Alasse and Thranduil stayed in Dale for a week. Alasse visited Erebor again, taking her maid with her, while Thranduil discussed international matters with Bard and Bain. Tatsu was truly enthralled by the halls of Erebor, and she adored the human children in Dale. Both elleths were saddened when they had to say goodbye. "If I may, my lord, I should like to return to Dale and Erebor in the near future." Tatsu told Bain.

"Of course, my lady." Bain agreed. "As often as you like, whenever you like."

"Goodbye, mellon nin." Alasse told Bard. "I hope we should see each other again before too long."

"Let's hope." Bard shrugged. He was a very old man, with not many days left. "But whether we shall or not, I want to wish you great joy and bliss for your hope, princess. I mean it with every word."

"Thank you, Bard." Alasse smiled.

"Stay safe, and I hope you find peace of mind." Bard told Thranduil.

"I intend to." Thranduil mumbled.

Bard's grandchildren wanted to keep Tatsu in their castle forever and the youngest ones even clung to her legs as she had to leave with her party of wood elves. "You seem to have made quite the impression on them." One of the elves remarked.

"I'm going to miss them." Tatsu shed a few small tears. "But I'm grateful that I came. I wouldn't have missed it!"

"Yes, well. It may be a very long time before we have the opportunity again." Thranduil said dryly.

Next time, you don't have to come along if it made you that miserable, Alasse thought.


When they returned to Mirkwood, Alasse's stave was retrieved and returned to her. She was enormously relieved, but confused as to where it was found and how it had gotten away from her. The guards found it in the armory but could not explain why.


Days turned into months. Legolas wrote that alongside Gimli, the Mirkwood elves (he'd brought back with him after his first return to Mirkwood after Sauron's fall), and Faramir and Eowyn, they were residing in Ithilien, and working together to rebuild it into the beautiful stronghold and city it once was. Eowyn was six and a half months pregnant now with her and Faramir's first child, and the happy couple was as Legolas put "filled with such a blissful glow" as he did not think possible in that not of his own kindred.


Alasse worked very hard to improve her healing skills, which were meager to say the least. She wanted so badly to excel in the art, but she was disappointed that half the time she did not comprehend the material, at least when it came to potions and chants.

"I suppose this not my calling." She wrote to Aragorn. "I really wanted to help the people of Middle Earth, like our ada. Although I'll never be as great as he is, I wanted to at least make a difference. Perhaps I should rather stick to hunting."

Aragorn wrote back,

"My dear Alasse,

Don't give up so easily. It took me a long time to grasp the content too. Remember, 'all good things come to those who wait'. You must be patient, melleth. If your father reads this, he will probably forbid me from ever writing to you again! But, I for one, am looking forward to sampling your work the next time I find myself injured. Of course, Legolas says that then I will have the chance where I can tell you all the parts that you blundered on, but what would he know about that, hmm? He wasn't raised in the house of Elrond, and taught from an early age how to heal. You'll get there, my love. Just be patient.

How is Bellethiel now? I have prayed for strength to be granted to her, a reason to keep living. I hope this letter finds her healing though still hurt.

Only three more months, my dear, and then we can be together again! Even with the unbelievably preoccupied life I live here, I am counting down each day until I may see your face again!

Alasse wrote back:

Hannon le, melleth nin. I knew you would know exactly what to say to me! You always do. Not that I exactly wanted to hear it, the part about being patient as you know that is not my strong suit! But you do not give idle advice or admonishment, and I value that very much. But unlike my sarcastic brother, you know what I'm struggling with because you have experienced it. That is an enormous difference.

Yes, Legolas has written to me too. He has begged me not to practice any healing on him, because he is 'afraid I will blunder it' and make him feel worse! We'll see about that. Master Elrond, your ada has written and given me several helpful tips. Of course, he is very patient and longsuffering, so it's easier for him to say!

Ai, Bellethiel. She is still grieving, and I feel terrible for her. But she has been faithfully helping me work on my fighting and I truly do feel stronger.

I have not told my father yet about what I experienced in death. It breaks my heart not to. But right now, he is so distant and evasive, so much like the time that Thorin Oakenshield and his company passed through our wood. No, Ada isn't cold to me. But, something is eating at him, and I wish to the heavens and back that I knew what so I can help him! I want our remaining time together to be good and memorable. At this time, I just feel like he would brush off what I have to tell him and that would break my heart. It was real, and I can't bear the thought of it being treated flippantly, even though unintentionally. What should I do, Estel? Please give me some guidance on how to approach my father!

I too, am counting down the days till we can be together. I miss you so much! I've been trying to keep myself busy so that I don't feel so sad when I think of you and how much I wish we could be hunting together with Legolas and Gimli, or just talking under the stars about anything and everything."


"Alasse,

My dear, I love you very much. BUT I am the LAST person in Middle Earth for you to ask advice on how to handle your father!"


Aragorn was standing in the citadel of the city, taking in the quiet. "You've become stronger, and not just in body, Estel." A angelic voice said behind him. Aragorn's head shot up. He'd know that voice anywhere! He turned and gaped.

"Arwen!" His face lit up. Arwen smiled that beautiful smile of hers. He embraced her hard. "Ohh. I have missed you soo much, muinthel!" He kissed her hair.

"And I you." Arwen breathed wistfully. Aragorn finally broke back.

"Let me look at you. You look well, dear sister. And still so beautiful."

"Galadriel's strict orders for my recuperation were obeyed religiously. So now I may return to Imladris when I am ready."

"I'm so glad. Ada will be overjoyed. Have you told him yet?"

"No. I wish to surprise him as I did you." Arwen grinned mischievously. Aragorn chuckled.

"I know elves do not fall to weakness as my kind do. But I am almost sure you will give poor Elrond a heart attack if you do not give him some kind of warning first so he can be prepared!" Aragorn teased.

"I did catch you by surprise, did I not?"

"Ai, sister. I did not even hear you come in!" Aragorn shook his head. "Of course, why should I be surprised?"

"Why is Alasse not here? I did not see her in Ithilien either."

"Alasse?" Aragorn frowned.

"Come now, Estel. I have known for ages that you two are meant to be together."

"Some may not agree with you."

"Ahh." Arwen nodded, running her hand through her foster brother's hair. "Do not let Thranduil's formidable facade make you tremble. He is not as inflexible as he appears. He just doesn't like being told what to do. He likes to be the one in charge, the one who comes up with all the strategies. And when he does not, it takes him ages to recover from it." Arwen giggled.

"How did you know it was him that has detained me on the matter?" Aragorn smiled curiously.

"I'm a woman, Aragorn. And I've known the stubborn Elven king for several lifetimes. When the time is right, he will relent, and acknowledge the fine man you are. Even he cannot deny fate what is meant to be."

"You sound so sure." Aragorn sighed.

"Do not lose heart, Estel. What is blessed by the Valar, even Thranduil the Great and Intimidating cannot fight!" Arwen smiled widely.

"It is so good to see you again, Arwen." Aragorn gripped her hand.


"Ada?" Alasse spoke up.

"Ai, daughter?" Thranduil tilted his head.

"Do you have anyone in mind that you will select for our new captain of the guard?"

"I do." Thranduil nodded.

"Care to tell?"

"No." Thranduil narrowed his eyes.

"Oh." Alasse sighed in resignation.

"Bellethiel visits Lindethiel's and Tawarthion's memorials every day. I think it helps."

"Ai. The pain is still too fresh." Thranduil murmured, sipping his wine. "I understand that more than anyone."

"Yes." Alasse nodded. "Ada, if it doesn't hurt too much, what was Naneth like at my age?" Thranduil looked at her long and hard. He kept his countenance stern, but she saw tears glimmering in his eyes, pleading to be let out. "I'm sorry, Adar. I shouldn't have asked."

"She was...just like you. And Legolas." Thranduil said softly. He swallowed hard and downed a whole glass of wine before he broke down.

"Forgive me, Ada. I didn't mean to cause you pain." Alasse said, touching his hand. He slowly smiled and clasped hers with his other one.

"It's alright, iel nin." He said. "As long as you are with me, as long as I have you by my side, I am blessed and happy."

Now it was Alasse's turn to almost cry. She pasted a huge smile but inside, she was torn. What do I do? He only seems happy when he acts as if I am going to stay here forever. But I can't. And he agreed to that! I will miss Ada something fierce, just as much as I miss Legolas and Gimli and fighting alongside them. How have I managed to survive this long without their company, or joining them in fighting?

Most of the time, Ada seems so hurt right now and I am not even gone yet! What will happen when I return to Gondor, to the love of my life? I hate to hurt Ada and break his heart, but my heart is with Aragorn and that is where I belong now. But...how will Ada take it? Right now, I fear it would break him!

He can barely speak about Naneth at all. If I tell him she spoke to me, he will feel cheated and more wounded. But I have to tell him, someday! When?

Yes, I made the choice. The choice to come back here and better myself before entering a new life. But it has been much more difficult than I expected. And now that it is nearly time for me to leave, I feel as if I were committing a transgression, leaving my father. He almost seems as if he actually believes I'm going to stay here permanently. How can I tell him it is not so?

Oh, Mother! Why is must destiny be so hard to achieve? Why is it so painful?


The next chapter is the most important one in the story! I can't believe it's time to share it with you!