It'll Take A Human Life Time

Chapter Eleven

"Legolas." She murmurs when she finishes.

"Yes, my eagle?" I ask.

"I'm sorry."

"You are forgiven, love. May I ask why?"

"I thought you were dead."

"Why?" I repeat.

"There was a green leaf, that I thought represented you. And it fell off a healthy tree."

"Not idly do the leaves of Lórien fall." I murmur, wondering at how just one leaf could fall.

"Indeed," she replied, "And then, after being swept up by the wind, It fell into the river, and I thought of Galadriel's warning to you, So I thought that it meant that you were dead. I'm sorry." She bursts into tears and I hold her against my chest, tightly.

"Hush, don't cry. Please." I pick her up as she continues to cry, set her on my horse and we cross the river. On the other side, she sits up and gets off the horse and walks forward, a smile on her face, eyes sparkling, no evidence of the earlier meltdown. She grabs my hand and I hold on to her.

"I missed you." She states simply.

"And I you." I reply, knowing in my heart it is true.

"Everyday I thought of you."

I smile. "So did I. There was not a moment when I did not think; I must survive for my love, Orosoroniel."

Her smile drops from her lips as she whispers, "I thought you had died. I questioned how you could've survived when Haldir had not."

"I was at the battle where he died. He fought bravely and defended many. He died a heroic death, and Aragorn was there when the final light left his eyes. He was not alone when he died, Orosoroniel. Aragorn avenged his death."

The smile slowly comes back to her face as she wispers, "You are back, Haldir was avenged. That is enough for me."

I smile and lean down to kiss her.

<><><><>

Orosoroniel's point of view

When we walk into Rivendell, he sighs. "It is so good to be back among one's own people." 

"Legolas," I start, unsure of how to phrase this. "Many have... left. There is none but Galadriel, Elrond and Arwen here."

"What?"

"Many have left. It is the age of Men, now that Sauron is defeated."

"They have left?"

"Yes, thay do not feel they belong here any longer. Long gone is the age of elves and wizards. Come is the age of Men."

"Where have they gone?"

"Into the West. The Undying Lands. They say all elves belong there."

"Will you go too?"

"Not if I do not have to. If you wish to go, I will follow you."

"You will?"

"I must."

"Are you sure?"

"I will abandon everything for you, my love."

"And I for you, Orosoronielen." He affirms, using the highest form of love in elvish. He looks at me again, and we kiss. I'm not sure I am comfortable with all the contact he is making, but he has not been around our people for a while, and around humans, who enjoy contact, so it makes sense, but it is still weird.