Heiress of Isildur (Legolas Love Story)

Chapter 19

Farren stood looking out over the mounds of white flowers that adorned Theodred's tomb and those of his ancestors. Her hair blew around her, whipping her face, making her eyes sting. She knew from her reflection in the chalice of water that the whites of her eyes now had cobwebs of red through them. Guilt tore at her stomach; she hadn't been here. She hadn't been with him when he needed her. Farren could hear Théoden's moans of grief below. She was also aware of a figure behind her, sitting on a ledge watching her carefully. Up till that moment, the figure had been motionless for hours, both of them watching the funeral from their respective places but now after hours of stillness Farren felt his presence loom behind her, she hadn't heard him move but elves were silent when they wanted to be.

"Farren"

Legolas said nothing else but her name sounded like a plea from his lips, she turned to look at him as he stood beside her. "I wasn't here"

"You didn't know"

"I wasn't here"

"No. You weren't" Legolas replied, his voice level, no hint of any emotion in it, he simply agreed with her.

"I wasn't here. Not when it mattered"

"No. But you were there for others that needed you" Legolas grabbed her arm pulling her to him forcing Farren to look up at him. "You cannot save everyone, Farren. Yes, Theodred died. But how many will we save by helping Frodo?". Farren nodded pulling her gaze back to the distant hills.

"How do you grieve Legolas?" the elf blanched at her question, "When Tauriel died". Legolas moved again but this time he pulled her face to his with his hands cupping them so Farren could look nowhere else but into his blue eyes.

"I was a coward. I ran from those who cared about me. Those who I... who I loved" his jaw tensed as if he was gnawing at his cheek. "Do not do what I did Farren. Don't shut the world out. If you fall, we all do" his words moved something in Farren.

"Who else must die? Who else dies around me? Why me?" she pushed Legolas' hands away. "Thorin. Fili. Kili. Balin. Tauriel. Gandalf. Theodred. Who is next Legolas? Frodo? Aragorn? You?" she shook her head, "I am tired of running. I am tired of hiding in the dark, while others die in battles, I should be a part of. When Rohan rides to war I will follow" she spun around making to go back to the hall when movement caught her eye.

In the distance, a horse trotted towards the settlement. Despite the distance, Farren saw the silhouettes of two small children on the horse. The boy behind the small blonde girl toppled sideways off the horse. Farren leapt forwards sprinting towards the children Gandalf and Legolas hurrying behind her.

The horse looked terrified, it pawed the ground, eyes rolling, the small girl gripped onto its main desperately trying to control the horse and get it away from her fallen brother. Legolas approached the horse, but it screamed, rearing, its hoofs narrowly missing the boy's body. Farren called softly to Legolas to back away and the elf reluctantly followed her orders eyeing the boy worriedly.

Farren approached slowly, hand raised head slightly bowed, "Easy boy. Easy." The horse tilted its head slightly its eyes narrowing in on her. Farren continued her approach maintaining eye contact, "Come here" she whispered, her voice sounded syrupy even to her ears, different from her usual tone.

The horse bowed its head trotting forward to nuzzle her hand, sighing in relief she nodded to Legolas to darted forwards to pick the boy up. "Here," Farren said smiling at the young girl who was looking at Farren in awe. The little girl's face was tracked with mud, she slid off the horse into Farren's arms, clutching her arms around Farren's neck, muttering about her mother. Farren shushed her gently, rocking her in her arms. "Let's get some food into you first ok" she whispered as they made their way towards the Hall again.

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Both siblings were soon gulping down warm soup, Farren's hands moved across the boy's head, ensuring he hadn't got a concussion as Eowyn rose. "They had no warning, they were unarmed. Now, the Wildmen are moving through Westfold burning as they go" She said to her uncle who sat beside Gandalf.

"Wheres's mama?" the girl asked desperately, grabbing hold of Farren as she stood to move beside her brother, Gimli & Legolas. She caught the soft look in both Aragorn & Legolas' eyes as she hushed the girl, swinging her up into her arms again and rocking her gently on her hip while tightly hugging her small body. The girl was no infant, but she was young and sacred. She murmured words into her ears while Gandalf spoke to Theoden.

"You have 2000 good men riding north as we speak. Eomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king" Aragorn spoke up.

"They will be 300 leagues from here by now! Eomer cannot help us. I know what it is you want of me but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war" Farren placed the girl into Eowyn's arms stepping forward but Aragorn beat her to it.

"Open war is upon you whether you would risk it or not" Farren almost winced as Theoden whirled on her brother.

"When last I looked Theoden, not Aragorn was King of Rohan." Gimli burped nervously while Farren exchanged a look with Legolas.

"Then what is the king's decision?" Gandalf asked.

"We make for Helms deep" Farren closed her eyes at his words. 

They were running again. 

But this was a flight that would end in a massacre.

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A/N Shorter chapter today, more focusing on Farren's character, fluff with a healthy pinch of angst. I will try to update on Sunday and then Wednesday and Saturday next week, dependent on exams and revision.

Thank you so much for all the support, it's been amazing!

Wren