Epilogue

By Crystal

Author's Notes: Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and this is the end.  But fear not, I have a sequel ready.  For ALL of those who want to receive an email when the sequel comes out, PLEASE leave your email in your review or send me an email yourself if you wish to do so.  Thank you very much...

*We all know who this belongs to... ^^;;*

I cracked my eyes opened; my head pounding due to having my head fall on the ground.  I shut my eyes immediately, seeing the bright white light shine.  I was in heaven, surely?  I squinted again, and shut them once again.  It was a few more minutes until I could finally open them without shutting them closed.

As I lifted my head up, I regretted it immediately.  It was as if I hadn't moved in ages, but I had only died in a fight!  A war!  A war against Good and Evil, Uruks and Humans...  My mind drifted to my beloved...  And I sighed.  He will have to carry on without me in the quest.

I looked around...  Only to have my eyes meet at white painted walls, a chair on the side of the bed where I lay down, a television, a couch...  I sighed in relief.  So I was not dead yet.  Thank god.  I wonder where Legolas was...  Perhaps still fighting?  Closing my eyes, I fell down on my comfortable pillow, wondering if sleep would come soon.  I was exhausted.

A few moments passed until my eyes snapped open.  A television.  I sat up abruptly, ignoring the clip that came off of my finger and I finally noticed the steady beep of the machine beside me.  And then...  Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeep...  I looked at the clip that came off my finger as I felt my eyes blur.  I might as well be dead.

I was back to Earth.  I was no longer in Middle-Earth.  A tear rolled down my cheek...  Then another...  And another...  Until I could no longer hold my sobs.  I felt an agonizing pain as I cried, as if something died inside of me.  It was even worst than death...  How long would I live anyways, away from my love?  Another choked sob came.

And the door slammed open, I did not even bother looking at it, knowing it would be doctors and nurses.  I hid my head in my hands, not knowing how to deal with the pain that came.  I felt an arm comfort me and I immediately went towards it, not caring who it was...  I was in pain.  I wanted him...  no.  I needed him.  I needed Legolas...

It was quite a long time until the nurse got me calmed down.  She smiled down at me and brushed the tears away, "Your parents are coming immediately.  They should be here any second now.  So don't cry, don't worry."  I shut my eyes tightly.  I didn't want to see my parents, I didn't want to see anyone.  I wanted to see Legolas, not my parents, not Alan, not Iris, Carrie or Irene.  I wanted to see Legolas, Boromir, Aragorn, Gimli, Haldir, Éowyn...

The nurse comforted me until my parents arrived and she closed the door, leaving us.  My mother came towards me and hugged me, tears running down her face, "Oh dear, you were in a coma for such a long time...  I missed you so much.  The days you weren't here were hell for both your father and I."

I did not return the hug.  My mother released me, thinking I was just too tired and shocked, and then my father spoke, "Jess, go take a rest."

I shook my head.  "Father...  What is the date today?"

"March the fourth."  He said.

My voice cracked, "And...  When did I go into a coma?"

"October the twenty-first...  What is with all the questions, Jessica?  Are you feeling all right?"  He asked worriedly, sitting down on the bed.

You are in Rivendell, being treated by elves.  You were wounded badly and Boromir, son of Denethor found you somewhere near the forests here.  He brought you here two days ago.  It is October the twenty-third.

"Father...  I...  I'm fine."  He looked at me disbelievingly, "I'm really fine.  Just that...  I missed almost five months...  I..." Tears started rolling down my cheeks again.

And yet, the sad thing is...  Those five months were the best five months I've had.  No matter the injuries, the sword fighting...  Death.

"Father...  Can you and mother visit me tomorrow?  I'm feeling...  overwhelmed."

He nodded and pulled my mother off me, "Iris, Irene, Carrie and Alan, I have left a message for them.  They should be arriving tomorrow."

I nodded, "Thank you..."

They left and I lay in the hospital bed.  Sleep would not come, I was sure.

* * * * *

I stared at the ceiling, doing nothing.  For the whole day, I've been thinking about Legolas.  How we first met when I was crying under the tree because I was away from my home.  How I saw those perfect blue eyes.  How he looked at me with a raised eyebrow whenever I swore, how he lent me his cloak on the cold mountain...  How he kissed and how sweet he was, giving me a rose on Valentine's Day.  How he held me when I cried...  How he said he loved me...  How he said he would love me forever.

I looked out the window, the clear skies, the buildings.  The ugly buildings.  How could humans be so stupid, building these cement crap on top of nature.  I heard the slightest click of a door.  The footsteps of six, it's got to be Iris and the others.  I let them come closer and before they could jump and surprise me, "Hey."  I said.

Six jaws dropped down, "How did you hear us?!"  Iris asked, surprised.

"You guys were so loud."  I replied, still looking out the window.

"Hey, the least you can do is look this way, you bitch!"  Iris said, jokingly.

I turned around calmly, "Happy now?"

"Hey Jess...  You all right?"  Alan asked, sitting down on the bed.

"Yes, I'm perfectly all right."  I said, reminding myself that this was my boyfriend.  He leaned down to kiss me on my lips and I closed my eyes, but at the last moment, I turned around to have his lips on my cheek.  "I'm tired, just...  Go."

It was then I felt a strange tension in the room and I heard the door open and three footsteps fade behind the door, "Are you okay Jessica?  You don't sound too good."

I sighed as I heard Carrie's caring voice, "I'm really sorry I'm cranky.  But I just woke up from a five-month coma, and to be truthful, I'm not feeling all right at all.  If I had the choice, I would just get a knife and commit suicide."  I heard their silence and I looked towards them, just to see them look fearfully at the others, "Anyhow," I said, changing the subject.  "How's school?"

Iris squealed, "Well, school's fine.  The usual stuff, you missed a lot.  I have all the notes you need though, so no worries."  She took a deep breath, "And...  You know Zach?  Alan's friend?  He asked me out to the prom!"  I frowned, "Oh, I dumped Mark."

I smiled, "Really?  And I thought you were waiting for Legolas Greenleaf to come and sweep you off your feet."  My voice almost cracked.

Iris laughed, "Nah...  But I certainly wouldn't mind if he did."  Then she looked at me, "Speaking of Legolas Greenleaf, how the hell did you manage to pronounce his name like that?!"  I frowned, not knowing what she meant.  "Never mind."

I looked at Carrie, "Well..." She started, "Josh asked me out."

"To date or for the prom?"

"Date."  Then she added, "And prom."

I smiled again, "Congrats.  And what about you, Irene?"

"Oh, Bruce, you know that guy in football?"  I nodded, "Yeah.  Him."  She said, blushing.

I laughed, "Oh really now?  I thought you hated football."

"I do."  She admitted, then added, "I still do...  I think."

Iris laughed again, "So we all have prom partners!"

I raised my eyebrow, "What the heck are you talking about, Iris?  All of you certainly have partners, but I'm sorry I don't."

Carrie frowned, "What about Alan?"

"That's how rumors start, Carrie.  He hasn't asked me yet.  And don't bother getting him to ask me, I'm not planning to go to the prom."  I said, knowing it was a huge deal.

Silence came for a few moments before they all exploded together, "WHAT?!"  The door of my room opened with the three guys sticking their heads in, surprised.  Iris looked behind her and right at Alan.  "Your girlfriend is NOT going to the prom!"

Alan looked surprised, then walked towards me and sat down, "What's wrong, Jess?  You were looking forward to the prom so much at the beginning of the year.  You even decided what dress to buy and what make-up to wear.  Why the sudden change?"  He asked worriedly.  I looked straight into his eyes.  Shock came into his eyes suddenly, "You've changed."

"Humans are bound to change."  I replied, "You've changed, I've changed.  Iris has changed..."

"I have not!"  Iris retorted.

I raised my eyebrows, "Oh?"  I looked at her eyes, "You have changed.  Your eyes tell me you have.  Your eyes tell me something even you're not aware of."

"And you...  Have changed."  Iris muttered, "Even if you have been in a coma for five months, you have changed.  More than any of us."

"How so?"  I asked calmly, keeping eye contact with her.

"You have definitely matured.  Your eyes are different...  You..." Iris stopped, unbelieving.  "How did you change so much in five months, more than any of us, when you were in a coma?"

I smiled, almost sadly, "Those five months...  Those five months seemed like they were all a dream.  And even now, I have no idea if that was a dream or not."  Suddenly remembering something, I looked up at Iris, "Iris, can you phone my parents and get them to bring me my Lord of the Ring books?  The whole series?"

She nodded and dragged the other five along, leaving Alan with me.  "Hey..." He said softly.

"Alan..." I said quietly, "I want to get straight to the point...  I'm really sorry about this...  I...  I don't think our relationship should continue anymore."  I held up my hand, silencing him, "I'm so different, and I want to be single.  Don't ask me if I'm sure about this, because I am.  I've thought about it the whole day...  I want you to find someone that's better than me.  I don't deserve you."

"Jess...  Are you breaking up with me just because of some stupid dream?"  He asked.  I know he was trying to stay calm.

I shook my head, "it's not only because of that...  My heart has changed, and so has every part of me.  I've changed.  It's not your fault, but mine.  If it makes you feel any better, I will not be looking for a boyfriend.  I never will be.  When the right man comes, I might.  But that, I can promise you, will never happen.  And anyhow, sooner or later, we will have to go our own ways.  I have decided to move after I graduate from High School."

"Why...  Why the sudden decisions?"

I looked away from his gray eyes and dirty blonde hair, "I have thought about them the whole night, for I couldn't sleep.  I need to get away from here.  I don't want to stay here.  Even if I were to stay, I need to move away from my parents."

"Why?  Did they even agree to your decision?"

"No."  I replied, "Even if they don't agree and will disown me, I will move.  I am almost eighteen.  Once I graduate, I will be eighteen.  I plan on going to college or university, depending on my marks and I will live alone.  I need time alone."

A question popped out of his mouth, that was relieving, yet surprising at the same time, "Are we still friends?"  I smiled and nodded.  He wrapped his arms around me and gave me a hug.

"Thank you."  I muttered.  "Thank you for all those times you were there for me.  I'm so sorry..."

He kissed me on the forehead, "I guess this is it, huh?"  I nodded, "I will be jealous of whoever it is that you love.  I'll go tell the other people the news.  You stay here and rest, all right?"

"Yeah...  Thank you.  And I'll see you later."  He stood up and walked towards the door, sending me one last glance, he opened the door and closed it behind him.

I sighed quietly.  That's it.  I'm free.  No more boyfriends, I am planning to move out, so no more family.  Only work and school...  Perhaps I should try and kill myself so that I land in Middle-Earth.

But what if...  What if Middle-Earth was nothing but a dream?  Perhaps it did not matter that much anyhow.  I did not see the point in living anymore if Legolas was not going to share my life with me.  I did not see any point at all...

My thoughts were once again interrupted at the door opening.  Mother.  "Good afternoon."  I said to her.

We talked for quite a long time about random stuff, and it was then, I wanted to bring it up, "Mother...  I was wonder if you'd approve of me moving out after High School."

She looked speechless for a second, before she remembered she was still talking to me, "If that is what you want, then I will approve."

"Thank you."

She looked at me, "You have changed."

"Indeed."  I said, "Mother..."
"You used to call me 'Mum' and your father 'Daddy'."

"Really?  I didn't realize," I said truthfully.  "But anyhow, I also want to learn how to sword fight.  Is that okay?"

She kissed me on the head softly, "Of course...  But you really have changed, just like Iris said."

"Thank you, Mother."  We talked for a few more minutes before she left.  She left my Lord of the Ring books.  Slowly, I opened up the book to Helm's Deep.

* * * * *

The sun was already westering as they rode from Edoras, and the light of it was in their eyes, turning all the rolling fields of Rohan to a golden haze.  There was a beaten way, north-westward along the foot-hills of the White Mountains, and this they followed, up the down in a green country, crossing small swift streams by many fords.  Far ahead and to their right the Misty Mountains loomed; ever darker and taller they grew as the miles went by.  The sun went slowly down before them.  Evening came indeed.  (Quoted from II p. 154)

* * * * *

It was four days later that I was allowed to move back home.  By then, I had already finished The Return of the King, and it was no miracle either.  I read for four days straight, sometimes sleeping when the sun rose.  No matter who visited me, I would not put my book down.  My family seemed worried about the fact, and so did Iris, because she knew I was never that much of a Tolkien fan.  But I ignored them.

I opened the front door to my house as I heard my mom whisper in my ears, loud enough for my father to hear it too.  "Welcome home."

I felt tears sting my eyes yet again, and this time...  It was not because I was happy.  To be truthful, I had not been happy since I have woken up on Earth.  But what made me so sad...  It was the fact that I know I could never forget Middle-Earth, or Legolas for that matter.  This did not feel like home anymore.  Middle-Earth was home, and I was never going back.  I forced a smiled a turned towards my parents, "I'm home..." I said quietly, "I'm really tired, I want to pack and then rest."  They nodded and left me to walk up the stairs alone and get to my room.

I sent the dog out of my room and pressed down the picture on my nightstand so I would never have to see it again.  I was not the same girl.  I would never be the same girl.  Love was given to me so suddenly and I tried to not take it as granted as possible, but as suddenly as it was given to me, it was ripped away from me...  Forever.

There was no hope.  I would never see Legolas again.  He was far, far away, in the lands of Middle-Earth, home of Men, Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits, Orcs, Goblins, Uruks...  I was in the lands of Earth, home of Humans.  Retarded humans.

Slowly, I fingered the knife in my pocket I had stolen it from the fruit plate at the Hospital.  It was just too easy.  It was there, waiting to be taken.  The knife sat there, waiting for an owner...  So I just took it.  It looked so tempting...

Now, I took it out of my pocket slowly, looking at it with awe.  The reflection of the sun shone from the metal.  And I would have to agree the knife looked awfully friendly.  I traced the edge of the knife with my finger, smiling when it sliced through the first layer of skin.  I have changed so much.  If I had done so five months ago, I would've yelled for help.  I would've screamed bloody murder... 

I have seen enough death to last me a lifetime.  I have seen enough pain to last me a lifetime.  Yet to most people, my life had not yet started.  How could it be, that I have seen more death and pain than those who are at the end of their life?  Life was nothing to be counted by numbers, but to me, it was something of experience.  I had just lived through, not exactly since I 'died' in the end...  But I had lived through war.  War between Uruks and Men.  The gore back in Helm's Deep would send any normal human into shock.  But I had help with that.  Because someone I knew loved me back...  Because I loved him.  And I still do.  Whether or not it was a dream, I still love Legolas.  And I forever will.

And since I love Legolas so much...  There is no point in living no more.  My purpose here on Earth is done.  My purpose in Middle-Earth is done.  I have saved both Boromir and Haldir from death.  I think...  I think I deserve rest.  Smiling softly, I brought the sharp knife to my left wrist.

"Cormamin lindua ele lle, melamin...  Amin mela lle, Legolas...  Ten'oio." (My heart sings to see thee, my love...  I love you, Legolas...  Forever.)

I closed my eyes as one last tear slipped down.  And I cut it deep, deeper than I thought I would.  But surprisingly, I had felt no pain.  None.  I only felt happiness as I felt life flow out of me slowly.  I sighed contentedly...

"I really love you..."

My vision dimmed, I felt my knees lower myself down on the floor; my arm limped at my side, the blood flowing out freely and the crimson liquid dripped.  I heard every single drop and my vision only grew darker with every drop.  I smiled one last time as I felt myself too tired to keep my head up and laid it down on the floor.

"Tenna' ento lye omenta au', Tarenamin...  Melamin..."  (Until we meet again, my Prince...  My love..."

"Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au', melamin...  Tenna' ento lye omenta au', Tarienamin.  Amin mela lle ner..."  (My heart shall weep until it sees thee again, my love...  Until we meet again, my Princess.  I love you more...)

I could've sworn it was his voice, but I knew it wasn't...  It was my imagination playing tricks on me...  Once again, I sighed contentedly...  Finally, darkness took over my vision...

And Darkness claimed me.

* * * * *

I watched as a tear fell down my face, I watched as the heartbroken elf laid his love in the ground.  Slowly, I walked towards him, "She died happy.  She knew what was happening to her and she took the risk.  Legolas, do not be sad for her, she would not want you to grieve for her."

"It has been four days, yet the more minutes pass, the more I wish to see her.  It is pulling on me, I can feel it."  Legolas looked up at the sky as he said it, and pressed his hand to his chest.  I knew the grief he was feeling, and from what Boromir had told me, he would soon die of a broken heart.  I felt my heart go out to him and it was at that moment that I had believed what Jessica had told me.

Elves are beautiful creatures, whether it is on the inside or outside.

Haldir was beside Legolas, quietly grieving at the loss of the beautiful and strong woman that saved him from death.  Aragorn was looking down at his feet, not knowing what to do.  The dwarf looked devastated...  Legolas was worst of them all, his face had shown that he had not slept.  Gandalf the White stood, bowing his head in respect.

I looked at all of them, "I feel the grief you feel.  She was the friendliest I have ever gotten to a friend.  I have known her for a short time, and yet it feels that I have known her forever.  Remember the days where she laughed and cried along with you, remember the days she was there for us...  She would have wanted us happy and the Fellowship to destroy the One Ring."  I stated.  "Let us do what she would have wanted us to do."

"I agree," Boromir's familiar voice said.  He had a faint smile on his lips, although sadness filled his eyes.  I knew he had loved her like a little sister, just as she had said she had loved him like a brother.  "We should not grieve for her, she should not have wanted it.  I agree with Éowyn." 

I smiled up at him as he gave me a soft kiss on the forehead, "Thank you, Boromir."

I looked at Legolas with sadness.  Suddenly, his head jerked up, as if hearing something, then he smiled softly, the sadness in his eyes disappearing, his face looking young again.  Everyone looked up at the sudden action of the elf.  Smiling, he softly said, "Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au', melamin...  Tenna' ento lye omenta au', Tarienamin.    Amin mela lle ner..." I smiled as the beautiful language of the Elves filled my ear and I watched as Aragorn, Gandalf and Haldir's smiled.  Even though I knew naught what had just been said, I could tell it was something beautiful...  Something beautiful for Jessica.

Aragorn smiled suddenly, "Farewell, Jessica Hanson of Northern Mirkwood."  I felt a smile come to my face and Legolas' looked at Aragorn, smiling.  Everyone looked up at Aragorn and smiled.  I smiled as I folded the letter Jessica had left me.  She has left all of us letters.  Finally, I looked at Legolas one last time, knowing he would continue on the journey with the rest of the Fellowship until death claimed him and I left them in peace, leaving the Fellowship and Haldir to grieve for their friend and I whispered one last farewell...

Namaarie, Jessica Hanson of Northern Mirkwood.

* * * * *

Author's Notes: I'm sorry this chapter is without the reviewer's reply, but I'll do that the next chapter!  I promise.  Anyhow, this story has ended.  I'm in Quebec right now...  If some of you don't like the 'Jessica Hanson of the Northern Mirkwood' thing, I'll take it off since some of you may take offence to it.  And if some of you don't understand, Aragorn somehow knew that Legolas would propose to her or something when the war was over, and since Jessica's dead, Legolas would never be able to do that.  Aragorn thinks it'll be the same anyhow, because since she's dead, Legolas would most likely die of a broken heart.  Like I said, if you don't like it, I'll take it off.  That's one thing I'm not sure if I should put on here. 

I got 50 reviews for this chapter.  Holy $#@*!  Lol, anyhow, I'll see you all later.  The prologue will be updated within a week, and there's the Notes and Thanks after THIS chapter.  I might even put some omakes on there.  I'll see you all later and thank you for all the support on the story!  See you all later and have a great summer, although there's only a few days, maybe two weeks left of that.  Later!