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Title: Nuruhuine (#1200)
Author: Philia
Chapters: 1

Archive: Tolkien
Category: Alternate Universe (AU)
Description: ~Remember I will still be here as long as you hold me in your memory.~ Aragorn rides to Mirkwood to say his last goodbye to Legolas who is dying... [My very first LOTR fanfiction ever which I never published until now ... bear with me, my English and everything else! *lol*]
Published: 16 Aug 2004
Updated: 16 Aug 2004
Warnings: None... if you cry easily maybe you should get som
Type: Drama
Characters: *Aragorn* *Legolas*


Chapter 1 - Nuruhuine

Author: Philia aka Steffi
Disclaimer: All characters & places herein belong to Tolkien and New Line Cinema. This is non-profit fanfiction.
Rating: G
Beta-ing: The amazing Lisande...
Author's Note: I've been thinking a lot about whether to publish this story or not ... for over a year now. It was my first attempt of writing Lord of the Rings fanfiction ever and until today, I don't really know what to think of it. Sometimes I like it, sometimes I don't. I tried to do it in a slightly Tolkien-ish style (which was hard enough in German... but in English?) and I don't really know if it worked out. You be the judge :o)

Nuruhuine*\r\n\r\n

When the young Elf Legolas was to breathe his last, deadly wounded by the poisened arrow of an orc, poised to soar to the souls of his forefathers; message was sent to the King of Gondor, Aragorn, son of Arathorn, that he may come and wake at his trusted friend's deathbed. Aragorn, terrified and strongly hurt by the receipt of the horrible news; did not waste any time but ordered to have his horse saddled at once. Neither Faramir, the young Captain; nor his wife, Lady Arwen would he allow to accompaign him, for he desired to ride to Mirkwood as quickly as possible, alone. On hearing the recentness, the people of Gondor were sad and aggrieved, yet the men and women of the stone land understood their Lord; and bade him to take their honest and true wishes with him. Aragorn gave his word to do so, and only few hours after the arrival of the Elven messenger at Minas Tirith, the King of Gondor left the town for the wood of the Elven people. Even the weather and nightfall could not force him to make a little rest, and so he rode as fast as the wind, indefatigable; droven by the sorrow of his faithful friend. Never before had a creature of Middle Earth seen a horse run so fast.

Man and horse reached the eternal darkness of Mirkwood only two days later. Aragorn was given a warm and grand welcome by the noble Elves; at least forty of them were awaiting him when he arrived; yet did Aragorn sense their grief and feared that he had come too late. A beautiful Elf woman stepped beside him as he dismounted, and grabbed his arm with the tender resolution, that is so characteristic for the fair folk, her lovely eyes rested upon the king, they were filled with the sureness of the events that were soon to come.

"Mae govannen. Welcome to the Elven wood." He heard her warm, quiet voice. It was Legolas' mother.

"I wish we would meet under different circumstances." The king replied, bowing slightly. "Yet it fills my heart with joy to linger with the fair Elves once again."

The woman now also bowed as did the other Elfmen and -women, then the queen again rose to speak: "Come, " she said, "he is awaiting you."

Aragorn nodded, and the queen lead him through the wooden realm of the Elves, over scores of paths passing wonderful houses built high up in the treetops, which perfection is unique in this world; to the great caves which the Sindarin-Elves sometimes indwell in this part of Middle-Earth.

As they went into the great cave, which was used as the palace of the Elven king, Thranduil, Aragorn was given a warm welcome by whoever they would meet. Yet there was grief in the air, which permeated every wall and every being of the wood. It was the mourning over the certainty, that the young, beloved prince of Mirkwood soon would be no more.

Shortly afterwards they had reached the chamber of the wounded Elf, the door was decorated with wonderful carvings. Aragorn politely asked the queen for permission to visit his fellow alone; and she accepted his request with a sad smile. Aragorn bowed once more and then entered the chamber of the Elven prince.

The room behind the door was bathed in darkness, and the prince of Mirkwood lay bedded on the softest and warmest pillows the Elven people had been able to find. King Aragorn drew nearer, as he believed his friend asleep, and eyed the prince. The fatal wounds had made his countenace only more beautiful; and the expression of peace and ease of the very made Aragorn cry. Soon enough the calmness and silence would take his faithful fellow in for good. It seemed unjust to Aragorn, that such a brave and courageous man had to leave this earthly existence because of nothing less than the simple attack of a treacherous orc. Forsooth, many that died deserved life. And if Legolas belonged to them, who else did? After the king of Gondor had lingered quietly for some time, Legolas Greenleaf suddenly opened his eyes and on recognizing his old friend he said:

"Lle abdollen. You're late again." Then he smiled and Aragorn replied:

"Amin hiraetha, Legolas. It grieves my heart that so much time had to pass until we meet at last..."

"It was destiny's will. At least it allows us a final encounter." The Elvenprince said with low, soft voice, from which one could anticipate that the parting was near. Sparkling and of clear blue were his eyes, which rested untroubled on Aragorn; his complexion a bit paler as usual; and while he aired nothing but pure contentment, Aragorn thought him more beautiful than ever before.

"Sut alle tyava?" the man then asked.

"I don't dread the things that will come."

"That is not the answer to my question."

The Elf sighed heavily. It was filled with gloom.

"I don't feel any pain. I just feel my power withering..."

With the tenderness of a wise king, Aragorn reached for the hand of the wounded Elven prince; soft and warm it was, so different from the rough hands of the human man.

"You will be fine soon again, Legolas."

The Elf gave away a sad smile.

"I will die, Aragorn. Everybody knows it, so do you. But I do not fear it."

"Nan amin. But I do."

"There is no need for you to. For my time here is over, that is the course of the world. I have seen and lived to see much. For almost 3000 years I have wandered this world, I have seen all its wonders and horrors. Now it is time to leave for the next adventure. But I will miss you Aragorn, son of Arathorn. Thou and all these who have proved themselves true companions through many dangers."

'It is you, Legolas, who has been a faithful companion to us. We have been through so much.' The king replied. "My heart can't bear the thought it shall be different from now on."

"It shan't. " the young Elf was now beathing heavilier, the shadow of death now lay on his face more clearly, and made Arargorn shiver. Legolas closed his eyes half, tiredness seemed to overpower him. Yet Aragorn knew that it was no exhaustion but the herald of death which took possession of the Elven prince. Legolas looked at the human and spoke with low voice:

"I will be with you, with all of you. I am the one who must go the last path alone. But if I have the certainty, that I will remain in your hearts, that I have found a home there, then I will walk the eternal path with pride and fearless. For then I own what not many Elves may call their own. The Eldar do not care very much about the affairs of others, but I can call dwarves and humans and Hobbits my friends. If they do not forget about me, I will be immortal in Middle-Earth."

A smile, which only a deep assurance can erase, flitted over the beautiful face of the Elf. The King of Gondor felt like crying, but he did not want to make the farewell any harder for Legolas. So he returned the smile of the Elf and said:

"No one in these lands may ever forget you. You will be sung about in the songs of humans, dwarves and Hobbits, all people of Middle-Earth will always remember you, Legolas Greenleaf of the Northern Mirkwood. Children will be told tales about the brave Elfprince, who was as corageous as a mountain lion and as pure as a unicorn. Every age shall ever remember thee."

Again Legolas smiled. "As you see, Aragorn, you shall never be without me. Everything will remind thee of me."

The human nodded slowly. "Yes, that is how it is going to be." he replied with an unusual shaking voice. Then the unavoidable happened. Legolas' breath grew havier and unsteadily, his bright blue eyes wandered around restlessly, with the rest of power that was left in his body he clinged to the arm of the human king. Horrified Aragorn grabbed for Legolas' hand, and held it as tight as he could, for he knew that now the moment of parting had come. One last time the Elf opened his eyes and while he was still smiling at Aragorn he whispered: "Namarie."
Aragorn nodded, but before he could answer the breath of life had left Legolas. His hand flagged in Aragorn's grasp, his face turned calm and peaceful. The King of Gondor conceived, that the body which lay here now was nothing more than a mortal, souless cover. With tears in his eyes Aragorn rose and softly kissed Legolas on the forehead, then he bowed slightly.

"Namarie, Legolas, son of Thranduil of Mirkwood. It is an honour that I was allowed to know you. May the ways to your forefathers be soft and untroubled. Do not despair; for you are immortal, and in our tales and memories you shall live forever. Namarie, mellon nin. Aa' menalle calen ar' malta. May your ways be green and golden, Legolas. You shall not be forgotten."


With Love
Philia

*Nuruhuine is Elvish and means 'Shadow of Death' ...
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