Chapter
13
Born
from silence, silence full of it
A perfect concert my best friend
So much to live for, so much to die for
If only my heart had a home
Dead
Boy’s Poem – Nightwish
Aragorn
couldn’t believe it. His closest friend, dead now for
almost thirteen years, stood in the middle of the evil form
threatening them all. His form was not solid, Aragorn could
literally see right through his friend, but it didn’t
matter, for suddenly he had hope again. Legolas had defied death
to help them; if he could do that then anything was possible.
The
others were equally shocked, staring as Legolas’ form
glowed brighter within the darkness that surrounded him. Impossible
as it seemed, Legolas was having an effect on the darkness.
With great effort, Elrond tore his gaze away and turned to Glorfindel.
“Forgive me, mellon nin. It would seem that I was wrong.”
Glorfindel gave his friend a small smile.
“Do not trouble yourself about it. I just wish I knew
what he was doing.” Elrond nodded and they both turned
back to the scene playing out before them.
Legolas
was no longer aware of the world around him. Every fibre of
his being was focused on the shadow evil that threatened to
destroy all that he held dear. He kept pushing against the darkness
with his soul’s energy, forcing himself in until he had
all but become a part of it. His light ate away at the darkness
and slowly spread into it.
He paid for his efforts though; with each advance a little more
of his spirit was lost.
~No!
This was not happening; it could not be so easily defeated!
It had known the ghost held some power, but it had never imagined
that power was so strong or was capable of being so tightly
channelled.
It tried to fight back, to reclaim some of that which it had
lost, but to no avail. Try as it might, it was losing all to
the soul of the elf.~
Glorfindel
watched with deep concern. He remembered well his own encounter
inside of the creature and how it had nearly been his end. He
also remembered what Legolas had said about his first encounter,
how breaking out had almost cost him his soul. This incredible
display of power could surely not end well for the prince. Yet
the balrog slayer understood, perhaps better than anyone else,
why Legolas was doing this. Sometimes everything you were paled
in comparison to the lives of those dearest to you. As he had
once sacrificed his life for the people of Gondolin, so did
Legolas give up his soul for Gondor.
Legolas
knew he was winning. The darkness was fading and his light was
growing stronger. But he could not keep it up forever. His spirit
was waning fast; he had very little left now to give. He felt
the darkness fighting him, but he refused to acknowledge it.
He had to hold on for just a little bit longer. Then all would
be quiet, he would be at peace.
~It
screamed. All it’s plans, it’s dreams, gone. Lost
to the power of an elf long dead, an elf strong enough to defy
death for the love of his friends. There was light, terrible
and bright, eating away at the shadows. It could not succeed
now, but it would exact it’s revenge. It would not go
into the emptiness alone, nor quietly. The soul of the elf would
come with it.~
“Nearly
there.” The prince smiled, feeling the shadow fall. His
eternal fate no longer mattered; his friends were safe, Gondor’s
future assured. With one last, incredible burst of energy, his
light engulfed the last of the shadow. A scream of agony rang
in his ears.
His eyes opened and he saw Aragorn looking at him in sheer disbelief.
For one brief moment, their eyes locked. Legolas smiled, bidding
his friend a last goodbye. Then he knew no more as his spirit
gave out and he was taken into the eternal emptiness of a lost
soul.
Silence
fell.
“NO!”
Aragorn cried out as Legolas’ form vanished along with
the shadow. He did not know what had happened, but he knew it
did not bode well.
Glorfindel closed his eyes in grief. Far worse than death was
Legolas’ sacrifice. Ai, how would he explain this to Aragorn?
He turned sadly to Elrond, knowing that only he knew what had
just transpired.
“What happened?” The elf-lord’s gaze was filled
with confusion. Never in all his long years had he witnessed
such an event. He did not like the look in Glorfindel’s
eyes.
“He sacrificed his soul.” Glorfindel almost choked
on the words as he looked away from Elrond to the now clear
sky. “He went into darkness with the evil he destroyed.
We have lost him forever.”
Aragorn
turned to Glorfindel in sheer horror. “What are you saying?
Surely his soul will travel back to Mandos’ Halls?”
Glorfindel shook his head.
“Nay, his soul is beyond Mandos’ reach. He is lost.”
The
words hit like a knife to the heart. Elven death was terrible,
but came with the assurance of eventual rebirth. To sacrifice
that chance was awful beyond imagining. Aragorn let out a strangled
cry and gripped Elladan’s arm. The twins both embraced
him as they all struggled to comprehend what had occurred.
“What
now?” Aragorn asked softly, fighting the tears that threatened
to fall. He jumped slightly as Gimli laid a hand on his arm;
he had not seen the dwarf approach.
“Now we carry on doing what King Thranduil bade me do
twelve years ago – live our lives in such a way that his
sacrifice was not in vain.”
Aragorn shook his head. “I do not know if I can.”
“You have to.” Gimli replied. “For him, for
Gondor, for everyone.”
“He cared deeply for all of you.” Glorfindel said
softly. “Enough to sacrifice everything. Not to do our
best now is to dishonour him.”
Aragorn
closed his eyes, taking in the words. He knew they were right,
as they had been thirteen years ago, but it was no easier now
than it was then. If anything it was harder. But he would try,
for Legolas.
Slowly he nodded and after a moment found the strength to speak.
“I will honour him. If Gondor was great before it shall
become greater. All will know how we obtained this greatness.
Legolas’ memory shall be immortal, if nothing else.”
Glorfindel squeezed Aragorn’s shoulder. “Indeed
it shall. In our hearts and our memories he shall live always.
Not even the darkest evil can change that.”
“You speak truly.” Elrond said as he wrapped an
arm around his human son.
“Memories will always exist even when everything else
is gone.” He gently guided Aragorn towards the palace.
“Come. We need to speak to Arwen; she must know what has
happened here. Then you will rest; there will be time enough
tomorrow to deal with the repercussions of today.”
Aragorn
accepted the truth in his Father’s words. There would
indeed be time enough tomorrow. Thanks to Legolas, tomorrow
was assured.
As
he walked inside, an eagle cried as she soared through the air,
revelling in her freedom. Aragorn smiled as he remembered that
freedom was all that Legolas had ever truly wanted.
Now he was free. They all were
END
CHAPTER 13
