The Prince's Visions

Chapter Forty Six

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Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. -Psalm 126:5

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"Eilonwy."

I turn to see Galadriel walking toward me. I stand slowly, my victory short-lived as my grief comes flooding back. She pulls me into her arms, hugging me tightly as I begin to cry.

"Eilonwy, you can save him," she says after a moment, and I pull back to look up at her.

"What?" I question, my lip trembling, "I cannot save him. He is already gone."

Lord Elrond comes to stand beside her. "Yes, you can. I have told you this before, remember? You have such incredible power, my child. You can bring Legolas back to life," he says, resting his hand on my shoulder.

I finally remember the day he told me this- that I could bring the dead back to life- and hope fills my heart. "How?" I question, "How do I accomplish such a thing? He is dead. Surely I cannot bring him back without some sort of... permission?"

They look at each other with knowing smiles. "I think Eru has shown his favor for you today. You must try, Eilonwy."

I nod, my heart still heavy in my chest. I still cannot wrap my head around the fact that he is dead. My husband is gone.

"I will try," I say, wiping at my eyes, and I follow them over to where the others are standing.

Glosseth launches herself at me, embracing me tightly. I return her embrace as she cries, and I feel my tears come back to my eyes. Aragorn wraps me in his arms next, rocking me slightly. When he releases me, Legolas's mother touches my face. "Please, Eilonwy, please bring my son back to me," she says, tears flowing down her cheeks, "You have been so brave. I know you can do it."

I kneel beside Legolas's lifeless body, choking on my tears at the sight. He almost looks to be asleep, and the thought smothers me. What if I fail again? What will happen if I cannot bring him back?

I place my hand on his chest, directly over his heart, and I close my eyes. Just as I did when defeating Morgwais, I channel my deep, intense love for him. This time, I picture what I wish for our future together. I see myself walking by his side and holding his hand, and my stomach is swollen with pregnancy. His eyes are as blue as the sea when he looks at me and tells me that he hopes our child will look like me. I see us years from now, sitting by the fire in Mirkwood Palace and reading to our children.

The familiar warmth erupts in my chest, and I feel it travel down toward my hand. I open my eyes, watching as a golden light envelopes him. Hope shoots through me like an arrow, and when the light fades away, I notice that he is breathing. I gasp as his eyes flutter open, and when he meets my gaze, I tackle him.

"Legolas!" I exclaim as he sits up, pulling me close to him, and I erupt into a mixture of laughter and tears, "Legolas." I kiss him quickly, not caring about the others watching.

Before I know it, both of us are being crushed by our family. Queen Nithroel kisses our cheeks, and King Thranduil holds us, silently crying. Glosseth is sobbing loudly as she practically chokes Legolas, and Gwilithon's eyes are red as tears stream down his cheeks.

"Ion nin (my son)," Queen Nithroel says, "How are you feeling?"

He gazes up at me, and squeezes my waist tightly, seeming to be wanting to pull me closer even though I am already in his lap. "I feel perfectly fine, thanks to this beautiful lady," he says softly, and I blush, grinning at him as indescribable happiness fills my heart. The hollow feeling is now completely gone from my chest, once again filled by Legolas. I long to kiss him again, but I know that once I get started, I will not be able to stop.