The Gift

[ignoblebard]

Title: The Gift
Rating: Gen
Genre: Vignette, Character study
Summary: Legolas ponders the mortality of his friends

Written for Lord of the Rings Secret Santa 2015 for hogwartsjaguar

Comments

[chaotic_binky]

A lovely, beautifully written, poignant piece. You have captured Legolas' thinking and his feelings, allowing us a glimpse into his thoughts and how he resolves the moments of grief in his life - for in an elf's life they are but moments in a long period of time, but for all that the rawness of grief is no less strong.

[ignoblebard]

Thanks so much, Binky. I'm glad you like this one. If poor Legolas feels this way, imagine how the older Elves feel with all they've seen. I think immortality would be more of a curse than a blessing.

in an elf's life they are but moments in a long period of time, but for all that the rawness of grief is no less strong

Exactly. Very well put.

[engarian]

The part of me that left with him is beyond recall. but I relinquish it gladly in exchange for the joy that lingers in having known him, the gratitude of bearing witness to his life and death, the privilege of safeguarding his memory in my heart.

This tale brought me to tears, thinking about a family member who passed on only last night. It's a hard way to start a year, but your story made it somewhat better and I know I'll continue to walk my own road for as long as possible, enriched by each person I have known who has passed before me.

- Erulisse (one L)

[ignoblebard]

I'm sorry for your loss and thank you for letting me know my story helped you in some small way. A loss is always wrenching but I think is felt more keenly at the turn of the year.

[drummerwench]

Oh my, that's a rather profound meditation on mortality and loss. It's risky for mortals, too, to embark on connections with others, but still better than not risking it. I think you touched some real truths here. Thanks for writing!

[ignoblebard]

Thanks so much drummerwench. I truly appreciate your comments. I liked the prompt when I got it and was hoping I could do something good with it. I agree that the risk of connecting is worth the cost.

[elfscribe5]

This is just gorgeous, Igbee. Thoughtful, poignant and wise.
I especially loved this: It was then I understood that what each loss takes from us is never returned, the spirit is never healed. I reflected on the lives of the Wise, who had lived much longer than myself, seen more heartbreak than I could comprehend, and the burden of immortality was revealed to me in that moment. Those who linger must bear the loss and the memories, the sorrow of what might have been. One must live an Age or more to truly feel that burden but I did not know it then. All I knew is that it hurt deeply, in a way I had never been hurt up to that point in my life.
And the ending was really moving. I'd never thought that elves might view the gift of men as a way to enrich their own appreciation for life. Lovely. Thank you.

[ignoblebard]

Thank you, Elfscribe. I'm really glad you like that passage and the idea that the gift of men enriches the lives of Elves too. I think we all feel that way about the people we've lost. I know I do. Your review is lovely as well and very welcome. I appreciate your comments.