My deepest thanks to all my reviewers, especially OverthoughT, krillball6, Duvet, and IwishChan. Thank you all for helping me finish the story. Big hugs and thanks everyone!
They started out early the next morning.
Shay rode right beside Eowyn and Merry. Though King Theoden didn't knew Eowyn had come he knew that Shay had, and Shay knew the only reason Theoden didn't object was because she wasn't a normal woman, and no one can stop her from fighting.
He had tried to deter Merry from fighting because he thought Merry would only be a burden to them, since they will ride non-stop to Gondor, and their horse will need to be fresh enough to fight on the fields of Gondor.
But Eowyn took Merry with her, and so he fights.
They rode night and day towards Gondor, and each day Shay could feel herself become more and more distant from this world. In fact one day she realized both of her hand, up to her shoulders are now dangerously transluscent. But her iron will held her down, she refuse to leave her friend at the time of their needs.
So she rode on.
When they finally arrived at Gondor, the White City was almost lost.
Host of orcs over ran the city and more still comes.
At first the Riders of Rohan cring at the thought of riding to their death, but their King was with them, and he gave them fire, fire to burn all these evil maggots back to Mordor. They are the Riders of Rohan, they will fight until their last breath!
Ride for Rohan!
And they did, they swept down on the orcs, strong and swift, washing over the black filth and destroying any that comes into their path.
Shay slashed and sliced at the orcs with a fury that surprise even herself, she did not know who she was angry at, or even why. Maybe it was her will to live, or maybe it was her last desparate attempt at saving her soul.
Than just when she thought they were actually winning, the Haradhrims came with their elephant-like beast that trampled and kill many brave Rohirrims.
Shay growled deep in her throat, she refuse to let the race of men go like this, how pathetic, getting trample by elephants!
She could see Eowyn diving between the elephants' legs and hacking them, already they had one down.
With a grim look on her face Shay urged her horse to go right between another one's legs and as it galloped she leaned down on the side and hacked at one of its legs with all her strength.
Than she turned her horse around and did the same thing to another leg again, until the elephant fell.
Whether it was a long time, or just a short time Shay wasn't sure, but soon aide came; green swirls of ghost like beings traverse the field, swepting away the orcs in hordes.
It was than she knew Aragorn had succeeded in summoning the army of the Deads.
She soon found Legolas on top of another elephant killing Haradhrims left and right than with three arrows he pierced the head of the elephant and slid down its trunk to land perfectly solid on the ground.
"That only count as one!" Gimli said annoyed. Ah, so the bet was still on, Legolas just smirked and strode proudly towards the dwarf.
"Still showing off, I see." Shay laughed.
Legolas turned to her, she could literally see his eyes lit up as he comes towards her, "Melamin, I'm so happy to see you."
"Nuh, uh, battle first." Shay smiled softly and she went off again.
But there wasn't much to fight against anymore, the ghosts had made a clean sweep of everything. Mankind prevailed, but the War is not over yet.
Many had been injured that day on the Pelennor Fields, including Eowyn who fell the Witch King along with Merry. Both had sustained major injury from the battle and even now they slept fitfully in the House of Healing.
Faramir, son of Denethor, brother to Boromir was injured too, but not because of the battle but because of his father's insanity.
Shay didn't know him at first, she had thought he was Boromir, than Pippin came and told her the story.
Shay stayed in the House of Healing for awhile, occasionally helping Aragorn, yet she was standing by the window one day when Aragorn suddenly called her.
She turned around and looked at him inquiredly.
"You're not well." Aragorn said, for he had not know what else to say, whilst Shay was standing by the window, he thought he could see right through her.
"I cannot cover it up any longer, I am fading, Aragorn." Shay said closing her eyes.
"How? I thought you were no elf?"
Shay shook her head and leaned against the wall, "I didn't came from here, I came from another land, in another time. When I died, I went to Valinor, but I was still a spirit only, for my body hath perished in my home land."
"The Light of Iluvatar kept my brother and I alive, for how long, we know not. We were than sent here to fulfill our destiny, whilst still just a ghost of our former self. Than I guessed when we finishes our tasks we disappear completely. Elix didn't die that night in Helm's Deep, he faded away. Just like I will in time."
"Does Legolas know?"
Shay shook her head, "No, I couldn't tell him."
"Than why have you told me?"
"Because I know you will live, and you're Legolas' dear friend."
"You want me to tell him."
Shay nodded, "I know tis not fair to you, but I beg of you, to do this."
"Do not be so sure yet, you may still live." Aragorn said encouragingly.
"Nay, I left letters in my room, each one bears the owner's name, I know we shall ride out tomorrow, and I know I shall not return. Take those letters and give them to the Fellowship."
"You're sure of this."
Shay smiled sadly, "I am weary, weary of this war, this pain, and this worry."
"Not even Legolas can keep you here?"
"I want to remain with him, but alas, Iluvatar grants it not."
Gandalf wanted to buy Frodo and Sam sometime into Mount Doom, therefore with Aragorn's help they decided to lure and keep the Great Eye on them instead of in Mordor. So Middle-earth shall ride out one last time united under one banner.
The army of the West was all assembled on the Pelennor. Legolas and Gimli rode together in the company of Aragorn and Gandalf along with Shay. Merry and Pippin stayed in the House of Healing.
They rode towards the Black Gate.
When they at last arrived all was silent, Aragorn, undaunted rode forward and shouted, "Come forth! Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth! Justice shall be done upon him. For wrongfully he has made war upon Gondor and wrested its lands. The King of Gondor demands that he should atone for his evils!"
At first there was no sound still, than slowly the Gates creaked open and Aragorn rode back to the armies.
Soon the gates was fully opened and the armies could see thousands upon thousands of orcs waiting to come out. The trembled.
Aragorn rode in front of them and he roared, "I see fear in your eyes, the same fear that is in me. But men of the West, there may come a day when that fears rules you, but not today. There may come a day when men abandon all valor and pride, but not today. Not today! Today, we ride, to give the forces of Evil one last fight, a fight that will never be forgotten!"
The men nodded and they yelled back in response. With one more look at them, Aragorn turned and he raced first into the orcs, the rest went with him.
Their valor were strong that day but their numbers were not; soon they were all surrounded, but stillthey fought on bravely.
Thud! Orc number zillion, Shay thought as she swung her sword yet again. Vaguely she could see Gandalf and a few others fighting for their life. But there was simply too many of them...
Suddenly her eyes caught Aragorn, she saw him fall, just like Haldir did, except he wasn't injured and it is a hill troll that's above him, yet...Just than she knew what was her last task, the heir of Isildur must live.
With one final thrust into an incoming orc she leaped over to Aragorn and like Elix, she used the flat of her blade to push Aragorn out of the way.
The troll's spear went right through her as if she was not there. She heard Legolas cried out, "Shay!"
Than the earth shook and she knew Frodo had succeeded. Everywhere orcs and trolls alike ran around in fear as the very earth beneath them fell away to void.
Dimly she was awared of Legolas looking down at her, he was crying, for the first time in her life, Shay saw an elf cried.
"Don't...don't cry...don't give up hope,...sail to Valinor..." Shay gasped.
She lift a hand to caress Legolas face, but before she could even reached up, she was gone.
All that was left in Legolas' hands was a ring that Shay wore, the ring that Galadriel had given her.
Out in the open fields Legolas cried, every men stood far away except for the Fellowship. The men had never seen an elf, not to mention a crying one, and it wasn't pretty.
Legolas' fair face was so torn in pain and grief that everyone's heart wrenched at the sight. The battle had been won, but at a high price for the Prince of Mirkwood.
Aragorn kept his words, he went to Shay's room and found the letters.
To Gimli,
I now place Legolas in your care, he will need you. Aragorn will be busy, and I do not blame him, for he is king now. Take care of Legolas for me. You are the most loyal and wonderful friend I've known, hence I entrust my most darling treasure to you. I've enclosed a small seed in here, plant it in front of Moria, the result should be seen in a year.
Your Sincere Friend.
To Legolas,
My love. I love you, have no doubt in that. I fear, I have little time to write down my story, and why I just disappeared. I shall let Gandalf and Aragorn tell you. Do not despair, for I will always be watching over you. You're strong, I know, you will live through this pain. Iam sorry I made you fall in love with me, but I'm not sorry for all the love we'e share, because those are my most treasured times. Go to the Undying Lands, sail to the West, please, I beg of you, do not grieve for me, for I am in peace now. And remember, you're always my love. I've enclosed a seed in here, plant it in Mirkwood, somewhere, I do believe you will like the result.
Love.
To Aragorn
Hail King, but to me, you are always Aragorn, my friend. I can say nothing more except that you are the greatest and the most wonderful king I haver ever known. Gondor will flourish under you. My greatest gift to you is this small nut you see here. Eat it, in time you will know why.
With respect.
To Merry and Pippin,
My lovely hobbits, you two must be the bravest and the most courageous hobbits, the two seeds in here are your reward, swallow them, and you will see why soon.
Truly yours.
To Frodo and Sam,
Even though, I know not where you are, but Frodo, my dear hobbit, I have no words to describe you, you are as Galadriel said, unique. Sam, your loyalty is undefeatable, yet do not be trouble when the time comes, you have your own road to go, we will always wish you well. Ah, and of course the seed, do not be afraid, Sam, just eat it.
Most dearly.
To Gandalf
You are my greatest mentor, and I will never forget about you. I don't know if I made the right choice by coming here and changing everything. I did what Valar told me to do, yet I don't know if I can live with the consequences. I've made too many friends, and a love that is too deep for me to fathom. I don't regret the love, but I regret I cannot experience it longer. But your advices helps, and perhaps I'll understand what you say to me one day.
Most respectfully yours.
And so the Great War of the Ring ended. Arwen came with Elrond and married Aragorn. Legolas and Gimli stayed for the wedding but soon wandered away, as Gimli wanted to show Legolas the Glittering Caves and Legolas wanted to show Gimli the forests. True to his valor, Gimli kept Legolas going, and remained by his sides, always. It wasn't an easy task, for the elf was often in grief, and pain, and every night he would take out Shay's ring and stare at it for hours. But like the good friend he was, Gimli went on stubbornly, keeping the elf from fading away.
Frodo and Sam came back from Mt. Doom safely with the help of the Eagles and they later returned to The Shire with Merry and Pippin. Though respected, and well-known, the four hobbits were forever labeled as queer. (Merry and Pippin, after drinking the drought of Ents had grown a head taller than every single hobbits, I wonder why they were labeled queer? As for Frodo, well, he's the nephew of Bilbo, the strangest hobbit, not to mention he knows Gandalf, 'the disturber of peace' so of course he must be the queerest of them all. As for Sam, well he's a good lad, just in the wrong company).
And so the years wore on, and to the Fellowship's surprise, the strange requests and gifts that Shay had asked of them soon brought them joy. After swallowing the nuts and seeds, Aragorn, along with Sam, Pippin, and Merry stayed as young as before, in fact in Aragorn's case he seemed to grew younger.
The seeds that were plant in Moria and Mirkwood seemed to purged the places of evil and demons, leaving it pure and full of light. Mirkwood was no more, in its place Greenwood had sprung again.
But although Moria was purged, Gimli never went back again, to him, that place was full of nightmares and grief.
Almost seventy years after the War the Fellowship met again, outside of Grey Haven under Legolas' request that they sail to Valinor with him). Frodo had long gone to Valinor with Gandalf and the Lord and Lady of Lorien, because the Shadow that had been the side-effect of the Ring never wore off. So there left Merry, Pippin, and Sam from The Shire, Gimli and Legolas from a visit in Rohan, King Elessar and Queen Arwen (apparently Aragorn was dying, and he was going to a place to rest at last...if he doesn't say so, he would have never got to leave, luckily his elf blood gave him an excuse to look young) from Gondor.
"Greetings Legolas, Gimli and to you Master Hobbits." Aragorn said as he came towards them, his face if ever, younger than before.
Merry and Pippin were crying with sadness that they were leaving Middle-earth, but also with joy to see the Fellowship again.
Legolas, though his fair face never changed, everyone could see in his eyes a deep grief, nodded and smiled, "Aragorn, Lady Arwen."
"Let's go laddies." Gimli roared.
But even as they road toward Grey Haven a gust of wind brought faint singing to their ears.
It came from within Grey Havens:
Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
Night is falling
You've come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across the 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
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
The voice sounded so familiar, and yet so foreign, the Fellowship was entranced by it as they followed the voice into the shipyard. And there standing by a boat on the bank was a young woman with her back turned toward them singing, she wasdressed in a loose flowing white dress that fluttered in the wind. Her hair was long and it flowed in the wind like black night, its strands silky and straight.
The song ended.
"My lady, pray, tell us who you are?" Legolas asked.
The young woman laughed, and she turned around, the Fellowship gasped in wonder, it was Shay.
Except she was different, more alive, and vibrant. Her dark brown eyes were flashing with joy instead of pain like the last time they saw her, her skin was pale but with a healthy pink tinge to it.
"What's up?" She smirked.
"It can't be, I saw her faded." Legolas half whispered.
Shay just grinned, than suddenly she launched herself at Legolas and kissed him, right in front of everyone. At first this startled the heck out of Legolas, but soon he returned the kiss.
A few minutes later Legolas no longer doubt it was Shay, the feeling, the warmth, and the sweet taste that's so unique could only come from Shay.
"It's been a long time." Shay smiled as she pulled back, but still remained in Legolas' arms.
Legolas smiled for the first time since Shay had gone, his hand went to his neck and unclasped his necklace.
"My ring!" Shay cried with surprise.
"You didn't think I would loose it, my love."
Shay shook her head andheld out her finger to letLegolas slip the ring on. The looked at each other for a long time, until Gimli coughed.
Shay blushed and turned to Gimli, "Hello Gimli,you have my deepest gratitude for being such a good friend to Legolas here, I knowit hasn't been easy for you."
Gimliturned red and muttered something unintelligible, while Shay came over and gave him a kiss on his head. Than she turned to the rest of the fellowship and laughed,"Come board the ship, my dear Fellowship."
"Wait, how did you come back?" Pippin asked his curiosity got better of him again.
Shay laughed and said, "Well, apparently long story short, Elix went back to his old body on Earth because his body was still alive, just sleeping (coma), but me? Well I truly died, and I argued with Iluvatar for a while, and in the end he probably just got tired of reasoning with me and just gave me a body to go in. So I spend sometime in Valinor and than sail to here and meet you guys."
"Is that why you gave us the seeds? You knew you were going to be here?" Sam asked.
Shay shook her head, "No, at first I just wanted you guys to be able to rest for eternity after such a journey you all took, you guys deserved it."
"So come on already!" Shay said impatiently, "I'll tell you more in Valinor, all aboard ahoy!"
"We waited years for her, yet she couldn't wait five minutes for us." Aragorn said shaking his head while Arwen just giggled. After all what more can she say, this girl from Valinor had given her Aragorn for eternity, she owe everything to her.
What a scence! The hobbits laughed in wonder and joy and Aragorn and Arwen smiled in delight as they follow Shay. While Legolaswas simply radiating happinessas he held Shay closed to him. Together they board the ship and set sailed to Valinor.
The last ship leaving Middle-earth, and hence the end of Fellowship to our knowledge.