Legolas still remembers when his mother had first started to feel the call of the sea. She was Silvan, her people had abandoned the journey to the West when all that illuminated the world were Elbereth's stars. He still remembers how his father had changed once she was gone to join their kin in the West.
So when he starts to hear the same call upon seeing the sea for the first time, he rejoices as much as his heart cries. He knows he will remain in this land for a time, but he knows his father won't follow him.
