Disclaimer: I own nothin' but an increadably seksi Orlando Bloom poaster and a box of those little marshmellow chicks that you can put in the microwave with toothpicks sticking out of them and watch them joust! Peeps I think they're called.

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In the undying lands little to nothing has changed in over 1000 years.  The elves continue to live in perfect harmony with nature and the world around them.
 

But whatever happened to Middle-earth?  No one knows for sure. What of the fair lands of Lothlorien? And Rohan? Even Gondor?  The ideas haunt the minds of many, but one in particular, the former prince of Mirkwood, Legolas. The only surviving member of the Fellowship of the Ring (accept Gandalf, but no one has heard from him for over 500 years).  Dark memories haunt his dreams, the tinniest details are remembered, and shown to him over and over again.  It tortures him day and night, for he cannot rid his mind of the vivid pictures; of Boromir dead, the balrog, uruk-hai, the hobbits, the final battle...
 

Then one day it occurred to him, the only way to escape these memories was to face them head on. He must return...
 

To Middle-earth.
 
 

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An Undying World
Chapter One ~ So It Begins (Ikotane Ta Yestio)
 
 

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"I need a boat," Legolas told the dock worker. The younger elf stared at him in confusion, seeming to wonder why the prince would be needing such a thing.  Legolas held back a sigh, "I said, I need a boat."
 

The elf snapped out of his daze and nodded, "Y-yes highness, but, may I ask...Why?"
 

"I'm traveling back to Middle-earth."
 

"To Middle-earth?"
 

"Yes, now are you going to get me a boat or not?" Nodding, the dock hand ran off to find his superiors, and get the prince a boat. Legolas sat down on a crate to wait, and looked around.  He hadn't been to the docks for a while, but nothing had changed.
 

The elfling came running back to Legolas and bowed, "There is a boat that you can buy if you wish, Highness. Follow me."  The prince followed him down the dock, a medium sized boat was tethered to a support.  Next to the boat stood and elder elf who smiled and bowed to Legolas.
 

"It has been many years since you have visited our wharves Highness," He smiled, "I am known as Celerin."
 

Legolas nodded, "Is this the boat you have for me?" He questioned, looking toward the sail boat.
 

"Indeed it is, Highness. Is it to your liking?"
 

"It's too big."
 

Celerin blinked, "I'm sorry Highness? I don't believe I heard you correctly. Did you say it was too big?"
 

"I did."
 

"B-but Highness, with the crew and supplies, a smaller boat would-"
 

Celerin was cut off, "I will be going alone," The prince stated.  Both Celerin and the elfling were shocked, why would the prince be traveling all the way back to Middle-earth alone? After a long awkward silence Legolas spoke, "This is something I must do alone," he sighed, "Please do not question my intentions. You would not understand."

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The very next day Legolas set out.  No one but Celerin and the young worker knew of his departure to Middle-earth, not even his family.  It was a beautiful morning, perfect  for beginning his long journey.
 

"Is everything set?" Legolas asked, his warm breath creating a white cloud on the chill air.
 

Celerin nodded, placing another pack on the small sail boat, "It is.  Are you sure this is what you want?"
 

The prince sighed, taking one last look at the home he had become so attached to.  He turned back to the other, "Yes," The answer was simple but all that was needed. The prince of Mirkwood was leaving, and that was that.

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Legolas set out just before sunset. As the sun was just over the horizon  the brightness kept the elf from looking back to the west. This was his plan, for he did not wish to look back and to change his mind about leaving.
 

He sailed all through the night without rest and when the sun rose in the morning it showed storm clouds on the horizon.  With all hope those storm clouds would travel away from Legolas' little boat. But the clouds only got closer, and Legolas prayed that he could make it through the night in peace, to hit the storm during the day.
 

The Valar were against him. Sure as the sun does rise the storm struck at midnight on a moon less night. Even Legolas' keen elven eyes couldn't see a thing  in the pitch blackness.
 

He was helpless, completely at the mercy of the sea. And the sea has no mercy.
 

The tinny boat was throttled and thrown, the elf prince struggled to keep his footing. But all failed as Legolas was flung from his vessel to the unrelenting tides.
 
 

To be continued....