A/N: Sadly, this looks to be the epilogue, and rather short. Had not intended to write anything beyond the last chapter, though I know you lovely people will be wanting more. I did, however, accomplish what I wanted in the story so do not think I am leaving it unfinished. There may be a little ficlet coming along showcasing a little scene that would more after setting this story up, than it would standing alone. I had a lot of fun writing this short little tale of friendship turning to love. I hope you enjoyed it!

Epilogue

200 years later

Laereth stood up from her spot on the chaise lounge, to go place another wood log in the dying flames of the fire. Being carefully not to burn herself, she shifted them about, sending embers and flames jumping up. It really was not worth it to have a fire for herself, being unbelievably warm all the time now, but she knew that soon enough Celondir would return from his day with his cousin, and would complain of it being chilly. She figured that it must have been bitterly cold, as Elves just did not feel temperature differences as much as other races in Arda. Satisfied with the now roaring fire, she hobbled back over to the lounge and sat down upon it, repositioning herself as best she could with her large stomach.

Really, she wondered often why she had agreed to another child after Celondir as it was quite a drawback when your belly grew and you could not do anything but work slowly, taking breaks as often as you could. But she knew well that it was her want to have a daughter combined with Haldir's enthusiasm after the joy of having his own son that were to blame for her current state. And it was not so bad, she had to admit, to know that there was something like Celondir, the amazing wonderment that he was as a combination of both her and Haldir, growing within her. She only hoped this child would be female, so she would not have to live through another birth.

There was one good thing about her expanding waistline, though, and that was that it served as a quite lovely book holder if she was lying in such a position to balance it like that. Reaching for her book, she set it carefully on her stomach, beginning to read the first line of anew page when the creak of the door opening jarred her concentration. Expecting it to be Celondir, she glanced up quickly, only to find Haldir. For a moment she thought to get up and go to him, but decided against it as she had just gotten comfortable again.

"Do not get up on account of me returning," he said jokingly and smiled, placing his bow and quiver quickly down on the ground beside the door before working adeptly at undoing is scabbard belt. As soon as that was done and the weapons were out of the way, he made his way to her and leaned down over her, placing a tender kiss to her lips.

"You smell like an orc," she remarked as he moved back, and noted the various dirty smudges on his clothes and on his skin.

Haldir rolled his eyes, "Then I shall go bathe, to make my wife happy."

"Good," she said.

He laughed and glanced around, "Where is Celondir?"

"Failo took him out to practice his archery," she said, looking down at the book balanced on her stomach, and flippedthe page. "Though I should suspect they will speaking of something else."

"Something else?" Haldir questioned curiously.

She nodded and glanced at him, "Your son discovered ellyth a few days ago."

"Is he not just a little young for that?" Haldir questioned.

Laereth chuckled lowly, not looking at him, "I seem to remember his father chasing after ellyth long before his one hundredth begetting day."

"He does not have to be like me," Haldir sighed, beginning to unwrap the outer grey of his wardens' garments until he was left only wearing black leggings and tunic.

"I happen to believe you are the best ellon he could model himself after," she replied.

He laughed and walked back over to her, kissing her again, "I would hope you would think that."

Laereth laughed, but again wrinkled her nose at him, "Go bathe yourself. What were you doing that has made you smell like this?"

"There are more orcs coming from the mountains and from the north. We have killed many, and burned them," he replied. "That would be why."

"Is it bad?" she questioned worriedly.

"It is bad, but not yet horrible," he said and walked back into the master bed chamber. "We will speak of it later, as you say I desperately need a bath."

Laereth sighed heavily to herself, her mind no longer on the book in front of her, but on the news Haldir had given her. The thought of an increased threat of orcs was unsettling to her, and she did not even know the full extent of what was going on. It was tough enough to worry about Haldir out on the borders, but then she had to worry for Orophin and Rúmil, and now Failo who had just passed an examination to become a warden. And soon Celondir would be asking about warden training, as he so liked to do exactly what his father did. She could only hope that nothing terrible befell the wardens on the borders, because she would lose so much from her life if there was one.

Her thinking occupied her long enough for Haldir to take a bath, dry himself and redress. He came back out, rubbing some salve on his hands, "So Failo is giving him pointers on both archery and ellyth. I could think of many euphemisms for those two things… perhaps that was what Failo was planning."

She laughed, "I know not what he was planning, but I am sure you will be doing disentangling of Failo's words for Celondir."

"I do not think I will be much better," Haldir replied, sitting down on the open portion of the lounge, picking her feet up and placing them on top of his legs. He leaned over her and rested and ear against her gown-covered belly. This had developed into one of his favorite pastimes since her first pregnancy. He would lay with his ear pressed to her stomach just to listen to the faint heartbeats of the babe inside.

Laereth smiled, and ran her hand through his still damp hair, "She has been quite active today."

"Are we sure it is an elleth?" he questioned.

"No, but I believe if I hope long enough, it will come true," she laughed, feeling the violent kick in her stomach.

Haldir jerked away and stared down at her belly, "I think she is angry with me for thinking she is an ellon."

"Perhaps," Laereth said with a smile. "But we will find out soon enough what it is."

He nodded his head and smiled, "Aye, we will."