The Elf Lady's feet fair flew over the mossy ground, past golden mallorn trees, eager to share her news. When she reached the glade where Nimoë's casket was laid, the entire company was gathered, ready for the solemn burial. Legolas stood by the head, appearing to hold himself upright by sheer force of will, for there was no strength left in his body.

Gandalf spoke, "Now that you have arrived, we are ready to proceed." He turned to begin the ceremony when Galadriel's voice stopped him.

"Gandalf, before you begin I must speak, for I have news of great importance."

All eyes turned to her expectantly, for they could hear the undercurrent of joy in her voice, and they wondered what it might mean. She pulled herself to her full height and spoke, "I have looked into the mirror, and seen Nimoë's life. All of it. And in so doing I have learned something that brings great joy to my soul. It is true, as you have all now learned, that in healing Eomer, Nimoë lost her immortality. But not completely.

"Her body and her spirit became separate beings, residing in the same space, but with the body controlling all, and it was the body only which bore the doom of mortality. I have seen her spirit fly free." Now her eyes were glowing, remembering the monumental sight she had beheld. "Her fëa has returned to the Halls of Mandos. The spirit of Nimoë lives on, for it has maintained its immortality."

For the first time in long days, Legolas spoke, and his voice held the strained fear of hope, afraid to be crushed, "Are you saying that Nimoë can live on? That only her body has left this world?" The next sentence came from the very depths of his soul, and his voice was taut with suspense, "That she can be reborn?"

Galadriel beamed down at him, and nodded. "Yes. Somehow her spirit was spared from her body's mortality, although I do not understand how that came to pass. But she lives on, and I feel certain that she will choose rebirth. She knows that you are still waiting for her."

On hearing that, Legolas fell to his knees, overwhelmed by the completeness that again filled his body. As those around watched in wonder, they saw color return to his face, and fire to his eyes. There was again a reason to live. Pulling himself together he rose. "Then let us proceed to honor her body, for within it she performed great deeds."

So Gandalf began the ceremony and, with honor and reverence, and the body of Nimoë was laid to rest. There was sorrow, for many would never again see the gentle Elf maid, but for the Elves, and perhaps for Gandalf, there was joy. Although many years would pass, she would come again into the world, and they would spend many years in her company.

Once the ceremony was ended, Galadriel pulled Legolas aside. "You understand, Legolas, that the spirit must reside for a time in the Halls of Mandos. It will be many years before she can come again into this world, and when she does, she will be born as an infant. All the years of her youth she will have no memory of what has happened in her former life. Only when she has reached her maturity will her memories return. You will have to be patient."

Fire burned brightly in his eyes. "What are years to one such as you or I? I will await her return, and in that time I will do all that I can in this world to make it a more perfect place for her return."

"Glad am I to hear you say it. Now go and eat. Rest. You need to regain your strength."

Legolas nodded and left the Elf Queen watching after him. As he made his way towards the place where he food was served, his mind sped. He would still travel to Mirkwood, for Nimoë's parents had to be told what had happened, but he would not linger there. Guiltily he thought of Gimli, who had stood by him in his darkest hour, and he decided that they would travel together to Fangorn as soon as could be managed, and many other places of the world as well.

All of his companions were waiting for him to arrive, and they smiled at him in greeting, their hearts rejoicing to see him return the smile. Merry and Pippin scuttled forward to pull him up to the table, placing him in a chair which faced a plate covered with healthy foods, seasoned with berries found only in Lorien. Also there was a tall goblet filled with water, and he drank from it deeply, feeling strength flowing back into his body. As soon as the goblet was drained, Sam was there, filling it again.

Legolas reached out and dipped a slice of bread into the warm berry stew. The flavor melted onto his tongue and he smiled again at his companions, who were watching him eat. "Relax, my friends. I have returned to you. You need not hover over me like a mother over her small child. Please, sit and eat with me."

So together they ate in companionable conversation, and thus they spent their last night together as a company. In the morning Gandalf, Elrond and his sons, and the Hobbits set off for Rivendell. Celeborn and Galadriel remained in Lorien, and Legolas and Gimli set out for Fangorn, choosing to stop there first, for it was closest.

Finduél they left with the Elves of Lothlorien, for he was lonely without his mistress, and would not live to see her again. With the other horses of the Golden Wood he would be well tended to, and would not be alone.

Galadriel watched the departing figures from a perch high in the boughs of the tallest tree. Her hair blew about her like a halo, and she pushed it down with impatient fingers. Never again in Middle-Earth would she see many of them. Others she would see when she departed for Valinor. Sadness filled her heart, but also joy, for at long last, the world was truly free from shadow.

Soon the travelers had all passed from her sight, and she slowly descended to the earth. When her feet were at last on the ground, she steadfastly turned her thoughts away from those who had left, and set her mind towards her husband, and the Elves of her Wood. Life was indeed sweet. She passed by with a smile.

#

Many long years later, somewhere on Middle-Earth, an Elf woman struggled to bring her firstborn into the world. A scream was wrenched from her throat as she pushed down hard.

"Just a little bit longer, Mendiel. Keep pushing," encouraged the midwife. "I can see the head!"

A sob crept from the laboring woman's lips. "I cannot keep going! I cannot!"

The midwife's voice was stern, "Nonsense, child. Every woman has felt that way, yet still children are born. You have the strength. With the next contraction I want you to push harder than you have ever pushed before. One last strong effort should do it, and then your pain will be over."

The sharp contraction came again over Mendiel and she gasped in air, then forced her muscles to strain, ignoring the tearing pain which came over her. At last she could not longer bear it, and again she screamed out, but at the same time, she realized that the worst of the pressure was gone.

"The head is out! One more time and your baby will be born!"

One last push and the child slipped into the midwife's waiting hands. "It is a girl-child, Mendiel! As lovely as the flowers of morning!"

The infant took in its first breath and then began to wail. Both women looked at each other in awe, for the sound that sprang forth was not the usual, pitiful bleat of a newborn, but a cry of aching beauty, innocent and pure, but with a hint of the songs of the Ainur behind it. Never had they heard such a sound.

Quickly the midwife wrapped the infant in a cloth and laid her on her mother's breast. Looking down at the precious child, Mendiel was struck by the beauty and intelligence in the dark eyes. With one soft finger, she stroked the baby's soft pink cheek. It was as if some bolt of knowledge passed through her, and she smiled. "I will call her Nimoë."

#

Here ends the tale of Legolas and Nimoë, fated lovers, and how they came to be parted. What happened to them in later days is a tale not yet told.

The End.

#

Author's Note: It's DONE! I have been agonizing over how to end this story for weeks! I hope that it has been done satisfactorily. I want you all to know that it was not my original intent to make Nimoë mortal, but when I did I ran into multitudinous problems. I have been re-reading the Silmarillion, looking for inspiration, but what helped me most were two websites that I would like to acknowledge. One was "The Encyclopedia of Arda" at arda/ and the other was "The Grey Havens" at .

I tried my utmost to make what happened fit within the cosmology set forth by Tolkien, and I would like to hope that I have succeeded as well as I can.

Thank you so much for reading my work! Your wonderful reviews kept me going through the long slow process. I want you to know that this is the first piece of fiction that I have ever actually completed! AMAZING!

Any final words would be appreciated, either that you liked the story or did not, and why for either answer. I am striving to better myself as an author and any and all words are helpful.

Thank you again and I hope you enjoyed the tale. I know that I did!