The Other Side of Reality: Part X
by Alexandra
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Adalia smiled at Thalion as he strung his bow and pierced the center of the target. She couldn’t help but laugh as Rina did the same, refusing to be outdone by her little brother. The children had grown in the past years, becoming much respected among the elves for who they were, not for their royal status.

Rina and Thalion had eventually been told of Adalia’s story. Rina remembered most of the things that Adalia said, though her memories were starting to fade. Adalia was glad that they were being raised in Mirkwood, she felt safer knowing that the elves were all around them.

She sighed and looked curiously at one of the elves that was hurrying toward her. He seemed to be moving urgently and she wondered why he was bothering her with whatever it was that he had to say.

The years had gone by and Adalia had begun to age once again. She was eighty-six now and Legolas had given orders that she not be worried with trivial matters, though she had protested. She hated feeling helpless, and once in a while Legolas simply became too protective.

The elf stopped in front of her and she brushed some silver hair out of her eyes to get a better look at him. He bowed and Adalia smiled. "What is it Tathar?"

"I have a grave message and since the king could not be bothered…" he trailed off uncertainly.

"It’s all right, you don’t have to obey his orders all the time," she said with a smile and a soft laugh. "Just don’t tell him I said that. What’s wrong?"

Tathar sighed and handed her a letter. "It is King Elessar. I fear that he has passed from this world."

"What?" she asked, shocked. Ripping open the seal, she skimmed the letter. Adalia’s heart stopped at the news. Tathar was right, Aragorn was gone. She put a hand over her mouth and fought the tears that welled up.

"Mother, what is wrong?" asked Thalion, noticing Adalia’s distress.

She waved off her son’s concern and hurried to Legolas’ study, tears streaming down her face. Aragorn was a very dear friend of hers, they had been in touch constantly over the years. Belatedly, Adalia wondered how Arwen was.

When Adalia rushed into the study, Legolas looked up in shock. "Lindor, what is wrong?"

She handed him the letter and he took it, turning his back on his advisors. "Elbereth," he whispered, holding a hand to his heart. He handed the letter to Giliath and wrapped his arms around Adalia, tears forming in his eyes as well.

"We will have to go to Gondor," she said quietly.

He nodded. "We will leave soon." He dismissed those in the room and they left, Giliath leaving the letter on his desk. He sighed and rested his head against Adalia’s, a tumult of thoughts flowing through his head. "What’s bothering you?" she asked, looking up at him.

A small smile came across Legolas’ lips. "No sense in trying to hide something from you. Adalia, after you had left, I had vowed to sail across the sea when Aragorn passed on, and take Gimli with me. Ever since I heard the cry of the gull, I have been drawn to the sea, drawn to Valinor. But now, I do not know. I still wish to go to Valinor with Gimli, and I wish for you to come with me."

She saw the sincerity in his eyes and didn’t doubt him for a second. "I would follow you into Mount Doom if it were the case. But what about Rina and Thalion? They are only in their fifties, which is still extremely young by the elven standards."

"The choice should be given to them. They have not decided if they wish to live a mortal live or an immortal life. They may remain in Mirkwood and rule, or they may follow us."

They spoke of their plans as they waited for their children. Rina and Thalion soon entered the room, looking confused. Adalia couldn’t help but smile at her children. Rina had grown into a beautiful woman who was quite skilled on horseback. She was much sought after by some of the male elves, but only Adalia knew of her daughter’s secret crush on Giliath.

Thalion looked almost exactly like Legolas. He was always more at ease within the trees, able to conceal himself easily from others. He was well respected and would rule Mirkwood justly when the time came. Both Adalia and Legolas were very proud of their children and couldn’t ask for more.

Legolas explained the situation to them. Both Adalia and him would go to Gondor to pay their last respects to Aragorn. From there, they would depart with Gimli into the West, not to return. Rina and Thalion could accompany them if they wished, or they could stay in Mirkwood until they too departed.

Thalion nodded slowly. "As much as I wish to go with you, I do not wish to leave the forest. I would remain."

Rina hesitated. Adalia tried to hide her smile. "Legolas, Thalion. Could you leave Rina and I alone for a moment?" The two men left the study quietly and Adalia sat down. "You want to know about Giliath don’t you?"

Her daughter sighed and brushed a strand of brown hair behind her pointed ear. "Yes. But it’s foolish of me. Why would a seasoned warrior such as himself like a simple girl as me? Besides, he is thousands of years older than I am." At this, Adalia burst out laughing. Rina stared at her mother before putting her hands on her hips indignantly. "Mom! This isn’t funny!"

Adalia laughed again. "Rina, angel. What in the world do you think Legolas and I are? Legolas was an extremely respected being among the elves, having been in the fellowship. And he was a prince at that. Yet he and I, who detested each other at first, fell in love. If we can come together, there is no reason why you can’t."

Rina smiled. "Then you wouldn’t mind if I stayed?"

Adalia chuckled. "Of course not. Rina let me tell you something. I want nothing more than for you to be happy. Your father as well. If you want to stay, that’s all right, as long as you’re happy."

Rina nodded before joyfully hugging her mother. "Thanks mom!"

Adalia smiled as her daughter ran out of the room. "As long as you’re happy angel."

~*~*~*~*~*~

Legolas eyed all of the bags surrounding their horses. Neither he nor Adalia had packed much for their journey, but the kingdom would not let its king and queen go so easily. He drew aside Giliath quietly. "We aren’t taking all of this."

Giliath chuckled and nodded. "I wouldn’t expect you to. I am going to miss you Legolas."

Legolas smiled. "I shall miss you as well, my friend. I am entrusting you with my daughter, in more ways than one." Giliath’s eyes widened and Legolas laughed. "Yes I know of Rina. Take care of her my friend. And if you could make sure Thalion doesn’t get into too much trouble."

Giliath nodded before clasping his friend’s hand. "Of course. May the Valar guard you safe."

They turned to where Rina was crying freely. Thalion stood quietly with tears falling silently down his face. One day they would see their father again. But this was the last time they would most likely see their mother. Adalia was trying unsuccessfully to stop her tears.

"I’m going to miss you mom," cried Rina.

Adalia kissed her daughter’s forehead. "I am so proud of you angel. Just be careful and remember that I always love you okay? And now Giliath loves you."

Rina forced out a smile and hugged Adalia again before backing away and turning to Legolas. "I’ll miss you daddy."

Legolas smiled and hugged her. "I shall miss you too Rina." He then backed away and placed her hand in Giliath’s. "I will see you both when you sail across the sea." Leaving them to themselves, he went to stand next to Adalia who was waiting for Thalion to speak.

"It is the forest," began Thalion, tears falling unchecked from his blue eyes. "The forest is saddened to see you go."

Legolas nodded. "Long have I lived beneath these trees. I am also saddened to leave them. But this is something that I feel I must do. Though I shall not miss the forest more than you." They hugged as a father and son does. "Mirkwood looks to you Thalion, both the elves and the trees. Be strong."

Thalion nodded before he was engulfed in a hug from Adalia. "You far surpassed all of my hopes," she said, holding him at arm’s length. "You are as great a son as any could ask for. I love you Thalion."

"I love you as well mother." After several more moments with their children, Adalia and Legolas finally mounted. Choking back her sobs as best she could, Adalia cast one last glance at her children before following Legolas. Thalion stood strong and steadfast, determined not to fall to the ground and weep. Rina was crying into Giliath’s chest as he held her, left with only the memory of her mother.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Adalia hugged Arwen one last time. "You could come with us you know."

Arwen shook her head. "No. I will go and reside in the forest of my grandmother, in Lothlorien where none now walk. I wish you a safe journey Adalia." The mortal elf moved to exchange her final good-byes with Legolas before leaving. Arwen did not want to see her friends leave, especially after having witnessed Aragorn’s last breath.

"I worry greatly for her," said Eldarion, Aragorn’s son and now King of Gondor. "I do not wish for her to be alone."

"Yet alone she will be," observed Legolas quietly.

Gimli stirred uncomfortably in the silence. "Master elf, should we not be on our way? Long have you spoken of this Valinor and anxious am I to see it."

Legolas nodded and said his final farewells. Adalia did so as well before turning to the boat and grimacing. "I guess this isn’t a good time to say that I get sea sick."

The three beings, human, elf, and dwarf boarded the ship that had been crafted by Cirdan the Shipwright. Such a companionship had not been seen since the fellowship and would never again be seen in Middle-Earth.

They could not recall how many days they sailed. Adalia could have defined it as minutes as well as days. Yet on a night of rain, she smelled a sweet fragrance in the air and heard the sound of singing that came over the water. Legolas gave up a joyful cry and they beheld white shores in the distance, and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise.

Adalia hadn’t known what to expect when they came to rest at the shores. Whatever it was, it was not the elf lord Glorfindel greeting them with a jovial, yet solemn look on his face. "It is good to see you Legolas, Gimli. You as well Adalia. Come."

He turned rather abruptly and the three looked at each other curiously. Adalia had never met Glorfindel; he had sailed after the ring was destroyed. Yet he knew her name. Legolas seemed most puzzled by the matter, as he had known the elf lord well.

Still, the group followed Glorfindel up several paths. Several times they had to pause as Adalia took time to breathe. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, she was old and weak, and needed the rest. Legolas watched her with concern, knowing her health was failing her.

They did not know how long they walked, just that it was ever upward and Glorfindel refused to speak of what he was doing. Legolas looked at the view with awe once they were significantly up the mountain; the Grey Havens was a glorious place indeed.

When Glorfindel halted in front of a mansion near the summit of the mountain, Legolas looked around. He held his breath as he realized there was only one place that he could be: Taniquetil, where Manwe and Varda dwelt, those to whom all prayers were offered.

The door was opened and they went inside to stand in front of a throne. A throne of blazing white that nearly hurt their eyes. Glorfindel seemed to back away, Gimli with him. Adalia couldn’t resist the temptation to take a step towards the chair. She stopped in mid stride though and dropped to her knees.

How it happened she did not know. But a woman now sat in the chair. She was more beautiful than words could say; no language could express what Adalia saw in the woman. Yet she was paralyzed both with fear and awe.

"Adalia." A voice of thunder and breezes, hurricanes and quiet rainfalls. It was Varda, Elbereth to the elves. She sat before Adalia, who did not dare raise her eyes from the floor. She did not know why, but she began crying.

"Elbereth," she whispered, unable to believe it.

"Young Adalia," Varda whispered, though her voice rolled over her in shocking waves. Adalia resisted the urge to cover her ears. "Young Adalia who fell for the undying immortal. Child, why do you cry? Surely you are happy that you will be spending your days with Legolas?"

Adalia shrugged as best she could in her kneeling position, still refusing to look up. All others in the room had faded from her conscious mind as she talked to the woman; she took no notice of any that came or went.

Varda laughed joyfully and such a sound brought more tears to Adalia’s eyes. "Young one, let me tell you a tale," began Varda. "In the begging, when Iluvatar brought to being the world from the song, he revealed many things to us, the Valar. He revealed such things as the coming of the firstborn, as well as the coming of men. We saw the hate between Dwarves and Elves, as well as the friendship between two. But it was also revealed to us the story of a mortal.

"She came from another world, vastly different from the one we saw grow. Where all peoples held hatred close to their hearts, and kept hope as all they had left. She came from that people, and soon discovered her love for one of the firstborn. You Adalia were meant to love Legolas as he was meant to love you; Iluvatar made it so. How do you think that Eru would end this story?"

Adalia blinked as the salty tears continued to run down her face, dripping onto her skin. She brushed some hair away with a tear-moistened hand before trying to answer, her voice meek in comparison. "The story would end with my death, there is no other way."

Again the joyous laughter. "Dear child, there is always a way. You knew that when you prayed to me, prayed for me to watch over your family when you were gone. I heard your prayer young one. Your way is the one towards life."

Adalia could not check her words before they flowed from her mouth. "How could that be?"

"The song of Iluvatar did not end with sadness. For we saw the ending to the story of the mortal love. Adalia, it is not above the Valar to grant the greatest wish, the wish for immortality."

Adalia drew in a sharp breath. A hand cupped her chin and forced her to look up. Adalia’s eyes met those filled with a flame and a brightness. Varda smiled, a smile rivaled by not even the great stars at night. "You shall go on Adalia. Your immortality will not let you fade."

Adalia could hardly believe her ears. She was immortal. With a shuddering breath, she looked into Varda’s eyes and gasped at the reflection she saw of herself. It was as if her youth had returned to her. The grayness was gone from her features and her body was no longer weary with pain.

Varda nodded. "Tears are not only wept for sadness. They are wept from joy. Joyful tears can be rejuvenating."

Adalia suddenly knew why she had been crying. Somehow her tears had brought her back her youth. She hardly knew what to say and Varda sensed this. "Young one, may your days be lived out in laughter." Dropping her hand to her side, she was gone from the room, much in the way she had arrived.

Adalia was aware of those gathered behind her. Turning slowly, she heard several gasp and then Legolas’ delighted cry. "Lindor!" he cried. He could do nothing more than hug her, for all other words failed him.

They turned to see several elves there, those that Legolas had known most. Thranduil came forward, a smiling she-elf on his arm. "Legolas," he began, his shining eyes betraying his stern look. Breaking into a smile, he nodded. "I am glad that you will be happy, my son."

The woman next to him took a step out and Legolas’ eyes filled with tears. "My son," she whispered before hugging him.

Adalia looked on with tears in her eyes once again, though she thought the act to be quite impossible. Reunions and introductions were made with Legolas and Adalia, going well into the night. Neither could believe what had happened, Adalia least of all. But they spent their days in laughter, much as Varda had said.

It was years later when Rina, Giliath and Thalion arrived at the Havens, that Adalia finally felt truly thankful. Her children were more than surprised to see her and she laughed at their expressions. Varda had given her everything, even after she had thought that she had lost all she had. Legolas loved her. She had beautiful children and grandchildren. Indeed, laughter filled the rest of her days.

i'tela


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