Disclaimer: LOTR belongs to the creative genius of JRR Tolkien, not me.
Homecoming.
Legolas and Gimli had taken their leave of Aragorn and his companions and after visiting Fangorn together as Gimli had promised, they made their way north and homewards. Their path took them through the forest of Mirkwood, renamed Eryn Lasgalen after the defeat of the evil at Dol Guldur. The closer they approached their final destination, the more eager they were to be reunited with those they had left behind during the time of the Quest.
Legolas was pleased to see the new green leaves just starting to grow on the withered and blackened trees and that the light of the Elves had begun to flourish once more in this part of the forest. There was new life everywhere and the trees, which had fallen silent under the power of the Shadow, now whispered a joyful welcome to the Prince. He, in turn, sang merrily to them all as he and his companion made their way, no longer needing to stay on the Elf path, for the danger was no more. Gimli muttered something under his breath which Legolas did not quite catch, so absorbed was he in his song and the new life all around,
"What was that, friend Gimli," he asked, noting the disgruntled look on the Dwarf's face.
"I said, Must you sing to every tree you encounter? Did you not get your fill of trees when we were in Fangorn?" Legolas knew he was being teased, for Gimli had come to enjoy some of the Elf's songs, not that he would ever admit to it, of course.
"I would sing to every tree in Middle Earth if I had the chance," Legolas replied, his eyes filled with delight at the thought, "In fact, I might just do that." Gimli merely rolled his eyes and grunted,
"I believe you would, but do not expect me to accompany you on such a crazy venture!" Legolas laughed, and returned to his song, filling the woods with the sweet sound of his voice. As they reached the point at which they would go their separate ways, it was as if a cloud had passed across the face of the sun, leaving them in a brief shadow of sadness. They had been together for so long now, they both knew they would miss each other's company. They stopped at the fork in the path and Legolas spoke first,
"Farewell, for now, my friend. We will meet again when we return to Minis Tirith to help with the restoration of the White city."
"So we shall," agreed Gimli. "We have had a great adventure, but I admit that I am anxious to return to see how my folk fared in the War. I fear the news will not be good."
"If your kin wield their axes with the same ferocity and skill as you do, you have nothing to fear, my friend," Legolas said with a reassuring smile. "I shall look forward to hearing the tales of many great battles when next we meet."
"I will be pleased to tell them, but do not think to make Elf songs about the deeds of Dwarfs," Gimli warned, with a smile in his eyes. "Farewell, for now, Master Elf." The Dwarf hoisted his axe over his shoulder and departed without further word. Legolas stood a silent vigil until the sturdy figure of his dearest friend finally disappeared from view.
*****
Thranduil had been informed of his son's return to Eryn Lasgalen and had chosen not to meet him at the gates to the palace, but rather to wait for a private reunion. These past years had been difficult to endure, for he knew that Legolas had been in great danger and he had feared that he would never see his son again. When Thranduil met with Celeborn in the forest on New Year's Eve, his relief had been obvious to all present when he was informed that his son was alive and well. He now stood on his balcony, watching with pride as the much loved Prince of the realm approached slowly, stopping many times to greet his friends or to humbly accept praise for his part in the Fellowship.
Every Wood Elf in Eryn Lasgalen must have come to attend his welcome home banquet tonight. Thranduil thought, looking forward to a night of merrymaking, fine food and wine. It had been far too long since there had been any cause to celebrate.
Legolas finally passed through the gate and made his way into the palace, only now realising how much he had missed his home. With total disregard for princely decorum, he ran through the hallway to his father's study where he knew the King was waiting. With tears of joy and relief in his eyes, Thranduil moved quickly to embrace the son he had been so afraid to lose. Strong, safe arms enveloped Legolas as he placed a kiss on the tear- stained cheek of his beloved father.
"Welcome home, my fine young warrior," Thranduil said, his voice husky with emotion. "I have missed you greatly."
"I have missed you, too, Father. It is good to be home." Legolas replied. "I am sorry that I was unable to be here to help defend our home." he began. He had not failed to notice that there were still battle scars in parts of the city which had been ravaged by the orc attacks and much of the surrounding forest was blackened and charred from the fires.
"There is no need for apology, for your destiny lead you elsewhere," Thranduil replied quietly as he studied his son closely. There was something amiss; he could feel it. "Is all truly well with you, Legolas?" he asked, seeing a shadow of unfulfilled longing in the depths of his son's grey eyes. Legolas did not need to reply, for Thranduil had seen that look many times before. A deep sadness overwhelmed him for he knew that he had lost his son, not in battle, but to the haunting call of the sea.
Homecoming.
Legolas and Gimli had taken their leave of Aragorn and his companions and after visiting Fangorn together as Gimli had promised, they made their way north and homewards. Their path took them through the forest of Mirkwood, renamed Eryn Lasgalen after the defeat of the evil at Dol Guldur. The closer they approached their final destination, the more eager they were to be reunited with those they had left behind during the time of the Quest.
Legolas was pleased to see the new green leaves just starting to grow on the withered and blackened trees and that the light of the Elves had begun to flourish once more in this part of the forest. There was new life everywhere and the trees, which had fallen silent under the power of the Shadow, now whispered a joyful welcome to the Prince. He, in turn, sang merrily to them all as he and his companion made their way, no longer needing to stay on the Elf path, for the danger was no more. Gimli muttered something under his breath which Legolas did not quite catch, so absorbed was he in his song and the new life all around,
"What was that, friend Gimli," he asked, noting the disgruntled look on the Dwarf's face.
"I said, Must you sing to every tree you encounter? Did you not get your fill of trees when we were in Fangorn?" Legolas knew he was being teased, for Gimli had come to enjoy some of the Elf's songs, not that he would ever admit to it, of course.
"I would sing to every tree in Middle Earth if I had the chance," Legolas replied, his eyes filled with delight at the thought, "In fact, I might just do that." Gimli merely rolled his eyes and grunted,
"I believe you would, but do not expect me to accompany you on such a crazy venture!" Legolas laughed, and returned to his song, filling the woods with the sweet sound of his voice. As they reached the point at which they would go their separate ways, it was as if a cloud had passed across the face of the sun, leaving them in a brief shadow of sadness. They had been together for so long now, they both knew they would miss each other's company. They stopped at the fork in the path and Legolas spoke first,
"Farewell, for now, my friend. We will meet again when we return to Minis Tirith to help with the restoration of the White city."
"So we shall," agreed Gimli. "We have had a great adventure, but I admit that I am anxious to return to see how my folk fared in the War. I fear the news will not be good."
"If your kin wield their axes with the same ferocity and skill as you do, you have nothing to fear, my friend," Legolas said with a reassuring smile. "I shall look forward to hearing the tales of many great battles when next we meet."
"I will be pleased to tell them, but do not think to make Elf songs about the deeds of Dwarfs," Gimli warned, with a smile in his eyes. "Farewell, for now, Master Elf." The Dwarf hoisted his axe over his shoulder and departed without further word. Legolas stood a silent vigil until the sturdy figure of his dearest friend finally disappeared from view.
*****
Thranduil had been informed of his son's return to Eryn Lasgalen and had chosen not to meet him at the gates to the palace, but rather to wait for a private reunion. These past years had been difficult to endure, for he knew that Legolas had been in great danger and he had feared that he would never see his son again. When Thranduil met with Celeborn in the forest on New Year's Eve, his relief had been obvious to all present when he was informed that his son was alive and well. He now stood on his balcony, watching with pride as the much loved Prince of the realm approached slowly, stopping many times to greet his friends or to humbly accept praise for his part in the Fellowship.
Every Wood Elf in Eryn Lasgalen must have come to attend his welcome home banquet tonight. Thranduil thought, looking forward to a night of merrymaking, fine food and wine. It had been far too long since there had been any cause to celebrate.
Legolas finally passed through the gate and made his way into the palace, only now realising how much he had missed his home. With total disregard for princely decorum, he ran through the hallway to his father's study where he knew the King was waiting. With tears of joy and relief in his eyes, Thranduil moved quickly to embrace the son he had been so afraid to lose. Strong, safe arms enveloped Legolas as he placed a kiss on the tear- stained cheek of his beloved father.
"Welcome home, my fine young warrior," Thranduil said, his voice husky with emotion. "I have missed you greatly."
"I have missed you, too, Father. It is good to be home." Legolas replied. "I am sorry that I was unable to be here to help defend our home." he began. He had not failed to notice that there were still battle scars in parts of the city which had been ravaged by the orc attacks and much of the surrounding forest was blackened and charred from the fires.
"There is no need for apology, for your destiny lead you elsewhere," Thranduil replied quietly as he studied his son closely. There was something amiss; he could feel it. "Is all truly well with you, Legolas?" he asked, seeing a shadow of unfulfilled longing in the depths of his son's grey eyes. Legolas did not need to reply, for Thranduil had seen that look many times before. A deep sadness overwhelmed him for he knew that he had lost his son, not in battle, but to the haunting call of the sea.