First of all this story is totally different from what I usually write, Its mainly thanks to my daughter who is totally besotted with Legolas (Orlando Bloom). I'm more Of an Aragorn fan myself. But this has mainly been written for her, it was her who started the cogs turning basically by saying two things what if Legolas had a secret and what if Valinor wasn't the haven it was suppose to be? This is basically my answer to her.
Its set after the war of the ring and the death of Aragorn L and Arwen. Constructive criticism welcome, but flames for flames sake are not, if you don't like it don't read it.
For truth and Valinor.
Chapter one Departure.
Legolas sighed as the wind caught his hair. There was now no longer any reason to remain here in middle earth. Aragorn and Arwen were now both dead and only he Gimli and Sam were left. Sam still had his wife and children in the shire and he knew that he wouldn't depart for many years yet. Legolas looked down at the boat gently bobbing up and down on the ocean waves. It was the last present from Aragorn who knew how strong the pull of west had gotten for the elf in recent years, but then he was the only one of the fellowship who knew the truth. Gimli looked up at the elf.
"Well?" He asked in his usual gruff manner. "Are we going to get on this precious boat of yours?" Legolas smiled, still looking out to sea.
"Impatient dwarf?" He teased lightly.
"Only with an elf who has little sea sense and should know that the tide is about to turn," He grumbled. Legolas laughed at his friend.
"Who has the least sense?" He told him, "The one who sets sail with least knowledge, or his companion who knows his companion lacks knowledge?" The dwarf grumbled at him, Legolas laughed again and put his hand on his shoulder and said seriously "come my friend its time for us to leave," The dwarf looked around him one last time, taking in his last view of middle earth. He felt a tinge of sadness at leaving behind so many friends, but knowing that he could not allow his last living friend to depart alone and his other friends would be with them still living in his memory. He did want to see the undying lands and to see peace at last on Legolas's face, a peace that he never seen on his face since he had known him. They both stepped on to the waiting boat. Once past the breakwater the wind whipped around and was now coming from behind, billowing out the sails and causing them to mover faster towards their destination. After securing the sails Legolas went to the prow of the boat, hands held out from his sides his eyes fixed firmly out to the west.
"I'm coming," He said softly, the wind taking his words and rushing them off to the west towards the undying lands.
They had been at sea for two weeks when the storm hit them. Tying themselves to the masts they had managed to save their sails and deploy their anchor and now in the small cabin they waited for the storm to abate.
"How much longer can this last?" Gimli asked as the swells of the sea threw him off his bunk again. Two days in the small cabin had grated on dwarf and elf; both longed for fresh air and blue skies again.
"I doubt for much longer," Legolas replied. He looked across at the dwarf struggling to get back on his bunk and smiled. "Try to get some sleep Gimli. I do think that the storm will pass tonight," He watched his friend finally manage to get back into his bunk and settle down to sleep and soon he heard the soft snores that told him that his companion was asleep. Reaching down into his tunic he pulled out a chain, attached to it was a silver ring embedded into it was a dazzling royal blue sapphire. He lightly touched the stone then sighed and replaced it beneath his tunic. It wasn't the first time Gimli had seen the ring that Legolas kept hidden away from view; a few times he had seen it. But only when Legolas thought he was alone, Helms deep was the first time, the elf had taken it out and pressed it so deeply into his hand that the dwarf was sure that the imprint of it was on his friends hand all through the battle. Gimli sighed he had tired to talk once to Aragorn about it wondering it significance, but Aragorn had told the dwarf to forget he saw it and not to question Legolas about it. He had been a little hurt that he had not been told, but as time went on he realised that the Prince of Mirkwood had his own reasons for keeping his own console.
The storm had abated by next morning and at last they were able to continue on their way. They made good time and within another two weeks they at last sighted land.
"Is this the place?" Gimli asked. Legolas nodded a peace swept over the elf's heart, he sighed another few days and they would be there. His hand moved to the ring beneath his tunic and sighed. He had broken his promise it was one dark cloud that he could see on the horizon. But unknown to him was that there was far more that he didn't know of.
"Which way do we go?" Gimli asked the elf.
"We follow the coast north," There was no sound of doubt in his voice. The dwarf looked closely at his companion, his expression unreadable.
"Its changed direction then?" The elf nodded. Gimli gave a small laugh. "A change is as good as a rest," He looked at the coast line a far away look in his eyes. "Do you think Gandalf still lives?"
"May be," Legolas replied to him. "With Gandalf anything is possible,"
The next day just after dawn they spied a city that took away the dwarf's breath, marble clad building shot the suns rays back skyward using all the colours that the morning sun shone down on them.
"We've arrived," He said to no in particular. Gimili looked at his friend and smiled.
"So we have," He said softly. Then turned to face the marvellous city of the elves before them.