Their journey to Mirkwood was the shortest yet, for now the roads were safe and free and nothing hindered their passage. Throughout this time, Legolas told Ithildin all that he knew of Valinor and sang to her songs of legend of the Valar, who were the Lords of the West, the gods who oversaw all that was done. And Ithildin became enchanted by his words and longed herself to see this place that was like heaven.
They arrived in Mirkwood after journeying for many days and were received warmly by its people. Indeed, the woodland elves were glad to see their prince return though the true reason of their joy lay hidden for a while. The elves took Legolas and Ithildin to Thranduil's palace and Iorkann and many guards were there to meet them. Ithildin gave out and received many warm hugs and delighted once again in the beauty and laughter of Mirkwood.
Though the great forest had been besieged by the enemy and had not been left untouched, it was still splendid green, warm and open and now that the shadow had passed forever, the sun filtered through its high canopy like golden rain and the air was filled with the scent of berries and woodland flowers. Springs babbled and brooks sighed; birds sang and deer galloped and many beautiful things grew in the forest.
But when they reached the palace of Thranduil and crossed through the Iron Gates, the laughter died from Ithildin and she became troubled. A shadow fell over her joy and she was filled with a sense of foreboding. They were taken to the hall of Thranduil and there he welcomed them warmly and hugged his son close, but to Ithildin, he seemed frailer and weaker. Yet, that was impossible, because elves did not age and she did not understand that Thranduil appeared this way because he had been overcome with grief for the loss of his son. Legolas's arrival was indeed a much needed surprise and this was why the woodland elves had been so rejoiced.
Thranduil bade them sit by him in his great hall and tell him all that had happened since the day Legolas had set forth from Mirkwood to Imladris to tell the Council of Elrond the news of Gollum's escape. The tale was long and complicated and many times, Ithildin and Legolas had to take turns explaining various aspects, but Thranduil was enthralled and they continued until at last, as the night drew on, they finished.
"So you have returned, after all these long years, and wish to settle in your home once again," said Thranduil to his son.
"Nay father," said Legolas, "I come to bid you a final farewell. Too greatly have I suffered from this journey, and my loss, I cannot bear to think. I have lost all but one of my friends in our Fellowship and even he is not immortal and will soon pass away in the reckoning of the elves. Therefore, I have determined that I should set sail to the West and seek for the Undying Lands of Valinor that only the elves can find."
Thranduil grew pale and he became like a rock. "Say it is not so," he whispered. "You mean to leave Middle-earth forever?"
"Yes," said Legolas.
And then Thranduil's eyes closed and he lay himself down and his face grew ever paler. "What is wrong?" cried Legolas springing from his seat and he called for help. Soon, Iorkann appeared and with him, other elves and they carried Thranduil to a resting chamber and laid him upon a bed. Then, Legolas bathed his face with a cool cloth until Thranduil came to, but would not speak. Iorkann bade him rest a while now that the initial danger was passed, but to Legolas and Ithildin, he spoke words that were not cheerful.
"Long has your father yearned for you," said Iorkann, "Fearing that you might be wounded or even slain in battle after all these long years you did not return. We received word, at times, that brought tidings of your Fellowship and were somewhat comforted, but Thranduil grew ever weaker, for the loss of his son he could not bear. Your coming to us was as the footsteps of joy ere we learned of your intent. But now Thranduil is weak again and he will never fully heal after what you have told him. He will carry this grief until his heart can bear it no more and he himself surrenders his spirit to Valinor."
Then Legolas and Ithildin were filled with sorrow and knew not what to do and sought the counsel of wise Iorkann. "Celeborn, Lord of Lothlórien took to him the southern regions of our forest as a home for his people after Lady Galadriel passed into the west with Frodo and Mithrandir. But only a remnant of the people of Lórien remains and Celeborn himself has tired of his home. He has made plans to go to Imladris, that is, Rivendell and dwell there with the sons of Elrond, who are all of the kindred of the elves of old left, after Elrond passed also into Valinor. In Imladris lies the last of the elven-havens and there I perceive that your father might find some solace and recover his strength. I can offer no other counsel."
Legolas and Ithildin accepted this reluctantly, though they knew there was no other way. So, they tended to Thranduil and he grew a bit stronger, but the blinders were removed and Legolas perceived that his father was filled with grief and weak. They told him of Iorkann's suggestion and Thranduil chose to follow it, knowing that he could not persuade his son to forsake the Blessed Realm and the sea. Then, news of this reached the woodland elves of Thranduil's kingdom and they were filled with sorrow. They loved Thranduil and had known no other king.
The day came when Thranduil left for Rivendell and with him went some of his servants who could not bear to part with him. But Iorkann remained and most of the elven folk of Thranduil's realm, for though their love for their king was great, their love for their home was greater. Then Legolas and Ithildin made plans to leave and return to Ithilien, where Gimli waited and then on to the Grey Havens, an old seaport where elves dwelt and built great ships about its harbour. The ship of Legolas would already be there, waiting for its masters to draw its anchor and steer it to its destination. So they bade farewell to their friends and made ready to leave. At one point, Ithildin spoke to Iorkann before they left.
"How will you go on without your king?" she asked.
"That I do not know, silver lady," he said. "We are not of a great magical race as the people of Lothlórien and Rivendell. We are simple elves and take pleasure in much the same things as the lesser creatures of this world. Yet, Thranduil was a powerful king and brought glory to his realm and with his passing, much of that glory will fade as indeed it did with the realms of Elrond and Galadriel. Under our king, we were united and prosperous but I fear that without him, our ways of life will change and we shall know little magic ever after. I do not say that we need a ruler, but with Thranduil and Legolas, we were a happy people and our woods were magical in their beauty and splendor."
With these words, Ithildin knew her heart to be true and knew that much that she had felt and seen were about to come to pass. She left Mirkwood with Legolas after many farewells and partings and together, they journeyed back to Ithilien. They did not say much during this journey back and indeed, that was all right, for Legolas was sorrowful and Ithildin had much to ponder. When at last they reached fair Ithilien, Gimli was there and elves that wished also to go to Valinor greeted them. The ship had been built and was now docked at the Grey Havens awaiting them.
Legolas and Ithildin packed their possessions and, climbing atop their faithful horses, they rode with Gimli and the other elves to their destination. This trip was long and wearisome, but the elves were merry and Gimli and Legolas joked often and sang many songs. Ithildin too participated in their jest and the laughter helped to pass the time. Over hill and dale they journeyed, crossing endless streams and fields and plains and the world of the west was revealed to them, a world of old song and legend that had seen the crossing of many people into the uttermost West.