With the nudging of DarkPearlAngel, I am here with a second chapter.

Linelinelinelinelineline

Legolas' dark hair blew away from his face in the wind as he stood in the courtyard, in front of the newly planted tree. There were no words to truly describe what he felt when he saw the tree. He knew of its history and what it meant to the people of Gondor. He knew what it meant to have pride, to have a symbol of one's country. The forests had been his symbol. Every time he saw a tree, a tall, monstrous oak, he would think of his home and yearn for the shadows and the rivers, even the darkness, for it was still home. A lump formed in his throat as the tree whispered softly to him, comforting him with words unknown to man.

His green eyes sought the horizon and then searched for the treetops of Greenwood the Great. His heart burned with fury as he recalled the more common name- Mirkwood. He found himself barely able to contain his anger. It was not a place of darkness, but a place of hardy elves who fought to keep the spiders from spreading over Middle Earth. His countrymen's cause was a noble one. His countrymen were noble, and it was not fair that he was glorified and those who had died and had shown more courage that he could ever hope of possessing in his lifetime. He closed his eyes; he was not worthy.

He heard very soft footsteps approaching him, but it did not take a wizard to know who it was. "Arwen." He greeted her. "I am happy for you and Estel." He congratulated her softly, using her husband's elven name quietly. He turned around and met her eyes with a small smile.

Arwen nodded and took his hand in a gesture of friendship. They had been friends for many, many years, and it pained her even further to know that she would never see him again after her husband died. They had spoken about this situation after dark in Imladris, when Legolas would visit, and she had come to accept it, but that did not ease the pain in her heart.

"Legolas, you are hurting." She stated plainly what she could read in his mysterious eyes that had fooled many humans.

"I could never hide anything from you, mellon nin." The humble elf let out a tiny laugh that did not reach his soul. "I miss the trees of Eryn Lasgalen." He glanced in the direction of his home. "But I cannot leave."

"Why?" Arwen asked, looking up into his troubled face. "All is well, Thranduilion. You may return home." The smile that graced her face was simply a curve of her lips, and it suited her well.

Legolas looked away and chuckled. He took his hand from Arwen's and crossed his arms over his chest. "Gimli is loathe to leave Minas Tirith, though he also wants to return home." He looked to the ground, all humor leaving him with the one joke. "I am afraid of the reality." His voice was full of emotion and he found it hard to find the words to describe what his heart truly desired.

"Legolas, your father loves you. He awaits you in Valinor. He knows the duty of love that binds you to Arda." The beautiful Queen of Gondor surveyed her friend. He was pensive and quiet, as he had been most of his life, but his entire being was engulfed in sadness. She brought him close in an embrace. "Go home, Legolas. The gates of Minas Tirith will always be open to you." She put her hand against his cheek and he returned the gesture.

Legolas leaned into his dearest female companion's touch and nodded. "I will go." He whispered. "You should go to Estel. He is waiting." His eyes held a naughty twinkle and Arwen saw fit to smack his arm soundly before leaving him to his thoughts.

The son of Thranduil turned once again to the White Tree of Gondor and whispered a prayer to the Valar that the future of the country of his heart would be protected.