Disclaimer: They don't belong to me.
A/N: Freaky coincidence here. See, about a week before I started writing this fic, my brother broke his leg. And now, about a week before I post the final part of this (assuming I get the epilogue up in a few days) my brother has re-broken his leg. Weird, huh?
And, apology time, I am so sorry about the long wait. What can I say? I got swept up in Harry Potter fever. Also, this chapter did not want to be written. This is (I counted them) the 9th draft. And I still think it's too short, and I'm still not completely happy.
The good news is, the epilogue has already been written. I just need to polish it of, and get it beta'd. A few days.
My beta commented she thought it would take longer than this for peace to be reached, that there would be more problems. But, this does take place quite a bit after the last chapter, and my view on this is that Elves are wise, and peace-loving, and that they're tired of a war that has lasted for many thousands of years. This is something nearly all have wanted - they've just been afraid to admit it, get called a traitor to the cause or whatever. Those who think differently are outnumbered, and know when to shut up.
God, this author's note has been long.
* * * * *
I'd never seen Legolas so happy. Smiling, hugging himself, almost bouncing as he walked, and I could only feel happy for him.
"Well?" I demanded, as soon as he came in sight.
"I met him! I'm so happy. All this time, I've wanted to see him again, and now I have." He frowned, face turning pensive. "I just wish it could have been longer."
I thought about mentioning he'd been away for nearing three hours. Decided not to, as it could be considered insensitive. "So? What did you talk about?"
"Well, I told him about you, and Aragorn, and our journey, and Gandalf, and Bree, and the mines, and Dilse, and the mountains, and the orcs, and that funny old woman we met, and.." Tuning him out, I decided it would be a marvel if his poor father had been able to get a word in edgeways. "...and everything Lord Elrond asked me to say, of course."
"What was that?"
"About how possible peace was."
"What did your father say?"
"He agrees with Lord Elrond. He thinks it is possible, but that it will take time, and much negotiating. He also thinks it will take a great deal of forgiveness, from both sides. It's lucky that Gandalf has volunteered to oversee talks, don't you think?"
"What?" Why did he know so much I didn't?
"You would know," Had he read my thoughts? "But you were too busy staring at Galadriel to pay any attention."
"I was not staring! And I was paying attention, Elf!"
"Fine. So what's happening now?"
I stared at him. How in Aule's name was I supposed to know that?
He smirked at my expression. "Nobles from both sides are meeting to discuss short-term, and long-term, plans for securing peace. As you should know."
"Elf, I was not staring!"
"You were."
"I was not."
"You were."
"I am not going to let you drag me into another infantile argument."
The only warning I got was Legolas' mischievous smile, before the first pillow flew across the room, catching me across the ear.
* * * * *
Someone - an Elf - shrieked with laughter, presumably at a comment her partner had made. I, of course, only heard her because she stood quite close; the din of music, chatter and general merriment made it impossible to hear oneself think.
I stood at the edge of the room, but in the middle of the edge. I thought it a good place to be - on one side, Legolas with his Sindar kin and on the other, Aragorn with his Noldor friends. (I was also nicely close to one of the two long tables that stretched out on either side of the hall, laid with dainty looking platters of delicious food that showed of the skills of Elrond's chefs.) As of yet, there had not been much mingling between the two groups of Elves, but I was sure that the mixing would increase as the remaining amount of wine decreased.
Almost straight ahead of me, the leaders of both Elven realms were greeting each other, making mandatory small talk. Looking at the newly crowned King Thranduil was almost like looking at Legolas, but with a few obvious differences - the nose was straighter, shoulders broader, taller.. but my attention was drawn by the great Lady Galadriel, who outshone every other Elf there. However, her eyes were fixed on the tall Elf standing beside her: the Lord Celeborn, who had arrived late last night.
Later that night, out in the gardens watching fireworks crash high above me, I couldn't feel anything but amazed. Which, I thought, was appropriate.
After all, what could be more amazing than this celebration of peace?
* * * * *
Responses to reviews.
Lady Thwen - No. Elrond is definitely not evil. I am a firm believer that Elves are not evil, with a few exceptions.
Mysterious Reviewer - Thank you! I'm glad you liked the whole Galadriel/Celeborn thing, and I am sorry I haven't shown the reunion between Legolas and his father. I didn't feel up to writing it, and thought that it should be a private thing - i.e. with Gimli not there.
Carol Stevenson - Peace has been reached, and a reunion has happened. I'm sorry I didn't show it! Thanks for reviewing.
Nina - Yeah, I read that. So annoying. And, again, I'm apologising for not showing the reunion. I would go say in the A/N, but it's long enough already.
Kukabura - Nah. Gimli wants to live out the rest of his years in bachelor- dom. He's definitely the type.
Andmetwen - Gimli is happy for Legolas, just in a manly, doesn't show it way. Although, yes, it could be that he's lusting after Galadriel. Sorry the update took so long!
Key - Wow. Three reviews. I'm guessing you were reading and reviewing as you went? Anyway, thanks for your reviews!
Dragon-of-the-North - Wow, your reviews are long. I love them (. I'm glad you like the way I portray Gimli - I find him very fun to write. And, I wasn't a Galadriel fan till I saw the extended version - a few extra glimpses of her laughing, teasing Gimli etc made all the difference. When I originally wrote that chapter, Elrond got a lot more flustered, which was fun - but he was also quite OOC. So, he was re-written. And, I'm sorry I didn't write the reunion, but I did feel I couldn't do it justice - so I thought I leave it to your imaginations instead. And, those unresolved issues are remaining unresolved - for a while, at least.
Ele - I'm glad you liked the chapter - and have I told you that I love your reviews? lol.
Dis Thrainsdotter - I am a firm believer that all Elves are wise and good, and will therefore be able to see the benefits of peace. And if they don't, I'll just ignore them, and refuse to write about them. But I'm sure they will. (Starting to realise I'm grip on what's real and what's not..)
AA Battery - She's found Celeborn. Or, more like, he's found her. And, yay, it is peace time.
MoroTheWolfGod - He didn't know, but does now. And, sorry you had to wait so long for more.
Jen - Thanks! I'm very glad you like it.
Whitecoyote - Sorry! I can't help leaving you in suspense. It's in my nature. And, no, I only got one review. But I was very happy to get it.
Kasey - Well, the book I've got is called 'The Treason of Isengard.' (If I've spelt that wrong, sorry.) And I'm glad you thought it was funny - and very sorry you almost choked to death! Next time, will have to remember to put a 'danger to your health' label on.
Dy - All has now happened. Well, almost. There are still a few loose ends lying about, which will be tied up in the epilogue.
SperryDee - Thanks! I'm glad you liked the Galadriel/Celeborn thing - I was a bit worried about it. Sorry the update took so long!
Arifel - Thanks! It's always really, really nice to hear someone thinks I've done a good job, so thanks!
Kit Cloudkicker - All will be revealed in the epilogue. And, I promise it will only be a few days. It just needs to be cleaned up and beta'd.
Nellie - Thanks! I'm always happy to know that someone's enjoying my fic. And sorry for the long wait for this chapter!
A/N: Freaky coincidence here. See, about a week before I started writing this fic, my brother broke his leg. And now, about a week before I post the final part of this (assuming I get the epilogue up in a few days) my brother has re-broken his leg. Weird, huh?
And, apology time, I am so sorry about the long wait. What can I say? I got swept up in Harry Potter fever. Also, this chapter did not want to be written. This is (I counted them) the 9th draft. And I still think it's too short, and I'm still not completely happy.
The good news is, the epilogue has already been written. I just need to polish it of, and get it beta'd. A few days.
My beta commented she thought it would take longer than this for peace to be reached, that there would be more problems. But, this does take place quite a bit after the last chapter, and my view on this is that Elves are wise, and peace-loving, and that they're tired of a war that has lasted for many thousands of years. This is something nearly all have wanted - they've just been afraid to admit it, get called a traitor to the cause or whatever. Those who think differently are outnumbered, and know when to shut up.
God, this author's note has been long.
* * * * *
I'd never seen Legolas so happy. Smiling, hugging himself, almost bouncing as he walked, and I could only feel happy for him.
"Well?" I demanded, as soon as he came in sight.
"I met him! I'm so happy. All this time, I've wanted to see him again, and now I have." He frowned, face turning pensive. "I just wish it could have been longer."
I thought about mentioning he'd been away for nearing three hours. Decided not to, as it could be considered insensitive. "So? What did you talk about?"
"Well, I told him about you, and Aragorn, and our journey, and Gandalf, and Bree, and the mines, and Dilse, and the mountains, and the orcs, and that funny old woman we met, and.." Tuning him out, I decided it would be a marvel if his poor father had been able to get a word in edgeways. "...and everything Lord Elrond asked me to say, of course."
"What was that?"
"About how possible peace was."
"What did your father say?"
"He agrees with Lord Elrond. He thinks it is possible, but that it will take time, and much negotiating. He also thinks it will take a great deal of forgiveness, from both sides. It's lucky that Gandalf has volunteered to oversee talks, don't you think?"
"What?" Why did he know so much I didn't?
"You would know," Had he read my thoughts? "But you were too busy staring at Galadriel to pay any attention."
"I was not staring! And I was paying attention, Elf!"
"Fine. So what's happening now?"
I stared at him. How in Aule's name was I supposed to know that?
He smirked at my expression. "Nobles from both sides are meeting to discuss short-term, and long-term, plans for securing peace. As you should know."
"Elf, I was not staring!"
"You were."
"I was not."
"You were."
"I am not going to let you drag me into another infantile argument."
The only warning I got was Legolas' mischievous smile, before the first pillow flew across the room, catching me across the ear.
* * * * *
Someone - an Elf - shrieked with laughter, presumably at a comment her partner had made. I, of course, only heard her because she stood quite close; the din of music, chatter and general merriment made it impossible to hear oneself think.
I stood at the edge of the room, but in the middle of the edge. I thought it a good place to be - on one side, Legolas with his Sindar kin and on the other, Aragorn with his Noldor friends. (I was also nicely close to one of the two long tables that stretched out on either side of the hall, laid with dainty looking platters of delicious food that showed of the skills of Elrond's chefs.) As of yet, there had not been much mingling between the two groups of Elves, but I was sure that the mixing would increase as the remaining amount of wine decreased.
Almost straight ahead of me, the leaders of both Elven realms were greeting each other, making mandatory small talk. Looking at the newly crowned King Thranduil was almost like looking at Legolas, but with a few obvious differences - the nose was straighter, shoulders broader, taller.. but my attention was drawn by the great Lady Galadriel, who outshone every other Elf there. However, her eyes were fixed on the tall Elf standing beside her: the Lord Celeborn, who had arrived late last night.
Later that night, out in the gardens watching fireworks crash high above me, I couldn't feel anything but amazed. Which, I thought, was appropriate.
After all, what could be more amazing than this celebration of peace?
* * * * *
Responses to reviews.
Lady Thwen - No. Elrond is definitely not evil. I am a firm believer that Elves are not evil, with a few exceptions.
Mysterious Reviewer - Thank you! I'm glad you liked the whole Galadriel/Celeborn thing, and I am sorry I haven't shown the reunion between Legolas and his father. I didn't feel up to writing it, and thought that it should be a private thing - i.e. with Gimli not there.
Carol Stevenson - Peace has been reached, and a reunion has happened. I'm sorry I didn't show it! Thanks for reviewing.
Nina - Yeah, I read that. So annoying. And, again, I'm apologising for not showing the reunion. I would go say in the A/N, but it's long enough already.
Kukabura - Nah. Gimli wants to live out the rest of his years in bachelor- dom. He's definitely the type.
Andmetwen - Gimli is happy for Legolas, just in a manly, doesn't show it way. Although, yes, it could be that he's lusting after Galadriel. Sorry the update took so long!
Key - Wow. Three reviews. I'm guessing you were reading and reviewing as you went? Anyway, thanks for your reviews!
Dragon-of-the-North - Wow, your reviews are long. I love them (. I'm glad you like the way I portray Gimli - I find him very fun to write. And, I wasn't a Galadriel fan till I saw the extended version - a few extra glimpses of her laughing, teasing Gimli etc made all the difference. When I originally wrote that chapter, Elrond got a lot more flustered, which was fun - but he was also quite OOC. So, he was re-written. And, I'm sorry I didn't write the reunion, but I did feel I couldn't do it justice - so I thought I leave it to your imaginations instead. And, those unresolved issues are remaining unresolved - for a while, at least.
Ele - I'm glad you liked the chapter - and have I told you that I love your reviews? lol.
Dis Thrainsdotter - I am a firm believer that all Elves are wise and good, and will therefore be able to see the benefits of peace. And if they don't, I'll just ignore them, and refuse to write about them. But I'm sure they will. (Starting to realise I'm grip on what's real and what's not..)
AA Battery - She's found Celeborn. Or, more like, he's found her. And, yay, it is peace time.
MoroTheWolfGod - He didn't know, but does now. And, sorry you had to wait so long for more.
Jen - Thanks! I'm very glad you like it.
Whitecoyote - Sorry! I can't help leaving you in suspense. It's in my nature. And, no, I only got one review. But I was very happy to get it.
Kasey - Well, the book I've got is called 'The Treason of Isengard.' (If I've spelt that wrong, sorry.) And I'm glad you thought it was funny - and very sorry you almost choked to death! Next time, will have to remember to put a 'danger to your health' label on.
Dy - All has now happened. Well, almost. There are still a few loose ends lying about, which will be tied up in the epilogue.
SperryDee - Thanks! I'm glad you liked the Galadriel/Celeborn thing - I was a bit worried about it. Sorry the update took so long!
Arifel - Thanks! It's always really, really nice to hear someone thinks I've done a good job, so thanks!
Kit Cloudkicker - All will be revealed in the epilogue. And, I promise it will only be a few days. It just needs to be cleaned up and beta'd.
Nellie - Thanks! I'm always happy to know that someone's enjoying my fic. And sorry for the long wait for this chapter!
