I know, I finally update. Sorry about the really long delay, but I kinda had a combination of brain-freeze on the ending and the end of summer semester to work around. But here it is! The final chapter! I hope you'll find it worth the long wait.

Chapter 10 – A Quest Fulfilled

He had traveled to the western shore, where a grey ship waited his arrival. All his Elven friends were there: his father, his mother, his brother and sister, his best friend in all of Mirkwood, and many more, and they were all smiling as he came. "We had feared you would not come," they seemed to say.

Legolas ran to his family and held them close, not wanting to ever let go. "But I have come," he whispered. "If only I could stay."

"Legolas, why? What has happened?" his father Thranduil asked.

"I cannot go with you," Legolas said quietly. A sob caught in his throat, and he choked it back. "If I only could!"

His mother pulled him closer, letting his head lay on her shoulder. "Legolas, please tell us what is the matter."

"I cannot go, nana mother," Legolas cried. "Please believe me, I cannot go!"

As the family realized the truth in what he was saying, they pulled him close for a long moment. Then they boarded the ship and sailed away into the west.

Legolas stood watching them go until the ship had vanished. He would never see them again. He longed to jump into the sea and swim after them. He would die in the attempt, but what did it matter? He would die anyway. But how could he think that way? The mortals rarely did, and their deaths were no less certain than his own. He sighed and turned to go.

"Legolas."

Legolas spun around to see who had spoken, but he saw no one. "Is someone there?" he asked uneasily.

"Legolas."

Legolas ran to the water's edge, searching for the source of the voice. It had been so haunting, and so beautiful like nothing he had heard before. "Who are you? Show yourself!"

"Turn around, Legolas," said the voice again, this time coming from behind him.

He slowly turned and caught his breath at what he saw. It seemed almost like a great Elven queen, yet she seemed even greater and far more beautiful. Her hair fell freely like starlight, and her dress shone like the moon. But it was her eyes that were greatest of all. They were like two stars, shining with immeasurable beauty and wisdom. As Legolas realized who she was, he quickly bowed himself in reverence. "Elbereth Gilthoniel," he murmured. "Hiril nin my lady."

She raised him back up. "Legolas, I know of what you have done for Aragorn. You have saved his life, given your own in exchange for his." Legolas lowered his head, shamed that Varda herself would speak to him of such a thing. She lifted his head with her hand and smiled. "There is no shame in what you have done, Legolas," she continued. "I am pleased that you have used your gift so well." She lowered her hand. "I also know of your second quest to save his life. You succeeded in it, Legolas; Aragorn still lives. You have proven yourself worthy through your strength of loyalty and sacrifice, worthy of the gift I now give to you. The day will come when you will be permitted to journey across the sea. The day is not yet, but it will come."

Legolas quickly bowed his head again. "No, I can never be worthy of such an honor."

"But you are. You are more than worthy. As is your friend, Gimli of the Dwarves." Legolas quickly looked up. "It is great indeed that one of the dwarves should be such a friend to an Elf. Such a friendship has not been seen in over an age. So because of this friendship, which he so greatly showed on your last quest, Gimli will also be permitted to cross with you."

"My lady," Legolas murmured, unable to say anything more.

Varda smiled. "Farewell, Legolas." As she said this, she faded away until she was no more than a cloud of stardust.

"How is he?" asked Aragorn from the door. The healers quickly ran over and pulled out a chair for him near the bed. He gratefully accepted the chair, but kept his eyes fixed on Legolas' unconscious form.

"I do not know," one of them replied. "He seems to have nothing more than a simple cold, yet he is strangely unable to fight it off."

"It is little wonder," Aragorn replied. "He is an Elf, and I have never known an Elf to become sick. He must be unable to fight it."

"An Elf?" The healer looked closely at Legolas. "Yes… I suppose he is. Strange that we did not see it before."

Aragorn put his head in his hands. "How long has he been like this?"

"It has been nearly a week, my lord."

"Then why was I not told of this sooner?"

"You were still recovering yourself, Lord Aragorn. It was with great reluctance we told you even today."

"Then be thankful he is still alive. If he were to die without my knowing it…"

Another of the healers rushed to his side. "My lord, perhaps you should lie down. You are still weak."

Aragorn looked up and looked at her with a steel gaze. "No, I shall remain here until he awakens."

The door opened again and Gimli stepped inside. "How is he?" he asked.

"The same," the healers replied.

Gimli let out a heavy breath and walked over to the side of the bed. "Legolas, you need to get better quickly," he said in a hoarse whisper. "You must."

Aragorn still held his head in his hands, passing the time by trying to work out how Legolas, an Elf, could possibly be sick. Elves never get sick, he kept thinking. So why Legolas?

"I think he is dreaming," Gimli said after a while. Aragorn responded with a vague nod. "It seems to be a good dream," Gimli continued.

"If only I knew what the dream was," Aragorn said absently.

"I only wish he is willing to wake from it," Gimli said.

Aragorn lifted his head sharply. "Surely he cannot be- Oh, Legolas, no," he moaned, and dropped his head again.

Gimli kept his eyes on Legolas. He did seem to have a slight smile, and what little color that remained was slowly draining from his face. Gimli let out a low groan. "No, Legolas, don't leave!" Then he could see Legolas no more as the healers gathered around him, frantically working to keep him alive.

Legolas kept watching the starlight until it vanished. Then he was alone and surrounded by darkness. "My lady!" he cried out, but there was no response. "Help me!"

He was first aware of a dull ache in his head and chest. He tried to ignore it, but it only intensified. Then he started hearing muffled voices from somewhere. He strained to make them out.

"…pulling through," one voice said.

"He will make it, then?" said another voice. This one sounded familiar for some reason.

"It seems that way," said a third voice.

Legolas groaned. Who were they talking about?

"He's waking up!" exclaimed the second voice. Legolas felt himself try to smile. Gimli!

"Legolas, can you hear me?" Gimli asked.

Legolas groaned, the best answer he could give just yet. He felt someone grasp his hand.

"You must wake up, laddie," Gimli said.

Legolas slowly opened his eyes and waited as his vision cleared. "Gimli?" he said in something that was somewhere between speaking and moaning.

"Aye, it is me," Gimli replied with a smile. "How do you feel?"

"Terrible," said Legolas. He managed a little smile. "But I think I can manage."

Gimli squeezed his hand. "I'm glad of it."

Legolas smiled a little more, then frowned and frantically tried to sit up. "Aragorn, where is Aragorn?"

Gimli struggled to hold him down. "Now laddie, he-"

"I am right here," Aragorn broke in. "There is no need to worry about me, mellon nin my friend."

Legolas lay back and his eyes widened. "It is true then. You- she was right."

Aragorn frowned. "She?"

"I- I dreamed I met her, Aragorn. Her, Aragorn. Elbereth."

Aragorn drew his breath in surprise. "You did? Elbereth?" Legolas nodded.

"What did she say?" asked Gimli.

"She- she said-" Legolas frowned. Should he tell them what she had told him? No, not yet at least. They did not need to know everything. "It was a personal message," he said at last.

Aragorn nodded. "Then I will not ask further." Legolas responded with a smile. He was still too tired to say much more. Aragorn quickly noticed this. "Perhaps we should let you sleep," he said.

Legolas nodded as he fought to keep his eyes open. "You don't have to leave," he mumbled.

"We can stay until you are asleep if you wish," Aragorn said.

Legolas smiled and nodded. "Hannon le, mellyn nin Thank you, my friends." As he drifted once again into sleep, he felt an overwhelming gratefulness for Aragorn and Gimli. He had given his immortal life for them, and their friendship was reward enough.