Epilogue: The Sea Calls us Home
Hi, everyone, this is going to be the final part of my story This is No Mere Ranger. It takes place after Aragorn's death when Gimli and Legolas are getting ready to sail to the undying lands. Legolas will remember his love for the man… and I'm already crying, just writing the summary. Okay. Anyway. Gimli will offer him some consolation, and yada yada.
Thanks again for all of your views, follows and favorites. I'm glad that you have enjoyed reading this as much as I have writing it! I hope to see you in future fanfictions!
Epilogue: The Sea Calls us Home
Legolas looked out to the sea, feeling something in his heart settle for the first time since he had reached adulthood. They were to leave for the Undying Lands in a few moments, and Legolas wanted to spend a few moments remembering all that he had experienced on this continent.
The sea had been calling him since he had been but a young elf, and he had always felt the unrest in his heart.
Until he met Estel. The shifting moods and steady heart of the man had reminded him of the sea. He had found in Estel the same longing that he had, and they had grown closer together because of it. Legolas felt the pain in his heart increase at that thought. It had been over a year since Elessar had passed over into the halls of his fathers, but Legolas still felt that keening pain in his breast whenever he remembered the man's smile or the feel of his calloused hand on his face.
Legolas drew in a deep breath and allowed himself to feel the pain. He needed to remember Estel before he left, and perhaps it would give him some peace. Estel had finally left, and so would he.
Aragorn's life had been long and hard, but he had become such a great man because of it. Since Legolas had rejoined him in the Fellowship, he had proved to Legolas again and again that he was a man of true heart and someone that Legolas would never forget, in all his immortal years.
"You're remembering him, aren't you?" Gimli asked, looking up at his dear friend.
"Aye," Legolas said, smiling that smile he only got when he was thinking about their beloved king.
"He was a good man."
Legolas's lips trembled as he fought off tears. "Aye he was."
And it had been true. Since he had begun ruling, Arda had been at peace for the first time since the ring had been cut off of Sauron's finger. Elessar had been a kind and gentle man, always listening to the needs of his people and doing what was best for them, even if it put him at great peril. Everyone had loved the king, except the few who perhaps desired his throne.
Arwen had been a just and gentle queen as well. She understood that her husband's heart did not belong only to her, but to Legolas as well, and she had allowed them their time, for she knew that it was possible for the man to love them both equally. She had borne him a son, who was now ruling in the City of the Kings and many daughters, all of which were fair.
Legolas closed his eyes. The name of his bloodline would live long in this land, and he was glad for it. The land would prosper under King Eldarion, and he knew that the land would not want for anything for several thousand years.
"Come, my friend," Gimli said, taking Legolas's arm. "The ship lies at harbor, waiting for us to board."
Legolas smiled down at the dwarf. "Aye, let us leave and go on another adventure." As he walked down the dock, he turned. He could almost imagine Estel's ghost standing at the top of the hill, watching him go.
He would want this, Legolas thought. He remembered a night, long ago, when they had talked of the sea and its call upon Legolas's heart. He smiled. Aye, he would push me onto the boat if he were here. The tears threatened to spill over as he boarded the ship. He could almost hear Aragorn's voice in his ear.
"Go, mellonin. We will meet in the next life." The air kissed his cheek much as his lover would have.
As the ship sailed into the distance, Legolas did not turn around and look at the land he had grown up on, for he knew there was nothing for him there. Not anymore. Now, he would go and explore a new world, one where his mother and father waited, and perhaps he would find a way to ease the pain of Aragorn's passing.
Gimli placed a hand on Legolas's shoulder. The elf looked down at the dwarf, who had tears in his eyes as well. "And as this ship passes an end has come to the Fellowship of the Ring," he said. Legolas let out a deep breath and smiled, tilting his head back and letting the rays of the sun shine upon his face. He imagined that the warm caresses were from Aragorn's fingers as he held him, murmuring endearments to the elf in the wee hours of the morning.
"Finally. It is done."
-Finis-
Hope you enjoyed it. I didn't cry as much as I thought I would. It was all much sadder in my head. Hope you enjoyed it, please let me know if you find any mistakes spanning the length of this monstrosity of an attempt to make a good story. I will fix them and hopefully make the story better! Please review and tell me what you thought!
Le hannon! I will see you for the next fanfiction!