The fourth age of Middle Earth was the beginning of a new time for Gimli, or Gist as she was called now by those who knew her. She no longer had to disguise herself as her brother, but being the fierce dwarf woman that she was, it came as no surprise to Aragorn that many people still mistook her for a man.
A couple of Legolas's close friends among the Dunedain had teased him for becoming fast friends with a dwarf, a dwarf female no less, but together they put them straight. As promised, after they helped Aragorn get settled into life as a king, they set out to journey across Middle Earth.
They had been sent with missives from Aragorn to let the people of Gondor and Arnor know that the king has returned to the throne. But mostly they just went where adventures would take them. Gist showed off the glittering caves of her home and Legolas was impressed by the grand design and architecture of the place. Gist was able to see the glimmer of life returning to Mirkwood, although the gloom reminded her of home.
After many years, and an unfortunate number of funerals, it was finally Aragorn's time to depart. The three hunters gathered one last time in the white city and recalled tales of their adventures together. They laughed at the ultimately unsuccessful deception Gist had pulled on them and at the reaction of the youngest hobbits when they found out. The tears of laughter mixed with the teas of sorrow until their noble friend breathed his last.
Legolas could resist the call of the sea no longer and they made one last journey across Middle Earth to the port. No longer quite as young as they used to be, they rested in the little port city and built themselves a small boat. They delayed a short while longer on Gist's behalf, she wanted to spent just a little longer with her feet on solid rock, but then they too sailed onto the Grey Havens. The final journey, but perhaps, not the final adventure.
AN: Thank you to everyone who has stuck through to the end. I certainly didn't write the ending in the same frame of mind as I had started this story but there is, at long last, and ending. If anyone is still reading, reviews are always appreciated. Hannon le, mellon nin.
