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

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Undying Lands part 3 by Ecri

It would take the small party many weeks to reach the Havens. As they traveled, they hunted, told tales, laughed, and reminisced. The closer they drew to the Havens, the more reluctantly Legolas traveled. He was constantly at his brother's side now. Constantly, he thought of his brother's imminent departure, and constantly he fought with himself to keep his thoughts to himself–not to speak of them, and not to let them show on his face.

He struggled with this, for he had always been one whose emotions showed clearly upon his face or in his eyes. Legolas was determined to succeed since his most fervent desire was to make his brother's last days in Middle-earth a pleasant memory to look back upon until Legolas could join him in Valinor.

As they settled to sleep one evening, Legolas listened to the sounds of Elladan and Elrohir gently teasing their young brother. Legolas' eyes, however, were fixed upon Aglarelen as his brother slept. He had taken to spending most nights in such a way. It had not been a conscious decision, only something he had found himself doing night after night. It was as though some part of him longed to keep this momenteach momentalive. Some part of him tried to stretch the time he had left with Aglarelen.

As Legolas stared at his brother, he felt his heart give. With a great effort, he pushed such sorrows aside. He would deal with the absence of his brother when his brother was absent, and not before.

That settled–again–he continued staring at Aglarelen as the older elf slept.

**

Aglarelen dreamed. His elven dreams were tinged with a sorrow he had never felt before. His brother would be devastated, he knew, by his departure from Middle-earth, but it was Legolas seeming acceptance that troubled his dreams.

The closer they drew to the Havens the more certain he was that Legolas could not accompany him the entire way. He saw in his mind's eye the image of Legolas as the sea longing was awakened in him. The sea air, the call of seabirdssomehow, Aglarelen knew something would trigger Legolas' sea longing, and he would not have that on his head. Likely, that was why Oropherin and Tarmathalion would not allow Legolas to go with them, though, at the time, Legolas had accepted their wishes and stayed in Mirkwood with Aglarelen and Thranduil.

Legolas did not understand the danger. He did not understand the sea longing. He was a Woodland elf, and, of all Thranduil's children, including their dear departed sister, Legolas seemed more Silvan than any of them. He had embraced Mirkwood, believing it beautiful despite its dangers. He loved trees more dearly than any elf Aglarelen had yet met, and he could not comprehend there ever being anything that would replace any of Middle-earth's Woods, let alone Mirkwood, the Great Woodland Realm, in his affections.

If Legolas did not understand to what temptations he exposed himself, Aglarelen would have to prevent his brother from hastening the onset of the sea longing himself.

It would be simple–in the sense that he knew what he would do–and at the same time extraordinarily difficult–in that he did so hate to see these carefree days end prematurely. He would wait one more day. Tomorrow, he would enjoy his brother's company and give Legolas some wonderful memories to sustain him through what Aglarelen knew would be a long period of resentment. Legolas would resent Aglarelen's actions for some time, perhaps even until they saw each other again, but it couldn't be helped.

**

Aragorn glanced to Elladan, and was relieved when his brother gave him a slight nod and a frown indicating that he, too, sensed something odd. Aragorn returned his attention to Aglarelen who seemed to besomehow.

For weeks of their journey, Legolas had clung to Aglarelen with a carefully hidden sorrow and a determination to hide his heart from his friends, but most especially from his brother.

Aragorn now sensed something from Aglarelen. The oldest of Thranduil's sons was hiding something, but Aragorn could not say what it was. He watched as the two laughed over old times, and told tales that more often than not, Aglarelen would have to abandon for they dwelt too closely on family members now beyond Legolas' reach.

Aragorn knew Aglarelen must be relieved on some level to be well on his way to seeing Oropherin and Tarmathalion again, but, for Legolas, the separation was that much more poignant. He would soon be without all of his brothers. He would soon be the last Prince of Mirkwood. His royal duties would increase with the expectation that he was now Thranduil's heir. He would also have but one family member remaining in Middle-earth.

The Ranger urged his horse forward until he drew up next to Legolas. He had to check on his friend's outlook.

Legolas seemed well enough, but Aragorn could just detect a hint of sadness behind his eyes. Aglarelen looked at Aragorn hopefully as the silence between the brothers lengthened, but Aragorn knew no way to ease his friend's pain.

Shaking his head at the Crown Prince, Aragorn turned towards Elladan and Elrohir. Somehow, the twins managed to draw the attention of both princes as they told tales of practical jokes pulled on each other, Aragorn, Elrond, Gorfindel–and other visitors to Imladris. Soon all were in high spirits, their destination forgotten.

**

Legolas drank deeply of his water skin when they stopped for the evening meal. He might have been more conservative with the liquid, had his brother not just filled several spare skins from a clear stream nearby. They each now had several skins, and would be able to make it easily to the Havens where they could then get more for their return trip. Even if that return trip was meant for four instead of five.

Aglarelen helped his brother set up the camp while the Ranger started to prepare their meal and the twins checked the perimeter for threats. They didn't expect any, but no elf would set up a camp without checking the perimeter.

Legolas watched his brother again. The joy of the day vanishing as it did each night. He was one day closer to losing his brother for a time.


Aglarelen saw the look and returned it. "Legolas"


"I know what you would say, gwanurnin, but I am going." (my brother)

"Greenleaf" He broke off. "I will not argue with you. Our time is short and I have no wish to mar it with anger."

Legolas was surprised. "Good." He eyes his brother suspiciously. "I have no wish to do so either." He stopped fussing with their supplies and sat by Aglarelen's side. "I will miss you, Aglarelen."

"Legolas, do not!"

"Why? I am not so fragile, my brother, that I cannot speak to you of it! I wonder sometimes if you think me an incompetent weakling!"

"I think no such thing!"

Legolas took his brother's hand. "Then understand that I love you and will miss you. I would not have you sail to Valinor not having said these things to you."

"I know these things, Legolas. As I hope you know how much I will miss you. Yours is still the one life in Middle-earth I care for."

Legolas smiled. "I know. We will one day reunite" Legolas stopped, a wave of dizziness taking him. He put a hand to his head.

"Legolas? What is it?"

"I do not know."


Aglarelen reached for his brother's water skin. "Have some water. Perhaps you are dehydrated. It was a hot day."

Obediently, Legolas drank. Feeling somewhat better, he smiled at his brother. "I am fine."

Aglarelen nodded, even as Legolas felt another wave of dizziness. "Legolas?" Aglarelen called to his brother.

Legolas felt strange. His head was pounding. He felt a thin sheen of sweat break out on his brow. "AglarelenI feel" He fell backwards then, but his brother caught him.

"Shh! You are just tired, brother."

"Nay! I feel"

"Shhh! Legolas! You will be all right. You need to get some rest. We both know you have not slept since Bree."


Legolas looked up at him. "How did you know?"

Aglarelen smiled. "I am your brother! I know more than you think." He looked away the emotions of this trip overtaking him. "Oh, Greenleaf! I would spare you this if I could! I wish only for your happiness. Forgive me!"

Legolas was puzzled by his brother's words. "There is naught to forgive. You answer the call of the sea" He stopped talking. The effort of it was too much for him.

"Sleep, Legolas. I will sit by you as you rest."

Legolas drifted off to sleep, an odd doubt filling his mind.


Aglarelen watched his brother slip into this unnatural sleep, hating himself for the necessity of it, but knowing he could do nothing else.

**

Aragorn had been surprised that Legolas had fallen asleep before dinner. He knew the elf had not slept since they'd left the area near Bree, when he had first learned of the path his brother was taking, but he had assumed Legolas would stubbornly cling to wakefulness until after his brother's departure.

That Legolas slept at all was surprising. That he had fallen asleep so deeply and so suddenly was astounding.

As the rest of the company sat that evening, Aragorn watched Aglarelen. The elder of Thranduil's sons seemed to notice immediately. "What are your thoughts, Dunedan? What is it that troubles you?"

Aragorn rose and moved to Aglarelen's side. "I have watched you with Legolas today, and there is something you are hiding from him." Aragorn was careful to keep his tone neutral for fear of antagonizing an emotionally distraught elf. He waited for a response to his words.

To his surprise Aglarelen smiled. "You are as observant as Legolas had told me. He much admires your skills as a tracker, and has often told tales where your ability has saved you both from some threat or other."

Aragorn nodded in acknowledgement of the compliment. "But you have not answered the question."

Aglarelen laughed this time. "You are right!" For a moment, Aragorn thought that was all he would get from the elf, but then Agalarelen spoke softly, his eyes locked on the man's. "My brother risks much because he cannot let go. I never intended for him to come this far. You should all be well on your way to Rivendell by now, easing his heartache. Instead, he insists he will come to the Havens." He sighed as though the weight of all Middle-earth were on his shoulders. "I cannot allow it. He knows not how he tempts fate. The sea longing, once kindled in a Woodland elf, can have devastating effects."

Aglarelen looked away for a moment, then back at Aragorn, his hand gripping Aragorn's shoulder fiercely as he spoke. "Legolas has vowed to see you take Gondor. I do not begrudge that choice, and I can even understand why he made it. Aragorn, you are the most noble of men I have ever met. You have a great destiny, but you must understand what it is my brother has done."


"I do! He has vowed to remain in Middle-earth until I die! I have tried to persuade him to change his mind"

"Nay! You do not understand. Denying the sea longing for any length of time is dangerous for a Woodland elf! If it were to come upon him too long before yourhe risks everything! At the least, it is a distraction that could come upon him at any time. In the midst of battle, thoughts of the sea could cause him to hesitate or to lose himself and thus fall to his enemy's blow! At the most, it may threaten his sanity, robbing him of all thought other than the sea!"

Aragorn stared at Aglarelen, horrified.

Aglarelen spoke again drawing Aragorn's attention from his own troubled thoughts. "That is an extreme case, but I seek to protect him from it. If he were to come to the Havens with me, and something there awoke the longing, he would not break his vow to you. Well you know that the time of your destiny, while close, is not upon us! It will be many decades before you can attempt to take the throne of Gondor. It will be many more, Eru willing, before you draw your last breath. Two-hundred years may easily pass, and no elf can fight the longing for that long."

Aragorn understood. "But Legolas would try or die in the attempt."


Aglarelen nodded. "You understand."

"I do, but what have you kept from Legolas? Surely he knows his vow could destroy him!"

"I havetaken precautions. I would not have him risk awakening the sea longing on my account. I put an herb in his water. He will sleep for at least a day or two." He shrugged. "Perhaps more if I miscalculated the dose."

"You have drugged him!"

"When he awakes I will be at the Havens. He will likely be ill and weak from the aftereffects of the herb for the next day or two after he awakes. Again, that will be longer if I have miscalculated the dose." Aglarelen's eyes pleaded for Aragorn to understand. "By the time he is well enough to ride, I will have sailed."

Aragorn glanced at the motionless form of his best friend. "He will be angry."

"I would rather have him angry than sorrowful."

"He will be that as well." Aragorn turned back to Aglarelen. "You know this."

The prince hung his head. "I do. I am sorry. I know you and your brothers will keep him from despair."

Aragorn was angry, but it would do not good to tell Aglarelen that. "When do you leave us?"

"At first light."


"Then you had better get some rest." Aragorn returned to his own bedroll. He wasn't happy with this turn of events. He knew Legolas would be devastated and wondered why Aglarelen, whom he'd always considered a brave elf, would choose this way to say goodbye to his brother. No, at this moment, Aragorn did not like Aglarelen.

Aglarelen settled down as well, knowing he would have time in the morning to speak to Aragorn, but Legolashe would not speak to his brother again until they were reunited in Valinor. His heart ached at that thought, as he knew, would Legolas' upon his return to conscious thought. It had to be done! If he awoke the longinghe broke off the thought. He knew Aragorn did not understand. It was unlikely he ever would.

I did not do it for Aragorn, but for Legolas. He will one day understand. At least, Aglarelen hoped he would.

**

Aragorn sat by Legolas' side hoping for some sign the elf would waken. Aglarelen had departed two days ago. It was now well past midday of the third day, and Aragorn's concern for Legolas grew with each passing moment.

Elladan and Elrohir had spoken to Aglarelen before he had departed, trying to persuade him to stay and say a proper goodbye to his brother. The Crown Prince would not listen. He had touched Legolas' face, held his hand, and shed not a few tears ere his departure, but he had refused to delay his trip to the Havens.

Elladan had insisted he tell them what herbs and what dosage he'd given Legolas for safety's sake. He had, but he'd insisted it was a harmless sleeping potion.

Just before he'd left, Aglarelen had come to Aragorn. "Aragorn, son of Arathorn, you have my respect and my gratitude." He looked down at the sleeping form of his brother, then back at Aragorn. "Saes tiro gwanurnin." Without waiting for a reply, he urged his horse forward and headed for the Havens. (Please watch over my brother.)

Two and a half days ago, Aragorn's main concern had been that Legolas would be angry. Now, his main concern was when would Legolas wake.

**

That evening, Aragorn spoke to his brothers. "Tomorrow will be the fourth day. Should he not be awake by now?"

Elladan glanced at the sleeping elf. "He was tired. He had not slept in days. Perhaps that affects him."

Elrohir nodded reluctantly. "He was, buthe drank only half the water in the skin. Surely the dosage"

Elladan cut him off. "We do not know if the skin was full when he drank."

"It has been too long, brother." Elrohir insisted.

Elladan sighed. "If he does not wake tomorrow, we should head back to Rivendell anyway. Perhaps Ada will know."

**

Legolas had not awoken with the dawn, so the sons of Elrond debated whether they should or shouldn't travel with him in this condition. In the end, it was agreed that, though the elf was in no danger, it would be a good idea to travel as far as they could while he remained unconscious. This would aid Aglarelen's plan, as Legolas, upon awaking, would likely want to follow his brother. The further they were from the Havens, the less likely it was that he would be able to do so.

Aragorn rode with Legolas propped in front of him, his head tilted back to lean against the Ranger's shoulder. The Prince was not awakened by talk, by the sounds of the birds, by the song of the trees. Aragorn, knowing Aglarelen would not have hurt his youngest brother, knew Legolas would recover, but having him in this condition reminded the Ranger too well of times when the Prince's survival had been in question. The longer Legolas remained unconscious, the less attention Aragorn paid to his surroundings.

After some time had passed, Elladan and Elrohir stopped trying to draw him into conversation. Their thoughts were full of speculations over Legolas reaction to what his brother had done.

They discussed it in hushed tones, before they again subsided into silence. They rode this way for some time.

Elrohir was thinking about what they'd told Aragorn. Sailing to Valinor had been the decision they'd made. They had agreed not to tell a soul until such time as Elrond decided to leave Middle-earth. Then they would either go with him or promise to join him soon after.

Hearing the words out loud gave Elrohir pause. Perhaps because they'd never told anyone before, and he and Elladan had always been careful to discuss it when they were confident they would not be overheard. Hushed tones and furtive glances had become the only way they could discuss the choice.

Now, having heard the very words, "We will sail to Valinor" seemed to ring false somehow. It seemed unrealistic. He and Elladan often traveled with mortals. The Dunedain, Estel's own father, men were their constant companions. Middle-earth was a vast and beautiful place. Leaving it felt like abandonment.

Deeply troubled, he sought comforting words from the most important person in his life.

"Elladan"

"Elrohir" Elladan spoke his brother's name at precisely the moment when Elrohir spoke his. Laughing, the elder of the two nodded. "Speak, my brother."

Elrohir was smiling as well, but the smile soon faded when his thoughts returned to Valinor. "It is about our decisionis it truly the right one?"

Elldan looked down for a moment, then he glanced in Aragorn's direction to be sure they could not be overheard. Their human brother was deeply lost in thought. "I was thinking the same. Elrohir, I do not know if leaving Middle-earth is the best choice. Do we not already travel in the circle of mortality? Is not Arwen choosing to remain here? The thought of never seeing the fair Undomiel again is horrifying."

Elrohir nodded. "I feel much the same, and I am sure she would be overjoyed to have us staybut what of father?"

Elladan frowned. "It would cause him much pain to lose all of us."

"And Naneth" Elrohir had thought to see her again would be the most wonderful reunion in all elvish history. "It feels as though we choose neither between here and Valinor, nor between the fate of men and the fate of elves, but rather between the Evenstar and Naneth!"

Elladan reached over to his brother clasping Elrohir's shoulder. "That is not the choice, though it is part of it. We must choose. We must decide."

"If we are to decide at this moment, I would choose a mortal life."

Elladan nodded. "As would I."

"Is that it? Have we done it?" Elrohir wasn't sure if the decision was final or not.

Elladan thought for a moment. He was trying on both decisions to see which fit. Valinor, everlasting peace, beauty beyond imagination, Naneth, AdarMiddle-earth, peace that must be won, beauty and shadow, Arwen, Aragorn

Elladan locked eyes with his brother. "I will stay in Middle-earth."

Elrohir did not know what he expected, but suspected that either answer would have surprised him. He stared at his brother, expressionless, until a slow smile stretched across his fair features. "I will stay with you."

"We should tell Arwen when next we see her, and Estel should be told. It will ease both their burdens to know that Arwen will not be alone." Elladan didn't mention Elrond, for both brothers knew they would not tell their father. He would learn of it soon enough and was burdened already with the knowledge that Arwen would stay.


The decision was not made lightly, but then neither was their earlier one. This one, however, was right for the twin sons of Elond. This choice was the choice of their hearts.

To Be Continued

Responses to reviews:

Chloe Amethyst: Thank you for your kind words. I find myself drawn to the idea of elven grief and need to explore it as much as possible in my fics. I was afraid I was getting maudlin, so it's w wonderful relief to know that there are readers who enjoy this sort of thing as much as I do! As for the families, why thank you! I admire the characters so much that I found myself wondering about the interpersonal relationships of fathers, sons, brothersnot many women in Middle-earth are there? LOL! Regarding Elladan and Elrohir, I wanted to paint a more vague idea of it as though Elladan and Elrohir don't quite know yet what they will choose, but the choice of Valinor came up, so I decided to make them waffle a bit on their decision, as you can see by this chapter. I hope you like it!

Tinnunial: Thanks! I am trying to be evenhanded with the grief! I'm trying for a depth of feeling here that might begin to approach Tolkien's work, though I'm nowhere near being in his league. Sorry for the delay. The next update will be much quicker. Oh, and I am working on the POTC fic, too!

Grumpy: Thanks! I'm thrilled you're enjoying it. I hope this chapter meets with your approval as well.


Jedi Cosmos: First, thanks for your dedication in attempting to review this! It means a lot to me! Impeccable! Thank you! It's something of an obsession of mine. Now that I know you'd noticed, I'll likely be harder on myself!