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His mind was too fragile to care anymore what they did with him and so, when Estel had suggested he be taken to stay as a guest to one of Imrahil's grandchildren, situated on the shoreline of Dol Amroth overlooking Belfalas; Legolas had simply nodded. There had been a sliver of a hope then in the small, encouraging smile Estel, no Elessar now had given him before he had turned and left the stone and wood chamber, closing and silently locking the door behind him. The door to his prison but no, the real prison was in his mind and heart.

Time passed and although Estel told him it would be but two days to arrange his relocation, to Legolas it felt as if it were weeks he was left alone to the raging swirls of his own mind. Servants had come and gone with food in those days but he barely touched it, his appetite elsewhere like his mind.

"Mellon nin." He heard a voice from a far somewhere mingled with the sound of crashing waves. "Legolas it is time to leave now." He forced his eyes open to see the blue grey eyes of his ranger friend gazing sorrowfully down at him and he felt anger and felt guilt but he did nothing but simply nod, anything more was too overwhelming. Anything more could only harm again. He stood and followed the King of Gondor from the chamber, his prison, knowing his fate was to only be locked in another.

How long had he been locked deep in the citadel as a keepsake more so than the Elf he was? The city air seemed cleaner than he remembered and the stone brighter, so brighter. Estel bade him ride with him and as they clattered out of the city; he was surprised to see the fields so lush and green. It seemed not so long ago they had been churned up, marred with blood.

"You would not expect it to be the same field from five years prior." Estel commented and he simply nodded. Five years? He could not remember any of this time which had passed. He let his mind simply drift which was an easy thing to do as they rode and as the horse galloped over the land his heart began to stir for it knew it was returning to the sea.

...

Estel had booked into the ever growing settlement of Celos on the western side of the mountains for the eve and now watched as Legolas sat quietly in a chair seemingly to be gazing out the window. His plate of food he had barely touched. It was cruel the fate his dear friend now had to endure and Estel would see him sail but the Elven-King would not and for that Legolas was prisoner here and lost, so lost in his own mind. Estel had tried all he could for his dearest friend and now he had all but lost him to the Sea Longing which tormented and pulled the Elf apart. The Elf he now looked upon was a shadow of the courageous, humorous Woodland warrior he was meant to be. He blamed himself entirely for the warning they did not heed until it was too late and now he was taking desperate measures. Measures, he had begged Thranduil for and eventually the Elven-King had agreed on, in a hope he could ease his friends mind even a little.

It had been Lothiriel, Éomer's wife, who had put the idea into his head. Her brother's daughter had a strange illness no healer could cure and yet the sea helped her. Prince Elphir had built a healing house of sorts for her to live her days on the shore of the sea. Upon meeting with Elphir, he had offered residence to Legolas and Aragorn had accepted. If the Elven Prince was forbidden to cross the sea as his heart wished, then perhaps to live by the sea would ease his suffering? It was all Aragorn could do.

He slept lightly, one metaphorical eye open to ensure Legolas did not attempt to leave but he did not move from the chair he had sat in and Aragorn's heart tore for him. Soon you might have some peace mellon nin.

They rode all through the next day, eventually passing over the Gilrain, and some of the eve until they reached a small farming village and were graciously put up for the night. He had kept his identity secret, wishing nothing to slow their journey although they presented an odd sight on the roads riding astride the one horse. Brego bore them both well and he would turn his faithful horse out for a month in reward for the fast pace he was keeping him too in his haste.

Their third and final day saw Legolas begin to stir and take a little interest in his surroundings. They drew nearer to Dol Amroth but he knew it was the tangy, salty, earthen smell on the breeze which had drawn the Wood-Elf back to the world around him although he did not speak still. He had not spoken in years.

Slowly the great white stone towers of Dol Amroth appeared upon the horizon they rode towards and then it seemed they were there. Aragorn kept a steady hand on Legolas's forearm as he used the map of the city and its surroundings Elphir had sent him with directions and navigated his way through the bustling city. He guided Brego downwards and eventually the hustle of the city streets petered out and Legolas sighed with that longing which reminded Aragorn to watch the Elf did not suddenly leap from the horse and rush in blind madness to the sparkling deep blue and green waters which stretched out before them. The road wound its way down between cliffs where forest grew wildly. They entered beneath it and Aragorn felt infused by the dense greenery. The Elf, an age old child of the woods was not stirred by the trees around him and Aragorn worried. They continued down the path and soon a large, beautifully crafted white stone building appeared through the trees as the ground levelled out. Aragorn realised there was in fact four buildings; housing, a stable, a small training area adjoined to the third building and the fourth seemed to be more housing. Gardens mingled around the buildings, the plants a mixture of what one such as Sam would grow in the Shire and also more exotic plants which were native to the region. And then there was the cove itself, beautiful really and he knew his Elf friend's eyes were solely on those waves, which at that moment, were rolling gently towards the white, sandy beach.

"What do you think Legolas?" He asked but received no reply. "Do you like it?" The Elf seated before him nodded his pale blonde head causing Aragorn to notice it no longer had the lustre it used too, it now seemed as if it were dead. The thought chilled him and pushing it aside, they continued down towards the small settlement.

...

She was incredibly nervous as she sat on a chair before her mirror, slowly dragging a brush through her long blonde hair. It had been two weeks prior her grandfather had come to her asking an important favour. She had listened carefully and politely at first but as he had delved deeper into his story, she had begun to feel deep pity and sadness for the Elf he spoke of. She could not imagine having something take over your mind and it seemed that was the sufferance of this Elf. And then her grandfather had asked if this poor Elf could stay with her. Stay in her secret dwelling her father had built for her to keep her safe, to keep her alive. She had unthinkingly nodded, so touched by his plight but now she had been alerted the Elf and more, so the King of Gondor himself were but moments away and like meeting anyone new, nerves had erupted in her stomach like a flight of butterflies. She paused her brushing a moment to catch her breath and closed her eyes. Today was not such a bad day but it could be a better day. She was certain she could face the King and welcome the guest to her home with grace and eloquence but she was deeply tired. The night before she had had the dream again and consequently awoken unable to breathe, drowning on the inside

"Are you not coming out to greet your King and guests?" The voice of her father sounded from the doorway to her sleep chamber and she opened her eyes.

"Yes I was only brushing my hair first." She replied and he entered the chamber with a concerned frown.

"If you are not up to it today-"

"No I am well enough today." She lifted the brush to finish her hair but her father gently took it from her and completed the task deftly. She quelled the hopeless feeling which threatened her mind and slowly stood, feeling the tension in her back shift.

"You do look lovely." Her father complimented and she smiled.

"Thank you, it is not every day our King visits and entrusts his friend to us." She replied with a smile as they made their way out from her private chambers and along towards the greeting hall at the entrance of her large house.

...

"Elessar, Legolas; this is my granddaughter Calaer." She was surprised by the lack of formalities and hastily curtsied deeply nonetheless and realised the King looked put out by this so instead stood as straight as she could, her tight shoulder muscles protesting.

"It is nice to meet you." She said politely instead and the King nodded but the Elf she was trying to not look too curiously at simply said nothing in fact he did not acknowledge her at all. Instead he looked to be far away.

"And a pleasure to meet you Calaer, Imrahil, your grandfather, has told me much about you and I am in your debt for allowing Legolas to be your guest, I understand you are not used to company as such."

"No my Lord Elessar I am not but I will ensure he is well accommodated." She replied, swallowing back a cough which threatened and purposely looked now to the Elf.

"Lord Legolas would you like me to direct you to your quarters so you may settle?" She asked kindly and lost eyes met hers and after a moment he nodded.

"Legolas has not spoken for the past three years." Her grandfather said very quietly to her and she nodded, shocked.

"Come this way." She motioned to the Elf and he silently followed with the King by his side.

...

He felt disconnected as the young woman, no girl, showed him to his own chambers. They were infused by the scent of the sea like everything here was and they were spacious. Perhaps this would not be a prison after all. He looked towards a window and his heart sank again for the strong, iron bars upon the window. Still a prisoner inside and out.

"I am sorry, your father..." Aragorn said sadly beside him and he simply nodded. He was at the sea and he could hear it, it was not all in his mind, now it was all around him.

"My chamber's windows are the same." The girl spoke to him in a breathy voice. "It will keep bad things out like the Albatross who broke into the kitchen once." She gave him a small smile.

"The entire house is safe to roam for you Legolas." Imrahil explained. He nodded at the voice as he gazed out the barred window. It might be bigger but it was still a prison.

"Would you like to see the rest of the house Lord Legolas?" The girl asked him uncertainly before clearing her throat and he looked at her to see her cheeks colour in embarrassment which did not make any sense yet somewhere through the waves and swirls he sensed although she was sincere she asked more so from trying to be a polite host and he found himself shaking his head and caught relief upon her face.

"Please alert me then if you need anything, I will allow you to settle, your belongings arrived two days past but I asked them to be left packed so you may decide where you wish to put them. They are in your bedchamber through there." She gestured elegantly through a doorway before hastily leaving the chamber.

"Is she well?" He heard Aragorn ask Elphir worriedly and the man gave a sad smile Legolas did not understand.

"She is not so bad today but she tries to hide it. Especially with people she does not know." He gave Legolas an apologetic smile he also did not understand.

"Why don't we get you unpacked Legolas and you can change into fresh clothing." Aragorn suddenly said to him and with a nod he followed the ranger into the spacious bedchamber.

...

Calaer sipped at the cold tincture from her cup, letting it ease away some of the niggling sensations in the back of her throat. The Elf, Legolas, had seemed to fall into himself upon seeing the bars upon the window and Calaer had understood the thoughts behind his eyes; no matter what, this was a prison. The bars, her father had had installed five days prior in preparation for his arrival. A lock-smithy had been three days prior to install stronger, more elaborate locks to all doors and she now wore two keys on a long and fine silver chain about her neck, one specifically to the entrance of her own chambers and one which opened everything else. Her home had been a prison before these changes had taken place however. She could not leave the sea, her very wellbeing was tied to it and so it held her here, it's captive.

She wondered at her Elven guest. He did not speak but it did not bother her, neither did the horses and she spent many a silent, contemplating hour in their presence or spoke to them of dreams and far off places. She supposed an Elf in company might be a little different. She had never met an Elf before so she really did not know what to expect. He did not look well, as if a light had gone out from behind his eyes but he was still fair and he looked quite young, young like she was but she doubted that for Elves could live for thousands of years. What does one do with all that infinite time?

There was a soft knock at her door and she broke from her thoughts and moved to let whoever it was in.

"Are you still okay with all of this?" Her grandfather asked her anxiously and she nodded.

"Yes, I mean it will certainly take some getting used to not being the only occupant of my own house..." She looked at him sadly. "He was so dejected to see those bars."

"I know but it is for his own safety, hopefully the sea air will ease his mind."

"I hope so." She replied and then stifled a cough.

"Calaer do not hide that away for me." She was softly reprimanded. "If you have something to get off your chest..." Discretely she turned to face away from him and coughed three times, clearing her breathing and a comforting hand rested between her shoulders. "How was your morning swim?" He asked conversationally as she re composed herself.

"It was nice; the seals were in the bay again." She replied and a fond smile crept its way onto her lips. "There are two pups with them now."

"I am glad to hear it. Now shall we see the kitchen staff about how dinner is faring?"

"Yes I think that is a good idea." She replied and together they left to walk down corridors to the eastern side of the house where the kitchens were located overlooking the extensive food garden.

"Miss Calaer I am glad you are here!" Her cook exclaimed. She seemed overly flustered as she rushed from bench to oven to wash sinks and Calaer frowned in confusion.

"Why are you so evidently stressed Meril?"

"Because I do not know what that Elf Lord would eat! I do not know what to provide!" She cried out in worry.

"Meril do you perhaps forget Calaer eats as the Elves do?" Her grandfather said calmly and the cook paused and realisation dawned upon her face.

"Oh of course. But what of the King? What shall he eat?"

"The same. He was raised by the Elves for a time. He is a humble man do not stress yourself so." He placated. "Now I thought we could dine at sunset once Calaer's guest has settled accordingly into his surroundings?" Meril glanced outside and gasped.

"Tis only an hour till sundown by those shadows. I'll have everything prepared." She added after a moment

"Thank you Meril." Calaer said gratefully and the cook gave her a smile and then raised an enquiring brow at her.

"Have you eaten since the midday meal Miss Calaer?"

"Oh no, I have not." She realised in shock for her mind had been occupied on the impending arrival of Legolas.

"Here then." A bowl of yoghurt and fresh berries was thrust into her hands followed by a spoon. "Eat up." The cook commanded but there was a fondness to her voice.

"Thank you I will." Calaer replied as she fumbled with her right hand in the hidden pocket in the falls of her light blue dress and finding the small glass bottle there, un-stoppered it with her teeth and shook a small amount of a yellowish powder onto the yoghurt laden spoon before putting the bottle away and then deftly swallowing the medicinal powder with the spoonful of yoghurt.

"That's a good lass." Meril nodded approvingly as Calaer unlocked the door and walked out into the food gardens with her grandfather, feeling sad again for the Elf as she locked the wooden door behind her.

...

"Calaer is a kind soul." Aragorn commented casually as he placed Legolas's bow, quiver and white knives upon a narrow table in the bright study area of his main chamber. "She looks very similar in appearance to Lothiriel save for her lighter hair." He looked across to Legolas to see the Elf nod. Good he is listening at the very least. "Her mother died in childbirth so it has been Elphir who has raised her with the help of Lothiriel. From what Imrahil has told me, she has dwelt here for the past three years. Elphir had the building of the house underway a year after the war." The year we truly realised your torment. He thought sadly to himself, recalling those dark days as Legolas had fought everything and everyone. He gazed out the window to see it was nearing true sunset. "It is nearly time to go to dinner would you like to change into something that is not so travel worn?" He asked tactfully and Legolas nodded and wandered off on his own accord towards his bedchamber. That is a good sign. Aragorn decided. This may well be his saving grace coming here.

Legolas was unsure what Aragorn had told these people he would be staying with but it seemed they were well prepared for his arrival for when Aragorn and he arrived in the dinning hall, he discovered all the prepared food was to the preferred tastes of an Elf. He took his seat noting Calaer was already seated. The girl gave him a welcoming and friendly smile which he politely returned.

"Thank you for the thoughtfulness of your cook's dishes." Aragorn said gratefully to her as he took the wooden chair beside him and she gave a slight shrug.

"It was not a problem my Lord, this is what I usually eat." Legolas was surprised by this and gazed up at her. His mind seemed clearer since he had arrived and so he found he could focus on her more now. She had to be quite young for there was a youthful innocence about her but her blue eyes were full of some unexplainably attained wisdom. She was beautiful, her features fine and angular but the hollow of her cheekbones seemed to him more from lack of food which made entirely no sense. There was a willow like quality about her for she looked as if she were fragile but there was a quiet strength in her just as the branches of a willow would bend so easily but not break in a breeze. She was watching him curiously back and he gave her a small smile which she returned before a plate of food suddenly appeared before him which Aragorn had filled for him.

"Would you like some wine Legolas?" Imrahil asked him as he unstopped a bottle and he nodded and soon a chalice of red liquid was before him also and he took a small sip as he noticed the girl shake something onto the cooked grain upon her plate and then swallow it. He looked down to his own plate of food. It looked good but he was not hungry. Nonetheless he was a guest and so he made an effort which received him a pleased smile from Aragorn.

"It is good to see you eat mellon nin." He said fondly before turning back to speak with Imrahil and Elphir about Dol Amroth and trade. Legolas tried to listen to the conversation about him but the rush and roaring of salty waves quickly amassed his mind and it was all he could do to remain at the table. Trying to focus on the chalice before him he made to pick it up and missed and a wave of red pooled before him. He looked up apologetically but he did not know who he was meant to look at.

"It is quite alright." He heard a whisper of a voice say from somewhere."

"I think it is best he retires for the eve." Another voice, more familiar." He felt a hand on his arm. "Come Legolas." He felt ashamed and stood but even as he walked away he forgot exactly why as the sea swallowed him whole.

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