Title: The End Has Come

Author: B-witched83uk )

Rating: R

Summary: The royal family of Gondor have their final adventure together.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Lord of the Rings. The whole of Middle-earth belongs to Tolkien

Dedication: Kayleigh, Jenny and Cassie. Who have been great friends and who have gone beyond the call of friendship for me during my time as an A/A author.

Beta: The Last Evenstar, a great friend and a great editor.

Archive: , Any others please ask.

Feedback: I would absolutely love some because yes I am a praise junky.

A/N: The end has finally come. This is the end of my very last fic in the Telcontar Family Chronicles. I want to thank you all for sticking with me over the past year. You wouldn't believe how much all of your reviews and support has meant to me. Through A/A fanfiction I have made some truly great friends, that I hope I will have for life. If you want to know what I'm up to next then go to my live journal (add the www. Bit because wont show it otherwise)

A/N: As this is the last one, will you all indulge me? Go and find your copies of Into the West by Annie Lenox and put it on.

So unless you are planning on following me in to slash then this is goodbye. Take care and thank you for everything.

Chapter 22

The End Has Come

The sun was setting in the west, casting an orange glow on the Grey Havens. The royal family of Gondor stood together on the dock, watching as the grey ship made its way closer and closer.

Galadwen turned and smiled softly at Eldarion, who stood beside her as the High King, proud in his winged crown. He nodded at her, knowing that there were no words that could be spoken between them, for the look they now shared was worth a thousand.

Estelai clutched Gwydion's hand tightly, vowing to be strong for him. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. She knew that her life would forever be filled with heartache and sorrow, but she knew Gwydion's reasons for leaving, as she knew her own reasons for not going with him. One day she would take her father's place. She would become Queen.

The ship docked, and three Elves, hooded in silver cloaks, stepped off. Galadwen squinted a little, trying to see the faces of the Elves. While two hung back, one walked slowly forward, coming to stand right before Eldarion and Galadwen.

The silver-clad figure slowly removed the hood, revealing long golden hair and a show of stars in her grey eyes. Her smile lit up the entire dock, brighter then the setting sun.

"Mae govannen, henea nín."

Well met, my children

Galadwen gasped as it began to dawn on her who it was she was looking at. Her heart instantly felt lightened and full of peace.

"I gaear can min bar," she spoke in a voice of pure morning sunlight.

The sea calls us home

Galadwen stepped closer and dared to reach out her hand slowly. "Galadriel," she whispered, as she looked intently at her great-grandmother.

Galadriel smiled softly, holding Galadwen's hand and bringing it to her heart. "lle innas na mae ad, hen nín."

You will be well again, my child

She let go of Galadwen's hand and moved to stand before Eldarion, her great-grandson. "Ennas gorn nedh lle ion, uin elenath. Sui lle ada lle."

There is valour inside of you, son of stars. Like your father you are

Eldarion bit back a sob as he looked in to eyes that were so like his mother's, so filled with love.

Galadriel smiled knowingly at Estelai, feeling the Princess' breaking heart. "Caral nir an i meleth adel lle. Nir an i nir ned glass an i meleth tol."

Do not weep for the love behind you. Weep only tears of joy for the love yet to come

Estelai frowned at Galadriel, knowing for certain that she would never love again. She clutched Gwydion's hand tighter as Galadriel faced him, a kind look upon her ageless face. "I anann teli an lle an gwaedh ah i balan. Caral daf lle ind na dem, an valinor innas leithia lle dem a leithia lle ind."

The time has come for you to bond with the Vala. Do not let your heart be saddened, for Valinor will ease your grief and sooth your heart

Galadriel smiled at her family, the family she had never met, and walked slowly back to the ship.

Galadwen held onto both of her nieces in one embrace. Estelai closed her eyes, unable to believe that never again would she see Galadwen, her favourite aunt.

The twins embraced Eldarion briefly, clasping his shoulders and nodding to him softly. "Your father would be proud," Elladan smiled softly.

It was all that was needed for Eldarion to break. He felt the tears that had been building inside of him finally fall. Looking to Galadwen, he just shook his head. He opened his mouth several times before realising there was nothing he could say that would make either of them feel better about their separation. Slowly, Galadwen strode closer to her brother and wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing his head to rest on her shoulder. His tears soaked her dress, but she cared not. All she knew was the dull ache were her heart was.

Gwydion held Estelai's face in his hands, his thumb gently caressing her jaw. He whispered words of endless love, of an unforgettable night shared. His mouth found hers, willing and pliant beneath his. The slight gasp of shock from Eldarion did nothing to stop their affections. It was Estelai who deepened the kiss, trying to remember every single taste and texture, knowing it would be all she had to remind herself of him years from now, when only his memory remained.

"Al i er nad an rin lle," Estelai heard echo through her head.

Not the only thing to remind you

The shinning light of love that was shared in their look as they pulled their mouths apart, with obvious effort, made Galadriel's heart ache for them.

"Ha lu. I gaear can min bar."

It is time. The sea calls us home

With one final look towards the people they loved, Elladan, Elrohir, Galadwen, Legolas and Gwydion made their way to the grey ship. They boarded the ship with their heads hung in sorrow.

Gwydion looked once more to Estelai, and her face lit up in a smile, a smile of love and grief.

Long had he desired her from afar, long had he desired that which he could never have. But now Estelai was his. He would never see her again nor hold her in his arms, but he would always know that for the rest of her days, she would be his and his alone.

He slowly mouthed the words 'I love you, cugu tithin,' and watched as her smile widened and tears spilled from her soft blue eyes.

Legolas led Galadwen over to a seat to sit down and rest, for she was not in Valinor yet, and her body still ached with each and every breath.

Galadriel came to stand beside Gwydion, placing a hand upon his shoulder.

He looked up at her, certain that he was doing the right thing, sacrificing his own happiness for a greater good. "She will be so alone. Alone in this world without love."

"She will not be as alone as you think, Gwydion, grandson of Arwen Undómiel." She smiled warmly and walked over to her grandsons, cupping both twins faces in her hands.

"Anann garo hen nín aniron an tirio lye thirea min ad. Lle hur an teli bar?"

Long have my eyes desired to look upon your faces once more. Are you ready to come home?

Both twins simultaneously held their hands against hers and nodded slowly, happy to be looking at their grandmother once more.

The ship began to move, heading west under a swift sunset. Gwydion kept his eyes fixed upon Estelai for as long as he possibly could before she became no more then a speck on the horizon. He felt Galadwen and Legolas move either side of him.

"Can you hear them calling to us?" Galadwen sighed as she closed her eyes and smelled the soft salty air.

Gwydion nodded slowly, gazing out at the water in front of them. "They are calling us home." He held on to his mother's hand and turned to smile at his father. "Let us go home."

Lay Down
Your sweet and weary head
Night is falling
You have come to journey's end

Sleep now
Dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across a distant shore

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away.

Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping

What can you see?
On the horizon.
Why do the white gulls call?

Across the sea
A pale moon rises.
The ships have come
To carry you home.

And all will turn to silver glass.
A light on the water
All souls pass.

Hope fades
Into the world of night.
Through shadows falling,
Out of memory and time.

Don't say
We have come now to the end.
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again.

And you'll be here in my arms
Just sleeping.

What can you see?
On the horizon.
Why do the white gulls call?

Across the sea
A pale moon rises.
The ships have come
To carry you home.

And all will turn to silver glass.
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the west.

Epilogue

The grey ship came to a stop, the white water gently hitting its sides.

Valinor.

Twilight veiled the land, filled with trees and starlight. Magic was in the air, so much so that they could practically taste it. Along the beach, more then fifty Elves were lined up, eager to great the new arrivals. Above all the tall trees, which seemed to have been there since time began, stood two enormous trees. Gwydion could tell that they were great once, but now they seemed withered and pitiful.

All of Gwydion's nerves had now gone, evaporated along with the sun. As his feet touched the soft sand, his heart felt instantly lightened, a music inside that he had not felt in so long.

Elladan and Elrohir walked over to a proud-looking Elf lord, with dark hair and eyes like Arwen's. They embraced gently, a look of love shared between them. Elrond stepped aside, revealing a beautiful Elf with golden hair and soft grey eyes. She smiled at her sons kindly before opening her arms and holding them both close. Tears of love fell from her eyes onto their soft heads. The twins were truly home.

Fourteen stood, taller, slightly higher then the others. Their were seven lords and seven ladies, waiting with grace and virtue. They were not Elves, they were something greater. Gwydion recognised two of them from his dreams. He let go of his mother's hand and walked slowly towards them, the Silmaril held tightly in his palm. Fourteen gentle faces smiled at him softly, eyes filled with trust and love.

Gwydion stood in front of Manwë, King of Valinor, and held out his hand, the beautiful light shinning like an amber flame in the dead of night.

Manwë smiled, and nodded at Gwydion.

Gwydion took a deep breath and turned to face the direction of the Two Trees, once great and beautiful. He thought one last time of Estelai before he crushed his palms together with an alarming force. He felt the jewel shatter against his skin before slicing into his hands. He could feel the heat of his blood trickle from the many shallow cuts and merge with the now shattered precious jewel.

All the Elves took several steps back, trying to steady themselves, as a bright, soundless explosion flooded from Gwydion's hands. The light crept into every inch of Valinor, coating it with a silver and golden sheen. The light ran up the bark of the two trees, swirling round their branches like a whirlwind of precious light. The trees began to come back to life, their leaves awakening, refreshed.

Telperion now shone with a silver moonlight that coated the land in beauty. Laurelin shone with golden sunlight only briefly, for night was upon them and it was not yet her turn.

Manwë raised his hands, looking Gwydion in the eye. "Si tol i aglar arad ned i Tad Galadh, calad si sila tri i fuin."

Now comes the glory days of the Two Trees, light now shines through the darkness

It had been two years since Gwydion had left for Valinor, and Estelai found her heart no lighter. She missed him with each breath she took, a pain inside that could not be quenched by anything or anyone. Well, almost anyone.

"Nana, Nana." The small boy, with brown hair and icy blue eyes, smiled at his mother, holding up his hands for her to lift him up. Estelai held her son close to her body, kissing the top of his head.

Estelai never married, nor found love again. She was never questioned about where her son had come from, for her people loved her too dearly. All that she went through, all that her family went through, was lost to the world.

As the son of Gwydion and Estelai took the crown and became King Aragorn III, not a soul in Middle Earth remembered the true account of how this tale began nor ended.

Long ago, in a quite wood in Rivendell, a mortal man fell in love with an immortal maiden, not knowing what the future held for them or what they had begun

And so this tale ends, the characters now no more then forgotten myths. The love they shared no more then distant whispers of a passion that once was fierce. Ever after the stars would shine dimmer.

As long as there is love, then there is always hope. And never was their a story more filled with love then that of Aragorn and his beloved Evenstar.

The End