Sorry for not updating for so long! Here's chapter 28! This will probably be a shorter chapter. PS not this chapter, but the next, will be the last one.
Chapter 28 (Rivendell)
Grief. Anger. Sadness. Misery. Such strong emotions. Yet worst of them all was grief. Grief made him want to shut off the world and never speak again. Grief made him want to distance himself from those who surrounded him. His pain was so strong that he had wished to trade places with her. But it was too late now.
Softly the funeral procession walked through the woods, five or six elves carrying a silver coffin, all singing a lament for Eradrin. Lord Elrond walked in front, every now and then a sob shaking his body. She had been his foster daughter, and he had loved her as his own children. Legolas slowly walked next to it, eyes red and puffy from crying. Each footstep seemed like a hundred pounds. Still he didn't understand. Why. Why. Why. The question kept repeating itself in his head. Why. Again. I should have died in her place!
The day was cloudy, still light enough to see, but dark and desolate. Rain broke out through the clouds, seeming to weep for Eradrin, too.
Finally the procession stopped on the banks of the river, where the endless cascade of water fell down at their feet. The elves set the coffin on a small table draped in white cloth, and stepped back in silence. Everything hushed; not even a bird whistled. The only noise was the rain and waterfall, but that seemed quieter than usual too.
Legolas bit his lip hard as more tears streamed down his face and heard the sobs of Eradrin's best friend, Aralin, on his left.
A wave of guilt crashed over him. I should have saved her. This would not be happening if I had died in her place. This is all my fault. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Liliana gazing at him with sympathy. As if reading his mind, she murmured, "She did it because she loved you."
~~~~Liliana~~~~
Liliana flinched as Legolas looked up at her, grief and misery written all over his face. "I know." He whispered. "I just..." Liliana shook her head as he trailed off, bleak expression turning to the ground once more.
~~~~Legolas~~~~
He closed his eyes, sinking into his thoughts, when suddenly he heard Aralin gasp.
He quickly glanced at her. Disbelief clouded her wide eyes. What is she looking at? He followed her gaze, and gasped too.
A light shone from the coffin, growing brighter and brighter every second. Could it be...? Soon all the elves were staring at it, mouths gaping in shock.
Suddenly the coffin burst open, and the light rose in the sky. It was too bright to look at now, and Legolas raised up his hand to cover his eyes.
BOOM. Silence. The waterfall hushed its waters. The rain quit its pitter-patter on the ground. The light was gone. A figure drifted down from the sky, clothed in pure white. Her long golden hair shone, skin glowed, and crystal eyes penetrated Legolas's heart. She was as radiant as the sun. She landed on the ground, and looked around her with an almost humorous expression. Is it...?
A/N- Is it obvious or not? I really want to know XD
~~~~Eradrin~~~~ (and here I go with first person for a change because I am tired of third.)
I landed on the ground and stared around me, wondering why everyone was looking at me like I was a ghost. Oh yes. That's right. I died. But I'm not dead now, right? I mean, I'm standing in front of everyone... So... I'm alive...
A familiar red-haired elf took a disbelieving step towards me. She raised a hand in a half-wave and whispered, "Eradrin? Is that you?" I nodded, her name flashing through my mind. Aralin. She suddenly sprang out of her statue-like position and bounded over to me, pushing away a few elves who were stone-still. "You're alive!" She gasped, hugging me in the same instant.
"Yep." I said, grinning. Next thing I was aware of, I was swarmed by every single person I knew, all of them crying for joy of cheering. I caught sight of my old friend Liliana, and she gave a small wave, a smile spread across her face.
Suddenly the crowd dispersed, and I caught sight of a blond-haired elf lingering uncertainly by the edge. He took a slow step to me. "Er... Eradrin? Is that really you?" His voice shook. I nodded slowly, biting hard on my lip. Memories flashed through my mind. The arrow. The goodbye. Death. I shivered when I thought of that empty blackness that I had floated into. But then there was light.
His voice took me away from the memory. "You died..." Then he suddenly dashed up to me, footfalls hardly heard on the ground, and wrapped his arms around me. I leaned into the embrace, tears of joy streaked across my face.
"I would have taken that arrow for you all over again." I murmured.
Legolas sniffled. Not something I hear often from him. "I would do the same."
He raised his head to look me straight in the eyes. "I love you. More than anything else in the world." His brilliant eyes penetrated my heart.
I felt too choked up to answer, but finally murmured, "I do too." And I meant it.
As I lost myself in his gaze, I only had one thought. I never want this moment to end.