Legolas and Gandalf stood watching the sun climb above the horizon, its rays striking out at the fluttering leaves and painting the sky with a golden glow.
"It is another beautiful day", the Elf murmured.
Gandalf nodded in agreement.
"Beauty can be found even in the darkest times, Prince of Mirkwood".
Legolas turned to his companion.
"That is very true, Mithrandir".
Gandalf raised a silvered eyebrow.
"Do you speak of yourself, Legolas?"
The Elf grinned knowingly.
"No, not of myself, but of one who is fast approaching us".
Gandalf glanced over Legolas' shoulder at the figure of Boromir walking along the grass parallel to where they stood.
"Good morning, son of Gondor", Gandalf intoned, "Legolas and I were just discussing something and wondered if you too had found beauty in Rivendell".
Legolas turned to the man expectantly, a smile teasing his mouth.
Boromir lifted his head up, and a strange and almost unearthly light shone from his face, his green eyes appearing more emboldened and certain in the morning light.
"Beyond words", came his low reply, and with that he continued walking on across the lawns with the look of a man who is seeing something for the first time, perhaps seeing the world around him in a new light.
Gandalf's eyes twinkled in recognition.
Legolas watched the man go.
The Elf turned back to the wizard with a searching look.
Gandalf's face took on a look of acute sadness and for a moment Legolas beheld the weariness of his long years.
"It is sad to depart from such a place where one has found happiness, Legolas. In my time on Middle-Earth I have born witness to many departures, many farewells, many that I did not have the power nor the right to prevent".
Legolas looked concerned, his smooth brow furrowing.
"You have been a guardian, Mithrandir, an infinite help to our people and to many others. Without your leadership, your wisdom and guidance we would have fallen into darkness long ago. Your arrival from the West heralded a new hope in a land torn by war and fear, and it is the tireless work of you and others like you that have ensured that at least some of the fair lands are kept free from evil".
Gandalf chuckled merrily at the insistent look on the Elf's ageless face.
"Thank you, Legolas; your words are comforting to old ears. There is still hope for the peoples of Middle-Earth while such comrades and kin unite in courage and faith to bring about the destruction on the Ring."
The wizard turned to the sun, now higher in the morning sky, the mist gradually clearing, leaving dew droplets on the green grass that shone like the crystals of the mine.
"Yet it is good to depart after knowing such happiness, for without the knowledge of friendship and love we are but empty vessels. My heart is glad for Boromir, though it feels the sadness of what may come".
The wizard turned away from the sun, and straightened, his aged frame taking on a rejuvenated and strong stance. Legolas was aware of the goodness in the wizard's face, looking for all the world like an aged and wise king, so noble was his bearing.
"Frodo grows stronger. It will not be long before he will be able to leave Rivendell".
Gandalf nodded, "Hobbits are marvellous creatures. They possess a hardiness not often found in men twice their size".
The sound of the rushing falls became audible above the birdsong.
"We will leave in a day or so, Legolas. Let us enjoy the beauty around us for as long as we are able".
With this the two descended the low steps and strolled towards the courtyard, a few golden leaves falling to the ground at their feet.
•••••••
The party gathered near the gates of Rivendell, making last adjustments to the provisions that they would carry with them. Frodo emerged from the house, Sam at his side carrying a hefty pack on his small but tough shoulders, ever watchful of his master's step, his eyes never leaving his friend's face, aware of every move Frodo made.
Frodo absentmindedly fingered the chain that held the Ring about his neck.
They descended down the steps to join the rest of the company. Aragorn looked fondly at the small figures as they drew near, and looked to Gandalf seeing the same expression of attachment in the wizard's ancient face.
Aragorn gazed back towards the house where he knew Arwen would retreat. He sighed as he studied her infinite beauty, how she had bound herself to him, forsaking the immortal life of her people. Her sacrifice was proof enough of the love she had for him, and his heart ached. He dropped his gaze and secured the scabbard that held his sword, fastening the leather ties and patting the weapon's hilt to confirm its secure place at his side.
Boromir rode up slowly on his steed, and the change in him was apparent. His gaze was more steady, his bearing now one of a man more sure of himself, his eyes less wavering. He glanced back at the house a few times with a look of yearning on his proud face.
Aragorn noticed this and stepped up to him, placing a soothing hand on the horse's neck.
"We have time, Boromir. Go to her. We will wait for your return".
Boromir looked gratefully at the Ranger's lean face, and lowered his head, partly in surprise at Aragorn's knowledge, but also in thanks . He turned his steed around and rode back to the house.
Galloping over the quiet lawns, he reached the beginnings of the gardens and dismounted, leading his steed into the trees with him.
He came upon Lasmenel standing beneath an overhanging tree, the very one under which they had first met.
"My lady".
"Boromir".
He bid the horse still and walked to her, a predatory stalk to his approach.
"The departure of the Fellowship has come", he said in a voice heavy with emotion.
Lasmenel smiled bravely and drew him into her embrace. They stood like this, in silence, wrapped in each other's arms and the trees hushed around them, a few leaves floating to the ground.
Boromir buried his face in her neck, drawing in the scent of her hair and her skin as if for the last time. Lasmenel ran her smooth hands up the contours of his back and up to his face, brushing back the wayward locks that were shorn about his cheekbones.
"I will remain here. You have only to ask", he whispered into her ear.
Lasmenel closed her eyes painfully and led his face to hers.
"I would have you go, son of Gondor. My love is with you, wherever your quest takes you. I pray you remember that".
Boromir held her cheek to his, repressing the hot tears that he knew he should, and would not let fall, a knot drawing in his throat.
"I will return to you, Lasmenel, I swear. I would bind you to me for all the years of our lives", he said in a choked voice.
They kissed for the final time, clinging desperately to each other, neither willing to let go.
Lasmenel remembered her duty and released him from her arms. She smiled tenderly at him, her eyes shining with love for the man of the South.
"And we will walk together under the light of the trees", she said as she had before, in a time that seemed an eternity ago.
Boromir clasped her hand to his heart. She waited until the pounding beneath his chest slowed a little and became more controlled.
"Farewell, Boromir. Fulfil your fate and return to me, for I will be waiting for you, until you come back".
"So it is you who will tarry this time?", he weakly joked, the slight tension in his face belying his true feelings.
Lasmenel smiled, "It seems we have changed places, Boromir".
Boromir kissed her again and pressed her to him, their brows touching, their hands framing the other's face. He stepped back and made to move away.
"Boromir".
The warrior turned back to her, daring her to ask him anything, but quietly hoping she'd ask him to stay.
Lasmenel gestured towards his horse, still standing by a tree.
Boromir smiled roguishly.
"Keep him. Such a warrior should not be without a steed".
Lasmenel nodded in acceptance.
"And Gondor should not be without such a woman", he hinted.
Lasmenel smiled coyly, "Do you speak for all of Gondor when you say that?
Boromir nodded seriously, "I do".
Lasmenel repressed the raw feeling in her heart, "Then how could I refuse such a people?"
"Goodbye, Lasmenel".
"Farewell Boromir, melamin".
He strode away from her, knowing that if he looked back he would never leave. Her movement, however, made him stop, though he did not face her. Lasmenel stood, her green eyes glittering at him. The unspoken question echoed in his mind.
"I am always in your light, Lasmenel", he replied.
Then he walked away from her, across the lawns and rejoined the company. They greeted him with friendly smiles and nods. Then Gandalf placed his hands on Frodo's young shoulders and bade him lead the way out of the gates, and onto the path to Mordor.
•••••••