Disclaimer: Not mine. The characters. See? Not all wishes come true. We'll just have to make the best of what we have. Hehe.

Warning: Slash. First A/L fic. Written without brain's consent.

Pairing: A/L

Summary. Saying goodbye.

I look at you, in front of all these people. You stand in front of the wizard, regal. You are ready. Finally.

To be king.

I watch as you are crowned, honored by your people.

Finally, you are where you belong.

The ruler of your people.

You have accepted your destiny.

I bow my head. I am happy for you. Truly, I am.

And yet…yet I also feel sorrow.

We are parting soon. Too soon for me.

Yet the time has come.

I dreaded this day, when we go our separate ways.

My heart breaks.

Never again will I hear your voice, giving hope to those who had none.

Never again will I see your smile, a sight that always manages to brighten the day.

Never again.

You begin to sing. I close my eyes and let your voice soothe the pain within me. But it grows worse still.

This will be the last time I hear you sing.

You need to be with your people now. I know that. I understand.

But I…I cannot stay.

I know that I had promised you I would always be by your side. But I can not.

It hurts too much.

I did not know, you see. I did not know that it would grow stronger. I did not know it would come to overwhelm me. So I made my promise to stay.

Each day that passes, each day that has passed, and we were together, it grew, stronger even than the power of the one ring. Stronger than the power that managed to destroy, the very reason that we were together in the war. It has become too much, even for me.

It was fine at first. Just a little ache.

But now, it brings me so much pain, being so near, yet not near enough.

I cannot bear it. I hurt.

I thought that I would be strong enough. But I am not.

The pain defeats me.

I cannot stay.

I love you too much. So much it hurts.

I need to let you go.

To do that, I need to go. For I cannot have you.

You belong to her.

There is no hope. None for me.

There never was.

How could I hope to win your heart when someone else already owns it?

I know that you would never give it to me, even if it were not bound to another.

I never had hope.

I just didn't know it would hurt this much when the time finally came.

You need her. She can give you everything, where as I offer you nothing but the love of a foolish elf.

You love her, more than anything. You see me as a friend. Nothing more.

No, wait. That is not true.

Your friendship means the world to me.

You start walking down, greeting your people, your friends, your allies.

My breath hitches as you draw closer to me.

You smile, and I almost cried.

That would also be the last I see of that smile.

Fate has been unkind to me. They play with me. Here I am, heart breaking at the thought of losing you, and yet I am tasked with being the one to inform you of her presence.

I am giving you away.

That is not true. I cannot give away what I never had.

I am merely returning what I had borrowed.

It hurts.

You stand in front of me now. I smile, clasping your shoulder. You do the same.

I fight the urge to pull you in my arms.

I cannot disgrace you.

Not in front of your people.

You would hate me.

And that, I cannot bear.

"Hannon le."

You say.

You thank me?

Nay.

I thank you.

You gave me the closest thing I will ever have of a wish fulfilled, your friendship.

Trust, loyalty, faith.

You gave them to me.

You gave what you could.

Nay, my love.

I thank you.

More than you will ever know.

I look to the side, telling you of her presence.

You look confused at first, but follow my line of sight anyway.

I could tell the exact moment you see her.

Surprise registers in your face, replaced by happiness. Then love.

I turn away and move aside.

You are now where you belong.

I watch as you go to her.

I tried not to, but I could not help it.

You cannot believe your eyes. I can see the questions in your mind.

Is she really here, or have you strayed into another dream?

This is no dream.

She smiles at you. I cannot see your face now, since your back is turned to me.

You take hold of her.

I look away. I know what you are going to do.

I cannot bear to watch.

The people cheer, I keep my eyes closed.

I don't want to see.

Oh Valar it hurts!

I turn to leave.

I open my eyes.

I was surprised to see Gandalf watching me closely. Gimli stood beside him.

They know.

Oh Valar, they know.

They cannot. I will not betray you.

Oh love, forgive me.

I plead with them silently.

They cannot tell.

They cannot.

Gimli grumbles. Gandalf looks disapproving.

But in the end, they turn away, pretending not to have seen anything.

I thank them silently, and slip away amongst the crowd.

I see Arod, waiting for me at the gates. I had prepared him earlier.

We are set to go. I turn to look at Minas Tirith one last time.

Your home.

I mount the horse. He whines, refusing to move.

"Arod." I plead.

I need to leave.

Finally, he gives in.

We are now in the fields of Pelennor, riding at break neck speed.

Suddenly, I stop abruptly.

One last time.

I need to look one last time.

Minas Tirith.

I see the people rejoicing on the courtyard. I hear faintly the music.

One more look, then I turn away, heading north.

I feel the ache in my heart grow as I move farther away from you.

I fight to stop the tears.

This is what is meant to be.

This is destiny.

You are meant to be with her.

And I am meant to leave you in peace.

And that, I shall do.

Namarie, melamin.

You will always be in my heart.

End.