Chapter One: Final Farewells
Nearly a year passed since Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thranduil, Prince of Mirkwood, left his home for Rivendell, or Imladris, as the Elves call it. There, he had partaken in the Council of Elrond, which debated heatedly the fate of the One Ring, and, consequently, Middle-earth. The elven Prince joined the Fellowship, whose task was to accompany the Hobbit known as Frodo Baggins, the Ring-bearer, and the one who was to see that the Ring was destroyed. Legolas' decision of joining the Fellowship led him from Imladris to the Dwarf mines of Moria, elven Lothlórien, and finally to the lands of Men: Rohan and Gondor. With the Ring's destruction, and Sauron its master, Middle-earth was free.
'I cannot believe it. Nigh eight months I spent with Aragorn and Gimli, and now we are parted!' he thought to himself.
He thought back to the days when he took loving and sad leave of his Companions. First he lost Boromir, who was killed by Orcs. Then the Hobbits were divided: Frodo and Sam went alone to Mordor, Merry and Pippin were taken by the same Orcs who killed Boromir. Only Aragorn and Gimli remained with him, and the trio went after the latter pair of Hobbits. The eight remaining Companions finally were gathered together again in Ithilien. Their final parting was at Isengard. Yet even that was not final, for Gimli rode still with Legolas as he went through Fangorn Forest. The Dwarf's home was roughly due north of Legolas' home.
"Well, at last we have made it out of Fangorn." Gimli said, his gruff voice coming from behind the Prince. "I felt choked the entire time."
Legolas smiled to himself.
"I am glad that I passed through it, for many tales and songs I have heard about it in my younger days. Yet, I am also saddened. We have put many more leagues between us and our beloved friends." he said to him.
"That is true. Do not remind me."
They rode on in silence. Arod, Legolas' horse, tossed his head.
"What do you say, Gimli, if we go to Lothlórien? It is not far, and it lies on our way homeward. We can see Haldir again, and the Lord and Lady, and Nimrodel." Legolas said after awhile.
"Let us go!" Gimli told him eagerly.
"Very well, then. It is as I expected. To Lothlórien!"
"To the Lady Galadriel!"
Legolas urged Arod to go faster. The white horse broke into a gallop. Legolas felt Gimli clutch his waist, and mutter something incomprehensible under his breath. The Dwarf, despite getting better at coping with Arod as he walked, still could not handle it when he ran. As a result, he was often bumped up and down, and in danger of falling.
They reached the border of Lórien just as evening was setting on the second day of their departure from Fangorn Forest. Legolas and Gimli dismounted. Arod followed them as they walked into the Golden Wood. Legolas suddenly gave a cry and darted forward.
"Haldir!" Gimli heard the Prince say excitedly.
Arod and Gimli halted. There in front of them stood Haldir, and his two brothers, Rúmil and Orophin, embracing Legolas and greeting him warmly in their own tongue. Then all four Elves turned to the Dwarf.
"This is Gimli, my dearest friend. Do you recall him?" Legolas said.
Haldir smiled, remembering Gimli well.
"Indeed. How could I forget him." he said slowly. "Greetings."
Gimli inclined his head respectfully.
"Greetings, master Elf. Do you wish to blindfold me?" he said.
Haldir and Legolas laughed.
"Only if I am commanded, master Gimli." Haldir replied kindly.
Arod whinnied.
"What of my horse? Where will he be placed?" Legolas asked.
"There is a small paddock near Caras Galadhon." Haldir said. "Your horse will be safe and content there."
The Lórien captain motioned for Gimli to follow him. The Dwarf followed the Elves, flanked by Arod. The small party passed through the mallorn trees swiftly. They stopped at Nimrodel upon Legolas' bidding, and he walked unshod in its clear waters, feeling the weariness of his feet wash away. When the first stars were beginning to come out in the sky, they reached Caras Galadhon, the heart of elvendom on Earth. Arod suffered himself to be led away from his master. Legolas and Gimli followed Haldir as he led them to the Lord and Lady.
"We meet again, Legolas, son of Thranduil." Lord Celeborn said.
The Prince sank into a bow.
"My Lady." Gimli said, bowing deeply.
Lady Galadriel rose to her feet.
"Rise, Legolas and Gimli. You have no need to bow before us. Your toils are very much honored, and it is my hope that they will not be put aside lightly." she said warmly. "Middle-earth is indebted to you."
"What brings you here?" Lord Celeborn asked.
"We have just passed through Fangorn Forest two days ago, and we decided to stop here on our way home." Legolas replied.
"We have missed the beauty that lies within Lórien." Gimli said, glancing at the Lady Galadriel.
She smiled graciously.
Legolas laughed softly to himself.
"Indeed, we have missed Lórien's beauty." he told Lord Celeborn.
A feast was held in honor of Legolas and Gimli. There were many fair Elves present, and soft music drifted on the night air. The two Companions enjoyed themselves immensely. Haldir introduced them to
Elenath, Lord Celeborn's niece. She smiled graciously to the friends.
"I am pleased to meet you." she said.
Haldir took hold of her hand.
"We are betrothed!" he exclaimed.
Elenath blushed.
"My well wishes to you both!" Legolas said warmly.
Legolas and Gimli did not tarry long in Lórien. Early the next morning they went before the Lord and Lady.
"We thank you immensely for the warm hospitality and the grand feast you held for us last night. We enjoyed ourselves very much. Yet we must go, for our road is not yet finished." Legolas said with a bow.
Lord Celeborn lifted up his hand.
"You have no need to thank us. We are honored by your presence. Yet do you not wish to stay longer?" he asked.
"We do, my lord. Yet is has been almost a full year since we left our homes and families. Our hearts can wait no longer." Gimli replied.
"Indeed." Lady Galadriel said. "I do not doubt it."
Legolas and Gimli gathered their packs and followed Orophin as he led them to the paddock where Arod was grazing.
"We are sad at your quick departure." Haldir said when he arrived.
"As are we. Home calls." Legolas told him.
The Lórien captain took Legolas and Gimli to the edge of the river, where about a year ago they had set off in small boats towards Mordor. Now, however, they were going across the river only, to the edge of Mirkwood. Arod was placed in a separate boat. They were ferried to the opposite shore. As Legolas and Gimli climbed out of their boat and stood upon the shore, they turned to Haldir.
"We will never forget your kindness, Haldir." Legolas said.
Haldir smiled at them.
"I hope this is not the last time we meet. I shall pray to see you some time, even you, master Dwarf. The feud between our people is now dissolved. I carry no hatred towards you." he said.
Gimli smiled gruffly.
"Neither do I." he said.
"Farewell, Haldir!" Legolas said, mounting Arod.
"Farewell, Legolas! Farewell, Gimli!"
The two Companions watched as Haldir rowed back across the river; Orophin followed in the boat that carried Arod. Legolas eyes were misty, and Gimli was silent. They did not dare to speak for some time.
"Let us go." Legolas said finally.
"Indeed, let us go." Gimli agreed.
"Promise me that you will write to me. I did not bear parting from the others, and I cannot bear our parting now. I have never thought I would love an Elf, Legolas." Gimli had told him, his voice oddly strained. "And to love him as my dear friend. That is unheard of."
"I promise you, my dear friend. I am the same as you. I never thought I would have a Dwarf as my dearest friend. Of all the partings I had to make, ours lies the heaviest on my heart." he replied.
They had reached the border of Mirkwood. Legolas and Gimli embraced once more, whispering their final farewells to each other. Legolas watched Gimli make his way homeward, his shoulders hunched over. Once he was out of sight, Legolas turned Arod in the opposite direction and headed for his own home.
Sindarin Translation:
Mallorn: golden tree of Lothlórien