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Who: Legolas & Thranduil
What: Sealonging talk, after Ithilien and nearing time to go.
Where: The Woodland Realm

[The ride from Ithilien to his father's realm long and tiring, but that was not what had Legolas feeling so weary. Ever since the war ended, a heaviness had started to grow in his heart and now it had become almost too much to bear.

Aragorn was gone. Another friend so cruelly taken by the bitterness of mortality. In truth, of his closest friends only Gimli was left... and who could say how much longer.

The greenness of Eyrn Lasgalen's new growth should have been a comfort to him, but it did little to lift his spirits. When he finally passes off his horse and camping gear to a stable hand, he asks that a messenger give word to the king that he has arrived.

In retrospect, he probably should have sent a messenger of his own to tell of his impending arrival. However, between the grief and the longing, his mind often wandered.]

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[The war had ended and the shadow lifted from the forest. Not since the days of his father had the woodland kingdom enjoyed such peace and prosperity, with the trees shades of green, brown and yellow around them.

Thranduil could tell the hearts of his people were truly lightened in these days but the king could not share their joy. The shadows over his own heart and mind were not so easily banished or healed. He saw all too well the restlessness in his son in recent decades but not once had Legolas mentioned departing for the Sea. As long as such desires were not spoken aloud, Thranduil could allow himself to overlook these signs.

He received the messenger that afternoon and sent back word that he wished Legolas to see him at once. Another glass of wine was poured, he only hoped it was the death of his friend that was distracting Legolas this day.]

[When he's allowed, Legolas makes his way to his father's private chambers. It was route he knew well, and his footsteps automatically took him to the doorway without much thought. There he pauses. In the time spent between Ithilien and this very spot he still did not know what to say.

...but he was here now, and the king was waiting. Legolas steps inside, and forces a smile. In greeting his places his hand over his heart and extends it outward.]

It is my joy to see you again, my lord.

[His son had grown up so much, so quickly but there was little Thranduil could not guess about Legolas. He saw that the smile Legolas greeted him was not quite genuine but he gestured for him to come closer as he set down his glass.]

I am pleased to see you safely returned, Legolas.

[Thranduil's gaze is thoughtful as he lets silence fall between them for a moment, the only sounds being the birds in the trees around them.]

Will you tell me what troubles you?

[He had hoped to delay this discussion until they had gone through some of the more common pleasantries - how Ithilien fared, and so forth - but he wasn't about to hide the issue when asked directly. Legolas joins his father where he stands, and hesitates another moment before speaking.]

I am indeed troubled as you have guessed, yet I fear to tell you what it is that weighs up on my heart.

[The smile is lost now. There was no need to keep appearances now that his father had read into him.]

[Thranduil had hoped this moment would never come but here it was. He doesn't turn away though as the smile leaves his son's face.]

Tell me what troubles you, Legolas.

[His tone is soft, his expression neutral in an attempt to keep the pain from his eyes. He knew he had not been the most involved father, nor had he been able to show Legolas love and affection since the death of his beloved queen but the love was always there.]

He doesn't answer at first, hesitation continuing as he tries to find the right words to say. Legolas looks out into the vast caves of his father's realm, letting the sound of the waterfall sooth him a bit.

"It has been some time since the war ended, and peace was brought to Middle-earth once more, yet I fear that peace has not come for me."

He pauses, then goes to the table and pours a glass of wine for himself, hoping his father wouldn't mind that he did not ask permission first. The prince did not reach for wine as often as his father did, but today he would need it.

"It may be that I was more at peace with the world in the days before the enemy fell."

Which was a horrible thing to say, he felt, but in some way true. He looks downward at the glass of wine he'd just poured, somewhat ashamed.

Thranduil didn't stop Legolas from helping himself to some of the wine though it was not a good sign. His son was more than capable of handling his liquor but rarely did he see Legolas with a glass of wine in his hand.

His eyes widened at mention of the Enemy, a shadow passing over his expression. "I hope to never hear those words from you again."

He turned away then, he knew Legolas truly didn't desire the return of the dark lord but even such a thought was unpleasant to say the least so shortly after that shadow had departed the forest.

"I understand you desire for adventure, your place was not to stay in the woods forever. Even when you were young I saw the restlessness but I had hoped it would have left you by now."

A father's foolish hope, perhaps, but there it was.

[That was not what he had meant at all. Legolas sighs.]

I do not mean to say I wish the enemy to return... only that war has changed me in ways that cannot be undone.

[Here he pauses, finally taking a sip of wine. His words were true, but perhaps a bit harshly said. It wadn't out of any anger towards his father for the misunferstanding, but rather a frustration within himself. Legolas wanted to stay in Middle-earth and enjoy the greeness of it. He wanted to continue restoing Ithilien and to watch the forest of his homeland grow greener with each passing year... However, it just was not meant to be. His mind wandered west more and more each day now.]

...I am indeed restless father, but it is not adventure I seek. Only peace.

[A pause, and then he turns to look at his father seriously with sorrowful eyes.]

I have had a ship built in Ithilien. I fear what I seek cannot be found in Middle-earth.

Edited 2015-02-23 03:07 (UTC)

[Thranduil feels as if Legolas had struck him. He feels the pain in his heart blossom in his chest and for a moment it robs him of breath for a few moments. He can't look at Legolas as he attempts to regain control of his emotions.]

Would you depart at once?

[Thranduil's voice is not as controlled it normally is but he is losing his son once more.]

[He knows it hurts his father, but there was nothing else that could be done. Even if Legolas could endure more centuries of the longing itself, there was still too great a sorrow. His choice was made for him.]

Soon. Perhaps a fortnight. I have already long delayed. If I linger much longer I fear...

[There's a deep breath and a long pause before the prince reaches up to open a few clasps on his shirt so that it hung half open. His back is to his father at first.]

I do not wish to show you my secret, yet you should know why I must make such haste.

[When he does turn he's bare chested, and holding a hand just over his heart. Eyes fixed to the floor, he slowly lowers his hand. There is a spot where his skin translucent, his sternum, rib cage and beating heart underneath can be seen. If Legolas did not want to fade, he had to leave for the Undying Lands, or be bound to Middle-earth forever in his grief.]

[Thranduil turns back towards Legolas and for a moment, all he could do was stare at his son's beating heart. For a moment he thought the grief would overwhelm him, for the first time his expression is clear- grief and shock written upon his face.

He reached out then to clasp Legolas' hand, as if by holding onto him he may prevent his son from fading away even more and keep him here just a little longer.

He knows what he has to do but the words die on his tongue for a long moment, his strength beginning to fail him.]

Then I would not keep you here, Legolas.

I would much like to stay here a few days, before I return to Ithilien.

[His eyes close and his face tightens as if in pain. The king's expression was hard to look at, as it was only shown in times of true sorrow. Legolas is quiet for a very long time. After a while he lets go of his father's hand and re-fastens the clasps on his shirt, hiding the mark of his fading once more.]

...Forgive me for my weakness.

Edited 2015-02-27 22:58 (UTC)

Of course. I shall have preparations made for your departure in a week's time.

[Thranduil attempts to pull himself under control but he feels as if the grief he had long kept in check over the centuries threatened to spill over. He had lost his father, his wife, and now his son was fading- Thranduil knew Legolas would remain if he so ordered it.

But he wouldn't. He would do what was best for Legolas no matter what the personal cost.]

[That would be enough, he thought. The fading was progressing slowly, but he didn't want to risk staying too long, either. Gimli should already be in Ithilien by then, and together they would take the ship. That part - about his travel companion - he wouldn't be telling his father. There was no need to start an argument when there was so little time left together.]

Shall we go hunting tomorrow, father? As we once did, when I was young?

[It was an impulsive question, one that he hadn't expected himself to ask. It had been a long time though since the realm was safe enough to go on casual hunts within it.]

It would lighten my heart to see how green our wood has become once more.

[It had been such a long time since they had had the chance to go hunting. It had been one of the few things that gave them common ground after the death of his queen. But then the rot had spread and then the forest became overrun with spiders.]

I would like that, Legolas.

[At least Legolas would be able to see the green wood one last time in all its renewed glory before he departed for good.]

The last of the spiders have been driven out, we will be able to hunt as we once did.

Long years have I spent trying to clear the spiders from this forest. I am glad to hear they are gone.

[And a small smile does grace his lips then, as he thinks of his home as it once was in his youth. The wildlife had most likely returned and flourished by now. Legolas had seen trails of deer on his way here, after all.

He drains the what was left in his wineglass. He was getting tired now, though. The fading took a lot out of him, but he would keep that from his father for now.]

I wish to rest for a time, if you will allow. The journey here was long.

[Once Legolas drained his wine, Thranduil reached out to take the glass from him, almost gently.]

I shall make preparations for the hunt tomorrow.

[Legolas doesn't need to tell him anything but Thranduil has an idea. The wineglass is set upon a nearby table, someone else would pick it up for him later.]

Rest now, when you are rested we will depart.

Thank you. I will look forward to our hunt.

[His small smile is genuine as he nods once to his father before he leaves. His room was still kept in order all these years, he found. Fondly he touches a green curtain, and eyes a shelf with books and trinkets. He might take some of them with him when he goes. He changes into a soft gown before finding the lounge and falling into a deep sleep of men.]

[There is no rest for Thranduil. He gives orders for preparations to be made for the hunt and for his son's departure, as much as it pains him to do so.

But the next day, the king is prepared to venture out with his son. Instead of heavy robes, Thranduil wears clothes more suited to hunting instead along with his bow and arrows. When Legolas comes out, he can't stop himself from looking to see if Legolas had faded anymore during the night but he is still there, still solid.]

I trust you were able to rest well during the night.

[It had been a long time since Legolas had seen his father in something other than his usual extravagant robes or armor. The prince himself is wearing one of his older leather jerkins, and armed with the Longbow of the Galadhrim.

He is indeed solid by all appearances. The faded area was still hidden, even though Legolas could himself could feel the numbness of it.]

I did rest well. It is good to be home for a time.

[Legolas looks over at the stable hands saddling the horses and readying a wagon for the hunting party.]

Have the quail returned to the south west?

They have, not not in great numbers as before. [Thranduil said though he mostly learned of these things through scouts. He had only seen a bit of the recovering forest for himself so far but now he would be able to venture out as he had once before.

The horses were lead over for both of them, the forest was already filling with light of the morning on the green leaves.]

[Well, he couldn't expect such a quick recovery. Not after the years of tainted forest and then having it in ashes for a time. ]

More will come in time. For now I feel two or four can be lost.

[Of course, they didn't hunt entirely for sport. Their game would be eaten tonight and perhaps tomorrow if luck was with them. Their feathers would be used for fletching. Legolas mounts his horse, a white mare, and lets his father take lead while the hunting party trailed behind them both.]

[Despite the circumstances of his son's looming departure, this was a lovely day. There was finally the sounds of birds which had long been absent, the horses running through the green branches of the trees now standing tall above them.

Thranduil holds up a hand for them to slow and come to a stop as a deer is spotted caught staring at them with ears perked up.]

[ Legolas also spots the deer and comes to a stop. It was a fairly easy shot, one that wouldn't be much of a challenge for him. As rank demanded, however, the king was entitled to the first shot. He nods to his father and waits. If they took in a stag or two, the extra meat could be sent to the kitchens.

The green forest around them makes the prince somewhat nostalgic, and he almost feels too tall. The woodland realm had become Mirkwood before he had reached adulthood, after all.]

[Even though it had been many years since he had used a bow and arrow, Thranduil doesn't hesitate to notch the arrow. There is no fumbling and the shot hits the deer in the flank as it turns away from them.

It's not as to the mark as he had been hoping for but it had been a great deal of time.]

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whoops my bad i broke format

no worries!

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Skip to hunting?

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