The Distant Sun

There was nothing left in Minas Tirith for a Dwarf or for an Elf. The time had come to decide the path they would take. To the sea where their path was to end, or to the forests and caves on which they wished to return.

Legolas watched the sun rise on Minas Tirith that morning. The suns rays made the sky a shade of a radiant rose, but it made the road ahead no shorter. Keeping his gaze on the sun, Legolas sternly spun around and marched inside.

"Gimli, the road ahead is long and the waking day is short, we must set off," Legolas said waking his partner

"Are all Elves as naturally prompt as you?" Gimli asked sitting up from his bed

"Yes, and we would be ahead of time if it were not for you. Now get up," Legolas replied tossing Gimlis helmet in his lap

He walked out to a balcony to catched the last few moments of the dawning suns colourful rays. He held up his bow to the light and carefully examined every inch quickly, then headed back into the room.

Gimli strode down the hall of the king and stopped in front of the throne.

"How can I ever bid farewell to my closest friends?" Aragorn asked, faintly smiling

"Simply dont bid us farewell. We will come back, we always do," Gimli chuckled

"Youll have to wait around for our next visit, of course," Legolas said, approaching

"Gimli son of Gloin, Legolas of the Woodland Realm, my friends... my companions... may the future hold good tidings for you. Farewell," Aragorn said placing a hand on each of their shoulders. "We'll always be expecting you."

Both turned and slowly walked down the long, glorious hall that they may never step foot in again. Their memories of the days fate bound them to the path of the ring still lingered heavily on their minds Those days were over though. There was a new day dawning, and a new chance uprising.

The nights of chase and the days of battle were at an end and the adventures of the Dwarf and Elf had merely begun. For, Legolas wished to return to the dank, mysterious Fangorn Forest. But the first stop of theirs would be to the Sea of Rhun and the forests beyond it, then later, Gimli would accompany Legolas in a short trip home while taking River Running back to Mirkwood.

Legolas glanced at the sun rising in the distance while he attached a few small packs to his horse. The horse seemed rather unsettled as it emitted a few small whinnys. Legolas ran his hand between its eyes and it calmed down.

"Ah!" Grunted Gimli

Legolas jumped in surprise, "We must carry on."

"Yes... I heard you the first time!" Said Gimli

Legolas led the horse down several levels of white stone buildings and houses. Rubble blanketed the white road while the men plotted ways to remove it. And children played freely; laughing and playing. He stepped forward with the horse, but it pulled back slightly. He noticed a ball bouncing by. He dropped the horses reigns as he glided to it like a spider across water. A daze seemed to envelope him as the balls beats came closer together. He kneeled down, rather elegantly, and gently picked up the ball.

"Hey!" He heard a voice shout

He turned his head ever so slightly to catch a glimpse of two small children running towards him. He turned around and took a step forward. Both children stopped in their tracks and gasped. The little girl giggled a bit. Legolas looked down at the ball, slightly grinning as if a sudden thought had reached his mind. Then he gingerly tossed the ball to the little boy.

"Thank you kindly, sir," the boy said

The girl giggled again, then leaned over and whispered something about Elves. The boy smiled and ran away. The little girl however stood straight, with her hands neatly behind her back, staring intently at Legolas as if to say something.

"Youre an Elf!" she said finally

"Yes..." He almost smiled

"Ive never met an ELF before," she said biting her lip

He knelt down to her height and put out his hand. She took it gently and smiled.

"And what is your name, young maiden?" he asked

"Lidya, Master Elf, " she said blushing

"Well, Lidya-" he began

"Come on, come on Lidya!" the boy yelled, returning

Lidya curtsied then hesisitated shortly before running away. Legolas smiled to himself.

"I do not wish to intrude on this precious moment, but... we must carry on!" Gimli said sarcastically

Legolas stood up slowly and put his attention back to the horse. It had stopped to munch on a small flower pot sitting on a sill. He quickly pulled the horse away and led it down to the ground level on Minas Tirith. Fortunately, Gimli was to ride his own horse, which Legolas helped him up onto. He then mounted his own white stallion. Saying goodbye was never an easy thing to do, unless you were an Elf.

They both cross checked everything, and then the gates opened. They crossed the threshhold and galloped off.

The enormous white wall surrounding Minas Tirith faded into the new horizon like a speck of sand in the wind. Soon, all civilization disappeared and the surrounding sides were plains with distant mountains or hills.

"You dont suppose we shall find ourselves back to back facing two hundred orcs in a blaze of fury, do you?" asked Gimli, hopeful

"No, I dont suppose so, Gimli," Legolas chuckled, "not this time."

"Well then, Im ready for another one of those rings to be made..." Gimli trailed off muttering and stroking his beard

Yes, the days ahead would be bland, and the road long, but adventure finds itself in the least oppurtune moments.

**

Please, please review.

I know its not much, but atleast its not some chick and Lego man gettin' it on.....

You knooooow....