Aragorn sat on his throne looking over a letter from King Eomer of Rohan. There was a small band of Orcs terrorizing some villages throughout Rohan. They were asking for help and Aragorn and I were discussing what we should do. We were interrupted as Tinaraviel ran in, Arwen hot on her heels. Tinaraviel had grown into a fine young woman, and I had watched her grow up thinking Aragorn and Arwen were her biological parents. It was believable, too! She had Aragorn’s features, and features that both Arwen and I possessed: blue eyes and fair, pale skin.

        “Tinaraviel! Please come and get ready for the party this evening!” Arwen called after my daughter.

        “NO! Naneth {mother}, I don’t want to go to the party. The boys won’t leave me alone! They don’t realize that I’m at least three times their age!” Tinaraviel protested. I had to laugh, and so did Aragorn. Tinaraviel spun around and ran toward me. She wrapped her arms around my abdomen and held tight. “Save me, Uncle Legolas!”

        I chuckled, “I am sorry, pen-neth {young one}, but I must agree with Ar… your mother. You should get ready. Perhaps I can dance with you tonight and keep those young lads of your back?”

        Tinaraviel smiled up at me, ”Hannon lle {thank you}, Uncle Legolas!”

        “My pleasure. Now go!”

        I watched her go with Arwen and felt a small sting in my heart. I would no longer hold her like that. Not for years. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Aragorn.

        “Are you alright mellon nin {my friend}?” Aragorn asked.

        “Aye, Aragorn. Just thinking about how much I’ll miss her.”

        “Have you told her yet?”

        “I have not told her that I am leaving. I was going to wait. I thought I’d tell her this evening after the celebration.”

        “Alright.”

        Aragorn and I finished plans for aiding Rohan. Gondor’s army would leave in two days. After our small meeting, I went to get ready for the celebration. I pulled on my old tunic from Mirkwood. For the past years I’d worn the traditional clothes of Gondor, and I would dress as my people for this party as would Arwen. And Tinaraviel would be dressed in the colours of both Rivendell and Mirkwood with a Gondorian crown.

        As I entered the courtyard to supervise the part preparations I realized just what I was doing. I was going to sail to Valinor. I had no purpose anymore here in Middle Earth and the sea-longing was growing ever stronger in my heart. I wanted to go, I truly did! But that meant leaving Tinaraviel without ever telling her the truth. That weighed my heart, for I didn’t want our relationship to be a lie. But as the celebration started that night, I didn’t think about that; I only thought of the joy I was feeling that night – except for once.

        Tinaraviel and I had been dancing for a while. No young men came to us and for that I was grateful. I wanted to spend as much time with my daughter as I could. Only Eldarion interrupted us a few times. And I was happy to let them dance. During a slower dance, I held Tinaraviel close as we danced. I hadn’t realized I was crying until she said something.

        “Uncle Legolas? What is wrong? Why are you crying?” Tinaraviel asked, wiping tears from my cheeks.

        I smiled as best I could, “Nothing pen-neth {young one}. I’m just thinking about how much you’ve grown in the past years. I will be sad when I have to leave.” Damn it!

        “What do you mean?”

        “One day I shall have to leave these shores and sail to Valinor. I will be sad when that day comes and I will have to wait a hundred more years to see you again.”

        Tinaraviel smiled and laid her head on my chest as I danced. I smiled, but tears continued to fall o down my cheeks. When the song ended, Aragorn came over to me and Tinaraviel and me. He told us that he thought it best if Tinaraviel be done for the evening. I smiled at him, silently thanking him for the extra time to speak with Tinaraviel. I led her back up to the citadel and into the palace. When we reached her chambers I closed the door behind us and sat on a couch, motioning for her to join me. Tinaraviel sat next to me with a question in her eyes. I took her hands in mine and sighed.

        “Tinaraviel, I have not been completely honest with you. I told you that I would one day sail to Valinor did I not?”

        “You did.”

        “I am sailing tomorrow morning.”

        The shock on her face stung my heart.  I hadn’t wanted to upset her.

        “Why, Uncle Legolas?”

        “The sea calls to me,” I explained. “I tried to ignore it so I could stay and help your father.  But now it is too strong. I must answer it. I have watched you grow into a beautiful young lady and it pains me to leave you. You were like a daughter to me. I will miss you, Tinaraviel.” I kissed her cheek.

        Tinaraviel threw her arms around me and began to sob. I held her and stroked her hair. I kissed the top of her head and then her temple. We sat together for a while and she soon cried herself to sleep. I carried her into her room and laid her on the bed. I kissed her forehead and then left. I needed to finish packing. I got my belongings together and went to bed myself so I would have the strength to travel in the morning. I worried about Tinaraviel, though, and hoped she would be okay.

A/N     I'm sure you guys are wondering about the picture on the side and it's relevance to the story. It's not relevant. I ust saw it and thought it was funny so I thoght It would lighten the mood of the chapter. Enjoy! A comment and a vote for an update.