Title: Until We Reach Valinor

Chapter 27: Broken Hearts

NOTE: This story is sequel to "A Teacher's Duty" and you'll have to read that one first to understand this. Also, this story does not contain slash, and it is not a romance, despite what the first chapter might suggest.

SPECIAL THANKS to Cassie for beta-reading this chapter, in spite of her health problems and pain. Really, thanks a tonne. And thanks to Kellen for helping me name Alanna.

---

Legolas looked from Celin's devastated expression, to Aaliyah's tear-streaked one, and felt utterly helpless. He didn't know what he could say, or even if it was his place to say anything- because this was Celin's nightmare, not his.

"Naneth, how could you?" The boy asked in asked in a heartbroken voice, his eyes glistening and full of pain. "How could you be so careless?"

Aaliyah's face filled with anguish. "I don't know," She said, beginning to sob, "I didn't mean to. I never meant to. And I never knew that she was your friend's mother, or I would have taken more care." Her expression suddenly changed to one of self-revulsion, and she hid her face in her husband's shoulder. "Oh Valar, what am I saying?" She said, sobbing harshly, "I should have taken more care regardless of who it was. I don't know what happened...I'll never forgive myself..."

Tathar immediately turned to comforting his wife. "Hush, darling," He said, and then very pointedly, with his eyes boring into Celin's face, he added, "It was an accident." Then he turned back to his wife, "You never meant for anything like this to happen."

Celin's face reflected his turmoil. He watched his mother silently, his face a mask of pain. He could not stand to hear her sobbing. He had always been close to his mother- for it was she that he had always turned to for comfort when his ankle made him depressed and hopeless about the future. He could not count the number of times that he had wept in her arms from sheer despair- and she had come to give him her comfort, and things had always seemed to be a little less bleak. And now it was she who was weeping- how could he turn his back on her? Her every sob was like a blow to him. And yet, her carelessness had resulted in a death, and worse still, the death of the mother of his best friend. He could not ignore that. He didn't think he could ever look up to his mother again. Nevertheless, he knew what he had to do. Because family always came first. I'm so sorry, Elano; I know I'm betraying you by this, but I really don't have any choice.

Sighing softly, he went up to his mother, and gently put his hand on her shoulder. "Naneth. I don't blame you. I know it was an accident."

"An accident that should not have happened. Oh, Celin, I know that I've completely fallen in your eyes-"

"Hush, nana," Celin said gently, "I still love you. That hasn't changed because of all this. And it never will." His voice lowered, and he addressed both her and his father, "I know I've been a disappointment to you both all your lives because of my ankle. But you made every effort to conceal it from me, because you loved me without conditions. And that is true of me as well."

As Aaliyah, still sobbing, drew Celin into a tight embrace, and Tathar hovered over them both with a protective air and moist eyes, Legolas could not help but look away from the scene. He wished he was anywhere but where he was at that moment. He felt an overwhelming pity for the three people standing before him, and dreaded what was to come next. But he owed it to Elano and to himself to see this through and pass some sort of judgement on Aaliyah. After all, she had taken a life. He cleared his throat, and the three, sensing the sudden change in the atmosphere, looked at him in sudden fear.

"I sense that you are genuinely contrite, Aaliyah, daughter of Celin and Silmé," He said, and his voice took on an appropriately regal tone. "But you have taken a life, however unintentionally. Therefore, I have no choice but to strip you of your status of a healer, effective immediately. If you ever use the healing arts again, you will be exiled from all the Elven realms for all eternity."

It was a harsh punishment, for an Elf to be torn from his or her vocation for eternity; but it could have been, perhaps even should have been, far worse. The normal course would have been to demand monetary compensation for the victim in question; but Legolas knew it would be an insult to Elano to even entertain the idea. There was nothing further he could do.

"Thank you, Sire," Tathar said, the relief in his voice palpable as he bowed low, "We will abide by your sentence or pay the consequences."

"Indeed, Sire," Aaliyah said hoarsely, "'Tis not much punishment at all. I would not shame myself by practicing the healing arts after this, even should I have the chance to do so."Indeedshe thought, she would fear to make the same mistake too greatly.

"Very well," Legolas said, "And now, if you please, I must take my leave."

He had to go and find Elano. He was thinking with dread of the toll this would take on him- and what this would do to his hard won friendship with Celin. He hurried outside, and hastened quickly down the corridor, heading for Elano's bedchamber. He found Elano sitting with his back to the door to his bedroom, staring blankly at the wall opposite. The fact that he hadn't thought to open the door and enter his room worried Legolas greatly.

"Elano?" He said, tentatively. The Elf did not reply, but his eyes shifted to Legolas's, and the expression in them chilled him to the bone. They were completely empty.

He sat down beside Elano after a moment's hesitation, knowing that it was very unlikely that anyone would intrude upon them. Elano's bedchamber was in a fairly secluded part of the palace. Elano did not say anything. Legolas placed a hand on his arm.

"I'm sorry," He said softly.

"I know." Elano's tone was as expressionless as his eyes.

"Don't you want to hear the sentence I gave Aaliyah?" Legolas asked, with the thought that even anger from Elano would be better than this...emptiness.

No reaction at all, only a toneless, "Yes."

"I have forbidden her from using the healing arts ever again. If she ever does, she will be exiled."

Elano did not say anything for a long moment. Then, in the same tone, he said, "That was a fitting judgement."

Legolas was beginning to get seriously alarmed. "You do not think it was too lenient?" He asked.

At long last, the terrible pain of what had happened found reflection in Elano's eyes. "You had Celin to consider," He said unsteadily.

"I would never let anything come in the way of true justice," Legolas said quietly. "Not even Celin." He sighed. "I know you would rather I had given her a harsher punishment now, but that is only because your mother's death is still fresh. I know you, Elano. You will not even eat meat because of how you abhor violence and killing. You will not think it too lenient some years from now."

"I know that, sir," Elano said quietly, "I know I'm not very objective at the moment. You needn't fear. I am not...I cannot find it in myself to blame you. I am not unaware of how hard this must be for you, as well."

"Don't worry about me," Legolas said, touched, "You have far too much to be concerned about as it is. What about...what do you want to do with your home?"

"I never want to enter it again," Elano said harshly, "I'll sell it."

"Elano..."

"No. I know what you would say, but I know my mind will not change with time. All that house can give me now is a constant reminder of everything that I've lost. That is all it has ever given me. Do not ask me to even enter it again, or-" He cut himself off abruptly.

"I won't, Elano," Legolas said soothingly, "I'll take care of everything. You need never enter that house again."

"Thank you."

They were silent for a time.

"And what of...the grave? Do you want to have a memorial of some sort, or-?"

"No," Elano's voice was rent with a sudden desperation, "Please, don't make me-"

"Hush. I will not. I will not make you do anything that you don't want to."

"Sir..." Elano's voice was hesitant, "I do wish to visit my sister's grave. It's been...too long."

"Of course, Elano. Anything that you need."

"I want you to come with me. I can't...I can't face it by myself."

"Elano, I..."

"It isn't far from here," Elano interrupted him, "I know you can't leave ma'am in this state. Miriel's grave is...less than an hour from the palace, actually."

Legolas stared at him, shocked. "What?" He asked, "But I thought you lived on the outskirts of Greenwood!"

"We did. But my sister died not far from here. Our mother had brought us here to see our grandparents one last time before they sailed." His eyes grew distant, and the expression of stark longing in them made Legolas's heart clench in sympathy for the young Elf. "Miriel so loved it here." His voice broke. "She would often climb a tree which was some way away from our grandparents' house and gaze upon this palace for hours. She loved it even better than the main palace. She used to say that when she grew up, she would-" He let out a laugh that could have also been a sob- "- marry you and become the princess of Greenwood, and then she would own it. I used to laugh at her, but she was perfectly serious about it. When she died, we buried her under that tree. I...it was hard enough being in this place after so long. I was never able to bring myself to visit the grave."

Legolas could not believe that Elano had lived with this for so long and never said a word about it. "Why didn't you say anything to me about this?" He asked.

"Because I knew how much you worry about me. I didn't want you to be overly concerned. Besides, I have gotten used to this place. It is my home now." He smiled slightly, "My sister must be so jealous."

Legolas returned the smile. "I promise you that this will always be your home," He said, "And I will go with you to visit your sister whenever you wish to."

"Thank you, sir."

They were both silent for a time, as the one question that they had both tried to avoid loomed unvoiced between them.

"What about Celin?" Legolas asked finally, and Elano flinched, even though he had been expecting it.

"I...I do not know. He looks...he looks too much like his mother, sir. Every time I look upon his face, I'll see Aaliyah, now. It pains me to even think of him. He was the best friend I've ever had, but I can't... I'm sorry if I've disappointed you."

"Don't be ridiculous," Legolas said roughly, his heart clenching at this evidence of how much Elano valued his regard. "I don't expect you to be all-forgiving. I understand your sentiments- you needn't fear that I will question or pressure you. I think you, of all people, know me better than that."

"Yes, I do."

There was another pause as they both sat in a companionable silence. Elano impulsively leaned his head against Legolas's shoulder. He was completely worn with prolonged sorrow and despair.

"What am I going to do now, sir?" Elano whispered. "How am I going to survive this?" He looked utterly lost.

"I don't know Elano," Legolas said, knowing there was no answer he could possibly give to that question which would not ring falsely. He sighed heavily, and repeated, "I don't know."

---

Legolas entered his bedchamber silently. His face must have told Alanna that something was very wrong, because she took the trouble of heaving herself up from the bed and waddling up to him. "What happened?" She asked breathlessly, because even a slight exertion was enough to make her huff and puff these days.

"Aaliyah is none other than Celin's mother."

"What?"

Legolas just sighed and shook his head. "I know."

"Valar, that's completely..." Alanna shook her head in disbelief, "I can't even imagine what Elano's going through."

"And Celin," Legolas added.

"Yes. And Celin."

There was a brief silence. Then Legolas said, "I forbade Aaliyah from ever using the healing arts again, under threat of exile," Legolas said.

"That sounds very just and appropriate. What did Celin say?"

"I don't know. I didn't stay long enough to see his reaction."

"You should speak to him."

"I know. It's just..." He didn't bother to actually voice his fear, knowing that Alanna knew him well enough by now to understand.

"He'll understand, Legolas," The latter said, and the note of conviction in her voice surprised him.

"Do you really think so?" Legolas asked, "I just took away his mother's livelihood from him. He may not look at reasonably- he has a tendency for reacting first and then asking questions."

"I don't think you're giving him enough credit," Alanna said, "I've taught him, too, and I've seen him in all his glory having tiffs with his classmates and making fun of Doroth and his friends. But I've spoken to him outside of classes, about his insecurities about his ankle, and his fear of disappointing his parents, and disappointing you. He can sometimes display maturity when you least expect it."

"I hope you're right," Legolas sighed; "I suppose I should go to him."

"Yes; I think you should."

---

"Sir. You sent for me?" Celin's usually confident, self-assured manner was markedly absent. He sounded timid and afraid.

"Yes," Legolas said, "Please sit down."

Celin sat down tentatively. "Sir..." He hesitated, "I really...don't know what to say."

"That makes two of us," Legolas answered, with a sigh, "You...you know I cannot change the sentence I gave your mother."

"No," Celin said with more calmness then Legolas had expected, "No you can't. In any case...I think it was a just sentence. I don't wish to contest it."

"You...you don't?" Legolas could not conceal his surprise. This was indeed a display of more maturity than he had ever suspected Celin to have possessed.

"No, sir. I recognize the facts of the situation- I know exactly what her negligence cost. But you must understand that I cannot turn my back on my mother."

"Of course not. No one is asking you to."

"She needs me now. She's in a terrible state-well, you saw her. I need...I need to ask you to give me a period of leave from school. I want to return home with my parents; and stay there for awhile and see to my mother. My family needs time to recover from this."

Legolas studied him. There was something in his face that prompted him to ask, "Is it only your mother that prompts you to leave? Or is there something else as well?"

Celin grimaced. "It would probably be better for Elano if he doesn't have to see me for awhile," He admitted. "And...It would be less complicated for you, too."

"Oh, Celin," Legolas closed his eyes briefly, hating himself for being unable to deny the truth of either of those statements. "I am so sorry for all of this," He said, sighing heavily. "I hope you know that I'm very proud of you. You've dealt with this situation in a way that does you credit. You are one o f my best students, Celin, and-" his age-old difficulty with expressing his feelings kicked in at this point, and he fumbled for a moment "-I love you dearly."

"I know that. Thank you, sir. I love you, too." Celin rose to leave, and then paused, "Tell Elano that I'm sorry." For the first time, his stoicism wavered as his voice cracked on the words.

"I think he already knows, Celin."

Celin nodded once. "Goodbye, sir."

"Goodbye."

---

TBC...