Epilogue

It was nearly midnight when two riders rode through the pass to Rivendell the hoods of their dark blue cloaks drawn down over their faces. Their backs were straight and their movements practiced as they maneuvered their chestnut horses through the mountain path and onto Rivendell's grounds, quickly finding their way to the dimly lit courtyard.

As they were dismounting their horses the doors opened, golden light streaming into the courtyard, and Glorfindel stepped outside.

"Welcome travellers." He greeted, "What purpose do you have in Rivendell."

"A nice hot meal and a warm bath. Wouldn't you agree brother?" One said amused turning to the other.

"Certainly. But seriously Glorfindel, we've been gone for two years and the best thing you can come up with is 'welcome travellers'?" Elladan reached up and threw down his hood, smiling at his father's seneschal.

Elrohir echoed his brother just afterwards with just as big a smile on his lips. "Good evening Glorfindel." He greeted.

Glorfindel had been staring at them almost like in a stupor but now he barked out a laugh and strode quickly towards them, grabbing Elladan who was closest and pulling him into a tight hug before doing to the same with Elrohir. He then drew back and looked them over before smiling hugely to them.

"You look well. I see that Legolas hasn't managed to tear you limb from limb."

"Not quite." Elladan answered chuckling, "Though his team of miscreants tried very hard." Even as he said this Glorfindel could hear the fondness in his voice.

"Glorfindel do you know if Ada's still up?" Elrohir asked, almost bouncing at the prospect of seeing Elrond.

Glorfindel smiled at his eager. "Of course," he answered, "Your father was in his study when I left him mere minutes ago. I'll take care of your horses."

"Thank you!" Elrohir responded already halfway sprinting into the house. Elladan chuckled but took the time to grab both of their saddlebags before following him.

Elrohir rushed through the halls only looking back briefly to see that Elladan was still behind him, though it was far behind him. He could feel his brother's amusement through their strong bond but felt almost giddy at returning home after such a long time away.

As he reached his father's office he burst in without knocking and immediately flung himself onto the startled dark-haired figure inside.

"Elrohir?" The figure breathed and drew back to look upon him with widened grey eyes. Father and son locked gazes and finally the stupor seemed to leave Elrond. A smile spread out on his lips and he laughed, drawing Elrohir into a tight hug once more.

It wasn't long before Elrond's eyes were drawn to another figure appearing at the door and his smile spread at the sight of his eldest. Elladan's soul was completely calm and unwavering, nothing like the instability it had had before he had left. Elladan returned his smile and fell into his embrace as well when he opened his arm for him.

"I've missed you." Elrond whispered emotionally and then drew back to study his two sons. "How were things in Mirkwood?"

"Good." Elrohir answered, with a weary smile. Elrond signaled them over to the couch and they sat down. "Hard and demanding but good. We were trained for almost a half year before we were even allowed to take the novice rounds but we ended up going on some of the tougher patrols, though not so tough as Dol Guldur."

"I never truly understood how bad of a situation Mirkwood is in," Elladan said sadly, "I don't think it's possible to understand before you're thrown right into it yourself. It's amazing that they're still holding out against it. The wood elves' spirits are unbreakable."

"Truly." Elrohir agreed, "Legolas' as well. Him and King Thranduil hold their people up."

"How is Legolas?" Elrond asked concerned.

Elrohir smiled at him, "He's fine. Busy mostly. We didn't see him that much because of the amount of work he has. He was also on the patrol to Dol Guldur twice while we were there." He paused thoughtfully for a moment but then snorted and said, "He has regained function in his right arm."

Elrond perked up, "He has?"

"Yes." Elladan answered, "He's back to outshooting us in the archery range after a short profession in knife throwing. He ruthlessly trained his arm up to its usual strength."

Elrond rolled his eyes and cursed inwardly at this description because he knew that Elladan wasn't even exaggerating. He could only hope that Ecphen had been supervising the process.

He shook the thoughts out of his head and looked at his sons once more. "What about you two? What are your plans now?" He asked them gently.

Elladan and Elrohir looked at each other before Elladan answered, "We were planning on staying here for a while but we also decided that we wanted to make a difference in the fight against darkness, just like Mirkwood… We were thinking of occasionally riding out and aiding the rangers of the north."

Elrond's eyes widened slightly in surprise and then he felt himself become slightly apprehensive. "Out to fight orcs?"

Elrohir shook his head frantically and reached out to take his father's hands in his. "We've learned from this trip Ada. We've been fighting the whole time we were in Mirkwood and haven't lost ourselves once. We will fight orcs, yes, but we won't do it alone and we won't do it as we did before."

"We only want to help keep the lands safe and aid our kin." Elladan added softly and slid down from the couch so he was kneeling before the armchair that Elrond was sitting in and placed his hands on his father's knees. "We are not seeking revenge and we're not going to do it recklessly. We promise you that we will take every care in the world and always return to you. We've learned from our mistakes." His dropped to a pained whisper at the end.

"If you truly wish Ada," Elrohir said hesitantly, "then we will stay here with you but we're asking you to trust us. We've been trained extensively under Legolas and the team's care so we know how to take care of ourselves."

Elrond studied his sons and saw the strength and surety in their eyes, their unwavering will, and he knew that they had already decided to do this. Did he even have the right to ask them to stay with him just because of his own selfish desire to keep them safe from the world? No. More than ever he saw now that his sons were grown, they were ready to make their own decisions and form their own lives.

For a moment he pitied Thranduil because he knew that he was only feeling a part of what the King must have felt that time when he had given Legolas permission to go on a patrol when he was only eighteen years old. Suddenly his dilemma seemed like a luxury problem. Why would he not allow his sons to fight for what they believed in?

Elrond reached out and drew his sons into a hug once more, closing his eyes and breathing in their scent. "As long as you keep the promises you have given here."

THE END

There you go. The end of another era. It's been a real joy to write this story because of all the support I've gotten from all of you, so thank you! Please do leave one last review because that would just make the ending even more perfect in my eyes :D
I am planning on writing a sequel to this so keep your eyes open and your swords sharp, I'll see you soon again! :)