Author's Note: For disclaimer and information on Legolas' family history see part one.

Please read and review. (Responses to reviews at bottom.)

Undying Lands part 2 by Ecri

"Why would we need to go to Bree of all places?" Legolas stared at Aragorn amazed at the suggestion, and never guessing that Aragorn and Aglarelen had concocted this story to keep Legolas from guessing why they traveled West.

Aragorn sighed heavily in feigned exasperation. "You have often claimed you wanted to see me among other Rangers. I am due to meet several in Bree come the new moon. I thought you might like to accompany me."

Legolas looked to Elladan and Elrohir, "Do you often go with him when he plays at being a Ranger?"

Aragorn balked at the elf's choice of words, but Elladan cut him off with a laugh. "Not often, but from time to time. We have hunted orc so often with the Dunedain that they accept us as easily as they accept Estel.

Legolas looked then to Aglarelen. "What say you? Are you up for a trip to Bree?"

Aglarelen made a show of thinking it over. "We will have to send word to Adar."

"He won't be happy."

Aglarelen smiled in direct contrast to his young brother's frown. "Nay, he will not, but we won't be giving him the message."

Legolas laughed. "I like the way you think, brother!" He turned back to his friend. "Very well, Estel! We will go with you on your journey."

**

The trip was proving much more pleasant than Aglarelen had ever expected. The time he spent with his brother and Elrond's sons almost made him forget why he was doing all of this. Almost. The sea longing in any elf was a difficult thing to fight, but in a Wood Elf it was nearly impossible. Noldor elves felt some small bit of the sea longing all their lives, and departed for Valinor only when the longing became too much to bear. But Wood Elves felt not a hint of it until something awakened the longing in them. Once awakened, the purely elvish condition seemed to compensate for the long years of peace the Wood Elves enjoyed by assailing them overwhelmingly with thoughts of sea air and high blue waves. Ai! How often had he sat with Legolas in the trees of Mirkwood, pretending for his brother's sake to feel joy in those branches while secretly his heart cried out for sea and surf!

He dared not think too long on it for the sea longing could easily drive an elf mad. Aglarelen had seen it in those who denied the call for too long. Truly that his brother had vowed to remain in Middle-earth until Estel passed could cost Legolas his sanity if the longing came upon him too long before Estel's end.

Burying thoughts of the sea in the back of his mind, Aglarelen focused his attention on the chattering of Elladan and Elrohir. He heard Legolas and Estel laughing lightly and grinned himself in anticipation of the banter.

"I never thought anything of the kind, Elladan! I was merely trying to be of some help!"

"Help he calls it!" Elladan looked to the sky as though begging Iluvatar for help. "It wasn't at all helpful that you disappeared the moment Ada came in to find me sitting among his herb jars all shattered upon the floor!"

Elrohir laughed recalling their father's shocked expression when he'd seen the mess.

Legolas joined in the laughter then, the image the twins painted being easy enough to imagine, especially for an elf who had managed to be on the wrong side of one of Lord Elrond's lectures on avoiding trouble and injury.

The small group was nearly to Bree, enjoying the walk and in no hurry to mount again as they leisurely led their horses along the road. Aragorn surreptitiously glanced towards Aglarelen wondering when the elf would tell Legolas of the reason for their trip. The plan had been to tell him before they got to Bree and to have Elrond's sons accompany Mirkwood's last prince back to Imladris from there.

Aragorn dropped back slightly, adjusting his gait until he drew apace with the Crown Prince. "You have not told him."

Aglarelen shook his head. "Nay. I have not."

"I was not asking."

Aglarelen did not answer.

"You do recall that I am meeting no Rangers in Bree?" Aragorn did not know how long he could, in good conscience, continue to perpetuate this lie.

"I will tell him tonight. It is justdifficult when he is so happy."

Aragorn knew. Oh how he knew. He'd wondered at it for most of their trip. Legolas was closer to Agalrelen than to any other in his family. He taken neither Oropherin's nor Tarmathlion's leaving at all well. With Aglarelen it would be so much worse. "Do you want us all to be there, or would you rather be alone?"

"Alone. He will take it best if we are alone."

Aragorn grimaced. "Nay. He will take it poorly either way."

**

That evening, the stars shone bright hanging low in the sky. Aragorn sat by the fire, cooking their dinner, while Elladan and Elrohir made a great show of teasing him about his shortcomings as a cook.

Legolas had taken to the trees, bounding up a slight, young beech that would never have held the weight of a human. Aglarelen found him there and joined him, the two sitting and staring at the sky in content, silent companionship.

Aglarelen cast a sidelong glance at his brother. He seemed so happy with the light of the stars and the moon full upon his face, and the slight autumn breeze kissing his face. Legolas closed his eyes for a moment, smiling broadly. Eyes still closed, he whispered to his brother. "Do you hear it? The trees sing beautifully tonight."

Aglarelen laughed softly. "You say nearly that precise thing each and every night, gwanurnin!" (My brother)

Legolas opened his eyes and glanced then at his brother. "You are right, but it is always true."

Aglarelen nodded, blinking away a tear. Though he tried to hide it, Legolas keen eyes did not allow the small deception.

Concern for his brother flooding him, Legolas frowned as he spoke. "Trenar enni neth trasta, gwanurnon." (Tell to me what troubles you, my brother.)

Aglarelen turned to face Legolas, allowing for the first time the sorrow and grief of the sea-longing to touch his features as he did. The sight made Legoals gasp, for without hearing a word Aglarelen intended to say, he had guessed his brother's mind. "Nay. It cannot be."

Legolas words were a whisper so soft that even Aglarelen's sharp elven hearing almost had not heard them.

"My brother, you hear the song of the forest. A different song do I hear! One of wind and wave! Of Sea and surf!" Aglarelen had not intended to cry, but one tear escaped him now to slide slowly down his cheek. It trickled into the corner of his mouth, while, instinctively, he licked his lip. As his tongue tasted the tiny droplet of salt water, his heart twisted in an odd combination of dread and ecstasy. The taste of it brought to mind the sea.

Legolas had moved his hands from where they had been loosely dangling at his knees. Now, he gripped tree branch in each hand in a white-knuckled grip as he willed away the his brother's words.

Aglarelen, put in mind then of Legolas' reaction to Oro and Tarm's announcement, reached a hand across to his brother and rested it lightly on his shoulder.

Legolas did not shrug it away as Aglarelen had feared he might, but he did stiffen slightly. Aglarelen had put this off partly because of the way Legolas had clung to him when Oro and Tarm had departed. Legolas had seemed fearful for months after that each time they talked. If Aglarelen looked even remotely of a serious bent of mind, Legolas would begin to speak all too rapidly of any trivial subject that came to mind.

Not really understanding, he'd asked Legolas about it one night.

His brother had hung his head, a thing he had not done in hundreds of years, as though ashamed of his words, or fearful to admit his thoughts. "It is fear, gwanurnin."

"Fear?" Aglarelen asked, wishing this were to be some sort of jest, but knowing in his heart it was not.

Legolas looked up at him then, and Aglarelen had seen the fear in his eyes. It had drawn him forward a step, reaching out to touch Legolas with deep concern. "Each time your tone grows serious, I think I have guessed your mind. You will tell me how you plan to sail away to the Undying Lands. You will tell me of your sea-longing. You willleave me."

Aglarelen might have expected such words to be spoken in a tone of anguish at a volume loud and accusatory, but that Legolas had spoked softly, his eyes drifting down again until his chin touched his chest, had broken his heart.

Aglarelen had embraced him then. "I am not going. I am not leaving you. Do not say so. Do not even think it! We yet will have days together in Middle-earth!"

Now, here in this tree, Aglarelen had brought his brother's fears to life. "Legolas"

Legolas looked at him, his hands not releasing their death grip on the tree, as Aglarelen realized this could well take all night.

**

Aragorn looked up at the tree that held Legolas and Aglarelen once too often.

"Looking will not tell you what is happening." Elladan lightly cuffed Aragorn in the head drawing his attention back to the fire. "Pay closer attention to the rabbit you are burning and less to the sons of Thranduil."

Aragorn knew his brother had meant the words to distract him, but he could be most single-minded when he wished. "Perhaps I cannot see.or hearwhat they say, but others by this fire can."

Elrohir laughed. "You ask us to eavesdrop!"

"I am forever asking that of elves, but it seems they can never quite understand my interest in things which I cannot hear!" Aragorn gestured to the tree. "Are they well?"

Elladan shook his head. "Whether they are well or not is not a matter for discussion just now." He betrayed his own feelings as he looked towards the tree himself. "Though I do wish I could help."

Aragorn knew the feeling. He hated the thought of his friend's pain, for no matter how Aglarelen broke this news, the result would be the same. Legolas felt things deeply, and his love for his eldest brother was unmatched. Of all his brothers, possibly of all members of his family, Aglarelen meant the most to him.

Aragorn turned to Elladan and Elrohir, a question alive in his eyes, though it had died on his lips.

Elrohir saw it plainly. Guessing what it might be, but wishing to draw Elladan's attention, he nodded solemnly to Aragorn. "Ask your question, Estel."

"How did you"

"How did I know?" Elrohir laughed. "Estel, we have had a share in your upbringing. We have shared home and hearth, and sometimes bed and blanket with you. Think you that we do not recognize the look upon your face when you crave answers you cannot find on your own?"

Elladan moved then to sit next to Elrohir facing Aragorn. "Speak, Estel."

Aragorn looked down briefly, then back at his brothers. "Aglarelen speaks of the sea-longing and how he hid it for his brother's sake. I wondereddo you know which you would choose? Have you thought of the choice of Elros?" He sighed. "Arwen speaks much of it, though I tell her not to. I cannot bear" He cut himself off knowing talking of Arwen's decision to her brothers, for all that they were his, too, was in poor taste. "If the sea-longing came over one of you and not the other, what would you do?"

Elladan and Elrohir exchanged glances, and Aragorn knew they were sharing some silent communication he could not fathom. When he had been very small, it had made him angry, even jealous, that they could do this and he could not. He had wailed and screamed whenever it became apparent that this was what they were doing. That is, until Elrond had sat down with him and explained that his inability to do this was not because he was human, as was so often the case for the mortal child growing up in a realm of Immortal Elves. Elrond had explained that this was a unique communication between twins. That not all elves possessed the ability had somewhat mollified the infant Aragorn had been. He had, however, whispered to Elrond that if there were things he could not do because he was not an elf, and now there were things he could not do because he was not a twin, was there nothing he could do because he was a man?


Elrond had stared at this precocious child he had taken in and had told him in all seriousness. "My son, there are things that you can do that are unique to younot because you are a man, but because you are Estel of Imladris. All of Midle-earth will one day take notice of this man who walks in friendship and love with elves and men alike."


He hadn't understood precisely what his father had meant, but he had allowed himself to be mollified by the words.

Now, as the twins spoke without speaking, he felt only impatience for the result of their conversation, not for the method of communication.

The twins turned to him as one. "First," Elrohir started. "You must understand that neither of us now has the longing."

Elladan nodded. "And you should know that we have discussed such things, though before this moment we have told no one about those discussions."

Aragorn put out a hand to forestall his brothers' words. "If this is too personal, or if you feel I pry, forgive me. I will not think ill of you if you do not answer."

Elladan smiled at his brother, and could not restrain himself from reaching over and mussing his hair fondly, though he knew Aragorn had never liked when he did that. "Oh, Estel! You speak as though you are a stranger asking questions you have no right to ask! This is not so!" He looked then to Elrohir who, while he did not move or speak, gave a palpable impression of agreeing with his brother.

Elladan turned back to Aragorn. "We long ago decided that we could not bear separation. The fate of one will be the fate of both."


Elrohir reached to touch his brother's arm lightly when it seemed he could say no more. "As for the sea-longingall Noldor elves feel some small bit of that all their lives, but do not sail to the West until it becomes unbearable." He smiled at his human brother, so dear to him and so afraid of losing his elven family. "But neither of us has reached that point, yet."

Aragorn smiled, but it turned into a frown. "You say the fate of one is the fate of both, yet you do not say if you have chosen Valinor or Middle-earth."

"No. We did not." Elrohir smiled at Aragorn's look of consternation. "We will tell you. We have decided to go to Valinor. The thought of seeing Naneth again is too overwhelming for either of us to deny"

"Unless?" Aragorn prodded as a feeling of dread overcame him.

This time, Elladan spoke when his brother could not. "Unless one of us is killed. If that were to happen, the other would die of grief."

Aragorn had always suspected that neither of the two would be able to go on if one was killed, yet to hear the words from his brothers made them true, real. "I would take such grief from you if I could." Frustration at what Legolas must now be feeling and at what his brothers had the potential to feel if fate were unkind boiled to the surface. "It is not right! You are immortal, yet you are not! Surely, this should not be so!"

To his surprise Elladan and Elrohir grinned.

He grinned in return in spite of himself. "What?"

"That is not the first time you have said those words." The twins exchanged knowing glances.

Aragorn shook his head. "I do not recall"

"Ahh, that is not surprising! You were but four years old at the time!"

"Four?"

"Aye! You had questions for Ada, and when he answered them" Elladan grinned again. "You were not exactly pleased."

Flashback

Estel looked at his father. He knew the elf was not his actual father, but the tall, regal looking elf had told Estel to call him Ada, which meant father in elvish, so that was what he did. He was a little in awe of the elf, and loved to spend as much time as was permitted in his company. He'd taken to being very quiet hoping he wouldn't be noticed and sent away.

It usually worked.

Today, however, he was puzzled. He had been listening. Listening was something he did quite well, especially when he was trying so hard to be quiet. He would become be mesmerized by the elvish voices, and, even if he did not understand their words, he could not tear himself away from the sound of those voices.

While listening, he had heard a phrase he did not yet understand, and Ada had told him that if there was something he didn't understand he should ask.

Sitting now on the floor of Ada's library playing with a few wood-carved animals his brothers had given him, he decided he did not like not understanding and would not do it any longer. Rising, he walked over to his Ada, who sat at his desk reading and writing in a book. The young human child had learned patience in his time living with the elves, so he stood waiting to be noticed.

Elrond read over the figures again. They would have enough wine to send several barrels to Lothlorien this season. Lord Celeborn had developed a liking for the Imladris blend, and Elrond tried to send some each year. He'd been concerned that this year, because of the poor grape harvest, that there would not be enough, but the fear had been for naught.

As he scribbled a note in his ledger, he felt eyes on him, and almost smiled. Estel had taken to playing in the Library while he worked. The child had grown quite attached to him quite quickly. Gilraen believed it was because he had lost his father before he could truly bond with the man. Elrond was likely the only father Estel would ever be able to remember.

Elrond himself had grown to love the boy more deeply than he'd ever imagined. How, he thought, had he allowed himself to come to care forno, he admonished himself. He would need to be more honest than that! He had come to love this child as he loved his own children. Sometimes he would even forget that Estel could not sail to Valinor. He had thought how much his wife, Celebrian would love him when they met, before it occurred to him that they would not meet. Such thoughts saddened him, so he did not dwell on them. He could not.

Estel now seemed most patient, and Elrond could tell he had a question of special importance. Looking the boy directly in the eye, he spoke. "What is it, Estel?"

The boy wasted no time, now that he'd been given permission to speak. "Ada, I have heard you and some of the others talk about the West and the Undying Lands. What is that? Is it always spring there? Why is everyone both happy and sad when they speak of it?"

Elrond had not expected his four-year-old to ask such things, and he wondered how one could explain Valinor to a such a young child. He pushed back his chair and stood, holding out his arms to the child. Aragorn, excited by the invitation, ran into Elrond's arms. The elf lord scooped up the child and moved towards the balcony, sitting in a large chair that often delighted Estel.

They sat for several minutes, and, when Elrond knew that Estel was through fidgeting, he spoke softy, looking the boy in the eye. "Estel, Sailing to the West, Valinor, the Undying Landsall that means the same thing. You know the differences between elves and men?"


Estel nodded and pointed to his ears.


Elrond smiled. "What else?"

"If I climb a tree like Elladan and Elrohir, I could get hurt. Elves sleep with their eyes open. Elves don't grow old and can't die except in battle." The boy spoke the list as memorized words, but Elrond saw in the child's eyes that he had indeed understood all that he said.

"There is another way an elf can die, Estel."

The child grew still as stone, his eyes wide and full of fear.

Elrond sighed. He did not want to burden so young a boy with so much information, but Elrond firmly believed if they were old enough to ask, they were old enough to hear the answers. "Do not fear it, my son. An elf can die of griefof a broken heart." The lord then explained to his dear son about Valinor and how it eased the grief and saved an elf's life. And that some elves sailed to the west for that reason. He then explained about his wife Celebrian, and, leaving out the details, told Estel that she had sailed to the West.

"I will see her one day when I depart these shores."


Estel's eyes grew big. "You'rel-leaving?"

Elrond shook his head. "Nay, Estel, do not fear. I am bound to Middle-earth for some time to come. I will not sail west for a long time yet."


Appeased, Estel nodded.

Elrond continued then explaining about Valinor, the choices of Elros, carefully leaving out that Estel was descended from him, and of elvish death, Mandos' Hall, and that grief would send an elf either to Valinor or to Mandos.

Estel had grown silent taking it all in. Then his small face creased in worry, fear, frustration, and discontent. "It is not right! You are immortal, yet you are not! I do not like it!"

Elrond smiled. "Do not worry overmuch, my son. I am not leaving you. Your brothers are not leaving you. Do not fear for us, for you give us much joy. Indeed, since your arrival, I have felt more tied to Middle-earth than I have inwell, in a long time."

Estel smiled. "So you're staying because you love me?"

Elrond laughed. "Yes, my son. You could say that!"


Estel threw his small arms around his Ada's neck then, and the two hugged.

End Flashback

"I have no memory of that!" Aragorn insisted.

"That does not mean it didn't happen!" Elrohir laughed. "Ada told us about it the next day. Hehe loves you, you know." He gestured then towards his twin. "So do we."

"I know. I love you both, too."

**

In the beech tree, Legolas had not spoken. Aglarelen had hoped his brother would speak of his grief, but Legolas seemed unable to move.

"Legolasplease, speak to me." Aglarelen pleaded.

Legolas finally looked at his brother, but the sorrow at their impending separation seemed a palpable, living thing. "Aglarelen, you know my heart, or you would have told me of this sooner." He realized that he was the last to know, that likely his brother had told his father before they left Mirkwood, that Lord Elrond knew, that Estel, Elrohir, and Elladan knew.

He cleared his throat and tried again. "You know my heart. I would have you stay. I dare not ask you for fear of your answer." He could speak nor more, so he did not. They sat in the tree silently for hours.

Legolas was beyond devastation. He had feared when Oro and Tarm had left, that Aglarelen might decide to join them. He'd spent weeks keeping a close eye on his eldest brother, distracting him, hoping he was not thinking of the sea. He had not felt relief until months after Oro and Tarm had left. He had even sought his father's advice about the fear in his heart.

Flashback

Legolas could find no comfort, not amongst the trees, not in his room, not in the duties and tasks that usually brought, if not comfort, then at least satisfaction. He could not come to grips with his brothers' decision to leave Middle-earth. The sea-longing, though he had often seen its effects, still remained a mystery to him. He had not felt it himself, and could not imagine how it could turn a Woodland elf from tree and bough to surf and sea.

He had thought to speak to Aglarelen about it, but lately he feared hie eldest brother would leave as well, and so had not wished to speak to him of the very thing that could drive Aglarelen from his side.

That left only one other to whom he could go to seek comfort and answers.

He had waited all day lingering outside his father's private chamber. It was unusual enough to find Legolas indoors during the day, but to find him hovering by his father's chambers, which were by far the furthest from any windows and deepest of the Royal Rooms, had left the household staff more than slightly concerned.

Word had gotten back to Thranduil then a good few hours before the normal end of his day at court, causing the elf King to postpone all less than urgent matters until the following day. If his youngest son had need to speak to him, and hovered by his private rooms, it was not a matter of state that concerned him, but a matter of personal issue.

The King forced himself to walk slowly, as though he had no idea his son waited for him. Upon turning the corner, he'd expected to find Legolas standing, if not pacing by his door. What he saw instead erased any doubt about what this unscheduled meeting concerned.


Legolas sat, his back against the wall, his legs drawn up tight to his chest, and his head buried among knees and arms. Thranduil was at his side in an instant. Placing a hand on his son's shoulder. Legolas looked up then, and Thranduil's breath caught in his throat.

Legolas eyes were swollen with crying, his face red, and still wet from tears. His eyes locked on his father's. "Ada" he said, but could say no more. Thranduil knelt and embraced his youngest son, his dear Greenleaf, and Legolas returned the embrace with a fierce hold as if he dared not let go.

"My son, what is it?" Thranduil spoke in a whisper.

Legolas did not respond.

Gently, Thranduil helped his son rise and took Legolas into his chambers. Leaving word that they were not to be disturbed, he settled Legolas on the edge of the large bed and sat next to him.

"My son, tell me what troubles you."

Legolas inhaled slightly to steady himself. "Ada...Oro and Tarm"

Thranduil had known this was about his sons' decision to sail to the West. "They are well, Greenleaf. They are in Valinor."

Thranduil's heart was breaking at the sound of his son's anguish. "For some elves, it is an internal longing that sparks the need to sail. A great hardship or lossthere is no way to predict what starts the sea longing in any elf.

Legolas dried his tears, embarrassed by them now. "Ada" again, Legolas could not continue, but at least now Thranduil had his answers. He feared losing his last brother. The brother to whom he felt closest could easily have decided to go with Oro and Tarm. If he had, Legolas would not be handling this even as well as he was.

"My sonmy dear GreenleafAglarelen may one day sail to the West." He felt Legolas stiffen at the words. "But we must not deprive him of this choice. "

"I would not"

"I know. You would have him stay. Do not let grief take you, my son. You will see your brothers again when you join them in Valinor."

"I know, Ada." Legolas rubbed his eyes, furious with himself. "I am acting like an elfling! I know the sea longing cannot long be denied! I know that they did what they must! I know that they wait for us to join themI know all these things, yet I do not know why it must hurt like this."

End Flashback

Legolas knew with sudden clarity why Aglarelen had not told him of his decision in Mirkwood. He wished their last days together to be carefree. He wished to take some pleasant memories with him to Valinor. And here I sit, robbing him of them, Legolas thought horrified at his selfishness. This must be hard for him, for he has loved me and looked after me all my life. The Longing drives him away and to deny it would only lead to madness. I should make his last days in Middle-earth a memory he will cherish until the day we meet again upon those fair shores.

Having reached the decision, he glanced at his brother. Aglarelen stared at him, as if searching for some sign of a broken heart.

The sight of it was so amusing that Legolas laughed.

Aglarelen blinked surprised at the sound, but a smile of his own came unbidden. "What do you find so amusing?"

Legolas ignored the question and instead hugged his brother. "Forgive my, gwanurnin. I will see you off to the Grey Havens."

"Nay, Legolas! I would not have you go all that way. You can turn back now if you wish." Aglarelen secretly feared going too near the Havens would all too soon trigger the Longing in Legolas.

Legolas guessed his mind. "Do not worry, Aglarelen. I will be fine." He moved closer to his brother staring intently into his eyes. "I must do this. I must see you all the way there. I did not go with Oropherin or Tarmathalion. I must see you off. I could never forgive myself for cutting short what time we do have."

Aglarelen began to shake his head intending to deny his permission, but Legolas gripped his shoulder fiercely and the look on his youngest brother's face held him motionless. Legolas spoke one word, but it was enough to change his brother's mind.

"Saes." (Please)

"Very well, Legolas. We will go together." The brothers smiled together each happy with the decision.

To Be Continued

Stephanie-Lou: Thanks for your review. I hope you like this chapter as well.


Emiri-chan: Thank you! **Blushes** That's so flattering. I can't wait to read your POTC fic, but I know nothing about anime. I mean absolutely nothing. (I'll check out your fics, but I'm going away this weekend, so it will probably be next week.) I prefer the angst and emotional fics to the physical torture ones. My favorites that I have written are usually the ones that get the fewest reviews!