*Trumpets sound…*

LAST CHAPTER! TA DA!

Nice lot of reviews again. Excellent…

I am doing really well on the sequel to this by the way, but I need a name! Does anyone out there have any ideas? All suggestions are welcome. I need help! (But not in that way! I don't think…)

This is very much the concluding chapter of this story (duh!), but I quite like it. Rounds it up nicely. I promise I am not bragging! ^_^

Just a random question here – who reckons they had pianos in Middle-Earth? They have flutes and lyres, but did they have pianos do you reckon? Can you please tell me in a review. Cheers. ^_^

Thanks for all my lovely reviews and replies are below. ^_^

~Lainfaer~

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eruinihil – Legolas/Haldir stories rule! I don't like stories where they make Haldir arrogant though. They're not very nice. Thanks for reviewing. ^_^

laegoleaf – Sweet? Yeah, I like sweet! Thanks for reviewing. ^_^

Legolas4me – Definitely! They are the best slash couple around I say! Thanks for reviewing. ^_^ 

Angel From Hell - *Big ass smile too!* Yep, last one coming up! But there is a sequel…

Thanks for reviewing. ^_^

Kept-Secret – Of course they love each other! Who couldn't love Legolas or Haldir? I think they're the best couple around! Thanks for reviewing. ^_^

Haldir's Heart and Soul – I still love your name! SWEET!!! Yeah, I like that…

Thanks for reviewing too! ^_^

Miriellar – Libraryofmoria is the best! So is ff.net as well of course! They make the perfect couple. Well, I certainly think so…

Thanks for reviewing, and the sequel will be along very soon. ^_^

Starlit Hope - *Hands Starlit Hope a tissue for watery eyes* He will get better…

The name Leggy rules. Anyone who disses it will pay. Severely.

Thanks for reviewing! ^_^

seeing-spots – Who couldn't fall for Haldir? I have to admit – I didn't think slashes were good either. But then I read one, and found it was actually ok. So I decided to have a go. Thanks for your lovely comments in your e-mail. ^_^

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Chapter 7: Partings.

"Astalder, I find you guilty of numerous counts of rape, grievous bodily harm, and violent behaviour towards another. You are forthwith banished from the lands of Imladris, Mirkwood, and Lothlórien. You will wander the lands alone. If you are found within a ten-mile radius of any of these three kingdoms, you are to be shot without pity. Also, you are not to leave these shores for Valinor until a millennium has come and gone. Do you understand the charges made against you, and the sentences issued as punishment for them?"

"Yes my Lord."

"Good. Take him away. Cast him out of Imladris, and watch until he is gone." Three guards took the chained Astalder, and pulled him not too gently out of the courtroom. 

As he was led away, the crowd booed and shouted at him. He lowered his head in shame. The people were on their feet by now, shaking their fists, and making rather rude gestures at him.

Elrond sighed and got to his feet. "Silence!" he called over the uproar.

The crowd settled and sat back down, though many were still murmuring.

"Now I have a message for you, my people," he said gravely. "Astalder has done a great wrong, but that does not mean he is to be chased, and hunted down. Any person, be it male or female, that hurts him outside the ten-mile radius border, will have me to deal with. Is that understood, people of Imladris?"

"Yes my Lord," came the answer from every person in the room in unison.

"Good. Now, this hearing is over. Return to your duties." The people stood, bowed to their Lord, then left.

Once the courtroom was empty, Elrond sank down into his chair, one hand cupping his chin, the elbow leaning heavily on the arm of his chair. It had been a hard hearing. The crowd had been very…enthusiastic, about having Astalder chucked out of Imladris. There were many suggestions made about what should be done with him. Whippings were mentioned, along with beatings, life-long imprisonment, and even banishment from Valinor. But no matter how powerful he was, Elrond could not hold someone back from going to Valinor. He had just held him back a few years. 1000, to be precise.

He felt these punishments were fair. Even though Legolas had suffered a great deal, Astalder could not be condemned to death. That was only used in the case of murder.   

"Well done," Celebrían whispered to her exhausted husband. She was sat by his side the whole way through. "It was no less than he deserved."

"I know, but it was still difficult. We had better go and inform our sons and Legolas of the final verdict." They stood and left the courtroom, heading for Legolas' new room.

Astalder had finally been found, after three weeks of being in hiding. He had been in a cave right on the borders of Imladris, surviving on lembas he had stolen from the kitchens, and water from the river. He had been arrested on the spot and taken before Lord Elrond. The trial had taken place the very next day, and had lasted an entire morning.

Legolas, the twins, Arwen, and Haldir did not go. Legolas was still too weak, no matter how much he wanted to see justice done, and the other four refused to leave his side.

They were all sat beside him, talking, when the door opened and the Lord and Lady entered. They were all immediately silent, eyes looking expectantly at Elrond.

Legolas looked at Elrond with anticipation clear in his face. "My Lord?" he asked quietly. Arwen was sat beside him on the bed, and she took his hand, squeezing it tightly to give him some form of comfort. He squeezed it back.

"Legolas, the trial is now over, and the punishments have been dealt out." Legolas' heart lifted at the word 'punishments'.

"He has been banished from Imladris, Mirkwood, and Lothlórien. If he is ever seen within a ten-mile radius of any of those three, he will be shot without any mercy shown to him. He has also been banned from Valinor for the next 1000 years. He has already been chucked out of my Kingdom, and is now wandering the wilds alone." Celebrían watched the Mirkwood Prince carefully, trying to sense his reaction.

Legolas just nodded. "Thank you my Lord."

"Legolas, may I have a word with you? Alone?" Celebrían asked.

"Of course my Lady." He let go of Arwens' hand, and the others left the room, Elrond shutting the door quietly behind him.

"You do not feel the punishments were harsh enough, do you?" she asked in a soft voice.

Legolas shrugged. "They will do."

"Legolas, you must understand. Elrond wanted more than anything to do much more to him, but he is bound by the law. Trust me, Astalder suffered a great deal in that courtroom today. The people of Imladris made sure of that." She smiled a little, and he smiled in return. She walked over and sat beside him on the bed. He looked up at her.

"He is out there now, wandering, completely and utterly alone. He has no food, no water, no weapons, and no horse. And he now has no friends. I know, that to you, that does not seem severe enough after everything he did to you, all the pain he caused you, but to be held back from going to Valinor for a whole millennium is much harsher than you think. He will have to live with what he did to you forever. I think it is much crueller to let him suffer with that torment, don't you?" 

He nodded, but there were tears shining in his eyes. "I just…I don't know what I want done to him," he whispered. "I feel he should be hurt as I have, but I do not want to be like him, stoop to his level. I understand why Lord Elrond gave out the punishments he did, but I just feel that something else should be done."

"You should have heard what the crowd were suggesting. They all absolutely despise him Legolas, and they all love you. They were really standing up for you, going against him. Constantly, abuse was being thrown at him, rude gestures made against him. It was incredible they way they turned around when they heard what he had done to you."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. I understand that you will never be able to forget this torment, but at least it is all over now."

He nodded, and then the first tear fell. She sighed and took him into her arms, enveloping him with her motherly tenderness. She could only imagine what he had been through, but it hurt her to the bone.

He gripped the folds of her dress, sobbing onto her shoulder. For many, many years, she had been a mother to him, ever since his own mother had sailed away over the Sea. She treated him as a son, as did Elrond, and in her arms…that was the place he felt the safest. Nothing could hurt him here; nothing could hurt him ever again.   

She stroked his back comfortingly, whispering soothing words of Elvish. Her other hand brushed softly through his shortened hair, the strands trailing through her fingers like silk ribbons. She could feel how thin he had become, how small and fragile he felt in her arms. She wanted more than anything to just sit there for all eternity, holding him where he was safe, protect him forever and ever. But she new she couldn't. It was just her motherly instincts kicking in. After all, when his wife had left, Thranduil had literally begged her to go and help him for a while. And she had. She had stayed in Mirkwood for a good five years, helping Thranduil get used to being a single parent. Filigon was still very, very young, and she had spent most of her time with the Princess, teaching her everything that a mother should teach her children.

The other three had been quite grown-up already, but they loved Celebrían as much as their sister did. Neldor had helped the Queen along with Filigon, being the oldest and a girl. The two boys, Legolas, and Thoron helped as much as they could, but had always been a bit confused when it came to children. So Thoron had assisted his father with the leadership of Mirkwood, but Legolas had remained with his younger sister. He felt a huge wave of protectiveness come over him whenever he saw her, and wanted to be a part in her upbringing. So, with his elder sisters and Celebríans' help, had become the closest member of the family to young Filigon.

Legolas pulled away from Celebrían, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. "Hannon lle," he whispered.

"You do not need to thank me Legolas. I am always here if you need someone. Please, you must remember that. If you are ever staying here, and just need someone to talk to, come to me. You know you can trust me."

"You have been like a mother to me, and I will never be able to repay you for everything," Legolas said softly, smiling at her.

"I do not want repayment," she assured him, stroking his cheek. "Just one of your lovely smiles every now and then will do for me. Trust me, and treat me as a mother. I will always, always, treat you like a son Legolas, you know that."

He nodded. "Of course I will."

She smiled at him. "Good. Now, dry your eyes, and I shall fetch your friends. Feel free to make up more punishments for Astalder. In fact, write them down, and bring them to me. I have a few in mind, but I would like to see what you think." She smiled and stood.

He grinned at her. "Certainly my Lady. It shall be our pleasure."

She let the four friends in and they sat round Legolas' bed. As she left, she smiled once more at the Prince and winked, then shut the door, leaving them to it.

"Are you ok Legolas?" Arwen asked, taking his hand again.

"Me? I'm fine. Never better in fact. Anyone fancy a ride?" They all laughed, and launched into a conversation about what they would really like to have done to Astalder.

****

"Thank you for everything Haldir," Legolas whispered, holding the Marchwarden close.

"It was my pleasure Legolas. And remember, the invitation to Lothlórien is always open to you. You can visit whenever you like."

"I shall." He smiled at the fair-haired Elf, before bringing him into another tight embrace.

Haldir smiled to himself as the Prince flung his arms round him once more. He had managed to get out of bed the day before, and was determined to see the Marchwarden off. Now it seemed he was not going to even let him leave Imladris.

"Come on Legolas, I have to go now. Everyone will be wondering what's keeping me," he said, peeling Legolas' arms from around his neck.

"I know. I'm just going to miss you."

"And I you." He bowed his head to the Prince. "Namárie Legolas."

"Namárie Haldir. But not forever."

"Of course not."

Legolas smiled and gave Haldir a soft kiss on the cheek. Haldir returned it. For a few silent moments, they stood, foreheads resting against the other.

"Legolas…" Haldir murmured, pulling reluctantly away.

Legolas just nodded. "Go Haldir. Your people need you."

Haldir smiled and turned. As he walked down the steps towards the main courtyard, he looked over his shoulder. Legolas stood at the top, watching him leave. He was dressed all in silver, and his hair cascaded down over his shoulders like a golden wave. His eyes glittered in the sunlight, and his smile was evident.

"Go…" came his whisper on the wind.

Haldir nodded and carried on.

He didn't look back. 

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Good enough chapter for you? It had better have been!

The sequel will be coming very soon. Here's the first few lines, just to give you a brief description.

Sequel to 'Living a Lie'        (I NEED A NAME!!!)

Chapter 1: Farewells and the Fellowship.

"And you think I didn't?"

"I'm just saying! I really did miss you!"

"Alright, alright, don't bite my head off." Legolas took his sister into a giant embrace. "I love you Filigon."

She sniffed into his tunic. "And I you."

He rubbed her back comfortingly. "I'm home now."

"Never leave me like that again."

"I won't. I promise."

****

"Just be careful."

"Don't worry Adar, I will be perfectly fine."

"Are you sure? I can quite easily send someone else. Thoron will be more than willing to go."

"No, I need to face my past. Going back will help. Thoron can come with me though. I'll need him."

Thranduil sighed. "As long as you're sure…"

"I am Adar." Legolas walked over to stand beside his father at the window, linking his arm through the Kings, and leaning his head on his shoulder. "Plus I really want to see the twins again."

Thranduil laughed. "Well if you are completely 100% certain, then you may go."

"Hannon lle."

"I just don't want you getting hurt again."

"He isn't there any more. He can't hurt me."

"I know."

Legolas smiled and kissed his father on the cheek. "I'll be fine, I promise. No one is ever going to get me like that again. You know how strong I've become."

"True, true. Go and get ready then. Just…don't be gone for too long."

"I promise I won't Adar. To get there and back…6 months tops, ok?"

"Ok." Legolas smiled again, and hurried off to get ready.

//Lots of promises to keep…//  

Sound good? Well, if you like it, you'll have to give me loads of reviews so I will post it! Fair deal I think. AND I NEED NAMES! Please, I am open to all offers and propositions. Ugh…long words…

~Lainfaer~