Second Chances

Part 14

Posted: March 2004
Author: Larien Elengasse

*****

"Gandalf!" Aragorn cried as he caught the body of his closest friend in his arms. He rolled Legolas to his back and began cutting and pulling away his tunic to inspect the wound. He searched hurriedly through the pouch he kept close to his breast and pulled out a few leaves of Athelas. He had placed the pouch in his breast pocket of his tunic before departing from Minas Tirith and at the time was not sure why he had done it, but something nagged at him to do so, and he did. He quickly chewed the leaves and pressed them into the wounds on Legolas' back and shoulder. The Nazgûl had run him through, but thankfully missed his vital organs; nonetheless, a wound from a Nazgûl was rarely overcome.

The wizard fell to his knees beside the elf as Gimli came staggering forward.

"What happened! What happened to him?" the Dwarf cried.

Gandalf placed his hands upon Legolas' head and began chanting in an ancient language no one present understood except Elladan and Elrohir. The twins knelt beside the wizard and joined their voices to his, calling Legolas back from the void.

* * * *

"Tell me what you see!" Glorfindel shouted at his Lord. His hands were fisted at his sides and his heart hammered in his chest.

Elrond sat on the edge of his bed, his fingers massaging his temples. His seneschal had woken him from a fitful dream when he burst into his room, and now Glorfindel stood before him, demanding to hear what Elrond had seen in his vision.

"Please, my Lord," Glorfindel's demanding tone had changed to pleading. The proud warrior sank to his knees before his Lord and Master. "I beg you, do not withhold it from me, I must know."

Elrond turned his troubled gaze to his close friend and faithful servant. "It is incomplete, Glorfindel. I do not know exactly what it is that I did see."

Glorfindel gazed into his lord's sad eyes, his own were shimmering with unshed tears. "Tell me what you do know, for it can not be worse than what I imagine to be."

Elrond took a deep breath and sighed. "He has fallen. But what his ultimate fate is I know not. I cannot see him now, he is veiled in darkness." He watched his friend's shoulders begin to tremble and he reached out and placed a hand upon him. "His fëa is strong, Glorfindel. He will find his way, he will not be lost."

Glorfindel looked up at his lord and whispered, "He is dead then? Gone from me? Gone from this world?"

Elrond shook his head and replied. "I know not, Glorfindel. Perhaps." He slid from the bed and knelt in the floor beside the one who had protected him for many years. He gathered his friend in his arms and held him as he wept.

* * * *

Legolas felt something cold all around him and his eyes fluttered open. Blackness was all around him, no sound could be heard, not even the beating of his own heart. **Fëandro?** he reached out with his thoughts to his friend and protector.

**I am here, Greenleaf,** Fëanor answered.

**Where are we?** Legolas questioned.

**We are in the void that separates the world of the living from the world of the dead,** Fëanor answered.

**Where is the pathway to Mandos' Halls? Why is the way not prepared?** Legolas asked in confusion.

**He has shut the way, the Dark Lord hides it with his last remnants of strength,** Fëanor answered. **He is coming for us, Greenleaf; I feel him. But do not fear, he will not take you, I will not allow it.**

**You will not allow?** a deep, menacing voice echoed in the darkness. **You cannot stand against me, Fëandro; you will fall. Save yourself and give me the Prince. If you do not, you will both be taken to my master in the void. It has been long since he has had such sweet light upon which to drink, he will use both of you well.**

**Never!** Fëanor cried. **You will never have him! I have no body to give over to death this time, hû. I have nothing to lose, you have seen to that!**

**As you wish. Enjoy your final moments before the pain, Fëandro. His cries of anguish will mingle with your own and ring in your mind for eternity!**

Freezing pain encompassed him and Legolas cried out, fighting against it, thrashing and beating the darkness with his fists. His fist glanced something solid and he grasped for it, meaning to pummel it until he could feel nothing, but he could no longer feel it. He screamed until he felt his lungs would burst, and he felt his wrists pinned down. Hands, too many to count, held his flailing body down, pinning it so that he could not move. And all the while, he felt Fëanor locked in battle with Sauron inside him, he felt the pain and rage until he thought he would go mad. Ripping, tearing, searing pain that was blinding tore through him and at the last moment, he realized what was happening. He cried out for Fëanor before all went dark.

* * * *

Tears traced down Aragorn's cheeks as Mithrandir shouted, "Hold him down!" His face still ached where the elf had punched him in his fit of madness. Elladan and Elrohir each held an arm, grim determination set on their fair faces as they continued chanting even through their clenched jaws. Gimli held one leg while Éomer struggled to hold the other, their faces were masks of horror; neither had seen anything like this before. The Hobbits fell to their knees and covered their ears, wailing in anguish as they watched their friend's soul being torn to shreds.

Finally Legolas went limp and ceased his struggle. The elf's lips moved, as he began to whisper and Aragorn leaned down, placing his ear against his friend's lips as he heard him moan, "No… Fëandro…"

Mithrandir sat back on his heels and sighed in exhaustion. "It is done," he said softly. "Now all we can do is wait and pray he heeds our call."

Elladan smiled gently and caressed Aragorn's cheek. "Come, gwador, we must return him to Minas Tirith. He will need more care before this is done."

Elrohir brushed the damp hair away from Legolas' face. "He is strong, this one. Strong and brave. Never have I seen one survive such treatment."

Gimli croaked, "He is the strongest of all of us, and the most stubborn."

Éomer wiped his brow and sighed. "What just happened? Can one come back from such madness and torment?"

Aragorn's eyes flashed defiantly. "He will come back! He must come back!"

Éomer held up his hand. "I am sorry, my friend. I did not mean…"

Mithrandir stood and retrieved his staff. "Enough… Come, we must bear him back to Minas Tirith swiftly. Make a dray from cloaks and wood, we can carry him back. I am going in search of Frodo and Samwise."

"How?" Éomer asked in astonishment. "The way is blocked."

A great cry came from above them and they looked up to see the Eagles returning. Mithrandir smiled grimly and answered, "Gwaihir will assist me."

* * * *

Thranduil crouched behind the thick shrubs that grew amongst the fallen trees; his heart was heavy with grief, clouded with the vision he had of Legolas' death. He had implored Galadriel to give him some news, but she could see nothing. He knew this did not bode well for his son. Though she could see nothing of Legolas' fate, she felt it immediately when the One Ring was destroyed, so they marched upon Dol Guldur with confidence.

Celeborn gave the signal for attack, and the elves burst from the trees, attacking the once great fortress with a vengeance. The battle was long and hard, and elves fell in great numbers, but in the end, they were victorious and the fortress was thrown down by the might of the Eldar and the magic of the Lady of Light.

They camped several days near Gladden Fields where Celeborn and Thranduil renamed the wood Eryn Lasgalen. Lord Celeborn took the southern reaches of the forest for his realm while Thranduil took the reaches north of the Old Forest Road. All in between was given to the Woodmen and Beornings where elves and men would live in peace together until the last of the Eldar passed over the sea.

The King returned to his home, his heart heavy with fear and grief for the fate of his beloved son. He gave leave to those who wished to sail into the west, but he swore to wait for Legolas for as long as he was able.

* * * *

Legolas lay on his back upon the bed. His eyes fluttered open and a long moan escaped his lips. Gimli stirred upon hearing the sound, and his feet fell from their perch upon the table as he took to his feet.

"Legolas? Are you coming back to us, Lad?" his gravely voice whispered. He reached out and caught one of the healers by the arm and barked, "Fetch the King, immediately!"

"Impertinent as always," Legolas whispered.

Gimli turned his gaze back to the elf and smiled. "It is about time, you petulant elf. You just couldn't be satisfied until you frightened every one of us half out of our wits."

"That is a shorter leap for some than others, I suppose," Legolas responded with a weak smirk.

Gimli grumbled before he broke out into a grin. "'Tis good to have you back, laddy."

Legolas' expression sobered and he nodded. "'Tis good to be back."

Commotion in the hallway signaled the King's arrival, and Aragorn burst through the door, crossing the room to Legolas' bedside. "Legolas! You are awake, mellonen."

Legolas nodded and smiled weakly. Aragorn could see the pain in his eyes and he turned to Gimli. "Could you leave us awhile, my friend?"

Gimli looked from Aragorn to Legolas then nodded. "Aye, my stomach complains for lack of food anyway." He winked at his elven friend before leaving the two alone.

Aragorn turned back to Legolas and saw a silvery tear trace down his cheek. "He is gone, Estel," Legolas whispered. "I have lost him forever."

Aragorn picked up one of Legolas' hands and held it between his own. "He saved you, mellon. He sacrificed himself for you."

Legolas drew a ragged breath. "I am no longer whole. He has been a part of me all my life; I do not know how to be without him. I am lost without him."

Aragorn squeezed his friend's hand and shook his head. "Nay, ‘tis not so, Legolas. You are strong. I will not say it will be easy, it will not. But you will find away, Legolas. You will survive and go on, you must for those who love you."

"For Adar and Glorfindel," Legolas whispered.

Aragorn smiled and nodded. "Aye, and for me and Gimli."

Legolas smiled weakly and squeezed Aragorn's hand. "Hannon le, mellonen."

Aragorn smiled and nodded. "Hannon le, Legolas Thranduilion."

Hû = dog
Gwador = sworn brother
Mellonen = my friend
Mellon = friend
Hannon le = thank thee

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