Chapter One
He stood at the helm of the small gray ship, eyes scanning the vast ocean as the salty, damp air blew strands of hair around his angular face. It was unnaturally dark, even the moon seemed to be hiding behind the heavy, dark clouds.
The captain stepped up beside him. "Storm's a brewin, my friend. We are in for a rough night."
Legolas slid his gaze to the man. Tall, dark and strong, Barin had come highly recommended when he had first sought to undertake this journey. "I can feel it, Barin. It is quite unsettling."
The captain simply nodded. The two men stood in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
Legolas cast his eyes to the sliver of moon playing peekaboo with the storm clouds and sighed. He had thought this decision would bring peace to his weary soul. It had not. Still, he held hope that peace would come when he finally reached Valinor.
In the past millenia he'd had many adventures, taken part in many quests. But those paths had shown him more sorrow, suffering and strife than he could stomach any longer.
There had been rays of hope, moments of joy, battles won over the darkness, friends who had become more family than the one he'd been born into. He'd seen bravery, kindness, generosity, self-sacrifice and love. He sighed at the thought of the latter. Many of his friends had found mates, the great love most dreamed of, yet over the centuries he had remained alone. Only Eru knew why.
He ran a hand through his golden locks. "I'm going to try and rest before this storm hits. Wake me. I do not know how much help I will be, but I will do what I can."
Barin nodded again. "Sleep well," he murmured to the retreating elf.
A lone figure stood atop a rocky cliff watching the sails of the ship far in the distance. She offered a prayer of protection to the goddess for those on the vessel. A vicious storm was brewing, the vibrations of it sang through her veins and set her on edge. She stood there, her eyes on those sails until they disappeared over the horizon.