To those who reviewed; thank you very much, and I'll just say one thing here, for all of you: Yes, she's going West. And no, this won't mess things up much, because Legolas will probably be doing the same in the next chapter. I only have a few more chapters planned, which may take longer than expected... for a better explanation, check out the new Among the Brambles chapter... whenever I managed to get it up. Once more THE STORY IS NOT OVER YET.

faerluthio: Thank you so much--your review was a high point in an otherwise very annoying day. It will happen soon, I promise.

Farflung: Mirimir will deal with her father at some point, but thus far I have no plans to take ATB into the undying lands. Things could change, of course. I noticed looking back at what I've written that the fathers do tend to be not so nice. Oh, well. Thranduil makes up for a good portion of it.



Chapter 34

Knowing the heartrending effect of attempting to keep the connection open across such distances, Legolas had said his goodbyes at the first hint of strain caused by her travels, and had let the link, which had remained open nearly continuously for almost a month, fall closed. It was a painful silence which befell them.

"How is he taking this?" Thranduil asked softly, drawing his mount beside hers.

She laughed harshly. "He is being left behind… again. By the only other one he has linked to." She took a deep breath and pushed her hood back, before sighing softly. "I am sorry."

"It disturbs you, as well."

"Of course," she agreed. "He… He is resigned. He is also a bit uncertain of himself, as he longs to join us at this crossing, but does not wish for Aragorn's death to be hastened, at the same time."

"How long would he guess?"

"He is unknowing of the ways of mortality, Thranduil. You would not have it be otherwise."

"No," he agreed heavily. "Arwen's fate I would not wish on anyone, and yet… I do wish he would look around, open his eyes, and take a wife."

She smiled slightly. "You may already have those grandchildren you desire."

"I desire his happiness, young lady."

"And he cannot be happy if he is not married?"

Thranduil frowned and looked over at her. "Have you something against marriage?"

She frowned back, but slowly shook her head. "No…" she hesitated.

"But?" he sighed.

She smiled faintly, hanging her head. "But I would rather he remain unmarried than be forced to feel everything he feels in a marriage." She looked down at the small mare she was riding, and smoothed the wayward hairs of her mane back onto the right side of her withers. "Rather selfish, when spoken aloud."

"A genuine concern," Thranduil countered. He smiled gently at her. "One I can attest Legolas worried about before Leherim and Elrohir wed."

She laughed softly and looked up at the King with true fondness. "Thranduil?"

"Yes, child?"

"Can I adopt you?"

He chuckled and tousled her hair affectionately. "I think I'll reserve judgment on that for a while… I may decide to adopt you, instead!"

She smiled and resisted another laugh, knowing many of those traveling with them did not truly wish to leave, and would look with bitterness upon her if she was too merry to leave their beloved home behind. A few elves who had removed to Fangorn were with them as well, which worried her… not many had gone with Legolas to begin with, and several had come when she was watching those preparing to leave. She had seen those Fangorn elves head into the West with their friends and family, catching up on news from the past years at the same time. Legolas had never answered her question about how many had come to cross, or how many had already left to do so.

For all she knew, he was alone… with Gimli and Aragorn.

"Tell me, child. What do you recall of your life before the palace?"

She sighed and closed her eyes. "Darkness. Death. My brother, my sisters, my mother all lost their will to continue, though he did not actually kill any one."

"What of your age?"

She shook her head. "No. It is a blur of unending time. I can say only I was probably over two hundred when Rallene was born, and it was much, much longer than that time until I was taken out of the cellar."

"And have you recalled your name?"

With a frown, she looked up at him. "I had a name, yes. But it was only used a handful of times, that I can recall."

"So, in your mind, you are Mirimir."

"Yes."

"What was your name?" When she told him, he looked at her in consideration. "You were well named, both times, I believe."

She smiled slightly, but turned her attention to the faint scent of salt on the breeze. The cry of a gull reached her ears, and the longing arose in her, accompanied by a sudden pang from Legolas. I am sorry.

I know, he sighed, before silence befell them again.

The shores appeared before them, and the silver ships awaited their arrival. Every elf there paused for a long moment to look back at the shore, before turning their eyes resolutely to the West.

All except one. She watched the shore recede until she could see it no longer, until Thranduil had turned her around to watch for the coming shore through the silvery mist that surrounded them.

It fell away to a land of music and laughter, which made her ache, for Legolas wasn't there to see it.

Leherim came running through the crowd, her bright eyes lit with happiness, but a small sadness lingered there still—she knew Legolas hadn't come. She was caught up in a large hug by her father, and then she looked around him. "Where is Mirimir? Did she decide to remain with Legolas?"

"I am before you, Leherim," she protested with a faint frown.

Leherim looked at her, blinked, stepped back, and stared a moment longer. "Well!" she declared when she had almost passed into the bounds of rude, "This is a surprise!" She reached up and tucked a bit of Mirimir's dark hair behind her ear. She smiled happily, taking Mirimir's hands. "Come, I'll show you around!"