LEGOLAS
TITLE:Elenath
AUTHOR:Emily Kinsman
RATING:PG
FEEDBACK: emilyk@apptechnc.net 
DISCLAIMER:The characters from Lord of the Rings, their wonderful 
world, and the Elf-lore are all borrowed from J.R.R. Tolkien. I wish he 
were 
alive to see the LOTR pandamonium! The plotline and all other 
characters are copyright 2002 Emily Kinsman. 'Nuff Said
SUMMARY:I don't want to ruin any surprises, but an Elf-babe is 
abandoned in our world (through a nexus of sorts) to be raised by a 
human 
woman. This is the story of her return to her true home.
FEEDBACK: Please Please, Pretty Please tell me what you think! I'm new 
at this.
ARCHIVE: YES
********************************************************
Chapter 15


The Prince of Mirkwood stood helplessly by as his unconscious wife 
shrieked in pain, tears forming in the corners of her eyes and running 
in 
streams down her face. Kara and David paled and reached out to her. 
"What is it?" asked Kara. "What's happening?"

Estel stood calmly in the doorway, though deep concern burned in his 
eyes. "She has just remembered her death."

"Legolas!" sobbed Elenath in her sleep. "Please..."

Legolas bent over her bed and gathered her up in his arms, trying to 
kiss her tears gently away. He did not like this feeling of 
powerlessness. What good was being a prince at a time like this? He 
could not 
command her to wake up. He could not command the memories to stop. He 
was at 
the mercy of a higher power. "I am here," he said softly, his own tears 
mingling with hers. "Elenath, if you will only just come back to me, I 
am here."

Just as suddenly as she had cried out, her body went completely limp. 
She whispered his name one last time. Her skin grew cold and her 
heartbeat and breathing slowed.

Kara watched in horror as the color drained from her best friend's 
face. "What is happening? Is she...?"

"She lives," answered Legolas. "Barely. Estel, should she not awaken 
now? Surely the sword will not require more of her."

The Man shook his head. "Perhaps she has chosen to answer the Valar's 
call."

"But the sword cannot help her remember that," said the Prince. "It did 
not travel with her there."

"You should know, Legolas. The Valar can call at any time. She goes to 
him now, yet still holds onto life."

***

"Elenath..." a gentle whispering voice pierced the whiteness. "Come to 
me, my daughter. I wait for you with open arms..." Continuing to weep 
and wishing only to return to Legolas, she did not move. "Elenath..." 
the voice comforted her, caressed her every sense. "Do not be 
frightened..."

"Who are you?" she asked, peering into the whiteness and seeing 
nothing. "I... I  know your voice from somewhere."

"Of course you know my voice, my child. I am."

Elenath's voice caught in her throat. Joy rose in her heart. 

"Will you come to me?" asked the Voice.

"I will," she replied, standing unsteadily, "If you will but show me 
the way."

She heard a sound like a deep breath being exhaled, felt a warm breeze 
caress her face. Momentarily, the whiteness lifted and she found 
herself on a path - A path made of pure gold that led to a gated city 
of 
jasper and gold inlaid with every kind of precious stone. Feeling a 
presence behind her, she turned slowly and gazed into a pair of brown 
eyes 
that seemed to look into the depths of her soul.

"My Lord," she whispered, sinking to her knees and stretching herself 
out flat before him. She could see only his bare feet. Scarred feet.

"My child," he replied with joyous laughter in his voice. "I have 
waited since the beginning of time for this day."

She chanced a glance upward and found him to be smiling at her, hands 
extended to help her up off the path. "I have waited not nearly so 
long, 
My Lord, but it seems so." Elenath rose to her knees and took the hands 
in her own, one at a time, and turned them palms-up. Her tears fell 
upon the scars she saw there. "Who am I, Lord, that you stand here 
waiting 
for my arrival? I am but your servant."

"You are my Beloved Child," he corrected her gently, taking her into 
his arms and holding her close. "Everything that I suffered, I would 
gladly suffer again just for you, Elenath."

"For me?" she whispered.

He nodded, and she saw the scars upon his brow, the immense love in his 
eyes, the joy of his smile. Warmth filled her as he kissed her 
forehead, and she thought briefly of Legolas. "Am I dead?" she asked.

"No, Daughter. Though the thread of life grows ever thinner." He dried 
the tears that still lingered on her face. "You must go back soon."

"Must I?" she asked, gazing at the city. "This place is so beautiful. 
And you, My Lord... Must I leave you?"

"I am always with you, even until the end of time," he answered. "I am 
there in your heart, just as I have been since the day you invited me 
to live there. You needn't be here to be with me."

She did not answer, but looked longingly around her. 

"I hear your prayers," he continued. "I hear every song you sing. I see 
you when you dance for joy and when you weep with grief. Your laughter 
is the sweetest sound to my ears..."

"But," she whispered, "I am an Elf. It was for Man that you died." She 
looked down at the golden path.

"There is much yet to be revealed to you, child. But you must never 
think that you are any less precious to me because of those pointed 
ears." 
He touched them. "I was there when my Father created you, Elenath. I 
know the plans that He has for you - plans to prosper you and not to 
harm 
you, plans to give you hope and a future. Your purpose in that world 
has not yet been fulfilled."

"In my heart I believe you, but I still do not understand."

"You have great faith," he whispered in her ear. "Now you must return 
to those you left behind."

She embraced him. "Can't I stay here with you just a while longer?"

"Your friends and your husband weep for you. Kara's and David's prayers 
for you do not fall upon deaf ears. Even Legolas' heart cries out to my 
Father."

"Legolas..." she said quietly. "Is he well?"

"He is weak with worry for you." He smiled. "I was there also when my 
Father created Legolas the Elf. The Prince of Mirkwood was made for 
you, 
and you for him. You are a perfect match. Does your heart not feel 
completed in his presence?"

"Yes," she answered. "Only in your presence do I feel as whole. I will 
return as you wish. But I shall always long for this place and for your 
presence."

He wrapped her in a warm embrace. "And I shall always long for you, my 
child. Do not forget the sound of my voice. I am ever with you."

"I love you," she whispered, closing her eyes.

"And I you," came the reply, echoing deeply in her heart.

When she opened her eyes, she saw the light of early morning streaming 
into her chamber at Mirkwood and felt Legolas' arms around her tighten.

***********************************************
Chapter 16.

Legolas' touch felt like fire against her bare arms, her skin had grown 
so cold. She gasped for air and shivered violently beneath the heaps of 
blankets that had been piled on top of her. The light gown she was 
wearing had become tangled about her legs and she could hardly move at 
all. 
Her teeth chattered, though she knew it must still be summer by the 
green leaves dancing in the morning light outside her chamber.

"You are awake," said Legolas softly.

His voice sounded like music to her; music that reminded her from 
whence she had come

"I am c-cold..." she answered, still shivering.

Legolas kissed her cheek. "Kara said that your body temperature dropped 
far too low... that your... " his brow creased as if trying to remember 
the word, "metabolism dropped to almost nothing. I do not know what 
this means. But she said that because of this you would feel cold when 
you 
woke up."

She snuggled closer to his warmth. "How long was I gone?"

"Three days."

"It did not seem so long to me," she said, attempting to relax her 
muscles, to stop the shivering. 

"It seemed much longer to me, my love," sighed the Prince, tightening 
his embrace. "I thought I would lose you."

Elenath thought of the battle, of saying goodbye to Legolas, of her 
journey to the outskirts of the golden jasper city. "Death is not such 
a 
terrible thing, my Beautiful Prince."

"Perhaps not," he answered. "But I have had no experience in such 
things."

Her body was finally warming, an occasional shudder still coursing 
through her. "Legolas... I remembered that last battle, when I died."

Legolas had remembered too, hoping that doing so would help her 
somehow. He remembered the way she looked at him as she said goodbye, 
the deep 
sorrow he felt at losing her. Mostly he remembered the sight of her 
blood. Blood on his hands. Blood shed to save his life. "Elenath... Lle 
naa belegohtar. Lle ume quell. You are a mighty warrior. You did well."

She turned toward him, though it took almost all her strength to do so, 
gazed into his eyes, losing herself in them. "I would die a thousand 
deaths for you."

"I could not bear to lose you even once more," he replied, his hand 
still resting upon her chest where it had remained while she slept, 
monitoring the slow beating of her heart. "Your heart grows stronger 
now."

She smiled up at him, lifting her hands to toy with his hair. "Amin 
mela lle (I love you)."

He answered with a warm kiss. "Amaelamin (My Beloved)..."

She rested against him, listening to the gentle beating of his heart 
and almost drifting into a peaceful sleep as he held her and sang to 
her. 
"Lle kaim," he whispered. "Go ahead and sleep. I can tell that you are 
weary."

She closed her eyes against the velvety softness of his tunic and 
sighed as she sensed the presence of others entering the room. She did 
not 
care and was not on her guard. She felt completely safe in the Prince's 
arms. 

He smiled at her trust as the Elves spoke quietly. "My Lord, a 
delegation has arrived from Rivendell. Lord Elrond is among them. Your 
father 
requests your presence in the Great Hall."

"How did he arrive so quickly?" asked Legolas. "We only just sent 
messengers three days ago."

"He left Rivendell only hours after Estel, eager to see the Princess, 
his granddaughter."

Legolas propped himself up, gently running a hand through Elenath's 
beautiful hair. "Tell my father that Elenath has only just come back to 
us 
and I will not leave her side. She is weary and needs to rest - and I 
with her. Give my apologies to Lord Elrond."

The Elf smiled at the good news and nodded, leaving the room with a 
bow.

"Legolas," she spoke softly when they were alone again. "Though I would 
delight to stay here with you forever... I think that I would like to 
see my grandfather. He has traveled a long way, and I have many 
questions about the sword that he sent."

He nodded. "As you wish, my love." He helped her to sit up shakily 
against the headboard and brought her a goblet of water which she 
sipped 
slowly as he sat next to her. "Shall I send Kara to help you?"

"Please." She attempted to peel the covers back off of herself and 
failed miserably in her weakness. She sighed. "Legolas... how is my 
mother?"

He pulled the covers back for her. "She mourns your father, but has 
been holding to the hope that you will recover. She rode with our 
messengers to Rivendell. Said she needed to flee from this place for a 
time. 
Now, I will go to my father. This is twice since his return that I have 
refused his summons. I fear you have been a bad influence on me and I 
have become rebellious." His smile warmed her heart.

She laughed softly. "Oh, Legolas. Give my apologies. I will be there 
just as soon as I can drag myself out of bed and make myself 
presentable."

He stood and looked at her, raising one eyebrow. "Presentable? Elenath, 
even now you are no less than beautiful. You have a... certain glow 
about you."

She smiled. "If you had been where I just was, you would glow too."
 
***
"I have good tidings," said the Elf at the foot of King Thranduil's 
throne. "The Princess has returned to us."

The King smiled joyfully, his wounds almost completely healed after 
three days' time. "And my son?"

"He sends his apologies and refuses to leave her side, Your Highness."

The King laughed and turned to his honored guest. Lord Elrond sat in a 
throne next to the King's. He was tall and regal with long brown hair 
and blue eyes that radiated a strange combination of power and 
kindness. 
An Elven crown of woven silver rested upon his head. 

The king's laugh turned to a chuckle. "It seems that my son has become 
so entranced by your granddaughter's beauty that he rebels even against 
his own father! This is the second time since my return from your 
kingdom that he has refused my summons."

"Ah, Prince Legolas," mused Lord Elrond. "I must say he has proven a 
worthy mate despite my misgivings about the match over a thousand years 
ago."

"You mean OUR misgivings, Elrond," said the King. "If you'll recall, I 
was just as hard on your lovely granddaughter as you were on my son. 
Yet their marriage has brought about many good things, and I have come 
to 
love Elenath as my own daughter. She is the most beloved Princess that 
Mirkwood has ever known."

Elrond smiled. "I'm sure that Rivendell would feel the same about 
Legolas if he were to join us there."

***

Legolas paused in the doorway of the Great Hall. Having heard his 
father's comments and those of Lord Elrond, he could not help but 
recall the 
events that preceded his marriage to Elenath. Rivendell and Mirkwood 
had nearly gone to war as he courted her, his heart unwilling to 
conform 
to his arranged marriage with another young maiden in Rivendell who no 
more wanted to marry him than an orc. He stepped into the Great Hall 
with a bow and a flourish before smiling at Lord Elrond. "As much as I 
would enjoy living in your beautiful city, my lord, I am the only child 
of my father and must remain here in Mirkwood with my lovely wife."

Elrond stood up, smiling broadly. "Legolas! So you decided to join us 
after all? How are you?"

Legolas clasped hands briefly with his grandfather-in-law. "I am well, 
now that Elenath has returned, but weary."

"And my granddaughter?"

Legolas paused before answering, surprised at the anger that leapt up 
in his heart. He wanted to say, "Fine before you sent that blasted 
sword," but held his tongue. "She is weak and needs her rest, but she 
wishes 
to see you first, My Lord."
*********************************************

Chapter 17.

Lord Elrond seemed to sense Legolas' anger and leaned toward him. 
"Legolas, I love her too. I would not have sent the sword if I did not 
believe it to be safe."

"With all due respect, My Lord," returned the Prince, "You were not 
here to see her suffer during the past three days. She cried out in 
pain 
in her sleep. Her skin grew icy cold. She lay as one dead, and I could 
do nothing for her. Absolutely nothing. If you were not my wife's 
grandfather and a good friend of my father, I would not hesitate to 
tell you 
in no uncertain terms what you can do with that sword."

"Legolas!" Thranduil's voice was stern, but Lord Elrond silenced him 
with a gesture of his hand.

"Legolas," said Elrond, "I understand your anger and would feel the 
same if I were you."

"Then why did you send it here?" demanded Legolas.

Elrond sighed. "If I had known that she would experience her first 
battle, lose her father, and save King Thranduil's life all in one day, 
I 
would not have sent it when I did. I made a mistake." He paused and 
regarded the Prince with an apologetic look. "Legolas, I am sorry. Will 
you 
forgive me?" He held his hand out.

The Prince was taken aback. He had expected a much tougher resistance 
from Elrond. But the old Elf seemed sincere. Legolas sighed. Of course 
Elrond loved his granddaughter and would never knowingly do anything to 
harm her. The younger Elf reached out slowly and grasped the hand that 
was offered for a brief moment. "Yes, of course I'll forgive you Lord 
Elrond. I am sorry for my harsh words."

***
Elenath still sat on her bed, trying to muster the strength to stand, 
when Kara arrived. 

"You're awake!" said Kara, tackling her friend with a great hug. Gazing 
at the sky she added, "Thank you Jesus! Thank you!"

Elenath could not help but smile, weakly returning the hug. "He hears 
you, you know. I saw him. He told me."

"What?"

She told all about her journey with the sword, beginning with the last 
battle she had fought. While she told the tale, Kara gently helped her 
out of bed and into a tub of hot, bubbly water where she sat for twenty 
minutes.

"I can't believe you saw Immanuel face-to-face, Elenath."

"Neither can I... but then I cannot deny it either. He kissed me on my 
forehead. My tears fell upon the scars in his hands. He held me close 
and told me he had been waiting since the beginning of time to greet me 
there. I... I didn't want to come back."

"Oh, Elenath... Legolas would never have understood. He was distraught 
the entire time you were out. Last night, I poked my head in to see if 
he needed anything and he was bent over you, just weeping as if his 
heart was broken, saying something over and over in Elvish. I just left 
him alone. What else could I do?"

"What did he say?" She unsteadily climbed out of the tub with Kara's 
help, dried off, and donned a light green gown.

"I do not know... it sounded like... Amen... Kill  love-"

"Amin khiluva lle a gurtha ar thar, Melamin." came David's voice from 
the doorway and both girls jumped.

"David! I was just in the bath a moment ago! You should knock or 
something!" exclaimed Elenath.

He smiled sheepishly. "It is wonderful to see you up and about. Prince 
Legolas sent me... I'm not sure why... to see if you are in need of 
anything. Perhaps he worried for your safety." His hand traveled to the 
sword at his side.

"Perhaps he knew I would need an escort to the Great Hall."

"Wait a minute," said Kara. "What was that thing he said? Amen kill -"

Elenath sighed. "Amin khiluva lle a gurtha ar thar, Melamin. I will 
follow you to death and beyond, my love."
***
Legolas grew restless as he exchanged pleasantries with his father and 
Lord Elrond. He idly ate grapes off of a huge platter of fruit as he 
listened to their talk of days gone by. He wished that he had stayed 
with 
Elenath instead of coming here. Finally, he summoned David and asked 
him if he would see that his Beloved had everything she needed.

"You need only command," David answered, but Legolas corrected him.

"One who fights so bravely in battle to defend a prince he hardly knows 
should not be commanded. David, you are my honored guest. I am glad 
that you came here."

David simply nodded and left the Great Hall.

"He saved me from injury many times on that battlefield three days 
ago," Legolas explained after David was gone, "For one so young his 
technique is amazing. He fights like a lion."

***
Kara swept Elenath's hair up into a long braid, spiraling it loosely in 
a bun at the nape of her neck and then stepped back to do a final 
assessment. 

"She looks stunning as usual," commented David. "Let's go." He offered 
an arm, but she sighed and sat down on her bed.

"What's wrong?" he asked, and she explained all that she just 
experienced, especially her sojourn in Heaven. 

"I just have so many questions that seemingly cannot be answered. I 
wish that Pastor Mike was here," she concluded.

"I just wish we had a Bible," said Kara.

Elenath's eyes grew wide. "Pastor Mike.... He said, 'Don't forget your 
Bible' and it seemed odd to me at the time. I wonder..." She pointed to 
the small trunk at the foot of her bed. "My Bible is in that trunk," 
she said, a little ashamed that she hadn't cracked it open even once 
since her arrival in this place. Kara rummaged for a moment and then 
handed 
it to her.

"Well, at least one of us was smart," said Kara.

"It's not a matter of being smart," she answered. "It was a matter of a 
certain Pastor who reminded me to bring it. She took the book gently by 
its spine and dangled it in the air, shaking it a few times and 
watching as objects began to fall out of it: three bookmarks, assorted 
church 
bulletins, a photo of her grandmother, and one envelope with the name 
"Elenath" scribbled on it. The handwriting was that of Pastor Mike. "I 
knew it!" she exclaimed.
*********************************************