Note from Nikki
Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I apologize but I can't do reviewer notes this time. You can be sure you will see them in the remaining two chapters following this. I feel really sick today! I think my doctor has me on too many medications because I am feeling sick and dizzy and all weird and tired and. . .the list goes on. So thanks to everyone who reviewed! Love you all!
--
Aurora slowly began to wake up. Her vision was blurred and her mind was racing with confused thoughts and images. There had been a battle. She had been hurt. And then. . .she blinked struggling to remember. They had won! It hit her suddenly and she sat up quickly, not entirely sure that she knew where she was but not really caring.
Frodo did it! He threw the Ring into Mt. Doom and the whole thing was over! After all they had been through and all that they experienced, it was finally over.
"Nice to see that you've finally decided to wake up," Scott said lightly from the open doorway where he leaned against the stone wall.
Aurora snapped her head in his direction and immediately regretted it. She clutched her neck and found a cloth wrapped firmly around a wound. She suddenly remembered the blade swiping down onto her neck and her struggle to stay conscious, long enough to witness the end of Mordor.
"What happened?" Aurora asked urgently.
Scott walked into the room and sat next to her, patting down her hair and running his fingers over her cheek. "You were hurt. . ."
"I know that," Aurora said irritably. "I mean, what about Frodo? Where am I? What happened to Mordor? Wha-"
"Okay," Scott said, shaking his head. "Enough with the questions already. Frodo managed to reach Mt. Doom. He threw the Ring and Sauron was destroyed, along with all his armies. You passed out right when Mt. Doom blew up and I ran you to the Castle. They fixed you up and put some sort of herb on your neck and now you are awake. Satisfied?"
"No!" Aurora replied indignantly. "Where is Frodo? He's not. . .he didn't. . .?"
Scott shook his head, still smiling. "No, Gandalf rode an eagle and he and Sam were saved."
Aurora breathed a sigh of relief and fell back onto the bed. It was really, honestly, truly over. No more fear about living tomorrow. No more painful good-byes to those they loved. It was over. Aurora suddenly turned to Scott, "Are you okay?"
"Oh, fine," Scott said dryly. "Thanks for caring."
Aurora rolled her eyes and sat up again, pulling Scott into a tight hug. "We made it."
Scott nodded but his eyes appeared troubled. "But we are still here."
"What do you mean?"
"We always thought that after all of this, we would be taken home."
Aurora frowned. "But, I don't want to go home."
Scott shook his head thoughtfully. "Maybe that's why we are still here. We want to be here."
Aurora nodded slightly and pulled him into another hug. Just then Legolas and Dan entered the room without so much as the slightest knock.
"Frodo has awoken!" Legolas said gleefully. This tone in his voice was very uncharacteristic and Aurora could very well see why.
Legolas turned and stalked out of the room after his pronouncement and Aurora stood to face her brother. His eyes were downcast and his normally goofy grin was replaced by a mournful frown. "Are you all right Dan?" Aurora asked tentatively.
"Why didn't you wake me?" Dan asked, raising his eyes to look at the worried couple. "I woke up and heard that you'd gone to war and I about died."
"You needed the rest," Aurora replied firmly.
"I needed to know that my sister and my best friend were all right," Dan said, his eyes flashing. "I can't lose everyone I love."
"Dan. . ." Scott began.
"No," Dan said. "It's over. You're alive and there is no point in being angry."
"About Hanalee . . ." Scott tried again, his voice trailing off in uncertainty.
Dan turned his gaze to his hands. "That's over too."
"She's in a better place," Aurora offered, not sure of what to say. Her brother had never been one to let emotion control him, and here he was, fighting with himself to be brave and strong.
"Yes," Dan said. "She'll always be with me. I guess death is something that must be expected in a war."
Aurora wrapped her arms around her brother and pulled him and rested her head on her shoulder. Dan would okay. She knew that he would. He would experience pain and sorrow and anger and regret. But in the end, he would be okay.
"Let's go see Frodo, eh?" he said, pulling away from his sister.
Aurora smiled, reached back and grabbed Scott's hand and together they walked to see their little hobbit friend.
Frodo was propped up on a pillow and he was looking very pale. As Aurora, Scott, and Dan walked in, he laughed and called out their names. Aurora felt giddy inside. He made it. He saved this land and all of the people in it. They owed this little guy so much.
Aurora and the others watched as Frodo laughed with Merry and Pippin and Sam and they all related their tales gleefully, as if the whole thing had just been an adventure that happened everyday. Frodo and Sam didn't say much but they listened as Merry and Pippin described all that they had gone through.
--
Aurora fidgeted uncomfortably as she called loudly to Scott, "Hurry up! We're going to be late!"
"You weren't saying that a minute ago when you were taking that dress of yours off. . ."
Aurora's eyes narrowed playfully, tying her hair up into a tight bun and attempting to wiggle around so she could button up the back of her blue dress. "Hey," she said mockingly, "You sure as hell weren't complaining."
Scott grinned and surprised her with a quick kiss before he helped her do up her dress. "How many times are we going to see a King get coronated?" he asked idly, kissing her neck playfully.
Aurora turned around and shoved him away, grinning. "Come on you bafoon."
Scott grabbed a hold of her hand and together they ran through the deserted castle and to the highest point where the White Tree was and the entrance to the throne room. Slightly breathless, the couple took their place next to Dan and they turned their heads just in time to see Aragorn stand with his crown on his head.
Aurora cheered loudly, screaming and clapping and then stopping when people began looking at her oddly.
"Now come the days of the King," Gandalf said. "And may they be blessed."
Aragorn stood and turned to face the sea of eager faces.
"This day does not belong to one man but to all," Aragorn said, raising his hands. "Let us together rebuild this world that we may share in the days of peace."
Aurora cheered along with everyone else and applauded loudly, feeling giddy. Aragorn had finally made it here at last. From the strange, dirty man that she had first met in Rivendell to the man who she had seen as a father figure and now to the man who stood proudly before her, adorned in nice clothes and wearing a crown. More than anyone, Aurora was proud of Aragorn. He had ended his days as a recluse who was only good for fighting. Now he would rule a Kingdom.
White flower petals from the White Tree began to fall and Aurora gazed around her. She paused when her gaze rested on Éowyn who was standing side by side with Faramir. The two of them kept shooting fervent glances at one another and upon looking closer, Aurora saw that their hands were entwined.
"Scott," Aurora whispered, smiling and indicating the couple with a nod of her head.
"We are not the only ones to have found love," Scott whispered back, kissing her on the cheek.
"I wondered where she was," Aurora said, turning back to Aragorn. "She was with Faramir! Isn't that great? Now she doesn't have to get her heart broken over Aragorn. She's found the man to share forever with."
Dan smiled wanly. "Faramir needed her too I think."
Nodding, the three of them stopped talking and turned to watch Aragorn. He began singing lightly in a beautiful language. It was the language of the Elves, Aurora was sure.
"Quenya," someone said softly. "Elendil first sang this song when his feet touched the lands of Middle-earth."
"Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar- metta." (translation: Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.)
After Aragorn concluded the song, he began walking down the aisle. Everyone bowed as their new King passed, including Aurora, Scott, and Dan. Aragorn bowed his head and winked at them. Aurora smiled and watched as Aragorn and Legolas, who led a group of Elves, reached each other.
The two men placed a hand on the other's shoulder and smiled.
"Hannon le," Aragorn said to Legolas.
Aurora was very proud to say that she had at last learned some Elvish. She knew for a fact that this meant thank you.
Legolas, with a small smile still lining his lips, stepped aside. Aurora was shocked to see Elrond behind him and even more shocked as a woman slowly revealed herself from behind a banner that depicted the White Tree.
"Arwen," Aurora suddenly gasped. "It's the girl that Aragorn loved the whole time!"
Scott frowned. "What?"
"You are so naive," Aurora muttered. "Men never notice anything. Aragorn has been in love with this lady for the whole trip! He thought that he had lost her!"
Indeed, Aragorn was watching Arwen in disbelief. The stunningly beautiful Elf was looking uncertain, appearing to be afraid that Aragorn would be angry at her for staying. But Aurora knew right away that Aragorn wasn't angry at all. He caressed her face lovingly before leaping forward and kissing her passionately on the lips.
"Whoa," Scott said, jumping back in shock. "Go Aragorn!"
Aurora scowled at him. He had absolutely no romance in him at all. Everyone cheered again and Aurora was glad to see that Arwen was laughing joyfully and that Elrond, her father, was smiling proudly.
Aragorn and Arwen began making their way through the crowds again and they smiled as they came before the hobbits. Immediately they bowed down but Aragorn rushed forward, holding out his hand.
"My friends," he said, "you bow to no one."
And then Aragorn kneeled before them and everyone else followed his stead. Aurora just about cried when she saw the overwhelmed and stunned looks on the hobbit's faces.
Smiling, she stood up, brushing away a white petal as it fell from the tree. She looked around and saw Dan, looking at something on the ground with his eyes wide.
Aurora frowned and followed his gaze and she saw that Scott was still kneeling, and what more, he was looking up at Aurora.
"What are you doing?" she asked, confused.
Scott only smiled, took a deep breath and took Aurora's hand. Aurora, beginning to realize what he was doing, gasped and used her free hand to cover her mouth in surprise.
"Aurora," Scott said. "Will you marry me?"
"OH MY GOD," Aurora screamed.
Scott's smile faltered a little and he looked to Dan who shrugged and turned his head away, trying very hard not to burst out into laughter.
"Yes!" she yelled, leaping up and down. "Yes! Yes! Yes!"
Scott laughed and leaped up, pulling her into a deep kiss and squeezing her tightly. "I'm sorry," he said, "I don't have a ring."
Aurora shook her head, grinning from ear to ear. "After this adventure, I can honestly say that I never want to see a ring again."
--
A/n: Well, this story is coming to an end! There is only two more chapters left sniffles sadly
Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I apologize but I can't do reviewer notes this time. You can be sure you will see them in the remaining two chapters following this. I feel really sick today! I think my doctor has me on too many medications because I am feeling sick and dizzy and all weird and tired and. . .the list goes on. So thanks to everyone who reviewed! Love you all!
--
Aurora slowly began to wake up. Her vision was blurred and her mind was racing with confused thoughts and images. There had been a battle. She had been hurt. And then. . .she blinked struggling to remember. They had won! It hit her suddenly and she sat up quickly, not entirely sure that she knew where she was but not really caring.
Frodo did it! He threw the Ring into Mt. Doom and the whole thing was over! After all they had been through and all that they experienced, it was finally over.
"Nice to see that you've finally decided to wake up," Scott said lightly from the open doorway where he leaned against the stone wall.
Aurora snapped her head in his direction and immediately regretted it. She clutched her neck and found a cloth wrapped firmly around a wound. She suddenly remembered the blade swiping down onto her neck and her struggle to stay conscious, long enough to witness the end of Mordor.
"What happened?" Aurora asked urgently.
Scott walked into the room and sat next to her, patting down her hair and running his fingers over her cheek. "You were hurt. . ."
"I know that," Aurora said irritably. "I mean, what about Frodo? Where am I? What happened to Mordor? Wha-"
"Okay," Scott said, shaking his head. "Enough with the questions already. Frodo managed to reach Mt. Doom. He threw the Ring and Sauron was destroyed, along with all his armies. You passed out right when Mt. Doom blew up and I ran you to the Castle. They fixed you up and put some sort of herb on your neck and now you are awake. Satisfied?"
"No!" Aurora replied indignantly. "Where is Frodo? He's not. . .he didn't. . .?"
Scott shook his head, still smiling. "No, Gandalf rode an eagle and he and Sam were saved."
Aurora breathed a sigh of relief and fell back onto the bed. It was really, honestly, truly over. No more fear about living tomorrow. No more painful good-byes to those they loved. It was over. Aurora suddenly turned to Scott, "Are you okay?"
"Oh, fine," Scott said dryly. "Thanks for caring."
Aurora rolled her eyes and sat up again, pulling Scott into a tight hug. "We made it."
Scott nodded but his eyes appeared troubled. "But we are still here."
"What do you mean?"
"We always thought that after all of this, we would be taken home."
Aurora frowned. "But, I don't want to go home."
Scott shook his head thoughtfully. "Maybe that's why we are still here. We want to be here."
Aurora nodded slightly and pulled him into another hug. Just then Legolas and Dan entered the room without so much as the slightest knock.
"Frodo has awoken!" Legolas said gleefully. This tone in his voice was very uncharacteristic and Aurora could very well see why.
Legolas turned and stalked out of the room after his pronouncement and Aurora stood to face her brother. His eyes were downcast and his normally goofy grin was replaced by a mournful frown. "Are you all right Dan?" Aurora asked tentatively.
"Why didn't you wake me?" Dan asked, raising his eyes to look at the worried couple. "I woke up and heard that you'd gone to war and I about died."
"You needed the rest," Aurora replied firmly.
"I needed to know that my sister and my best friend were all right," Dan said, his eyes flashing. "I can't lose everyone I love."
"Dan. . ." Scott began.
"No," Dan said. "It's over. You're alive and there is no point in being angry."
"About Hanalee . . ." Scott tried again, his voice trailing off in uncertainty.
Dan turned his gaze to his hands. "That's over too."
"She's in a better place," Aurora offered, not sure of what to say. Her brother had never been one to let emotion control him, and here he was, fighting with himself to be brave and strong.
"Yes," Dan said. "She'll always be with me. I guess death is something that must be expected in a war."
Aurora wrapped her arms around her brother and pulled him and rested her head on her shoulder. Dan would okay. She knew that he would. He would experience pain and sorrow and anger and regret. But in the end, he would be okay.
"Let's go see Frodo, eh?" he said, pulling away from his sister.
Aurora smiled, reached back and grabbed Scott's hand and together they walked to see their little hobbit friend.
Frodo was propped up on a pillow and he was looking very pale. As Aurora, Scott, and Dan walked in, he laughed and called out their names. Aurora felt giddy inside. He made it. He saved this land and all of the people in it. They owed this little guy so much.
Aurora and the others watched as Frodo laughed with Merry and Pippin and Sam and they all related their tales gleefully, as if the whole thing had just been an adventure that happened everyday. Frodo and Sam didn't say much but they listened as Merry and Pippin described all that they had gone through.
--
Aurora fidgeted uncomfortably as she called loudly to Scott, "Hurry up! We're going to be late!"
"You weren't saying that a minute ago when you were taking that dress of yours off. . ."
Aurora's eyes narrowed playfully, tying her hair up into a tight bun and attempting to wiggle around so she could button up the back of her blue dress. "Hey," she said mockingly, "You sure as hell weren't complaining."
Scott grinned and surprised her with a quick kiss before he helped her do up her dress. "How many times are we going to see a King get coronated?" he asked idly, kissing her neck playfully.
Aurora turned around and shoved him away, grinning. "Come on you bafoon."
Scott grabbed a hold of her hand and together they ran through the deserted castle and to the highest point where the White Tree was and the entrance to the throne room. Slightly breathless, the couple took their place next to Dan and they turned their heads just in time to see Aragorn stand with his crown on his head.
Aurora cheered loudly, screaming and clapping and then stopping when people began looking at her oddly.
"Now come the days of the King," Gandalf said. "And may they be blessed."
Aragorn stood and turned to face the sea of eager faces.
"This day does not belong to one man but to all," Aragorn said, raising his hands. "Let us together rebuild this world that we may share in the days of peace."
Aurora cheered along with everyone else and applauded loudly, feeling giddy. Aragorn had finally made it here at last. From the strange, dirty man that she had first met in Rivendell to the man who she had seen as a father figure and now to the man who stood proudly before her, adorned in nice clothes and wearing a crown. More than anyone, Aurora was proud of Aragorn. He had ended his days as a recluse who was only good for fighting. Now he would rule a Kingdom.
White flower petals from the White Tree began to fall and Aurora gazed around her. She paused when her gaze rested on Éowyn who was standing side by side with Faramir. The two of them kept shooting fervent glances at one another and upon looking closer, Aurora saw that their hands were entwined.
"Scott," Aurora whispered, smiling and indicating the couple with a nod of her head.
"We are not the only ones to have found love," Scott whispered back, kissing her on the cheek.
"I wondered where she was," Aurora said, turning back to Aragorn. "She was with Faramir! Isn't that great? Now she doesn't have to get her heart broken over Aragorn. She's found the man to share forever with."
Dan smiled wanly. "Faramir needed her too I think."
Nodding, the three of them stopped talking and turned to watch Aragorn. He began singing lightly in a beautiful language. It was the language of the Elves, Aurora was sure.
"Quenya," someone said softly. "Elendil first sang this song when his feet touched the lands of Middle-earth."
"Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar- metta." (translation: Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.)
After Aragorn concluded the song, he began walking down the aisle. Everyone bowed as their new King passed, including Aurora, Scott, and Dan. Aragorn bowed his head and winked at them. Aurora smiled and watched as Aragorn and Legolas, who led a group of Elves, reached each other.
The two men placed a hand on the other's shoulder and smiled.
"Hannon le," Aragorn said to Legolas.
Aurora was very proud to say that she had at last learned some Elvish. She knew for a fact that this meant thank you.
Legolas, with a small smile still lining his lips, stepped aside. Aurora was shocked to see Elrond behind him and even more shocked as a woman slowly revealed herself from behind a banner that depicted the White Tree.
"Arwen," Aurora suddenly gasped. "It's the girl that Aragorn loved the whole time!"
Scott frowned. "What?"
"You are so naive," Aurora muttered. "Men never notice anything. Aragorn has been in love with this lady for the whole trip! He thought that he had lost her!"
Indeed, Aragorn was watching Arwen in disbelief. The stunningly beautiful Elf was looking uncertain, appearing to be afraid that Aragorn would be angry at her for staying. But Aurora knew right away that Aragorn wasn't angry at all. He caressed her face lovingly before leaping forward and kissing her passionately on the lips.
"Whoa," Scott said, jumping back in shock. "Go Aragorn!"
Aurora scowled at him. He had absolutely no romance in him at all. Everyone cheered again and Aurora was glad to see that Arwen was laughing joyfully and that Elrond, her father, was smiling proudly.
Aragorn and Arwen began making their way through the crowds again and they smiled as they came before the hobbits. Immediately they bowed down but Aragorn rushed forward, holding out his hand.
"My friends," he said, "you bow to no one."
And then Aragorn kneeled before them and everyone else followed his stead. Aurora just about cried when she saw the overwhelmed and stunned looks on the hobbit's faces.
Smiling, she stood up, brushing away a white petal as it fell from the tree. She looked around and saw Dan, looking at something on the ground with his eyes wide.
Aurora frowned and followed his gaze and she saw that Scott was still kneeling, and what more, he was looking up at Aurora.
"What are you doing?" she asked, confused.
Scott only smiled, took a deep breath and took Aurora's hand. Aurora, beginning to realize what he was doing, gasped and used her free hand to cover her mouth in surprise.
"Aurora," Scott said. "Will you marry me?"
"OH MY GOD," Aurora screamed.
Scott's smile faltered a little and he looked to Dan who shrugged and turned his head away, trying very hard not to burst out into laughter.
"Yes!" she yelled, leaping up and down. "Yes! Yes! Yes!"
Scott laughed and leaped up, pulling her into a deep kiss and squeezing her tightly. "I'm sorry," he said, "I don't have a ring."
Aurora shook her head, grinning from ear to ear. "After this adventure, I can honestly say that I never want to see a ring again."
--
A/n: Well, this story is coming to an end! There is only two more chapters left sniffles sadly