36. Are You Certain
Thranduil gazed at the dwarf standing at the bow of the ship, obviously ill at ease. "Are you certain of this, my son?"
"It is his idea," Legolas said quietly. "He fears I should fade if I try to remain until he too steps beyond the circles of the world. He worries not of his own welfare, only that I follow the Call before that."
"He is brave," Thranduil allowed, "and a good friend."
"You should tell him that sometime."
"I already have," Thranduil answered, raising his hand in a farewell that was immediately returned.
"I wish you would come with us," Legolas stated wistfully.
"Who would remain to lead those who trickle out of forests and glens that are all but abandoned by the Eldar now, were I to take Ship?" Thranduil shook his head. "My place is here, beneath my trees."
"I will miss you."
"And I you, my son. May the Belain guide your way to the Straight Road and beyond. Give my love to your mother."
"Will you come someday?"
Thranduil drew his son into his arm for one last embrace, then backed away quickly. "Twilight comes. You must cast off."
"Farewell, Father."
"Farewell, my son."
"It is his idea," Legolas said quietly. "He fears I should fade if I try to remain until he too steps beyond the circles of the world. He worries not of his own welfare, only that I follow the Call before that."
"He is brave," Thranduil allowed, "and a good friend."
"You should tell him that sometime."
"I already have," Thranduil answered, raising his hand in a farewell that was immediately returned.
"I wish you would come with us," Legolas stated wistfully.
"Who would remain to lead those who trickle out of forests and glens that are all but abandoned by the Eldar now, were I to take Ship?" Thranduil shook his head. "My place is here, beneath my trees."
"I will miss you."
"And I you, my son. May the Belain guide your way to the Straight Road and beyond. Give my love to your mother."
"Will you come someday?"
Thranduil drew his son into his arm for one last embrace, then backed away quickly. "Twilight comes. You must cast off."
"Farewell, Father."
"Farewell, my son."
This is a work of fan fiction, written because the author has an abiding love for the works of J R R Tolkien. The characters, settings, places, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for certain original characters who belong to the author of the said work. The author will not receive any money or other remuneration for presenting the work on this archive site. The work is the intellectual property of the author, is available solely for the enjoyment of Henneth Annûn Story Archive readers, and may not be copied or redistributed by any means without the explicit written consent of the author.
