Chapter Two
With a mighty effort, Legolas and Gimli pulled their boat ashore.
"I wonder where we are?" Gimli said, as he looked around for anything that looked familiar.
"This has to be the same land we left all those years ago. Though it has changed greatly." Legolas murmured, then turned when he heard voices coming in their direction. To their surprise, a man and an elf on horseback appeared before them.
"Good day to ye, goodfolk!" Gimli greeted.
"Good day to you, sir." The man replied, warmly, even though he seemed a bit surprised that a Dwarf had greeted him so warmly.
"Well, it is rare to be greeted like that, and by a Dwarf no less!" the elf said, jokingly, from her seat behind the man. Then she caught the sad gaze from Legolas.
//*// What is wrong? //*// the elf asked, in Elvish. Legolas stood ramrod straight and looked directly at her, surprise evident on his face.
//*// Nothing that need trouble you, milady. //*// Legolas replied, in kind. The man, obviously used to this sort of thing, sat silently; the conversation was obviously very personal.
"Come now, Leg, you're confusing the lad!" Gimli chided, teasingly. The man laughed.
"Don't worry, I'm not feeling left out. I'm used to this. Besides, I can catch a little of what they are saying, since Deed is teaching me this language." The man said, cheerfully.
"Ah. So, what're your names?" Gimli asked.
"My name is Parn, and this is Deedlit, the High Elf." The man replied, simply.
"Parn, is it? Can you tell us what this land is called now?" Legolas asked, out of curiosity.
"This is the island of Lodoss. What was it called when you were last here? Parn asked, in turn.
"Middle Earth." Legolas replied.
"Then you've been away for a long time. This might as well be a completely new world to you." Deedlit said, seemingly nonplused about meeting two beings that were, by far, the most ancient on the island.
"But why are you here? And where have you been in all these centuries, if what Deed's said is true?" Parn asked.
"We have been living in the Undying Lands, where a majority of Deedlit's people now are. As for why we are here, I have come to see if there are yet elves in the mortal realm and, I am also seeking radiance." Legolas explained, struck by how much Parn reminded him of Aragorn.
"Radiance…………….that's the exact same thing Deed was searching for when we first met." Parn said, thoughtfully.
"By the way, what do you call yourselves?" Deedlit asked, curious as to whom these ancient wanderers were.
"I'm Gimli and this is Legolas." Gimli said, getting a look of chagrin from his companion.
"Pleased to meet you. Care to travel along with us? The Free Knight garrison isn't far off from here." Parn said, hoping that the elf and dwarf would come with them. It took only a moment for the two travelers to decide their course of action.
"We would be much obliged." Legolas said, calmly. With that said, the four left the beach, leaving the boat there. It would be some time before it would ever be used again.