Disclaimer: See chapter one.

A/N- Well, here's really the last chapter, unless you actually count the epilogue. I hope you enjoy it!!!! And one more thing you need to know, I think that 'Suilad' means Hello, or is at least some elvish form of a greeting. Thanks!

Reviewer responses at the bottom. ;)

Chapter Four- Spiraling Towards Darkness

Aragorn sighed. Mommy had taken a nap an hour ago and she hadn't woken up yet. He hated to wake her... she was so tired these days. Three days ago Mommy had spoken to Ada. She was dying faster than Ada originally thought. The idea made Estel sick to his stomach.

"Estel?" The door opened slightly and Elrohir's fair face came through. His eyes lighted sadly on the sleeping form of Gilraen.

"Elrohir, can you help me get a gift for Mommy before she wakes up?" Estel's pleading voice broke through Elrohir's awareness. Wide silver eyes locked with brown, begging him to say yes.

"Of course!" Elrohir assured quickly, glad to get the child out of the room for a moment. "Go change and come right back here. I'll take you as soon as you get back." Predictably, Aragorn jumped off the bed, rummaged through the drawer, pulled out a green tunic and matching pants, and ran out into the hall in the direction of the bathroom. Elrohir looked around and then promptly walked silently up to the sleeping form on the bed. He took his fingers and checked for a pulse, then settled on a chair, contentedly watching the rise and fall of the fair lady's chest. Everyone had been worried about Gilraen since Elrond had declared her time shorter.

"Back!" Estel said loudly, then covered his mouth when he realized that he could wake his mother. He giggled slightly when Elrohir put one quieting finger up to his lips and playfully swatted the youngster's head. "Let us go," he whispered. Aragorn nodded enthusiastically.

Soundlessly closing the mahogany door, Elrohir took Estel's eager little hand and walked him out... and right into Elladan.

"El!" Elladan cried out in surprise when his fully-grown twin barreled around the corner.

"I'm taking Estel to get a present for Lady Gilraen." Elrohir looked down at the profusely laughing Aragorn. "Watch over her while we are gone," he barely whispered. An almost imperceptible nod answered his concern before Elladan looked at their younger brother.

"Then be off with you!" Elladan swept out his hand in a dismissing motion and caught his twin's eye secretly before they left. Yes, he would stay with Lady Gilraen. He had a feeling that this was the last time that he would have to and he hated it.

Elrohir walked Estel to the stables. "What do you have in mind for Mommy, Estel?"

"I wanna go to the big part of the river!" he said, hopping on the balls of his feet. Elrohir knew that "the big part of the river" was where the Bruinen grew wider and a slight waterfall started.

"What's at the big part of the river, Estel?" Elrohir asked. Sure he could have fun there but Elrohir thought they were going to get a gift for Gilraen. Obviously the child already had a gift planned but what was at the Bruinen?

"I'll show you when we get there!" Estel answer cryptically, putting his arms up and waiting for Elrohir to mount the horse with him.

ooooooooooooooooo

Elladan walked into the room almost imperceptibly. The door creaked slightly but otherwise the room was quiet. A soft breeze blew in from the valley outside through the window positioned right above Gilraen's bed, blowing the velvet violet curtains. Elladan's eyes strayed to the still form in the bed. Blinking, Elladan took another look.

"Gilraen! Suilad," Elladan said a greeting to the young lady. She blinked her eyes and looked around the room.

"Suilad Elladan," she greeted back. "Where is Estel?" Finally the young woman had gotten her son's new name right, though she hated it. She hated everything. It was harder to breathe and the only reason she was even hanging on is because of Aragorn. But as soon as Mandos called she was going to answer. She was not upset about seeing her husband again, just about leaving her young son.

"Estel is with El. How are you feeling?" Elladan looked with concern at the pasty face of the widow. She looked almost as bad as a Faded Elf. Her time was slowly drying up and soon she would leave, there was no doubt about that.

Gilraen sighed. "There is no use in lying if Aragorn is not here," she said, slipping into Estel's real name, but continued. "I am not feeling... well at all. I do not even know... why I am still here. I can feel my body slowly but...but surely shutting down. It is getting harder to breathe. I-I don't even want to be here any more," she finished guiltily, looking at the comforter that covered her. Her sentences were broken each time she had to take a breath and it looked like that was even hard for her.

Tears sprung unbidden to Elladan's eyes but he would not let them fall. "No, Gilraen," he whispered, broken. "You must stay. Fight for your life. For Arathorn's memory. For my little brother, for Estel, for Aragorn, your son."

"Aragorn is the only reason... I am still here, Elladan!" Gilraen wheezed. She seemed to pale even more if possible and Elladan was taken back by how frail the usually warrior-like woman that he had once known had become. "I give Hope to Men," she whispered, "I keep none for myself." She looked over to the bedside table where there was a medium-sized hardcover book from Elrond's library that was about the tale of Beren and fair Luthien. She had been reading it to Aragorn. "Elladan... would you please put this on the windowsill?" she asked feebly. "From there the maid... takes them in... in the morning."

Elladan nodded his head shakily. "Of course, Gilraen." Elladan picked up the book, feeling its smooth cover, the color a rich blue with beautiful golden letters. Idly placing the book standing vertically on the sill, Elladan began a conversation of the tales of the couple. They apparently fascinated Gilraen and were respected from her as with any immortal.

Gilraen did more listening than actually speaking but she stayed awake and in the world of the living and that was all that concerned Elladan. He was content with talking all day if he had to. Just when Elladan felt he had succeeded and thought (and not minded) that he would be talking all day, the worst and most unexpected thing happened.

ooooooooooooooooo

"Estel!" Elrohir called, chuckling, chasing after the two-year-old. "Estel, wait for me!" The child had raced Elrohir and, of course, Elrohir had let him win. Now he just kept running back to the water's edge... right by the waterfall. Suddenly, Elrohir's cries of mirth turned to cries of warning and alarm, laced with sheer fright. "Estel, stop running! Estel!!" Elrohir's cries went unheeded and died completely when Estel vanished headfirst into the running water. "ESTEL!"

Elrohir wasted no time. He was at the Bruinen's edge within seconds and he looked frantically in the water for his brother. There was nothing.... There! A small mop of curly brown locks attached to a frenzied little body trying to get air was moving up stream and closer to the waterfall. This bode ill.

Elrohir didn't even take off his heavy over-tunic, he just let his bow and quiver slip off of his arm and jumped in, fully clothed and still with sword. Opening his eyes, he swam with the current towards where Estel floated struggling. Already the child was turning blue and he looked far too scared for anyone his age. But one thing was still with luck: Estel somehow knew to hold his breath as long as he could.

Estel didn't know what was happening. Elrohir was calling to him and then when he went to catch a fish for Mommy, he went into the river! He didn't know how to swim, but the water was carrying him to the waterfall where he knew he would be in trouble. He tried to open his eyes but the water stung them. Badly. He couldn't reach the surface. Was this how he was going to die?

Elrohir grabbed hold of Estel's tunic and pulled him close. He pushed the youngster's face up and let him inhale breath greedily as Elrohir swam them both to shore, where Estel stayed, clinging to his savior.

After a few moments, when both brothers had regained their breath, Elrohir looked at a soggy Estel. "What exactly did you want to get here?" he asked, wanting to return home as soon as possible.

Estel got up wordlessly, walked back to the edge (Elrohir almost had a heart attack and tackled him) and picked up something shiny.

"What is that, Estel?" Elrohir asked with genuine interest.

Estel held the object up, revealing a dazzling pink crystal that reflected the sun's beautiful rays in rainbow shadows on the earth. "Pretty rock. I saw the rock and thought Mommy would like it."

"Ah," was all Elrohir could think of. Truth be told, he had never actually taken notice of the minerals since he was but an Elfling. A very long time ago, and yet not so far.

"I wanna make Mommy a necklace for her to wear. She lost her other one." So the child was indeed observant. Not even Gilraen had noticed the absence of the jewelry, if it was actually lost and not left in Minas Tirith.

"Of course! We can poke a hole in the very top and she can wear it around her neck!" Elrohir said with fake, but not unbelievable, joy. He didn't think Gilraen would be around that long.

"Yay!" Estel clapped his hands together. His mommy was going to be so happy!!

"Come. Let us return to Imladris," Elrohir said. He held out his hand for Estel to take it and walked his younger brother back to his horse. He mounted and spurred the mare, trotting back home with a surprise for the lady.

ooooooooooooooooo

Elladan didn't have time to call out, it happened in a split second. He had only just seen it right before it happened.

A huge gust of wind flew into the room through the window, fluttering the shades and tearing them slightly. The wind knocked over the deep blue book... Elladan followed its intended path with his eyes. Dread filled his heart.

The book landed heavily right onto the already troubled Lady Gilraen's abdomen. She exhaled sharply in surprise and her eyes locked with Elladan. Nothing could be said. They both knew what was happening and could do nothing about it. She could not inhale again. In moments, her soul fled her body to the Halls of Mandos in search of her beloved.

Elladan couldn't believe it. He suddenly felt so alone. The breeze abated and seemed to take his good friend along with it. Her eyes, once so filled with life, now stared unseeingly at the young Lord. Elladan turned his head away, not bearing to look into that trusting, yet resigned gaze. He reached over and, with gentle fingers, closed her eyelids. Now she merely looked sleeping. The sleep of her life.

ooooooooooooooooo

As soon as Elrohir arrived at the gates he could tell something was wrong. It just didn't feel... right. Taking Estel to the armory, they spoke with some craftsmen who said that they could use the tools at first light. "Thank you!" Estel joyously screamed, hugging each Elf, unaware of the feeling. Elrohir left, nodding his thanks to each of the Elves.

"What are you going to do with that crystal now, Estel?" Elrohir asked.

"Crystal?" Estel's face knit with genuine fascination. "It's called a crystal?"

"Yes, Estel, it is called a crystal," Elrohir answered. "What are you going to do with it?"

"I'm gonna keep it in my pockets!" he answered proudly. Elrohir laughed.

"Well, don't let the cleaning staff wash it then!" Estel laughed and ran ahead to his mother's room, but Elrohir stopped him before opening the door. He listened quietly. There, in the room, could be heard half-contained sobs... over powering the other being's breathing? Or was the other being not breathing... at all? Elrohir closed his eyes. That gut feeling he had first gotten was now nagging him. Slowly, he opened the door and saw the dreaded scene. He knew that Gilraen was not sleeping.

Elladan looked up as he heard the door open. He tried desperately to control himself, and did a pretty good job, but the damage was done. He just felt that he should be stronger for his younger brothers.

"Elladan? Why are you crying?" Estel's quiet voice rang through the room. Something was wrong. His wide eyes traveled the room and stopped on his mother. "Mommy?" he asked. He walked over to her bed as Elrohir walked next to Elladan. "Mommy! Get up!" Estel cried, urgently shaking his mother.

"Estel..." Elladan's voice began. "Estel, she will not wake," his voice choked. Elrohir went over by Estel and put one hand on his shoulder, which was abruptly shrugged off.

"Yes she will!" he screamed angrily. "Mommy! Mommy!"

"Estel..." Elrohir tried to get through to the distraught human. He quickly embraced his youngest brother, who sobbed loudly into his shoulder.

"I'll go get Ada," Elladan said. He left and returned with the span of a minute. Elrond quickly walked over to the still form of Gilraen and, out of instinct, checked her pulse. Sighing, he took his youngest into his arms.

"Shh... Hush, Estel," he whispered soothingly through his own pain. "Shh... It will all get better..."

"Mommy's gone!" he sobbed.

"Aye, Estel. Mommy is gone, but does her love leave you? Nay, it does not," he comforted. "No matter what happens, her love will always be with you and her memory in a special place in your heart. Just like our love will be with you." Elrond kissed the top of his son's head as the child cried more and more, but seemed slightly consoled with this information. He had never really given this any thought.

Elrond motioned his twin sons to his side and offered them what comfort he could give. It was going to be a sad night in the Homely House.

ooooooooooooooooo

A/N- So what did you think? Eh, I'm not so sure about this chapter. I don't know really how good it is; I can judge it. So please tell me!

Reviewer Thanks

Catmint- YAY! I made you cry!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh.... Is that a good thing?? I'm glad that you like the relationship between Estel and his adopted family. That's the only way to write! LOL And I forgive you for killing Lavender. Wanting to ration my sugar intake is gonna take some time. 

Nefhiriel- Like I said, Gilraen can't live! LOL If she lives, then that means less of a relationship between Estel and his adopted family. And we all love Estel's relationship with Elrond.... :D Heh, I'm starting on Elrohir's puppies—My first poor attempt at humor. We'll see if it deems worthy enough to be posted!!

wyldcat- I'm still thinking about extending this story, but I don't know if I really want to do it. Heh. Think about it, wouldn't you want to hear about the twins' antics?? It always makes for a good story time!! Hope you liked this chapter!

A/N- Please, everyone, I would just like to clear something up. I mentioned that I was taking my COOPs this Friday. I didn't realize how uncommon they were because everyone at my school is talking about them and studying (except for me and my friend LOL but I will!) COOPs are the Catholic High School Admission tests. If you don't take them, and score well, you don't get in. It's kinda stupid because they are schools but it's also the way it goes. So, I should really start studying tonight. ;) Sorry for confusing you!!!

And thank you everyone for reading and/or reviewing! I really hope that you enjoyed this chapter... tell me how it is! :D