gwador | (no subject)

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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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[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.]

[The animal is wounded and therefor not as quick as it would usually be. Legolas was a better shot than his father, having used a bow extensively for most of his life. The prince stays put on his horse even though the deer was getting far from them, and shoots quickly.

There's small sharp intake of breath just after the arrow is released that he hopes his father doesn't notice, but the deer drops as it's spinal cord is severed at the back of the neck.]

We will have a fine meal tonight, and much to share with the kitchen as well.

[Legolas is a subtle shade paler than he was before. Perhaps imperceptible except to those who truly knew him well. Still, he looks satisfied and as if he is enjoying himself.]

[Thranduil heard the intake of breath, turning slightly towards Legolas. But he doesn't comment on how Legolas has paled in just that moment before urging his horse onward toward the deer.]

An impressive shot. Perhaps we shall have enough for a feast this evening.

[He didn't dismount as a marchwarden gathered the deer up carefully to take it back. It would be cleaned and prepared by the kitchens while they were hunting.]

[When the fallen deer is cleared from the road and safely onto one of the carts, Legolas urges his horse forward at an easy pace.]

I would like that if we manage to take back enough game.

[For Legolas it was a fairly easy shot, but he wasn't about to say that when his father had made a poorer one. The king was far superior in swordsmanship, after all, but that - combined with their natural talent - was the difference between growing up among The Silvan or Sindar. Sometimes he wondered what his life would have been like if Doriath had not fallen.]

You do not speak often of your days in Doriath, Father. Was the forest there much like this one?

[A pause, and then quickly added;]

Forgive me if I should not ask...

Edited 2015-03-08 17:13 (UTC)

[Thranduil looked surprised at that, turning to look at his son. Legolas had never asked about Doriath before and there was a moment as the king looked thoughtful.]

The forests of Doriath were far more vast. The trees grew up taller- underneath them was as if stepping into the night. I was younger than you when I roamed underneath those trees, often with your grandfather, but the forest was truly beautiful. Full of light and music.

[A small smile appeared on Thranduil's lips, he had had a good life in Doriath before its fall. He remembered running after his father as Legolas had once done with him when he was little, laughing. So carefree.]

These forests are a faded reflection of the glory of Doriath when it was protected by Melian. Before the dwarves killed the king and sacked the city, before the sons of Feanor returned once more.

I would have liked to have seen it, though I will always hold this forest near to my heart. I have seen many forests since my travels began. The Mallorn of Lorien were a wonder to behold, and Fangorn was so ancient that I could nearly feel the beginnings of Arda... yet I feel none will compare in my memory to this wood in my youth.

[It was hard to imagine losing his homeland forever as his father had experienced. Even when it was tainted and sickly, and later burned to the ground, the Woodland Realm was still there in land, and new trees had sprouted from it... Still, that was a sad subject, and one he felt his father should not have to recount.]

I will not ask about the ill times that followed. It is a good and bright day today, and I would not want your memory of this hunt to be clouded by sorrow.

[...Except it probably would be, at least a little. This was their last hunt together in this forest, and the last days they would be together until his father also sailed... That is, if he felt inclined to. Legolas frowns a little at the thought, but doesn't speak of it.]

[There was no going back to Doriath, to the forest of his childhood. Those memories only lingered in his mind- darting between those vast trees as he ran ahead of his father. Doriath was underneath water now, there was no going back.

Just as there would be no going back fro Legolas. Thranduil nodded, there was a shadow that lingered but they had this time. He would not see it overcast.]

You will always have it in your memories, Legolas. Even after centuries, you could close your eyes and even for a moment you'll be here once more.

What you say is true, though there are some things that have escaped my memory.

[The prince did not remember his mother, being so young when she was taken from them. He wondered if she would be reembodied in Aman, and if so was she there waiting? How would he know her? However, it was a topic he would not broach himself.]

There will be new memories, also, in the Undying lands.

[The words are spoken a touch fondly - true sealonging coming through in his tone. His life didn't end there, he wanted to remind his father. He would live out all the days of Arda. He's quiet a long moment, then;]

...Will you follow after me, one day?

[Thranduil bowed his head. He would have gone with Legolas if he could. His father, perhaps his mother, and his wife were no doubt there waiting for him to arrive. He longed to be reunited with them and if it was with his son, it would truly lift the grief from his heart.]

One day. My place is here with our people until the day that they decide to depart.

[He was a king, he could not allow himself to be so selfish in his desires.]

I cannot keep you from sailing and I would not do so as your heart desires it. There you may meet your grandfather, Oropher. He was a mighty warrior in his time, he will look after you while I am unable to.

[He knew that his father would stay for the kingdom - that's why he phrased it the way he did; one day. One day, perhaps ages had gone by, the last of their people would either leave it, or fade into the forest around them. Legolas had only wanted to know if his father would indeed sail, or stay bound to the wood he so loved. It was a relief to know that even though they parted now, in time they would meet again.

He smiles a little at the mention of Oropher.]

I look forward to our meeting, if he has been released from the Halls. Though in the Blessed Realm I will not need to be looked after. There is no sorrow there.

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