A/N: I cried... I'm such a sap. I can't believe my story's over... :( I
hope I make you all cry too... because I think I'm going to cry again. I
want to thank everyone who stuck through to the end. You reviews and
thoughts made this possible. This story is over a year old I think. Anyway,
I would love it if you reviewed. Even if you read this story later on,
don't hesitate to review and tell me what you thought. I'm going to go back
and do some revisions later on...and cry some more. Enjoy, cry and THANK
YOU. You all have my unending gratitude; I tried to make the finale worth
the wait. I hope I have succeeded.
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"...And that is how we have found ourselves here, King Thranduil. Let me tell you, with these two crazy kids, it's a wonder they both made it out of Mirkwood in one piece!" Gimli laughed at his own sense of humor while the 'two crazy kids' just added some more bits and pieces to the story until it was finally concluded. Re-telling the tale had indeed proved difficult. There were times when Thranduil had not only wanted to rip his own hair out but also Legolas's, Dileriyen's, Elrohir's and perhaps even Gimli's beard. But he admitted to himself that getting into so much trouble was quite an accomplishment, even for his children. He sighed loudly. Being a single parent should not have to be this hard.
He was almost afraid to ask but he went ahead anyway. "Is there anything else that I have not been told?"
"Nothing else comes to my mind father. Legolas?"
Legolas got a mischievous look in his eyes. Somehow he had managed to re- obtain the ring and necklace from his father so it was now or never.
"Legolas?" Dileriyen asked. That boy and his dazing...
"Actually, there is something that I would like to ask."
"By all means son, what is it?"
Legolas knelt before Dileriyen, who was too confused to say a thing. He took her hands within his but first slipped the ring softly on one of her fingers. Gimli could tell right away that it was mithril but he chose to stay quiet for the moment. After all, it wasn't everyday that his best friend proposed.
"I would first like to return this ring to its owner, my Lady. That would be you, unless I am mistaken." He smiled, "I ask of you now my love, in front of all that I hold dear in this world, if you will consent to share the rest of your life with me? Be warned that I will not take no for an answer."
Even Gimli blushed... and grumbled of course. Dileriyen leapt forward from where she was sitting, successfully crashing both their hugging forms to the ground. At that moment, it did not matter if Eru himself was in the room, as they kissed not once, not twice but perhaps a little more than was comfortable to the dwarf's eyes:) Thranduil burst into laughter as he watched his daughter smother his son. He turned to Gimli and said: "I do believe that she has agreed, eh Sir Dwarf? Hahaha... Splendid, splendid!"
Upon the insistence of the two, they were married later that day, with only their father and Gimli as guests/witnesses. I do not pretend to know how they conduct wedding ceremonies is Mirkwood. All I know is that it was a moment well worth waiting for... Thus we shall move on to after the ceremony.
Dileriyen and Legolas lay under the covers, on their sides, gazing at one another. Legolas brought a hand to his new bride's face and stroked her cheek tenderly. She turned her face to kiss his palm.
"Are you nervous?" he asked softly.
"No... Maybe a little... And you?" she asked, somewhat shyly.
"A little..." after a short pause he whispered: "I love you."
"...And I love you." she whispered in return as they moved in closer to one another, sharing kisses, sharing their love...and getting ready to share a lifetime...
****************
It was late afternoon when the two awakened to a new day and a new life. After much protest and procrastination, they decided that they did indeed have an entire eternity ahead of them to be lazily in love so they made their way out of the room to locate the King and the Dwarf. Upon finding them, they found that they could not stop blushing. For Eru's sake, they were married. It was the most natural thing in the world... So why on earth were Thranduil and Gimli smiling a little -too- much?
*And they call -me- immature,* thought Legolas as he went red all over again.
*Men... they are all the same, no matter what specie they are. Honestly,* thought Dileriyen, who had never cooled down to begin with.
Little did she know that while she and her husband were off in their own little world, word had reached high and low of their little escapades and shocking return. And there was now an elf who patiently awaited to see whether word was indeed true or not.
"Daughter, it seems that they have received news of you even in Imladris. There is someone who would like to see you." At first Dileriyen failed to understand but by the time she finally did, Legolas had already stormed out of the room in search of this 'someone.' He found him fairly quickly. This time, Gimli did not follow him.
"Why are you here?" Legolas demanded of him harshly.
"I have come to see -her- Legolas, not you, so do your part and step aside."
"Give me one good reason why I should not put an arrow through you right now."
"I would rip you apart Legolas if I had not been informed of your union. I have nothing more to say to you."
They had not noticed that Dileriyen had entered the room until she spoke. "Both of you, please... Legolas, I will speak with him..."
Legolas seemed disheartened but she whispered, "I will be but a moment my love," as he walked past her. He nodded his approval and let them be. When they were alone, Dileriyen decided that the silence was making her more uncomfortable than it should.
"It is good to see you again Elrohir... Tell me, why have you come?"
Without warning, Elrohir ran up to her and trapped her in his embrace. "I did not believe it... I still cannot... I feared the worst..."
She was moved with pity and thus returned the embrace for a brief moment. When he let her go, he continued, "Though I know it to be useless, I ask you one last time if you will to reconsider your decision. Come back with me..."
Not this again. She was fed up and her pity for him lessened considerably. "There is nothing to reconsider... Please release my hands. I have heard of your part in the search for me. Thank you cousin, it warms my heart to know that you had not given up on me... Now, if that is all, I will see you in Gondor. Please let your father and brother know that I am well, I send them my best."
He stood there...bitter, angry and disappointed. Finally, after what seemed to be an endless silence, he brought a hand to her cheek. It felt cold and unfriendly to her skin. It was not a touch that she would miss.
"You will be in my heart Dileriyen...always."
"For your sake Elrohir, I hope that I will not." He bid her good day and left. That was the last time that Elrohir showed her anything but normal friendship, for which she was eternally grateful.
****************
When she found Legolas again, he seemed to be in an ill mood. Anything anyone said stuck to him like daggers. It upset her, but perhaps he was right in feeling this way. After all they had been through...
"Has he gone?"
"Yes... Please don't be angry with me Legolas. I have said what I needed to say to him. I thanked him for he does deserve my gratitude. He never gave up on me."
"And you mean to remind me of how I had?"
"No my love, of course not. Please... Please, let us not fight anymore. I love you...and we are together now."
"Yes," he sighed, "I apologize my love. Perhaps it is unwise of me to continue this childish behavior as well. I am better than this... Am I forgiven?"
"Of course!" She smiled.
"Kiss me."
"But what about- " She was cut off as his lips connected with hers at lightening speed. There were no more 'what abouts' as his arms came around her waist and her hands wove around his neck. It was a passionate promise of more to come. When they broke away, she laid her head against his chest and felt her heart melt away.
*******************
Many a day later, when came the time to leave for Gondor, Thranduil asked Dileriyen if she would not wish to visit her old town. There were not many left in Mirkwood now and the remaining elves had chosen to stay for the specific purpose of re-locating to Gondor for several years. That day had now come and Dileriyen found herself facing a tough decision. She took her time to think it over until she reached a definite decision.
"No father... It will not be necessary. My mother and father will continue to watch over me whether I return there or not. It is a place of harsh memories that I have taken a lifetime to put behind me. The path lies towards Gondor now. I won't look back." Thranduil nodded as they continued with the final preparations.
It was a sunny day when stood three elves and a dwarf, looking upon their home for the last time. Dileriyen and Legolas had said their farewell to their pond a few short hours ago. That pond would be sorely missed (though Legolas had managed to push his wife in one last time, not to mention get dragged into the cold water with her). The trees did not sway and the sun shone I their eyes but it was still a beautiful sight to behold. Home... And just like a dream, their time had ended too soon. Just like a dream, before they knew it, it was gone...
*******************
So it was that King Thranduil, Prince Legolas and Lady Dileriyen, and Dwarf lord Gimli went to Gondor with their company of elves. They filled it with a beauty that the lands had long forgotten. There they met with old friends, exchanged stories of battle, loss and victory and made new memories. The union of Arwen and Aragorn was both wonderful and heart wrenching. Though Aragorn was as loved as any elf, even more so, attempts were still made for Arwen to come to the West when the time should arrive. She would not have it.
"My heart is here... My body would not survive elsewhere without it," she had said. Never again was she questioned on the matter. Dileriyen cried, despite her happiness. Leaving Arwen was a heavy blow to the heart. There would now come a time for the light of the Evenstar to fade...
It was a time not long after the last of the Mirkwood elves had left the lands of middle-earth that Lord Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir also left. Though Arwen had been firm in her decision, no one will forget how the Lady had crumpled at her father's feet, in an ocean of her own tears as well as her his. The brothers had trapped her in their embrace, almost refusing to let go. Unsurprisingly, it was the same for Aragorn as well. It rained that day, unlike it had ever rained before...
That night, Dileriyen and Legolas stood on the balcony, under the moonlight and the rain. Legolas wrapped his arms around her from behind... She wept and it rained. They held onto one another, all the while thinking that life had never completely been fair, to any of them.
*******************
The years passed by in Gondor with much laughter. It was as the blink of an eye for the four elves and dwarf who had stayed behind but for the king Aragorn, time seemed to pass even quicker. When looking into his eyes, one could see the legacy that lay hidden. He was still the passionate, fiery man that he had been in his days of youth. And though his heart could still take on the world, his body decided that the time had come to pass on to a different place. A better place that awaited all the mortal men of Middle- Earth. It was that day that the elves finally knew their time had come to say farewell. They begged the heart-broken Arwen to join them. Dileriyen cried. She cried knowing that Arwen would not leave... She cried for the man she had called a friend for so long... She was not the only one to cry that day.
Arwen bid them and her children farewell, to travel forth to the lands of the Golden Wood: Lothlorien. Such glory those lands had seen. Now they greeted the Evenstar. She passed away into memory the following summer...
And I'll sing my song as I walk, determined, on that dirt road.
I'll go back to my fairytale, within that deep forest.
It calls to me, but I've lost my way.
My love will guide me; I know he'll find me. He always finds me,
When I'm lost...
************************
It was shortly after Arwen's departure that the two elves and dwarf stood, waiting for Thranduil to join them so that they could be on their way. When Thranduil appeared, they were somewhat surprised at his calmness.
"Is it time?" he asked.
"Yes father, the time is finally upon us," answered Legolas.
"Well then... I suppose there are a few things to be said." They gave Thranduil a questioning look. All had uneasy feelings in their hearts.
"May the seas treat you kindly, my children... Do not leave with heavy hearts for these lands cannot forget the days that they have seen and shared with you. When you look back, do not be afraid to remember the bad along with the good, for life is beautiful when you walk hand in hand with both joy and sorrow."
"Father?" Legolas questioned.
"Father, why do you speak as if you were not coming?" Dileriyen asked softly.
"Because my darling, I am not."
"But fa-"
"Legolas. Please, my son... Allow this old elf to explain. My happiness is sealed, for my children have found their ways back to one another. We have shared all this wonderful time, this beautiful life as a family... That was all that I had hoped for and the great Eru saw it fit to grant my wish. Now, if I may have but one final request of the two of you- be happy. You have only one another- you two are a family. Well, Gimli too of course, hahaha... Never forget that. Go on now... And never forget!"
Legolas did not understand. His eyes began to tear and he was ready to argue with his father but Dileriyen held onto his wrist in a motion that told him to stop. All the while he was speaking, she had had the feeling that his words were not strange to her ears. They were as echoes... Echoes of a time and sadness that had long been hidden in the past. Only to come back. However, this time, it was by choice and no matter how much it grieved her, no matter how she wanted to change his mind, her heart understood.
Legolas turned and looked at her. It was only natural for him to not understand for he had been a mere two days old at the time. He had never even known his mother. Dileriyen took his hand and held it within hers.
"Legolas my love, it is time to bid our father farewell, there is someone who has been waiting for him, longer than you and I could ever imagine..." Her eyes told him to ask no further and he seemed to realize the truth. He could do nothing but nod as the tears slowly spilled from his reddened eyes.
"I go now, my children. I have kept my Lady waiting long enough. I think she will be happy to see me, will she not? Keep us alive in your hearts! Memories come and go but the feelings they leave are only strengthened by time... And there will come a time when we shall be together again. I give you my word. Until then, the Great End, we will be watching over you... Farewell."
It is said that the last great Elf King of Middle-Earth returned to Greenwood the Great and was reunited with his Lady not long after his farewell to his children. His body remained in the lands, beside his queen's, watching over the Wood that they would forever call home. The trees were the only witnesses but some would swear that there were voices and soft laughter in the wind that day...
"What kept you, my love?"
"Children these days... Oh my love, the stories I have for you..."
************************
Dileriyen leaned gently against the rail, gazing into the endless blue. After all this time, moving on was as heart breaking an experience as she had expected it to be. Who would be there to remember them other than the trees and wind? Would they ever have the chance to look upon these lands again, before the end? However unlikely it seemed, her heart prayed for that day. Her eyes began to water but she did not cry. She only brought a hand to her stomach and rubbed it affectionately. She then felt two strong arms embrace her from behind and hold the hand that she had been resting on her stomach. There was no time like the present.
"My Love... I know that we had decided to wait until we had reached our new home but... it seems that fate wished to intervene."
Legolas looked into her eyes. This was almost too good to be true. "You are with child?" he asked softly, though unable to hide the excitement in his voice. Dileriyen smiled at him. How could it be that she loved him more and more every day? Legolas held her face within his hands and put all his excitement into that kiss... When it ended, leaving them breathless, he began shouting to whoever had the ears to hear him. Unfortunately, it was extremely late in the evening. In fact, it was almost dawn. Too bad for Gimli who despised being woken up more than he despised being on water.
"What in the blazes are you yellin' about you fool of a Greenleaf! I was having the dream of a lifetime!" He yelled gruffly, only to be greeted by an ecstatic elf King.
"It is a good life indeed my old friend! I have just been informed that I will be a father in a few short months."
Gimli couldn't believe his ears. Finally, he thought. "Another one of you and her? Legolas, are you trying to form an army of Greenleafs against me?" Legolas started laughing while Gimli smiled and joined him. This was the best news he had heard in such a long time. It did nothing but warm his heart... It was like this that Dileriyen found them, the smile on her own face never having left.
"My congratulations Lady, I hear you are expecting another Greenleaf," he said jokingly.
She decided to play along. After all, getting a rise out of Legolas was something one never grew tired of. "That I am, Gimli. Although, I can barely put up with this one, Eru knows how I will handle it if the baby takes after the father!"
"Hahahaha. Well put Dileriyen, you now have my sympathy. Hahaha."
Legolas arched an eyebrow at them. They had a habit of doing this. How's a King to defend himself?
"Traitors! Both of you..." he mumbled and soon all three of them were laughing once again.
After a while, Gimli posed a very important question to the soon-to-be parents. "Have you thought about what you are going to name the baby?" he asked, stroking his beard.
"You are right Gimli! I had completely forgotten that," Dileriyen said.
"How would you feel about a dwarvish name?" It was worth a try.
"Well, I am certainly open to the suggestion. Can you think of anything off the top of your head?" she continued.
Legolas looked at them curiously. "Well I-" he started but it was no use trying to get into the conversation. They were unyielding.
"How about Dori? It is good for a boy or a girl. It was the name of one of my uncles you know."
"Perhaps-" Legolas tried but was cut off again.
"Dori. Hmmm. It is indeed very cute! Yes Gimli, do keep that in mind as a possibility."
"And there is also... ..."
They chattered on for a few more minutes until they finally ran out of ideas. Legolas looked at them with a smug smile on his face and finally put in his opinion.
"How about Legolas?" he asked proudly.
"NO!" Dileriyen and Gimli shouted in unison... perhaps a little too quickly. Legolas sighed. He then joined his wife and friend in their laughter.
Good times were ahead... There were tears of joy, tears of sorrow to expect... There were stories to be told of times forgotten, future adventures to look forward to... And so they stood as a light wind picked up. It was time to look ahead, that they knew...but from where they were standing on the ship, Middle-Earth could still be seen as it slowly faded away. A pleasant silence surrounded them. Dileriyen and Legolas held hands, with Gimli standing beside them. There were no more words to speak. The dawn was upon them before they expected it. Soon, the waters shared the same golden glow as the land in the distance. Quietly they watched, but none reached forward for if they should touch it, the dream would forever fade away. And so Middle-Earth remained, a golden dream in the hearts of those who lived to remember it.
It may be that the dream ends before the sleep,
That is how I've come back to my own eternity.
After all, I'm just another face in the stars,
One more memory that floats in the air...
The End
********************
"...And that is how we have found ourselves here, King Thranduil. Let me tell you, with these two crazy kids, it's a wonder they both made it out of Mirkwood in one piece!" Gimli laughed at his own sense of humor while the 'two crazy kids' just added some more bits and pieces to the story until it was finally concluded. Re-telling the tale had indeed proved difficult. There were times when Thranduil had not only wanted to rip his own hair out but also Legolas's, Dileriyen's, Elrohir's and perhaps even Gimli's beard. But he admitted to himself that getting into so much trouble was quite an accomplishment, even for his children. He sighed loudly. Being a single parent should not have to be this hard.
He was almost afraid to ask but he went ahead anyway. "Is there anything else that I have not been told?"
"Nothing else comes to my mind father. Legolas?"
Legolas got a mischievous look in his eyes. Somehow he had managed to re- obtain the ring and necklace from his father so it was now or never.
"Legolas?" Dileriyen asked. That boy and his dazing...
"Actually, there is something that I would like to ask."
"By all means son, what is it?"
Legolas knelt before Dileriyen, who was too confused to say a thing. He took her hands within his but first slipped the ring softly on one of her fingers. Gimli could tell right away that it was mithril but he chose to stay quiet for the moment. After all, it wasn't everyday that his best friend proposed.
"I would first like to return this ring to its owner, my Lady. That would be you, unless I am mistaken." He smiled, "I ask of you now my love, in front of all that I hold dear in this world, if you will consent to share the rest of your life with me? Be warned that I will not take no for an answer."
Even Gimli blushed... and grumbled of course. Dileriyen leapt forward from where she was sitting, successfully crashing both their hugging forms to the ground. At that moment, it did not matter if Eru himself was in the room, as they kissed not once, not twice but perhaps a little more than was comfortable to the dwarf's eyes:) Thranduil burst into laughter as he watched his daughter smother his son. He turned to Gimli and said: "I do believe that she has agreed, eh Sir Dwarf? Hahaha... Splendid, splendid!"
Upon the insistence of the two, they were married later that day, with only their father and Gimli as guests/witnesses. I do not pretend to know how they conduct wedding ceremonies is Mirkwood. All I know is that it was a moment well worth waiting for... Thus we shall move on to after the ceremony.
Dileriyen and Legolas lay under the covers, on their sides, gazing at one another. Legolas brought a hand to his new bride's face and stroked her cheek tenderly. She turned her face to kiss his palm.
"Are you nervous?" he asked softly.
"No... Maybe a little... And you?" she asked, somewhat shyly.
"A little..." after a short pause he whispered: "I love you."
"...And I love you." she whispered in return as they moved in closer to one another, sharing kisses, sharing their love...and getting ready to share a lifetime...
****************
It was late afternoon when the two awakened to a new day and a new life. After much protest and procrastination, they decided that they did indeed have an entire eternity ahead of them to be lazily in love so they made their way out of the room to locate the King and the Dwarf. Upon finding them, they found that they could not stop blushing. For Eru's sake, they were married. It was the most natural thing in the world... So why on earth were Thranduil and Gimli smiling a little -too- much?
*And they call -me- immature,* thought Legolas as he went red all over again.
*Men... they are all the same, no matter what specie they are. Honestly,* thought Dileriyen, who had never cooled down to begin with.
Little did she know that while she and her husband were off in their own little world, word had reached high and low of their little escapades and shocking return. And there was now an elf who patiently awaited to see whether word was indeed true or not.
"Daughter, it seems that they have received news of you even in Imladris. There is someone who would like to see you." At first Dileriyen failed to understand but by the time she finally did, Legolas had already stormed out of the room in search of this 'someone.' He found him fairly quickly. This time, Gimli did not follow him.
"Why are you here?" Legolas demanded of him harshly.
"I have come to see -her- Legolas, not you, so do your part and step aside."
"Give me one good reason why I should not put an arrow through you right now."
"I would rip you apart Legolas if I had not been informed of your union. I have nothing more to say to you."
They had not noticed that Dileriyen had entered the room until she spoke. "Both of you, please... Legolas, I will speak with him..."
Legolas seemed disheartened but she whispered, "I will be but a moment my love," as he walked past her. He nodded his approval and let them be. When they were alone, Dileriyen decided that the silence was making her more uncomfortable than it should.
"It is good to see you again Elrohir... Tell me, why have you come?"
Without warning, Elrohir ran up to her and trapped her in his embrace. "I did not believe it... I still cannot... I feared the worst..."
She was moved with pity and thus returned the embrace for a brief moment. When he let her go, he continued, "Though I know it to be useless, I ask you one last time if you will to reconsider your decision. Come back with me..."
Not this again. She was fed up and her pity for him lessened considerably. "There is nothing to reconsider... Please release my hands. I have heard of your part in the search for me. Thank you cousin, it warms my heart to know that you had not given up on me... Now, if that is all, I will see you in Gondor. Please let your father and brother know that I am well, I send them my best."
He stood there...bitter, angry and disappointed. Finally, after what seemed to be an endless silence, he brought a hand to her cheek. It felt cold and unfriendly to her skin. It was not a touch that she would miss.
"You will be in my heart Dileriyen...always."
"For your sake Elrohir, I hope that I will not." He bid her good day and left. That was the last time that Elrohir showed her anything but normal friendship, for which she was eternally grateful.
****************
When she found Legolas again, he seemed to be in an ill mood. Anything anyone said stuck to him like daggers. It upset her, but perhaps he was right in feeling this way. After all they had been through...
"Has he gone?"
"Yes... Please don't be angry with me Legolas. I have said what I needed to say to him. I thanked him for he does deserve my gratitude. He never gave up on me."
"And you mean to remind me of how I had?"
"No my love, of course not. Please... Please, let us not fight anymore. I love you...and we are together now."
"Yes," he sighed, "I apologize my love. Perhaps it is unwise of me to continue this childish behavior as well. I am better than this... Am I forgiven?"
"Of course!" She smiled.
"Kiss me."
"But what about- " She was cut off as his lips connected with hers at lightening speed. There were no more 'what abouts' as his arms came around her waist and her hands wove around his neck. It was a passionate promise of more to come. When they broke away, she laid her head against his chest and felt her heart melt away.
*******************
Many a day later, when came the time to leave for Gondor, Thranduil asked Dileriyen if she would not wish to visit her old town. There were not many left in Mirkwood now and the remaining elves had chosen to stay for the specific purpose of re-locating to Gondor for several years. That day had now come and Dileriyen found herself facing a tough decision. She took her time to think it over until she reached a definite decision.
"No father... It will not be necessary. My mother and father will continue to watch over me whether I return there or not. It is a place of harsh memories that I have taken a lifetime to put behind me. The path lies towards Gondor now. I won't look back." Thranduil nodded as they continued with the final preparations.
It was a sunny day when stood three elves and a dwarf, looking upon their home for the last time. Dileriyen and Legolas had said their farewell to their pond a few short hours ago. That pond would be sorely missed (though Legolas had managed to push his wife in one last time, not to mention get dragged into the cold water with her). The trees did not sway and the sun shone I their eyes but it was still a beautiful sight to behold. Home... And just like a dream, their time had ended too soon. Just like a dream, before they knew it, it was gone...
*******************
So it was that King Thranduil, Prince Legolas and Lady Dileriyen, and Dwarf lord Gimli went to Gondor with their company of elves. They filled it with a beauty that the lands had long forgotten. There they met with old friends, exchanged stories of battle, loss and victory and made new memories. The union of Arwen and Aragorn was both wonderful and heart wrenching. Though Aragorn was as loved as any elf, even more so, attempts were still made for Arwen to come to the West when the time should arrive. She would not have it.
"My heart is here... My body would not survive elsewhere without it," she had said. Never again was she questioned on the matter. Dileriyen cried, despite her happiness. Leaving Arwen was a heavy blow to the heart. There would now come a time for the light of the Evenstar to fade...
It was a time not long after the last of the Mirkwood elves had left the lands of middle-earth that Lord Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir also left. Though Arwen had been firm in her decision, no one will forget how the Lady had crumpled at her father's feet, in an ocean of her own tears as well as her his. The brothers had trapped her in their embrace, almost refusing to let go. Unsurprisingly, it was the same for Aragorn as well. It rained that day, unlike it had ever rained before...
That night, Dileriyen and Legolas stood on the balcony, under the moonlight and the rain. Legolas wrapped his arms around her from behind... She wept and it rained. They held onto one another, all the while thinking that life had never completely been fair, to any of them.
*******************
The years passed by in Gondor with much laughter. It was as the blink of an eye for the four elves and dwarf who had stayed behind but for the king Aragorn, time seemed to pass even quicker. When looking into his eyes, one could see the legacy that lay hidden. He was still the passionate, fiery man that he had been in his days of youth. And though his heart could still take on the world, his body decided that the time had come to pass on to a different place. A better place that awaited all the mortal men of Middle- Earth. It was that day that the elves finally knew their time had come to say farewell. They begged the heart-broken Arwen to join them. Dileriyen cried. She cried knowing that Arwen would not leave... She cried for the man she had called a friend for so long... She was not the only one to cry that day.
Arwen bid them and her children farewell, to travel forth to the lands of the Golden Wood: Lothlorien. Such glory those lands had seen. Now they greeted the Evenstar. She passed away into memory the following summer...
And I'll sing my song as I walk, determined, on that dirt road.
I'll go back to my fairytale, within that deep forest.
It calls to me, but I've lost my way.
My love will guide me; I know he'll find me. He always finds me,
When I'm lost...
************************
It was shortly after Arwen's departure that the two elves and dwarf stood, waiting for Thranduil to join them so that they could be on their way. When Thranduil appeared, they were somewhat surprised at his calmness.
"Is it time?" he asked.
"Yes father, the time is finally upon us," answered Legolas.
"Well then... I suppose there are a few things to be said." They gave Thranduil a questioning look. All had uneasy feelings in their hearts.
"May the seas treat you kindly, my children... Do not leave with heavy hearts for these lands cannot forget the days that they have seen and shared with you. When you look back, do not be afraid to remember the bad along with the good, for life is beautiful when you walk hand in hand with both joy and sorrow."
"Father?" Legolas questioned.
"Father, why do you speak as if you were not coming?" Dileriyen asked softly.
"Because my darling, I am not."
"But fa-"
"Legolas. Please, my son... Allow this old elf to explain. My happiness is sealed, for my children have found their ways back to one another. We have shared all this wonderful time, this beautiful life as a family... That was all that I had hoped for and the great Eru saw it fit to grant my wish. Now, if I may have but one final request of the two of you- be happy. You have only one another- you two are a family. Well, Gimli too of course, hahaha... Never forget that. Go on now... And never forget!"
Legolas did not understand. His eyes began to tear and he was ready to argue with his father but Dileriyen held onto his wrist in a motion that told him to stop. All the while he was speaking, she had had the feeling that his words were not strange to her ears. They were as echoes... Echoes of a time and sadness that had long been hidden in the past. Only to come back. However, this time, it was by choice and no matter how much it grieved her, no matter how she wanted to change his mind, her heart understood.
Legolas turned and looked at her. It was only natural for him to not understand for he had been a mere two days old at the time. He had never even known his mother. Dileriyen took his hand and held it within hers.
"Legolas my love, it is time to bid our father farewell, there is someone who has been waiting for him, longer than you and I could ever imagine..." Her eyes told him to ask no further and he seemed to realize the truth. He could do nothing but nod as the tears slowly spilled from his reddened eyes.
"I go now, my children. I have kept my Lady waiting long enough. I think she will be happy to see me, will she not? Keep us alive in your hearts! Memories come and go but the feelings they leave are only strengthened by time... And there will come a time when we shall be together again. I give you my word. Until then, the Great End, we will be watching over you... Farewell."
It is said that the last great Elf King of Middle-Earth returned to Greenwood the Great and was reunited with his Lady not long after his farewell to his children. His body remained in the lands, beside his queen's, watching over the Wood that they would forever call home. The trees were the only witnesses but some would swear that there were voices and soft laughter in the wind that day...
"What kept you, my love?"
"Children these days... Oh my love, the stories I have for you..."
************************
Dileriyen leaned gently against the rail, gazing into the endless blue. After all this time, moving on was as heart breaking an experience as she had expected it to be. Who would be there to remember them other than the trees and wind? Would they ever have the chance to look upon these lands again, before the end? However unlikely it seemed, her heart prayed for that day. Her eyes began to water but she did not cry. She only brought a hand to her stomach and rubbed it affectionately. She then felt two strong arms embrace her from behind and hold the hand that she had been resting on her stomach. There was no time like the present.
"My Love... I know that we had decided to wait until we had reached our new home but... it seems that fate wished to intervene."
Legolas looked into her eyes. This was almost too good to be true. "You are with child?" he asked softly, though unable to hide the excitement in his voice. Dileriyen smiled at him. How could it be that she loved him more and more every day? Legolas held her face within his hands and put all his excitement into that kiss... When it ended, leaving them breathless, he began shouting to whoever had the ears to hear him. Unfortunately, it was extremely late in the evening. In fact, it was almost dawn. Too bad for Gimli who despised being woken up more than he despised being on water.
"What in the blazes are you yellin' about you fool of a Greenleaf! I was having the dream of a lifetime!" He yelled gruffly, only to be greeted by an ecstatic elf King.
"It is a good life indeed my old friend! I have just been informed that I will be a father in a few short months."
Gimli couldn't believe his ears. Finally, he thought. "Another one of you and her? Legolas, are you trying to form an army of Greenleafs against me?" Legolas started laughing while Gimli smiled and joined him. This was the best news he had heard in such a long time. It did nothing but warm his heart... It was like this that Dileriyen found them, the smile on her own face never having left.
"My congratulations Lady, I hear you are expecting another Greenleaf," he said jokingly.
She decided to play along. After all, getting a rise out of Legolas was something one never grew tired of. "That I am, Gimli. Although, I can barely put up with this one, Eru knows how I will handle it if the baby takes after the father!"
"Hahahaha. Well put Dileriyen, you now have my sympathy. Hahaha."
Legolas arched an eyebrow at them. They had a habit of doing this. How's a King to defend himself?
"Traitors! Both of you..." he mumbled and soon all three of them were laughing once again.
After a while, Gimli posed a very important question to the soon-to-be parents. "Have you thought about what you are going to name the baby?" he asked, stroking his beard.
"You are right Gimli! I had completely forgotten that," Dileriyen said.
"How would you feel about a dwarvish name?" It was worth a try.
"Well, I am certainly open to the suggestion. Can you think of anything off the top of your head?" she continued.
Legolas looked at them curiously. "Well I-" he started but it was no use trying to get into the conversation. They were unyielding.
"How about Dori? It is good for a boy or a girl. It was the name of one of my uncles you know."
"Perhaps-" Legolas tried but was cut off again.
"Dori. Hmmm. It is indeed very cute! Yes Gimli, do keep that in mind as a possibility."
"And there is also... ..."
They chattered on for a few more minutes until they finally ran out of ideas. Legolas looked at them with a smug smile on his face and finally put in his opinion.
"How about Legolas?" he asked proudly.
"NO!" Dileriyen and Gimli shouted in unison... perhaps a little too quickly. Legolas sighed. He then joined his wife and friend in their laughter.
Good times were ahead... There were tears of joy, tears of sorrow to expect... There were stories to be told of times forgotten, future adventures to look forward to... And so they stood as a light wind picked up. It was time to look ahead, that they knew...but from where they were standing on the ship, Middle-Earth could still be seen as it slowly faded away. A pleasant silence surrounded them. Dileriyen and Legolas held hands, with Gimli standing beside them. There were no more words to speak. The dawn was upon them before they expected it. Soon, the waters shared the same golden glow as the land in the distance. Quietly they watched, but none reached forward for if they should touch it, the dream would forever fade away. And so Middle-Earth remained, a golden dream in the hearts of those who lived to remember it.
It may be that the dream ends before the sleep,
That is how I've come back to my own eternity.
After all, I'm just another face in the stars,
One more memory that floats in the air...
The End
