I found this on my computer and realized I had completly forgot about it. It's written for a 500-words challenge and is far from perfect ;P. It's set some hundred years before The Quest.

Please R&R!

Night hang over Imladris like a heavy, black cloak. The trees were still, the birds were silent and even the elves songs were nothing but a memory of happier times. Not a sound, not a movement. The elfish home was as still as a graveyard. The only light was that of the stars, and even they seemed dull behind the thick clouds.

A soft, creaking sound could be heard and out from the gates strode a small party of elves. Two guards in front of the others, two guards at the back and in the middle a tall elf led a horse. An elleth, an elfish woman fairer than the stars and as delicate as a withering flower rode upon the dark horse. A black cape hid her long silver locks while her dark eyelashes stood out in contrast to the inhumanly white skin. She was like a perfect sculpture: beautiful, cold and dead.

The elf walking beside her reached out and carefully took her hand in his. As soon as he touched her she flinched and pulled away sharply. Heartbreaking pain flooded over the elf's ageless face and he turned his head back to the road. His hand slipped down to hang limply at his side.

The night was still as the elves wandered through the woods, further and further away from Imladris while the hours crept by. Yet the darkness did not vanish and the silence was not broken. They passed small villages, crossed rivers, walked over hills, silently made their way under the watching stars and not even once looking back.

Finally, the company stopped. They had reached the Gray Havens. The ocean stretched out before them: its dark water mumbling softly in wonder and the rocks breaking the small waves. A lone seagull screamed and shudders ran through all of the elves' bodies. A white ship waited at the dock.

The elven lady slipped off the horse and soundlessly walked closer to the ship. The elf lord carefully put his hand on her shoulder, and this time she stopped herself from pulling away.

"I wish I could come with you", he whispered.

"It's not your time yet", she breathed back and turned to face him. "You are still needed here."

"Melleth… I can't…"

"Yes you can, and you will", she interrupted, and the determination in her voice, however small, carried a spark of her former self. Before the orcs had taken her. "You will find happiness in Arda still, and your part is not over."

The elf nodded shakily. He then pulled her into a hug and pressed a kiss to her brow. "I love you." But the elleth did not answer, and with sorrow in her empty eyes she slipped out from his arms and onto the ship.

"Namarie."

The ramp was pulled in and the ship's sails fluttered in the wind. Slowly the wind started to carry the white ship over the waves, over to the Undying Lands. Long stood the noble elf left on the shore and stared to the horizon.

"Celebrian!" Lord Elrond suddenly cried as his legs gave up and he finally broke down in sobs. The only answer he got was the mournful cy of the seagull.

Short one-shot, but I appreciate your thoughts!