Disclaimer- I own nothing!
A HUGE thank you to everybody who has read, reviewed and been kind enough to help with this, I hope you've enjoyed reading this trilogy as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Special thanks to EldarExilePrincess and Mademoiselle Morte for all your help.
Miriellar
The decades passed and many of the elder left the shores of Middle Earth for the promise of home. The glistening, shimmering waters of the seas brought them to a land where the small troubles of the world of men did not exist and instead a nirvana awaited them. They were once again in the warm embrace of the Valar.
But among those of the contented there was one whose heart could not rest. The time had passed with a sadness that withered even the blossoms on the most beauteous trees.
The tides of the seas spoke of promises and tender whispers that never came.
The winds tenderly caressed her skin in an embrace that would wrap her in cool silk and the moon shone high above as she stood, a lone figure awaiting the return of her heart.
For decades she had stood alone, with her son by her side waiting for the day when he would return to her and they would once again be reunited .
The waters lapped at her feet, lifting the heavy red velvet of her skirt as she waded further into the black waters of the night.
"Long has it been since your heart laid claim to him, and yet still…you have not waned from him for a moment. I envy that love yelde"
Turning her head to look at her ada she smiled, the Lord Glorfindel had joined her not long after the war of the ring had been brought to an end and to hear the tale of the fellowship from him had given her hope that soon Legolas would return to her, of course with the company of the dwarf which he himself had proclaimed to be impossible to speak to let alone become a trusted companion.
She remembered the days when she would sit at home on her bed with a cup of hot chocolate and a bag of chocolate buttons watching the Lord of the Rings. And she remembered well the tale of her husband but to hear it from her father brought a feeling of love for her new life, and the lives of those Legolas had sworn to protect.
"Hello Adar"
She turned her back on him to once again cast her gaze of the still waters.
"I'm not sure why but I can't move. Just in case" her voice trembled and her eyes pricked with tears as she tried to overcome the feelings of hope and despair welling within her.
Glorfindel smiled as he watched his daughter wring her hands in excitement. It was indeed her husband who retuned to her, that much he was certain of but there was one whom he could not make out tho it was familiar. The reassurance that Legolas was indeed upon the ship lightened his heart. He had watched Thalia wait anxiously for any news of her husband and knew that she would be glad of his return.
"At the end of all things this is what remains"
His lilted voice carried over the light breeze as Thalia lifted the sodden ends of her dress from the waters that she had been standing in and waded up the shore to stand before him.
"It would seem so, but there is so much more adar"
Throwing the sodden skirts down to cover her wet legs she placed her hands on her hips and looked at him with glittering eyes.
"I have my heart back, and that is all I need"
Sniffing to get rid of the tears she grinned at him before turning on her heel and making her way over to the harbour where the ship she waited for would relinquish its precious cargo.
Glorfindel shook his head and catching sight of his youngest grandson walk out of the shadows he moved to join him on the path to follow Thalia.
In silence the two followed the excited female and watched with growing concern as she turned to them, her face a look of despair.
"Do you think he will look the same?"
She hopped from foot to foot like an excited child as she chewed her lip, for the first time in so many years Glorfindel saw the girl that had first come to Rivendell, oblivious to the world of Middle earth.
Laughing he placed his hands on her shoulders to still her. She turned in his arms and looked at him worriedly,
"I do not look like the princess he was promised he would meet when he arrived. I should change don't you think?"
"Nay child, remain where you are for he will not even see what garb you wear"
Elrond's gentle but stern voice stilled her movement and she not only felt sheepish but downright foolish.
It was only then that she noticed the attire that Glorfindel wore and stepped back immediately for she had never before seen him wear his lordship so blatantly.
"The House of the Golden Flower…" she whispered reverently as her eyes took in the magnificent golden embroidery of his emerald robes.
Both elven lords shook their heads in amusement as Thalia freed herself from her fathers grasp and straightened herself. It was a subtle change but all of a sudden she looked like the princess that she had grown to become.
"And I'm a princess…gotta remember that"
She mumbled to herself while trying to straighten her gown.
"Lynden, are you nervous about meeting your father? Because you really shouldn't be. And your brother too, Niall will be with him too I am sure"
Looking at his mother he allowed a small smile to slid across his lips despite the nervousness growing in the pit of his stomach.
"Aye nana, I will be glad of it and will welcome them"
Thalia nodded and smiled,
"Everything will be alright now. I promise"
Grinning at him she straightened herself and made to stand on the pier as the magnificent vessel docked and her eyes looked upon a sight that nearly made her knees buckle from underneath her.
---
His world crumbled as his eyes met those of the one whom he had longed for so oft. She was just as he remembered her, only more beautiful.
Sensing his companion Gimli's impatience but gladdened heart the elven prince smoothed his silken tunic with his hands and stepped from the vessel that had carried him.
The air around him changed and his soul was lightened as he touched the ground. He was home, and the land of his forebears welcomed him with open arms.
Before he could take but a step his wife launched herself into his arms with a squeal of excitement.
"My heart I have missed you dearly. I trust that you have been well?"
He remarked as his eyes swept over the familiar faces of the elves who had gathered, among them were Glorfindel, Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel. Such a joy was it that his heart nearly broke when he was met with his grown son.
Sensing his need to meet his son Thalia released him and stepped aside to join her adar.
The two looked at each other, eyes of the same colour staring back but neither knowing what to say. Lynden had grown into an elf worthy of many titles but one was dearest to him and he longed to hear it from his father.
Legolas stepped forward into a met embrace and cradled his grown son to his chest.
"Ion nin I have longed to see you as I have your mother, and yet now that I met you I find that you are not mine, you are gown and I do not know you"
Lynden shook his head and stepped from the embrace,
"Nay adar, I know you and that is enough. You have my love and respect and look forward to regaining the years that we have been denied"
Placing an arm on his sons shoulder Legolas turned back the vessel to see Niall take his place beside Gimli.
Thalia's hands snaked around his waist as her gaze fell on the son she had forsaken all those years ago.
"Have I been forgiven for my wrongs or am to be held in contempt?"
Her low whisper reached Niall's ears as if she had been standing next to him. His gaze softened and he laid his hand on his heart as he made his way over to his parents.
"The sorrow that I felt had matched what you have felt I am sure, but the time that we have now shall be a time of reconciliation and trust. I love you naneth and I shall not forsake that. There is a piece of my heart missing but I have learned that what my sister gave me was a chance to learn what life was about and I am thankful for that. She would have loved you a thousand times over if she were here"
"And I do dear brother, for she had loved me a thousand times over and told me so as oft as she could"
For out of the shadows came a tall golden haired elleth with eyes as bright as the sea and a beauty that could rival the evenstar. Her golden dress flowed about her in the gentle breeze and her breath caught in her throat as she nervously looked upon those of her family she had missed so greatly.
Niall couldn't help the chocked sob that escaped as he placed his hand on her shoulder and looked into the eyes that held the missing piece of his soul.
"Well met my sister. Long has it been since you have crossed my path with your troublesome smile"
She laughed and pulled him into a tight hug.
"I am glad to see you, bane of my life. And I welcome you home with all my heart"
Looking over Niall's shoulder a smile slid across her face and she picked up her skirt and much like her mother, thrust herself into the arms that would hold her for eternity in unrelenting love.
Legolas caught his daughter and held her as tightly as he had her brother. The memories of her childhood and death had taunted him through the years and never had he broken free. In his dreams he saw her face, her eyes, so like his own…staring back at him.
He could not hold back the tears that flowed down his pale cheeks as he held her closer still.
"Never in the years that I have mourned you did I think that my salvation would come"
Eleni stepped back and bowed her head.
"I have learnt that my death was devastating and I cannot take away or replace that pain. But I wish that I could heal you for I am here now. I never left you. I had watched you grow and learn and in doing so have grown up to be somebody that I hope will be worthy of your love. But I did not and never have left you…never"
"None the less, we welcome you back for we have indeed mourned your loss greatly"
With a smile she turned to meet her grandfather with open arms, burying her face in the cloth of his robes she laughed.
"Lord Glorfindel…grandfather…I have missed your presence and it comforts me to meet you again now"
Throwing herself back into his embrace she closed her eyes and allowed herself to relive the precious memories she had of him.
"Long has it been since I have laid eyes on you, and I find you much changed" he teased her as she giggled into his robes.
"I hope that the elleth that I hold in my arms will allow me to spoil her as I did the little girl whom I once held just as tightly. For she brought me as much laughter and joy as I suspect you will"
"Of that grandfather, I am certain of"
Laughter rang out through the trees around them and the elves felt a content sigh fall around them.
Looking at his wife Legolas swept her into his arms and kissed her softly with all the love that he had, in the promise of more to come.
The Greenleaf family were complete and although they had faced hardships and such sorrow they had shared laughter, happiness and love and would continue to do so through the all the ages among friends.
---
My heart swelled with a bundle of emotions that I couldn't quite distinguish, nut I knew that I was complete. My daughter, my sons, and my husband were by my side and I was safe in the knowledge that they would never leave me. For eternity we would remain together and to know that I had come this far…was a gift in itself. And I vow upon the sacred ground that I walk upon that I will regret nothing and cherish everything for all the ages that lay in front of me. And after all…eternity is a long time…