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[arrowpoint]

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.]

Comments

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[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.

[seenthefire]

[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.

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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.

[seenthefire]

[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.

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[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.

[seenthefire]

[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.

apologies for the lateness

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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?

no worries!

[seenthefire]

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.

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

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[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.]

hmm maybe just before his departure?

[seenthefire]

[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.]

sounds good :3

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[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.

[seenthefire]

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.

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[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.

[seenthefire]

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.

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[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.]

[seenthefire]

[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.]

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[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.

[seenthefire]

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.

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[The gesture was one he had not seen in many centuries, and though it made him feel a touch awkward, he could not deny his father. Thankfully the large chamber was mostly empty.

He was too big now to share the seat with his father, so he sits on the step just below.]

I passed the escort party on my here. You have my thanks...

[Legolas removes the small wooden box from a pouch at his belt, opens the lid and looks down at his mother's ring once more. As a child he thought viewing the throne room at his father's side was the most wondrous sight he had ever seen... but this was even more so.]

...and for this also

[seenthefire]

[Thranduil let his hand rest upon his son's head, taking a deep breath. This would be the last time they sat here like this, at least in Middle Earth.]

Of course, they will be ready to depart when you are.

[Thranduil looked down at the ring. he had no regrets giving it to his son but it was the last thing he had of her, there would be nothing left of her here once Legolas departed, aside from memories.]

It belongs to you now. It is my hope you are reunited with her upon your arrival.

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I hope this also.

[He looks over the ring one more time before closing the box and putting it away. The affectionate hand on his head makes him feel like a child again, and he realizes that to his father a child he would always be. It is with that thought in mind that he offers some reassurance.]

...I am sure the sea will return some strength to me, and I will be well again in body and heart when I reach the shore. You need not worry for me.

[seenthefire]

I will always worry for you, Legolas. No matter how old you are, no matter where you will be.

[Even in the Undying Lands, it would be difficult to not have any news of his son's well being. He would have to trust that Legolas was happy and content, regaining his strength.]