******This story has finally come to an end. I will quote from appendix A of RotK and will place asterisks (*) around the quotations. Also, I will use Diana Ross' song "If We Hold on Together" (modifed slightly and as I hear it) from The Land Before Time I and "Into the West" once more. This chapter will be quite long and much sadder than the other chapters. I thank you all for the wonderful reviews! Enjoy!
Chapter Thirteen
Seventy-eight years passed since Elanor and Niphredil rode to Eryn Lasgalen. Celemirë and Legolas awaited anxiously the letters that their daughters sent. They were learning much, and Thranduil was delighted with their company. He often sent long letters informing their parents of the pleasurable evening they spent together.
"Oh, Niphredil says Gil-celeb has given her a bracelet! That means they are betrothed!" Celemirë said excitedly.
"Whatever happened to the necklace I gave you?" Legolas asked.
"It is here, around my neck. I have worn it since the day you gave it to me and have never taken it off." Celemirë said.
Legolas smiled and placed his arm around her waist.
"Legolas, what do you say if we go to see my parents? I have not seen them for awhile." Celemirë told him.
"I was thinking the same thing. He has been on my mind."
Legolas did not want to tell Celemirë that he felt her father's end was near. He knew Celemirë would be heartbroken. He also did not inform her that he was secretly building a ship to sail to Valinor.
They departed from Ithilien a few days later. There was still some snow left on the ground, for spring had not yet arrived, and winter was making its departure. Celemirë let out a cry of joy when they arrived.
"My birthplace!" she cried.
They dismounted and hurried into the Citadel. They met Eldarion, who had a strange look in his eyes.
"Father, he has called me, to take his place." Eldarion said.
Celemirë looked at Eldarion in understanding.
"Where is he?" she asked quickly.
Eldarion did not answer, for at that moment, Elessar appeared and Arwen was behind him. Elessar froze momentarily upon seeing Celemirë. Arwen said in a strange voice:
"That is good that she is present. All of our children are here."
Celemirë saw her twin sisters a little ways behind her mother, and there was great fear in their eyes. Legolas placed his arms around her shoulders to comfort her. Elessar looked at Legolas, and then motioned with his hand for all to follow him.
The King led them out of the Citadel to the Houses of the Kings in the Silent Street. Aragorn then laid himself down on the bed that was prepared for him. He then said farewell to his twin daughters. To Eldarion he gave the winged crown of Gondor and the scepter of Arnor before bidding him farewell. Celemirë watched her three siblings go with their heads bowed low in grief. Arwen, Legolas, and Celemirë remained.
"Tolo hí, sell nín," Elessar called.
Celemirë moved forward slowly. When she reached her father's side, she kept her eyes downcast. Elessar lifted her head with his hand.
"Do not weep, Celemirë. I have something to tell you. I should have told you this long before, but I feared for you. Now I know it is safe. Legolas asked me long ago to inform you that Moddyn lied to you. He was a eunuch. You had nothing to fear from him." Elessar said softly.
Celemirë lifted her head.
"Father, I do not want you to go." she whispered.
"Celemirë, you are the most beloved of my children and the dearest to my heart, as well as your mother's. You must understand that if I do not go now, I will go later. My time is ending."
Celemirë buried her face in her hands and turned away.
"Legolas, mellonen, I am proud that my daughter wedded you. We have been through many trials together, and I fear this is the last. At least you are here with me at the end, the only one from our Fellowship. I fear the others will take this hard, especially Gimli. That was why I did not wish to tell him. He will not understand." Elessar said.
Legolas struggled to control himself. He went and knelt at his friend's side and held his hand. There was a pained look in his eyes that Celemirë had never seen before. His voice was quavering as he spoke.
"Aran Elessar, mellonen, I love you as a dear friend." he said.
Then the Elf Prince rose and stepped back, beside Celemirë. Arwen went forward and took her husband's hands in hers.
*"Lady Undómiel," said Aragorn, "the hour is indeed hard, yet it was made even in that day when we met under the white birches in the garden of Elrond where none walk now. And on the hill of Cerin Amroth when we forsook both the Shadow and Twilight this doom we accepted. Take counsel with yourself, beloved, and ask whether you would indeed have me wait until I wither and fall from my high seat umanned and witless. Nay, lady, I am the last of the Númenoreans and the latest King of the Elder Days; and to me has been given the not only a span thrice that of Men of Middle-earth, but also the grace to go at my will, and give back the gift. Now, therefore, I will sleep.
"I speak no comfort to you, for there is no comfort for such pain within the circles of the world. The uttermost choice is before you: to repent and go to the Havens and bear away into the West the memory of our days together that shall there be evergreen but never more than memory; or else to abide the Doom of Men."*
*"Nay, dear lord," she said, "that choice is long over. There is now
no ship that would bear me hence, and I must indeed abide the Doom of Men, whether I will or nill: the loss and the silence. But I say to you, King of the Númenoreans, not till now have I understood the tale of your people and their fall. As wicked fools I scorned them, but I pity them at last. For if this is indeed, as the Eldar say, the gift of the One to Men, it is bitter to receive."*
*"So it seems," he said, "but let us not be overthrown at the final test, who of old renounced the Shadow and the Ring. In sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! we are not bound for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory. Farewell!"*
*"Estel, Estel!" she cried, and with that even as he took her hand and kissed it, he fell into sleep.*
Celemirë sank to the floor. Legolas bowed his head and blinked his eyes rapidly. Arwen said nothing, but she gripped the edge of the bed tightly and swayed on the spot. Celemirë crawled to the edge of the bed and found her father's hands. She took them and kissed them.
*Arwen went forth from the House, and the light of her eyes was quenched, and it seemed to her people that she had become cold and gray as nightfall in winter that comes without a star. Then she said farewell to Eldarion, and to her daughters, and to all whom she had loved.* Celemirë watched her mother with a broken heart as Arwen made her way out of Minas Tirith.
"We have lost the Evenstar of the Elves, and the Hope of Men!" Celemirë cried sadly. "Oh, woe onto me!"
Legolas picked up Celemirë, who was weeping by her father's side. Tears were streaming down his fair elvish face. As they passed through the streets, people stared at them. Legolas entered the Citadel and found Eldarion and his twin sisters weeping.
"Our mother, she has gone as well! She did not reply as we called to her!" Eldarion said sadly.
"She has gone to the Golden Wood." Legolas said quietly.
He carried Celemirë to her room and laid her on the bed. She had quieted down, but her eyes were red and her face pale.
"I will miss him dearly. Is it true, what he said about Moddyn?" she said in a low voice.
"It is true. I desired to tell you many times, but I was bound by a promise to your father." Legolas told her softly.
Celemirë looked at Legolas. She then told him:
"Do you know what father told me on my wedding day? He said that he knew once he is gone from this world that I will be looked after well. He said that you would understand my grief over his loss much more than a mortal would. Legolas, my father loved you dearly."
Legolas pulled her into a strong embrace. He heard her take a deep breath, then in her soft voice she sang:
"Do not lose your way
through each passing day
you have come so far
do not throw it away.
They will be leaving
dreams are for weaving
wonders are waiting to start.
Live your story
they call them glory
hold to the truth in your heart.
If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
dreams see us through to forever
where clouds roll by
for you and I.
Souls in the winds
learn how to bend
seek out a star
hold on to the end
Valley mountain
There is a fountain
washes our tears all away
Worlds are swaying
someone is praying
please let us come home to stay
If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
dreams see is through to forever
where clouds roll by
for and I
And we are out there in the dark
we will dream about the sun
in the dark we will feel the light
warm our hearts everyone
If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
dreams see us through to forever
as high as souls can fly
the clouds roll by
for you and I."
Legolas was quiet. He let go of Celemirë. It seemed that her grief was beyond tears, for her eyes were dry.
"That was a song I made once after father told me about mother choosing to be mortal. I never thought I would sing it as a lament for him. He loved it very much. Tears would come to his eyes whenever I sang it." she said.
They did not linger long in Minas Tirith. Celemirë told Legolas that she often would hear her father's voice or footfalls in the corridors, and see her mother before her wherever she went. They returned to their home in Ithilien. Legolas finally told Celemirë of the ship that he built.
"We will sail to Valinor, Celemirë." Legolas said.
Gimli heard of the passing of Elessar. He was greatly grieved, and journeyed to Ithilien to see Legolas. He arrived on the same day that Elanor and Niphredil came from Eryn Lasgalen. Legolas greeted him.
"Friend Gimli, I am sure you have heard the news. I have built a gray ship to sail to Valinor. I fear we must now take leave of one another." Legolas said sadly.
Gimli was silent.
"I desire to go with you, for what is Middle-earth after the passing of Elessar? How shall I bear my grief? Also, I desire to see the Lady Galadriel once more." Gimli said.
Legolas looked at Gimli and smiled broadly. He led him to Celemirë, who was speaking with her daughters.
"We are leaving to Valinor, Niphredil and Elanor." she said.
The daughters gasped. They were both silent for some time.
"We desire to stay, though. We do not wish to go." they said.
Celemirë looked at them with sadness in her eyes.
"They are Elves, Celemirë. They will not pass away. If this is there wish, then so be it. My sire will look after them." Legolas said slowly.
Celemirë smiled slightly.
"I know they are immortal, but still, I thought they would want to come. I will miss you!" she cried, embracing them.
It was decided that they would set ship the following day. Legolas and Celemirë went off together to take leave of the Elves of Ithilien. All were saddened by the news. Some requested to come.
Celemirë was grieved at leaving. She had sent messengers to her sisters and brothers informing them of her choice when Legolas told her about the ship. She knew she would miss them, and they her.
That night, as Legolas and Celemirë walked through their home for the final time, they were silent. When they entered their bedchamber, Celemirë wept bitterly. Legolas wept with her.
"As much I desire to go to Valinor, it will be hard leaving my home. Here in this room, we made love to each other. Elanor and Niphredil slept
here when they were newborn. All of the sweet memories we shared together in our home will be left behind." Celemirë whispered.
The following day came suddenly. There had never been memory of a more beautiful day in Ithilien. The sky was clear, and the sun shone brightly. Birds sang sweetly in the treetops.
Inside the home of Legolas and Celemirë, all was silent. The last meal in the dining hall for Legolas and Celemirë passed without anyone speaking. No one had an appetite. Gimli, who usually out-ate everyone, did not even touch his plate.
There was a small group of Elves leaving with Legolas and Celemirë. Celemirë's handmaidens did not go. They asked to stay and serve Elanor and Niphredil. Celemirë allowed them to do so reluctantly.
"Well, I think we should be off." Legolas said.
Celemirë nodded. She embraced her daughters and handmaidens. Legolas kissed his daughters' foreheads. The household was gathered outside. There was great anguish in their eyes as they watched their lord and lady mount their steeds.
"We have come now to the end, friends and loved ones. Do not weep. For who knows, we may meet again. Farewell!" Legolas said.
Celemirë looked one last time upon her daughters before the small group rode out, the fair and clear voices of the Elves bidding them farewell and wishing them a safe voyage. Gimli sighed.
It took them several days to reach the river Anduin, where the ship Legolas had built was located. They were surprised to find Eldarion, Elladan, and Elrohir waiting for them.
"What are you doing here?" Celemirë gasped.
"We have come to bid you farewell, Celemirë." Elladan said.
Legolas smiled slightly. They dismounted.
"Well, my brother, it is time to say farewell." Celemirë said.
Eldarion took hold of his sister's hands and stroked her face.
"I will not see you again after this. I will miss you greatly." he said.
Celemirë covered her mouth with her hand.
"Celemirë, will you give our father our love? And please, do not forget us or your mother. We saw her, you know. We barely recognized her, though. The light in her eyes is gone." Elrohir said.
Celemirë nodded. She then embraced her brother and uncles.
"Eldarion, give my sisters my love." Celemirë whispered. "I love you all very dearly. I wish we will meet again, somewhere."
Legolas then went forward and embraced Eldarion and the twin uncles. There was sadness in his face.
He motioned for the Elves who were accompanying to board the ship. Then he took Celemirë by the hand and led her on board. Gimli followed him, grunting. Legolas knew he was grieved as well.
"Farewell!" Eldarion called.
Celemirë rushed to the side of the ship. In her hand was a harp. She plucked at the strings and sang in a clear voice:
"Lay down
your sweet and weary head
Night is falling,
you have come to journey's end.
Sleep now,
and dream of the ones who came before.
They are calling
from across the distant shore
Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
all of your fears will pass away,
safe in my arms
you are only sleeping.
What can you see
on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
a pale moon rises-
The ships have come to carry you home.
Dawn will turn
to silver glass
A light on the water
All souls pass.
Hope fades
into the world of night
through shadows falling
out of memory and time.
Do not say,
"We have come now to the end."
White shores are calling
you and I will meet again.
And you will be here in my arms
Just sleeping.
What can you see
on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
a pale moon rises-
The ships have come to carry you home.
And all will turn
to silver glass
A light on the water
Gray ships pass
Into the west."
To his complete surprise, Legolas heard Elladan, Elrohir, and Eldarion join Celemirë as she sang. Their voices became fainter as they sailed down Anduin. Celemirë finished the song and uttered a small cry.
Legolas went next to her and placed his arms around her waist. Celemirë buried her head on his shoulder.
They sailed swiftly down Anduin in the gray elven ship. When they neared the Sea, white gulls began to circle above them, crying in the air. Celemirë watched them with shining eyes.
"Legolas, the gulls are calling!" she said. "Valinor awaits us!"
They passed into the West. There came a night with rain. The Elves smelled a sweet fragrance on the air. There was the sound of singing over the water. Suddenly, the gray rain-curtain turned to silver glass and rolled back, revealing white shores. Beyond the shores was a far green country. They had reached Valinor.
Celemirë stood on the deck, watching the white shores come closer. She was remembering everything that had happened to her since her birth. She choked back a sob as she thought of her mother.
"All my dreams are now fulfilled desires." she said.
Legolas took her into his arms and kissed her passionately. Then they disembarked, and so began their new life in Valinor. No doubt they still dwell there, to this very day, content. So ends the tale of Legolas Greenleaf and Celemirë. Nothing further can be said.