As the salty waves lapped against the elven boat, Indilwen breathed in the relaxing scent riding on the wind before turning her head towards the sound of tiny pattering feet. With her royal blue cloak lowered from around her face, Indilwen awaited the hobbits as they descended into the harbour. "Oh!" Bilbo gasped, gazing at the boat in awe then saw Indilwen, who smiled softly in greeting. "Well there is a sight I have never seen before." He said, referring to the boat before he bowed his head which the elves all returned.
"The power of the Three Rings is ended. The time has come for the dominion of Men." Galadriel murmured softly in her powerful and ancient voice.
"I Aear can vên na mar." (The sea calls us home) Elrond's gentle voice made Indilwen smile and look to him before turning her golden eyes back to the hobbits as Bilbo chuckled, grinning to himself.
"I think I am quite ready for another adventure." He said then began to stride slowly and uneasily forwards, letting go of Frodo's arm. Indilwen stepped forwards to stand before Bilbo, looking down at him with a gentle expression. "Well it has been a long time, my lady." Bilbo said to her and she chuckled.
"Too long, my old friend." Indilwen said then got down onto her knees so that their height levels were a little more even. "I'm sorry for this, but there is something I must do." Indilwen reached out and placed one hand on his shoulders. "I must erase your memories and replace them with how events should have happened. It is very important for the future, and the past, of this world."
"How do you mean, Lady Fainauriel? I do not want to lose my memories, I have too many more precious than dwarf gold."
"I know, dear Bilbo, but it must be this way. You see, your life does not end here. It will start anew in a new world. My old world." Indilwen began to explain in a quiet voice so that no one else could hear. "When you are there, you will live a full and happy life but there is a task still set that must be accomplished. You must wright the history of this world into books so that in the future, two girls will understand what they must do to protect Middle-Earth from altered events." Bilbo blinked then sighed softly.
"I will not remember Mirima, will I?" Sadly the elleth shook her head. "Or you." Again she shook her head. "Then I refuse to relent my memories. Grant me a way to see how things should have happened but I will not let go of my love for Mirima and all those I have met on my journey. Please, Lady Fainauriel, please." Indilwen thought for a moment, tilting her head before smiling.
"I will try." She answered then rested one hand on top of Bilbo's head. With the last of her power Indilwen granted him the vision to see exactly how life in Middle-Earth should have happened, from beginning to end. All the while he saw the flickering images he smiled to himself, flinching whenever something painful happened in his mind.
"Now, you must write these stories exactly as I have shown them to you. Exactly. Promise me, Bilbo, I am trusting you with this."
"You have my word of honour, I shall not allow one detail to be altered." Indilwen smiled then embraced the old hobbit before letting him go to Elrond, who took his hand and led him onto the boat.
"Farewell, my brave hobbits. My work is now finished. Here at last, on the shores of the sea, comes the end of our Fellowship." Gandalf sighed softly, smiling down at the hobbits as Merry and Pippin began to cry. "I will not say, do not weep, for not all tears are an evil." He glanced at Indilwen with a knowing look before moving towards the ship. He stopped by Indilwen who gulped down a sob then embraced him tightly, hiding her face into his warm shoulder as his arms curled naturally around her.
"What an adventure." He murmured to her in a fatherly tone. "But yours is not yet over." He said then pulled back to rest a hand on Indilwen's stomach. "I can feel new life ahead of you and with you now. I wish you all the happiness in the world." Gandalf kissed Indilwen's face gently before finally turning back to Frodo. "It is time, Frodo."
Just as the other hobbits looked to Frodo in surprise Indilwen heard the galloping hooves of a pony. Fist thundered down the steps with many more ponies following a little way behind. "Stop that bloody boat!" Mirima bellowed as Fist leaped down then cantered to a stop, pawing the stones as Mirima sprung off her saddle and strode over to the ship, Bilbo hobbling into sight with a surprised look on his face. Mirima placed both hands on her hips and glared at him. "You thought you could get away so easily?" She demanded then began to sniffle as Bilbo came back down to receive her.
"Miri!" Bilbo cried with joy, tears flowing freely as Mirima grabbed him carefully into a hug, nearly crushing him as tears watered her eyes.
"My brave little burglar, we will miss you." She whispered then looked around as the company of Thorin all pounded down the steps after her.
"Bilbo! Bilbo you can't leave!" Fili yelled.
"Not without saying goodbye first!" Kili chorused, leaping down over the last few steps to race over to Bilbo. Many tears and heartfelt sobs were shared as everyone embraced their hobbit friend for the last time.
"How did you get here?" Bilbo asked in surprise.
"Indilwen sent me a message, warning me that this was going to happen, that you were leaving this world forever. We couldn't let you go without saying goodbye, not our burglar." Mirima answered as Thorin stepped forwards, tall and regal as usual.
"It has been an honour knowing you, Master Baggins." Thorin murmured then pulled him into a gentle but loving hug, a single tear rolling down his cheek. "Your tree grows strong, you can see it from Dale." He informed him. "It will carry your memory forever."
"Ah, it was just a little token for your marriage. I didn't expect it to last with Miri taking care of it." Bilbo answered and everyone laughed, tears still dripping freely. "Well, I must be off. One last adventure to walk into. I'm only sorry I'm not sharing it with you." Mirima grunted.
"Doesn't matter where we are, or how far apart, we'll always be a company. We'll always be brothers. We love you Bilbo, just don't ever forget that." She placed one last kiss on Bilbo's brow before tucking his hand into her arm and helped him back to the ship, turning him into the care of the elves before returning to Thorin.
Indilwen wept as she embraced Frodo, shaking as she held him in her arms. "I wish there was something more I could have done for you." She whispered, planting a kiss on his brow. "I wish I could have saved you from all this pain."
"I know." Frodo answered simply, reaching up to kiss her cheek. "If I ever find Alkira by chance, I'll be sure to give her your love." Indilwen nodded her head, smiling weakly then rose as Frodo got onto the ship. She went over to the other hobbits and stood behind Pippin whilst placing her hands on Sam and Merry's shoulders, all of them crying as they watched Frodo begin to fall away from them.
He turned back, offering one last smile which seemed to light up his features, peeling away all the pain and weariness until he looked once again radiant and alive, glowing from the light of the sunset as the ship sailed smoothly over the sea. Indilwen choked on the lump in her throat as Frodo disappeared from view and the hobbits began to walk away. Only she and the dwarves remained.
Mirima turned her sobs into Thorin's shoulder, crying freely as he comforted her, struggling to keep his emotions in check. "My child." Mirima looked up to her mother then burst into a fit of sobs all over again. Mirima ran into her mother's arms, both of them weeping for sorrow as they let go of those they loved dearly. The dwarves all crowded around them, standing in morbid silence as the last rays of light set under the horizon, swallowing the existence of their friends forever.
"Why didn't you go with them?" Gloin asked quietly. "You're an elf."
"I have given up my immortality and gifts of power. I'm married to the King of Gondor and I would not leave him for all the world." Indilwen answered as she calmed herself down. "He was the man I spoke to you all of. The man I have waited three ages to be with." The dwarves all looked to one another then down to Miri and Indilwen.
"We hope he's worthy of you." Thorin said, placing a hand on the elf's shoulder. "If there's anything you need, you can always rely on Erebor for aid."
"Thank you Thorin, though I have a feeling this land is going into a long and peaceful age." She answered, smiling softly up at him as she continued to comfort Mirima, who's sobbing had not yet subsided. "Together, our great nations can now all strive to heal this sickened land from all the suffering caused to it." Thorin nodded his head then they all looked up to the rising moon, its beauty brightening by the second until Mirima finally was silenced, joining her family in their vigil until the skies were filled with the shooting jets of light, as if the Valar were dancing only for them to comfort their losses.