AN: At last it's over and done with. I never thought I could finish this story but now it's finally done! Many thanks to all reviewers! Your time and comments are much appreciated...

Epilogue

Arlannis stood next to Arwen as together they held the final vigil over the tomb of her brother. Aragorn lay at rest, an expression of peaceful wisdom on his noble face. Arwen was inconsolable; she had barely spoken since the moment Aragorn had laid down his mortal life. Arlannis watched her sister's eyes darken and wondered how any spirit could survive such despair.

It was truly as Elrond had said, there would be no comfort for Arwen Undomiel, not in this world. Arwen left her husband's tomb and took her leave of her son and daughters. No word could stay her and she would listen to none who counselled patience.

She spoke briefly to Arlannis, 'You bear witness to the grief I have reaped, spare Legolas this suffering, Arlannis. Go with him when he departs for the Grey Havens. I must abide by the Doom of Men, and long will be my life even though my sorrow consumes me. It is time for all elvendom to pass away.'

It was true. The days of the elves were faded beyond recall. Galadriel and Celeborn were gone many years, Elrond had accompanied them along with Gandalf and Frodo the Ring Bearer. And even Samwise Gamgee, last of the Ring Bearers had taken ship from Middle Earth.

The Mirkwood was quiet and still and their number dwindled. Few were their dealings with Men. Thranduil had left decades ago and Legolas was now King of the remains of his father's realm. On their journey here, it seemed to Arlannis as though her father's kind had never set foot on Middle Earth, so complete was their abandonment. Imladris was a shrine of soft winds and whisperings. Nothing but memories remained. Arlannis could not bring herself to pass through Lorien after witnessing the lifeless shell of Imladris, so they came to Minas Tirith via the Gap of Rohan.

In Edoras, the heirs of Eomer had looked upon them as though they were legends sprung to life. Arlannis paid a visit to the tomb of Fromas, the kindly old healer that had possessed a streak of mischief more suited to a hobbit than a Man. Placing blossoms on his resting place, she remained a long while remembering his wisdom and kindness.

She and her husband had travelled alone and lightly, but every populous place they passed regarded them with wonder.

'They have forgotten our kind,' said Legolas wistfully, 'the Fourth Age is upon us.'

Legolas walked the city of Minas Tirith renewing his old friendship with the only other of the Fellowship that had survived to see the death of the King. Gimli was old but still strong after the manner of dwarves. His axe was still his constant companion, though his hair had grown thin and his beard grey. Together they sat and talked of the old days and their many triumphs in the war of the Ring. They had visited Merry and Pippin's graves, Aragorn himself had been laid to rest with the two small hobbits who had passed their last years in Gondor.

'And so now, at last, the greatest of us is gone,' said Gimli mournfully.

Legolas bowed his head and wept.

It was there Arlannis found him and together they watched the last journey of Arwen Undomiel. Her hooded figure, clad all in grey left Minas Tirith and wheeled her mount towards the empty land of Lorien.

Arlannis felt as though her heart would break watching the lonely figure of her sister slowly disappear.

Legolas pulled her close to him and held her thus for a long time.

Looking upon her unlined face and bright eyes he spoke, 'My Lady, it is time for the elves to leave Middle Earth. All that I love has passed away, all save one beloved treasure. I will do as Arwen Undomiel and abide the Doom of Men. I will not look again upon the Twilight, the home of all my kin. Though I would take ship for the Blessed Isle, for you I will remain and await what end I know not. This I will do happily, for you are my life's grace.'

Arlannis looked upon her husband's beloved face and answered, 'My Lord, your love truly knows no bounds, but for all that I would not have us sundered forever from our kin that abide in the Twilight. I will go with you to the Blessed Isle and greet our people again. Though my heart grieves that I cannot follow my brother Aragorn or my sister Arwen on the great journey beyond the veil of Arda.'

And so Legolas built a ship and on it sailed with both his wife and Gimli the dwarf. The last of the Fellowship left Middle Earth and no more can be said of them.