Shadow of the Forest

Part 8

Posted: September 2003
Author: Estella Greenleaf

A/N: Chapter set a week after the last.

//….// = song

*****

Chapter 8: Broken Hearts

Rays of the setting sun painted the forest in a golden hue. The leaves and branches danced to the soft rhythm of a gentle breeze, scattering the dying light into glittering specks of gold. A lone Elf stood in the shallows of the river, his lithe body slick with moisture from his bath, his face covered by a mask. The sun's beams colored his pale skin in shades of bronze. His flowing long hair shone like molten gold, a light that rivaled the fading sun. The creatures of the woods were reverently silent, in awe of the sight of this mysterious beauty. The only sounds to be heard were the rustling of the trees and the flow of the gentle currents, singing a harmony in honor of their enigmatic guest.

However, the soothing atmosphere of the ravine was unable to calm the Elven Prince's inner turmoil. Estel had not visited him for a whole week now, ever since the day he told the Man there was no more he could teach. He had expected it; for the past five years, he had anticipated that Aragorn would soon leave him. He even thought himself prepared for the occasion; but he was not. The pain in his chest was so intense that he thought his broken heart was being torn into tiny pieces and set aflame. He knew he could not fight the grief for long. The star of Earendil had passed the torch of being the hope of Middle Earth to Estel, the future King of Man. He no longer had a purpose for living.

Legolas longed to see his home one last time before he died. He would journey to Greenwood, now Mirkwood because of the evil that had invaded it. But before he could leave, he must see his apprentice one last time to say farewell. They went through so much together; he felt it necessary to put a proper end to their relationship.

In truth, the Golden Elf was reluctant to leave Estel until he was sure that the Man had someone else who would share his burdens. Though many were supportive of Aragorn, they had such high expectations of him that they had only unknowingly added more weight on his shoulders. Being a noble, selfless and kind man, Estel had bore these loads without complaint, never worrying for his own well being, only hoping that he would not disappoint Middle Earth. Legolas had always felt that the Man should have someone to take care of him, to share his worries and fears, to have faith in him without any expectations or strings attached. It was a duty that the Golden Elf was honored to assume. His last act as Estel's mentor would be to make sure that the Man would never have to face darkness alone.

A small voice in his head, however, was taunting him, mocking him for giving altruistic motives to his selfish actions.

Legolas knew there was some truth in his self-admonishment and shook his head in contempt. But regardless of the reason, he must go; he needed to know the truth. He would confront the Man; if Estel truly did not care for him, he would leave. He was already dying of grief and there was nothing more to lose. He would sneak into the House of Elrond tonight.

*****

Estel was wandering aimlessly around the gardens, his heart aching from the prolonged separation from Shadow. Without realizing it, he started humming a song of lost love and longing which his mentor had sung for him before.

// Wishing you were somehow here again,
Wishing you were somehow near,
Sometimes it seemed if I just dreamed,
Somehow you would be here. //

He was surprised when he heard a female voice joined him in his song, turning it into an exquisitely haunting duet.

// Wishing I could hear your voice again,
Knowing that I never would,
Dreaming of you won't help me to do,
All that you dreamed I could. //

Her voice was beautiful and pure. The entire garden was still, captivated by their song. Estel found himself drawn to her; save for Shadow's voice, there were no sound more perfect to his ears than this maiden's. Her face was turned form him. Estel could only see her long wavy tresses, threads of dark silk floating softly in the gentle wind.

When she turned, the Man swore he had never seen a more gorgeous being. With her sensitive blue eyes, her delicate face and rosy lips, the maiden was so ethereal in her beauty that she resembled an angel from the heavens. Estel had heard of the legends of Beren and Luthien, the King of Man and most beautiful Elven maiden ever born. Looking at the exquisite Elf before him, he was sure she was Luthien and called to her, "Tinuviel, Tinuviel!"

The maiden turned to him and smiled, "Who are you and why do you call me by that name?"

It took a while before Estel could find his tongue, "I am called Estel, foster son of Lord Elrond. But I am born Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Isildur's heir. I called you by that name because a beauty like you can only be the Elf maiden of legends."

"I am not Luthien, though many have mistaken me for her. My name is Arwen. I am Lord Elrond's daughter. I have heard much about you, Estel. Perhaps you would like to join me in a walk in the gardens. I would love to hear more tales of your bravery and chivalry," the Elf smiled again.

Estel blushed and followed her. He could not believe he was smitten by her attention. Many Elf maidens and warriors had asked him to join them in far less innocent things than walks in the gardens. Though Arwen was incomparable in her beauty, Estel was never the one to judge on a person's looks. After all, he loved Shadow despite his disfigured face.

The thought immediately prompted a wave of self-admonishment that was the norm for the past week.

As much as it hurt, Estel knew he must move on. He could start with opening his heart to new possibilities. He had to admit he could not ask for a better potential love than the Lady Arwen.

*****

Legolas sneaked into the gardens of Rivendell without much difficulty. He was glad he did not have to use magic to conceal himself. He was afraid that Lord Elrond would be able to detect his powers. For once, he was pleased to have lived so many years as the Shadow of the Forest; it had trained him to be very good at concealing himself.

Legolas spotted Estel at the edge of a hedge maze. Seeing the man so unguarded, the Elf could not resist the opportunity to surprise him. That was something the Prince loved doing, for it was the only way he would ever know how his beloved apprentice would feel against him. Silently, he moved into the tree directly behind the Man. He was about to pounce when he saw her coming out of the maze.

They spoke quietly and laughed together. It was obvious they were playing a game to see who could solve the maze faster. The Lady Arwen was every bit as beautiful as Legolas remembered. He had caught a glimpse of her on her journey to Lothlorien over 2000 years ago. The Prince looked at the pair and knew immediately that they were perfect together. With the Evenstar of the Elves by his side, Aragorn would become a great king. As Legolas watched them tentatively held hands, he knew he would not need to speak with Estel again. The day had come when his apprentice was ready to face the challenges of the world without him. His duty was finally done...

*****

The following morning, Legolas began his slow journey back to Mirkwood. It was a full three weeks before he reached Lothlorien. Before, it would have taken him only ten days, but his grief had begun to take its toll on him; his strength and powers were waning. He had only walked for 5 hours, but his weariness was trying to force him to stop and rest. The Elf was afraid that at this rate, he would die before he reached his home. Preoccupied with his thoughts, the mage did not even noticed as a team of Lòrien archers dropped from surrounding branches and aimed their arrows at him.

*****

"Why did you bring me here?" Legolas demanded as he gathered his strength to stand. He was humiliated by his own weakness. He could not even put up a fight as the Lòrien warriors carried him through the woods and brought him before Lady Galadriel.

"It is not your time, my Golden Prince. You must not die," spoke the Lady in his mind.

The Prince had never liked mental communications. He could gather his remaining powers and block the Lady if he wished; but at the moment, he just did not care enough to do anything. He merely kept his mind blank, except for his grief and pain.

Galadriel frowned. Through their connection, she could feel Legolas' pain. She truly wished that the Prince had not suffered so. But for all her powers, she knew she must not interfere with the matters of the heart. Legolas and Estel must deal with what lay between them on their own. However, she could not let the star of Earendil die. Just as Estel was the hope of Men, Legolas was the hope of the Elves. She had foreseen that only together would they be able to defeat Sauron.

"Will you look into the mirror, my Prince?" asked Galadriel, aloud for she knew Legolas would ignore her otherwise.

"Why? I know my own future. Everything else I do not need a mirror to see," the Elf mage retorted with a frown.

"What about Estel, Golden One? Can you see what the future holds for him?"

Galadriel knew the Elven Prince loved the Man too much to be able to do so. To use his magic, Legolas must concentrate and keep his mind only on the task. Strong emotions would distract the mage. Aside from that, even if the Elf could control his feelings for the duration of the spell, Estel's destiny was bound to Legolas'. As powerful as the Star of Earendil, he could not foresee all the consequences of his actions. Ever since the Golden Elf touched the youth's life, their future was intertwined, nay inseparable. Just as Legolas could not see his own future, he could not see Estel's.

Legolas did not like the direction the conversation was heading. He could sense what Galadriel was hinting at. Something bad would happen to Estel if the Golden Elf were to die now. He could look into the mirror, and thus, putting his doubts to rest… but the mirror was controlled by the magic of the Lady of the Woods; she could project whatever images she wished. He was certain whatever it showed could not be fully trusted.

In the end, the Elf knew he could not gamble with Estel's life. He had lived with his grief for over 5000 years out of a sense of duty. He now would exist a few more years to watch over his beloved apprentice until the Man fulfilled his destiny. Closing his eyes, Legolas steeled what was left of his heart. With the inner light inherited as the star of Earendil, the Prince drove his pain into the deepest recesses of his being. He would keep it lock there until Estel was safely on the throne of Gondor.

*****

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