Author's notes: Thank you to all who reviewed! This is the final bulk of the story and there is only a short epilogue to come after this. The last part should be up around January 5th. Also, anything Elvish does have a meaning to it (even the horse's name). I have misplaced the exact meaning though I figured if people were really interested they'd let me know. Enjoy!

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Part four

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Gimli could sense a change in his friend that made him realize they were getting rather close to the main hall of Mirkwood.

Nay, the son of Glóin corrected himself mentally, Eryn Lasgalen. The shadow has been lifted and the Greenwoods are made great once again. For far too long the forest of Thranduil had been in darkness and known as Mirkwood; it was refreshing to know that the woods were slowly being restored to what they once had been.

The elf in front of Gimli straightened his back suddenly and began to sing a soft song. The movement had caused the son of Glóin to grab Legolas' waist to keep from being jostled. It was not so much that the dwarf did not like horses, but more so that he did not trust them with, he felt, proper cause. Arod, a horse of Rohan, had been bad enough to get use to, but this current beast that the Lord of Ithilien had been so taken with was much worse. Thenidaul seemed to make it his joy in life to have the dwarf bumped around every which way. Elvish horses are just like Elves themselves. Gimli snorted. They seem to find mirth is causing others to pain, both physical and mental!

"Pry tell what is so amusing, Master dwarf?" Legolas questioned halting his song while he turned slightly to look at his friend.

"Watch the road," Gimli replied avoiding the question.

The elf's laughter echoed in the trees, but he did as the dwarf had said and faced forward once again. Smiling because of his companion's humor, Gimli moved his head to gaze out at the forest that surrounded them. The smooth voice of Legolas seemed to move throughout the trees and, though the dwarf felt rather silly for thinking so, he could almost see the trees sway in rhythm to the prince's voice. It had taken Gimli a long time, and many observations, before he had finally seen that Legolas did possessed a certain connection to nature. It was something that the dwarf found truly amazing.

The song came to a second stop putting Gimli on his guard for Legolas' head tilted to the side, an obvious sign the elf was listening carefully. A loud whistle, carefully masked in the sound of a songbird, broke through the silence. Legolas released a soft chuckle before responding with a whistle of the same tone. Suddenly, the trees were no longer silent as leaves rustled with the movement of Elves that no longer sought stealth.

"We are home." The prince announced and promptly jumped off the back of Thenidaul. Gimli grumbled under his breath as he slid off the horse's back to join his friend on the ground. No sooner had his feet touched the earth, then three Elves jumped from the trees around them to join the duo on the ground.

"My Lord!" Gimli watched with amusement as Legolas seemed to cringe slightly with the title.

Even back in the colony of Elves in Ithilien, where Legolas held the title of Lord not just prince, the elf refused to allow anyone to call his thus. He had always said that he was in no way above any of his citizens. Little did the elf know, but the reason why all the Elves sought to call him 'Lord' was because they had the utmost respect for Legolas. Gimli knew this better than anyone being the elf's best friend for he himself had the utmost respect for the son of Thranduil. Legolas, however, rarely felt that he was deserving of the title and had made it nearly law that no one was to address him as 'Lord'.

Apparently the Eryn Lasgalen Elves had not been privy to this and the dwarf was not entirely surprised that his friend did not correct them. Although Gimli had only met Legolas' father once, and for a short time when the pair had been passing through on their sightseeing of Middle-earth, the son of Glóin knew Thranduil to hold the idea of royalty in high regard. No doubt he would not allow his subjects to call their prince anything less than a 'Lord' and no doubt Legolas hated it. Though Gimli knew that Thranduil's son held his father in the highest respect and therefore would do as the King wished. Yet, the dwarf also knew that there were many things that Legolas would not do that his father wished and there were also many things that the prince would do that his father wished he did not.

I am clearly one such example, Gimli thought with a mental grin.

The dwarf knew that Thranduil had to have been utterly beside himself when Legolas had told him that he not only wanted to make a dwarf an elvellon but, this particular dwarf was Glóin 's son. In truth, Gimli wished he could have seen the reaction upon the King's face. Legolas, when he had told his friend that his father knew of their friendship and granted the title, had not been very forthright with how Thranduil had truly reacted. Since then, Gimli had not been back to Thranduil's halls to see the King.

This may be an interesting visit. Gimli was not certain that the King of Eryn Lasgalen was prepared to handle both the dwarf and the goodbye that his son would impart on his father. Interesting indeed.

The pair of friends, now accompanied with half a dozen guards, rode under the large trees of Lasgalen. Though Gimli knew the Elves in current company with him did not enjoy the dwarf being in their realm (if the glares being directed at him were any indication) he also knew that they would speak no ill of him in their prince's company. Although, the son of Glóin also knew that Legolas was well aware of the looks the Elves were giving Gimli, and was only holding his tongue to save the dwarf embarrassment.

That crazy elf must think I'm blind if he think I do not see those glares of his kin. Gimli was not overly concerned with those stares for he was well accustomed to them. Lothlórien had not given him the grandest of welcomes and, even after he had Lady Galadriel's blessing and Legolas' friendship, the glares did not stop. Certainly he and his elf-friend had to be two large oddities of their races, for they were able to put aside past prejudices of their races and form a strong friendship because of it.

The entire trip into the realm of the wood-elf King was made in silence although a very tense one. Gimli could sense that Legolas was uncomfortable around his kin after so long though he did not utter a word to state this. It was not surprising that Legolas would find himself out of place among the Elves of Eryn Lasgalen, after all it had been many years since prince had last returned. Sparing a glance at the lithe figures riding beside himself and Legolas, Glóin's son could see the glances that the other Elves sent at their prince. While not filled with hostility, neither were they the warmest of looks. Gimli felt Legolas sigh and knew that his friend was not unaware of the looks he was receiving. Leaning forward, the dwarf spoke right into the elf's ear.

"You should say something." He whispered hoping his voice was low enough that the ears of Legolas' kin could not hear.

The archer only shook his head. "It is not something to concern yourself with.." And that was all Legolas said and Gimli knew that conversation was over. Sighing in a slightly louder fashion, Glóin's son relaxed in the saddle and faced forward. Gimli contented himself to pass the rest of the journey with a blank mind. Before long, he noticed a chance in the scenery around him and, from his other visit to this realm, knew that they were getting closer to the main court of Eryn Lasgalen. Straightening himself as much as possible, Gimli held his chin up as they group of Elves came to a stop before the large gates of the inner palace.

An elf from the party moved forward and uttered a silent password (one that was done quiet enough that Gimli could not hear it) and the great doors opened. Together the Elves, and single dwarf, rode into Thranduil's home.

Upon their entrance into the main outer court of the palace, Gimli saw that King Thranduil waiting for them. The son of Glóin hid his surprise, but Legolas did not. The blond archer turned to face one of the companions from the forest.

"You did not tell me that my father would be waiting for us." He hissed in a low tone.

The elf that he spoke to only shrugged. "You did not ask."

The prince appeared as if he was going to say more, but held his tongue as he noticed the party had moved closer to Thranduil. Legolas locked eyes upon his King and slowed his steed to stop just a few feet in front of the older elf. The Lord of Ithilien jumped from Thenidaul and moved in front of his father.

"My Lord." He said formally.

"Prince Legolas, if you would please follow me." Thranduil commanded lightly but with no room for argument. The prince nodded and followed his father into the royal chambers that were just beyond the doors. He turned just before he entered and spoke.

"Please see that my friend gets something to eat." He then addressed Gimli, "I should not be long and please enjoy the hospitality of the Elves of my home."

The son of Glóin smiled encouragingly to his friend and nodded. Legolas made his way into the chambers and the dwarf slowly slid off of the horse. He faced three of the Elves that they had met in the forest.

"Well," he said merrily. "Let's see what your kingdom has to eat." The Elves appeared as if they would say something, but held their tongue out of respect for their prince.

"Yes," an elf named Emlin said with a smile. Gimli smiled lightly to glad to see that the Elves of Eryn Lasgalen would attempt to make him as comfortable as possible as Legolas spoke with his father. Silently, the dwarf sent his friend support as he said what needed to be said with Thranduil.

Father and son stood across from each other looking so alike and yet so different. Thranduil and his child both shared the same blond hair that seemed to glow with its own light, but where the King's features where chiseled and spoke heavily of a warrior, Legolas' own face held a softness to it that was inherited from his mother. Thranduil possessed a strong shoulder line and wide frame, Legolas was a lithe, almost cat-like in figure and it appeared as if a strong breeze would make him stumble. The eyes of the two elf's seemed to be representative of day and night; Legolas' soft gray eyes like the pale sky at dawn, and Thranduil's dark blue eyes like the midnight sky. Both, however, were beautiful in their own way and one could clearly see they were from the same bloodline of noble birth.

"Father," the younger elf said and inclined his head.

The King watched his son and waited for Legolas' eyes to meet his own once again. When they did so, Thranduil smiled and stepped forward. Without a word, he pulled his son into a hug, clasping a hand on the back of Legolas' head.

"My child," he whispered gently while holding the slightly shorter elf against his shoulder. Long had Thranduil awaited his youngest son's return and, now that it had come, he felt joy that he had not known in a long time enter his soul. It had been far too long without this prince and, while two of Legolas' elder siblings still inhabited Eryn Lasgalen, he realized that he almost needed the joy of the child that so dearly reminded him of his departed wife.

Reluctantly, the King released Legolas and held his son an arm's length away as if looking for injury. The archer allowed his father this moment of parental concerned knowing that all too soon such an event would not occur for some time.

"It is good to see you, little leaf."

A smiled graced Legolas' features. "You have not called me that for many years, Father."

Thranduil returned the smile. "It is still a fitting title, though. You will forever be the little Greenleaf of these halls no matter where you are."

The prince's smile slowly fell from his face and, as much as it pained him, he felt tears well in his eyes. "Soon I will be far away from these halls, Father. Perhaps too far for you to remember me as the little Greenleaf of your kingdom."

Thranduil stared long into his youngest son's eyes as if looking for something.

Then he saw it.

He remembered that haunted look that lingered in Legolas' gray eyes for he had seen it before. His eldest son and daughter had already departed over the sea after their mother had passed to the Halls of Mandos' and Thranduil would never forget that haunting emptiness that had resided in their once bright eyes. It was as if their souls were slowly dying and their inner light was being blacked out. He had also remembered seeing the start of this terrible disease in Legolas' soft eyes when he had journeyed back from the War of the One Ring. There was no way to hide sea-longing and its effects, especially from a parent. Yet, at the time, Legolas' longing was not all-encompassing as it was now. The King of Eryn Lasgalen finally understood. His child was leaving. His youngest, the last gift from his beloved wife, was no longer going to bless the shores of Arda.

"You're departing?" Though the King questioned his son though he knew the answer already.

Legolas blinked back the tears that had threatened to spill over. "Yes. I cannot bear to be on these shores any longer. The pain is terrible, Father. I do not think my soul can survive if I am to stay."

Thranduil took in a deep breath of air and closed his eyes as if trying to block out the words that his son had spoken. The younger elf watched this and then stepped forward to placed his soft hand on his father forearm.

"I am sorry. If I could stay please believe that I would."

The Elf-King opened his eyes and smiled sadly down to his child. "I do not seek to bring you further pain, my son, and I do not wish for you to suffer any longer. It is just that I do not want to see you to leave." Thranduil placed his larger hand over Legolas and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You are my youngest child and should not be forced to depart before your father."

"I know," the prince answered. "I wish this did not have to happen."

Thranduil nodded. "We shall meet again, though, of this I know. This is only a parting for a short time, little leaf."

A single tear fell from the Legolas' eyes. "I know."

King and Prince, father and son, then embraced. Legolas buried his face into his Thranduil's robes, inhaling the scent that had so often reminded him of home. He felt his father tighten the hug and then, to his horror, the young elf felt tears begin to fall from his eyes before he could stop them. It had been so long since he had cried, and even longer since he had shed tears in front of his father, but now he found he could not stop. His lithe frame shook ever so slightly and Legolas could feel Thranduil rubbing his hand over his back in a soothing rhythm. Soft words of comfort were also being uttered by the King and their effect only caused the tears to flow easier.

For long moments, father and son stayed thus. Though the prince did not know it, tears also streaked down Thranduil's face as he held his crying child who wept not only for the family and home he would leave behind, but also for all those that he had already lost never to find again. The King knew well what his youngest son was suffering these last painful years as all the mortals he had grown to love died before his very eyes as he was powerless to stop it. Thranduil had known the day would come when his child would leave as the pain of death overtook him. He just never knew it would be so soon.

"I am sorry, Father." Thranduil heard his son and he shook his head.

"Nay, little leaf, there is nothing to be sorry for. You knew what would happen and yet you still did what you had to do. I am proud of you, my child."

Legolas sighed deeply and then removed himself from his father arms. He looked into the King's eyes and smiled sadly. "Thank you." The younger elf sighed sadly. "Will you please tell Maethor and Eithew what I have done? I do not have the heart to tell them myself and I believe they will find more understanding from your words then my own."

The King nodded. "I shall tell your brother and sister."

The two Elves stood still for a moment knowing that their time together was coming to an end.

Thranduil stepped forward and clasped his son's arm. "I wish you the best of luck, young prince of the Greenwoods."

Legolas bowed low before his father. "Till we meet again, my father."

The younger elf turned and began to walk away, but his name being called caused him to turn around and he looked back to see his father had not moved. For a moment, there was silence and then Thranduil spoke. "Though I fear I shall regret this, my son, I beseech you to bring the dwarf with you. I can see that leaving the son of Glóin behind will be the sorrow-filled end for you. The Lady Galadriel holds him in her light and he shall be welcomed."

The Lord of Ithilien looked at his father in awe and then smiled. He nodded his head and then turned once more to walk away from his father and the halls that had been his home for almost two thousand years. It was the place that he had grown up in, where he and his siblings caused more havoc than a band of orcs. It was full of memories, both sad and wonderful, and Legolas knew that no matter where he went he would forever hold the Greenwoods in his heart.

Turning again he slowly began to walk towards the large doors that would open to show him his father's courtyard. The prince knew that Thranduil stood watching the back of his youngest son, but Legolas did not look back. Moving forward he placed his hand upon the door and gently pushed it open. Sunlight assaulted him, but he merely blinked and looked out wards. Gimli stood waiting by their horse and the elf merely smiled at him. Without a word, he offered his hand for Gimli to rise on the back of the steed and, once the dwarf was settled, he jump onto her with grace. Pulling slightly, he turned Thenidaul and the odd duo heading towards the gates that had entered barely an hour ago.

Glóin 's son found himself growing concerned at the short time spent within the palace, but he knew better than to say anything. Elves, and especially his friend, did things a different way and the dwarf was content to know that what needed to be said had been.

As the pair moved forward, Legolas turned and met the gazes of his kin that had gathered. He knew that they understood what he was doing and so only smiled and nodded to those that he recognized. Tears shown in the eyes of many that watched their prince depart and Legolas felt his heart grow heavy as he moved closer to the gates that would take him forever away from Eryn Lasgalen.

Soon the riders on Thenidaul found themselves before the great gates. They opened smoothly and slowly the steed walked past the Elvish doors. The prince felt his throat constrict as the sound of soft Elvish singing reached his ears. The hymn was enchanting but sorrow colored its tone making the song sound almost haunting. Gimli heard the music clearly too though did not understand the words.

"What do they sing, Legolas?"

The archer smiled sadly, "It is a song of parting." He paused and allowed the soft music to float over him. Listening closely, he could make out the unmistakable sound of his father's deep baritone. "It is sung for the prince that is leaving the shore of Arda to rest in the Undying Lands."

The son of Glóin signed, but said nothing and allowed Legolas to listen to the words of his kin as they said good-bye to their fair prince.

All to soon, though, the song drifted away until Gimli could no longer hear it and then the words became silent to Legolas. The company rode onwards in the direction of the Glittering Caves, for it was there that the son of Glóin would depart from the son of Thranduil. Then Legolas knew he would journey home to Ithilien and finally make his way to the sea.

It was time for him to leave.

TBConcluded in the epilogue…