy for her that night. She spent hours tossing and turning in bed, often stopping only when she got far too tangled in her blankets.

Something was bothering her, but Anya didn't stop to find out what it was. She was too scared to find out what it was.

"Anya..."

Someone was calling her. But who, Anya could not say.

"Anya, come home..."

Home?

"Anya, it's me, your mother..."

Impossible.

"Come home quickly!"

Anya sat up. This was crazy.

"Anya, come home now!"

Mother?

"Yes, Anya, it's me. We need you all here in Lanmuir. Come home!"

All?

But her mother was gone.

Anya got out of bed and walked out of her room down the hallway. She had to talk to Aragorn and Arwen.

* * *

"Good morning, Haryon," Arwen greeted Legolas that next morning.

"Elentaari," Legolas nodded. "Miru, Russe, Lian."

"You sound so formal," Gimli commented. "We're not in the courts; you don't have to act like such."

Legolas smiled. "I guess it is under my skin."

"I'd say," Gimli replied, almost under his breath.

Aragorn stood up. "Okay, we are all here. Let us go now."

"But I just got here!" Legolas cried out defiantantly.

"Well, Mr. Elf, do you realize how long we had to wait for you?" Anya asked, taking his arm.

Legolas looked at her nonplussed.

Anya rolled her eyes. "Never mind," she said.

It was a gloomy day for once. The skies above were heavy with dark gray clouds. The floor was still damp from the morning fog, as Resrand was by the ocean.

The group had walked into the surrounding forests when a soft drizzle began to fall.

Arwen looked up and said, "Rain is coming."

"No really, Arwen," Gimli said sarcastically.

"Do not speak like that to my wife," Aragorn said a bit defensively.

"Geez," Gimli muttered. "I was just kidding!" he added a bit loudly.

Arwen hid a half-smile and left the man and dwarf bickering behind her, walking quickly to catch up to where Anya and Legolas were walking, hand in hand. She slowed down as she neared them, wondering if they were saying anything. There was nothing but silence behind them. Grinning, Arwen crept up so quietly even their elven ears could hear.

"Boo!" Arwen put her hands onto Anya's shoulders.

Anya jumped up at least a mile, screaming bloody murder. "GIMLI IS THAT YO- ARWEN?!"

Legolas started laughing. "Ah... that was... haha..." he managed to say weakly as he was doubled over with laughter.

Anya shot him an evil glare. "That was what, Legolas?"

"Horribly rude and inconsiderate, Arwen! What were you thinking?" Legolas said quickly. "Poor Anya."

"Oh shut up," Anya said. She turned her back to Legolas and stomped off ahead.

Legolas, still standing there watched Anya tramp off. "Arwen, I never knew you were capable of that," Legolas said after a while. "But I must say... that was..." - he paused, wondering if Anya was still in hearing distance - "absolutely hilarious."

Arwen grinned as Anya yelled out, "I HEARD THAT!"

"Well, Legolas," Arwen said, "sometimes, I need to let out my inner child." She laughed. "You can ask Aragorn all about that."

Nodding, Legolas started to walk again, and Arwen followed suit. "So, did Aragorn mention where we were going? I see no tracks or even a single sign of orcs. This is quite confusing, if I do say so myself."

Arwen made a bit of a face. "Ah, yes he did."

"So where are we going?" Legolas asked patiently.

"Lanmuir," Arwen replied, looking to see his reaction.

Legolas's face showed confusion. "Lanmuir? Is that not Anya's home?"

"It is," Arwen said.

"Why are we going there? I thought Anya ran away from home?"

Arwen sighed. "You do know of Anya's problems at night, sleeping, do you not?"

Hearing the words "Anya", "night", and "sleeping" all in the same sentence made Legolas stiffen a bit. Even though Anya had assured him it was all right, deep in his heart he still felt guilty and ashamed. "I... I'm not sure what you speak of, Arwen."

Not noticing Legolas's discomfort, Arwen said, "Anya often has problems sleeping, having strange dreams, visions, and other things... she never mentioned this to you? I am surprised."

Legolas shook his head in reply.

"Last night, Anya heard her mother telling her to go back to Lanmuir."

This turned Legolas's head. "That is quite strange," he said.

Arwen nodded. "I know. It has Anya quite disturbed, I am certain."

"Lanmuir," Legolas said. "I've never been there."

"We shall arrive there soon," Arwen said. "Lanmuir is very close to Resrand."

"How close?" Legolas inquired.

"Anya says we may get there by tomorrow."

~*~*~

I know that he loves me cause he told me so
I know that he loves me cause his feelings show
When he stares at me you know that he cares for me
You see how he is so deep in love
I know that he loves me cause its obvious
I know that he loves me cause it's me he trusts
And he's missing me if he's not kissing me
And when he looks at me his (brown) eyes tells his soul

~*~*~

Anya's words proved true. The group reached Anya's home by evening the next day.

"My home," Anya said as she stood at the edge of the end of the trees. "Lanmuir."

Legolas looked, standing behind her. "I... see," he said, not sure what to say.

Lanmuir was long emptied of its once great beauty. Though it was still spring, the trees looked ready for winter - bare, without a single leaf. There were few flowers, and those had nothing desirable of them. Lanmuir also seemed to be under a constant raincloud - or at least complete and total fog.

"I know," Anya said softly. "It wasn't like this before. Fifty years ago... it was beautiful. Now, it is nothing but ruins." Heaving a sigh, Anya said, "All right, let's go. Aragorn, Arwen, and Gimli are starting to catch up."

"What's the hold up?" Gimli's voice came from behind them.

"Speak of the devil," Anya laughed.

Arwen surveyed the lands, as Legolas and Anya had just did. "Lanmuir has greatly changed since I have last come," she observed.

Anya nodded. "Very much so."

"Which way to your home, Lady Karlianya?" Aragorn said, sweeping a bow.

"Oh, please, Aragorn, save it," Anya laughed. "This way. Arwen, may I borrow your shawl?"

Arwen nodded, removing it from her shoulders. Anya thanked her and placed it over her head.

"To protect you from the rain?" Legolas teased.

Anya smiled. "I wish."

* * *

"Who goes there?" demanded a guard as Anya neared.

"Open the doors," Anya commanded.

"I take orders from no one but the king and queen! Who goes there?"

"Just the king and queen?" Anya asked. She took off Arwen's shawl. "What of the princess?"

The guard immediately dropped down to a knee, looking rather embarrassed. "Princess Karlianya, pardon my behavior... I did not know... we thought you'd left for good..."

Anya sighed heavily. "Never mind that," she said. "Now, please, open the doors."

The guard stood up and did as she commanded.

"Come," Anya said quietly to her companions. "Welcome to my home, Lanmuir..."

Inside royal splendor shone from wall to wall. It was lovely. Wall hangings, paintings... yet something seemed terribly lonely and quiet about it all. The pictures seemed less than cheerful, but they showed doom and gloom. Dying flowers, wars that the elves of Lanmuir were clearly losing... the only one that seemed to hold a little hope showed a young woman holding a tiny bundle in her arms... Legolas looked closer. The bundle was a tiny girl with light blue eyes and soft brown hair... it was Anya.

"I wonder what Father will say when I arrive," Anya said softly.

Arwen gave her shoulder a squeeze. "I'm sure he would be delighted to see you. Any parent would miss their child greatly. Your absence from Lanmuir has been long, dear."

Anya nodded. She continued down a long hallway until it opened to a rather large clearing surrounded by trees.

"ANYA!" a man's voice called out.

"Father," Anya said softly.

Zeroun came running out, his arms opened wide to embrace his only daughter. Hugging her tightly, a few tears streamed down his face. "Where have you been, my angel?" he asked. "Why did you leave without warning? You worried us all greatly."

"I'm sorry, Father," Anya replied.

"Princess," a voice behind King Zeroun said, "it was not wise of you to do that."

Anya's father jerked up. "I did not ask you to speak, Noolathein."

Noolathein stood up from his seat. Looking around at the others seated, he said calmly, "King Zeroun, I speak for all of us when I say that Princess Karlianya's disappearance caused us all grief, as did you, I am certain. But unlike you, we are not half as understanding as you. All the people of Lanmuir thought you deserted us, Princess," he said, turning his gaze from Zeroun to Anya. "We thought you had already long forgotten your duty to us as the heir."

Legolas saw Anya stiffen. "When I take over," Anya muttered, "you will be long retired, if I have my ways."

Noolathein smiled almost smugly. "An empty threat. I have been serving the Laurina royalty line for longer than you can even imagine, dear child. Before your father, before his father..."

"Sit down, Noolathein," an elderly voice commanded. "We are not here to hear you lecture. My granddaughter has returned home."

"Grandfather?" Anya asked uncertainly.

"Yes, child," he said looking at Anya with caring eyes. "You have been greatly missed in Lanmuir. The air seems empty without your beautiful voice echoing through the trees. Silence has become to be unbearable."

Anya curtseyed. "I have returned now."

"And who might they," her grandfather asked, waving a hand, "be?"

Aragorn stepped up. Taking a bow, he said, "King Elessar, of Gondor, and my wife, Arwen Undomiel, Queen of Gondor."

Anya's grandfather rose to his feet. "Froyre," he said bowing. "And the dwarf..."

"Gimli, son of Gloin," Aragorn explained.

Froyre made a bit of a face. "Can he be trusted?"

Gimli was about to make some sort of loud, rude retort when Anya cut in, "Yes, Grandfather."

"Dwarves have long been mistrusted by elves," he continued.

"And wrongfully so," Anya replied.

"Perhaps you are right," Froyre said. "You are wise for one of your years... and you, my son?"

Legolas bowed slightly. "Legolas Greenleaf, sire."

"Ah yes, I know you. Son of King Thranduil of Mirkwood, am I right? Your father has had many troubles of late."

The prince looked up. "Has he?" he asked almost sharply.

Seeing Legolas's concern, Froyre continued. "The same person who threatens to take our land threatens to take yours now. He has taken your uncle, I believe, and is asking for the kingdom."

"Fool!" Legoals cried out.

Anya reached out to soothe him. "Legolas, calm down," she whispered quietly.

Anya's actions raised many eyebrows, especially when Legolas did visibly relax.

"Never has there been a happier day in Lanmuir," one of the seated said. "Our princess has finally returned home. Not only that, we have many royal guests from afar, King Elessar and his wife, and the Prince of Mirkwood. A dance, a feast - there must be one."

"Must there?'' Anya asked.

The same elf laughed. "I know of your dislikes of the dances, little Princess, but seeing now as you have a proper date" - Anya might as well have been a tomato - "I do not see why you should refuse one."

"Tomorrow?" another asked. "Will that be enough time for preparations?"

Zeroun shrugged. "There is little for our people here to do," he sighed.

"Tomorrow then," an elf wearing a green hat declared. "We are glad of your return, Princess. Many await to see you. Byron, your mother..."

"Byron?" Anya asked, taken aback.

"Who's Byron?" Legolas whispered.

"I'll tell you later" was the quick reply.

"Byron," the elf with the green hat replied. "He has returned."

Anya groaned.

"Anya, dear," Zeroun said gravely. "I think you should see your mother, quicklike."

"Quicklike?" Anya repeated.

"She is gravely ill - "

"Why didn't you tell me before?" Anya cried out shrilly. Running past her father, she darted into the trees.

Legolas stood there, uncertain of whether he should follow her or not. His practical side argued that Anya perhaps would like to see her mother alone, but his other... not so practical side wanted desperately to know who "Byron" was. While his two sides were still arguing with themselves, Froyre said, "You and Anya have quite a bond, Prince Legolas."

"Really, just Legolas, sir," he replied.

"Legolas, then," Froyre said. "You two seem to be... quite good friends?"

Legolas was unsure of what to say. "I suppose..." Saying they were merely "friends" was doing an injustice to Anya, but what else could he say to them? "You're right! Guess what King Zeroun? Anya and I've even slept together!" That sounded incredibly stupid, even in his head... of course, he knew it was, and to say that he'd have to be...

Why was everyone looking at him strangely?

"Uh... Legolas... what did you just say?" Aragorn muttered.

"Huh?"

"That bit about you and Anya."

"Uh oh."

"Ahem..." Zeroun said, clearing his throat a bit. "Well... well... I see..."

"Then," Froyre stated calmly, "I assume you know of Anya's... rather awkward role in life."

Legolas bit his lip. "Yes, I do."

"You bring great trouble on yourself if you love my granddaughter."

"I don't care!"

Legolas's bold statement echoed. He blushed - he had had no intention of saying it so loudly.

Froyre smiled gently. "You seem to be a fine young man," he said. "I can see why my granddaughter might choose you over any others I've met... Strong, confident... and stubborn, just like her." He laughed.

~*~*~

Remember the first day, the first day we kissed
Femember the first day we had an argument
We apologized and then we compromised
And we haven't argued since
Remember the first day we stopped playing games
Remember the first day you fell in love with me
It felt so good for you to say those words
Cause I felt the same way too

The way we held each others hand
The way we talked the way we laughed
It felt so good to fall in love
And I knew right then and there you were the one

~*~*~


Anya burst into tears when she saw her mother. "Mama..." she whispered.

Anya's mother lay in a bed. Her once fair face was pale - almost green, her hair rested in tangles, and her clothes seemed filthy and unwashed. She seemed uncared for and almost forgotten.

"Anya... oh my little girl," she cried out when she saw her. "I've missed you."

"Mama..." Anya sobbed.

"Did you find the Evenstar?" her mother asked. "Did you?"

Anya nodded. "Quiet, Mother, you should rest."

"I saw you with four others," she continued, ignoring her daughter's requests. "Who where they?"

Just then, Anya heard someone coming. "Who goes there?" she demanded loudly. "You are disturbing my mother's rest!"

"Anya... there is no need..."

"Hush, Mother. Let me handle this."

Anya got up to where the sounds were coming from and demanded, "Show yourself."

Legolas stepped out. "If I knew you'd be so hostile, I wouldn't have come."

"Oh, Legolas, it's you!"

"Yes, it's me."

"I apologize..." she started.

"It's not necessary," Legolas said softly, wrapping his arms around her. "Are you all right? How is your mother?"

Anya's mother cleared her throat a bit, as if to remind her daughter to introduce her. "Anya, don't you think I deserve to know the name of this young elf?" she asked, as teasingly as her voice permitted.

"Legolas, meet my mother, Cymbidium Sinye," she said.

"Lady Cymbidium," Legolas bowed.

"You," Anya's mother replied. "I recognize you. Prince. Saw you when you were just born."

Legolas looked at her, surprised.

"Anya's father and I were traveling a bit, much like you two are," she explained. "His father knew nothing of my presence. You were a tiny babe then... I remember helping your mother care for you."

"My mother..." Legolas repeated.

"Yes, pretty thing she was too. Very young," she commented.

Legolas said nothing. Anya interrupted her mother from continuing. "You should rest, Mama," she said.

Cymbidium sighed. "My body is tired. As always, my will is stronger. I wish to talk to you more, my daughter."

"And I, you," Anya replied, stroking her mother's soiled hair. "But your rest is needed. Sleep now."

* * *

The moment they left Anya's mother's sleeping area, Legolas could contain himself no longer.

"Who's Byron?" Legolas demanded.

Anya made a big of a face. "Byron is..."

"Right here!"

Anya's eyes widened as she recognized it. "Oh..."

"Anya," he said, hugging her. "I missed you so much." He kissed her on the cheek. "How have you been? And how is your friend?" he asked, eyeing Legolas.

Here we go again... please, not another Jerick! Legolas thought almost painfully.

"This is not my friend," Anya said.

"Not your friend," Byron repeated.

Anya knew she had to set the lines clear, unless another problem like with Jerick would arise. "Legolas, do you remember my friend that I mentioned? The one I grew up with?"

Legolas looked at her sort of blanked out. "Not really."

Anya sighed deeply. "Do you remember anything I said that night?"

"Which night?"

Anya felt like she was going to blow up. "The night you saved me, you idiot!"

After a short pause, comprehension dawned on Legolas's face. "Oh, yes, now I do."

"His name was Byron. This is Byron."

"Nice to meet you, Byron," Legolas said extending his hand.

Byron took it and shook it lightly. "Who is this, Anya?" he asked.

Anya took Legolas's hand. "The love of my life," Anya replied cautiously.

Byron's eyes narrowed into slits. "But you told me...!"

"Byron, I knew I'd have to explain this to you sooner or later... I care for you greatly and deeply as a friend... but as anything else, my feelings do not run as yours do."

Byron looked down. "I see."

Anya looked at him, almost wistfully. "Do you..."

"Don't worry about it, Anya," Byron said. "Seeing you so happy pleases me. Besides, I fancy another," he laughed.

Anya laughed. "Who is it this time? You seem to like more than one often at the same times!"

"You should remember her," Byron said. "Lixie."

"Delix?" Anya asked. "Honestly?"

Byron laughed. "Yes. I'm taking her to the dance tomorrow. And I suppose you shall be there with Legolas..."

Anya nodded. "I'm glad," she said. "We can still be friends."

"Always," Byron said, hugging her. "You shall be my best friend always."

When Byron left, Legolas said, "You know, we seem to get it the easy way not now."

"Hm?" Anya asked.

"No difficulties," Legolas explained. "I had none with Heri, you had none with Byron. Aren't we lucky."

Anya said, "Maybe. But usually for me, good things are often followed quickly by bad."

~*~*~

I'm so happy so happy that you're in my life
And baby now that you're a part of me
You showed me
Showed me the meaning of true love
And I know he loves me

I know that he loves me cause he told me so
I know that he loves me cause his feelings show
When he stares at me you know that he cares for me
You see how he is so deep in love
I know that he loves me cause its obvious
I know that he loves me cause it's me he trusts
And he's missing me if he's not kissing me
And when he looks at me his (brown) eyes tells his soul

~*~*~

"No, I am not wearing that ridiculous..."

"Princess, your father demands you do. Please don't make me go through this again," her maid pleaded.

Anya sat on her bed, arms crossed. A frilly pink dress lay on her bed as well.

"Why can't I have a *normal* dress?" Anya demanded.

Her maid sighed. "You'd actually consent to wear one?"

Anya nodded. "Yes!"

"Your father would be glad... he doesn't want you to look like a fool at the dance - especially with the king and queen of Gondor, as well as all of his advisors..."

"I get the picture, Ullie. Where are the rest of my dresses?"

"Over here, Princess Karlianya."

* * *

Legolas waited impatiently for Anya. Why did females take so long to get ready, anyway? He started to walk back and forth in front of the stair case. Maybe he should run up, knock on Anya's door and...

A door opened, and Legolas looked up. Gasping, he couldn't believe his eyes.

Anya looked so beautiful, his jaw almost dropped to the floor. Seeing his reaction, Anya laughed. She was wearing a floor length silver-green dress of silk, form fitting, with a long train and sleeves that ended at the elbows and flowed out (Anya's favorite kind). Her hair, for once, was held up elegantly, and her neck was all but bare save one little necklace - the one he had given her.

Smiling, he held out his hand. "Princess," he said bowing. Legolas was clad in simple green.

"Prince," Anya said, teasing.

Taking her outstretched hand, he said, "Let us go now. Your company awaits."

Anya smiled. "Yes."

"Are they ready?"

"Yes, Master."

"Get them - WE STRIKE LANMUIR NOW!"

A/N: Sorry about this really short chapter. I find it rather weak, but I have hit the thing all writers dread most - a total B-L-O-C-K. Maybe it's the school thing. And lately, I've been in somewhat of a bad mood. I follow baseball, and my team, of late, has been doing quite poorly. SO FOR YOUR SAKES, YOU SHOULD ROOT FOR THE SF GIANTS! *ahem* hahaha... Just be grateful for this... cuz my sister was running amok demanding I update. Awful stuff. I've been busy running around, getting ready for school, working on my homepage... maybe I don't have my priorities set properly! What comes first: school or this story? School... or the story... Huh... You be the judge. XP

To all my lovely reviewers: Your kind words are greatly appreciated.

**CREDITS TO DESTINY'S CHILD FOR THE SONG "BROWN EYES"**