gwador | (no subject)

(no subject)

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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

She loved you more than anything. She will know you even though you were young when she was taken.

[Because the thought of his wife not being reembodied is not something Thranduil cares to think about. He knows what if she was able to depart the Halls, she would choose to have the chance to see him and Legolas once more. It was a selfish desire, he missed her even if he never let it show after her death.

Thranduil was silent for a moment before he set his wine glass down. He gestured for Legolas to stay where he was while he went into his inner chambers to retrieve a small box. It was not something he had ever shown anyone, not even Legolas but tonight, he believed it was time. The box was handed to Legolas carefully before he sat back down, inside was a ring, perfectly fitted with a brilliant bright blue stone in a silver band.]

She will recognize this at least.

[Legolas takes the box when it's given to him, but hesitates to open it. He glances up to his father, as if to ask for further permission before he lifts the lid. When he sees the ring, he doesn't know what to say. This had been hers, hadn't it?

He's quiet for a long time, just looking down at the ring and trying to form an image of who had worn it. Perhaps it is the wine, or the lateness of the hour, but Legolas can feel the early prickling of tears threatening to spill.]

You would allow me to take this with me?

[The words are said with a touch of uncertainty and awe.]

[It's not easy for Thranduil to let go of the one thing he has left that belonged to his late wife. But he preferred for Legolas to take it with him, instead of the box remaining where Thranduil had hidden it out of sight.]

Yes. I should have let you had it sooner, so you would have something of hers.

[The regret is clear in his voice. He had always discouraged Legolas from asking in the past, unable to handle the mention thinking of his past wife. It had been selfish to allow his grief to rob Legolas of those memories but hopefully now he could attempt to remedy that.]

[Legolas looks down at the ring for a moment more before closing the lid and placing the box on a nearby table with a trembling hand.]

You have my deepest thanks.

[He's quiet after that, reaching back in his memory.]

There is perhaps... one thing, I remember. Though I am not certain.

[He begins to hum a tune he had not heard for a long, long time. He doesn't even remember the sound of the voice it belonged to, but the melody had stuck with him.]

[Thranduil was quiet as Leginas hummed, he had not heard that tune in many centuries. He remembered it, it was the same tune that had been sung to soothe upsets and hurts. He had not expected that Legolas would remember the tune.

As Legolas's voice faltered, Thranduil picked up the song with his own voice. He still remembered the words to the song, it was from the days when their people still lived in Doriath, in those ancient woods which lay in the Girdle of Melian. It brought back many memories, he remembered when his wife had sung it to him when he had returned from Mordor even, in an attempt to soothe the pain. It had worked wonders when Legolas would cry, even at such a young age he seemed to had been fascinated with the song.

When the last note faded, Thranduil had to look away, eyes closed for a moment.]

Your mother sang that to you when you were a baby. It would calm you when you cried, when nothing else worked.

[His eyebrows furrow, though there's a small upturn of the lips at that.]

Then I have something. I remember the tune only, though I have not often thought about it.

[It was good to know that something remained. It was almost a relief in fact, that he still held some connection with a mother he didn't know. Legolas says nothing further after that. His father didn't speak often about his queen often, and there was a reason for it. Not wanting to cause his father further sorrow. If the king wanted to say anything further, Legolas would listen, but he also didn't want to press the subject.]

It was always your favorite.

[Thranduil is quiet then. This is the most he's talked about his queen since her death yet oddly, he feels lighter for it and less weighed down in grief.]

I know I did not allow you many memories after her death. I allowed my grief to deny you much.

[What could he say to that? It was true, but he did not want to outright agree. It takes him a moment to find the right words.]

In the past I have been angry with you.

[That was something easily enough guessed, but the prince had never said to his father. ]

There was much I did not understand., and some things are still unknown to me.

[He stands now and walks to the balcony looking put over the main hall.]

But durring the war.. I saw many shades of grief on the faces of those who had survived. I...cannot fault you for wanting to keep that face hidden.

Edited 2015-03-29 03:18 (UTC)

[Thranduil didn't seem surprised by that statement. Even if Legolas had never said as much outright, it was always there in his actions and words throughout the years.

He bowed his head slightly, staying where he is. Legolas has every reason to be upset and angry with him, he had tried to be the best father he could but had not always succeeded.]

You have learned a great deal in your travels, Legolas.

Too much, I fear.

[Legolas lets out a small sigh, and places a hand over his heart where the fading was underneath his tunic. Grief had overtaken him, and he hadn't even suffered the same losses as his father had.]

I do not share in your strength to endure... forgive me.

[Thranduil stood then in one fluid movement. He had not often been able to give much comfort to his son, even after his wife had died.

It seemed as if he could never quite find just the right words to say.]

You have a great strength, Legolas. I admit when I heard that you were before the Black Gates, so near where your grandfather perished, I worried for you yet you survived.

I have never been more proud of you.

[The king's words were unexpected. There were times when Legolas could sense his father's pride in him, with a small nod or gesture... but the words were rarely heard indeed. He cant help but to smile everso slightly.]

I have only done what was needed of me, for the sake of Middle-earth., but I am glad you feel I have done well.

[He pauses here and his smile faulters.]

I did not stand alone that day... but with each passing year time takes the lives of those who fought beside me. I always will remain behind. Aragorn... was a great man.

Edited (i wasnt happy with my phrasing.) 2015-04-02 02:06 (UTC)

[Thranduil did not say it aloud but it needed too, after such a long time. He looked over the hall, it was quiet now though they could hear the faint songs in the distance.

He looked at his son, bowing his head. It was one of the prices of immortality and now Legolas was old enough and experienced enough in the world to learn of this truth. Friends made would fade and die, they would always remain.]

He was indeed. One who will be missed in Middle Earth.

It is said that death is a gift to Men, yet I cannot see how it can be so.

[He sighs and turns back to his father, shaking his head just slightly in confusion.]

How can such a painful thing be a gift?

We live on for ages, Legolas. Our grief is never forgotten, we do not grow old nor do our memories fade with time as theirs do.

[There has been times when Thranduil has envied Men the chance to forget after time. But time gave him no such respite. he could still remember every loss in vivid detail and the pain was still just as sharp.]

Eventually they are able to depart the world and be at rest. We are given no such chance.

[He says nothing at first, looking off to the side in a westward direction.]

...Our rest lies in Aman, and I grow every more weary as years pass.

[He looks back to the king, a hint of pain in his eyes.]

I am so tired, father.

[The pained look blossoms fully as a hand flies up to his chest. The other grabs his father's arm, gripping tightly so as not to fall.]

[Thranduil caught his son into his arms, letting him lean against him. He had often carried Legolas when he was a child and now, it was nothing to pick him up to his arms. His rooms were closer, no one would disturb Legolas there as Thranduil set him on a comfortable bed.

Once Legolas was settled down on the bed, Thranduil sat beside him, brushing his hair out out of his face. No matter how old Legolas was, Thranduil would do his best to take care of him.]

[That his father lifts him is unexpected. He knew the pain would pass shortly... but it doesn't. It lingered this time and Legolas could feel the fading spreading slowly across his chest going farther and deeper than before.

He keeps his eyes closed as his father places him on the bed, his skin growing cool to the touch.]

Forgive me. I fear the time I can stay here grows short.

Rest for now, my son.

[Thranduil passed his hand over Legolas's brow, it was all he could do to attempt to keep his son with him. There was nothing he could though, that was the worst part of the whole matter.]

I will arrange your escort.

[It was a strange feeling to want so badly to sail to the Undying Lands, but also want to remain here in his home land. Legolas knew he would find peace there, but that did not mean he would not miss Middle-earth and those he cared about.

It's another few moments before the pain subsides, and the prince opens his eyes again, looking apologetic.]

You have my thanks.

You have no need to thank me, Legolas.

[Thranduil's hand brushed aside his son's hair gently, as he often had when Legolas was little. This was the last chance he would have to do this for awhile so he would do it while he could.]

Rest now, that is all I ask.

[Legolas nods slightly, then closes his eyes again, this time without a look of pain. He rests then as mortals do; giving in to a true sleep.

It is well passed dawn when he finally wakes and leaves his father's chambers to look for the king. Other Elves seemed quieter than usual; the festivities of the night before now forgotten. They knew their prince was leaving Middle-earth, and soon.]

[The start of a journey usually was a time of celebration and well-wishing but not this time. There would be no feasts, no songs of joy.

It had been difficult for Thranduil to leave his son's side but he had been forced to do so to arrange the escort for his son's journey. The creatures of Sauron had been defeated, the roads made safe as the shadow retreated but he would take no risks with Legolas's safety.

The forest is quiet by the time he was finished, sitting upon the throne with his head bowed.]

[The throne was not a place Legolas had expected to find the king, and so it takes him some time to ask around as to where he was last seen. On the way he checks the stables where horses were being saddled and a wagon was being packed by palace staff with somber faces.

Though Legolas looked forward to the day he set foot on the shore of Aman, it was still a sad thing to leave his home behind.

Finally the prince spots his father upon the throne, and makes his way up the winding path. Seeing him with his head bowed in such a way was heartbreaking, and Legolas almost wants to apologize once more... but he holds back. Being in the throne room has him straightening up and slipping into formalities.]

My lord, I have been looking for you. I did not think to find you here.

Legolas, come. [Thranduil held out an arm. Despite it being his throne room, he sometimes would make exceptions on formality for Legolas to sit beside him. There had been many times when little Legolas had sat on his lap during audiences but he hadn't cared.]

I have just finished making arrangements for your journey. You will have all you need.

(no subject)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

apologies for the lateness

no worries!

<3 ! getting my groove back a little... where to from here, you think?

hmm maybe just before his departure?

sounds good :3

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)