Disclaimers: See Prologue for more info.

*.*.*

Epilogue:

A Family At Last

Rose stared at the small amber pendant. It was this very pendant that she showed to her father, Frodo. But would he entrust her with the pendant? Still, there must have been a reason for why she had it. And yet, it was Ebony who questioned the amber gemstone and how it was useful.

"I'll answer both your questions," Frodo said. It had been at least seven years since his family was reunited. He did love watching her children grow up, even thought they were half wolf half hobbit. And yet, his attention returned to the pendants. "Those were given to you as a promise."

"What promise is that?" Rose said. "I thought these pendants were to be used on our journey…"

"Here. Set it on the table," Frodo said, pulling out his sapphire pendant. He waited until Ebony's emerald pendant and Rose's amber pendant were set on the table, before explaining as best he could, "When these pendants were first brought to me, I almost thought they were a fluke. But now that they're united, so will our family. Watch."

Just like that, the pendants shot out light and dust, which circled the air. From that circulation, the pendants' dust came together, forming a pink heart. The dust returned to the gemstones, revealing each of their names to the adjoining crystals. When the glowing stopped, Frodo told them, "It doesn't do anything afterwards. As long as we have them, we'll be united. Without them, it won't make any difference. It's an item meant to find each other, wherever we go." He looked at Rosemary, "And when you're old enough and your children are grown, you can pass these pendants onto the next generation. And so on, and so forth."

"It's ironic the name: the next generation." Ebony said, feeling like she heard it before.

"Thank you, father," Rose said, smiling, "For showing us these."

"You're welcome." Frodo asked her in a near whisper, "Don't you have children to raise?"

"Cheeky, father. Real cheeky," Rose said, standing up and approaching her husband Bane, as well as their children. Frodo left the family to their children. However, he couldn't help but noticed Ebony approaching Bag End's kitchen window. Frodo wrapped his arms around his wife, glad to have hear by his side.

"Frodo, you know how I feel about you sneaking up on me," Ebony said, as Frodo rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Now why would you think that?" Frodo chided, jokingly. "We are together, are we not?"

"We are." Ebony spoke to him, as Frodo kissed her neck. "Frodo, we have a family now. We're reunited at long last. Where will we be?"

"Right here." Frodo turned her around. "As I said, I'm looking after you and our family."

"As I you," Ebony said. "Will we always be like this? You have the gift of foresight."

"I still have that." Frodo admitted. "Ebb, trust me. Our family is safe, and will always be that way in the years to come. And we will always be here, watching over our children and grandchildren. Be glad, for we are here and Rose and Bane are with their children." He added, last, "We have all the happiness we need." He changed the subject on her. "Would you like some tea."

Ebony blushed. "I would very much like some tea."

"I'm glad." Frodo said, as he poured his wife a hot cup of tea.

And they would be together, Frodo and his family. No matter what happened next for them or wherever they would go, Frodo would always remember the day he was reunited with his family. And that's where they would stay, for years to come.

The End.

*.*.*

And with that ends the Next Generation Saga. And we've come a long way, from the moment this series was first written.

I'd like to thank Sev Baggins for reading, reviewing, favoriting and following this story. I'd also like to thank the readers for also reading, reviewing, favoriting and following this series, right to the very end. :)

I hope everyone enjoyed this series. I first began brainstorming this series a few years ago. And as it happened, Rosemary Blain, Bane Lewis-Wolfson and Frodo Baggins were the first three names that stuck, during the brainstorming process. It didn't take root until recently and has been a long journey in the making. So, the support was really helpful. I have also come a long way as a writer, too, which helped out this series and kept everyone in character as well – even with the back and forth movements of the characters' personalities, but I think, especially in this story, that was due to the cave and the Ring's hold over Frodo and his family.

So I leave you, readers, to whichever story or series comes next. Cheers!

Aria Breuer