Part 60

Legolas knelt down on the grass silently. He stared down into the little creek that ran through these woods near Helm's Deep,his own solemn reflection wavering in the sunlight that shone through an open patch in the forest canopy. He looked as he had for thousands of years before.

Legolas sat back on his heels and laid his hands ceremoniously in his lap.He sighed heavily as he shut his eyes,then opened them again. Those nearly translucent blue orbs gazed into the distance, slightly glazed as he thought.

The prince of Mirkwood thought of many things. But mostly,he remembered the night he left his home for Rivendell as a representative of Mirkwood in Elrond's Council. He now thought that his father probably had known then about the Ring and guessed that his son would be apart of the quest to destroy it.

Thranduil had met Legolas in the courtyard that night to bid him farewell. The prince had stood beside his white mare,reins in his slender hand,and seemed to glow softly in the silver moonlight.

" Legolas ", his father had greeted.

" Adar ", Legolas had replied in Sindarin and he gave a short bow.

" Nin ion, Im garo na naro le to in cair na Valinor gwilos he du ", Thranduil said.

" Iston ", Legolas had murmured.

Thranduil had looked upon his only son, his only child with tender eyes of pity, which never surfaced with any other creature of the world except his son.

" Laegolas, min asar ith nia ", said Thranduil. Legolas had only looked at his father confused.

" In asar ith in tawarwaith ith teleth ", he had answered Legolas' questioning eyes.And the questioning turned to sadness at his father's words,for he knew it was true.

" Iston, Adar. Tuith Im mil he Ar ", Legolas admitted wistfully. " Valinor lind dartho."

Thranduil nodded in acceptance of his son's choice. Legolas had not yet heard the gulls. Galadriel had told the king that once his son heard them, the longing for the Sea would not leave him until he went to it.

Legolas had mounted his white mare and given his father one last look before turning and riding off with his companions. And as he had left the borders of Mirkwood,he had seen a band of Elves from his home in the wood,glowing silver in the darkness. He had heard them singing with unearthly voices. They were leaving for the Grey Havens,leaving Middle Earth forever. And one day, he

would sail away as well. But that night, he had chosen not to follow.

Legolas stared down into his own sapphire eyes. Had really been the right choice? Was staying in Middle Earth so much better than Valinor? Would he have been happier in the Grey Havens if he had gone rather than stay here? Had Arwen really left Aragorn for Valinor?

Legolas breathed in pensively. He wondered if any mortal, any love was worth an Elf's immortality. If any man was worthy of the Evenstar,it was his best friend,Aragorn. But could Arwen and he really bear it? To remain in this world and watch all those they love fade away around them? Could the Greenleaf and the Evenstar remain and face that inevitable day when they would part with the man both of them loved so deeply?

Legolas did not know,did not want to think about it. He had not told anyone, especially Aragorn that he had chosen not to sail to Valinor when given the chance. He would go when it was his time.

And now, he was to walk the Paths of the Dead. Legolas was not afraid. He only wondered what he would encounter on that dark road.

" Legolas ", came a very enthusiastic,very familiar voice. The prince of Mirkwood peered over his shoulder to see his very close friend,Elladan,smiling brightly at him. Legolas felt his face light up with a grin,just as Elrohir appeared beside his twin wearing an identical smile. Legolas got to his feet and the Peredhil twins rushed forward and grabbed him in great embrace,the two of them enveloping Legolas' slim form in their arms. Legolas was taken a bit by surprise but grinned and tried to return the embrace to both at once.

" Mae govannen,nin meldirs ", he said cheerfully.

Elladan and Elrohir let go of him and stood back,still grinning.

" It is good to see you again, Legolas. It has been too long, even for us Elves ", said Elladan.

" Yes, mellonin,we have missed you ", Elrohir added.

" And I have missed you two as well. My life is considerably less exciting without the two of you ", Legolas chuckled.

" Why have you come here? " he asked.

" We have come with the Dunedain,Estel's old friends. We all come to his aid now and apparently to accompany him on the Paths of the Dead ", said Elladan,saying the last few words with light surprise.

" Ai, 'tis the road he had chosen. And I shall follow him also ", said Legolas.

" Well, you may keep us company then ", said Elrohir in good spirits.

The three exchanged smiles,before turning and walking off into the wood,side by side, their hands behind their backs.