Eternal Love

"You my friend are one lucky elf," Haldir said as he burst into Legolas' tent. "If it wasn't for Gwenneth you would be dead right now!"

Legolas turned his head revealing a long gash on the side of his face, and although it was cleaned up, it was still a disturbing sight. His eyes bore into Haldir as he gave him an evil glance and without saying a word he turned and looked away again. It was quite clear that Legolas did not want company, but that did not stop Haldir.

"Why did you not fight back? He was going to KILL you!" Haldir asked as he walked around Legolas to look him in the eye.

Again Legolas looked away, avoiding the inquisitive stare. He sighed deeply and turned his back to him. After a few awkward moments Legolas finally spoke. "I have failed her," he breathed.

"What?"

"I HAVE FAILED HER!" he spat as his head whipped around to face his comrade. His loose hair was half-covering the angry features of his face.

Elves had always been a race full of devotion and pride and the fact that Legolas had lost the fight, showed to everyone that his love for the girl had failed and it was not as strong as he thought it was. In fact he was not the warrior that everyone thought he was. Or so he believed. It was a battle he should have won easily, but something had gone wrong and for the life of him he could not figure out what it was. The only thing he knew was that he had failed. All was lost.

He struggled to remember where exactly everything had gone wrong. He recalled Eomer speaking about Gwenneth and how she would make a good wife and other things that his memory failed to recall now, but whatever it had been, it had driven him over the edge. He had wanted to end the man's meaningless life. He had wanted to protect Gwenneth from him. But he had failed, and for that, he felt shame. He remembered hearing an angel's voice and seeing images of Gwenneth coming to him. But he saw and heard little else.

"Look, I do not think that Gwenneth feels that way. You can tell by just looking at her that she loves you no matter what you do, or in this case, don't do." Haldir tried to explain, but his assistance was not much help.

Haldir received no response from his friend. The more he stood there staring at Legolas, the angrier he got. Legolas was not the type to dwell in self-pity and it was surprising to him to see him in this state now. "Look, this is folly!!!" Haldir spat in disgust as he turned to leave. "Gwenneth is outside and she wishes to see you. What do you want me to tell her?"

It took Legolas a couple of minutes to answer his friend. "Tell her I am resting," was his curt answer.

"Very well," replied Haldir as he shook his head and left the elf to wallow in his grief.

After Haldir left Legolas did not move for what seemed like an eternity. The room around him turned dark with the setting sun, but he made no effort to light a candle. In his angst he knew what he had to do. There was now no way that he would be able to stay with Gwenneth, when he doubted himself so much. How could he love her when he hated his own existence? Finally he lit a candle and watched the shadow of the flame flickering on the canvas. Shame washed over him as he sat on his bed and put his head in his hands.

He heard the flap to his tent rustling and figured it was Haldir coming to torment him further. "Haldir…why can you not just leave me be?!" he shouted into his hands.

"Because I needed to see you," came the soft voice of his lover.

Slowly he lifted his head to meet her gaze. The sight of her took his breath away. Her raven hair flowed freely over her bare shoulders and her white gown accented her slender frame. She was HIS angel, his saving grace. "Gwenneth," he whispered.

Upon hearing him speak her name she rushed over to him and knelt in front of him taking his hands in hers. "Oh, Legolas my love, I was so worried about you."

He looked into her blue eyes and suddenly he wanted to cry. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and hold her there forever. But at the moment he truly believed that he was not strong enough emotionally. Which could not have been farther from the truth. "I am fine Gwenneth," he said, pulling his hands from hers and looking away.

A sharp gasp escaped Gwenneth when she saw the wound on his cheek. She reached out to touch it, causing Legolas to flinch away and grab her wrists forcefully. "Oh I am so sorry. Does it still hurt?"

'Not as much as it is going to hurt when I tell you what I have to say,' the thought to himself. "No it does not hurt," he lied. He knew he would always have the scar there as a constant reminder of his weakness.

"I am sure it will fade in time."

"Hmm." Gwenneth could tell that he was uncomfortable and she wanted to ease his pain. "Now we do not have to sneak away. Everyone knows now and we can stay here and you can…"

"No!" Legolas interrupted.

"No?"

"I am not staying. I am leaving alone."

Gwenneth was stunned by his words. She searched his eyes for answers but could find nothing but cold, steely eyes staring back at her. The face that had been so warm to her was now a cold, lifeless statue. "What…what are you talking about?" she asked, not sure whether to laugh at he cruel joke or to cry in fear.

Deep inside Legolas' heart was breaking as he looked at the girl he loved and saw the tears building in her beautiful crystal blue eyes. He could not stand the torture, so he pushed her away and stood to walk away from her. When he had distanced himself from her, he turned to face her once more. "I am leaving in the morning. I am going home…without you."

Gwenneth believed she was in a nightmare that she could not awaken from. It was all happening so fast, without rhyme or reason! Her breathing became shallow and she felt like she might faint. "I…I…do not understand. Do you not want to be with me?"

Legolas rubbed his aching forehead. He hated doing this to her - and to himself, for that matter. But he knew that in the long run it would be for the best. At least that is what he kept telling himself. "No, I do not," he lied again, trying to make it easier on both of them. "I am far from what you think I am. You should be with your own kind."

"How can you say that? Have you not learned anything this past week?"

"I've learned that we are not meant to be together."

"But what about fate? You said your self that we were meant to be together, did you not?" she asked taking a few steps closer to him, trying desperately to read his face.

"I do not know what it was…but it was not fate. We are NOT meant for each other!"

"I can not stay here alone! Not after everything we have shared."

"You are not coming with me!" he said with so much ice in his voice that it froze all the warm blood that flowed through her veins.

"I don't understand any of this." Gwenneth closed her eyes and willed herself to wake from the dream, but everything was the same when she opened her eyes again. "Why is this happening? Legolas please tell me that this is all just a dream," she pleaded.

"It is not a dream, Gwenneth. I am leaving for Mirkwood in the morning. Soon this will all be but a memory. I suggest you do the same," was his cold response.

She wanted to run to him, to hold on to him and plead and beg, but her body would not listen. She stood frozen in time, her heart pounding in her chest so hard that it hurt. Her lungs refused to take in the breath she need to live, but at the moment that suited her fine. She silently prayed for a quick death.

Legolas wished that she could know the pain that he too was feeling inside. It was tearing him apart seeing her in such pain and agony. He wondered if he was doing the right thing. Every fiber in his body wanted to scoop her up in his arms, to kiss the tears away that were now staining her delicate face, to tell her that he was wrong and that they were meant for each other. But he fought that urge and walked over to the opening of the tent and pulled the canvas back. Words came out of his mouth that he would have never imagined saying to her. "Please leave."

That did it! She lunged at him and grabbed his arm and clung to it as she fell on her knees, pleading with him through tear-filled eyes "No…" she shook her head vehemently. "Tell me what to do, tell me want you want! I will make it better, I promise!"

Legolas reached down and pulled the girl to her feet. She was making this so much harder than it had to be, but what did he expect? Did he actually think she would just walk out of his life so easily? Did he expect her to stop loving him in an instant? Did he think he himself could do the same so effortlessly? Only a fool would have such thoughts and clearly right now he was the biggest fool in history.

Helplessness overwhelmed Legolas as he took Gwenneth in his arms and held her loosely. He placed a light kiss on the top of her head and leaned his forehead to rest against hers and breathed in her scent one last time. Legolas pulled away and their eyes meet. And for just a fleeting moment Gwenneth thought she saw the love return to his eyes, but just as quick as it came, it was gone. "I am most sorry for filling your head with lies these past few days, it was terribly wrong of me. But you must understand that we can not be together," he said, trying with all of his will not to stumble over the words.

Neither of them spoke for the longest time. They both did not want this last moment together to end. It was such a bitter meeting, but still it would be the last time they would be this close.

Unfortunately all things must end and Legolas knew this all to well as he loosened his hold of her. A very weak smile appeared on his solemn face. "Goodbye," was all he said to her. Knowing that she would not leave willingly he slipped out of the tent into the surrounding darkness.

The young girl did not know how long she stood on her feet before she sunk to her knees. Her body along with her soul was numb. She tried to recall what had just happened, but it evaded her. It was a passing shadow in her mind. Millions of reasons came to her mind, but none would satisfy her need to know what went so wrong. Answers…she needed answers. But he was now gone and she would never really know why.

The pain was too new, too raw. Gwenneth willed herself to get up and move. "That is the first step," she said to herself. Once she was up she looked around and noticed that all of his things were gone, and she panicked for a moment before she remembered that they were going to make her escape tonight and of course he would have been ready to go. "We were going to start a new life together tonight," she spoke softly and again tears flowed from her already swollen eyes.

The faint sound of footsteps could be heard from outside. "Legolas?" she asked as she rushed to the opening.

"No, I am sorry, it is I… Haldir," came the voice and soon the curtain was pulled back, revealing the elf's face.

Haldir took a step into the tent and studied Gwenneth. He saw that she was in a traumatic state. Her eyes were glazed over and her complexion was pale and sheen. "Oh, my lady," he whispered as he took her in his arms. Gwenneth laid her head upon his shoulder and again the damn broke and the tears spilled freely. "Tell me…tell me what has happened."

The princess tried to speak, but the words could not find their way out between the sobs. Haldir held her tighter and stroked her silken hair, giving her all the time she needed. Finally, after all the tears were emptied and she could cry no more, she pulled away and looked at Legolas' friend. "Oh, Haldir! It is horrible. I…I have lost…lost him!" she said, tying to get her breathing back to normal.

"What do you mean?"

"He is leaving tomorrow and he does not want me to go with him."

Hearing this angered Haldir. He knew his friend had behaved strange earlier when he came to see him, but to do such a thing to this lovely creature was a sin. 'Eomer must have caused some brain damage,' he thought to himself. He would have never imagined Legolas acting in such a childish manner. "Look, I am sure he is just upset about losing to Eomer. Leave him be for now and in the morning he will be fine and you will be together again."

Gwenneth's head snapped up when she heard this. 'Oh, of course that must be it!' she told herself. She actually smiled at the blonde elf. "Do you really think so Haldir?"

"Of course my lady, and to make sure I will go and talk to him," he said as he raised a hand to brush away some lose strands of hair that were clinging to her damp face.

"Thank you, you are truly a good friend."

"Now come, let me walk you home. You never know what lurks around in the dark." He took her hand and guided her out of the tent towards her own shelter.

The grand white horse whinnied softly when it saw its master coming toward him. "That's a good boy," Legolas said as he walked up to Arod and scratched his friend behind the ears. "It looks like it will be just you and me, old boy."

After a few minutes of brushing his horse the elf moved to saddle him and load his supplies so he could start out on his long lonely ride home. He had intended on leaving in the morning, but after talking to Gwenneth he decided the sooner the better. He wanted to put as much distance between them as soon as possible so that maybe the pain would start to heal a little earlier. But he highly doubted that his pain would ever end. Every time he would see his reflection he would see the scar, the scar that would be a constant reminder of his failure.

"She will be much better with someone else," he told Arod as he finished packing the gear. He stopped what he was doing as he remembered her expression when she ran into him at the masquerade ball. Her beauty had taken his breath away. No, there was no way that he would ever forget her.

"There you are! I have been looking all over for you."

Legolas sighed deeply and turned around to face the intruder. "Maybe I did not want to be found Haldir."

Haldir laughed out loud. "Well then you should have hidden yourself better."

"Maybe."

"And where do you think you are going? Oh that's right, you and Gwenneth are leaving tonight," he said as he looked around the stable. "But wait, where is her horse? Surely Arod can not carry you both?" he asked, knowing all to well why the other horse was not there and ready to go.

"I am going alone."

"And why the sudden change?" Haldir asked, trying to push Legolas enough to get him to start explaining himself.

"I do not think that is any of your business."

"Tsk tsk tsks…come now Legolas, you know I know everything about you. What makes this any different?"

Legolas turned away, shaking his head in disgust. "I think it is time to change that," was all he said to his friend.

"Ok I have had enough!" Haldir spat as his anger rose. "I talked to Gwenneth and she told me that you are leaving without her. Is this all because you lost against Eomer?" He got no reply. "Gwenneth does not think anything less of you because you lost. You are just being foolish, can you not see that?"

There was still no reply from Legolas. Instead, he mounted his horse and looked around, making sure that he did not forget anything. Seeing that he was ready to leave he finally looked at the other elf. "Goodbye my friend. I will see you in a couple of months after everything has settled down." He gave his friend a quick salute and guided the horse out the door, leaving Haldir stunned in his tracks.

He rode half the night before his body gave up when he was forced to stop and rest. He lit a small fire and lay near it, taking in its warmth. How he wished that she were here with him like they had planned! He closed his eyes and imagined her small frame lying up against him under the moonlight. He could almost feel her bare skin on his, her silken hair tangled in his long fingers, her soft lips grazing over his. "Stop tormenting your heart like this Legolas!" He opened his eyes and stared up into the star filled sky until sleep claimed him.

Just as the sun was peaking on the horizon, Legolas was rudely awakened by a frightful growl coming from somewhere nearby. He quickly jumped up and grabbed his bow and quiver full of arrows before rushing off to see what or who was making the noise.

Slowing through the thick wood, he inched his way closer to the intruder. But as he got closer the noises grew louder and he was soon able to tell that what he had thought to be just one was in fact more, many more in fact. When he finally got close enough he pulled back a branch so he could see what was going on. And to his horror, there in front of him was a group of about 50 orcs standing around waiting for orders from their leader.

Legolas crouched lower in the brush trying to hide himself from their sight. He patiently waited to hear what was going on. Soon he saw a much bigger orc making his way through the crowd. He bent down even lower to avoid being noticed.

"Ok boys, get ready to move out. The first wave should soon be attacking the Shire, they will be expecting us to back them up, so we have no time to waste," the leader yelled at his troops.

"The party will soon be a blood bath," another replied, bringing on a chorus of laughter, cheers and grunts.

Legolas' blood turned to ice as he listened. It was all he needed to hear before he slowly crept away and with his elvish stealth took off towards the waiting steed. He prayed for quick legs as he ran effortlessly through the woods. He had to ride back to the Shire before they attacked. He hoped that he would be able to warn the unsuspecting crowd, but most of all, he wanted to get Gwenneth out of there so that she would be safe. As he ran he knew he was not only running for his life, but for hers as well. He knew now that the night before had all been a mistake and now the only thing that mattered was getting back to her.

Not bothering to pick up the things he had unpacked from the night before he jumped on Arod's unsaddled back and hastily rode back towards the Shire, hoping to take a different path than the oncoming orcish army. He urged the horse under him to go faster. He needed all the speed he could get.

As he neared The Shire he could see plums of smoked wafting into the sky. A foil tasting bile gathered in is throat, making him nauseous. Was he too late? He should have stayed or at least taken Gwenneth with him! When he reached the grassy hill that overlooked the Shire he could see that he was too late indeed. Below him the village was in chaos. There were lifeless bodies scattered throughout - hobbits, elves, dwarves and humans were running around in a panic as the flames from the burning buildings reached high in the air, almost licking the clouds.

He jumped off the horse and ran towards the village, fighting off the numerous attacks that he encountered along the way. In a panic he search the little town for Gwenneth and was relieved to not have found her among the dead that were strewn about.

Legolas headed for her encampment hoping that she had made it out of the area before the orcs reached her camp. As he passed his own camp he stopped in his tracks when he saw Arwen dragging a very wounded elf to a safer place. He did not recognize that elf until he got closer and only then realized that it was Haldir. He ran to Arwen and helped her drag the elf out of harm's way.

The she elf looked at him with a rather annoyed look. "Oh now you decide to come back! Where were you when we were being ambushed?" she spat, unable to hold back her anger.

Legolas hung his head in shame. It seemed that he didn't only fail Gwenneth, but he had failed his friends, too. "I am sorry. I tried to come back in time to warn you, but it seems that I have let down the people I care about yet again."

Arwen made no effort to respond, as she clutched at the weak body lying on the ground in front of her. She had no time to worry about the foolish elf.

Kneeling by his friend's side Legolas smiled when he saw that Haldir was looking curiously up at him. "Ah…I see you have…come back to join the fun… I knew you could…not stay…away," he tried to say between coughs.

"Nay my friend, I did not want to miss the fight," he tried to joke, but he knew that his friend was mortally wounded and would not live much longer.

"You…never could…. could you?" Haldir raised his head to survey the wounds that littered his body. He knew that it would not be long. "Take care of…Gwenneth. Your souls belong together…. never forget that."

Legolas tried to be cheerful but he too knew what was going to happen. "I will, my friend,' he said, choking back the tears.

Arwen sobbed softy beside Legolas as she looked down at his broken body. Haldir looked up at the beautiful elf. "Ah my angel…do not cry…someday we will meet again…there is no need for tears."

But this did little to console her as she too kneeled next to him and gently stroked his face. And just like that his life passed and he was no longer. Both Legolas and Arwen were at a loss. Their friend was now gone. They sat there for many minutes holding Haldir as if they had not realized that he would never be awoken. Suddenly a loud scream brought them back to reality.

"Arwen, you must get to your horse and get out of here," he said as he tried to pick her up, but she would not move and remained still clutching to Haldir's lifeless body. He kneeled down by her and grabbed her shoulders, roughly turning her to face him. "Listen! There is nothing you can do for him now, and if we do not get out of here we too will come to the same fate as Haldir!"

Arwen tried as hard as she could to control the sobs. "But…how can we leave him here like this?" she asked through the tears.

Legolas looked around and saw a partially erect tent. "Here, help me move him in there and then we will come back for him once the fight is over."

The two elves dragged their friend into the shelter. Legolas bent down and took a dagger that was still in Haldir's boot, while Arwen found an abandoned blanket to cover him with. Once he was covered, they both stood over him and said a silent prayer.

"Here, take this sword." He handed her one of the swords that was strapped to his back.

"Are you not coming with me?"

"No I can not…right now I must find Gwenneth and make sure she is safe," he said. "Go now!!" he barked at the unmoving elf. "I will find you, I promise…now go!!"

Arwen nodded then turned and ran towards the stables, hoping to find a horse to make her escape with. Once she was out of sight Legolas turned and continued running towards Gwenneth's camp.

As he neared the human's camp the stench of burning flesh floated in the air. His stomach churned. He could not bear the thought of Gwenneth's body lying on the hard ground, engulfed in flames.

He heard distant screams all around him and each one sounded like her. "Oh why, oh why did I leave?" he kept asking himself. "She would be safe now if I had not been so stubborn."

Just ahead he saw Eowyn trying to run to safety, two orcs chasing close behind her. Legolas stopped and drew his bow. The arrow pierced the first orc in the chest and brought it to its knees. Legolas drew the dagger he had taken off his dead friend's body. The orc had reached Eowyn and had her lying on the ground pinned underneath him with its weapon draw ready to make the final blow, but Legolas reached the foul beast before the it could complete the movement. He slid the blade smoothly across the orc's jugular, killing him instantly.

"Oh, thank the Valar!" sighed Eowyn, trembling with fear. Legolas took her by the hand and pulled her up. "You came back! I had thought you…"

"I did, but I came back to get Gwenneth," he said, turning his head to look around for any sign of the girl or more enemies. "Where is she?"

"I do not know…. we got separated…I..."

But Legolas did not stay around to listen to any more. He let the girl standing alone as he sprinted off in search of Gwenneth.

"Gwenneth!" he started yelling even before he was in the camp.

In the distance he saw Aragorn fighting gallantly against the orcs. Not too far away Eomer, Faramir and Boromir were holding strong. But thankfully there was no sign of Gwenneth. 'She must have escaped,' he thought to himself.

Aragorn turned and noticed the wayward elf. "Legolas, you have returned!" he shouted as he took down yet another foul orc.

Legolas ran over to aid the ranger. Both of them together they were able to dispose of a few more orcs before Legolas was able to question the man about the whereabouts of his sister.

"Is she safe?"

"I hope she is well," Aragron answered, getting ready for the next wave of attacks. "When the fighting began I instructed her to leave and I watched her heading to the stable, but other than that I can not tell."

Legolas sigh in relief. Surely she would have followed her brother's words and left before the fighting got too intense. "I should not have left. I was foolish. I doubted my love for her and hers for me as well. That is one thing that I will never doubt again. Please forgive me."

Aragorn smiled wearily. "All is forgiven my friend, but it is not I that you need to apologize to."

"That is why I am here."

"But first let us win this battle. It will be nice to fight side by side with you instead of against you," he said just before more orcs attacked.

The elf and man fought gallantly beside one another. Taking down their enemies almost as quickly as they came after them. Legolas thought the battle was winding down when he thought he heard his name being called in the distance by a voice that he knew so well. To his surprise he turned and saw her running towards him. She was yelling his name but her voice could barely be heard over the battle cries. Her hair flung in the wind behind her while the bright morning sun glowed on her face. Despite the battle around her there was a beautiful smile on her face. With arms outstretched she raced towards him.

He started to run towards her but then froze in his tracks at the unbelievable sight. His heart stopped when he saw two orcs behind her taking aim. He raised his bow but he was not quick enough.

Time seemed to slow down drastically as Legolas watched the first arrow pierce the side of her chest. He saw the very moment when the metal tip of the arrow broke into her flesh and imbedded itself deep into her body. He was still holding his bow and his eyes spontaneously meet hers. The blank stare on her face was all he could bear. He tried to run to her aid, but was too stunned just as the second arrow quickly buried itself a few inches lower then the first. Her body flinched helplessly form the impact. Legolas finally found the strength to run to her, but no matter how fast he willed his legs to move, she seemed to be too far for him to reach. Like a hammer his heart pounded in his chest. As the third arrow struck her he froze in his tracks, unable to believe that this was really happening. He stared in shock as her body fought to keep its balance.

Gwenneth's hands were clutched around the first arrow that was protruding from her battered chest as she struggled to keep on her feet. Swaying back and forth, she tried to reach her love. Her white hands were now crimson red, stained from the blood that poured out of her weak body.

Her blue eyes never lost sight of his as he stood but a few feet away from her. His eyes! The shinning blue light in the deep black abyss that called out to her and gave her the strength to battle the pain and agony as she stretched a hand in search for him. Suddenly her sight began to cloud over and she fell helplessly to her knees. Searching the darkness that was now taking over her, she tried to call out to him, but no words would form in her breathless throat.

Leglolas' heart rapidly sank as he watched his love fall to her knees. In an instant he was there beside her. He had failed her again. He managed to wrap an arm around her waist before her head fell back and her breathing became shallow and raspy. He knew that no words would save her as he looked hopelessly into her dark, cloudy eyes. How could this be the woman that he had given his heart to? This poor innocent child that lay in his arms was now but the shell of the woman that had so vibrantly taken his breath away. "Gwenneth…I …came back for you…Gwenneth please…please stay with me. I have come to take you with me, like we planned," he said while rocking her in his arms like a newborn baby.

She tried to coax a smile and almost succeeded before her last breath left her lungs and her soul floated out of her body and gently flew away. Legolas heard none of the battle that was raging around him as he held her close to his chest hoping beyond hope that this was not happening and it was just a horrific nightmare in his mind. But as he looked down at Gwenneth's lifeless eyes he realize that it was all too real and that his love had vanished from him so quickly.

When you give your heart to someone it is common to think that it is just a term or an expression but Legolas realized that Gwenneth truly had his heart and that he could not live without it or her. His will to live escaped him as his hand reached up to stroke her cold, bloody check.

All was silent when Legolas heard his death come. Sitting in the middle of the chaotic field with the only woman that he had ever loved in his lap, he decided to join her. There was no struggle or fight and it ended as quick as it began. The last thing that he heard was the orc blade slashing through the heavy air before it connected with his neck. His body slumped over Gwenneth's.

There lay the lovers in peace and they would do so, forever and ever.

A.N. Ok I waited to put the note here at the end as not to give away any of what was about to happen. I know I know you all are probably screaming and yelling at your computer screens right now, but you have the power to change that. I do have two endings in mind and it all depends on your feed back on how I am going to continue this story. From the very beginning I had planned this and now that I am here a good friend has sort of swayed me to let them live. But like I said it is all on you now on which way to go. I would like to thank Darma Druid because without her I would not be writing in the first place, and also if not for her my chapters would be really short. She always insists that I go into more detail, which in turns makes the chapters longer and better. Also thanks to all that have reviewed. I have really enjoyed your comments and encouragement; it has meant the world to me. Thank You

Missy