"Whoa there."
Legolas patted his elf horse, urging it to slow down. It snorted and paused and Legolas glanced back. Gimli, sitting quietly on his pony, noticed the staring and waved.
"We almost there?" He asked in his usual gruff voice.
Legolas grinned and replied, "See for yourself."
Ahead was the vast ocean, with its waves gently rolling onto the beach. An elegantly designed ship was docked at a port. A throng of people were waiting for them. As Gimli and Legolas approached, they saw friends and family waiting for them and among them was Thranduil, standing off to the side with his men, waiting patiently.
Legolas and Gimli hopped off their steeds and rushed forward to greet the group. Most of them were dwarves who had all come to see Gimli off. For Legolas, it was simply his father to see him off (if you didn't count the bodyguards).
"Nothing went wrong with your detour, I assume?" The Elven king asked when Legolas approached.
When Legolas had departed from Mirkwood, he originally traveled with his bodyguards to Helms Deep to meet up with Gimli. From there, the bodyguards returned to Mirkwood and Gimli and Legolas continued to the West, where they were now.
Legolas shook his head and reported that everything was well and fine. The trip took longer than was expected because along the way, Gimli had spotted a troll's cave and declared obstinately that they must go investigate, and also because they thought they caught sight of orcs, so the duo took a longer route.
Thranduil stared at Legolas, wanting to absorb his image before he left as a memory. He wanted to always remember his precious son.
The bodyguards slowly crept away, leaving them alone for some father-and-son time.
"Legolas, you have really grown up," Thranduil said, choosing his words carefully, "As a father, I am so very proud to watch you grow up to what you have become now."
Legolas smiled and took his father's hands. "I am proud to have been your son."
The Elven king felt his eyes well up with tears and he sniffled, rubbing the sleeves of his robe over his eyes to wipe the tears. Legolas chuckled at the sight, thinking that his father seemed very much like a little child. Thranduil noticed and was horrified and cried indignantly, "Don't laugh at me!"
"I'm not laughing at you," Legolas said, still chuckling. But with a somber tone, he added, "Thank you so much for all you have taught me, father. I shall never forget the lessons you have taught me since I was a child. You are my dearest father and my wisest mentor."
Of course, this only made Thranduil sob some more, in a way like he was watching some cheesy happy ending movie.
It was awhile before he appeared sober and composed, with the help of lots of pats and hugs and comforting words.
Gimli was beginning to haul their belongings onto the boat and glared at Legolas to help him. Legolas called to him that he would be right there, just a moment. He turned back to his father.
Thranduil said, "I will really, really, really miss you, so very much. Have a safe journey and stay healthy."
Legolas stooped down to pick up his bag full of items. By then, the rest of the company (the bodyguard elves and dwarves) had transported the other necessary things and whatnot onto the ship. Legolas sighed, feeling very sorry to leave Middle-Earth and his father. But it was already decided, and there was no going back.
"Father?"
"What is it?"
"May the stars watch over you and light your path."
Thranduil smiled, somewhat sadly, and replied, "You too, son. May the stars watch over you and light your path forever."
With that, Legolas whirled around and boarded the ship that was waiting for him and ready to go. He looked back one last time. Thranduil waved, and then the ship set sail.
Legolas stood at the helm of the ship, newfound determination on his features. Gimli joined him and together, they faced a new adventure and a new future.
Afterwards, Thranduil left and returned home to Mirkwood.
The story of father and son will end here, for now, and the past will remain engraved forever in their memories.