✓ | 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ♡ Legolas Greenleaf

3.7 | Durin's End

Maristela lowered her head unable to find any words but Bilbo spoke up, "No, no, I'm glad to have shared in all your perils, Thorin ─ each and every one of them. And it's far more than any Baggins deserves." They share a smile before Thorin spoke, "Farewell, Master Burglar. Go back to your books and your armchair. Plant your trees, watch them grow." Thorin struggles to breath from the blood within his mouth, Maristela smiles softly at the peaceful look within Thorin's eyes as he spoke, "If more people valued home above gold this world would be a merrier place."

Maristela turned her head to the Elf Prince watching in the distance, he frowns as the tears fall from her eyes. "Mari..." Thorin's voice was soft as he spoke, she turned her head to him as he tried to smile. "It would have been the greatest honor to have to marry into the line of Durin. You will always be family, always welcome within the halls of Erebor. You, daughter of stars, are a blessing to all," Thorin expressed before turning his eyes to the blue sky, his last breath left his lips. "No! No! No! Thorin! Oh don't you dare!" Bilbo weeps.

"Thorin, Thorin, wake up. The eagles... the eagles... the eagles are here. Thorin... the eag─" Bilbo cries in sorrow, resting his head on Thorin's chest as Maristela closed her eyes and weeped silently. She pushes up from the ground and turns her head to Fíli's body, she stumbles over to him and drops to her knees with Legolas watching her, his eyes flick over to Tauriel by Kíli's body. "I'm so sorry... I have failed you," Maristela whispered to Fíli as the Dwarves of Erebor found their way to Ravenhill, Dwalin stumbled on his feet approaching Bilbo weeping over Thorin's body lying on the ice.

⊱ ──── {⋆ 🌌 ⋆} ──── ⊰

King Thranduil walks slowly through the ruins of Ravenhill, gazing about at the carnage. His eyes landed on Maristela weeping by Fíli's side, his icy heart clenched at the sight before he turned his head to see Legolas approaching him. "I... cannot go back," Legolas told his father, he brushes past him and prepares to leave. "Where will you go?" Thranduil questioned his son who turned to him. "I do not know," Legolas answered him with a frown. "And the Rivendell Elf?" Thranduil asked in reference to Maristela who his son clearly haboured feelings for. "I am not what she needs right now," Legolas replied to him.

"Go north. Find the Dúnedain. There's a young Ranger amongst them ─ you should meet him. His father, Arathorn, was a good man. His son might grow to be a great one," Thranduil informed him with a stoic expression. "What is his name?" Legolas asked. "He's known in the wild as Strider. His true name you must discover for yourself," Thranduil told his son with a slight smirk noticing the slight annoyance in Legolas' eyes. They nod at each other, then Legolas turns and walks away. Thranduil calls after him, "Legolas... your mother loved you... more than anyone... more than life."

Legolas' eyes are open wide in shock and surprise, the father and son make a gesture of departure to each other, then Legolas leaves. Thranduil watches him leave sadly, bowing his head in grief. He then proceeds through the ruins and finds Tauriel still next to Kíli's body. "They want to bury him," Tauriel pondered upon noticing Thranduil's presence. "Yes..." Thranduil replied softly. "If this is love, I do not want it," Tauriel pleads with Thranduil, "Take it from me, please! Why does it hurt so much?" Thranduil approaches her slowly with an understanding look within his eyes. "Because it was real," Thranduil answered her sadly.

⊱ ──── {⋆ 🌌 ⋆} ──── ⊰

Maristela walked slowly as she lead Attica towards Erebor, Fíli and Kìli's bodies lie upon his back and the Dwarves of the Iron Hills watch in sorrow and grief. Dwalin, Bofur, Bifur, Gloin, Oin, and Nori carried a plank of wood to carry Thorin's body behind Attica and Maristela causing Dwarves to gasp and wail in the loss of their King. Lord Dáin steps down from a large rock, he approaches but stops upon the sight he hadn't been expecting, his face drops as Maristela looks up at him. The remainder of the walk was silent and heavy, the Dwarves and Eagles worked together to clear the bridge into Erebor.

The remaining army of Dwarves worked to collect the bodies of their kin, Elves moved around to do the same with their own while the Eagles ─ per Maristela's request ─ worked to clear the city and fields of Orc bodies, dumping them into the chasm by Ravenhill. In Dale, Percy sounds the horn for the dead, Men collect the bodies of their loved ones with the help of Beorn. Walking into the hall of Erebor without Fíli by her side alive was something Maristela had never wished to feel. They headed straight for the tomb within the Mountain, three slabs together for the King and his nephews.

Thorin's body was laid upon the middle slab, the Arkenstone delicately placed within his hands on his stomach, Orcrist resting on right beneath his hand. He was cleaned of blood and dirt, placed within royal garments, the Dwarves had worked quick. To the left and right of Thorin lay the bodies of Fíli and Kíli holding their own swords, Maristela slowly approached Fíli after leaving small gifts for Kìli and Thorin. She stopped by his side with Bofur standing a few steps away ready if she needed. Maristela leaned down and placed a kiss upon his forehead before speaking in Dwarvish, "May you rest within the halls of your Forefathers. May we meet again."

⊱ ──── {⋆ 🌌 ⋆} ──── ⊰

⊱ ──── {⋆ 🌌 ⋆} ──── ⊰

「 ✦ 𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘 ✦ 」

I AM WEEPING....

See you in the next chapter!