Firstly I want to say how sorry I am that this update had taken so long- but at last it is finshed! Thank you my reviewers - you guys mean so much to me!

Any way on with the story!

Chapter 12

He wanted to leap after them pull his friend to his feet and beat their enemy. But things were too complex, their bodies entwined, threaded limbs knotted together rolling dangerously upon a narrow bridge with nothing but death surrounding them. It was too much of a risk, but still Legolas could not allow himself to stand and watch his friend struggle stretched as straight as his aching body would allow. Every particle of his friends' body was denying her victory.

Suddenly Legolas remembered there was another silent witness to this madness present, he stirred himself, drawing his gaze away finally turning his back upon the battle and tendered to Sam. He was out cold blood running freely under his thick curls. With no bandages or herbs Legolas did all he could. He tore off his long, once fine tunic sleeves and bandaged them tightly around the hobbits head trying to stem the flow. Beneath his gentle hands he could feel Sam move and his breathing pattern change. At least that was a good sign that the hobbit had not taken too much ill. Silently he cursed Aufstand for her evil ways raising his eyes again to watch them scuffle.

Desperate to win Aufstand fought dirty, biting scratching anything she could do that could bring her closer to the Ring still held just out of her reach. The Ring was playing with Aragorn statically changing its weight to hinder him to give Aufstand a slight hope for holding the Ring again. It was toiling with him, battling him with all its might.

He could see the longing madness in her eyes as she clawed her way up his chest stretching for her prize. Aragorn arched his spine and willed ever muscle in his arm to extend to their extreme while his lower body twisted and turned trying to shake her away.

Sensing a weakness she stretched further unbalancing herself and feeling this Aragorn used this to his advantage, rolling to one side. With a free hand he pushed her away and staggered to his feet. She mirrored him a short distance away. Nether had any blade upon them, either lost or broken over the journey. Andúril was actually only an agonising distance away but in close combat as this the long elven blade would be inappropriate. Beyond her wild face Aragorn could see Legolas kneeling over Sam another reminder of the evil the Ring and Aufstand had done. Then why could he not end this? Why was he finding himself struggling, battling when it was so simple to do? The answer was simple: he had learnt to love and embrace the Ring as the bearers before him. That could only spell certain doom.

No matter what or how it was clear that Aufstand would stop at nothing to claim her prize. She proved this when she ran full long straight into Aragorn knocking both bodies over the head of the rock bridge and disappeared.

Legolas didn't waste his breath or time and screaming or shouting. He knew Aufstand was running out of cards quickly, he knew she would do something radical and was already in a position to move. He sprinted probably the hardest he had done in all his life and without as much as a doubt or flicker of fear he leapt after them.

As soon as his feet were clear of the take off he flipped in mid air quickly, stretched his arms out and locked a vice like grip on the first two things he could. One was unmistakably flesh and bone of a wrist, Aragorn's wrist to be precise. He didn't flash his friend a sly smile but was concentrating with the grip of his left hand as it slipped dropping him and his load further down. His hand scrapped the rock surface hunting desperately for a grip. Dread and fear began to flood him as the heat grew and the fire below seemed to become hungry ready in sallow them, then finally his fingers found a perch and stubbornly held jerking them to a sudden halt at the lowest point before falling into the fire. Already the smoke made his eyes water and sweat threaten his grip.

At last he turned to Aragorn, his eyes betraying his concern and little hope of survival so close to death and far away from salvation. Aragorn shaking with exhaustion and did not return his friends gaze instead he watched Aufstand body saved at the last moment by a half submerged rock in the swirling lava. The fall had killed her at last he noted but the Ring of Power lay in her open hand just above the line of liquid fire.

They had been foiled at the final stage and it tasted bitter.

Finally he turned his head to meet Legolas' gaze and saw the longing-ness for release in the King's eyes. "Save yourself" he said. Legolas looked into his sad eyes but ignored the command; instead he raised his legs hunting for a stronger purchase.

"No," he panted, "I have not put myself in this position just to let you die"

"The Ring will never be destroyed if it stays where it is" Aragorn replied twisting in Legolas' grip. Suddenly frightened Legolas tightened his grip on his friends' wrist and allowed his legs to go limp.

"Do not throw away your life where there is much to live for" he said gently.

"You don't understand" Aragorn whispered, "No one can"

Then it clicked. The Ring – it had changed him. Now it was on the brink of destruction like the Ring Bearers before him Aragorn did not wish to witness its destruction nor could he believe he could live without it.

"There is more to life then jewels and lies" Legolas said trying to ignore the aching in his arms. "You are a King, a man of respect one who is much loved. She loves you for one, never will she stop loving you even after the world has ended"

Aragorn clawed the images of her, Arwen his wife, his angel, his strength and was his soul. But she could never replace what the Ring could give…

"Aragorn," Legolas called sternly, "I am not letting you go"

Again Aragorn turned to the fires below with desire, the Ring shimmering in the firelight.

"See how the fire burns her flesh, soon it will devourer the Ring and pull it at last into the depths of the mountain." Legolas said following Aragorn's gaze.

"How can you be certain?" Aragorn snapped.

"Certain enough to do everything I can to stop you throwing away your life attempting to do the impossible. The changes of you knocking the Ring are very slim indeed."

"The Fire will only cause the Ring to show its secret not destroy it like fire burns flesh and wood" Aragorn muttered just loud enough for Legolas to hear. "This is the only way it will ever be finished". The tone for release was again heard and ignored by his friend.

"Look with your eyes not your damaged soul," Legolas cried. "The forces of nature are working to our advantage. See how the cracks are growing with each passing moment upon the rock where the Ring lays? The impact of Aufstand's fall has finally broken the spine of the rock that has been under constant pressure and tremendous heat from the mountain. It will break and fall into the fire by itself; it doesn't need your foolishness to complete what it will do itself."

Again Aragorn turned to the scene below but saw nothing different then before. Legolas was lying to try and stop him.

"You're lying" he shouted angrily though he didn't really know why.

"No I can jut see slightly better then you. Look again" Legolas actually smiled rather painfully Aragorn could see but he actually smiled!

Again Aragorn turned and for the first time he saw the cracks Legolas described. He was telling the truth and he had wasted his time arguing when they could have been climbing for safety. He watched the cracks grow, widen and meander across the rock surface in silence realising with dread his wasted time would cost them their lives. He had sentenced Sam and Legolas to their deaths.

"Aragorn," Legolas called. "There is still time, please Aragorn climb". He was pleading, his arms aching and he could feel his grip beginning to slip as death began to call to him. "Aragorn reach, come on" he continued watching for a reaction from his friend but was finding none: "Aragorn, Strider, Longshanks, Wing-foot, Thorongil, Elendil, Elessar which ever name you prefer"

Finally Aragorn turned and looked up to Legolas.

"Come on my friend reach! Reach to live!"

And he did.

On the verge of consciousness Sam told himself: It was all a dream. When I open my eyes I will be in the Shire, in my garden where I feel asleep and Rosie won't be very pleased. But the pain that erupted in his head made his dreams shatter. No it's alright Sam told himself, I fell out of tree in the Shire… the air felt hot and close smelling of smoke and ash, he coughed. His body shook with the effort and his head pounded. Admitting defeat Sam finally opened his eyes and looked around himself still upon the bridge into the Cracks of Doom. He was alone. Totally alone – where was Legolas, Aragorn or even Aufstand? Slowly he raised himself until he was sitting his head spinning and the world lurching violently. He gritted his teeth against the pain and nausea and weakly called their names over the roaring fire.

But no one answered, nothing moved.

Had Aragorn and Legolas fled leaving him behind fearing him dead? Then he touched the make shift bandages upon his head. They knew he was alive – then where were they? Had they lost and Aufstand was alive somewhere victorious? Why then would she let him live?

Confused and utterly alone Sam began to sweat with anticipation. Would someone find him, or would the mountain make the first move? Should he run to save himself should the mountain explode if Aragorn's quest had been fulfilled or should wait for them should they return and welcome death when it arrives?

Closing his eyes to block out the spinning world Sam crawled towards the rim of the rock bridge perhaps it would provide him with some answers. His chubby fingers clawed the firm rock to reassure himself as his world span threatening to black him out.

His peered through his streaming eyes only when his hands failed to grip a solid surface he had reached the end of the bridge and peered over the edge.

Nothing but fire and heat greeted his sweaty face and watery eyes. He recoiled from the heat and sat still, numb with shock. He had expected to see something that would give him the answers he was searching for, but alas there was nothing. Not even he slightest clue or tale tail sigh of what could have happened.

Filled with sudden sadness and loneliness Sam wept.

He was alone.

There was a sudden scraping sound behind him and Sam turned. His eyes travelled the length of the chamber inside the mountain and back again, but he saw nothing.

I'm hearing things he said to himself. I can't stay here forever I need to move. Find out what happened if I can.

Again the scraping noise cut across his thoughts; again Sam looked around himself and saw nothing.

Then on the third noise it became apparent where the sound was coming from, he swooped down onto his knees and peered over the edge. Directly below him were two figures silhouetted by the firelight climbing up the rock face.

"Sam!" the familiar voice of Legolas called. "Sam help us up there is little to grip."

If Legolas looked as tired as he sounded Sam had to hurry. He peered again over the edge and understood that the ledge he knelt upon over hanged the perch where Aragorn and Legolas climbed. Even if he stretched as much as he dared he would not be able to reach them or even think about pull them up. He had to find another way. If only his belongings weren't taken from him in Barad-Dûr. If only I had a rope! He cursed himself remembering it was in his pack some miles away. The beautiful elven rope Lady Galderial had given him eight years ago.

Wait, what's this? Something light and lumpy seemed to fall into his pocket suddenly. He slipped a hand inside and drew out a length of rope – his length of elven rope. He stared at it for several moments fingering it just to make sure it was real.

"Sam!" Legolas called his name.

Sam pulled himself together and turned looking for somewhere to tie the rope to. There was nothing there – not even the rope could work its magic this time. Instead he wrapped the rope around his hands and planted his feet squarely. Then he threw the other end of the rope over the edge.

"One at a time" he called, "There was nothing to tie the rope to."

Below he could hear Legolas snort: "Has your short time with elves taught you nothing Sam?" he said as Sam could feel a slight weight on the end of the rope. "Elvish rope has a will of its own" he called up. Shortly Legolas' head appeared over the rim of the bridge as he pulled himself hand over hand towards Sam.

Briefly he stood catching his breath before peering over the edge half fearing if Aragorn had gone back upon his word and the deliberately let go.

Thankfully he was still there. "Aragorn," Legolas called. "Take the rope" he said watching with tender moments Aragorn stretched and took hold of the rope. Below him Legolas could see the rock that had saved the Ring finally slipping into the fire.

Time was running out quickly.

"Hurry!" he called to Aragorn, then he bent picked up the rope and pulled Sam doing the same behind him.

At last Aragorn emerged breathing heavily but very much alive and whole. Instantly Sam could see the similarities between the King and his beloved Frodo. They both had that sad, incurable, strange look in their eyes left behind after they had given up the Ring. But now was not the time to talk or feel compassion for his friend as between them Aragorn and Legolas gathered Sam and the rope and began to run, the rock beneath their feet begging to shift. Below them the remains of the outcrop that had broken Aufstand's fall and saved the Ring eventually fell away, to be engulfed in the flames. With and angry hiss the Ring finally slipped beneath the surface and the mountain quaked beneath them.

With such violence that nearly knocked Aragorn and Legolas off their feet Mount Doom erupted. The molten larva licked the insides of the cave before finally spilling out and down is rock face, gliding down effortless behind the foreign small company as they made a quick retreat, only to be blocked off by another wave and hot larva that had blasted through another vent on the side of the mountain in front of them. Smoke and ash poured out of the head of the volcano, it rained down upon the barren countryside and in the distance the tower of Barad-Dûr spilt down its entire length before collapsing in upon itself, disappearing in a cloud of dust. The wave of chocking thick dust the swept the flat land sweeping away the remainder of Sauron's army and all evidence of his reign.

It was over at last. Sauron and the Ring had finally been defeated.

The din of screaming suddenly ended and the armies of the West slowly picked themselves up and looked around themselves. The air was strangely still and quite even the rain had stopped.

Shaking the rain from his curls Merry lowered his blade and stared around himself. The Nightmare that was until just a moment ago was floating in front of him, latched onto Pippin was now gone. He blinked hard trying to understand what had just happened.

Only Gandalf could give an explanation, but his was silent his eyes were fixed to the East; beside him Elrohir whispered into his ear: "There are three Eagles soaring into the distance, even my eyes are strained to see them. They are heading towards Mordor"

Gandalf did not reply, his eyes were fixed onto the horizon.

Then even though there were many miles between them and the mountain they saw and felt the eruption, it shook the ground and lit the sky. Many gasped and several cheered.

Even Erbschaft looked up from the still from of Nymane in his arms and watched the smoke billow from the mountain's peak into the sky. At last the One of Ring had been destroyed but at what cost? Many lives had been lost for this moment, this one moment that would mark the beginning of their freedom.

Éomer stood beside Faramir as they stared into the horizon bother sharing the same thoughts: Would Aragorn emerge alive?

Across the plains of Rohan the people stood at their post on the re-enforced walls of Helm's Deep and stared at the bright glow over the horizon. Lady Eówyen stood upon the parapet of the fortress overlooking the entrance, her eyes lingering upon the glow in the distance, her heart fluttering strangely in her bosom. She knew of the Ring bearer's quest but did not know of the complications that had arisen. She was fulfilling her duty to the letter. Stranded in the stronghold of Rohan she had be feed no news of any of the past events.

She was concerned for Faramir, Éomer and Aragorn where ever they maybe.

"What do you think has happened, my Lady?" a solider to her left asked.

"There has been or is major activity in Mordor. But what I can not say. Perhaps the Ringbearer has fulfilled his quest or Sauron has finally gained his prize." She said calmly, "Only time will tell"

The solider squinted into the distance: "Let's hope it is success of the Ringbearer that has caused the fury in Mordor rather then its delight" he muttered.

Coughing and spluttering between Legolas and Aragorn they carried Sam, hopping and leaping about the red hot face of the mountain desperate to escape, but at every turn they were denied. The hot ash and smoke burned their throats, made them choke, and streaked their faces obscuring their view, their eyes watering.

It would only take one slip and everything would be over. One miss judged step and it would be the end for all three of them.

Friends to the very end.

As they leapt and hopped they could feel themselves tire despite the hearts pounding sending waves of adrenaline through their bloodstreams, it would not be enough to save them. The understanding of their defeat came heavily upon their chests and finally reaching the end of their physical limits both Aragorn and Legolas slumped to the ground, defeated at long last. They had been through so much, seen much death, destruction and greed. Yet through the dark and disturbing times of treachery and despair they had seen much bravely, courage, determination and the combined efforts and strength of the Four Races to do everything in their power to cease Sauron's overshadowing terror and to break his iron strong grip on the One Ring and of their free hearts. The world had been changed, never could it be repaired. The numbers of the lost could not be replaced for the elves. Their time had passed nearly a decade ago and now their clock had finally chimed its last. Only a small handful were one hundred percent elvish now and those remaining few would likely seek comfort on those already past into the West.

Legolas was sure even in the flaming heat of Mount Doom if he was still a complete elf he would have been able to hear the call of the Sea. Only once had he heard it, and then he chose to ignore it. He had to pulled away by his friends not to follow the crying gull as it headed towards the ocean. His heart followed it all the same, sadly never again would it yearn to follow the same path again. Lady Galadriel had sent him a warning but not until it was nearly too late did he understand her message: "Beware of the Sea! If thou hearst the cry of the gull on the shore thy heart then rest on the forest no more." He had his chance and he refused it trusting in the words of his friends that is time was yet to come. He could still remember Pippin's voice after he had explained to the hobbit of their journey through Pelargir: "You must not go to the Heavens, Legolas. There will always be some folk, big or little, and even a few wise dwarves like Gimli, who need you."

Hobbits were very simply creatures, but were bold, bright and cheerful. There hearts were always in the right place and somehow they always found the correct words at their most needed moments.

Even as he lay inches from death he could see the once smiling face of Frodo Baggins laughing with Samwise, Merry and Pippin as they bashfully talked of their homeland and he chuckled out loud at them as the rolled about the grass after very small friendly insults to one another. He could see the green leaves of his homeland rustle in a gentle wind; he could hear the trickling running of water and feel cool air upon his face as he closed his eyes embracing the peacefulness of death after his long years.

Beside his slim frame Sam lay between Legolas and Aragorn each of them were slipping away. Aragorn's breathing became laboured as the heat scorched his throat and he chocked upon the thick ash and fumes. Sweat rolled in great droplets down his brow and his eyelids fluttered.

"Aragorn" Sam prodded him trying to keep him motivated praying salvation would come. But the man did not move. Again Sam prodded him and Aragorn' eyes fluttered and opened a fraction, his eyes watery and unable to see.

"Sam" his voice crocked just above a whisper. "Tired…" Aragorn muttered his lips moving but no more sound came out.

Sam shook him as roughly as he could. "Stay awake, Strider" he cried, "Someone will come for us, just stay awake"

Aragorn's eyelids fluttered and dropped. His weight suddenly became dead heavily in Sam's arms. Unable to hold him Aragorn slipped through his hands lying unmoving by Sam's side.

Tears slide down his checks as Sam looked down to his dying comrades with pity and sadness.

Nothing moved, no sound broke the air. Nothing was coming to save them.

With chocking sobs Sam lay down beside them and waited to die.

They felt no sweet cooling breeze as the great wings of the Eagles fanned the air above them, nor did they feel any pain or exhilaration as they picked their limp forms in they talons and soared through the sky.

A dull sun shone through the breaking clouds over the armies of the West. The men turned to her presence in awe – Sauron's strength was strong though he had no physical form.

There was a sudden pounding of hooves upon the wet earth. The riders of Rohan turned their heads at the sound of their horses return and the elves turned to great them. Over the brow of the hill they galloped lead by a great, proud, grey with no saddle or rein and his eyes sparkling.

Shadowfax had returned.

He lead the horses towards the company, the once nervous behaviour had left the horses of Rohan as they haltered as if they had never left in shear panic.

The Lord of Horses had given them new courage and strength.

Shadowfax nuzzled Gandalf upon the shoulder and blew warm air over the wizards' dirty robes. Gandalf raised a wrinkled hand to rub the great horses' face affectionately but the horse pulled away and stomped his hooves. Gandalf frowned at Shadowfax' behaviour as he suddenly turned his back upon his master and raced around the camp in a frenzy. The other horses responded neighing loudly and joining in the charge.

The men of Rohan started to call their names and even the elves called to them, but the horses continued to charge around the group splattering the company in mud and water. Shadowfax reared before his master neighing loudly, flicking his long grey tail. Still no one could silence them or control them.

From his silent position Erbschaft had been watching them gallop around the circle; Shadowfax in particular had been displaying strange behaviour. He watched him tear around nipping the other horses before circling back towards his master.

With his arms still wrapped around the limp body of his wife he called: "He wishes you to ride him Mirthrandir." Heads flickered towards him, and then back to Gandalf. "The Lord of Horses knows something we do not. Trust in him like you always have"

Shadowfax had come to a halt beside Gandalf and snorted impatiently. The wizard placed a hand upon his back and turned to Faramir and Éomer: "Lead the company to Minas Tirith. There we will meet again" he said not knowing where his horse would take him. Would the horse take him back into Mordor to recover Aragorn, Legolas and Sam? Or only the ones that still lived? Or perhaps the horse, as Erbschaft said knew of something else. Something else of dire urgency that needed him and only him.

No matter where he may end the wizard put his trust in his horse and they leapt away in a flurry of mud westwards, the beating of his hooves steady and quick.

Above the company passing under the pale sun three Eagles flew over head, the light playing upon their golden feathers and beneath their great bodies each carried a burden in their talons.

The sweet cool air, scent of Altheas and the gentle bustle of activity bought Aragorn out of his deep sleep. Slowly wishing he had not awoken to a world of pain and aching limbs he opened his heavy eyes and gazed around himself.

He lay in a chamber off the Houses of Healing he finally concluded and beyond the walls he could hear the healers pass swiftly between the patients.

Though his heart ached for knowledge for his close friend's warfare he heard Sam's words somehow return to him: "Don't let go of that dream" he heard him say, "If you do things will begin to slip away along with your self control"

He had taken no heed of Sam's warnings and found his insides turned painfully, tearing himself to pieces with the Ring missing. The Ring had torn a part of him away with it, he felt strangely detached and distant with the world just beyond the wooden wall.

A wave of laughter from Hobbits lips passed through the Houses but Aragorn was not listening, nor did he notice Gandalf standing in the doorway of his chamber until the wizard touched his shoulder.

The King physically jumped under the wizard's touch his mind was too preoccupied feeling sorry for himself, brooding over the loss of the Ring which had given him strength towards the end of his quest.

Gandalf had been watching the man for several moments from the doorway before finally making his move towards him. As he watched the wearily and exhausted man's mind slowly begin to work he saw the similarities to the Ringbear's before him. His aging heart suddenly stung as he was reminded of Frodo sitting in the same position some eight years ago looking equally as lost and as if something had been stolen from him. The wizard could see the same look in Aragorn's eyes that he had had a piece of himself torn away when the Ring had been destroyed. Frodo had the Shire and mostly his friends to help him, to pull him back to his right self but they did not have the strength to do so. Aragorn's hope of recovery lay firmly in the hands of Arwen. If she could not help him, then no one could.

Once Aragorn had settled after his fright Gandalf saw the shift sudden change from weak, bewildered looking to controlled and focused. It was all an act but Gandalf was not about to say it out loud shattering what courage and strength the man was calling upon to put on a brave face.

"Mirthrandir!" Aragorn gasped, "I didn't hear you come in you made me jump!"

Gandalf chuckled lightly, "I am terribly sorry about that" he said smiling.

Instantly Aragorn's mouth fired the questions Gandalf had been expected: "Where is Sam and Legolas? And the Hobbits and –" he hurriedly asked. Gandalf held up his hands to stop the stream of questions.

"Do not worry yourself everyone is safe and accounted for" he said gently. He watched Aragorn's browns frown.

"You do not fool me White Wizard" he said with no humour or smiling eyes.

Gandalf bit his lip and sighed. "Yes you are right I cannot fool you." He said in a tired voice, "Whilst you were approached the end of your quest the remaining company came under attack by Nightmares. Somehow they could sense your near victory and so instead of playing slickly with the minds and memories of the company they were delving much deeper causing serious harm to them and those around them. The Nightmares were turning men, elves and dwarves alike insane. Mad enough to kill one another and finally themselves. A quarter of our remaining forces were killed." He sounded defeated and clearly mourned the loss of life.

Aragorn was silent and still, his mind feeling the pity and pain of loosing his brothers at arms who had lived through the worst battle of the Age only to taste the metal of a blade by a friend.

"Fortunately neither Merry, Pippin, Gimli, Faramir nor Éomer came to any harm and neither did your brothers Elladan and Elrohir" the Wizard said softly feeling that would be the next question.

Aragorn merely nodded dumbly and finding his tongue he asked about Legolas and Sam.

"They are on the road to recovery, which fortunately started swiftly for you all." Gandalf began to explain: "The Eagles flew without command back to Mordor long after they had been dismissed and rescued yourself, Sam and Legolas and bought you here. When I arrived at your sides I thought I was too late. Neither of you responded to anything I did. But finally after my heart began to fear there was nothing I could do all three of you responded strongly. From then onwards I knew you had a chance."

Again Aragorn frowned: "What did we respond to?" he asked.

"Oddly it was to a bird that had managed to trap itself inside the Houses of Healing." Gandalf smirked. "The healers that were not preoccupied with helping me were trying to catch it. Instead it made rather loud frightened calls which seemed to aggravated you all"

Aragorn laughed. "In the bleak land of Mordor the air was always still and quiet, I suppose we missed the sound of life.

"No I think it might have been when the little bird pecked your nose instead of a hand of one the healers!" Gandalf laughed.

Aragon looked hurt for an instant then laughed too.

It was the sound of Aragorn's laughter that carried through in to the rest of the Houses of Healing and against the restraining arms of the healers and their cries Merry and Pippin leapt from their beds to join the King laughing in his chamber.

Soon his chamber was filled with laughing familiar faces.

Gandalf gazed around the laughing crowd: "Now the healing begins" he said to himself.

Across the courtyard from the White Tree now stood a arrow headed white stone pillar, forever pointing sky wards. Upon its four tall four were engraved the names of the fallen in the Final Battle carefully chiselled by the hands of the Dwarves.

It was beside this memorial that Aragorn addressed the city several days later. Though after days of bed rest and time to recover he still bore the obvious signs of fatigue and his injuries.

He ran a weather-beaten hand across a string of names engraved upon the stone surface with a sad look in his eyes. Finally after several moments he turned to face the crowd before him, who had been watching him with keen eyes.

"No one of you in one hundred years time will be able to recall any of these names engraved here upon the stone if it had not been for the hands of the Dwarves" he said. "That in its self would be a crime for without the lives of those brave souls you would not be living freedom you are holding"

The crowd were silent, nobody moved not even a infant cried as they listened rapt with attention to the King's heart felt words. The people respected him above words.

"I want in century's time and to the end of the world their names to be remembered for sacrificing the ultimate price for one united goal. Their names will live on where ours will be forgotten"

Behind his shoulder the still wearily, haggard faces of his closest friends allowed Aragorn's words to float inside their minds and hearts. The Hobbits stood beside each other strangely still and silent, their once innocence had been removed after starting death in the eyes more then once. They had grown wiser then any of them could ever imagine.

"From the ash and shadow of the past washed away by the rains of change a peaceful and prosperous life will bloom. Where our neighbours both big and small alike will live in harmony and most importantly in peace" Aragorn continued, "The Time of Sauron and the Ring is finally over, and our time has begun"

The crowd broke their controlled silence and applauded Aragorn's speech politely, cheering softly before dispersing. Aragorn turned his wearily face towards his friends and gently squeezed Legolas' and Sam shoulders as the company began to file away.

"I could not have done the quest without you" he said. "Thank you for standing beside me through my darkest hours -" There was much more he wanted to say they would tell but he could not find the words to say.

Sam returned the comforting pressure upon the King's arm: "It's alright Strider" he said gently still preferring to call him by the name he had introduced himself with. "There is no need to say any more. I understand how difficult it is, I have seen Mr. Frodo go through worse then you have. I understand how you must be feeling and believe me just to see you still smiling is enough to please me."

Aragorn was slightly taken back by Sam's speech but smiled and patted him fondly again thanking him.

He straightened himself and stood in front of Legolas, words dying upon his lips. Strangely Legolas just extended his hand, smiling. Aragorn shook it and pulled Legolas into his chest and embraced him.

"Diola lle mellonamin (1)" was all he could say as he chocked back tears. "Diola lle ikotane sai (2)"

Legolas spluttered in Aragorn's tight gasp: "Lle creoso (3)"

Suddenly realising he was actually chocking his friend in his over enthusiasm Aragorn unwrapped his arms and steeped away concern upon his face.

"Oh, Legolas I'm so sorry are you alright?" he asked as Legolas slipped down onto the flagstone floor holding his ribs.

Aragorn knelt beside him, Sam too knelling but the concern upon their faces soon feel away as they realised Legolas was shaking – shaking with laughter.

"I think he's alright," Sam said, "He just can not stop laughing. I wonder what he's found so funny"

"I could not even guess" Aragorn said shaking his head as Legolas shook even harder, his mouth open and his eyes streaming.

"Maybe when he has finally finished I could ask him. But knowing him I would not find it that amusing." Aragorn continued.

"I think it might be an Elf thing" Sam muttered.

Aragorn laughed and soon Sam found himself joining in as all three of them sat about laughing for no reason, apart from the giddiness of being free at long last.

Aragorn was right – this is their time.

1 Thank you my friend

2 Thank you so much

3 Your welcome

Epilogue

"We commend his body to the ground..." the priest's switched between Elvish and common for the benefit of mourners that stood around him in the autumn leaves, fluttering downwards from the dying branches in Rivendell.

Beyond him Aragorn supporting Arwen under her arm he watched with a heavy heart as the coffin was lowered into the ground. His hearted ached and his eyes itched but he knew no tears would fall. He had shed enough already.

The priest ending his speech and stepped aside, gesturing with his hand towards his vacant space. Taking a deep, steadying breath Aragorn slipped his arm away from Arwen who had been comforted by her brothers and turned to face the mourners gathered around the burial site.

"Though I grew up with the Elves here in Rivendell" Aragorn said, finding his voice strangely steady and strong, "It still took me several years to understand them, even now I am still surprised by some of them" Some of the crowd chuckled gently. "One incident I can recall clearly was when I was young lying in bed with a fever. I can remember asking Elrond why he and my foster family never became ill. Of course he told me in the simplest way he could, but I did not believe him, nor did I taken in the live span of Elves. I thought he was lying and that I could not trust him. In my fear that had consumed me I left my bed and slated the race of Elves." He continued feeling slightly uncomfortable now. "Somehow, still unknown to me now I was taken back into my sick bed and Elrond still lovingly cared for me, despite the hurt words I had said. He never took anything ill I said into heart, he was always there for me up until his death." He felt his courage returning. "He was an Elf of no grudges, always caring; and supportive, comforting, understanding and never made you feel too small against his wealth of knowledge collected over the duration of his live and from the many other life works recorded onto the masses of volumes crapped into his study" A faint smile flickered upon those faces closet to Elrond. "Though a wise voice to heed to Elrond was a warrior at heart: brave, calm, efficient and with the leadership skills to encourage anyone to follow him.

"A leader, a father, friend, healer and peacemaker whatever you choice to remember him by he will certainly and un-doubtfully he missed by all"

Lady Eówyn kissed and hugged her brother with Faramir standing close to her elbow choosing not to listen to their private conversations but looked around himself taking in the sad vacant look in the elves eyes was they past him by carrying lanterns in a steady stream out of the city.

"They are heading to the Harbour" said a voice nearby as if able to read his thoughts. Faramir turned to find Legolas watching him:

"Will you not go with them?" the Steward asked.

Legolas shook his head: "It is no longer my place though my heart longs to sail West still" he said sadly turning to watch the Elves disappear. He sighed loudly his shoulders sagging but suddenly his posture changed.

Slightly alarmed Faramir took half a step forward then saw as Legolas turned slightly Gimli beside his friend hidden by Legolas body at first. He smiled and turned away.

"Surely you are still permitted to have enjoyment, my friend?" Gimli asked softly.

Legolas' eye brows frowned ever so slightly.

Gimli cleared his throat: "I was just thinking, if you wish to of course would like to accompany me to the horizon and back" he said some what awkwardly.

Legolas smiled and knelt to the dwarf's eye line: "Of course I will follow you master dwarf as along as we stay away from mountains for a while"

Gimli laughed.

Behind the Legolas and Gimli Merry and Pippin had mounted their ponies and were calling to Sam: "Hurry up Sam otherwise we won't be back in the Shire in time fore breakfast!" Pippin called.

Sam dropped a single Lilly onto Elrond's freshly covered grave and padded over Merry and Pippin after bowing Aragorn and Arwen goodbye.

"Take care Sam" Aragorn said to him, "And thank you"

The Elves of Mirkwood parted into two parties, some joining the party towards the Harbour and the others were remaining at the King's side on the journey North setting off in the morning. Thranduil had bid his fellow Elves farewell as they left for the harbour and turned speaking gently to the remaining numbers thanking them for staying behind. Erbschaft was among the numbers staying of course only half listening to the King's words, thinking about his son back in the forest now without a mother though he knew Fyandra their family friend would do all she could to help him raise the child.

Only Gandalf remained standing alone, his brow knitted lost in thought.

Who would have thought it would have lasted this long? Eight more agonising years after he had first thought the Ring to have been destroyed the Ring lingered on. At least now it was finally over and with no way of coming back.

He thought sadly of Frodo and Elrond's life lost in the path of fate that was twisted with that of the Ring's. Bitterly he pondered how many other live could have been spared if only he had noticed the Ring's presence when Bilbo possessed it.

But sighing deeply he knew there was no way the past could be changed and he had to accept the truth no matter how painful and bitter it was.

In a gust of wind and a swish of his robes he was gone, his words he had said to Frodo seemed so long ago but they rolled off his tongue as easily as they had done before:

"All you have to decide what to do with the time that is given to you"

And now it was Aragorn that would lead the people of Middle Earth onwards.

Aragorn really was the people's Estel (Hope)

Review responses

Deana: Nice to hear from you again! I'm glad you've liked my story so much, but perhaps you are right maybe I was a little heavy handed to the characters – but I hope you approved of the ending!

Sielge: Why thank you! I'm thrilled that you find my work so enchanting I must admit I've never had someone say that about my stuff before! Thank you! Even I find new and wowing stuff everyday that's the great think about FF.net – you'll never what you will find! I hope you enjoyed reading my work and will keep an eye out from more!

Lamiel: Yep that's right – I love In the Deep Places though I think I have read some it before…but I still love it! Hope to hear from you again one day soon.