Of Sands and Time

Now, this is it. The sequel to The old ways. Since our heroes have made their journey to the undying lands, some time has passed. I made it about two hundred years. The twins will turn 300 shortly and for all who are balling their eyes out now, you will get to read about the growing up in flashbacks, just like you read about Leggy's past in The old ways.

But not all is at peace in Valinor and the family has to fight for their happiness. But luckily there are others who are also not only interested in knitting and singing.

So let's see how they will cope. I wish you much fun and if you miss anything, have suggestion or questions, don't hesitate to scream. (I die for reviews... doesn't everybody?)


Of Sands and time


The soft and subtle sounds of wind chimes added a magical atmosphere to the sun beams that filtered through the light green tops of the trees. The ever so light breeze that came from the sea below, prevented heat building up amidst the woods.

In one of the small clearings that were scattered throughout the area, four people sat quietly, clearly occupied by their tasks. Two heads close together, discussing something bowed deeply over a few scrolls of paper. One sitting unlike the others, legs spread wide, casually leaning against the smooth bark of a birch tree, concentrating on the slender shafts of wood he was carving into arrows. The last one was not unlike the others, he was the only one who apparently just enjoyed the warming rays of the sun, his legs stretched out, a long pipe resting against the grey reddish curls of his beard and his eyes closed in contentment.

Life was easy and peaceful here. Nothing except a bird call would disturb the silence, giving the three elves the stillness they needed for their work.

“No, look Thaurdae,” Haldir inclined his silver haired head a little to the left “if you let the notes there fade out too slowly like you want to, you will miss the connection to the second verse. Try this.” With a steady hand Haldir marked a few notes on the paper and watched his son working through the notes again, softly humming the tune.

“You are right. It feels much better this way. But could I not leave the space and instead write an entirely new interlude? I do like the fade at the end of the first verse and maybe I can get around the change by a few more notes here.” The young elf pointed to the paper.

Smiling Haldir nodded and watched as Thaurdae made footmarks at the bottom of the page. Inwardly the old elf was cheering. He revelled the fact that one of his son showed not only great interest in art and music but also a lot of talent. He had missed the joy he had felt himself while writing and performing the harp and song. And Thaurdae shared his enthusiasm.

Amanhír watched his father and twin brother with a lopsided grin. Oh yes, he truly enjoyed listening to music and such, but to actually get involved in it himself? With a silent chuckle he shook his head and continued with his carving. Why didn’t his brother understand that it was as last as much of an art to make fine arrond mnd magnificent bows, as writing a new song. But it was clearly more relaxing sitting here in the company of these ‘artist’ than sitting somewhere alone or ….even worse…..

An unusual strong snapping sound broke the peaceful silence and the three elven heads shot up looking around in wonder. Gimli had opened his eyes and gave them a stern look, stating that it hadn’t been him.

“Oh, no.” Amanhír suddenly whispered “Here he comes.”

Stomping rather than walking, a darkly robed figure approached from somewhere in this forest. His head was bent low and the mutter of curses was to be heard from time to time. A few seconds later the figure had reached the clearing and stopped at the edge. Hands on the hips and a inquisitional glare in the eyes.

“I see.” was all the figure said.

“Ada!” Amanhír exclaimed.

“What?” Legolas shot back glaring at the younger twin.

“We kind of met by accident up here, you see….and …..” he didn’t get any further.

Legolas turned to his husband “Weren’t we two supposed to go to the harbour together. Remember? We talked about it last night.”

“And you,” the blond elf turned to Thaurdae. “Weren’t you going to meet with Glorfindel today, for your training with the sword?”

“Nay, Ada.” Thaurdae looked up solemnly at his father “You told me to go. But I don’t want to. It is not that important anymore to study swordplay everyday. I will go to Glorfindel once a week. That will be sufficient. And since I was at his place just two days ago, I wanted to work on my composition.”

“Did I just hear you correctly? You do know what you were told, but you decided that you weren’t in the mood?” Legolas fumed and turned to Haldir “And you are sitting here and are even encouraging him?”

Haldir sighed and got up from the fallen tree, he had been sitting on. “Love, come let’s go and discuss this somewhere else, shall we?”

“No!” the prince of Mirkwood growled, but Haldir had taken the sleeve of the dark robe in a firm grip and pulled his husband along relaying on his greater bodily strength.

A collective sigh came from the three remaining persons still sitting in the clearing.

“It’s getting worse.” Thaurdae muttered and carefully rolled up the pieces of parchment that lay scattered around his feet.

“Yes, and I don’t think we have seen the end of it.” Amanhír sighed and gathered his half finished arrows. “Come Gimli, let us return to that happy home of ours. Though, come to think of it, maybe you should stay in your own domicile tonight. It wont be very homely at our place.”

“Ah, don’t worry young one.” The old dwarf grumbled as he heaved himself up. “I have been through a few rough spots with your father. It will pass. Just you wait and see. He is feeling a bit useless right now, I think. But that wont last forever.”

“Your words in the Valar’s ears. I really don’t know what has gotten in to him lately.” Thaurdae threw his arms up.

“You know, dear brother,” Amanhír said, walking over to his twin clapping on his shoulder “who knows. Maybe they are hiding something from us. What do you think? What if Ada is with child again? Don’t pregnant people often get funny?”

“I think I can assure you,” Gimli interrupted “Legolas is not pregnant. But maybe it would be better if he were. Might give him something to do.”

The twins laughed loudly at the dwarf’s words and they all moved together through the woods north in direction of the elven settlement of the wood elves.


Legolas struggled to free himself of Haldir’s strong grip but failed miserably. So as a last straw he flung his free arm around a young and slender tree when they passed it, thus managing tong Hng Haldir to a halt.

“Stop! Stop now, Haldir. Why are you doing this? Come one, you are always undermining my authority. What do you think Thaurdae and Amanhír will think about in a few months. I’ll be laughed at. And anyway, why weren’t you at the harbour this morning?”

Haldir glared at Legolas and shook his head. “You should listen to yourself. Do you even know what you are saying? You are ordering everybody around, you are the one who wants to make all the decision. Our sons are not elflings anymore. They will be three hundred years old in a few days. Do you even know why they want to do what they do? Why Thaurdae is so keen on composing? Why Thaurdae is always working on his new bow and arrows?”

“No, and how should I? Nobody talks to me. All of you, you never tell me anything. I…..” Legolas had crossed his arms across his chest and stared at his mate.

Haldir stopped Legolas string of words by placing his fingers against his husband’s lips. “Shhh…, nobody is trying to leave you out, but right now you don’t make it very easy for us. I know you feel a little unoccupied and out of balance. You were always used to fight, to defend and to lead. But here is a world of peace. A peace we earned at a bitter prize. Please try to enjoy this world. All of our last years on Middle earth you dreamed of nothing else but going over to Valinor. And now that we are here you cannot cope with it. For the last weeks you have been treating our sons like they are only a century old, you want me to walk with you to the harbour every single day. And you don’t even tell me why. What are you hoping to find? They will be no more ships sailing over. And no ships leaving, if that is what you want. Is that what you want, Legolas? Do you want to leave? Leave me and our family?”

Legolas eyes had grown bigger during Haldir’s speech. “Do you really think that? That I want to leave you? I love you Haldir! I love you and our sons. My father is here and my friends. Why should I want to go?”

“Because you need more. And I don’t think that you are truly happy here.” Haldir gently took his husband into his arms and nuzzled his neck lovingly.

“I love you.” Legolas kissed Haldir softly and smiled weakly at him. “Come take me home. Take me home and show me how much you need me.”


Amanhír and Thaurdae walked Gimli to his own home, a wonderfully carved cave in the near proximity of their home and then turned very slowly to the large, finely shaped house among the beech wood trees peaking out from between the trees in the near distance.

“Maybe we could go to Elrohir and Elladan for a short while. It isn’t too far from here and go home a little later.” Thaurdae suggested clearly showing that he wasn’t to fond of returning home so soon.

“No, better not. Come, it wont be that bad. You know what Ada gets like when we are late and he is in one of his moods.” Amanhír nudged his brother in direction of the house.

They walked in silence and barley managed to keep a steady step not slowing down.

The house seemed quiet and empty. No sound were to be heard through the open balconies and windows. The twins gingerly stepped inside and listened again. Nothing. Releasing a mutual sigh they turned down the hallway and up the winding staircase that led to their rooms.

Suddenly Amanhír stopped Thaurdae and gestured to him to be quiet and grinned. Very faintly sounds were drifting up the stairs. Sounds that left little doubt why neither Legolas nor Haldir hadn’t been around when the twins had walked in.

“Luckily our rooms are upstairs.” Amanhír whispered into his twin’s ear “It seems we won’t have to worry about a rough evening. Come, we could play chess or cards if you want. And later when they are asleep, we can nick some food from the kitchen.”


Haldir held Legolas tightly in his arms and whispered the poem, he had been writing on for the last days, in his ears. His husband had his eyes closed and a smile full of love and gentleness played across his face.

For once he felt at peace. At ease with himself and not so useless as he usually did. Here in his home he felt good and secure.

t.b.c.