Disclaimer: If you think I own any of this, you're even more out of touch with reality than I am.

Author's Note: So this story has come to an end and I apologize for such a long delay for the final chapter. This past year has been…extremely difficult. It was just one family crisis/problem after another and the past year has closed on an extremely bad note for me but so far it seems as though the new year might hold some promise. I've been pulling through surprisingly well. I thank you all for sharing your own experiences, stories, giving me words of encouragement, all of this has helped me more than I can really say (but hey, I attempted…). I am so happy that there were so many of you who could relate to these emotions and this story and I hope that all of you find your own Estel, may he be a friend, family member, or someone inside yourself. I wish you all the best of luck and thank you so much, once more, for reading, relating and sharing.

:: For Eden ::

:: Epilogue ::

"So then, have you got everything you need?" Estel asked, looking about the room. Legolas pulled his scant belongings into the saddle packs and searched around for his white tunic that he had planned on wearing for the trip back home. It was, in his memory at least, the only shirt he had left that was somewhat clean.

"I didn't bring much," Legolas admitted. "But now I'm wondering if maybe I should have brought another shirt. I've seem to have lost the one I've planned on wearing." Estel got onto his hands and knees and made his way around the room, searching beneath the dresser and bed.

"I think I've found it," Estel announced. He produced the shirt, now dusty, from underneath the rosewood bed, hidden behind the crisp linen sheets.

"Now have you got everything?" Estel asked, again. Legolas looked around the room once more, letting his eyes linger for a second on the top of the dresser, and then looked away.

"I think so." It felt as if with every step towards the door, Legolas' feet grew heavier. Legolas swore he could feel his heart starting to protest and begin to pound harder. Who knew walking away could be so hard? He hesitated. He could easily brush his hand over the surface of the varnished dresser and pull the object into his bag without the other boy even seeing. Before Legolas could consider doing so, Estel was at his side, gripping his elbow, leading him towards the sheer curtains that hung over the doorway.

"Ada is helping your father pack," he said. "I believe they're outside with the horses now. I'm sure he'll help you too." Legolas felt all of the heavy weight in his legs evaporate.

"Yes," he said. "I will get help." And the blonde elf was gone, as fast as a whisper, the only proof that he was in the room being the gentle swinging of the curtains in the doorway. Once Estel was sure Legolas would not return, he made his way to the dresser, hoping he would see what he suspected was there.

The knife was laid on the embroidered cloth looking suspiciously innocuous. The sheath was made of leather, stitched with a heavy thread of gold and green in patterns of leaves and vines. He hesitated to reach out for it. Was this the knife that Legolas had used? It looked like a birthday gift, perhaps, or a simple hunting knife. It was a weapon for a child. Something about the fact that this knife had been a gift given to Legolas when he was only a young child chilled Estel to the bone. He examined the knife again without touching it. No, he was wrong. It had a more sinister feel; it was not a simple hunting weapon.

He finally dared to touch it. It seemed relatively ordinary, the leather warm, and the metal hilt cool. Holding his breath, Estel unsheathed the blade. It glinted slightly in the afternoon light. Estel drew his fingers from the hilt of the blade all the way up to the tip and saw the dark, tiny stains of blood on the edges of the blade. That did it; Estel could look at this blade for no longer. He put it back in the sheath and wondered what to do with it. Finally, he tucked it into one of his pockets with plans to hand it over to Elrond later. He would know what to do with it.

Estel made his way out and through the outdoor corridors into the open courtyard where he found Elrond, Thranduil, and Legolas.

"I believe they're ready to go now," Elrond said, smiling slightly at Estel's arrival. His smile only widened when Estel approached the young prince of Mirkwood. As he had hoped, the lonely elf had finally made a friend.

"Will you ever come back to visit?" Estel asked, as Legolas pulled on his riding gloves.

"I'm not sure," he said, hesitantly. "I'd like to but it's always hard to be sure."

"You have forever to come," Estel said.

"But you don't. You might not be here," Legolas said, and looked slightly stricken at the thought.

"Then more the reason to come visit earlier," Estel answered, softly but firmly. Legolas' lips curved into a smile.

"Yes," he said. "I will try my best to come." He did not flinch when the human boy pulled him into a hug. Legolas felt more at peace and relaxed than he ever remembered being. He drew back.

"Thank you," he said, once more. "You have done more for me than you can ever know." Estel smiled; words were not needed. Legolas mounted his horse and followed his father who was giving his last goodbyes to Elrond.

"Farewell, Legolas, and take care," the elf lord said. Legolas nodded and followed his father into the galloping pace that he had set. He chanced a look behind him to see the glory of Rivendell fading, like a fey sight from a dream that one holds onto as they return to reality. But there, in the middle of the wistful, milky scene was the very human Estel. Legolas smiled. Yes, he will be okay.

"How is Legolas?" Elrohir questioned, as they watched the young prince ride away with Thranduil.

"I think he will…manage," Estel said, hesitantly.

"It is not like a physical ailment that can be cured completely," Elrond said, coming up to stand next to Estel. "He will have to battle this for the rest of his life." It sounded rather bleak to Estel and reminded him of what the heavy object was, in his pocket.

"You did a noble thing, Estel, helping him like that," Elrohir said, gripping the younger boy's shoulder. He walked away, leaving only Estel and Elrond in the courtyard. They were silent for a while, watching the leaves fall, coloring the sky in one last defiant act, before resting on the ground to stay. Estel found beauty in the falling leaves but more so in the tranquil ones that blew here and there on the ground. Perhaps there was beauty in destruction.

"Do you think he will be okay?" Estel asked, looking up at Elrond.

"It is hard to say. I believe it would be best to put it the way you did: he will manage," Elrond admitted. "But you did your part. You helped him. It's the best any of us can hope for." Estel nodded but lingered in the courtyard, even when Elrond turned to leave. Seeing this, Elrond hesitated, himself, and said, "It would be best if you didn't think of him for awhile, Estel. You've done what you can and now you have to move on in your own life. Don't let his problems consume you." That brought to mind the deceivingly innocent knife. Estel pulled it out and handed it to Elrond who accepted it with the appropriate wariness.

"Thank you for giving me this," Elrond said. "And Elrohir was right. It was truly a noble thing you did, but remember what I said. If it is meant to be, you will see him again; there is no reason to fret until then." And he left. Estel thought back to what Elrond said. Was it the right thing to do, to forget Legolas, to not think of him? Estel wondered what he meant by those words but he heeded them.

He did not think of the blonde elf even as he grew older and his archery improved tenfold. He did not think of him when he chose exile and roamed the lands as a ranger. Even when he came across four tiny creatures that desperately needed guidance whom he escorted to Rivendell, his old home, did he not think of the elf. Even when Elrond told him that he was going to organize a council for the destruction of this One Ring, he did not think once of the fey, thin blonde.

It was only when Estel saw the back of a blonde elf, standing in an empty courtyard, elbows on the wrought iron railing, did he dare to bring up from his memories the mental vision of young Legolas. He was taller now, and broader. He no longer held traces of the sickly thinness or pale pallor. Estel felt his heart beat quicken. Even as he had blocked the memory of this elf in his waking conscious, he was defenseless in his dream state. The blonde elf had haunted him for all this time and finally seeing him seemed surreal. Estel made himself approach him. He closed his eyes, drew a breath, and opened them.

"Legolas?" The blonde head and the body attached whipped around, as though surprised, and indeed it was Legolas. His blue eyes widened in surprise and then time stood still. Legolas relaxed and Estel felt his own body relax and, like puzzle pieces fitting into one another, he felt himself feel more complete than he had since the last time he had seen Legolas. Legolas could hardly believe it was Estel standing there and his face could barely contain its smile. And then the spell fractured and split as Legolas let out the air he was holding in his chest. Warmth seemed to flood in past the icy capsule that they had been encased in. Time was meant to flow, not to stop.

"Estel."

A/N: Yes, this is the end. I apologize for the shortness and I'm afraid there will be no sequel and for once, requests cannot sway that. I thank you all once more.

Individual thanks and comments to reviewers from chapter five and six:

Steelsings: I'm afraid I never got around to seeing Troy…but I did see the extended edition of the Return of the King and it was excellent.

Grass under snow: Thank you so much for your encouraging words. If you are relating to this, I hope you are able to heal, as well. I'll have to try my best as well.

Ruby Foxburr of Loamsdown: I'm afraid I idealize him too, but then again, who doesn't?

ZeldaDragon: Thank you for your amazing compliments and I do love your quotation at the bottom of your review.

Inevitable Me: your review was not the least bit offending. It's amazing to know that there are people out there who are able to smile no matter what and it inspires me to be a bit more like that.

Drowned with my enemy: people can be quite naïve…

Kowarate no Tsubasa: I usually listen to everyone's problems and kind of immerse myself in them so I don't have to think of the ones that I might have to work on. Unfortunately, a good friend (I suppose I could call him my Estel) explained to me that that was quite unhealthy as well. As for Legolas' eating habits…I suppose I had some eating disorders although they never got too bad. I've tried throwing up and I have skipped meals and I just incorporated that in. Everything's a gray area and it drives me nuts how everything in magazines and articles make it black and white, how you are completely anorexic/bulimic or nothing at all. Everything's a gray area. I suppose I might not be making a whole lot of sense…thank you for being such a consistent reviewer, always with amazing feedback.

Mieriellar: getting a push makes things easier but sometimes people wait all their lives for that push and never get it. I suppose I was lucky, as well as Legolas, and I am so glad to hear that you were, as well. And your second comment completely nailed my dilemma. I did not want this to be such a disheartening story in which Legolas falls back into a depressed state but then again, life isn't always so clean and easy like that. Well, I hope the ending is to your satisfaction.

Lulubell: Lots of thanks for your consistent, amusing reviews!

Catmint: thanks for your consistent reviews of good feedback!

Taraisilwen: Ah yes, Estel, the ideal boy/man.

Sindarin Lady: cases like the one you put forth are sometimes the most heartbreaking. Everyone should know that abuse is not the victim's fault. Thank you for your consistent reviews.

Darkmoon-on-dragonwings: hello darling, I'll e-mail you.

Stardust-creations: I agree that it never really goes away. Sometimes, out of nowhere, the urge to do it comes and it is difficult. I applaud you for being a cutter in remission; that really takes a lot on strength. Good luck!

Kerla: your review is so cute. Thanks; I will take a virtual hug whenever I need one, heh.

Tari5: Thank you, for your encouraging words. I have a friend that committed suicide last spring and I thought about your comment a lot, whether he gave up or if he was strong enough to go ahead and just leave everything because it was so bad. I still haven't come upon an answer to that but I do believe I would not be able to do it. I'm not the same person I was a year ago and I'm quite thankful for that. Thanks again!

Earendil Eldar: an interesting, short story you shared. It is so strange to find people who have mirror experiences to my own. Thank you for sharing and I am happy to hear that it was merely a passing emotion.

Notice-me: it is amazing that you could be so open about your feelings. My sister has always been like that and she was extremely affectionate and while I wish I can be like her, it is quite pathetic that I'm unable to cultivate a healthy personality like hers. Perhaps I will keep trying. Thanks for sharing your own point of view.

Captain Morrigan Savvy: No, I appreciate you sharing your experiences. It is amazing how much worse you can feel when you feel you have no reason to feel low. Thank you for sharing and I am extremely grateful that someone had intervened and you are alive and kicking today, heh.

Tari: yum…gummy worms…

Ragweed: it does seem like unlikely people might be struggling with things like this. Hm…kudos for helping your friend, the world needs more people like you.

Araphin: Thank you for your inspirational review. Unfortunately, I had been baptized but then lost all belief in a God for a long time. I'm afraid it all felt silly and strange, like a children's bedtime story to comfort them that people are not blasted into nonexistence when they die. It was strange that I didn't have my foundation of religion anymore. I still don't believe in the traditional, Christian/Catholic idea of a God but I do believe in a higher being. And yes, I do believe in an afterlife. I feel as though there's too much proof to disband that (meditating, monks that are able to shift through different planes, etc.). Thank you, though, once more, for your review.

Daethule: I am glad you are exited that you can relate. I was addicted to angst stories for awhile and did, indeed, feel like crap that Legolas would be tortured, captured, etc. thus giving him a reason to feel depressed. But that is not always the case. And I can understand how the way you are can be like a shield, to excuse the way you are. I feel like cutting gave me ground, like a, "Look, see? It's not just petty problems that I'm blowing out of proportion anymore." Although if you think about it, it's a paradox since it's the cuts come from the problem but then the cuts become the problem. Ack, my head hurts and I am not making any sense. I hope you get the help you need but I'm afraid my experience with counselors has been…not so good. My friend took me to see one without my parents knowing (they still, to this day, do not know that I had counseling) but she did not help me at all. By the third time I visited her, I had to fake a miraculous recovery and she believed every word. But I do know some friends for whom counseling has done wonders and I hope you do feel better.

Thanks to:

Just me, Saxophonebaby, Freddie loves Frodo, Alakberaid, FrodoBaggins87, LadySiri, Riva van Dyk, Anthem82,Coolio02, Southerns, Isdule07, chels, Musicgrl, Nevaratoriel, CarminaBurana1, diedbysuicide, siricerasi, moon-dragon3, sunni07, Anne McSommers,and mezzie.