~Predator~ Book Three

Chapter 21 – Trials and Tribulations​

(Legolas's POV)

Darkness...it surrounded me like a heavy blanket. Yet oddly enough, I felt no fear. What I did feel was weightless...floating in a sea of obscurity. If I could feel my eyes, I would have tried to open them.

It quickly dawned on me that I no longer felt any pain. The pain in my head...the pain in my bones...in my very blood. Gone. But why was it gone? How had it ceased to exist when it had been my constant companion for what seemed an eternity?

"Legolas."

The feminine voice seemed to encompass me and although it was familiar in a way, I did not know who it belonged to. I wanted to respond, but somehow I could not recall how to speak. How did one reply? In what manner were words formed?

"Follow my voice, Legolas."

But how? I knew not how to move.

"Open yourself to me and you shall find the way to follow."

As I strived to comply, my mind asked what I could not voice, Who are you?

"I am Vairë."

Vairë. I knew the name. She was a Vala, spouse of Mandos. Why could I not see her? The last thing I recalled was lying in bed, with Ariedel tending to me. Did my life end? Or was this merely a dream?

Then things changed. The darkness evaporated like thick smoke blown away by a strong wind. Before me stood a woman of great beauty. I assumed it to be Vairë. But now everything was blindingly white.

As I became more aware of myself, I rediscovered movement and looked down. My arms and legs were still the same...and as I reached up to touch my face, so was the rest of me the same. No longer feeling weightless, my feet rested upon a flat, solid surface. Yet I saw no ground beneath them. I moved my mouth and found the ability to speak. "Where...where...am...I?"

The Vala smiled and stretched her arms out.

At that moment color slowly appeared in the blinding white. With color came shape. The white surface beneath my feet turned to grass so green, I felt a great desire to touch it. As I slowly lowered myself to sit on the lush grass, I gazed at my changing surroundings. The trees were tall, yet they felt very young to me. A river stretched beside me for as far as my eyes could see. It was not the Forest River, nor was it the Anduin. Then a large fortress of stone took shape on the opposite side of the river. I soon realized there was no place in Middle Earth like this. Perhaps I was still in Valinor.

"Nay, young Legolas," said Vairë from where she stood beside the river. "What you see are the walls that within contain the Halls of Mandos."

I stood up and stared in awe. If the structure across the river held the Halls of Mandos, then I indeed passed from the realm of the living. Would I be judged as all those who stepped into the Halls? When I glanced at Vairë she motioned with her hand to proceed forward. I did and she walked with me. The moment I remembered the river stood between me and the fortress, I suddenly found myself on the opposite side as if transported in the blink of an eye. As I glanced around in wonder, I discovered Vairë had vanished.

Facing the monstrous fortress before me, I moved toward what appeared to be a decorative entrance. The massive wooden doors creaked open upon my approach as if opened by invisible doormen. Had I not been told by Vairë that this structure contained the Halls of Mandos, I would have exercised some manner of caution before entering. But I felt no threat and passed through the threshold.

I stepped inside and found myself in a chamber with a ceiling that seemed endlessly high. As I admired the marble pillars, the doors slammed shut behind me. I turned to confirm this and suddenly discovered the entire doorway had disappeared. The surface appeared the same as any other surface in the hall. Perhaps I should have been alarmed by this, yet I felt infinitely calm. I moved further into the chamber, amazed at the sheer size. After stepping through an archway, I found myself in a chamber identical to the one I left.

There were archways in various places and when I passed through them, every chamber I entered was the same as the last. I was in a maze of chambers that were identical. They held nothing to identify one from the other. As I continued through the endless number of chambers, I wondered if this was a test. If anything it could be to test one's patience, for I felt mine quickly beginning to fail.

"Can anyone hear me?" I called out. "Is there anyone here?"

No one but my own voice responded. It echoed back multiple times and finally faded.

(Ariedel's POV)

A service didn't follow Legolas's death and I couldn't have been happier about that. For there to be a service, then it meant the deceased wasn't coming back and Legolas was coming back...at least that's what I presumed and hoped for. Gandalf had taken Legolas's body to an undisclosed location and I wondered why I wasn't allowed to see him, even though he was just a shell without a soul.

We remained in Valinor. Me and the kids and Thranduil. But Thranduil spent most of his time with Alfirin and I couldn't blame him for that. She was his wife and they had been apart for an eternity. So I kept myself busy trying to keep Anwar, Brendan and Elril busy. Anwar was a handful because as a teenage girl, there wasn't much that could hold her interest for very long. So I gave her the task of fine tuning her communication skills with Rhovan, our pet tiger. Brendan was a different issue. He liked working with his hands, so I teamed him up with the twins, Elladan and Elrohir and set them to building an ark. Yeah, an ark. That would keep them busy for a decade or two. That left Elril who was easily amused. Being a toddler, all I needed to do was keep him from eating dirt and I was good to go. Unfortunately none of it kept me challenged enough to keep my mind from wondering what was going on with Legolas.

Aragorn, Arwen, Eldarion and Gimli soon came to Valinor. The Valar allowed them in as special visitors. The king and queen of Gondor planned to stay until Legolas was returned to us. Although he'd never openly admit it, Gimli seemed extremely distraught over Legolas's death and no amount of encouragement from anyone could make him believe the Elf was coming back.

Seeing Eldarion again made Anwar happy and despite the seriousness of the things that happened to her, she relayed the events to him as if she had been on a fabulous adventure. Judging by the look on his face, Eldarion seemed unsure whether to believe half the things she told him. But Aragorn came to her rescue to confirm some of the happenings and I could tell Eldarion's level of respect for my daughter had increased. Maybe there was a chance for the two of them afterall.

Days soon turned into weeks...

Freak returned with Seth, Wendy and Kira.

Their arrival occupied most of my time as Lord Elrond began treating Kira. Miracles did come true as we immediately began to notice the change in her. What chemo and radiation couldn't do, Elrond's healing hands proved differently. Kira was cured. She especially enjoyed wrestling with Rhovan and the big tiger was playful as a kitten around her. Just seeing her playing without a care in the world was enough to warm my heart.

Wendy soon gave birth to a boy. They named him Joseph Elrond Schuyler. Aragorn's foster father was proving to be quite the hero to my brother and sister-in-law. In fact, Seth wanted Elrond to write a book about healing. The wise Elf debated that the power of healing was not something one learned, but was born with. So much for a bestseller.

Weeks turned into months...

"I need to see him, Gandalf."

"Tis not possible, Ariedel."

"Why isn't it possible?"

"I cannot allow it."

"Well, why not? Is he decomposing or something?" I could tell the old wizard was trying not to smile after my last question.

"The Valar do not permit it."

"But why is it taking so long? It's been nearly five months."

Gandalf nodded. "Five months is a short time for an immortal. As I told you once before, Ariedel, you must learn to be patient."

I growled in frustration. "You know I haven't been immortal for long, so you can't bore me with that lecture again."

Gandalf glanced over my shoulder. "Ah, there you are."

I turned around to find Glorfindel standing in the doorway of the library. He walked in and greeted Gandalf with a nod.

"Perhaps you can enlighten Ariedel on fundamentals you are familiar with."

I watched Gandalf walk out of the library before I turned to Glorfindel. "What's he talking about?"

Glorfindel got comfortable on an upholstered bench and leaned against the wall with his arms folded. "Have you noticed the return of the others from the Halls of Mandos?"

"Others?"

"All those who perished in Valinor during the attack not long ago."

Maybe I had been too busy with my own selfishness to really notice why so many rejoiced on the streets. It was obviously because of the return of their loved ones that were killed in the attack of the aliens. "So what does that mean? Why were they allowed to return and not Legolas?"

"Nearly two years passed before I was allowed to return."

"Two years?!" I rushed over and dropped to my knees in front of him. "Glorfindel, please...There's no way I can last that long." I grabbed his arm and shook it. "You have to help me. Put me in contact with the Valar."

"Only Gandalf has that privilege."

"But he can't help me...or rather, he won't."

"Neither can I, Ariedel. Please understand. There must be a valid reason the Valar have not released him from the Halls."

I released his arm and slumped down on my heels in resignation. "I don't have the kind of patience an immortal should have. I'll go crazy without him."

"You will find the patience."

I looked up at him. "Tell me what he's going through in the Halls you mentioned?"

"Every aspect of his life will be scrutinized, to determine if he is worthy."

"What do you mean worthy? Worthy of what?"

"Worthy of life."

"What?" I jumped up on my feet. "The Valar promised they would restore him to the way he was before that psycho experimented on him and then he'd be back. They promised me!"

"They promised you he would be restored, but did they actually promise you his return? Did they speak those words to you?"

I looked away, fighting back the tears that threatened. Had they actually said they'd return him? I didn't know...I didn't remember the exact conversation because I had been too busy being pissed about the idea of him having to die to be freed of the alien traits Dr Leland morphed into him. "After all he's been through? Do you seriously think they would not allow him to return?"

"I know not what dwells in the minds of the Valar. No one does."

(Legolas's POV)

I could not measure the passage of time. Was it day or night? Was it winter or spring? I felt no hunger or thirst. There was no need to rest or sleep. I merely existed to walk the chambers, finding nothing but emptiness in the endless maze of columned rooms. Not a soul to keep me company...I was left with nothing but my own thoughts. At times I spoke aloud, my voice echoing back, just so it would feel as if someone spoke to me.

Perhaps I could have gone mad. A mortal man would have by now. But the pleasant memories of my wife and my children kept me sane...memories of family and friends...the good times...memories I relived over and over…

----------

"Legolas. Is that your name?

"Hold your tongue or I will cut it off."

"Go ahead and cut off my tongue! Just do it because I'm not gonna shut up. Yeah, that's right, I'm gonna just keep talking until somebody tells me where the fuck I am and where I can find my transmutation device because I need it to get the fuck back to where I came from. As for you…I mean…come on, an Elf?"

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"What if you were to ask my father for my hand?"

"Me?"

"You're a prince. You're royalty."

"I have no desire to be wed at this time."

"It won't be for long. Just so I can get out of this castle and not be forced to marry Yardell. Then we can get divorced and go our separate ways."

"You mean for me to fool your father?"

"I would be eternally grateful."

"If you were immortal such as I, that would be for a very long time."

----------

"Let's have another baby."

"Do you really mean it, Ariedel?"

"Yes. I know how much you want a son. Anwar's turning five. I think it's time for another one."

"My father will be thrilled!"

"What about you? How will you feel?"

"I will feel like the luckiest Elf in all of Arda."

----------

"Anwar? What has happened?"

"Ada, it was a spider. It came out of the trees."

"Where is Balan? I sent him to fetch you."

"He…he fought with the spider. Rhovan came and together they chased it away. But then Balan fell. I tried to wake him, but...he is dead. Ada, my tiger is dead!"

----------

"Give it back, Brendan!"

"Nay, I will give it to Eldarion, when I see him."

"What goes on here, Anwar? Brendan?"

"Brendan stole a parchment from my desk."

"I only wanted to read it, ada. Honest."

"You know better than to take anything that belongs to your sister without asking. Give the parchment back to her."

"But ada, she wrote things about Eldarion. You should see what she wrote."

"You had no right to read it! I hate you!"

"Brendan, give the parchment back and apologize to Anwar."

"Here, but I am not sorry."

"And I still hate you."

----------

"Not right now, Legolas. Tonight."

"Nay, not tonight. Right now."

"Hey, that's not fair."

"What is not fair, meleth nin?" (my love)

"You know I can't resist when you kiss me there."

"I cannot help it if you leave yourself exposed in such a way."

"Stop it."

"Make me."

"You're a scoundrel, Legolas."

"I know."

----------

"I don't see anything wrong with it, Ariedel."

"Are you serious? Look at it. The roof used to leak and now it doesn't. There was a big crack on that wall over there and that's been fixed. I don't recall that window being there and all this beautiful sunshine coming in. And look at the furniture...it's all new and perfect and..."

"And what?"

"And I wanted to be the one to do all of it, not your father!"

"He was just trying to help."

"He helps too much!"

"He did it while we were in Gondor, so now you won't have to worry about it."

"But I like worrying about the leak and the crack and the lack of light and our old crappy furniture. I have to worry about something, don't I?"

----------

"Come on, Gimli. Give her another chance."

"Look, you pointy-eared troll, I do not think my backside can handle another fall."

"Well, you should not have waved your axe and frightened her."

"I frightened her? What kind of a horse is frightened when its rider waves an axe?"

"She is still young. You need to train her."

"Tell you what then, you let me know when she is fully trained and then I will take her."

"Perhaps next time I will consider a different kind of gift."

----------

"You have suffered greatly, Legolas and regretfully, I fear that your suffering will continue. Such burdens laid upon you are unnatural. Is there something you might request for yourself when you have succeeded this quest?"

"A request of what nature?"

"A special request from the Valar. Is there a wish you would want granted?"

"I would ask that my wife be allowed to spend eternity with me, that she not die of sickness or old age as mortals do."

"You request immortality for Ariedel. You ask nothing for yourself? Such an unselfish request."

"You misunderstand. This request is pure selfishness. I ask this because without her I have no desire to live."

----------

"Why do you love me?"

"What?"

"Why do you love me?"

"That's a stupid question, Legolas. You're asking me this eleven years after I had our first child?"

"Would you still love me if I were different?"

"Whatta you mean different? What's going on in your mind, Legolas? Please tell me."

"If I knew it…if I could identify it, I would tell you. I simply know that if I did not have your love…I would fade."

----------

"What are you giggling about?"

"I'm just wondering about Thranduil and Alfirin."

"About what?"

"I bet they're doing it."

"Of course they are. My father has not had relations with anyone for over two thousand years."

"Are you serious? Two thousand years? That's a hell of a long time to go without sex."

"I would be surprised if he did not ravage my mother as I am about to ravage you."

"Hm, keep talking."

----------

"You need not do this, Ariedel."

"Why do you say that?"

"You need not prove your love for me. I do not question it."

"I'm not doing this to prove anything, you stubborn Elf. I miss you and I need you and if I can't have you right this minute, I'm going to explode."

----------

I smiled to myself. Although Ariedel had only been in my life for a short time in the millennia I lived, it seemed as if I had not lived until the moment we met. Staring at the ceiling that resembled all those in the other chambers, I wondered if I would ever see her again.

After what seemed like forever, Ariedel finally found the circular chamber in which she had last spoken to the Valar. She remembered the windows that surrounded the entire room and the occasional seat beneath them. Looking for the Hall of Manwë had been a good idea at the time, but now that she was there, she wasn't sure what she could do. The last time she had been in the room, the Valar had magically appeared out of nowhere…from some kind of other dimension.

Ariedel clenched her fists. This was where they had discussed Legolas's fate. Glancing around at the empty hall, her eyes filled with tears. "You promised me!" Her voice was amplified in the vastness of the chamber. "You promised you would restore him!" Still uncertain whether they had actually promised his return, she decided it didn't matter. "You owe him allegiance! He did all that you asked of him!" She wasn't expecting a response, but she continued regardless. "And he suffered for it!"

She was unaware of the small form that stood in the doorway, watching her fall apart at the seams.

"You would deny him the life he deserves! The peace he deserves! You would deny him the chance to see his children grow!" In a fit of rage, Ariedel grabbed one of the wooden chairs and threw it across the room. It hit the far wall and splintered into a hundred pieces. "Why won't you let him go?!" She walked heavily toward the center of the chamber and stared up at the ceiling. "Hasn't he suffered enough for all of you?! What more do you want from him?!"

"Nana?" (mommy)

Ariedel turned toward the doorway, finding Anwar standing there. Her knees gave out and she found herself on the floor.

Anwar rushed to her mother and threw her arms around her. She had never seen her so distraught before and cradled her head in her lap. "Please do not cry, nana." (mommy)

"I…want him…back…" Ariedel managed to say between her sobs.

Neither of them saw the ghostly white figure of Nienna approaching. She bent and reached her hands down to rest upon their heads. From her fingertips flowed peace and hope to fill their minds. But even the goodness of the Lady of Pity could not quell the grief clenching around Ariedel's heart.

(Legolas's POV)

No matter how hard I tried, the not so good memories always seemed to suddenly creep into my conscience. Some were so horrendous that my skin crawled.

----------

"I was implanted with a queen?"

"Yes. The Company's never had a queen in captivity."

"She speaks to me."

"Speaks to you? What does she say?"

"She wants me to…free her."

----------

"I cannot for the life of me understand why I fear them. Why do I fear them more than an Orc, a giant spider, a warg or…or even a Balrog. I've confronted and battled all of these things and I do not sit here and tremble with fear from doing so."

"People have written entire books on the subject of what makes these aliens fearsome. Some say its because they absolutely have no emotions whatsoever. Not an ounce of remorse. They live for a single purpose and that's to kill every living thing in the universe. Anyone that comes in contact with them and survives…their lives are changed forever. It's a life altering experience."

"I never want to run into them again."

----------

"I dreamt that an alien stowed on a ship sailing west and killed everyone aboard just before it reached Valinor. The creature is there now, I know it."

"All right, let's just say that it is there. Can't the people or the Valar kill it?"

"There are no weapons in Valinor. None were ever needed after the evil of Melkor had been washed away from the lands. And the Valar are spirit that can assume solid flesh for only a short time. I know not if their powers have any affect on something not of our universe."

"Well, we have to do something. We can't just let this thing kill everyone because that's exactly what it's going to do unless we stop it."

----------

"Freak told me you're the one the aliens talk to."

"Ariedel told me you are a clone with certain alien characteristics."

"They talk to me, too, you know."

"What do they say to you?"

"They try to coax me to them. They want me to be part of them."

"I have yet to understand the meaning they project to me. All I see are my kin being slain as the alien young burst from their chests."

----------

"Legolas. We have come to rescue you!"

"You should be asking who will come to rescue you."

"Do you not recognize your own friend?"

"I do not recall having friends!"

"I am Aragorn. I am your friend."

"You have ten seconds to convince me or I will kill you."

----------

"We'll just…we'll find a way to make things right."

"Tis too late to undo what has been done. Even if I were to regain my memories, would you still feel the same about me, knowing what I have become?"

"Yes."

"Is the truth so difficult to speak?"

"I am being truthful!"

"You are not even capable of looking at me."

----------

"I told you I don't know him. I don't know who's in charge of the Company."

"Do you think I cannot see that you lie?"

"I'm telling you I don't know."

"I will count to three and then I will slice your throat from ear to ear."

"No, please…I…I…"

"One…"

"For God's sake, I can't tell you."

"Two…"

"They'll kill me if I do!"

"And I will kill you if you don't…Three…"

----------

"Are you the best the Company has to offer?"

"You're a dead man."

"Tell me something I do not already know. Tell me where I can find Wayne Pennington."

----------

"You forget that I rule the biggest conglomeration in the United Systems. Without me there wouldn't be anymore atmosphere processors to colonize new planets."

"Without you there would be someone else in charge."

"You think it's easy being in charge?"

"Tis not an easy thing for you to have morals. I can clearly see that."

"You don't have a clue what you're talking about. You're a primitive forced into a world of technology. And from what I heard, you should question your own morality. How many times have you killed just for the thrill of it?"

"Stop comparing yourself to me. I thrill in killing those that threaten my loved ones or my home. You do it to increase the size of your pockets."

----------

"You think she tastes as sweet as she looks?"

"I see you do not value your life much."

"Is that a threat, Elf?"

"Tis no threat. I will not hesitate to kill you."

"You have some beef with me?"

"You find pleasure in inflicting pain to a child. And you desire to do more. You are a waste of human flesh."

"All I need to five minutes with you, pal and I'll rip your goddamned ears off."

"All I need is five seconds and I will rip out your throat."

----------

"Legolas, I'm sorry about what happened in Valinor."

"I know you are."

"Why did you leave?"

"I needed to see for myself how grave the situation is with the aliens and I needed to find a way to stop the madness of a man who thinks the lives of his own race are insignificant."

"Someone else can deal with Pennington."

"Nay, I will deal with him."

"The rest of the universe is not your responsibility, Legolas. It was bad enough you fought for the lives in Arda. You suffered enough for it. This is not your fight."

----------

"What have I done?" My words echoed back to me. "I have committed unspeakable acts for the pleasure of it." I bounced the back of my head against the wall I leaned upon. "I will not be allowed to return to Arda. I will be forced to remain imprisoned in these Halls for eternity."

"Mandos, how long are you going to allow him to sit idle in the empty halls?"

Sitting upon a golden chair was the Doomsman, watching the ghostly image of Legolas sitting on the floor with his back against the wall. Mandos turned to his wife. "He broods over his past, Vairë."

"All who find themselves in your Halls brood over their past. Tis normal of the deceased."

"Not for an Elf." Mandos rubbed his chin as he turned back toward the Elf in question. "A mortal perhaps. But an Elf cherishes that which he has accomplished and does not regret his actions. If he does not cleanse himself of all his transgressions, he will forever carry the weight of his guilt. It will feed upon his heart and soul and destroy him."

"Can you not grant him the courtesy of an audience? With your infinite wisdom, you can coax him from the memories that disturb his moral values."

Mandos gave his wife a leery look. "You favor him."

Vairë innocently shrugged. "I favor many."

"Nay, you favor this Elf in particular."

She reached for his hand with a smile. "As do you, my beloved."

Ariedel struggled to keep up with Gandalf's long strides. "But all I'm asking for is just a minute. No more."

"So you can defile the furniture as you did in the Hall of Manwë?" Gandalf shot back with mild irritation. He needed to hurry to the harbor before the boat carrying two Elven families arrived.

"Look, I lost it, okay? I totally lost it in there. But can you blame me? I've been waiting patiently for…what? Six months now?"

"You will learn patience, my dear Ariedel, or I will be forced to send you from Valinor."

Ariedel gasped. "You would never do such a thing."

"Try me."

"I promise to behave. I promise I'll be more patient. I promise to do whatever you want me to do. Just let me see him, please."

"I simply cannot allow it." Gandalf passed through the gateway separating Ilmarin from the rest of Valinor.

Ariedel stopped following him. "I just want to talk to him."

Gandalf slowed his steps and then stopped. With a heavy sigh he turned back toward the gateway. "He is dead, Ariedel."

She wasn't going to let the tears take control of her again. "I know."

After a moment of silence between them, the Istar slowly made his way back to the newly immortal woman. He gave a single nod. "When I return I will take you."

Without thinking, Ariedel threw her arms around the old wizard.

Legolas gave up walking through the halls. He resigned himself to the fact that he was alone. The Halls of Mandos were a mystery to him. Only one had ever returned to Arda from them…up until the time the aliens attacked. Glorfindel. But he never spoke of his ordeal. Had he also sat in vacant rooms, awaiting his judgment?

"My name is Legolas," he said aloud.

Nothing but his shadow kept him company.

"I am son of Thranduil and Alfirin."

Nothing but his thoughts and memories occupied his time.

"Ariedel is my wife."

His sanity hung by a thread.

"Anwar, Brendan and Elril…my children."

He did not think he could tolerate much more.

"I have committed heinous acts of violence."

…how much longer…

"I am a monster."

…before he could not remember anything…

"I have been condemned."

…of what he was to those he loved…

"Please…no more."

Legolas suddenly felt a shift in the air. He raised his head from the cradle of his arms. His surroundings began to change. The chamber grew brighter and sunlight streamed through large windows. The cheerful sounds of birds filled the silence.

The nerve-wrecked Elf jumped to his feet and rushed to a window. Tears filled his eyes as he took in the breathtaking sight of the rich land beyond. He recognized it and the courtyard just below. He was in Valinor, within the walls of Ilmarin. It was the last place he had been before he…

"Aye, Legolas Thranduilion, tis Ilmarin you see."

Legolas spun around upon hearing the voice. In a corner of the chamber, seated in a golden throne was a man he didn't recognize. His first thought was he was looking at Manwë. But something about this being didn't fit the persona of the great Vala. And then he knew. "You are Mandos."

Mandos inclined his head in response.

"You are here to pass judgment upon me."

"As I have done with countless others," replied the Doomsman.

Legolas lowered his gaze and swallowed. His thoughts ran rampant. What was expected of him? What protocol was he to follow? He stepped away from the window and approached the Vala. When he stood several feet away, he dropped to one knee and bowed his head. "I am not worthy."

Mandos raised his eyebrows. "Not worthy of what?"

"Of life."

"Tell me why you draw such a conclusion."

Legolas raised his head to gaze at the Mandos. "Surely the great Doomsman has seen all I have done throughout my living days."

"What of it? Aye, malevolent deeds you have committed in your lifetime, yet you are still adored by those closest to you."

"They are blinded by their adoration. They do not see the monster within me."

"The beast has been cast aside. You are free of its hold upon your physical body."

"Tis another beast I speak of." When Mandos burst into a hearty laugh, Legolas drew his brows together in anger. "There is no humor in what I have committed. I have killed…for no reason. Senseless and brutal."

As his laughter died down, Mandos stood up and walked around the still genuflecting Elf. "Surely you must have a sense of right or wrong."

Still angered, Legolas stood up and turned to face the Vala. "Aye, tis the reason I pass judgment upon myself."

Mandos stopped in front of the Elf. "Legolas Thranduilion, you know as well as any the tribulations you have faced. You went into the den of the enemy, forsaking your own life so that others could be spared. You charged head on into the face of doom and accepted the challenge of the beast that threatened to consume you from within. You saved humanity from the hands of a masochistic fiend who could walk the very footsteps of Sauron himself. What crimes have you committed? All I see is sacrifice upon sacrifice upon sacrifice. Aye, you sacrificed yourself. You carried the burden. You prevailed."

Legolas shook his head and turned away. "How can I face my family and friends? They do not understand what I have been through. They will forever judge me and it will breed resentment. Ariedel is better off without me. They all are."

"You truly believe this?"

"I do."

"You know not what your absence feels to them." Mandos waved a hand. "See and hear."

Legolas looked up to see the chamber changing once again. It was still the same chamber, but the furnishings were different and they seemed transparent. He frowned at the sight of a stone altar in the center of the room with someone lying upon it. It took him a moment to realize it was himself. A shimmering aura floated several inches from the still form.

At that very moment a figure stepped into the doorway.

Legolas recognized the old wizard and stepped forward. "Gandalf." When Gandalf stepped aside, he revealed another figure who had been standing behind him. The sight of her sent Legolas's heart pounding. "Ariedel."

"Legolas." Ariedel rushed forward.

Legolas opened his arms to receive her but then she suddenly passed right through him as if he were not there. He quickly turned to find her slowing her steps as she approached the altar and he followed her, moving to stand on the opposite side. His gaze fell upon Mandos standing a short distance away. "She does not see me."

Mandos nodded. "She only sees that which still binds you to her world."

Ariedel tentatively reached a hand toward the aura. It passed through with no resistance and she gently rested it upon his face. A tear slid down her cheek. "Hm, for a second there I thought maybe you'd feel warm." Her lower lip trembled. "But you're cold."

"You promised you would not cry, Ariedel." He didn't expect her to respond and of course she didn't.

"I miss you so much." Ariedel ran her fingers through his choppy hair, then moved down along his chest where she fiddled with a silver clasp on the pale green and silver tunic he wore. A smile forced itself on her lips. "So much has happened since you left. Lord Elrond cured Kira and she's the happiest kid in the universe, not to mention Seth and Wendy. And by the way, you're an uncle again. Wendy had a baby boy. They named him Joseph Elrond. Yeah, goofy isn't it?"

Legolas smiled, his eyes never leaving her face as she spoke.

Ariedel moved her hand to rest on Legolas's at his side. Even though it was cold and lifeless, she still held it. "Anwar is really into Eldarion. I mean, you should see them together." She leaned closer toward his ear. "I think he might have kissed her because she keeps blushing everytime she finds me watching them."

Legolas's jaw dropped open.

Ariedel smiled as the tears continued to slide down her cheeks. "I'm sure you'd be throwing a lethal fit right now if you knew that was going on under your nose."

"Prince of Gondor or not, I would string him up by his heels and drag him from the back of my horse!" Then Legolas remembered Mandos was watching him and sighed. "Sorry."

The Doomsman shrugged indifferently.

"Brendan is actually behaving himself, believe it or not," Ariedel continued, her hand still resting on his. "He's really grown attached to the twins. They're like three peas in a pod. Arwen told me she would take along her brothers when they return to Gondor and that it would please her immensely if we visited more often."

"Gondor is not so far," volunteered Legolas, even though he knew Ariedel couldn't hear him. He glanced up at Gandalf and noticed the old wizard making eye contact with him. "Can Gandalf see me?"

Gandalf inclined his head in response.

Legolas was only mildly surprised by it, afterall Gandalf was a Maia, a servant of the Valar and would have abilities no other being would have. "How long have I been gone?" he asked him.

"Six months," whispered Gandalf.

Ariedel raised her head and turned to Gandalf. "What did you say?"

"Nothing, I was merely mumbling to myself." Then he turned his gaze back to Legolas.

Legolas looked at his body lying on the altar and then quickly walked up to Gandalf. "Six months? It has not decomposed?"

"Tis in a state of suspension." Gandalf casually covered his mouth with a hand as he whispered so Ariedel wouldn't hear. "And fully restored. It awaits your return."

"With Burbank in control of the Company," continued Ariedel, "he's making sure no one ever conducts live research again. This was all your doing, Legolas. If you hadn't gotten involved, Pennington would still be out there using live people. The universe owes you. Everyone in Arda owes you. The Valar owe you. Can't you see that? I especially owe you."

Legolas walked up to Ariedel and stood beside her. "I am not worthy of anyone's gratitude, much less yours. I have failed you."

"What is this failure you speak of?" Gandalf questioned aloud.

Ariedel turned to Gandalf and saw him step forward, his eyes focused on something she couldn't see.

"I must live with what I have done," replied Legolas. "And I cannot say I am proud of all I accomplished."

"No one asks for you to be proud," said Gandalf. "We have all done things we are not proud of, including myself. Would you want those memories erased from you forever?"

"Aye, erase them all!"

Ariedel approached Gandalf. "Who're you talking to?"

Gandalf ignored Ariedel and continued to address Legolas. "We are what out memories make us. To erase them would be to erase your identity, everything that you are. No one wants that."

"I want it!" yelled Legolas. "I want it all gone! From the moment I first set eyes upon those vile creatures!"

Mandos took a step forward. "For that to be so, then you would lose all the good you have accomplished."

"What good have I accomplished? I have accomplished nothing."

"Gandalf, what's going on?" Ariedel desperately asked.

Mandos shook his head. "Care you not for your wife? Have you not accomplished a life with her and your children? Would you want all of that to be erased?"

Legolas frowned and looked away as he shook his head. Then he watched as Ariedel began looking around the chamber.

"He's here, isn't he?" she asked no one in particular. "Legolas! What're you doing?" She turned to Gandalf. "Why won't he come back?"

Mandos placed a hand on Legolas's shoulder. "Your family needs you, Legolas Thranduilion. You must return to them."

"Legolas, please…" cried Ariedel. "I love you. Please come back to me."

Legolas shook his head. "How could she possibly still love me after all that's happened?"

"How could she not?" replied Mandos.

"But where will I find the strength to live with myself?"

Gandalf approached Legolas with a smile. "Day by day you will find it in those that love you."

Ariedel wasn't sure what was happening. But Gandalf was speaking to someone she couldn't see and the way he spoke made her think it was Legolas. Gandalf mentioned failure and pride and erasing memories. Was Legolas feeling guilt? She couldn't believe he would feel guilty about what he did. She found no fault in his actions. Every unselfish thing had been done for Arda…for all of humanity…for his children…for her.

"Legolas, you have to come back to us," she cried out to the one she couldn't see. "Please…I can't live without you."

Suddenly the aura around the lifeless form on the altar evaporated and the body jerked and arched upward.

Legolas took his first breath, a deep gasping breath that filled his deprived lungs with oxygen. Warmth spread through his cold body as blood began to flow into his veins.

Ariedel stared with her mouth open. The cold body of her beloved husband was coming back to life. She started to move toward him, but Gandalf's hand on her shoulder stopped her. And so she patiently waited and watched.

Legolas slowly opened his eyes and continued to breathe in gulps of air. He lifted an arm and raised his hand up, carefully inspecting it. Then he reached up to his face and touched it. He moved his left hand to join the other as he touched his chest. Finally, when his breath began to flow normally, he struggled to sit up, swinging his legs over the side of the altar at the same time. He found Gandalf and Ariedel standing together several feet away.

Gandalf released Ariedel when Legolas slid off the altar.

Ariedel rushed to Legolas's side before he fell over. She couldn't believe he was alive.

Legolas turned to Ariedel as she supported his weakened body. It was obvious it would take some time for him to gain his full strength. Afterall, he had been dead for six months. Six months? Had it been that long? He reached up and placed a hand on Ariedel's face, wiping her tears with a thumb. Her very presence brought strength to him and an overwhelming need that had remained dormant for far too long. He drew her toward him and captured her lips in a searing kiss.

It was full of love and passion, a lifetime of unfulfilled desire. From her lips flowed the strength he needed. Without her he was nothing and she was nothing without him.

When Legolas finally released her, Ariedel couldn't take her eyes off of him. The Elven glow that once encompassed him, but faded when he had been transformed, had now returned. She reached up to touch his face, to convince herself that he was truly alive. He felt warm and soft beneath her fingers. His soft sapphire eyes no longer contained the lethal coldness of the beast trying to consume him. His brief smile revealed perfectly even teeth…no pointed daggers. And although his hair was still choppy, he was Legolas again. "I was afraid you weren't going to come back."

Legolas sighed. "How could I possibly stay away?" He embraced her tightly and his eyes shifted toward Gandalf who was smiling and nodding in contentment. He was certain now he had done the right thing. Not returning to his family would have killed them and he would have felt far worse than from the guilt of his sins. "I love you," he whispered in Ariedel's ear.

Ariedel pulled back to face him. "I love you, too."

"Come on," he said and started to lead her away. "I want to see the rest of my family."

Ariedel smiled and helped him walk toward the doorway. Then she suddenly stopped and turned to him. "Wait a minute, first I want you to tell me the square root of 534,229."

Legolas stared blankly at her. "I have not the slightest idea."

She smiled again and nodded, realizing all of the advanced intelligence and technology that had been forced into his head was also gone. "I am so happy you couldn't answer that."

Legolas leaned on her for support as they continued out the door. But he glanced over his shoulder at Gandalf and gave him a wink. Only the old wizard would know that a residue of intelligence still remained.

The warmth of the sun felt good on Legolas's skin. As he relished it, he acknowledged those that came to greet him. They were all there. Anwar, Brendan, Elril held by Alfirin, Thranduil, Aragorn, Arwen, Eldarion, Elrond, Elladan, Elrohir, Celeborn, Galadriel, Glorfindel, Erestor, Gimli, Frodo, Bilbo, Freak, Bishop, Zion, Ellie, Lipinski, Kira, Seth and Wendy holding Joseph Elrond, the youngest of the clan. Even Rhovan and Cail, the large white tigers, were there to greet him.

Legolas's doubts quickly vanished as he was surrounded by everyone's love. Then after tears had been shed and wiped, Legolas turned his attention to young Eldarion and pointed an accusing finger. "I would like a word with you."

Eldarion's eyes widened. "Me?" When Legolas took several steps forward, the youngster turned and ran.

Aragorn curiously turned to Ariedel. "What has happened?"

"I'll tell you later," replied Ariedel with a smile.

Legolas didn't have the strength to pursue him and stopped after several more steps. "You cannot hide from me! I know where you live!"

…All in Arda was back to normal…

The End

(End of the Predator Trilogy)