NOTE: Hey this might be very cheesy or something but recently I've been "obsessed" with this song and I suppose it did help in writing this fic so I felt like I have to give it some credit. Lovely song. And here are the lyrics:

Long Goodbye by Ronan Keating

I know they say if you love somebody
You should set them free (so they say)
But it sure is hard to do
Yeah, it sure is hard to do
And I know they say if they don't come back again
Then it's meant to be (so they say)
But those words ain't pulling me through
'Cos I'm still in love with you
I spend each day here waiting for a miracle
But it's just you and me going through the mill (climbin' up a hill)

This is the long goodbye
Somebody tell me why
Two lovers in love can't make it
Just what kind of love keeps breaking a heart?
No matter how hard we try
You're gonna make me cry
Come on, baby, it's over… let's face it
All that's happening here is a long goodbye

Sometimes I ask my heart did we really
Give our love a chance (just one more chance)
And I know without a doubt
It's turning me inside out
And if we walked away
Would make more sense (only self defence)
But it tears me up inside
Just to think we still could try
How long must we keep riding on a carousel
Going round and round and never getting anywhere? (on a wing and prayer)

This is the long goodbye
Somebody tell me why
Two lovers in love can't make it
Just what kind of love keeps breaking a heart?
No matter how hard we try
You're gonna make me cry
Come on, baby, it's over… let's face it
All that's happening here is the long... long goodbye

Are you ever coming back again (x3)
I guess I'm coming back again

Lovely song, don't you think? I sure think so.

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Chapter 13 : Goodbye

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"Thank you for everything, Legolas." Leorian grasped the Elf's hand tightly. "You did so much for Gwynna; I cannot thank you enough."

"I should be thanking you for sending her here, for sending her to me. She did a lot for me as well." Legolas sighed. "Well, now she can do everything she ever dreamed of, and more."

"Leaving us here to mourn for her…"

Legolas shook his head. "Not to mourn for her, but to feel happy for her. She knew what was going to happen, and she was brave. Now she is free from suffering, and aches and pains will no longer haunt her. Is that not a good thing, my dear friend?" He patted Leorian's shoulder when the man nodded. "Have a safe journey back to Minas Tirith, and we will meet again."

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Eldarion stood at the gate among the guards, waiting. For what, he did not know. He had had a dream the night before. Gwynna had appeared in his dreams, smiling, as healthy as when she had first set off to Ithilien. She seemed so happy, and then she was waving to him… waving goodbye… and then she was gone, leaving him awake in the middle of the night.

"Are you expecting anyone, my Lord Eldarion?" a guard asked.

Eldarion nodded. "Yes, I think someone is coming to Minas Tirith today… but I don't know who it is."

He did not notice the strange look that came to the guard's face. Another guard had called out, "Someone is riding to Minas Tirith! I think it is Master Leorian! Open the gate!" Leorian. Yes, yes of course. Eldarion hurried down as the gate opened, awaiting the rider.

The elder man seemed surprised to see Eldarion waiting for him. "What are you doing here, my Lord Eldarion?"

Eldarion waved away his question impatiently. "Gwynna. How is Gwynna?"

Leorian said nothing, but looked down at the ground, and Eldarion finally noticed the man's red-rimmed eyes, and the weariness that hung about him, and had his answer. "She's gone, isn't she?" he said softly. "Yes, she's gone."

For a moment the two stood in silence, both not knowing what to say. Then sense seized Eldarion once more, and he took Leorian's arm. "You must be tired from everything. Come, we will go to my father." Gwynna would want me to take care of her father.

As he led Leorian to his father's hall, Eldarion looked up at the sky and said a silent farewell to his friend.

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Fenwë was waiting when Legolas went back to his study. Fenwë smiled sadly, and said, "It seems a little strange now that she's left us, isn't it? Especially since we know she won't be coming back again."

"Yes, yes it is." Legolas sat behind his desk, putting his head in his hands.

Fenwë nodded wisely, looking down at the younger Elf. "Yes, it is. You know, I thought that I would be overcome with grief, but… I'm not. And I think this is exactly how she wants it. She had a beautiful last day, and for that we should all be glad."

Legolas said nothing, but a tear fell on the desk. Fenwë went over and patted him on the shoulder. "Weep for her, my friend. Let it all out, and perhaps you will feel better."

As he stood there comforting his friend, he looked up at the sky and said a silent farewell to his student.

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NOTE: Well this is definitely the end. Feels good to complete a fic, and kind of sad as well…