Disclaimer: LOTR belongs to the creative genius of JRR Tolkien, not me.
My Friend, My Brother
Chapter 16 The Last Ship
Time passed by in the land of Gondor, sometimes moving as swiftly as the currents in the mighty Anduin River as it flowed to meet its destiny in the sea, and other times moving as slowly as a ripple across the surface of a hidden pool. Legolas was beginning to despise time, for though its measure meant little to an immortal being, each New Year brought his mortal friends closer to their final days. The thought of losing them was the cause of much of his grief, but the joy he had found in their company had been its own reward and he would cherish their memories for all time.
In particular, Legolas was thankful that he had become friends with Imrahil, who had died many years earlier, for the Prince of Dol Amroth had taught him about the sea, and had given him the plans to build the grey ship that would bear the Elf to the Undying Lands when he could no longer resist its call. Legolas had even built a small model of the ship and presented it to Eldarion as a gift. He smiled to himself as he remembered the look of delight on the young Prince's face as he held it up for Aragorn to inspect.
"This is the ship Uncle Legolas is going to build one day. I hope he will let me sail the seas with him, it would be a great adventure!" he exclaimed with childish enthusiasm.
"It is indeed a very nice ship," Aragorn said, taking it in his hands to examine it closer, "but somehow I think you will not be aboard when it sails." It broke his heart to see that its mast bore a small replica of the standard of the King of Eryn Lasgalen, and he quickly turned from his son so that the child would not see the tears in his eyes. Legolas felt his friend's pain and rather than upset Eldarion, he suggested he take the ship and show it to his mother.
"Yes, that is a good idea. I will ask her if it is like the ship in which Grandfather sailed across the sea." Only the sound of small footsteps running down the hall disturbed the tense silence in the room as Legolas waited patiently for Aragorn to speak.
"I thought you had mastered the call of the sea," he said finally, his voice husky with unshed tears, "but it seems that is not the case."
"No. Aragorn, it has never left me, I have just kept it hidden. Each time I hear the cry of the gulls that find their way inland, my heart yearns to follow them back to the sea. The desire to see the beauty of Valinor grows ever stronger, and sometimes I find myself anxious to leave."
"Why, then, do you remain?" Aragorn asked, feeling the soul deep melancholy of his lifelong friend brush across his heart. The haunted look in the grey eyes that usually held the light of the stars was almost too painful to bear.
"For the love of King Elessar," Legolas answered with simple and total honesty, "and to fulfil my promise to visit the White City as long as he lives."
"I do not want to lose you, but if it grieves you to stay, I beg you, do not linger." Aragorn entreated. "Heal your heart and sail to the West knowing that you go with my blessing and my love."
"When it is time." Legolas said, his mood suddenly brightening as he heard the sound of children's laughter coming from the garden below. Eldarion was showing his mother and his sisters how well the little ship could float. "Come, I think the small ship is departing for the other side of the fountain."
******
That had been many years ago now and for some reason this day Legolas felt a need to seek solace in the branches of one of the oldest trees in his favourite part of the woods of Ithilien, which he now called home. Even here he found little comfort, for the trees themselves whispered of sadness. All day long a creeping sense of despair had been casting a shadow over his thoughts, brushing his soul with a feather light touch and he recognised it instantly. "Aragorn!" A feeling of unease urged him to climb to the top of the tree, from where he could just barely see the towers of the White City.
Grief overwhelmed him as he saw that the flags on the towers were lowered, signalling the death of the King. Tears flowed freely as he sang a lament for the passing of his much loved friend, the sweet yet mournful song carried through the forest and the other elves bowed their heads in grief. Aragorn, as he had always been called by them, was well known and loved by the elves of Eryn Lasgalen who had come to live with their Prince. As the last strains of songs left his lips, Legolas climbed down from the tree and made his way back to his city. As soon as he had sent the sad message to Gimli he would ride to Minis Tirith. As he approached the city, the pain in his heart grew deeper, for he knew that this would be the last time he would enter the mithril gates. Making his way quickly to the palace, he was not surprised to see Arwen waiting for him in the hallway. She ran quickly to his open arms. "I knew you would come," she whispered through her tears. "I felt his passing, I had to come." Was his simple reply as they moved to the privacy of the small piece of Rivendell that was her garden. Legolas put his arm around her shoulders as she settled next to him on the stone bench. Comforted by his presence, Arwen rested her head on his chest and they sat in melancholy silence for a few minutes. It was Legolas, who finally spoke, "I must go and make my final farewell." "I know. I will see you in the morning, dear Legolas," she said watching with sadness as the grief-stricken Elf headed for the Silent Street. Upon entering the House of Kings, Legolas was awed by the majesty of the stone chamber; it was a fitting final resting place for a King.
Over the years Aragorn had aged, as all mortals do, the passage of time reflected in increasingly greying hair, and wrinkles of wisdom on the handsome face. As he walked over to Aragorn's resting place, Legolas looked with amazement at the face of the King, no longer old but restored to its former youthfulness by the gift given to the Numenoreans. This was the Aragorn he had met in Mirkwood when he was but a youth, handsome and fearless, even in death.
Legolas reverently touched his hand to his forehead and lips, in the greeting of Men and bent over to place a farewell kiss on the still, cold forehead, whispering the words he had heard used a long time ago, "sleep in peace, King of Gondor. My friend, my brother." Salty, wet tears fell freely, stinging the open wound in his heart. Legolas knew that now it was only a matter of time before he would meet the destiny Galadriel had foreseen for the promise that he had made, to stay in Middle Earth until Aragorn's passing, had been fulfilled. Lovingly he placed the small grey ship next to his friend's still form.
The silence of the night was broken only by the sound of soft tears falling on the stone floor as, illuminated only by an elvish light fading with grief, Legolas stood alone, waiting for the dawn.
The first rays of the morning sun filtered through the slightly open doors, signalling an end to his vigil. The emotional turmoil had exhausted him and Legolas felt in great need of sleep. He returned to Arwen's garden and lay in the soft grass, letting the cool, early morning air wash some of the pain away, allowing him to finally drift into the misty land of Elvish sleep. He awoke later to find the sun high in the sky, its warmth on his face, but he did not feel particularly rested. A fierce longing for the sea had invaded his dreams, and even now he could feel the invisible thread pulling at him. In truth, he was ready to follow the cry of the gulls; he longed to feel the salty wind on his face, to find peace in the beauty of Valinor.
Bidding Arwen a final farewell and passing out of the city gates for the last time, he urged his horse to a gallop and with a final glance backwards, left the world of Men behind and headed for Ithilien.
Gimli was waiting for him when he reached the village. It was obvious that he had been grieving also. "Your message was received with great sorrow at Aglarond, such a sad loss," he said simply. " There is some good news, however," Gimli continued as they walked towards the dock, " I think you will be pleased to know that, despite the best efforts of these elves to delay any further, your ship is now ready to sail."
Legolas almost smiled at this, "That is indeed good news my friend. There is no longer a place for you or I in Middle Earth, our home now lies over the sea. Let us make haste and depart."
" There is no wind for our sails, we shall have to wait for favourable weather," Gimli pointed out. Legolas laughed, the sweet sound was music to Gimli's ears, it had been so long since his friend had been happy.
" Friend Gimli, surely you have been among Elves long enough to know better. This Elven ship sails when WE are ready, do not underestimate our power. We have the favour of the Valar."
So it was that, using the light of the stars to guide their path, the Elves sailed their grey ship down the Anduin to the sea. Legolas stood on the deck letting the salt from the air crystallise on his lips, and the wind ruffle his hair, finally feeling at peace. He allowed himself a last moment of sadness for his friends who belonged to the race of Men, then turned his gaze and his thoughts to Valinor.
No one saw the ship as it sailed by although some claimed to have felt a slight breeze as it passed. Others thought they saw a faint ethereal light moving towards the sea. All anyone knew for certain was that the light of the Elves had left Ithilien forever.
My Friend, My Brother
Chapter 16 The Last Ship
Time passed by in the land of Gondor, sometimes moving as swiftly as the currents in the mighty Anduin River as it flowed to meet its destiny in the sea, and other times moving as slowly as a ripple across the surface of a hidden pool. Legolas was beginning to despise time, for though its measure meant little to an immortal being, each New Year brought his mortal friends closer to their final days. The thought of losing them was the cause of much of his grief, but the joy he had found in their company had been its own reward and he would cherish their memories for all time.
In particular, Legolas was thankful that he had become friends with Imrahil, who had died many years earlier, for the Prince of Dol Amroth had taught him about the sea, and had given him the plans to build the grey ship that would bear the Elf to the Undying Lands when he could no longer resist its call. Legolas had even built a small model of the ship and presented it to Eldarion as a gift. He smiled to himself as he remembered the look of delight on the young Prince's face as he held it up for Aragorn to inspect.
"This is the ship Uncle Legolas is going to build one day. I hope he will let me sail the seas with him, it would be a great adventure!" he exclaimed with childish enthusiasm.
"It is indeed a very nice ship," Aragorn said, taking it in his hands to examine it closer, "but somehow I think you will not be aboard when it sails." It broke his heart to see that its mast bore a small replica of the standard of the King of Eryn Lasgalen, and he quickly turned from his son so that the child would not see the tears in his eyes. Legolas felt his friend's pain and rather than upset Eldarion, he suggested he take the ship and show it to his mother.
"Yes, that is a good idea. I will ask her if it is like the ship in which Grandfather sailed across the sea." Only the sound of small footsteps running down the hall disturbed the tense silence in the room as Legolas waited patiently for Aragorn to speak.
"I thought you had mastered the call of the sea," he said finally, his voice husky with unshed tears, "but it seems that is not the case."
"No. Aragorn, it has never left me, I have just kept it hidden. Each time I hear the cry of the gulls that find their way inland, my heart yearns to follow them back to the sea. The desire to see the beauty of Valinor grows ever stronger, and sometimes I find myself anxious to leave."
"Why, then, do you remain?" Aragorn asked, feeling the soul deep melancholy of his lifelong friend brush across his heart. The haunted look in the grey eyes that usually held the light of the stars was almost too painful to bear.
"For the love of King Elessar," Legolas answered with simple and total honesty, "and to fulfil my promise to visit the White City as long as he lives."
"I do not want to lose you, but if it grieves you to stay, I beg you, do not linger." Aragorn entreated. "Heal your heart and sail to the West knowing that you go with my blessing and my love."
"When it is time." Legolas said, his mood suddenly brightening as he heard the sound of children's laughter coming from the garden below. Eldarion was showing his mother and his sisters how well the little ship could float. "Come, I think the small ship is departing for the other side of the fountain."
******
That had been many years ago now and for some reason this day Legolas felt a need to seek solace in the branches of one of the oldest trees in his favourite part of the woods of Ithilien, which he now called home. Even here he found little comfort, for the trees themselves whispered of sadness. All day long a creeping sense of despair had been casting a shadow over his thoughts, brushing his soul with a feather light touch and he recognised it instantly. "Aragorn!" A feeling of unease urged him to climb to the top of the tree, from where he could just barely see the towers of the White City.
Grief overwhelmed him as he saw that the flags on the towers were lowered, signalling the death of the King. Tears flowed freely as he sang a lament for the passing of his much loved friend, the sweet yet mournful song carried through the forest and the other elves bowed their heads in grief. Aragorn, as he had always been called by them, was well known and loved by the elves of Eryn Lasgalen who had come to live with their Prince. As the last strains of songs left his lips, Legolas climbed down from the tree and made his way back to his city. As soon as he had sent the sad message to Gimli he would ride to Minis Tirith. As he approached the city, the pain in his heart grew deeper, for he knew that this would be the last time he would enter the mithril gates. Making his way quickly to the palace, he was not surprised to see Arwen waiting for him in the hallway. She ran quickly to his open arms. "I knew you would come," she whispered through her tears. "I felt his passing, I had to come." Was his simple reply as they moved to the privacy of the small piece of Rivendell that was her garden. Legolas put his arm around her shoulders as she settled next to him on the stone bench. Comforted by his presence, Arwen rested her head on his chest and they sat in melancholy silence for a few minutes. It was Legolas, who finally spoke, "I must go and make my final farewell." "I know. I will see you in the morning, dear Legolas," she said watching with sadness as the grief-stricken Elf headed for the Silent Street. Upon entering the House of Kings, Legolas was awed by the majesty of the stone chamber; it was a fitting final resting place for a King.
Over the years Aragorn had aged, as all mortals do, the passage of time reflected in increasingly greying hair, and wrinkles of wisdom on the handsome face. As he walked over to Aragorn's resting place, Legolas looked with amazement at the face of the King, no longer old but restored to its former youthfulness by the gift given to the Numenoreans. This was the Aragorn he had met in Mirkwood when he was but a youth, handsome and fearless, even in death.
Legolas reverently touched his hand to his forehead and lips, in the greeting of Men and bent over to place a farewell kiss on the still, cold forehead, whispering the words he had heard used a long time ago, "sleep in peace, King of Gondor. My friend, my brother." Salty, wet tears fell freely, stinging the open wound in his heart. Legolas knew that now it was only a matter of time before he would meet the destiny Galadriel had foreseen for the promise that he had made, to stay in Middle Earth until Aragorn's passing, had been fulfilled. Lovingly he placed the small grey ship next to his friend's still form.
The silence of the night was broken only by the sound of soft tears falling on the stone floor as, illuminated only by an elvish light fading with grief, Legolas stood alone, waiting for the dawn.
The first rays of the morning sun filtered through the slightly open doors, signalling an end to his vigil. The emotional turmoil had exhausted him and Legolas felt in great need of sleep. He returned to Arwen's garden and lay in the soft grass, letting the cool, early morning air wash some of the pain away, allowing him to finally drift into the misty land of Elvish sleep. He awoke later to find the sun high in the sky, its warmth on his face, but he did not feel particularly rested. A fierce longing for the sea had invaded his dreams, and even now he could feel the invisible thread pulling at him. In truth, he was ready to follow the cry of the gulls; he longed to feel the salty wind on his face, to find peace in the beauty of Valinor.
Bidding Arwen a final farewell and passing out of the city gates for the last time, he urged his horse to a gallop and with a final glance backwards, left the world of Men behind and headed for Ithilien.
Gimli was waiting for him when he reached the village. It was obvious that he had been grieving also. "Your message was received with great sorrow at Aglarond, such a sad loss," he said simply. " There is some good news, however," Gimli continued as they walked towards the dock, " I think you will be pleased to know that, despite the best efforts of these elves to delay any further, your ship is now ready to sail."
Legolas almost smiled at this, "That is indeed good news my friend. There is no longer a place for you or I in Middle Earth, our home now lies over the sea. Let us make haste and depart."
" There is no wind for our sails, we shall have to wait for favourable weather," Gimli pointed out. Legolas laughed, the sweet sound was music to Gimli's ears, it had been so long since his friend had been happy.
" Friend Gimli, surely you have been among Elves long enough to know better. This Elven ship sails when WE are ready, do not underestimate our power. We have the favour of the Valar."
So it was that, using the light of the stars to guide their path, the Elves sailed their grey ship down the Anduin to the sea. Legolas stood on the deck letting the salt from the air crystallise on his lips, and the wind ruffle his hair, finally feeling at peace. He allowed himself a last moment of sadness for his friends who belonged to the race of Men, then turned his gaze and his thoughts to Valinor.
No one saw the ship as it sailed by although some claimed to have felt a slight breeze as it passed. Others thought they saw a faint ethereal light moving towards the sea. All anyone knew for certain was that the light of the Elves had left Ithilien forever.