Much apologies for making you wait this long. This got busy with me. I forgot to thank my beta reader Miriellar who does my other story, so I'm thanking her in this story! Enjoy the chapter.
Faded
The air was solemn all around the fellowship. No words were uttered as they walked through the wooded area. Hopes were faded and spirits lows. The worry and excitement they had started the journey with was diminished. It had fallen with Gandalf in the mines. The advantage they once had, gone too and the future seemed bleak.
Aragorn carried with him all his sisters belongings. Her guitar, sleeping roll, sword and pack were added to his belongings. This burden was nothing compared to the pain of losing his own flesh and blood. He sniffed the same somewhat cool air and looked ahead. Never behind but ahead.
Gimli trudged along with the hobbits. No one even bothered to say words of relief. The dwarf felt that the hobbits were not as alert as they could be so he took it upon himself to be their eyes and ears.
Boromir felt saddened by the events that happened. It was hard not to. Though his face betrayed no emotions through it all. There was no doubt that at first he did not like Amara and likewise for her. A part of him knew she was not to make it through the journey, but never would her have guessed that she would have gone this way.
Legolas carried her limp body, the shock not yet settling within himself. She was gone yet he held her within his very hands. Every minute that passed he expected her to leap up, breath catching and life coming back into her. Instead she lied forever still, eyes closed. The worst part was that feeling that lied unsettled within.
He looked down at her pale lifeless body, not knowing what to feel at the moment. There had been so much ahead for her, for himself and them together.
His future, her had felt had passed away with his love.
As they furthered into Lothlorien's woods, uneasiness took effect. The quiet was filled with a mournfulness before but now it was...full of tension. Each step they took felt as if they were being watched.
"Stay close young hobbits!" With his ax at the ready, Gimli looked around. "They say that a great sorceress lives in there woods. An Elf-witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell."
As they continued walking, Legolas felt that they were being tracked by many. Carrying the late Amara prevented him from reaching for his bow. He dared not put her down and instead he held on a bit tighter to her body and gave Aragorn a look. Aragorn had sensed it too but knew full well who it was. Despite the feeling of being watched, Aragorn knew that they were all perfectly safe.
Sam trudged along, and caught the look of surprise and fright on Frodo's face. "Mr. Frodo?"
Out of nowhere, elves appeared. They came upon them so quickly and silently one would believe them to be the pure essence of magic. Arrows were brandished at the fellowship. An elf who was not holding everyone at arrow point stopped before them, a slight smirk on his face.
"The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark."
"Haldir o Lorien, Henio aninon, boe anmen I dulu fin. Boe ammen veniadlin." Aragorn spoke to Haldir. He knew the best possible place for all of them to be right now would be under the protection of the lady of the wood. The next part he whispered to him after glancing back at his sister's body. For a moment he closed his eyes before speaking.
"This grievous journey has taken claim of two, Gandalf the Grey and...my sister."
Haldir looked at Aragorn, a confused expression on his face. Apparently word had not gotten around of Aragorn having a sister quick enough and no one ever imagined Gandalf falling. Aragorn did not wish to speak.
"It is a long tale that I care not to share as of yet. The loss of my sister and Gandalf is still close to my heart."
Haldir quickly scanned the group, noticing they each looked fatigued. He stared for a moment at the only present elf in the fellowship. Noted Haldir did that the elf's eyes did not stray from the body he was carrying.
"Aragorn!" Gimli interrupted. The arrows being pointed at him and the nasty looks he was receiving from the elves made him nervous. "These woods are perilous. We should go back."
"You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wood. You cannot go back. Come. She is waiting."
Haldir led them deep into the heart of Lothlorien. The scenery only became more beautiful. Millions of candles lighted their way into the city. They walked up numerous staircases, some of which wrapped around trees as thick as the mind could imagine. They passed by marvelous fleets and curious eyes. Legolas found himself lagging behind when he would have been a slight bit delighted in viewing Lothlorien in the fellowship's case, had not such tragedy occurred.
Lothlorien was the fairest of woods but when Legolas looked at things they did not sparkle with beauty to him. They were just there. The trees, the dancing flames of the candles, magnificent stars in the sky all just...existed. Before they came upon the spacious landing they were to meet the lady upon, a few maidens came to Legolas.
"Let us take her," one of the maidens said, sympathy in her blue eyes.
The elven prince of Mirkwood was hesitant but when Aragorn came to stand next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Then he gently handed Amara's body over to the elven maiden.
"You will look after her body," Aragorn said sternly.
"Aye sir we will."
As the maidens turned to leave Legolas found that he couldn't move. He stared after the group, particularly the one who carried Amara. With a strong pat on the shoulder Aragorn brought him back and Legolas turned towards the landing.
"Legolas." Aragorn watched the nonresponsive elf pay him no heed and start up the stairs.
The remaining fellowship, all eight numbers stood before the Lord and Lady of Lorien as they seemingly glided down the stairs. To them the two standing before them bathed in white light gave off many feelings.
Reassurance, hope, faith...
"Eight there are here, yet ten there were set out from Rivendell." Lord Celeborn looked at the group. "Tell me, where is Gandalf for I much desire to speak with him."
Galadriel broke away from her husband and walked closer towards the fellowship. She cast her blue eyes on Aragorn, a look of disbelief on her fair face.
"He has fallen into Shadow. As did Amara, your sister." Her eyes strayed from Aragorn's sorrow filled eyes to Legolas, the prince of Mirkwood. His eyes, unlike anyone else's were empty of emotion.
Do not let grief over come you my dear prince. Your fate has not yet ended.
Legolas heard the Lady's voice in his head but had a hard time believing her words. He casts his eyes down, not thinking nor feeling.
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fall to the ruin of all."
Boromir felt the Lady's eyes on him but could not bring himself to meet her gaze. The feeling he got from her was not a comforting one. It chilled him to the bone and even made him sweat.
Galadriel turned to Sam. "Yet hope remains while the company is true."
She then looked at them all her words ringing through the air. "Do not let your hearts be troubled, "Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you sleep in peace..."
A voice entered Frodo's head, invaded his thoughts. It was Galadriel.
Welcome, Frodo of the Shire, one who has seen the eye."
Once he heard those words, he knew the Lady was wise beyond his understanding.
After the fellowship had been lead to where they were to rest, a comfortable place amongst the wilderness, Legolas took off his weapons and outer attire. He noticed the lament to Gandalf but did not mention it. He thought there should have been one for Amara, for she deserved to be recognized just as much as Gandalf. It would have angered him but the whatever was inside of him that controlled his emotions had dulled. Legolas folded his things neatly and set them down on the mattress he was allotted.
All his items he placed by his bedside. Looking around hi noticed that the rest f the fellowship was readying themselves for slumber. Legolas disregarded their small talk of Gandalf and walked from the area, wishing to be alone. He wandered around in search of anyone who could tell him of the whereabouts of Amara. Soon he just gave up looking for someone and just walked.
Thoughts of Amara invaded his mind as he moved around Lothlorien aimlessly. The way she smiled always turned out shyly, the memory of when he kissed her for the first time in an abandoned room, every time she laughed she would push her glasses up the bridge of her nose. These were the things he would have a hard time letting go of. A warmth spread through his chest, but it wasn't a good warmth. It was the warmth heartache gave off.
Legolas looked up, his mind coming from troubled thoughts. As he awoke from thoughts, he found himself standing in front of a wide ivory colored pedestal and on it lied the body of Amara. It was as if some sort of a spell had brought him to this sad but beautiful sight. Legolas advanced towards the pedestal and dropped to his knees. Tears could clearly be seen forming in his eyes.
The prince wanted to reach out and touch the fallen form before him but feared in obstructing her image. The dirt and grim of the journey had been cleansed from her body, showing was only her pale skin. She had been stripped from her breeches and tunic and now a long white dress, plane in style but gorgeous nonetheless graced her. Her hair framed her face and her hands were rested on her stomach.
The sight sickened Legolas, oh how it sickened him. He reached out to touch the mass of wavy hair Amara had. His eyes traveled down her body and he felt that he could not breathe.
"Oh Amara," he whispered. "Is there nothing left in you? You do not deserve this."
His blue eyes quivered as he placed a hand on her brow. Her skin was so cold. The contrast of her eyelashes laying against her skin created elegant but sad imagery. Legolas thought about how he did nothing to keep her safe.
Finally, tears ran free from the prince's eyes as he could no longer hold them back.
In the mists of his sadness he failed to hear the footsteps behind him.
It was Aragorn.
He looked at the sight before him. An elven prince kneeling before the body of a beautiful woman. It sickened Aragorn even more because it was one of his best friends and sister. The grief coming from Legolas could be felt by anyone.
Aragorn approached Legolas slowly. He came behind the elf and looked down at his sister. He had never before felt such sorrow since his mother had passed on. What was even worse was that Legolas was crumbling to pieces before him.
"My friend, I fear that you are fading."
"I am," Legolas surprised a sob. He continued to look at Amara's body. "I know and I feel that I am fading but it cannot be helped. I feel that things could have been different. If I had watched her more carefully, taken her more seriously-"
"Legolas-"
"No!"
Aragorn swallowed his words at the harshness in Legolas' voice. Despite the fragile state Legolas was in, he needed to break away from it. Legolas turned around and stared back at Aragorn, a piercing look on his face. He wondered how Aragorn could be coping with such a loss.
"Leave me be." His voice was raspy but strong.
"I will not."
Despite what Aragorn had said Legolas turned back to Amara.
Something came to mind for Aragorn. He stepped even closer to Legolas and got on his knees. Grasping the elf's shoulders, her turned him so that they were facing each other. Legolas' eyes water dogged eyes couldn't meet Aragorn's.
"Will you go against her wishes?" Aragorn's voice had never been so clear. "Will you go against what she told you to do on her death bed and die with her? You remember what she said, do you not?"
Legolas furrowed his brow as he remembered. She had asked him to keep going, keep living for her. Legolas turned back to her body.
"Please," he stressed. "Leave me be."
Aragorn got up, leaving his last words. "Do not let her down."
Once Legolas knew Aragorn was gone, he rested his cheek against Amara's chest.
"You were supposed to stay with me, become princess of Mirkwood. You ask too much of me to live without you."
"Would I be asking too much if I asked you to forget about her?"
Legolas sat up. The female voice he heard was all too familiar. The prince stood and turned around. His tear stained face showed emotion he had not felt in a while. There before him, as attractive as ever was Phona.
