Second Chances

Part 17

Posted: March 2004
Author: Larien Elengasse

*****

Fëanor sat in a wide rocking chair upon the veranda of his old home. The place was rife with memories of his father, who once sat in that very chair and rocked his grandchildren in his lap. He ran his hands over the smooth wood of the arms, small indentations were made that fit his father's hands, and he imagined he could feel his spirit surrounding him. His first several nights alone in that fortress were filled with heartbreaking memories of returning home and finding his father's dead body upon the floor of the entry, his blood seeping into the stones that made up the floor of the grand hall.

It was a wide and empty space now, a great fortress that had lain forgotten, devoid of life or joy. He wandered the long, empty corridors, his robes shifting against the barren floor, his breathing the only sound to be heard in the empty fortress. He debated whether or not he should stay there, and as he caressed the soft wood beneath his hand he made his decision.

He rose to his feet and turned to enter the large room that had once been his father's chamber, and was met by his five sons that roamed free in Aman. Maedhros stepped forward and took his father's hands in his own and looked into his stormy eyes.

"What will you do, Adar?" he asked quietly, "Will you remain here with the ghost of Finwë, or will you make a new life with this chance you have been given?"

Fëanor looked into his eldest son's eyes and smiled gently. "I will make a new life and put the pain of the old one as far from my heart as I may," he answered quietly. "The pain of my father's passing will never die, but I know he is at peace now and far from harm." He cupped his son's cheek. "My most precious creations are with me now, and your love is a balm that soothes the pain of my loss."

Maglor stepped up beside his brother and smiled. "The Silmarils are not here, Adar. They are lost for all time."

Fëanor smiled and placed his hand upon Maglor's shoulder. "There was a day once, long ago that I counted those jewels as my most precious creations. But I see now that I was foolish, for you, my sons, are my most precious creations. I will not deny that I will always feel the loss of them, but they no longer mean as much to me as does my kin."

Maedhros and Maglor embraced their father, their long torment brought on by the oath finally relieved. Amrod, Amras, and Caranthir came forward and joined their brothers and father in their embrace and the six of them stood quietly in the empty room.

Fëanor took a deep breath and said softly, "Come, let us at long last return home."

His sons smiled and they left the empty chamber to return to Tirion.

* * * *

Legolas had not slept. He wandered the empty halls of his father's caves, the place he had spent nearly all his life before the fateful trip to Imladris. There was nothing left there, not one stick of furniture, and only a few bowls and spoons were left in the galley. It was strange being alone in the caves and surrounding wood, no one existed for hundreds of miles in any direction. He walked amongst the trees and animals of the forest, saying his farewells to the home he had once imagined he would spend the remainder of his days in. He picked fresh blackberries and stored them in a pouch as a small reminder of all he left behind, then returned to the caves to retrieve his friend.

He knelt beside Gimli and gave the dwarf a gentle poke. "Come, Gimli. ‘Tis time to depart."

Gimli snorted and grumbled as he rolled to his side. Legolas smiled and chuckled quietly. "Gimli, wake. We must be underway," he said a bit louder.

Gimli grumbled as he sat up and rubbed his face. "Are we traveling west then?"

Legolas shook his head. "Nay, south. That is where you and I will part ways, old friend, as my time to depart this world has come."

Gimli looked up at Legolas and rose to his feet quickly. "Now listen here, Master Legolas, you go nowhere without me."

Legolas smiled and patted his friend on the shoulder. "You have been a dear and loyal friend, Gimli, but there is no return whence I go. I am sailing west, mellonen, and when I leave, the way will be closed to all save one who may come and go at will."

Gimli blinked and looked at the elf. "Can I not go with you?" he asked in an uncharacteristically small voice.

Legolas cocked his head and answered, "You could not return, Gimli. You would live out the rest of your days in Aman. There are no others of your kind there, and no others may come."

"But the Lady is there, is she not? And you will be there. I am loath to stay behind, Legolas. You and I have always traveled together, my bond of friendship to you is strong."

"As it will always be, Gimli," Legolas answered softly. "But I could not ask you to leave behind your kin."

"I would gladly. I have done all that I would do here. Aglarond is established, I am no longer needed there. With Aragorn and Éomer gone, I do not wish to remain behind."

Legolas knelt before his friend and placed his hands upon his shoulders. "Are you certain, mellon? This is a decision that cannot be reversed."

"I am certain," Gimli answered. "I wish to accompany you on your final journey."

Legolas smiled broadly and answered, "Excellent well! I am heartened that you will be with me, mellonen. Come," he rose and tugged upon the dwarf's sleeve. "We make for the Anduin!"

They retrieved Legolas' horse and rode from the Caves of his home one final time.

* * * *

Thranduil looked upon the green grasslands of Eriador. His eyes widened in surprise upon seeing his first halfling, and a smile curved his lips as he enjoyed their warm welcome. He and Celeborn slept among the trees, preferring to commune with the land that had been home to both of them for many long years, and the Hobbits were more than happy to provide them quarter among their farms and townships.

They would reach the Havens within a week, and from there, they would board the last of the great ships to sail west. His heart lay heavy in his breast with worry for Legolas, though Celeborn assured him he would see his son again. He lay upon his back, gazing at the stars through the tree branches overhead. Elrond's sons, Elladan and Elrohir accompanied them, and he could hear their soft breathing coming from next to him. Never had he seen two so close as they. They could finish one another's sentences, and he suspected they spoke to one another with their minds as well. He knew from them that Legolas had at least survived the Downfall of Barad-dûr, though his lover had not. They had relayed the tale of the struggle for his son's spirit, and the ultimate sacrifice that Fëanor had made so that Legolas may go free. However, what became of Legolas after their departure from Minas Tirith, they had not known, so still the King worried for his son.

He watched Ithil's path across the night sky, the strange sensation of knowing his days upon Middle Earth were now short causing him to sigh quietly. A faint hint of raucous music drifted over the fields and he sat up and looked at the twinkling lights of a nearby Hobbit tavern. A wicked grin curved his lips and he slid from his bedroll, making for the tavern at a slow jog.

* * * *

"Adar!" the twins called to their father.

Fëanor looked up from his forge and saw his twin sons enter the room.

"There is someone here to see you. Someone you have not seen in many an age."

Fëanor raised an eyebrow and queried, "Who would this be?"

"My Lord."

Fëanor looked over his sons' shoulders to see Glorfindel standing in the doorway. He had not seen the Elda with his own eyes since he left Fingolfin and his people standing upon the shores of Araman.

He placed his tools upon the forge and removed his gloves and leather apron. He crossed the room to Glorfindel and bowed his head. "You honor me with your presence, my Lord," he said softly.

Glorfindel touched him upon the shoulder and answered, "Please, rise."

Fëanor stood and gazed into the Elda's sapphire eyes. "I cannot begin to ask forgiveness for what I did to you and your kin, Glorfindel," he began.

"You have paid your debt in kind by saving the one most precious to me, my Lord," Glorfindel answered. "Legolas told me of what you did, and shortly after I arrived here in Aman with my Lord Elrond, I learned of your arrival. I wanted to see you myself, I wanted to thank you for what you did."

Fëanor looked at the ground and answered softly, "I do not feel as though I deserve your thanks, Glorfindel."

Glorfindel smiled and tipped Fëanor's chin back up. "Whether you feel you deserve it or no, it is given. I also come bearing a message," he said softly. "A ship arrives that bears something of great interest to you. I have come to ask you to accompany me to the quay at Alqalondë to greet it."

Fëanor's eyes widened. "Could it be? Do they return home at last?" he asked breathlessly.

"One does, my Lord," Glorfindel answered, "and I have awaited his homecoming as eagerly as you."

Fëanor smiled. "I doubt I have awaited him quite as eagerly as you, Lord Glorfindel, but I have been eager to see him nonetheless." He gathered his cloak and clasped the elf lord upon the shoulder, "Come, let us go to greet him."

* * * *

There was no large procession to greet the last of the Fellowship as they arrived from across the wide sea. Legolas had built a ship out of the trees of his homeland and sailed down the Anduin and across the Belegaer to Aman in the company of his friend Gimli. He deftly maneuvered the small craft to the dock and held it steady as Gimli climbed out. The dwarf's normally sturdy legs were quite shaky after such a long and strange journey. As he climbed out and removed their two small packs, the dwarf tapped him on the shoulder.

"There is someone waiting for you, Master Legolas."

Legolas looked up and saw Glorfindel coming toward him upon the dock. He dropped their bags and raced down the pier, leaping into the Elda's arms as his bright laughter rang out into the clear blue sky.

"Oh, melethen," Glorfindel breathed into his ear. "How I have missed you."

"I have missed you as well, maethoren valthen," he whispered, "so very much."

Glorfindel kissed him soundly as he sat him down upon the docks then pulled away and caressed his face. He smiled broadly as he said, "There is another here to see you, meleth."

Legolas' eyes widened. "Adar? Is Adar here?"

"Mae govannen, Greenleaf."

Legolas wheeled around and came face to face with his trusted and beloved companion. He stood and looked at him for a long moment. He had never seen him before, but knew from others what he had once looked like. As he gazed upon an unfamiliar form that spoke in a voice he knew as well as he knew his own, the disbelief slowly faded from his eyes.

"Fëandro?" he whispered.

"Aye, Greenleaf. I am one in the same," Fëanor answered.

"Fëandro!" he shouted as he pulled his beloved friend and savior into his arms.

Fëanor held him for long moments, stroking his hair and rocking him back and forth. So many times, he had longed for this, to be able to hold his dear friend and tell him he loved him. Now, after so many years, his dear wish had come to pass. "'Tis good to see you, Greenleaf," he whispered into his ear. "You are even more fair as I see you with my own eyes than you were peering at your reflection with yours."

"You are more fair than I could have imagined," Legolas answered. "I cannot believe you are here, I feared you lost."

"I was lost, Greenleaf. But through the grace of the Valar, I have been granted clemency and given a chance to live out my life in peace." He pulled away and caressed the Sinda's face. "You look so much like your father, Legolas," he whispered, "so very much."

"You have not seen him yet?" Legolas asked urgently.

"Nay," Fëanor answered. "There has been no word yet. Lord Celeborn has yet to arrive, and Master Elrond hopes his sons will be with him. We hope Thranduil will be with him as well."

Legolas nodded and sighed. "I had hoped he would arrive before me, for when I returned home he had already departed."

Glorfindel placed his hand upon Legolas' shoulder and the Prince pulled him close, wrapping his arm around his waist. "Come, meleth," the Elda said softly, "let us take your friend, Gimli, to our home."

Legolas looked up into the warrior's eyes. "Our home?" he asked with a smile.

"If you would care to share it with me, yes," Glorfindel answered.

Fëanor nodded. "Go on, Greenleaf. There will be many days for us to spend talking, and when you are ready, I would like you to meet my sons."

Legolas smiled broadly. "I can hardly wait, Fëandro." He clasped the Noldo's hand. "I will see you very soon."

Fëanor smiled and nodded as Glorfindel, Gimli, and Legolas left the dock.

Mellonen = my friend
Melethen = my love
Maethoren valthen = my golden warrior
Meleth = love

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