A/N: Okay, chapter five. It's not as good as the others, and I don't think, as long, but oh well. I put a childish game inside, which I'm sure you will all know, and I think in conclusion this chapter is considerably light-hearted compared to the others. I did a oneshot in the spare time around this chapter- which is a lot of time, considering I usually write in the afternoons and evenings- called To Carry You Home, did it pretty quickly, because sadly the muse couldn't fit in this fic :( (and yes, that was shameful advertising) Also, I know that some authors put a little response to each reviews in their chapters, right? In my opinion, its no point, because I think I'll just say "I love all you lovely people for reviewing!" (seriously, I doooo) However, if someone asks a question, or there is a particular review I'd like to reply or whatever, I'll do it, so:
SormustenHerra: He doesn't have exactly a year to live, but a year at the absolute most. Pretty dramatic huh? And yep, this story will span throughout all of the trilogy, and I guess a minuscule bit of post-RotK
Triolet: I think that Eowyn and Legolas are probably better as friends, but oneshots of them together are what I love :) And I share your view completely, where did the singing go??? I think I'll have a singing sort of Legolas here, though I only had him humming in this chapter...
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, creatures, settings, names or song in this fic.
Starcrossed
Soft Repose and Bliss
It had been nigh on four days since they'd first stumbled into Lothlórien, and the constant lack of Legolas had again brought on Pippin's incessant, and repeated, questions.
"Where is Legolas? When is he coming?" The young would ask nobody in particular, even bothering startled elves as they passed about their business. "Is he okay?"
It had gotten to a point when even Aragorn became irked, and had threatened him, using the hobbit's pipe and the nearby lake as leverage. Pippin had turned a pallid white, and nodded his head with such intensity, that it threatened to fall from his neck and roll away; a mere hour later he asked yet another question. Aragorn resisted the urge to sing when the elf finally did appear: Pippin, of course, had been the first to catch sight of Legolas, humming as he made his way down stairs and towards them. The elven archer had barely the chance to descend from the last step when the young hobbit yelped out.
"Legolas!" He cried happily, and within seconds all hobbits had pounced onto the startled elf, enveloping him in a colossal hug; even Sam had shyly wrapped his arms around Legolas' waist with a muffled "Glad you're okay, Mr Legolas."
"Thank you, Master Sam, as am I." Legolas replied, smiling down at the gardener as he patted him on the back. Gimli and Boromir both laughed in amusement, where as Aragorn merely stood and smiled.
"Come now, Hobbits." He chided kindly, "I doubt if Legolas can even breathe."
Each hobbit turned their own personal shade of red, but released Legolas and went back to their spot, and more importantly, dinner. Legolas shot him a thankful look as the two sidled towards each other, a gleam in each of their eye.
"You look… better." Aragorn commented as he grasped the elf's shoulder.
"I'm afraid I cannot say the same for you, Mellon nîn." Legolas replied seriously, screwing up his nose and sniffing the air cautiously. "What is that smell?"
Aragorn raised his eyebrows in mock shock before replying in defence, "It would please you to know that I have, in fact, washed."
"Ah, it must be Master Dwarf, then." Legolas speculated mischievously, ducking a stray, flying stone as the dwarf's indignant guffaw sounded from the side.
"Have you eaten?" Aragorn enquired, noting the elf's paleness with distain.
"I'm an elf, Estel, we do not need to eat so often." Legolas reminded him smugly, but nevertheless added, "Yes, I have."
Aragorn laughed at his friend's stubbornness: stiff were the neck of elves. He meant to say more, but a sudden, sweet, elven melody reached his ears, floating down lightly from the trees, and drifting in the wind. Enchanted, he looked up to see rows of glowing elves; their white dresses illuminated against the trees as they sang mournfully down to the puzzled fellowship.
"In gwidh ristennin,
I fae narchannen
I lach anor ed ardhon gwannen"
"A lament for Gandalf…" Legolas murmured softly, his voice barely more than a whisper as he turned from the trees, looking instead at the ground.
"What do they say?" Sam enquired curiously, slowly rotating on the spot as he gazed up at the singers.
"I cannot say." Legolas replied quietly. "For me the grief is too near."
"Mithrandir, Mithrandir! A Randir Vithren!
Ú-reniathach I amar galen"
Aragorn felt his brow crease as he carefully watched the elven archer. Legolas had stiffened, and yet his shoulders slumped, as he seemed to prefer the green ground to the glowing singers.
"Legolas?" Aragorn asked quietly, concerned.
The elf looked up at the sound of his name, as if waking from a dream, and the ranger almost gasped at the expression plaguing the youthful face. Never had he seen such a look of anguish, or hurt, or even anxiety, and he wished he never would again. The beauty of the Eldar should never be tainted with such emotions, or the feeling of hopelessness that seemed to wash through his elven friend. He'd seen the grief of the hobbits, and even of Gimli and Boromir, but why did his elven friend despair so? And what was that hidden look of… guilt? The emotion baffled Aragorn. For what reason did the elf feel guilt? He wanted to badly to hug his friend, to smooth his worries, but he felt reluctant to hurt the elf's pride, certainly not after what he'd already been through… in the rain…
"I reniad lín ne môr, nuithannen…"
Legolas noticed him waver, and immediately smoothed the anguish from his face, replacing the emotion explosion with a sad merriment.
"Is something wrong, Estel?" He enquired innocently, a soft smile beginning to work on his lips.
Typical, stubborn elf, Aragorn thought to himself, but forced his own smile. "Nay, 'tis nothing."
Legolas quirked an eyebrow, but let the matter lie as he crossed over the grass and settled down cross-legged next to Boromir and Gimli, the latter of whom lay down on his side under a blanket. The melody slowly diminished, and the elves left only the rustling of the trees and they took their silent leave. Aragorn saw Legolas cock his head as the song of a bird rang out, while Boromir shifted restlessly next to him. Again, Legolas quirked an eyebrow at the Gondorian, but said nothing when Boromir responded with a small smile. It was clear the Gondorian was uneasy, but as always he decided to keep the thoughts to himself. Aragorn was almost beginning to find a trace of similarity between the elven prince, and the son of the Steward. He chuckled aloud at the thought, receiving apprehensive, curious frowns from his companions.
"Some say that laughing without cause is a sign of madness, Estel." Legolas piped up from his seat, drawing a laugh from all except Aragorn.
"He may already be there, Legolas." Frodo's voice laughed from his sleeping mat, and the laughs doubled.
Aragorn narrowed his eyes at the two, but said nothing. If anything, he welcomed their teasing. Valar knows they needed the mirth. Gandalf's death had burdened them all heavily, and Aragorn suppressed another chuckle at the elf's cunning: he was glad Legolas was back.
He didn't know why, but suddenly Samwise Gamgee found himself awake, and in the middle of the night. Typical that he should be restless when these were the best nights he could have to sleep. He grumbled incoherently to himself as he shifted under his blanket, struggling to become comfortable despite the many mats he lay on. This was useless; he didn't even know why he'd woken in the first place. A muffled sound in the distance caught his attention. Ah, that was it. He frowned to himself, rising to his elbows as he peered through the soft dark. It was only an elf surely, for they were in Elvendom. The noise came again, but this time followed by a faint splash. His frowned deepened and he got to his feet, padding his way across the dew-covered grass and around his sleeping companions. What would his Gaffer have to say about this? His son, Samwise Gamgee, was treading through an elven forest to find the mysterious source of nothing more than a rustle and a splash. He chuckled darkly to himself: he missed his Gaffer.
Pushing aside the sentimental thoughts, he slowed as the leaves and branches began to thin, and crouched in the shadows as he peered out.
It was not the biggest lake he'd ever seen, more the size of a rather large pond, but it was by far the most beautiful. The soft waters were a clear, luminous teal under the half-light of lamps, and yet it seemed to glow of its own accord.
Small, rounded pebbles surrounded it magnificently, sloping down and disappearing altogether as the water deepened, and the lake was calm but for a single ripple disturbing the surface as it began to slowly widen. Alone, glowing figure stood watching atop the pebbles.
Legolas, Sam recognised the slim, blond elf immediately, which was a wonder considering the amount of blond elves in Lothlórien. He wondered whether he should join the archer, or simply retreat back to the company, but curiosity kept him rooted to the spot, watching his elven companion.
Legolas stood completely motionless as he watched the ripple, but then- quicker than Sam's eyes could follow- he drew a slender arm back and deftly threw another pebble into the deep pool of beauty. A second ripple elegantly joined the first, but this time the archer did not watch, bowing his head as he thoughtfully turned a third pebble in his hand. Without warning he drew back his arm and threw again, but stooped and launched one after the other in rapid succession. His desperate throws were no longer smooth and practised, and as the gardener hobbit watched, the elf slammed the last rock down with all his might, into the water. It created a deep 'splosh', and a small burst of water, where it landed barely a few feet from where he stood.
Sam counted the ripples: twelve- twelve stones thrown in the space of less than three seconds. He frowned and turned back to look at the elf, who now stood with his head bowed to his chest and eyes closed as he took calming breaths, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. Sam began to feel as if he was intruding; of course he was. Silly, really, that he'd come out here anyway. Cautiously, he retreated backwards, manoeuvring his foot away from a twig… only to step on another. He winced at the snap, cursing mentally to himself as he turned back to Legolas.
Legolas' head snapped up at the sound, and his piercing eyes expertly sought out the leaves Sam hid behind.
"Who is it?" The elf called sharply; Sam flinched at the harsh tone. "Show yourself!"
Sam hesitated for a short second, but took a deep breath as he replied, stepping into the half-light. " 'S only me, Mr Legolas." He reassured apologetically. "Sorry."
Legolas' face softened as his pale blue eyes fell on the hobbit, and the elf smiled.
"Does sleep elude you, Sam?" He asked kindly, turning away from the water to face the hobbit.
"No…" Sam replied unsurely, hesitantly making his way over the pebbles towards to archer. "Thought I heard a noise."
"Ah, that would be me." Legolas confessed. "My apologies."
Sam just smiled in reply as he reached Legolas, and together, the two silently gazed out at the lake. "Are you okay, Mr Legolas?" Sam enquired innocently, looking sideways at the tall companion, who in turn cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Why do you ask?" He replied curiously, and Sam frowned deeply at him. Surely it was obvious? Legolas laughed at his expression, and the light, melodic sound warmed Sam's heart. "I assure you, Sam, I am quite well now."
Sam grinned back at him, before gazing out thoughtfully into the deep. It seemed to swirl now, mesmerizing as its glow brightened, and a memory slowly emerged from the reflections, taunting the fixed hobbit.
…Retches cursed the air… an elf's body threatened to snap as he heaved…a shuddering figure wept in another's embrace…
"May I ask the same question?" Legolas' voice broke through the horrid images, and he turned to see the elf looking worriedly down at him. The archer was worried for him???
Sudden tears sprang forth in the hobbits eyes, and he was helpless to halt them as they flowed down his cheeks. He all but threw himself onto a startled Legolas, flinging his arms around the elf's waist as he hugged him in a crushing hold. For a short moment Legolas' body was stiff- clearly he'd surprised the elf- but then he softened, and Sam felt Legolas soothingly rub his back as he cried.
"I really am glad you're okay, Mr Legolas." He sobbed into the elf, his voice muffled by Legolas' clothing. "I-it… It's just, with Mr Gandalf an' all." At this the hobbit sobbed harder and tightened his grip, almost protectively, around the elf, pressing his face into the soft clothes. "Couldn't bear it an-and in the r-rain… I was so scared, Mr Legolas- we all were!" He continued sobbing as the elf warmly hugged him back.
"Perhaps, Sam… If I could breathe…" Came the strained voice from above him, and Sam realised with a blush how tightly he'd embraced the elf. He loosened his grip on the elf, but maintained the hold, as Legolas let out the single breath he'd been denied by the crushing hug. He felt Legolas' hand cup his chin and guide his eyes to meet the elf's own cobalt ones, bright yet understanding. "I am here am I not?" Sam nodded tearfully, "And I appear fine and healthy do I not?" Sam hesitated slightly, but nodded when he realised that the elf did indeed look far better.
"Then why worry? What is past is past. Would Gandalf wish for you to suffer so?" Sam shook his head at Legolas' soft questions. "Remember, Sam, your friends are with you. Take strength from the knowledge that you are loved."
Sam nodded silently, stiffening his upper lip as he wiped the tears from his face with one hand, smiling gratefully up at the elf. Legolas smiled back, but after a moment his pale eyes flickered above Sam's head and he chuckled.
"And so arrives the mother of the pack…" He muttered, receiving a puzzled look from Sam, as the hobbit finally released his hold on Legolas and turned to where the elf's eyes rested. There was a soft rustle, and Aragorn came into view, his hand rubbing one temple as he blinked at them.
"I heard voices…" He stated meaningfully, but the slight slur of his voice, and the yawn that punctuated the sentence, affected the serious meaning.
"Yes, it was Sam and I." Legolas replied lightly. "I was just showing him the lake."
The ranger blinked again, his scrutinizing gaze stopping to nestle on the tear-stained, wet patch on Legolas' clothes.
"You are wet." He said, his tone accusing as he raised his eyebrows.
"Yes, my hands were wet." Legolas countered easily, theatrically miming wiping his hands dry on his clothes.
Aragorn gazed at them silently, frowning as Sam bit into his knuckle to stifle a laugh, but after a moment he sighed in defeat, and shook his head to himself.
"Very well…" He said wearily, before turning to stagger sleepily back to his sleeping mat.
Sam smiled at Legolas, and the elf flashed him a grin, winking mischievously.
When Aragorn woke the next morning he had the rare honour of seeing all eight of his companions up before him, and already sharing conversation from their sleeping mats.
"Aragorn!" Pippin suddenly announced, and it took the ranger a moment to realise that the hobbit had not been addressing him. "That was easy. Okay, okay, my turn!" Pippin frowned thoughtfully, chewing at his top lip as he scanned the area. "I spy with my little eye, something beginning with…A!"
Aragorn almost laughed at the innocent game the fellowship played, even the seasoned warrior, Boromir.
"Apple." The Gondorian stated, pointing to the pile of small, red fruit at his feet, but Pippin only shook his head, giggling.
"You're going to have to do better than that, Boromir!" He exclaimed, smiling in delight as he watched the others fumble for the answer.
"I have it!" A musical voice announced proudly from above, and Aragorn looked up to see Legolas perched on a tree branch, his back against the trunk as one leg lazily dangled down. He idly crossed his arms, an apple in his hand- ruby red, but for the single bite taken from it – and grinned happily down at Pippin.
"Axe!" He said clearly, nodding toward Gimli's weapon, and Pippin threw up his hands in defeat.
"Your turn Legolas!" Merry laughed as the elf thought, swinging his dangling leg as he did.
"I spy with my little eye, something beginning with…" the elf's eyes glittered as he found a suitable word. "N"
There was a short silence as they thought, and Aragorn could even see Sam's lips tracing possible answers.
"Night- Oh, wait…" Pippin frowned as he realised it was far from nightfall.
"Perhaps…" Gimli rumbled. "Neck? There are nine here."
Legolas' grin only widened at the words, and he shook his head.
"How about necklace?" Sam suggested hopefully, "Aragorn wears one." Aragorn blushed furiously as Legolas, Gimli and Boromir roared with laughter.
"Not quite, I'm afraid, Sam." Legolas chuckled, wiping tears from his eyes. "Though it is a rather pretty necklace, is it not?"
"Maybe the word we seek is 'numskull'" Aragorn shot back. "For there is one perched in a tree at present."
This time all companions laughed, as Aragorn dodged- albeit barely –the ruby apple thrown at him from the tree.
"I think I may have foiled your plan, Legolas." Frodo announced triumphantly as the laughter died down. "Nature!"
"Ah, it was indeed, Frodo." Legolas admitted, ceasing his glare at Aragorn to smile at the hobbit.
"Well done, Frodo." Merry cheered, and the ringbearer mock-bowed. The mirth in the hobbit's eye pleased Aragorn; it was the happiest he'd seen Frodo since they'd set out from Rivendell, but he sighed to himself, sad that he had to cut break the merriment.
"Come now." He said, and noted with pride as each face immediately focused intensely on him. "We must prepare: we leave the moment we are ready."
The faces fell at the thought of ending the soft repose, and their bliss, but they knew their duties came above all, and began slowly packing away their things: Aragorn was forced to keep a weary eye on Pippin as the young hobbit announced he would pack the food.
Haldir, somewhat kinder than before, and a few others arrived as they were shouldering their packs, leading them to the river when they were done.
The trees shed their leaves as they walked, and it seemed as though the trees were saddened at their leave. Next to Aragorn, Legolas was watching the leaves wistfully, but when the ranger nudged him, he'd only smirked and shook his head. Aragorn frowned but said nothing, as now the trees began to thin, and the grassy shores were spotted. They halted, in front of the Lady of Light, standing in a line as she presented each of them with elven gifts: at the far end, Aragorn could see the awe on the faces of Merry and Pippin as she presented them with small daggers. His smile turned into a frown when he saw that Legolas had, once again, the far away look in his eye, but before he could elbow his friend in the ribs, Galadriel reached them.
"My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim," She said softly, smiling as he ran his hands over the carvings in wonder. "Worthy of the skill of our woodland kin."
Legolas lowered the bow, and something odd passed between him and the lady of light, something that puzzled Aragorn: something hidden with the inclination of Legolas' head.
"I have nothing greater to give," Her melodic voice snapped him from his thoughts as she stopped in front of him, tracing the Evenstar lightly with her fingers. "Than the gift you already bear. For her love, I fear the grace of Arwen Evenstar will diminish…"
Aragorn met her eyes with sadness, and he replied in the same, soft voice.
"I would have her leave these shores and be with her people," He admitted quietly. "I would have her take the ship to Valinor."
"The choice is yet before her. You have your own choice to make Aragorn." Her voice grew stronger, as if to stress the power of her words. "To rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil… or to fall into darkness with all that is left of your kin." Her face softened as she gazed at him with sorrow. "Namárie" //Farewell//
Aragorn smiled, slowly bowing his head, but her hand caught his chin and cupped his cheek softly. "There is much you have yet to do. We shall not meet again… Elessar."
Legolas and the others were stood waiting him by the boats when he arrived, and each rose as he stopped before them.
"Ready?" He asked his friends, and seven heads nodded in unison. He smiled and motioned for them to board the boats, taking his place behind Frodo and Sam in one. Sam lent forward and whispered something into Frodo's ear, and Merry and Pippin giggle, and Aragorn suddenly realised with a grin that Legolas was boating with Gimli. It was an unexpected turn of things, but a welcome, and fortunate one at that. He slyly sent Legolas a puzzled look as all three boats began to cut elegantly through the waters, gliding with ease, but the elf only grinned back at him, and resumed rowing.
A single flash of white shone form the trees, and Aragorn noticed Lady Galadriel standing among the shrubbery, watching them silently. She raised one, pale hand in farewell, her face devoid of emotion.
Ahead, Aragorn saw Legolas glance at her, but look quickly away, a frown troubling his brow as he stared ahead, and into the distance.
A/N: The Lament for Gandalf is not mine, the lyrics are apparently the real ones, as I got them from the lyric website for the film soundtrack, and the translation is thus:
The bonds cut,
The spirit broken
The Flame of Anor has left this World
Mithrandir, Mithrandir, O Pilgrim Grey!
No more you will wander the Orange world
Your journey has ended in darkness.
Till next time!