Epilogue: Let There Be Light
Though reluctant to leave Talion, Ioreth and Dirhael did return to Minas Tirith with Aragorn, Arwen, Faramir, and Éowyn, with Celebrimbor in tow. "I imagine that there are many things in the White City you need to take care of before you can even dream of coming here to stay, my love, if indeed you wish to," the Last of the Nine had said to his wife, "but you will be welcome to visit at any time.
"And that goes for the rest of you as well."
Faramir was pleased. "We may just take you up on that," he said, gesturing to himself and Éowyn, "We are soon to live relatively nearby; we have been given a seat in Emyn Arnen."
"So the Stewards of Gondor return to their home, after so many years," Talion replied with a slight smile, "It will be good to have neighbors who aren't completely afraid of us - and also someone who knows how to handle all the Rohirric horses we keep finding."
Éowyn distinctly perked up at that. "My people's horses?" she repeated, "You've found the ones stolen by Sauron?"
"Some of them anyway, and their descendants, mostly in the wilds of Nurn and the outer edges of Lithlad to the east. We're trying to round them up; they keep eating the fields."
"I will be glad to receive them, and return them to my people."
The Lord of Mordor came with them as far as Minas Morgul, and there they bade him farewell, finally turning towards Gondor once more. Faramir and Éowyn parted ways with them when the road divided and set off for Emyn Arwen, leaving Aragorn, Arwen, Dirhael, Ioreth, and Celebrimbor to continue on to the White City.
"It's hard to believe that we have only been gone for three weeks," Arwen said as they cantered down the last stretch of the Morgul Road between them and Osgiliath.
"Indeed," the king agreed, "So much has happened that it feels as if a lifetime has passed." He looked ahead to where Ioreth and Dirhael rode side by side, with Celebrimbor seated cross-legged on the back of the former's horse, talking with the latter about ancient battles and deeds long past. "What do you think?"
Arwen smiled. "Despite all that happened, I think Talion has chosen wisely. As have you."
Aragorn turned his face away to hide the redness of his cheeks.
Boromir was there to welcome them when they returned, stepping forward to embrace his king without pause. Then when Arwen opened her arms to him, he blushed, then gave her the same fierce embrace that he had given Aragorn, which she returned.
They parted smiling, and Boromir turned back to the king. "What news?"
Aragorn pulled a roll of parchment from one of his saddlebags and handed it to the other Man, also smiling. "Peace at last, my dear friend. Peace at last."