Alright, the story ends after the very last word of this epilogue. BUT it
does not mean that you don't review this last chapter, ok?
************************************************************
Legolas' POV
Weeks later
We have come so far, my little Estel and I. From friends to lovers – him and I. But it seems just yesterday that I saw him in Rivendell as an adult again. I will always remember the way I marveled and pained at the way he had changed.
The young toddler I had carried and told stories to had became a man. He had matured, my little Estel, into the proud and weary man, Aragorn. But I knew something in him hadn't changed – I could tell it from the day we met again, only at that point of time I didn't know what it was – he still sought an answer as to whether men and elves could really lie together.
He literally saw me as a stranger that very day but I knew what he was thinking.
It seems quite a role-reversal – I was the younger, more fragile elf in my relationship with Haldir last time ( we parted quite amiably due to the distance between our two lands ) and was always protected. But this time, I hold Aragorn close to me, liking the way his fingers seek mine in his sleep.
Men are unpredictable a race. They are all different. But one thing is certain about Aragorn – the royal blood that runs in his veins make him as fearless and noble a man can be.
And they are so different from elves – even Aragorn. His hair is dark and long, his face weather-beaten and wise with age but as I always tell him, he'll always remain in my heart, the young child of long ago.
'I don't think I like the way you are staring at me,' he has stirred from his sleep and comments as he reaches up to pull some of my hair down, smiling irresistibly as I mockingly frown at him. He can be such a young child to me.
'It's not up to you to decide, fair king,' I haughtily smile at him as he laughs.
'You speak as if I'm but a child,'
'Well, old and mature you may be to your kinsman, you are but a child to me, not even old enough to be called a "child", rather, an infant,'
'I don't believe this – this elf thinks he is better than me,' he mockingly says horrified to his imaginary audience.
'I'm not sure about that, but you'll always be the child who gave me a shock by asking me if a man and elf can lie together,'
'Excuse me, I'm sure I did not ask so explicitly as a child,'
'You indicated so at that age and you better be thankful I had not told Lord Elrond at that point in time that his son seemed to be preferring the masculine bodies of male elves to the wholesome bosoms of the beautiful elf maidens,'
There is silence now, as I gently soothe his hair. I know what we are both thinking of – of how far we have come.
'I love you, you know that, don't you?' I softly ask as I seek the understanding in his beautiful eyes and find it.
'Of course,'
'Then, for the love and sake of his elf, would the king kindly rise and let his poor elf's arm rest for a second?' I say as I try to wriggle my arm under his weight.
'Am I that heavy?' he teases as he watches me struggle mockingly.
'Yes – of course not, silly boy. I could carry you as a child and support your weight when you fell straight into my arms at the bridge of Khazad-dum, why not?'
He simply smiles.
****************************************************************
Centuries later
Death claims all, all but the elves. But I know I will never regret my decision as I pull Aragorn into my arms for a last kiss. His hair, once dark is flecked with white and the lines carve deeper into his forehead but his eyes, although weary, are still full of the innocent beauty of the child of long ago.
I see the stone bed as we enter the chamber. The stone he shall lie upon for years and years. We have been together for centuries, so deep is our understanding that he needs no words to tell me how much he loves me.
*I shall be seeing you when I fade – till then, farewell* My eyes whisper with hope.
*I shall wait for you, because I love you* he says softly.
I lead him gently to the stone and caress his face as he lies on it. He is still and silent for seconds, seeing death and not dreading or fleeing it.
I know I only has a few seconds left.
He smiles – it is time.
I always thought I would cry but I do not. I smile back instead, glad to see him in such peace and I bent forward to kiss his forehead.
His eyes close. I won't be seeing the beautiful green again for a long time.
And I incline my head in respect and love.
"Namarie, Estel,"
*******************************************************************
March the 7th 2004
6:57PM
SINGAPORE TIME
This story has taken me two and a half months to finish. I am both happy and sad now that it is finished. I look forward to hearing you talk about how you feel about the ending.
************************************************************
Legolas' POV
Weeks later
We have come so far, my little Estel and I. From friends to lovers – him and I. But it seems just yesterday that I saw him in Rivendell as an adult again. I will always remember the way I marveled and pained at the way he had changed.
The young toddler I had carried and told stories to had became a man. He had matured, my little Estel, into the proud and weary man, Aragorn. But I knew something in him hadn't changed – I could tell it from the day we met again, only at that point of time I didn't know what it was – he still sought an answer as to whether men and elves could really lie together.
He literally saw me as a stranger that very day but I knew what he was thinking.
It seems quite a role-reversal – I was the younger, more fragile elf in my relationship with Haldir last time ( we parted quite amiably due to the distance between our two lands ) and was always protected. But this time, I hold Aragorn close to me, liking the way his fingers seek mine in his sleep.
Men are unpredictable a race. They are all different. But one thing is certain about Aragorn – the royal blood that runs in his veins make him as fearless and noble a man can be.
And they are so different from elves – even Aragorn. His hair is dark and long, his face weather-beaten and wise with age but as I always tell him, he'll always remain in my heart, the young child of long ago.
'I don't think I like the way you are staring at me,' he has stirred from his sleep and comments as he reaches up to pull some of my hair down, smiling irresistibly as I mockingly frown at him. He can be such a young child to me.
'It's not up to you to decide, fair king,' I haughtily smile at him as he laughs.
'You speak as if I'm but a child,'
'Well, old and mature you may be to your kinsman, you are but a child to me, not even old enough to be called a "child", rather, an infant,'
'I don't believe this – this elf thinks he is better than me,' he mockingly says horrified to his imaginary audience.
'I'm not sure about that, but you'll always be the child who gave me a shock by asking me if a man and elf can lie together,'
'Excuse me, I'm sure I did not ask so explicitly as a child,'
'You indicated so at that age and you better be thankful I had not told Lord Elrond at that point in time that his son seemed to be preferring the masculine bodies of male elves to the wholesome bosoms of the beautiful elf maidens,'
There is silence now, as I gently soothe his hair. I know what we are both thinking of – of how far we have come.
'I love you, you know that, don't you?' I softly ask as I seek the understanding in his beautiful eyes and find it.
'Of course,'
'Then, for the love and sake of his elf, would the king kindly rise and let his poor elf's arm rest for a second?' I say as I try to wriggle my arm under his weight.
'Am I that heavy?' he teases as he watches me struggle mockingly.
'Yes – of course not, silly boy. I could carry you as a child and support your weight when you fell straight into my arms at the bridge of Khazad-dum, why not?'
He simply smiles.
****************************************************************
Centuries later
Death claims all, all but the elves. But I know I will never regret my decision as I pull Aragorn into my arms for a last kiss. His hair, once dark is flecked with white and the lines carve deeper into his forehead but his eyes, although weary, are still full of the innocent beauty of the child of long ago.
I see the stone bed as we enter the chamber. The stone he shall lie upon for years and years. We have been together for centuries, so deep is our understanding that he needs no words to tell me how much he loves me.
*I shall be seeing you when I fade – till then, farewell* My eyes whisper with hope.
*I shall wait for you, because I love you* he says softly.
I lead him gently to the stone and caress his face as he lies on it. He is still and silent for seconds, seeing death and not dreading or fleeing it.
I know I only has a few seconds left.
He smiles – it is time.
I always thought I would cry but I do not. I smile back instead, glad to see him in such peace and I bent forward to kiss his forehead.
His eyes close. I won't be seeing the beautiful green again for a long time.
And I incline my head in respect and love.
"Namarie, Estel,"
*******************************************************************
March the 7th 2004
6:57PM
SINGAPORE TIME
This story has taken me two and a half months to finish. I am both happy and sad now that it is finished. I look forward to hearing you talk about how you feel about the ending.