Wow, its been quite some time since I "said" I finished this fic, so some people might be a bit surprised to see this here. Truth is, I've been planning on doing an epilogue, or whatever you want to call this. But this really really is the last chapter I will be updating on this fic, like frills, cause I know I have said that like 3 times already but this is seriously the last one. Mucho thanks to everyone who has read my first LOTR fic, and even more thanks to those who have reviewed, I appreciate it so much. I've got some ideas for another fic kinda zooming around in my head, so if you catch my name in the future please read and review!!!! Thanks again everyone!!
Epilogue (or whatever you want to call this im not really sure it is an epilogue)
Gondor, restored to it's beauty and majesty of old, transformed by the noble King Elessar with the aide of his ethereal Queen Arwen as well as his loyal comrades Legolas and Gimli son of Gloin, should by all rights have been in a state of perpetual joy and peace, yet all was not well in the White City. An almost tangible veil of mourning had settled itself determinedly upon Gondor. It's inhabitants mingled among each other through crowded streets, lost in an all-pervading fog of worry, fear and utter sadness, though none felt this change in atmosphere more than the lovely Queen Arwen, for their king, a seeming tower of strength, intelligence, good-will and integrity, was dying.
Prince Legolas, sitting atop the balcony railing just outside the room reserved for him when he fancied a stay in Gondor's impressive palace, had known that this day would come when he first cultivated his friendship with a mortal. Though the king and prince had only been friends for a short time by elvish standards, Legolas felt a bonding with the man second only to that he had shared with his close family, all of whom now awaited his arrival in Valinor. The fair elven prince chuckled sadly as he thought " How ironic to think that I, one who has despised man-kind for the vast majority of my life, now mourns the passing of their king with passion unbridled."
"Alright then, you've finally cracked that pretty head, eh Elf? Laughing as one of your closest friends lies on his death bed, only one of your kind could be so heartless," jested the dwarf Gimli as he stomped onto the elf's balcony.
"Nay, friend Gimli, I have not gone mad but am merely contemplating the many hidden ironies in life," explained the noble Prince of Mirkwood with a sigh and a smile. "Have you seen him yet today?"
"Aye," replied Gimli dejectedly, " and though I do not claim to have the knowledge of a healer, I fear he is growing steadily worse."
Nodding and starring into the garden below, after several minutes of silence, Legolas said softly, " I expected such. I do not think he plans on living out the rest of the day." Raising his noble head, Legolas told Gimli, " Elessar's chief attendant comes toward us now, with heavy feet and an even heavier heart. What news he brings can be nothing but grave."
Moments after Legolas informed Gimli as to their approaching visitor, the aforementioned attendant crashed into the room. Stopping to catch his breath, the man stood to address the elven prince and dwarf lord.
" My lords, I fear I bring terrible news."
"Is our lord King Elessar lost to us already," inquired Gimli in a tremulous voice.
"Nay, Gimli, not quite yet," answered Legolas before the attendant had a chance. In response to the questioning looks from both the man standing before him and the stout friend at his side, Legolas explained saying, "Aragorn is a close to me as any blood brother could ever be and I yet feel the presence of his soul is near. Yet do not celebrate this news, for it is wavering between the sides of life and death. We must hurry if we wish to see him."
"Yes, your highness, that is precisely what I was sent to tell you by the healers and my queen," announced the attendant, as he stood in awe of the fair elven prince.
Within minutes, the elf and dwarf were standing before immense doors indicating the entrance to the King's sick chambers. As the pair had been expecting a troupe of healers to be surrounding the king as he lay in a high bed to the side of the large room, they were surprised to find the long-lived man of many names and aliases laying quietly on a small lounge just before a balcony, accompanied only by his wife and children. Slowly turning his noble head at the sound of the opening door, King Elessar raised his hand, beckoning the two intruders.
"Welcome, old friends. I was beginning to think I would leave this earth before saying farewell to two of those who stood by my side during the most trying of times," wheezed the king in a wavering voice.
"Speak not so, Estel, for hearing talk of your death pierces the hearts of those who love you," murmered Legolas in a soft voice while Arwen, her children and even the gruff dwarf Gimli allowed tears to streak down their faces.
"My dear comrade, friend, brother…what would I have done without your guidance and skills all these years?" asked Estel weakly. "I have had my last words with all but you. Come closer, old friend." Legolas did as the king requested and knelt by his low lounge.
"Legolas, I…" the king was interrupted by an severe cough attack.
"Father," began Aragorn's son Eldarion, " Perhaps you should rest before…"
"Nay, my son, I am recovered," soothed Aragorn.
"Friend Legolas, you have been more loyal than I could ever have asked, especially considering our friendship's rocky start. You vowed to remain on middle earth until I too left it's blood soaked, beautiful landscape. Now, after fighting together, winning together, and sharing in each other's joy, I release you from that bond, my friend." Abruptly and unexpectedly grasping the elf by the shoulders and pulling him close, Aragorn whispered forcefully " Go home, old friend! Do what you must…then return to them Thranduilion, return to them." Loosening his vice like grip on the elf's silken garment, King Elessar laid back his head and with a final glance at his family and close friends, closed his eyes and was welcomed into the peaceful, cool embrace of death.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Aye, and isn't it good to be so close to the ship that will take me back into the presence of the elf maiden who has stolen my heart, the lovely Galadriel," sighed Gimli pitifully as he sat by his and Legolas' camp fire. Had Legolas been listening, he would most assuredly have laughed heartedly at his tough friend's sudden burst of sentiment. Yet as it was, Legolas' mind was dwelling on other matters. While Gimli continued his rant on the beauty that is Galadriel in the background, Legolas suddenly stood and began readying his stead.
Startled by his companion's sudden movement, Gimli halted his monologue and stared confused at the elf. "Wait just one minute! Where do you think you're going? We're almost at the docks."
Ignoring the dwarf's tirade, Legolas simply said, " Rest well, friend Gimli, and worry not. I shall be back before the sun has yet achieved her full height." Though Gimli continued to threaten the prince, shake his fist angrily, and throw furious diatribe at the elf's retreating back,
Legolas continued to ignore his friend until he was a mere speck in the distance. He rode hard through the night and did not stop until he reached his destination: the land of his heart and soul, the land which held his first and fondest memories, Mirkwood. Though the area was now almost entirely deserted, with the fall of Sauron all those years ago, the wood was once again a thriving specimen of forestry. The trees called to him, welcoming back their prince, imploring him to run through their branches as he had on so many occasions. Giving in to their whims, and those of his heart, Legolas jumped from his horse and broke into a sprint, inhaling the sweet scent of the forest and absorbing the life they exuded. Then, suddenly, it was before him: his tree, no, their tree. He and his wife had first met in the shade of this tree, it was here that they had shared their first kiss, fallen in love, and it was in this very tree that he had taught their children to climb. It would be here, in the shade of this tree, that the remains of his wife and children would rest on Arda for all eternity. Digging into the soft soil with his hands, Legolas prepared a grave which would hold the last reminders that the three had ever graced Middle Earth. Reaching into his pack, Legolas removed the scalps he had confiscated from his human captor during the War of the Ring. Caressing the soft silken hair once more, he laid the three remnants softly in the ground and covered them with soil. Resting his forehead on that spot, Legolas whispered, "My love, I am on my way home."
Unbeknownst to Legolas, at that very moment, in the far away Valinor, his wife sat up with a start and cried out. Jumping from her bed, she ran throughout the house crying the news of Legolas' eminent return.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Legolas' wife and children stood on the shore, each shaking with anticipation. They, along with Legolas' father, mother and two older brothers, had waited at the shore every evening for nearly three weeks, awaiting the return of the much loved prince. No one spoke during these times, almost as if each feared speaking would push Legolas further away. His wife sighed as the group began moving back onto the land; it looked as if tonight would be no different than the rest. As she too turned grudgingly from the shore the silence was broken by a call from the look-out: " A ship is coming! I see a ship!"
Turning once more to scan the foggy horizon, Legolas' wife fairly quivered in longing for her husband's embrace. There it was, a great beautiful silver ship and who was at the front but her own Legolas!
There they were, all of them! Valar, she looked so beautiful, and the children had grown so! Was that little elfling his son?! By Elbereth, he looked just like him! As soon as the boat docked Legolas was on the shore and enveloping his wife in a warm embrace, little hands clinging to his sides. So many emotions were coursing through Legolas but at the moment all Legolas could think to say was " Beloved, I am home."
Umm…taa da? I liked it so if you didn't too bad! He he he, but I hope you did. Ya, I dunno whether or not Mirkwood was still in existence when Legolas left, but in my story it wasn't, alrighty? Thanks in advance to everyone who reviews and to those who have stuck with this fic through the good and bad.