The Last One

Chapter 47

Legolas could not bear to watch the woman he loved in such pain, pain that he could not console. He knew there was nothing he could do to take her pain from her, it was better he left her alone. He took one last glance at the broken woman, breathing a sigh of sorrow before slowly walking away. He raised his head to see his father round the corner and stop a few feet away from him.

"Legolas." Thranduil breathed.

Legolas raised his hand and looked away. 

"Please, I know what you will say, but I cannot help what my heart feels for her."

"I know. Alena was my heart and soul." 

Legolas looked at his father with confusion, wondering why after all these years, he would speak of his mother. 

"I loved her with the entirety of my being and when she was lost I swore that I would hold close what was left of her and never let it go. When I look at you my son, I see her. In your every move and breath, when you frown, when you tilt you head to the side." 

Thranduil closed his eyes and sighed remembering his beloved Alena. 

"Legolas, you are more her son than mine and I cannot bear to lose you. That is why I would not allow you to search for Ruive, that is why I refused to let you leave the wood. Legolas, my son, my child, my new heart, you are too much like your mother for me to cage you. If your heart is telling to go, I will not stop you. But, I... I may not have Elrond's sight or Galadriel's mind powers, but I know the heart. I know that Ruive loves you still. That love may be buried behind walls and years of jaded and hardened emotions, but one day those walls will fall and she will come back. You just need to be there when she does." 

Thranduil stepped forward and placed a gentle kiss on his son's hair, something he had not done since Legolas was an elfling. 

"May the Valar look upon you with grace my son." 

Legolas nodded softly, not sure what else to do before walking around his father and out of Raven Hill. Thranduil watched his son leave, a lone tear escaped his eye. He sighed and turned and walked further into the ruins and came to an opening when the scene made his heart ache.

Ruive held Kili's body close, his warmth gone. Her sobs had died away but tears still cascaded down her cheeks. How long can one cry before they run out of tears to shed? Ruive did not need to look up to know it was Thranduil, she knew he would say something to mock her pain so she spoke before he could.

"You were right." Her voice was barely a whispered and was shattered. 

"I failed them, just as I have failed everyone I have ever cared for. If you've come to mock me, then please I beg of you spare me the pain." 

Ruive looked up at Thranduil with pleading eyes. Her eyes, cheeks, and nose were red and her face wet from tears.

Thranduil shook his head. 

"I have not come to mock you. I know the pain you bear."

Ruive sniffed and looked down at Kili. 

"It hurts, it still hurts after so long. Why does it always have to hurt?" Ruive choked out. 

Not only did she mean Kili, but her parents and sister, after so long it still hurt.

Thranduil knelt down beside her and place his hand on her shoulder, tears threatening in his eyes. 

"The pain never truly leaves, but one day it will be bearable. Then weeks, decades, even centuries later, the pain becomes a reminder not of how you lost them, but of how you loved them."

Ruive looked up at Thranduil with curiosity. She had not expected Thranduil to say such words to her that were not bitter and cruel and mocking. She swallowed the lump in her throat and tried to find the words to say.

"Thank you."

Thranduil nodded and squeezed her shoulder before pushing to his feet once again and leaving Ruive to grieve in her own way.

Ruive did not know how long it had been since Thranduil had left, to her it felt like it had been hours but in reality it had only been minutes. Her wounded leg, though it had stopped bleeding, was beginning to hurt more and required attention. But she did not care, she felt she deserved any pain she had if not more. Heavy footsteps approached her and quiet gasps filled the air. Dwalin, Balin, Nori and Bofur stood before Ruive with tears in their eyes.

Ruive looked up at them with guilt. 

"I-I'm sorry." She whimpered as the tears and sobs returned.

To her surprise, Dwalin stepped forward and pulled her away from Kili as the others lifted him onto their shoulders and carried his cold. limp body away. Dwalin lifted Ruive to her feet and caught her when she stumbled on her leg.

Dwalin wrapped her arm around his shoulder and wrapped his under her shoulders letting her lean her weight on him.

"Yer alright lassie, I've got ye." Dwalin whispered as they followed along behind the others in silence.

Ok it must be really bad if I am crying while writing this. A massive thank you to my consultant who came up with everything Thranduil said she is amazing!!! I'm sorry this chapter is pretty short but I didn't know what else to add into it. 

Ok I have good news and bad news... The bad news is this story is now going on hold until the extended edition of BOTFA comes out... The good news is in that time I will be writing a new Legolas story set in the Hobbit!!! The first chapter will be up hopefully within the next few days but I have assignments due this week so it could be later. Thank you all so much for reading and voting please tell me what you think, bye!!