Three and twenty days passed ere they reached the Grey Havens. It was a city of splendor, the air filled with the salty tang of the sea but it too had diminished with the passing of the elves. Now, only a remnant of its people remained, for Círdan the shipwright who was the lord of the Grey Havens had gone finally to Valinor with Sam, after Frodo and Gandalf. The last of his people would accompany Legolas in his voyage and so would end the grey elves of the seaport of Middle-earth upon the west coast, and no more would there be ships built that could sail to the Blessed Realm.
The elves greeted them when they arrived and allowed them to rest a bit before moving. Then, the horses of Legolas and Ithildin and Gimli and the elves were unloaded of their burden and given leave to go off into the wild. But Ithildin restrained her horse and did not unload her things from it. None at first noticed. The elves busied themselves with preparations and Gimli and Legolas helped load their belongings and necessities unto the boat. Finally, though, Legolas returned to the shore one last time and noticed, amid the bustle, that Ithildin had done nothing save dismounted from her horse.
"Why do you linger?" he asked. "Had I not seen you, I would have set sail without you."
For a while Ithildin did not answer, but stared off into the distance, away back west and north. Then finally, she turned to Legolas and her eyes were bright with unshed tears.
"I sought for so long," said Ithildin. "Through countless lands beautiful and barren. And finally I have found a place I can call my home: Mirkwood, beautiful and untroubled by the outside world. I thought, perhaps, that I might give up settling in the Green Wood and accompany you into the West as you desired, for I could not bear to part with you. That is, until we met your father. Now, he has left and your people need someone of power, wisdom and above all, love, to govern them and help them in their lives. I cannot hope to rival Thranduil, the great elvenking, but perhaps the love I have for the home of your people might bring some comfort to them."
Then Legolas understood too late what she meant to do. "You mean to go back and remain there," he said.
"Yes," said Ithildin and a lone tear fell down her cheek. She took from her hair, the flower that Legolas had given to her in Rivendell so many years ago and it was still fresh and beautiful. Taking Legolas's hand, she placed it in his palm and then closed his fingers over it.
"But you promised you would follow me wherever I went," said Legolas. "You are my companion, my friend, my soulmate. I cannot imagine living this life or any life without you."
Ithildin smiled sadly. "And yet, for many years, we did just that and so, we can do it again. I do not belong there, Legolas, not the world that you seek beyond the great sea. I have not suffered as you or Frodo or Gandalf have; I have not the right to live in the Blessed Realm. I was not born for so great a gift."
"Then I shall remain here with you," cried Legolas desperately.
"No," said Ithildin. "Your heart belongs, for now and ever, to the sea. We have become sundered, you and I, and have fastened our hearts to two different worlds. Here, on the shores of Middle-earth, we stand upon the line that divides our two worlds and it is here that we must part."
Then she took the hand that clasped the flower and kissed it. "Farewell Legolas. Regret not the day we met, but remember always that sorrow is the golden sun behind the dark cloud and that after the rain, we may feel again its warmth and radiance upon our faces and our hearts."
With that, she let go his hand and climbed atop her faithful steed Rohkeleg, who had been with her since Mirkwood; and without another glance back, she rode off into the darkening day. Legolas watched her until her silhouette disappeared beyond the mountains and hills that were illuminated by the sun behind. Then, he turned back to his ship and Gimli was standing there and many of his friends and they wrapped their arms about him and accompanied him onto the boat. Soon, the anchor was raised, the rope untied and the great ship left the shores of Middle-earth. And from above came a strong wind in their favor, as if some higher power wished to hasten their voyage and so ease the ache in the hearts of the people within.
The streams of the Entwash were soft and quiet as light faded into the fiery rim of the horizon, setting the sun upon yet another day. There was no breeze in the air, but a gentle warmth that touched and guided all that it could reach. Birds sang no more, retiring into their homes for the day. To the north loomed the towering pinnacles of rock, the Misty Mountains, luminous and terrible in their beauty and age. Yet now they were cleansed and wholesome and troubled travelers no more.
Ithildin rode until she reached the Celebrant. Then, following the spring she came once again to Anduin, the great river she had crossed countless times during her journey. Now, she would cross it for the last time. Its waters were cool and fresh, flowing not too quick and not too slow. The pale moon above glistened and surrounding it were stars of color and beauty and the light of the moon intermingled with that of the stars and touched upon the surface of Anduin, turning the river brilliant silver in the evening dusk.
Quickly, Ithildin took down her possessions from Rohkeleg's side freeing him of the weight. "Well, dear friend," she said to the steed, "You are free to go where you please and shall not be troubled by me again. May you find happiness, faithful Rohkeleg." The horse gazed at her sorrowfully, but obeying his mistress to the end, galloped off into the night disappearing behind acres of trees until the sound of his departure could be heard no more.
Then, Ithildin turned back to Anduin with a sigh. Before her, the great river babbled cheerfully, heedless of the pain in her heart. And somewhere beyond the silver water was a beautiful green forest of harmony and peace. Its people were strong and generous and brave. To this forest was her soul chained and her love given, this land that she had finally found to call her home and it reached out to her from beyond, bidding her hurry and return.
"I am coming," said Ithildin.