#50 First Word
Anor is high in the sky but my heart is heavy within my chest as my feet slowly pick their way through the charred and twisted forms of the trees I once played amongst in my childhood.
Gone are the proud, strong trunks and lofty boughs my adolescent self raced through with oft reckless abandon and settled within to entwine my own song with theirs and those of the stars above.
Pain grips my chest as my mind wanders back in time bringing memories of lighter, happier days and my steps falter in its intensity. I had not thought it to be this bad.
A sudden gust of wind brushes through my hair and with it brings a scent of spring, of new growth peeking up through loam, of rain soaked bark warmed by gentle sunlight and fresh, sweet niphredil.
Hope kindles within and as I raise my eyes from the remnants of a great oak they meet with those I have longed to see for what feels like an age. I taste the salt that lingers upon my tongue from tears there is no need to hide and suddenly find myself running, time winding back as I speed over the cracked and blackened earth, becoming again the child who needs comfort from the strong, solid form of he whom I love above all others and feared I should never see again.
"Ada!" I sob as he enfolds me within his warm embrace and for now this is enough.
A/N
This prompt really had me at a loss for ages until I found myself thinking about how Legolas would feel on his return to Mirkwood after the war of the ring and what would be the first word he said to his father. After many false starts and flowery speeches I finally decided that simplicity fitted best and so this little piece finally came together. I hope it works.
Many thanks for reading.