Unspoken ( A Legolas Love Story )

15: Death and a King

Wren's grandmother was given a funeral worthy of any person held in high regard. The villagers built a pyre of deadwood gathered from the forest and Legolas gladly threw himself into the onerous task of gathering wood alongside the others.

The rain had finally stopped, the sky was clear and the fading light of the day lent a golden glow to the village, as the atmosphere turned quiet. Assembling together around the pyre, everyone gathered their cloaks about them to keep out the chill that remained. Some of the folk who were afflicted with the sickness even came out from their homes. Strider had returned the day after Grandmother's death and stood there, tall and regal.

A faint creaking issued from the doorway of their house, as Wren and her mother emerged from within. Pale but composed, Nerwen and Wren walked alongside each other, their hands tightly clasped and their faces drawn. Rodorin followed behind, and in his arms he carried his grandmother wrapped in a white shroud. The branch of a weeping willow was tucked into a fold of the cloth; a symbol for the dead.

Rodorin followed his aunt and cousin, the relationship between which Legolas had recently discovered, along the path to the square where everyone waited in silence. With incredible tenderness for a youth with such big hands and arms, Rodorin laid the old woman's body atop her pyre. As if noticing an imperceptible crease in the material he paused, taking a final moment to straighten the shroud before stepping back beside his womenfolk. Wren reached out to grasp hold of Rodorin's hand and she squeezed it affectionately as he stood near her.

For a moment there was no sound, save the faint whistling of wind in the pines and the crackling of torches. A voice rose in the gathering darkness, strong and clear. Legolas recognized the language as Adúnaic, the tongue of the Dúnedain which occasionally the Rangers used among themselves. Strider spoke to all gathered, and even though Legolas could not understand what was being said he did not mind.

"Ammê, banâth, hi-akallabêth lômi, karan minal*..."

Listening to Strider, Legolas watched his face in the firelight. The Dúnedain chieftain delivered the eulogy with both power and tenderness. It seemed the Adúnaic words flowed easily from his tongue, comforting and strengthening those gathered to listen. There was such an aura of regality to the man that Legolas could scarce believe they were not standing in a fine marble hall with vaulted ceilings and crested banners upon the walls. Here in the middle of the wilderness was a Ranger who conducted himself in the manner of a king.

"His true name you must discover for yourself."

His father's last words to him came back, murmuring like an undercurrent to Strider's flowing speech. Legolas knew he was but a hair's breadth from connecting what he already knew to the truth of the Ranger. But as his eyes rested once again on Grandmother's shroud, a great feeling of calm came over the elf prince.

"Remember how to live. That is the hardest thing to do, but the very best thing as well."

The stars came out and twinkled overhead, bearing silent witness to the proceedings of the night. Strider's eulogy came to a conclusion, and Wren and her mother laid torches to the foot of the funeral pyre. Rodorin followed. Slowly at first but then with more energy, the fire began to grow and leap along the dry wood. The many voices of doubt, regret and pride that Legolas had brought with him from the eastern side of the world had fallen into silence along with Strider's words. At last, his mind was quiet. Watching the shrouded figure of a friend and mentor fade behind a curtain of flame, he had no doubt that Strider had the blood of kings in his veins. Legolas knew that Strider would tell him in his own good time. This man's true name was a gift to be earned.

He looked to Wren, the striking angles of her face were highlighted by the firelight. The strength of her will and her fierce, passionate nature glowed for all to see. It was softened by the beauty in her eyes, eyes that still twinkled even though the tears flowed down her face. He felt a dull ache grow inside him as he witnessed her grief.

As the embers of the fire finally began to simmer and dim, people began to silently fade away into the night. Legolas's mind was decided, and it lifted his heart with a certain sort of contentment. Here in the wilderness he would remain, to live among these simple, noble people who called him friend. That was all he needed at this time or asked now from life.

Legolas felt a hand on his arm, and he at last emerged from the deep trance into which he had not noticed he had fallen. He met Nerwen's dark eyes. Her shawl wrapped loosely about her shoulders.

"Come join everyone in the hall, Legolas. It will be getting cold out here soon." Her eyes followed villagers up the path to the main hall, where even at a distance the sound of many voices could already be heard. The scent of cooking meat carried on the night air, and no doubt the casks of mead and ale would be opened to toast a long life now concluded.

Studying the tall woman's face in the dying firelight revealed a new facet to her as well. The high cheekbones and proud, broad forehead were vaguely reminiscent of Strider; she and the Dúnedain chieftain must be related, even if distantly.

Glancing back one last time at the remains of grandmother's funeral pyre, Legolas turned to follow Nerwen. His heart gave a small jolt, as he saw Wren slowly walking up ahead, arm-in-arm with Strider.

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*Ammê, banâth, hi-akallabêth lômi, karan minal... ~ Mother, wife, she that has fallen this night, and cleaved unto heaven...

Credit is due to @TheGreenScholar for much of the beautiful writing in this chapter!  So Legolas is finally feeling contented being with the Dunedain, what do you think this means for his past and his future...?!

I would love to receive your comments and please VOTE on this chapter if you enjoyed it. Voting/Comments are the only way I have of finding out who is on this journey with me, and they are such a great encouragement to keep writing! I really appreciate them!