Epilogue:

The sky was a misty blue on the brisk autumn day that Legolas Greenleaf set out from Mirkwood to reach Rivendell by Lord Elrond's calling. He was to be one of the council of which a secret matter would be discussed. His father had bid him go well to the Homely House but with caution, for the times had grown dark. War was brewing, and the future did not look as bright as it once had to look upon.

Their course had changed considerably by Legolas's request and he kept fairly quiet and to himself even though Dunelin and Hallamereth, his two companions were with him to escort him to the borders of Rivendell. His friends had almost forgotten why the forest they passed to get to their destination was suddenly so difficult for him to cross. Legolas had thought long and hard whether he should visit the painful place again or not, and ultimately, his decision seemed the best solution.

said Dunelin with a nod of his head. If we turn now, we shall reach Rivendell faster than if we keep going.

We're almost there, Legolas said softly.

All of his memories came back to him as he walked along the road he had first stumbled down sixty years ago. He felt his heart beat as his pace quickened in anticipation. And there it was!

This place . . .

The hut was exactly as he remembered it, small, and cozy-looking. The roof was patched in a few more places then when he last saw it, but it looked the same, warm, inviting. There was only one thing different about it: The hut looked empty.

I remember, came a voice behind the Prince of Mirkwood.

Legolas turned his head to the elf, Hallamereth, who had spoken, and smiled a little sadly. Do you understand why I had to come now, my friend? You both must now remember.

A hand was laid on his shoulder, and he looked at Dunelin who was staring at the hut. His other friend's voice was barely a whisper.

Legolas . . . Look.

Legolas turned around slowly and his breath came short. Smoke had began pouring from the chimney on the roof as normally as it once had, as if someone . . . The elf reeled backwards, running into his friends as they steadied him. Why did the sight of the smoke suddenly make him sick and dizzy with the thought . . .

What am I to do? he said almost to himself, and then he looked up at his friends, his face a mask of pain. Oh-what am I to do?!

Dunelin and Hallamereth glanced at each other, but were both speechless.

Legolas swallowed, and looked back at the hut. Not in a thousand years did I think she would still be alive!

Hallamereth managed to say, You could always walk away, Legolas.

Or you could go to her, said Dunelin. What have you to be afraid of? Guilt?

Legolas shook his head, and closed his eyes.

Both of you agreed to separation, said Dunelin. Lord Elrond himself knew it would come to pass. It was the right decision. You loved each other-

And we still love each other! Legolas said.

Then why do you fear her hate?

Legolas sighed, and then nodded. He knew that his friends were right. He could either ignore her, an old lady she probably now was, or talk with her, something he had feared he would never be able to do again. And so he decided. He took a few steps, turned around to look back at Dunelin and Hallamereth, then walked slowly on.

As he walked up to the hut's opening, he saw the vegetable gardens just as they had been since he originally planted them. And the flowers, looking just as bright even though the coldness of fall had already settled over Middle-Earth.

He was there-he was at the entrance. There was a delicious smell coming from inside and the sound of water boiling. Too late to turn back now-he had taken a step inside and he held his breath as he looked at the figure sitting in the dark cushioned chair, covered in a black shawl-her shawl. He could do nothing but speak her name in a broken voice.



The figure stirred, shawl was pushed to her shoulders, and stood. It was not his love, but a young lady. She was barely a lady, really, youthfulness in her crystal blue eyes, and her golden hair shone. He noticed that her hand had strayed to Kira's familiar sword on a tabletop nearby, but as she looked closer at him, her hand went to her mouth, now opened wide in awe, and she smiled.

I knew you'd come, she said in a breath, then she laughed, and her laugh lit up the room. Before Legolas could say another word, she ran up to him and he was instantly caught in her embrace. Her hands found the pack of arrows on his back. The bow . . .

Do I know you-

No, but I feel as though I've known you my whole life, she said through her smile. I've always known you.

Who are . . . But Legolas found that he could not speak, and let his emotions take control.

Kira loves you so much, was the girl's whisper, and Legolas felt a surge of happiness sweep through him as she hugged him tighter.

Finally, she let go, and he was able to speak, though he could hardly find his voice. Then she is alive.

The girl frowned, and shook her head sadly. No, my mother died a year ago.

He trembled, but realized that he had felt it all along. His head looked up to the girl's in sudden wonder. Your mother? Then she married-

the girl said with a laugh. She never married. She took me in when I was two and she found me abandoned in the forest all alone. She saved my life.

The girl made a friendly gesture to one of the chairs by the fire and Legolas sat in one gratefully, taking in all that was around him, all that he had just heard, and all the memories he had of Kira in the hut with him by her side. A cup filled with tea was placed in his hands, and he smiled.

Thank you. The girl sat down opposite him, and he swallowed. What is your name?

she replied.

An elvish name.

Yes, my mother named me after one of her best friends. She was an elven lady my mother thought was the kindest and fairest of all the elves in Rivendell who befriended her.

Legolas drank and set down his cup. I have spoken with the Arwen you speak of now. She is one of my friends too, and indeed the most beautiful elf I have ever seen.

Arweniel's sighed in wonder and laughed again. I know you must think it strange, Legolas, but you were so dear to my mother that you have become so dear to me. She spoke of you every minute of the day, and she loved you deeply. She still loves you.

Legolas breathed and said, As do I.

After you left, she set up more gardens and flowers around the countryside for other people and for nature. By what you taught her, she has made this darkened land beautiful once again. Arweniel rose then, and took his cup, because he was again speechless. She went quietly to a wooden box on the table and opened it. Out of it she pulled a letter and gave it to Legolas.

It's from Kira, she said. She always wanted you to have it in case one day, you returned.

Thank you, he whispered, gripping the letter addressed to him so tightly he feared he would rip it. Words cannot express my gratefulness, Arweniel. I would like to do something for you.

Just being here is enough in return for me, she said with a light hearted smile.

Would you care to travel with us? My friends, Hallamereth and Dunelin are traveling with me to Rivendell on summons from Lord Elrond.

she said with an excited gasp. Oh no, Legolas, I could never impose on you-

It would be nothing at all. And you would be able to see more of my culture, of the elves.

But, I couldn't-

And you'd be able to finally meet the elven Princess Arwen, whom you were named after.

Her eyes brightened.

Others would love to see you together, as well as I, for there is only one person I have seen who shares her elvish beauty, and that person is you.

Arweniel's blush was so red that it could have burnt the fire, and she rushed up to hug him again.

Thank you! Thank you, Mr. Greenleaf! I shall be delighted to come with you.

Legolas smiled kindly, and said, Then would you permit me to catch up with you and my friends later? There is something I must do.

She laughed her agreement, and they went outside to talk with Hallamereth and Dunelin. After some tea and much thanks, the lady Arweniel and the others were off to Rivendell while Legolas stayed behind to tend the fire and finger the letter that he had not let go of since it was given to him.

Before the fire, he ran his fingers over the envelope, and then gently opened it.

Her handwriting looked the same, maybe a bit more curled and smaller, but it was the same he had read before in the ink they used to make together. As he read the letter, he had to move it constantly for fear that it would get wet with his tears.

Dear Legolas,

My love, as I write this, I am overcome with the thought that someday, you will read this, and I will not be with you to read it. But if you indeed are reading this, then I have died; the curse of mortals, some elves say, but maybe not. All things die, Legolas. Flowers die, humans die, even elves, sometimes.

If you are reading this letter, then you have met Arweniel. Doesn't she remind you of a sunflower, or maybe the bees' own honey? Arweniel has been the purpose in my life for some time now, and she never ceases to amaze me with her unconditional love and friendship. I think that you and her would have become the best of friends if you were not a warrior and had more important things to do.

As I write this, I know that you will be feeling sad, but you mustn't dwell on the past. The past was golden, Legolas. Never forget that. We had the past, the best years of my life, and those times will be forever immortal because of the strength of our love. We will always love each other. You mustn't feel guilty because of your decision, because it was mine as well, and now, I know that it was for the best. I have seen the death and destruction that will come over the peoples of Middle-Earth in the future, and I know that you will be there in battle to fight against the evil threatening our freedom. It is your destiny. I am not sad because of the past. You must search deep within yourself to not be saddened by it either.

One last thing, Legolas, that I have to give you, is a present. It is my grave, actually. You must visit my grave before you begin your battle. There is something for you there that you will never forget. I shall give you directions to where it will be:

Go first, past the rose bushes that you planted. They have grown quite beautifully since you left-I think you will be proud of Arweniel for keeping them as healthy as you once did. They are a sight to see. Walk straight from there. My grave will be exactly between the distance of my mother's grave, and my father's. You remember where my father's grave is, don't you? Where the troll attacked us, of course. Though, if you keep straight, you should run into it. The land has changed, Legolas. I have planted new things, and new things have grown. You might want to wear a cloak on the way there. It is quite windy all year round.

You are everything to me, Legolas, even after I am dead, I will still be with you forever. Outside of Arweniel, you are the love of my life. I will love you. Forever.

~Kira Aparathon

 After he read the letter, Legolas folded it and put it in a pouch by his side. Then he poured water over the fire that had once burn steadily and watched the embers glow and fade. He nodded, then left the hut.

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Past the roses he rode, then through trees and fields. It soon grew windy, so he put on his green cloak, covering his eyes from the dirt blowing with the trees. Then it was too windy for his horse to go on, and so he left it tied to a sturdy tree, and, head downward and bowed to the wind, he walked on. He walked forever it seemed until he entered a field. Head still pressed downwards, he did not know he was close until he was practically standing on top of it.

A single rose covered her grave, and he lifted his eyes to read the smooth grey headstone. In simple letters, it said.

Kira Aparathon

R.I.P.

But then, at the bottom, there was a carving of small words, and Legolas squinted to read them, astonished when he read his own name. As he read the message, the sun came out from behind a cloud, and he took off his cloak.

To Legolas, My Love: Look up.

And slowly, Legolas looked up to a gold sky. He blinked. Was it the sun, or was it his imagination? No. It was a tree. And its branches were swaying in the wind, washing the sky with leaves of gold. A smile broke upon his face, and he laughed to the sky as he turned all around to find the trees everywhere in the field, covering the horizon with leaves awash in the wind. Breezy and blowing, Legolas let the sun fall over him in the golden sky where dawn was just the beginning.

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