Day 176: The Long Way Home

sgafan asked What did various characters think when they learned Frodo had gone West with the other Ringbearers?

Day 176

The Long Way Home

"News from the Shire." Aragorn handed over a crease of parchment, the seal already broken.

Taking it, scanning Pippin's surprisingly neat hand, Legolas sensed his old travelling companion watching closely.

At last Legolas folded the letter and passed it back. "So, Frodo has sailed West." He tried to keep his voice level, but his memory was already wheeling away to heaving grey swell, salt sharpness, crying gulls....

Aragorn touched his arm, bringing him back to the present and sunlight slanting through green boughs, tang of lavender, thrum of bees. Legolas breathed deeply. The sea awaited, one day – but not yet.