The first time he felt the call to the sea, he heard the great cries of seagulls carry across the wind, yet none could be seen. Passing it off as nought but a trick of the mind, he went back to his business, ignoring the faint feeling of longing left in his heart…...
The second time was much harder to ignore, and the longing did not go away. He heard the sound of waves lapping gently against a shore, and knew that they were calling for him. But he ignored the call for the sake of his friends and remained oblivious to how concerned Aragorn, Gimli, Arwen and even young Eldarion were over "Uncle Legolas'" strange, silent behaviour.
It was only a few more months before the ache in his heart became unbearable. Unable to say goodbye to his friends, he stole away in the dead of night, only to be confronted on the road by a very angry dwarf.
"Just where do you think you're going laddie?" asked Gimli, arms folded across his chest.
"I think you know, mellon nin" replied Legolas wearily. "My heart hurts so badly; I need to be at peace."
"Why in Mahal's name did you not tell me? Or Aragorn?! We were worried to death about you, you know" said the dwarf, his voice rough.
"I am truly sorry my friend, but I couldn't bring myself to hurt either of you with my departure" said Legolas.
"Foolish elf" muttered Gimli. "Think I'd ever let you go anywhere alone. Ha!" A second later he whistled and out of the cover of the trees came a beautiful grey horse with white markings.
"How…" breathed Legolas.
"How did I end up riding the only horse in middle earth that's faster than yours, you mean? Aragorn's been lending her to me for practise. By Durin, it's not easy riding his horse, but when we knew you'd gone tonight he gave me leave to take her to catch up to you and overtake you."
Legolas made a sound of protest but Gimli cut him off.
"Easy lad, I'm not about to drag you back to Gondor. I've already said both of our goodbyes seeing as you 'forgot' before you left. I'm coming with you."
Legolas looked shocked for a moment before he began to protest.
"Gimli, I cannot let you do this! You will never see the halls of your fathers; see your family or kin again!"
"Aye laddie, I know, but it is a choice I firmly accept, and they will do so too. For I cannot bear to be parted from you elf, so even if I have to chase you all the way down to that harbour and then jump on your boat, you shall have to admit you are stuck with me."
A single tear rolled down Legolas' face as he stared at the dwarf who he had named 'elvellon' many years ago. Seconds later, he had him in a tight hug.
"I am glad to be stuck with you, mellon nin" he whispered.
They continued on the road to the white harbour, and although Legolas' heart still ached with longing, it was somehow less painful than before. Twice they encountered lone orc packs of around a dozen or so, and they had great fun engaging in one last contest to see who could bring down the most ("It was my axe that killed it, not your arrow!" "The arrow hit before your stroke fell, it was dead already!").
When they reached the shore, the sun was shining upon the beautiful clear water and the boats stood tall and proud. Legolas set their horses free and with a whispered instruction in elvish, they turned to head home to Gondor.
One smaller boat stood out to them against the others, as though it had been specially designed for the two of them. They decided to board it. Gently, it began to move through the rippling water heading west towards the dazzling sun.
"This is it" breathed Legolas, gripping onto Gimli's shoulder.
"To Valinor" said the dwarf, gripping the elf's hand in reply.