Chapter 14

“This creature is cunning, we must have our wits about us.” Says King Elessar. The gathered assemblage grows edgy and restless. “We seek the lowest form of scum! Show him no mercy for he deserves none!”

Anger and hatred burn in the heart and eyes of Legolas, to see Ithil so wounded, so full of grief is more than he can stand. That alone is enough for him to want to destroy this vile creature, but to have murdered his child is more than Legolas can bear. He is so lost in his thoughts that he does not hear Lady Galadriel walking up behind him. Gently she touches his shoulder. Turning he faces the Lady of the Wood.

“Legolas, I bring you these.” She holds out to him three arrows; they are pure white and seem to glow with an ethereal inner light. “These arrows I crafted in the night Legolas of the Woodland Realm. Within them is contained the light of the moon, light that pierces the darkest of nights. If you can hit Coruon with one of these arrows it will pierce his darkness and bring an end to him and his power.” Looking down at the ground she continues, “Ithil is very special to me, I have always thought of her as my own daughter. And I thought of Lalaith as my granddaughter.” Raising her eyes to Legolas he can see the fire of rage and loathing that flash terribly in her pale eyes. “Destroy him Legolas.”

“You have my word My Lady.” He says as he bows deeply to her. Turning his attention to the others, King Elessar and some of the captains are dividing up the men and elves and assigning the forest grounds between them. Tension is high and everyone is eager to be off.

Legolas, King Elessar and Gimli go together to the north towards where Haldir had fallen. They spread out a bit but kept in eye contact. Gimli walks closer to Legolas, “I understand that the murder of Haldir and his child is horrible my friend; but why is it your eyes burn with such anger and grief. I have never seen like this, not even when we thought we had failed Merry and Pippin. What is it that troubles you so? Will you not tell your friend?”

Sighing Legolas looks to the blue sky above; finally turning to his long time friend he answers him. “Gimli, that indeed is a long and sad tale.”

“It seems we have time my friend.” Gimli replies.

“I hope not to much time passes before we find this fiend.” Legolas says. Sighing he continues, “I will tell you the tale as quickly as I can. It began long ago when we first came to Lothorien.”

“Ah, yes I remember it well.” Gimli stares off into the mists of memory. “That is where we first met the Lady Galadriel and Ithil Linde.”

“Yes Gimli, however it is where you met Ithil but I fell in love with her.” Legolas says as memories also envelop his mind. “So fair, so beautiful, she captured my heart then and there. Later I found out from the lips of Haldir himself that they had promised their bond to each other. At that point I promised myself that nothing would come of my feelings for Ithil. I would bury them and never again would they see the light of day. Until one night in Rivendell, after a night of celebrations and a few goblets of wine, I lost control of myself and stole a kiss from her lips. After that my heart would not give me peace and the next night we gave ourselves to each other as if we were husband and wife. But alas, it was not to be. The next day I intended to ask her for her hand in marriage, however Haldir asked her first. Though I don’t understand it, she consented and that night Haldir and Ithil were married. I made a vow to myself that if that was her decision that I would honor it and leave her, accepting that I would pine for her for the rest of my existence.”

Slowly Gimli starts to understand. “Are you saying that the child might have been yours?” He ventures to ask.

“Yes Gimli, Lalaith was my child. Though I only knew her for a few precious hours, a deep love for her took root in my heart and now I will destroy this vile fiend who would kill an innocent child. He will pay dearly for the crimes he has committed.” Sadness and anger combine in Legolas’ voice.

King Elessar ran quickly over to them. “Look there, ahead, in the top of that tree.” He whispers as they duck behind a large boulder. Peering around the boulder the three look, there is an unnatural rustling in a tree several yards ahead.

Legolas draws a regular arrow from his quiver and pulls back his bow, Gimli runs his thumb over the edge of his axe and King Elessar silently draws his sword. Suddenly from behind them several evil-looking creatures drop down from the trees, quickly surrounding the three friends.

Orcs, with a strange, glazed over look in their eyes draw their swords and move in closer. Legolas, Gimli and King Elessar stand back to back ready to fight. When from the branches above them Coruon drops down in the middle of the three. Turning to face him Legolas throws away caution and lunges at Coruon.

“Uh uh uh, not so fast.” Says Coruon as the orcs come up and stand directly behind them. “I would put down your weapons if I were you.”

The three look and see the orcs have their swords leveled at them. Having no other choice the three place their weapons on the ground.

“Murder!” Comes unbidden out of the lips of Legolas. Orcs from behind grab him by the arms and hold him tightly.

“Murder? Well yes I suppose I am. The question I need to ask is what murder are you talking about and what do you wish to do about it? So many faces, it’s hard to keep them all straight. A friend, a brother maybe, or perhaps a girlfriend or a… boyfriend?” Coruon says silkily as he slaps Legolas across the face. Slowly Legolas turns back to face Coruon, fury burns brightly in his eyes; rage such as he has never known before takes him.

“Child slayer.” King Elessar hisses at him.

“Ah the little girl. Oh now that was special. I’ve never slain a child before and to be quite honest I rather enjoyed it. Her flesh was so soft, the scent of her blood so sweet. I must try it again when I get the chance.” He says softly.

“You will not live to see that chance.” The anger and contempt is obvious in Legolas’ voice.

“We shall see son of Thranduil. We shall see.” Coruon says as he turns away from them.

Quicker than a flash King Elessar draws a dagger from his boot and hurls it at the nearest orc. The other two grab their weapons from the ground and attack the orcs. Bloodlust comes over Legolas and he slashes into the orcs with his sword, killing them left and right. GimliÂ’s axe sends orc arms, legs and heads flying in all directions. King ElessarÂ’s sword is ablaze like white fire, the orc blood never dulling its gleam. Finally the orcs all lay dead, their foul black blood desecrating the once pure forest floor. Catching their breath and looking around them Coruon is nowhere to be seen.

Legolas will not give up so easily. With his keen sharp eyes he carefully searches the forest. Gimli and King Elessar keep silent so as to not distract the elf. In the distance sitting on a high up branch he can see Coruon. There is a smug look on his face; he thinks he has outwitted the three. Getting out his bow, he draws one of the arrows that Galadriel gave him. Notching it to the string he keeps his sharp eye on his quarry.

He lets the arrow fly. It flies through the air straight and true to its mark. However at the very last split second Coruon sees it coming and tries to get out of the way, the arrow finds its mark but only lands in the dark elfÂ’s shoulder. He screams as the light pours from the arrow into him. With great effort he pulls the arrow from his flesh and throws it to the ground. He starts to run farther into the forest away from Caras Galadhon.

Legolas and his companions run after him. They came to the spot where the arrow is laying. The once bright white arrow is now blackened and spoiled. All three of them can see him plainly as he tries to outrun them. Quickly Legolas pulls the second arrow from his quiver and notches it. This one also runs true to its mark and hits Coruon in his back just above his heart. The dark elf falls, but gets back up to his feet and keeps running, but this time even slower. Then suddenly he disappears, one second heÂ’s there and next he is gone.

The three stop dead in their tracks. “What deviltry is this?” Gimli demands.

Legolas peers around desperately searching for some sign, some hint of their prey. However he can find none. King Elessar listens and looks; he too canÂ’t find any sign of him. Without warning something from behind knocks Legolas to the ground. Quickly the elf rolls over and he sees above him the dull black eyes of Coruon.

“I think now it is time for you to die.” Coruon says as he raises a dagger high above Legolas. In one deft motion Legolas unbalances Coruon knocking him to the ground and Legolas is above him with the last white arrow in his hand. Without thinking twice Legolas plunges the arrow into the villain’s vile heart.

Blood and a foul stench pour out of the evil elf. Legolas gets off him and stares as CoruonÂ’s face contorts with pain and fury. In a brilliant flash of white light the body of Coruon disappears, where it lay is a horrid black scorch mark. Ever after that no plant fair or foul would grow there and no animal dared to set paw on it.

For the longest while Legolas stands looking at it.

“Come, there is a promise you must keep.” King Elessar says gently to Legolas. Reminding the elf of his promise to return to Ithil.

—————————————-

That night the bodies of Haldir and Lalaith are placed on top of a high funeral pyre. All the elves gather around. Lord Celeborn steps forward, he is holding a torch high in his hand. Tears fall from the eyes of the elves landing on the ground. Flowers grow and bloom at the feet of the elves from the tears they shed. Its beautiful white blossoms all hang their heads in mourning.

The night seems to know the great sorrow of hearts of the elves. The moon is bright and high in the sky, but it does not have its playful glow, instead its light is proud and respectful. The birds thickly cover the trees near them singing mournfully. Even the stars above seem tearful and solemn.

Ithil stands there looking at them; the elves have done their best to cover the hideous wounds. If you did not know they were dead, it would seem that they were sleeping peacefully. In IthilÂ’s mindÂ’s eye she can still see the horrendous wounds, the blood dripping everywhere and she can still hear the sound of her heart breaking. She longed for the darkness that she had felt before when she had thought that Haldir had died. She yearned for death to take her away from this. But she felt nothing, no despair, no sorrow, she felt numb and empty, she did not mourn or even cry, it was as though she only existed.

Legolas looked at her from across the way, his heart breaking for her. King Elessar and Gimli stand next to their friend. King Elessar puts his hand on his friendÂ’s shoulder and Gimli pats his back.

No one says a word as Celeborn touches the flame to the pyres. The fire catches quickly and engulfs the two bodies. One by one the elves leave and songs of lament rise in the trees touching the stars themselves. Celeborn and Galadriel also take their leave. Ithil just stands there staring into the fire, oblivious of anything around her. All Legolas can do is look at her, his heart feels the emptiness surrounding her. King Elessar and Gimli finally drag Legolas away, leaving Ithil there alone.

In the morning Legolas finds Ithil still standing in the same place. The fire had long since died away and in its place, grass and beautiful flowers were already growing. He gently placed his hands on her arms and turns her to face him. He searches for words to say and not coming up with anything to say he just wraps his arms around her. He wishes for some reaction to come from her, to fall into his arms and cry or scream, even to hit him and demand release from his arms anythingÂ… But there is nothing, just her slow even breathing.

Finally she speaks, “There is nothing here for me anymore Legolas. I’m am leaving.” She starts to walk away from him.

“Where will you go? I will gladly go with you.” He says to her.

She pauses in mid-step, turning to look at him, he can see a void where the light that shined so brightly in her eyes once had been. “I will journey to Rivendell, from there I don’t know.”

“I will not leave you.” He says firmly.

“But I am leaving you Legolas. I am but an empty shell, the love I felt for you is long since gone. I have nothing to offer you.” She says, her voice devoid of any emotions. Opening her hand he can see the bracelet. She places it in his hand walks away. All Legolas can do is stand there and watch her leave.

Chapter 15

Many years go byÂ… The departure of Gandalf, Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel to the havens, the death of King Elessar and the death of Arwen hit all of Elvendom hard, making for very heavy burdens for Ithil to bear. So much pain and anguish for one elf to bear, her husband and child slain, friends and family long gone. Ithil thinks about sailing to the undying lands, but she chooses to return to Lothlorien.

The time came however, when Lord Celeborn decides to join Galadriel in the Gray Havens. Word is sent out to all of elves that still remain in Middle Earth. Lord Celeborn is leaving Lothlorien and has chosen a new Lady of the Wood. Word goes wide and far of the naming of Ithil Linde as the new Lady of Lothlorien. Messengers arrive in Mirkwood bearing the news to the hall of the King. Upon the passing of King Thranduil to the havens, his son Thrandin, brother of Legolas, is named King in his place.

Legolas is in the hall when the messenger delivers the news of Ithil. Bittersweet memories of Ithil sweep over him. Putting his hand into his pocket he feels a soft velvet bag; inside this bag is the wedding bracelet he had gotten for her. After she returned it to him, he placed it in this bag to carry with him always. He decides to go to Lothlorien and give their love one last try.

A grand affair has been set up to honor Lord Celeborn and to celebrate the naming of Ithil as Lady of the Lorien. Never before has so many allowed into Lothlorien. Elves and guests from all over Middle Earth come. The group from Mirkwood arrives; Legolas is of course one of their numbers. There he sees her; she is up on a platform greeting the guests as they arrive. He has never seen her so beautiful. She is dressed in array that would befit the richest queen in all of Middle Earth. Her face is as fair as ever; but in her green eyes there is a difference. They are older than her years, aged from too much pain for one person to bear.

“No greetings for friends from far away pointy ears?” A rough voice next to him says. Legolas is so entranced with Ithil that he did not notice that Gimli has been standing next to him. “She is more beautiful then ever is she not Laddie?”

“That she is Gimli.” Legolas says.

“Perhaps the time has come for the love you two share finally to come to bear.” Gimli suggests.

Turning to look at Gimli, with a smile on his face, (the first Gimli has seen in years) Legolas says, “Perhaps.”

The crowd falls silent as Lord Celeborn steps forward.

“My brothers and sisters, friends and guests.” Celeborn addresses them. “I give you greetings and blessings. Today I leave the fair woods of Lothlorien and journey to the havens. It grieves my heart to leave so many friends and family behind. However the emptiness that the Lady Galadriel left in my heart when she departed is great but now my heart rejoices at the chance to be with her again. However I cannot leave the woods without a Lord or Lady to watch over it; and after much consideration I have decided to name Lady Galadriel’s most trusted servant and adopted daughter, Ithil Linde to be her replacement. So now I present to you, Ithil Linde who hence forth shall be known as The Lady Rinithil.”

The huge crowd raise their voices crying, “Hail Lady Rinithil! Hail Lady Rinithil! Hail Lady Rinithil!”

With that Celeborn places a wondrous circlet upon her head, which had been wrought by the master elf-smiths. In the center of the circlet is a small shard of Galadriel’s mirror. It will give her the gift of sight into whatever corner of Middle Earth she wishes to see. As it is placed upon her head the dark that has been over Lothlorien ever since Galadriel left lifts a bit and a faint light can be seen emanating from the heart of the forest. A queenly appearance comes over Lady Rinithil and again the cry goes up, “Hail Lady Rinithil! Hail Lady Rinithil! Hail Lady Rinithil!”

A great feast is waiting, the likes of which has never been seen before nor seen since.

During the feast a servant approaches Legolas, “Prince Legolas, the Lady Rinithil requests an audience with you.” Nodding Legolas follows the servant up several flights of stairs to a talan that is far away from everything and everyone.

The sight of her takes his breath away. The soft light that shines from her face makes her look as if the moon itself took bodily form but kept all of its mystery and beauty.

“Legolas muin…” she says smiling at him.

“My Lady.” He says as he bows very deeply to her.

“No muin, never bow to me.” She says as she places her hand under his chin and raises his face up to hers. She looks at his face as if she wants to memorize every part of it. Her hand leaves his chin and caresses his cheek. Legolas closes his eyes and puts his hand over hers. With his other hand he takes the bracelet from his pocket. He removes her hand from his cheek and he places the bracelet upon her wrist.

“You have a new name Rinithil, it is time for a new life.” Legolas says from the depths of his soul. “Enter that new life with me by your side. Be my bride.” He gazed into her eyes.

Rinithil looks at the bracelet, she turns away from him and goes to the window. “Yes, it is time for a new life… But I can not marry you Legolas.” Her words tear his heart as if it is paper. “I have a duty to my people and to Middle Earth and I cannot let anything be a hindrance. If anything happened to you…” Her voice trails off. Turning back around to face him, he can see tears streaming down her face. “No Legolas muin, the time has come for me to stand alone.”

“You have shed too many tears Ithil.” He says as he calls her by the name she had when he first fell in love with her. “You shall always be a part of me; and we will always be soul mates. One shall always be incomplete without the other. There is nothing in Middle Earth for me anymore Rinithil. I will take a boat and go to the Undying Lands; there I will wait you. Wear my bracelet Rinithil, and when your task here is done, come to me and there in the Havens we shall be wed finally. There will our hearts and souls will find peace and be complete.”

“Yes Legolas, I will come and then may our hearts be free.” She says. “But before you go, take this and remember me always.” She takes from her finger a golden ring, engraved upon it is a mellorn tree and a mirkwood tree, their branches entwine to form a heart, with the sun rising in-between them. Taking his hand she places the ring on his finger. “Whenever you look upon this ring Legolas, know that you carry my heart with you.” Legolas leans forward to kiss her, but she raises her hand to stop him. “No, please don’t Legolas. For I would not want you to stop at only a kiss.” She says sadly. He nods his head, he understands, he does not know if he can leave with only a kiss either.

“I will always love you Ithil Linde, Lady Rinithil.” Legolas says, and then he turns and walks out the door.

Legolas walks in daze until he almost trips over Gimli.

“Well Laddie? What happened? When is the wedding taking place?” Gimli asks excitedly.

“There will be no wedding Gimli.” Legolas replies flatly.

“What do you mean Legolas? Don’t tell me she said no.” Gimli says astonished.

“She said no Gimli.” And he walked away from Gimli. Speechless Gimli stared after Legolas.

Running to catch up with him Gimli asks, “What will you do now?” He is worried about his long-time friend; he has never seen the elf so empty looking, so devoid of that inner light and laughter.

“I will sail to the Grey Havens Gimli, there I will wait for her, and when she comes to me, there we will be wed. I go now to where I know a boat will be waiting.” He says as he continues to walk.

Thinking for just a second Gimli again runs after him. “Well my boy, I can’t let you go alone, knowing elves you will probably get lost by this time tomorrow.”

“I think that your help would be most welcomed Master Dwarf.” Legolas says as a faint smile crosses his face.

Off in a secluded inlet by the river, Legolas and Gimli find the boat that has been left for Legolas by his servants. Getting into the boat they push off from shore, never to return to Middle Earth again.

Using the power of Galadriel’s shard Rinithil watches as Legolas and Gimli make their way down the river. ‘Until our paths cross again, Legolas Greenleaf.’

And so ends the story of Ithil Linde and the story of Lady Rinithil beginsÂ… and so you know Rinithil does sail to the Undying Lands where her and Legolas finally wedÂ… and finally they find happiness.