Legolas' heart was thudding wildly. He was not aware of anything except how painfully slow the boat was going. He ran his palms over the railing and pulled his hair out of the single braid and let his dark hair billow in the salty wind. He closed his eyes and tried to calm his stomach. It was doing some very exotic acrobatics at the moment, as his elven calm had deserted him. His mouth was dry and he was suddenly very aware of his tongue.

Gimli the dwarf approached his elven companion with a solemn look on his face. The elf was thoroughly excited and giddy and Gimli was amused by the expression on Legolas' face. The elf was practically hopping about the ship. The dwarf huffed and squinted into the distance.

Legolas looked down at his friend and grinned. His clear green eyes were sparkling with joy. The weight of his burdens was gone from his shoulders and he was just an elf again. The sea was a soothing melody that washed away his terror and sorrow. The elvish prince took a deep lungful of salty, tangy air and a small speck appeared on the horizon.

"Home." The elf whispered, relief in his voice.

Legolas left Gimli standing and rushed to the bow, the wind picking up. The breeze caressed his face and his heart skipped a beat. It was as if the rhythmic rock of the boat and the prospect of finally resting his entire being was romancing his heart and he was won over. He scanned the horizon and laughed out loud as his eyes fell on the speck that was growing. His laugh was not of scorn or mocking or mirth. It was his spirit's joy expressing itself.

"Master Elf, I assume we are there?" Gimli raised an eyebrow, a secret smile hidden by his great beard.

"Indeed, Gimli, we are." Legolas answered, a great peace lacing his jubilant voice. "Behold!" He cried suddenly. "Our place of rest." His voice dramatically changed in volume as he let go of his warrior's spirit and discarded it like a piece of clothing too worn to be presentable. In place of it remained a passionate lover, a loyal friend, a dutiful son, a fervent leader, an understanding sibling and a simple elf.

"Well, laddie, we did it." The dwarf leaned heavily against the railing, as if burdened by a heavy weight.

The sky was a gray-blue, clouds scattered hither and thither. Gulls shrieked, heralding their arrival to Valinor's inhabitants. The sea was green, mirroring Legolas' eyes. The boat's hull met with sand and his heart threatened to stop. On the dock stood a crowd of elves. There seemed to be a million faces, and he recognized every single one. There were his friends, his comrades, his siblings. The prince stepped into the crowd, hands touching his shoulders and back, greeting him with loving words, but he couldn't comprehend them, not yet.

An elf, standing almost a foot taller than he, waited patiently at the back of the crowd. His long golden hair cascaded down his broad shoulders and his eyes were the same hue as Legolas' and both sets of green met. The proud prince was humbled to a small child and he ran into his father's arms, his shoulders shaking with his sobs.

"Ada." He whispered. "Ada."

"Hush, ion nin, I am here."

Legolas looked up at his father's kind face and smiled. He jumped, startled, when he heard a voice behind him.

"Legolas?" The voice was timid and shy.

He turned around, a broad grin spreading over his face. He gestured for Gimli to come over. "Gimli, elvellon, I would love to introduce you to Natulcien." The prince put an arm around his dear friend's shoulders and grinned at the dwarf.

Gimli looked upon the elleth. She had dark brown hair and clear brown eyes. She had an air of fear about her, but her eyes were sparkling with happiness. Her head was tilted onto Legolas' shoulder. The dwarf would never admit to it aloud, but he thought they made a stunning pair. He bowed his head.

"I am Gimli, son of Gloin, milady." He introduced himself proudly, standing as tall as a dwarf could.

Natulcien giggled, nodding her head. "It is my pleasure, elvellon. I have waited long to meet the dwarf my closest friend calls a dear friend. I know it is not custom of our kinds, but I welcome you here."

Legolas smiled and turned around to greet the rest of his kind, his heart slowly repairing itself as he was reunited with everyone he loved. His journey seemed to be over, but it was not. It was never over.

More WILL come. This is not the end!

EDIT: 6/6/06 (Anniversary of D-Day, the landing of British and American soldiers on the beaches of Normany, France) OBSESSEDWITHLOTR pointed out that I accidentally put blue instead of brown for Natulcien's eyes.