*All the Sinderin phrases came from tara istadorg sind-phrases htm.

Hi, this is the last chapter of the story. Thanks you all from the bottom of my heart for reading it. So far, it is the first long story I have written so I am still struggling to find the tone and the voice of the story. Thanks for all the comments. It really helps me developing my skill in writing. I will keep trying and learning. Have a nice day everyone. *May the leaves of your life tree never wither ~ Pelo nalú i laiss en-Galadh Guil lín*


The rain fell gently as a kiss. He could hear the sound of the raindrop touching the walkway softly. Surmounted by a floral-leave canopy, a pentagonal castle laid at the end of the path. The façade of the building was concealed behind rich bunches of auburn vine. Morning fog obscured the sunlight created a dreamlike atmosphere while they were walking toward the foyer. His longtime comrade was waiting. He bowed his head. Likewise, the host returned the greeting.

"It was a long time since we met. I did not have the time to say goodbye. Forgive me, my Lord." Said Thranduil.

"We both were too occupied with our duties. There's no need to apologize, Your Majesty. I am glad to see you again. I have been waiting for you." Politely, Celeborn replied. He invited Thranduil to join him on the balcony.

As the sun slowly appeared on the horizon, the surrounding landscape was surreal. Greenish leaves changed color into deep sapphire when the sunlight warmly embraced the stretch of the vast forest. Gradually, the rain vanished.

Gazing at the enchanting scenery of the Undying lands, they stood quietly. He could hear a birdsong, singing far away from the forest.

"You once came to me for help. I rejected you." Finally, Celeborn broke the silence.
"I don't blame you for that. I know now it is not possible to bring her back. At last, we all perish. You were right. There has no eternal joy in life." After years of living in the dark, Thranduil finally surrendered.
"And nor in death." Celeborn reminded what he had said.
"So in the end, we are destined to suffer both in life and in death?" Asked Thranduil.
"I do no know the answer. I am not Eru therefore I do not have the omniscient knowledge. All I know is the rise and fall is uncertain. We are living in the debris of time, existing in a fragment of eternity." Celeborn sighed.

"It is beyond my knowledge to answer your question. The only thing that I can tell you now is I may be wrong. That's why I sent Galadriel to meet you."

"What do you mean?" Thranduil asked curiously.

"Life is full of infinite possibilities, Your Majesty." Celeborn smiled slightly.

"Just look at this place. It is magical. Can you hear the sound of the trees talking? Can you taste the sweetness of the wind? Can you feel the warmness of hope in every grain of sand? This is the place where there has no beginning and end. This is a place to mend every broken soul where we finally rest in the presence of eternal joy."

"I can't feel anything." Touching his chest, Thranduil found emptiness filling his heart.
"*Golden Sun, may your warmth bring healing to this heart. Anor valthen, togo laugas lín nestad enin gûr hen*At last, you will find peace again here with Legolas and…there, someone is waiting for you." Down there, in the forest below Celeborn's castle, Thranduil saw a familiar shadow of someone. He was motionless.

"That's impossible."

"I told you once that we could not live forever in joy. Here in the Undying lands, I was wrong. It is the magic of this place. I cannot explain how it happened, but this place has wondrous power of Eru." Celeborn paused while leading Thranduil downstair.

"It is the magic of the Undying love." Celeborn grinned.

There, his son Legolas.

There, his father, Oropher.

And there…

Running quickly into the forest, his heart beat so fast. He could not catch his breath. His legs were trembling, but the only thing he knew was he must run.

He could hear the sound of the tree talking.
He could taste the sweetness of the wind blowing through his path.
He could feel the warmness of the sand in every step.
And, above all, he could hear someone calling him.

Looking around, Thranduil found nothing. His heart sank. The shadow had disappeared. It was just an illusion of the forest that tricked him to believe that she had returned.
"How foolish I am." Thranduil mocked at himself.

Turning back slowly, Thranduil could feel the pain in his heart subsided. He stopped chasing the shadow of her. All of his life, he spent so much time building invisible walls around him. He had hidden under his mask for too long until his heart turned into stone.

The gentle rain began pouring down while Thranduil was walking back toward the fortress. He didn't want to fool himself any longer to think that she would come back to life. 'I must bury everything in Mirkwood. No more delusional hope.' He sighed.

When the sunlight touched the rain, the sprinkle glittered like golden stars shining in the sky.

"Meleth nín* Where are you going?" Hearing a familiar voice, Thranduil stopped.
In the sunlight, he could see the silhouette of a familiar figure. He was about to faint when she walked toward him. 'It is impossible.' Thranduil thought.

"It's been so long." She said. Pulling her closer, Thranduil could feel the warmness of her body while holding her tight. He could hear her heartbeat again as well as his. There's life in her.

She's alive. She's alive.

Thranduil was speechless. He could not come up with any word. Tear of joy slowly dropped, he could not restrain it to fall anymore.

"Let's go home my love. Legolas and Oropher are waiting." She told him.
"Yes, let's go home." Thranduil smiled.

He took her in his arms again, and this time he did not let her go.