I own nothing recognisable.
Into the Unknown
Prologue
"Land!" Legolas cried from his precarious perch upon the main mast of the small ship he sailed on. "I see land!"
A gruff harrumph was heard from the deck, where Gimli worked the rudder. "Come and be useful, lad!" he shouted upwards, pushing some frizzy white hair out of his face. The wind immediately whipped it back, and the aging Dwarf growled fiercely.
Legolas climbed down quickly, and sprang to the bow. Shading his eyes, he examined the horizon, where he could just make out circling gulls.
Gulls meant the Shore of the Sea. And shore meant land.
And, hopefully, land meant Tol Eresseä, the lonely Isle.
Within minutes, Legolas and Gimli's ship was met by another, smaller boat, driven by oars, on which rode six silver-haired Elves.
"Mae govannen!" one called, a bright smile upon his face. "You have travelled far, strangers of a distant land, and there are those upon the next shore who wait for you." The boat drew closer, and Legolas grasped the bow as it came close enough for the Elves on board to grip the side of Legolas' small ship.
Legolas greeted the Elves, and three of the newcomers clambered aboard the little ship. They introduced themselves as Teleri, named Gílreth, Aëariel, and Argíríl, and the two ellyth laughed merrily as Legolas kissed their hands, and introduced himself.
"Lalaith, Turion and Elmír will take you, across the island and to Aman," Argíríl told Legolas, "it seems this little ship needs only a few hands to travel to the port. I bid you welcome, to the Lands of the West," he added, with a sweeping bow, which made Gimli chuckle appreciatively.
Legolas climbed across to the boat without hesitation, but Gimli wasn't so happy to just up and leave. He refused to budge until the Teleri promised that Gimli and Legolas could come back to the ship to reclaim their possessions, once it was brought around the Isle of Tol Eresseä to Aman itself. Gimli finally accepted the offer of transportation, heavily clambering across the gap, as the boats tossed a little in the gentle waves.
Argíríl and Aëariel waved from the deck of the ship as Elmír took up oars, and Gílreth adjusted the sails. Soon the ship was forgotten, though, as Legolas and Gimli conversed with their new hosts.
Lalaith, true to her name, laughed merrily and often. She was perhaps the most cheerful Elf Legolas had ever met, and she took to Gimli like a moth to flame. Legolas found himself exchanging amused glances with Turion as the Elleth and Dwarf conversed, and soon the five were in the shallows, where tall ships could not go.
Turion encouraged Legolas to look below the water, and what Legolas saw took his breath away. A coral reef grew barely a metre below the surface, and hundreds of colourful fish and anemones swam, waved and fluttered in the current. Beside him, Gimli gasped at the beauty, and Turion explained that Elves sometimes swam in these waters, to see the beauty up close, with glass shields across their eyes to hold out the water.
Soon, the reef came to an end, as Elmír brought the boat towards the shore. Beaching it, the four Elves climbed out dextrously, and Gimli stomped out after them.
"It will be more than a week before Argíríl, Aëariel and Gílreth can bring your ship around the Isle. We can take another ship straight on to Aman, if that is your wish," Turion explained as Lalaith assisted Elmír with the boat's storage further up the beach in a small hut.
Legolas considered, while Gimli brightened at the prospect of heading on without delay, for he had no wish to wait a week here. "Is anyone I know here? On Tol Eresseä, I mean," Legolas asked curiously.
"I would not begin to guess who you might know, Legolas of Ithilien," Turion answered. "For sure none here have heard of the realm of Ithilien, or rather, we had thought it was a settlement of Men."
Legolas chuckled. "Indeed you would not. Ithilien was settled by some of my people after the Ring Bearers left on the Last Ship. Before that I came from Greenwood."
Recognition lit Elmír's eyes as he rejoined the conversation. "I have a friend who once lived there," he said. "Tathar, who lives only a few miles north of this spot."
Legolas then laughed loudly, for he could barely believe his ears. "Tathar!" he laughed. "Dear old Tathar! I have not seen him since Gimli was young."
"You knew Tathar?" Lalaith asked, abandoning her conversation with Gimli.
Legolas grinned. "Tathar was one of my best friends. He and I have saved each other's lives hundreds of times. We parted when I joined the Fellowship – I have not seen him since."
Elmír grinned. "Well then, we go north!"
An hour later, Legolas and Elmír shared stories of getting into trouble with Tathar, when the ellon himself dropped from a tree in their path, laughing and singing, to hug his old friend.
"Tathar!" Legolas greeted him joyously. Tathar responded in his native Silvan dialect, which neither Gimli nor the Teleri could comprehend. A few times during their conversation, both Silvans burst into laughter at one another, after mangling the pronunciation of a word which had been almost forgotten through disuse of the tongue over two hundred years.
To Gimli's eyes, Tathar looked much unlike Legolas, as far as colour was concerned, but the two wood-elves behaved as if they had grown up as brothers. Which, Gimli would discover later, they had. Tathar had bright green eyes and hair the colour of tree bark, and his pale skin seemed to almost shift in hue between to light tan, warm brown and almost murky green, as the light through the gently swaying leaves changed and danced over his skin. Now there's a pureblood wood-elf, Gimli thought. Tathar's skin had none of that strange star-like glow which Legolas possessed, and had acquired none of the gentle sun-kissed tan of the Teleri. Gimli suddenly understood how the Elves of Mirkwood blended into their forest so well as to be nearly invisible.
Soon enough, Tathar and Legolas returned to Sindarin, the language which most in Aman spoke. Gimli had been glad from the first moment they had met the Teleri that he'd worked to become fluent in the Elvish tongue, for it meant he could communicate with everyone here.
Tathar invited the group to his home among the trees, and Gimli was introduced to another elleth, with the gold hair and blue eyes characteristic of the Vanyar. Her name was Sílmariel, and she had moved to Tol Eresseä with Tathar upon her release from the Halls of Mandos.
Sílmariel was a healer of old, Legolas explained to Gimli. "Tathar and I cut our warrior's teeth under her husband's supervision," he said, "and Sílmariel was the Healer of the West Watch. It was she who first captured your father, those many years ago. Her son was like a brother to us, for he was of an age with my younger sister. She was slain during the Battle of Five Armies."
Gimli found himself quite enjoying his time among these strange Elves from beyond the Sea, for the air of peacefulness and lack of danger made for a charming abode.
Dinner was a joyful affair, and Sílmariel enjoyed playing the hostess, a role she somethmes played when friends visited from the much more populous Aman.
"If I may ask, why do you not reside in Aman proper?" Gimli asked their gracious hosts. Tathar grimaced, and Sílmariel sighed. "Tathar had a little disagreement with the Valar. I was vocal in my support of Tathar. We are not welcomed by all in Aman," she explained vaguely. "Some suggested that I had been released by Mandos too early, which could have easily resulted in the alienation of many of the folk of Greenwood who died in the Ring War, for we as a people never had expected to survive the war, and those of us who didn't were quick to accept our fates, unlike the Noldor of old."
Tathar insisted that the group all stay the night, and the next morning they said goodbye to Legolas' childhood friend to sail on to Aman, for neither Legolas nor Gimli wished to tarry overlong.
Elmír kept a boat on the west side of Eresseä, which he led them to, and Lalaith and Turion insisted on escorting Legolas and Gimli the rest of the way to Aman. Turion and Elmír shared the task of rowing, and Lalaith acted as lookout, while Legolas and Gimli marvelled at the beauty of the Sea, for in this strait between Aman and Eresseä many creatures dwelt, from gentle turtles to swift sharks, and many thousands of colourful fish swam to and fro beneath the waves.
Lalaith directed them from her perch on the stern, using the rudder to steer around the larger, slower craft which filled the bay. Eventually, Alqualondë itself came into view, and Legolas was glad, and his heart seemed to melt a bit, and his spirit soared. With a stab of regret, Legolas recognised the passing of his Sea-Longing, for as he gazed upon the distant shore he felt his heart change.
Soon, Legolas realised that the change was his heart beginning to heal, for he felt whole and at peace. Right here, right now, was the right place to be. There were no ifs, buts or maybes. He stood, carefully balancing on the light boat, skipping across the waves, and laid eyes on the most wondrous sight he'd ever laid eyes on.
White shores, the sand glittering in the midday sun, rose from the crashing waves, and further up the beach a small group of people gathered. "I see the Lady Galadriel!" Legolas told Gimli, for he spied her distinctive golden curls from the distance. "With her is Lord Elrond, and - oh!" Legolas' knees buckled, and he fell to the deck of the small boat with a crash. A bright smile suddenly replaced the shocked expression, and Legolas cheered. "My brothers are with them!"
Gimli had never heard of Legolas' brothers in their hundred or so years of acquaintance. "You have brothers?" He asked the Wood-Elf, curiously.
Legolas nodded. "Belegalen died before I was born. He was one of the first to fight the giant spiders of Mirkwood, and was the first to be killed by one. Beside him are Aglorarnor, and Oropher. Aglorarnor was my eldest brother, but he died during the Last Alliance. Oropher, my grandfather, died in the same battle."
Gimli pulled Legolas into a hug, as they sat in the small boat, to comfort him for the loss of family members he'd never known. "Well, laddie, you can meet them now." Gimli's rumbling voice was strangely comforting, and Legolas returned the hug, burying his face in his dearest friend's shoulder.
Soon Legolas regained his composure, and the three Teleri politely refrained from mentioning his bout of tears. When they drew the boat up at the shore, Legolas leapt out into the ankle-deep water and stood before his family, who welcomed him with open arms.
Legolas bowed, and was pulled into hugs from first one, then the others. "Welcome, Thranduilion," the blonde ellon greeted him formally. "I am Oropher," he said simply, and Legolas smiled widely, drinking in the sight of his grandfather.
Oropher appeared a little less imposing in real life than he seemed in the tapestries and paintings adorning the walls of Eryn Lasgalen. His sharply pointed features seemed to reflect the warm sunlight off his pale, luminescent skin. His gold hair shone in the daylight, and his posture and stance spoke of the power and majesty of Doriath of old. The proud Elf wore a large smile as he greeted his unknown grandson, and swept him into a hug.
"I am Legolas Thranduilion," he introduced himself, realising that perhaps his grandfather and brothers did not know his given name.
"This is Aglorarnor Thranduilion," Oropher indicated the elf on his left.
Aglarnor and Oropher were startlingly similar in face, though Aglarnor had Aldariel's brown hair, but they shared Legolas' blue eyes. Both shared Thranduil's strong facial features and prominent cheekbones, and stood tall and proud as they beheld Thranduil's youngest son.
"This young one is Belegalen Thranduilion," Oropher finally introduced the last brother. Belegalen had their mother's green eyes and brown hair, and his face was softer and rounder than his grandfather's or his brothers'. His lips quirked into a smile as he greeted his previously unknown brother. Belegalen was the shorter of the brothers, but he was the more muscled.
Only a few steps away, Gimli had eyes only for the Lady Galadriel. As soon as he got himself out of the boat, he bowed to her, and she bestowed a kiss upon his forehead. Elrond also greeted him, and soon Gimli was introduced to Legolas' family. In his opinion, Oropher looked much like Thranduil, with the bright golden hair and dark eyebrows, and piercing blue eyes. Legolas' brothers looked much alike to the Dwarf, and he only kept them straight if he could see their relative heights.
Legolas greeted Elrond and Galadriel, and was soon introduced to Celebrían, a silver haired beauty who immediately welcomed Legolas into Valinor.
Legolas and Gimli settled into Oropher's household, and Legolas' older brothers took any and every opportunity to spend time with the Dwarf who had surprised so many. Oropher's house was in a part of Valinor away from the High Kings, and over time, many such 'lesser' leaders of Elves had joined their households to Oropher's. Galadriel was one such, for she had no wish to be considered a lesser princess among her brothers and extended family, and found that Oropher felt similarly about the High Kings. Galadriel and Oropher had both ruled mighty Kingdoms, and Oropher's Queen and wife, Nímros, had become great friends with Galadriel during the last hundred years or so.
It came to their attention, two weeks after arriving, that Gimli the Dwarf's presence in the Utter West was causing a stir among the High and Mighty. The messenger, a sprightly young ellon called Elenmir, explained that Manwë and Ulmo had been disagreeing strongly on whether to let Gimli be here, and when Ulmo had opened the Straight Road to the dwarf, Manwë had grown angry and unreasonable. It seemed the Vala was demanding to seethe Dwarf.
Legolas had no intention of letting Manwë hurt his dear friend, with words or with force. So he accompanied Gimli to the Halls of the Valar, but he had no intention of being quiet.
Galadriel, Celeborn, Elrond and Oropher insisted on accompanying Legolas, knowing that they held some sway among the Lords of the West, and Elmir led them quickly and efficiently towards the Halls of the Valar. It was only a week later that Legolas and Gimli prepared to enter the Hall.
Legolas raised his head proudly as he entered the throne room. By his side, his best friend walked, occasionally twitching to reach for the axe which he would usually carry.
The hall was lined with Elves, none of whom Legolas recognised, until he laid eyes on Elrond, Galadriel and Celeborn, who stood together at the left side of the hall. The two thrones were occupied by Varda and Manwë, for this was indeed the hall of the High Lords of the West.
Legolas stopped a few metres before the thrones, and inclined his head in a slight bow, eerily similar, to Manwë's mind, to the grudging bow King Thranduil had once offered to King Thror of Erebor. By his side, the Dwarf offered a deeper, more formal bow.
Manwë stood. His face spoke of unimaginable anger, and Legolas refused to step back, standing his ground as if he were before his father receiving punishment for a particularly explosive prank in childhood. Legolas returned Manwë's determined gaze, and waited for the Lord of the West to speak.
"Whom dost thou think thou art?" he finally exploded, speaking in what sounded to Legolas' ear to be an ancient version of Quenya, "to bring a Dwarf to the Undying Lands, to the very Uttermost West?"
Legolas stood still, looking directly into Manwë's eyes as the Vala demanded an answer.
"I am Legolas of the Woodland Realm, and with me is Gimli son of Gloin," he offered, introducing themselves in the manner they always had, without any titles or specific allegiances mentioned.
Manwë's eyes flashed, not only because Legolas had not truly answered the question, but also because Legolas had spoken in Westron, the tongue common to most folk in Middle Earth.
"Why have you brought a Dwarf verily to the Undying Lands?" the Vala demanded, speaking once more in Quenya, which Gimli, of course, had no hope of understanding.
Legolas placed one hand affectionately on Gimli's shoulder as he answered, once more in Westron. "I bring Gimli here, because my heart could not bear to be parted from every last one of my companions, and because I could no longer refuse the call of the Sea. I bring Gimli here, because Aulë, Mahal the Maker of the Dwarves, deserves to meet his finest achievement, and the greatest of all Dwarves to ever walk Middle Earth. I bring Gimli here because I could not sail a ship on my own, having never any training from the High-Elves or the Sea-Elves. I bring Gimli here because he has been by my side through every horror of the War of the Ring, and every triumph. I bring Gimli here because you gave me no other choice." Legolas' voice got stronger with each word he spoke as he became impassioned.
Manwë spun about in anger at the accusation, pacing for a few moments before returning to the confrontation. "How have I caused you to have no option but to come with the Dwarf?"
Legolas stood his ground, and his language, refusing to switch to Quenya, which not only could Gimli not understand, but Legolas had a severely limited ability to speak, for his own people had spoken Silvan, and Sindarin when they had to converse with foreign Elves, and Westron when they had to converse with foreign races. "You placed the Sea-Longing in my heart, from the moment I first heard the gulls at Pelargir. You received the Last Ship, only four years after the War of the Ring, and with it the Shipwright and all his people. When I made my promise to remain in Arda, with my kith and kin, you neglected to take away my Sea-Longing, though I had no way to reach the West, nor did I want to leave my people and my home.
"At the last, when my dear friend Aragorn passed away, and I went to my kin one last time, you neglected to place the Sea-Longing in the hearts of any of my people, and so there they stay, until the end of Time, in the woodlands they still can truly love. The only friend I had left with the skill in crafts to build a ship, was my dear Gimli. And so toil we did, until we had made a ship which could cross the Sea, but no inexperienced sailor can cross half the world alone. I brought Gimli here because you gave me no other choice."
Manwë spun back to sit on his throne, glowering. Varda placed one hand on his, silently asking him to just accept the Dwarf.
"You asked me who I think I am," Legolas continued when the Valar all were silent. "I am Legolas Greenleaf, of the Woodland Realm. I am Prince of Eryn Lasgalen, for whom the forest was renamed after it was made wholesome again. I am Prince of South Ithilien, who restored health and glory to the forest in the shadow of the Ephel Duath. I am Legolas of the Nine Walkers, who escorted the Ringbearer safely towards Mordor. I am Legolas of the Three Hunters, who tracked Uruk-Hai, unnatural monsters of Saruman, for four days without food or rest until we were assured that our companions were no longer in the hands of the Uruks or the Orcs. I am Legolas, who in every land of Middle-Earth needs no introduction other than my name, for tales of the deeds of the War of the Ring travelled far and wide. I am Legolas, alone of the Elves, to have been taught the secret language of the Dwarves, to know more than a few words of the coveted language. I am Legolas, alone of the Silvan, to be afflicted with the Longing for the Sea. I am Legolas, who repaired the ancient rift between Dwarves and Elves, bringing great peace and prosperity to both peoples in the Fourth Age.
"I am Legolas, who brings a Dwarf before the Valar, to show Aulë the finest example of his people, so that he may look upon his work and be proud. I am Legolas of the Woodland Realm."
In the ensuing silence, Legolas inclined his head in a short bow, then turned away from the thrones, walking calmly through the hall. He turned around to say one last thing before leaving.
"I am Legolas Greenleaf. That is who I think I am. Gimli the Dwarf has as much right to spend his last days here as I, for he has given as much of himself to the greater good as I have."
Legolas left the hall, Gimli hurrying at his side.
A few weeks later, Oropher sent one of his apparently yearly invitations to Tathar and Sílmariel to move into his household. Days later, Sílmariel appeared on the doorstep, having accepted.
Tathar moved in a week later, for he had grown lonely on the Isle.
Legolas was slightly amused to discover that, within the hierarchy of Oropher's House, he actually ranked above his brothers, but still below Oropher himself, Nímros and Galadriel, but equal with Elrond and Celebrían. Gimli had been the one to point the hierarchy out to Legolas, who had found his friend's observation to be spot on. Legolas had many moments of mirth which stemmed from this, and it soon became a game for Legolas to pull rank on his older brothers.
Legolas' heart healed during his time in Oropher's House, and thougheventually his dear friend Gimli passed away, and was buried beside the Halflings, Bilbo, Frodo and Samwise, he eventually became as full of light and laughter as any Elf of Aman. He made many friends in Aman. Lalaith and Turion, in particular, visited often and invited him to sail with them to and from Tol Eresseä regularly.
It was nearly a hundred years after Legolas' arrival that he realised he wanted to leave. He missed his friends and family.
He wanted to go home.