White Shores

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A/N: Inspired by the song "Into the West" on the _Return of the King_ soundtrack. Olorien is my character: the childhood friend and love of Legolas' life. Everything else belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien and his associates.

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Olorien was lounged on the deck, her face to the warm sun and her eyes closed. On one side of her sat Gimli, seeming less gruff than he always had before, his eyes shut in a peaceful slumber. On the other side, Legolas lounged, staring into the horizon and holding Olorien's hand to his heart. She squeezed his hand and turned in her seat to look at him. "Melamin," she whispered.

"Mela en'coiarnin," he responded, meeting her gaze with a placid and rested smile. "What is it?"

"Middle Earth was never really our home, was it?" she asked, and he shook his head, still smiling. "Not even Mirkwood when we were young. I've been imagining what Valinor will be—the green country, the white shores, the sunrise, the pale moon—but I think that I have realized something. No matter what meets us when we reach its ports, I will be happier than I have ever been because I will be home."

"You're right," Legolas answered, drawing her hand to his lips. He kissed her hand and murmured, "We're finally going home."

Olorien smiled at him. "Do you think we'll ever see them again? Aragorn, Arwen, the Halflings. . .?" Her tone grew more somber as she continued her questions. "Or even Boromir? Theoden?" She swallowed hard. "Haldir?"

Legolas ran a comforting hand over her long, golden hair. "There was a lullaby that my mother used to sing. One verse was this," he paused to draw a deep breath and sang, his hand caressing Olorien's face. "Don't say we have come now to the end. White shores are calling; you and I will meet again." He turned to look at the horizon again, his hand still on Olorien's face. "We will see them again, a'maelamin. They may even be waiting to greet us on the white shores. But I do not believe that the bonds we forged in life—in love—can be broken, even by death."

"I don't believe that either," Olorien agreed. Above them, a white gull called serenely, causing Gimli to stir in his sleep. Olorien turned to smile at him then let her gaze follow Legolas' to the horizon. Her eyes grew wide and her smile brightened. "Tiro! Look!" she cried.

Gimli woke immediately and Legolas ran to the front of the ship. After composing himself, he turned to smile at his companions. "Come, Gimli! Come, melamin! See!"

Olorien and Gimli rose and rushed to stand on either side of Legolas. Tears blurred their vision. "White shores across a sea of glass," Gimli breathed in a wavering voice. His words were familiar. "Valinor."

"Home," Olorien stated, and her voice broke. With tears coursing down her cheeks, she looked at Legolas and smiled. "Home at last!"

Their ship soon reached the harbor, and they were greeted there by all who had gone before—the immortal and mortal alike. Together, they all wept unbridled tears of joy, for they were home—forever.

The Beginning.

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A/N: Just a short piece that's been plaguing my head since listening to that song. If you haven't heard it, go and listen to it without delay!

Happy Reading!