Saying Goodbye

Disclaimer: I say yet again: I am a 13 year old girl living in the U.S of A. What does that tell us? Maybe it tells us that I am not J.R.R. Tolkien (a dead GUY)

I know I know, sucky chapter title, especially since the title is Friends Never Say Goodbye, but hey, what the hell right?

Reviewers:

~lulu bell: awww I'm sry!!! But the brothers and fathers count for something right?*feels bad* did you find out who won the bet? And don't kill me! I still have more stories to write!

~Lana G.: sry about the trouble updating. skool is such a pain in the @$$!

~LOTR Chic: you're not a weirdo! I luv that stuff too and he's my fav character! thanx for the prequel idea!

~Mel: thanx for the review and I'm glad you got my email. I'd be glad to help you with anything you need.

~fire faerie: don't worry I didn't take it as a flame. I know you love my story!lol! it is sad though. But yes, he can now be with our dear Leggy.

~totallyObsessedwithLOTR: yeah you're right, Estel died from grief. thanx for the compliment though. Glad you love the story.

~Wolf Maid: have no fear, Erlond will remain unscathed!

~Calenor: thanx! I love it too!lol!

~Luntetuurewen: don't worry there should be a couple more chapters.

~orligurl88 & ShadowHeart66: you BOTH cried? Whoa! Cool! (jk) no orligurl, this isn't the end. ShadowHeart, how was The Last Samurai?

~Mellaithwen-ElvenMaiden: yeah I've gotten a couple of angry reviews but not that many actually.

~Grumpy: well we surely got up on the wrong side of the bed today, didn't we? I already answered the child question but for the rest just wait and see.

~Sunnflowers: yeah I was kinda thinking that. thanx.

Okay people I'm sorta surprised. I didn't get nearly as much criticism for killing Estel as I did Legolas. why? Not that I mind of course!J

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            Arwen was in shock. Estel, her hope, her light, her love… was dead. Never coming back. This was almost more that she could handle. Her best friend and her lover killed because of one small skirmish. Why? Why did this have to happen? She sighed.

            Almost all of Rivendell was in the same condition as she. Estel was loved dearly among Rivendell's inhabitants and Legolas was just as treasured in all the elven realms. 'He is a very well traveled elf' the Evenstar quipped, then sadly corrected herself: 'He was a very well traveled elf.' It grieved her to admit that Legolas wasn't coming back, not just because it brought to mind memories of her friend, but also because many of the travels he took were in the company of Aragorn. Now her only reminder of him would be the figure marking his grave. 'And Eldarion.' she mentally chided herself that was what the future king had wanted to call his child, if it was a boy. And he would have two middle names: Estel, after his father, and Legolas, as was Estel's dying wish. 'Eldarion Estel Legolas.' Arwen thought to herself and smiled, 'It has a ring to it.'

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            Meanwhile, Elladan, Elrohir, Cyro, and Remnul were getting the bodies ready for burial. It was a task none of them relished, for all of them loved their brothers and hated seeing them like this. So lifeless and cold. Nothing like they once were. At length, Cyro spoke up,

            "Rem, what will happen to us now?" Remnul looked up in surprise.

            "What do you mean Cy? We'll go on like we always have, except without the joy and laughter."

            "I agree all too well Rem." Elrohir said. Elladan nodded wordlessly. The older elves were great friends, but their brothers were their angels. Not even the friendships that existed between the four of them were enough to fill the gaping hole. It wasn't that they were slighting each other or over reacting. It was just true. They all knew it yet no one said anything. Without a word, they got back to work.

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            "Is there a place that they both loved outside of our realms where they could be put to rest together?" Elrond questioned. The two rulers were trying to arrange burial plans. Neithers heart was really in it. The shock and grief were still too near. But the task had to be done.

            "I believe so." Thranduil answered, "I've heard him talk to Cyro and Remnul about a days ride from here. It was by a stream, under an oak tree, and they usually camped there on the way back and forth between realms."

            "I remember listening to Estel describe a place like that to Elladan and Elrohir. They could probably find it, for I think they've been there before." Thranduil gave a sad smile.

            "It's just like they would have wanted. Out in the wild, under a tree." Elrond smiled back.

            "Yes my friend. It is indeed."

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            The funeral was a grand one. All of Rivendell and Mirkwood turned up, along with Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn of Lothlorien. Gandalf was also seen among the people coming to pay their respects, but he stayed toward the back. When Elrond approached him before the service started, the Istari said,

            "I do not want words of comfort Lord Elrond. My mind knows that this is not my fault. It just has to work on convincing my heart." Elrond just looked at his old friend. Just then, the ceremony started. Arwen read a eulogy she had composed. It went like this:

            "Estel and Legolas were two of the best people I had the pleasure of meeting. They were alive, fun, and adventurous. But believe it or not, they were not always that way. Estel used to be shy, and closed off to the world. Even to his family, it was rare to hear more that five words at a time from him. And Legolas… Legolas was even worse. He was a cutter when I met him one thousand years ago. At that time he was one thousand five hundred, and I was two thousand years of age. Soon after I came back to Rivendell from Lothlorien, I met Estel when he was merely a boy of 25. Soon after I met him, he went on a hunting trip. Now Estel did not make friends easily, so you can imagine our shock when he came home, accompanied by none other than Legolas himself. The change you could see in Estel was amazing. His face held life, and he had suddenly gained the ability to talk a mile a minute," At this point several people gave soft chuckles. It was true, Estel was a famous motor mouth. "Shortly after this change came over him, the three of us became close friends. Estel and I even became lovers. They two of them went on so many adventures together. But even when they were apart, you could still see that the newly found life in them was not going away. Legolas stopped cutting himself for the feeling. And Estel and I became closer than ever. We loved and trusted each other, which was why our relationship was so precious. But everyone who saw them together knew that nothing could ever take the place in their hearts meant for each other." Arwen paused and the guests began to clap appreciatively, thinking that the eulogy was over. But then the Evenstar added, almost as an afterthought:

            "Being together is what made them happy. And if they're happy then I am happy. I find no reason to grieve, knowing they are at peace."

            This time, the clapping was not instantaneous. The elves were taken aback by what she said. But then, understanding started to come on to the faces, her family and Legolas' family first. They began clapping and soon, everyone joined in. Even Gandalf seemed to have reached a peace within himself. Arwen smiled up at the sky. 'Well, I've done it Estel. I will hold you in my heart forever, but I will let you depart to the Halls in peace.' She closed her eyes. 'Go with my love.'

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            Legolas looked down as they lowered the body of him and his friend into the ground. A smile came to his face as he turned to the human next to him.

            "Well Estel, it seems as though we do not have to worry about them. They will survive." Aragorn smiled back.

            "Yes my friend. I believe that they have finally found peace in themselves. What Arwen said touched even Gandalf. As they watched the dirt covering the holes in the ground, a wind rustled their hair. Both smiled.

"It seems that our time here is through." Legolas remarked.

"Yes." Aragorn sighed. Taking one look a their loved ones on the ground, the "brothers" turned their backs on the living, and walked side by side for about two meters in the sky, before fading away into the mist.

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A/N: hey don't worry, this is not the end. There will be one more chapter  (well more like an epilog). So never fear, and I'm glad you all love the story.