BTW, I am currently working on my next to last chapter for Learning You Were Wrong Part 2! So, hopefully I should have it up soon!
"So, you are going back home to recover?" Legolas asked his sister.
"Ai. Only for a little while, to brush up on my arms skills, and learn a few new arts." Alasse nodded. "And then I shall return here."
"Then I will go with you." Legolas said. "I will return with you and Ada, to make sure you arrive safely, then I must come back to Minas Tirith."
"I'm glad. Ada will be too." Alasse approved. Legolas stared at her. "What?" She grinned.
"He told you, didn't he?" Legolas asked.
"Who?" Alasse creased her eyebrows.
"Estel. He finally declared his feelings, didn't he?" Legolas smiled.
"Ai." Alasse blushed. "But how did you know?"
"You seem so...radiant." Legolas told her. "That kind of happiness comes only but once in our age." Legolas said solemnly. Alasse gripped his hand. He'd accepted Tauriel's choice of loving another a long time ago. But sometimes it still hurt. "I'm happy for you, muinthel." He held her hands.
"Are you, muindor?"
"Ai. Some of our kin may say it's foolish, but...I know it's blessed of the Valar. I only wish Nana was here to share it with us." Legolas hung his head.
"Legolas….about that..." Alasse tried to speak but tears threatened to strangle her voice.
"Yes?"
"I...I've been meaning to tell you...that..."
"What is it, little muinthel?" Legolas prodded thoughtfully. Alasse solemnly looked up at her big brother, her hero and best friend for all these ages. She wasn't sure how he would take this news.
"Legolas, Mother came to me...when I was suspended between the lands of the dead and of the living." Alasse told him in Elvish. Legolas's breath hitched and he gaped at her.
"But you were only an infant when she died! And you knew it was her?" He finally found his voice.
"I knew." Alasse said simply. Tears filled Legolas's eyes and he kissed his sister's hands. What he would've given to be the one to see her, to see his beloved mother happy and at peace! "She wanted me to tell you something." Legolas looked down hopefully into her eyes, his brimming with eagerness.
"What did she say?"
"She said to tell you that she is so proud of you, and that she loves you very much!" Alasse cried too. Legolas bit his lip as transparent tears ran down his face. He covered his face with his hands. Alasse wept with him, leaning her forehead against his arms.
"I wish I could have heard her voice, just once more!" Legolas sniffled. Alasse nodded. Legolas finally composed himself. "Does Ada know about this?" He asked.
"No. Not yet. I have told no one yet save you." Alasse shook her head. Legolas felt his heart warm that his sister would share such a vital secret with him, before anyone else.
"Thank you." He whispered. "Have I told you yet how glad I am that you're still with us?"
"Not lately." Alasse grinned.
"Forgive me. I am!" Legolas smiled sadly.
"And I am so glad I came back!"
In two days time, the royal Mirkwood family was ready to depart Gondor and go home to their forest, with Lord Elrond accompanying them on his way back home to Imladris. Legolas invited Gimli to go too, but he chose to stay in Gondor and keep Aragorn company, and let the family have some much needed time together after losing Alasse.
"I'll see you soon, Gimli. Be well, my good friend." Alasse smiled, kissing his head.
"Look after yurself, lass. And keep sharp track of your records so that I can sleep at night knowing ye won't outscore me with scumbags!" Gimli told her. Alasse giggled.
"I will." She smiled. Gimli snorted loudly, trying to be tough and hide the tears he prayed no one was seeing! Then Alasse turned to Faramir and Eowyn. She hugged Eowyn. "I shall be back here by the time your little one shall come."
"I will look forward to it." Eowyn gripped her hands.
"Take care of her, Legolas." Aragorn bit his lip.
"Oh, she is of our father. As am I. She can take care of herself." Legolas said cockily. Aragorn did not share in the jesting. "I will." Legolas whispered seriously.
"Good King Elessar! Blessings be to you and your people." Thranduil said formally, looking down on the ranger/king from the perch on his horse, with steel-glazed eyes.
"Thank you, my lord." Aragorn bowed his head meekly. "And to yours." Thranduil held his head high, ready to be out of here and get his daughter home. Aragorn turned to Elrond. "I will see you, Ada. I hope our paths cross again soon."
"Well, not too soon." Elrond teased. "We will see each other again, Aragorn." He kissed the top of his son's hair. "I will give your regards to your brothers, and the rest of our kin."
"Ai, please do that! I miss them." Aragorn agreed.
"It is time to go!" Thranduil commanded. His armed guards filed in, awaiting their king's okay to proceed forward.
Aragorn came to Alasse's side. "Be safe." He told her.
"I will." Alasse smiled with a trembling lip. "This isn't goodbye. I'll be back!" Then she leaned in closely to him and took his hands. "I promise. I will come back to you, Estel." She whispered. Aragorn softly, lovingly kissed her forehead. She breathed in awe as the feeling sent divine electricity shooting through her body and mind. Aragorn smiled sadly, his eyes glistening with held back tears. He helped her onto her horse and clasped her hand.
"I'll write to you." He said. Alasse nodded, not wanting to let go of his hand.
"I miss you already." She whispered in Elvish.
"Ai. I shall endure till your return, my love," He chanted back in Elvish.
"Let us be off!" Thranduil declared loudly, shaking up their tender moment. Aragorn reluctantly released Alasse's hand and stepped back.
"Namarie." He said softly.
"For now." Alasse reminded him. "Namarie."
Legolas smiled at the exchange and mounted his horse. He had to fight not snickering out loud as he saw the ever gruff, stunned, but silent look on his father's face. I've got to hand it to Estel, for kissing my sister right in front of my father! Legolas mused to himself.
Thranduil led the procession as they trotted along Pelennor's Fields, and out of the city of Gondor. Alasse looked back and up toward the balcony where she and Aragorn had declared their love for each other. She missed him so much already! Tears spilled down her face.
A few months is hardly even a blink for my people! It really is not so long, and I will return to my beloved! Alasse told herself. We said farewell for now. Then why does this feel like goodbye...forever?
