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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

[arrowpoint]

[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.

[arrowpoint]

[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.

[arrowpoint]

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.]