Epilogue

Adette's POV

I just want to say thank you to all of you who gave my story a try. I also want to thank those who stayed faithful to my story. You know who you are! I am contemplating writing a prequel in which I will write about Legolas and Adette's courtship, but then again I may not. We will see. Again thank you all!

In the sixteen years that passed, Eruanna grew into a beautiful young woman just as I knew she would. She had kept Legolas's blue eyes framed by dark lashes, always wide as if she were seeing everything for the first time. She kept her dark hair groomed nicely, never letting it grow past her shoulders. She never grew taller than me, but she came close.

Legolas often told her that she and I had twin personalities. She never liked to dress up either although she did when it was necessary. She was often clad in tunics, almost always colored blue to match her lovely eyes. She had also received Legolas's temper although it was funny that she never butted heads with him herself.

Aragorn and Arwen were blessed with a son nine months to the day of their wedding. They named him Aradan, nobleman. He was a handsome man with light brown, messy waves and piercing green eyes. Freckles dusted his nose and cheeks over very fair skin.

Dínendal and Alassë were married in the summer after being engaged for a short time. Alassë gave birth to twin girls during their second year of marriage and then gave Dínendal a son three years after that. They named him Lenwë.

Although Aragorn and I had gotten older, we had not begun to age yet. He suspected that within the next five years we would begin to age. Legolas and I were not looking forward to that.

That morning, three days after Eruanna' sixteenth birthday, she and I decided to go riding together. Although many mothers and daughters began to fight at that age, Eruanna and I were very close. She and I had always gotten along for the most part, and enjoyed spending time together.

"Where to naneth?" She asked as we mounted our horses.

(Mother.)

"Wherever you want Eruanna." I kicked the horse and started off, Eruanna following close behind. We rode through the trees, swerving around them and laughing as we raced through the forest.

"Huor came to the castle this morning." She said suddenly. We stopped pushing the horses so hard and instead paced ourselves so that we could talk.

Huor was just around Eruanna's age and he had taken a liking to her. She, however, did not like him at all. She told me she did not ever want to marry, for she was not interested in men. She said that they were a distraction.

"Did he? What did he want?" I asked, an eyebrow raised.

"I don't know – ada would not let him see me." She laughed and I did too.

Saying that Legolas was overprotective of his daughter would be an understatement. Even if Eruanna was interested in marriage, she would never marry for Legolas would not allow it.

"Oh Eruanna, how will I ever have grandchildren?"

"Sorry to disappoint naneth."

We continued to ride through the forest until we reached the outskirts of Mirkwood. I turned to ask Eruanna if she wanted to go back when she rode ahead of me at a fast pace. I followed after her, not wanting to let her win the race.

"You won't beat me Eruanna!" I called to her, riding past her.

"Yes I will!" She then rode ahead of me. I was about to call out to her when something flung Eruanna's horse off of its path. I watched in horror as both she and the horse were thrown through the air and landed in a heap on the ground.

"Eruanna!" I shouted, dismounting my horse and flying to her side. I saw that the horse had landed on top of her legs. She was sitting up, trying to free herself. "Don't worry."

"Naneth!" She exclaimed, pointing. Her eyes were even wider than normal with fear clear in them. Her skin had paled dramatically. I turned just in time to see a monstrous spider looming over us, drooling and shrieking.

Before I could move it had knocked me aside with one of its long legs. Luckily I had not been cut by the razor sharp end. I landed a few feet away and quickly recovered, getting to my feet. The spider was now going after the horse and Eruanna.

"Get away from her!" I yelled, unsheathing my sword and running at it. It saw me and turned towards me, swinging a leg. I rolled beneath it and swiped my sword, hoping to hit it somewhere. Its body was too far off of the ground to reach.

By this time Eruanna had freed herself but I could see her limping as she unsheathed her own sword. At that moment if would have been great for one of us to have bows but Eruanna was forbidden to use one and I had given up on it.

"Try and take off the legs Eruanna." I instructed, already running back at the spider. It knocked me aside easily with one of its legs, and I felt the sharp end slice into my skin from my right shoulder to my left hip. I fell away from it.

"You damned spider!" I heard Eruanna shout angrily. I sat up to see her swinging her sword at the spider as it tried to lunge at her, rolling beneath its legs and dodging its sharp fangs. She cut off the end of one of its legs but it did not take so well to that. I watched as it suddenly moved forward and swiped a leg across her chest.

"Eruanna!" I thundered, getting up and running towards them despite the deep gash I had obtained. I watched as it sank a fang into her shoulder and pulled out quickly. Foam began to dribble from her mouth as she fell back, stunned and paralyzed from the venom. "You bastard!"

I swung my sword and detached two of its legs in one swipe, spilling blood upon the ground. The spider shrieked in pain and fell lopsided to the ground. I was about to deliver the finishing blow when it suddenly summoned up the strength to lash out with a remaining leg. I could hear the ripping of flesh as it went clear through my stomach and came out the other side. Gasping for air at this new pain, I weakly launched myself forward and sent my sword through the spider's body.

It writhed around, pulling its leg harshly from my stomach as it did so. I fell to my knees, still trying to breathe.

Remembering my daughter, I forced myself to crawl to her side. She looked dead, her eyes wide open and foam still dripping from her parted lips. Her skin was nearly white and I could tell that she was fading fast.

"Help me Galadriel." I whispered in a broken voice. I closed my eyes and tried to see the beautiful woman's face as I reached for Eruanna. "At least let me get her back."

Although I was in pain and weak from the blood loss, I was able to half drag half carry Eruanna's limp body to my horse. Very carefully I lifted her onto the saddle, following behind her quickly. I gripped her around the middle to keep her from sliding off, and commanded the horse by voice.

"Garo bo Eruanna. Garo bo." I told her over and over again. I could feel myself losing consciousness and shook my head. I could not die without saying goodbye to him…

(Hold on Eruanna. Hold on.)

When I reached Mirkwood I continued to ride through the village despite the questioning looks and the whispers and gasps.

I got to the castle, relieved to see Legolas standing with Dínendal outside of the doors. Upon hearing the horse Legolas looked up smiling. It quickly turned into a frown when he saw me holding onto Eruanna.

"What happened!" He exclaimed, stampeding towards me. Dínendal followed behind, looking from Eruanna to me.

"Take her to the hospital wing." I said, trying to keep my voice even. Legolas took Eruanna from the saddle and began to carry her, Dínendal following behind.

I gasped sharply, beginning to shake from blood loss. I could feel tears rising in my eyes as I tried to breathe in and out despite the bursts of pain coming from my stomach and from the gash across my body. Before I could catch myself I fell from the saddle and landed with a thud on the ground.

"Adette!" Legolas's voice roared. I then felt a hand beneath my neck, lifting it up. The other hand touched the ripped material surrounding my wounds. "Dínendal get help!"

I slowly opened my eyes and saw Legolas leaning over me, his eyes filling with tears as well. He was looking at me with concern and worry, just as he usually did.

"Legolas-"

"Shh, save your strength dúlinn. We can fix this." He said shakily, leaning in closer.

"I don't think so Legolas. Galadriel can't save me this time." I said each sentence between big breaths. Legolas took one of my hands and carefully placed it against his chest. I could feel his heart beating fast against my palm and I knew that he knew I was dying.

"Don't say that Adette. You'll pull through." Tears began to trickle down his cheeks and I felt my own begin to flood from my eyes.

"Legolas…I love you. You…you made everything…everything worth it. You are the…the b-best husband…a woman c-could…ever have." I struggled to stay awake and I struggled to form words.

"I love you Adette. You are the most beautiful, the most stubborn, the strongest woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing." He smiled sadly although he began to choke on his words and his tears were coming faster.

"And all will turn, to silver glass, a light on the water, grey ships pass…" I felt my voice trailing off as I took my last breath. I held it for as long as I could, before I gave in. The last thing I saw was my handsome warrior's face above mine and his beautiful, blue eyes.

Legolas's POV

As her eyes slowly closed I dropped her hand from the place on my chest and leaned in closer.

"No Adette, no! Don't give in! Come back!" I exclaimed in a quiet voice, pleading her to open her eyes. I wanted to hear her breathe but I heard nothing.

With trembling hands I lifted Adette's body up, hugging her close to me. I felt as though I were choking as strangled sobs and distraught screams left my lips. I rocked Adette and I, tears falling into her hair and onto her shoulder as I held her.

"My heart is breaking dúlinn." I managed to whisper into her ear as if she would hear it. I suddenly knew the pain that Lenwë must have been feeling when he lost his wife. Now I knew why he had died, for I felt the throbbing in my chest with every heartbeat.

Although I heard footsteps coming towards me I didn't care. I continue to hold onto my wife, wishing that I would wake from a nightmare or hear her begin to breathe again.

It was hard for me to sit by Eruanna's side as she passed in and out of a feverish sleep. Although she was part elven, she was part mortal and the poison was killing her. I did not like being told that she was dying and knowing that I was waiting for her to.

On the second night she whimpered loudly in her sleep, throwing the covers back. I rushed forward from the chair, kneeling beside her and pressing a cold rag to her forehead.

"Shh, shh. Hush nin gwilwileth." I murmured, stroking her cheek gently.

"Ada, ada!" She cried out, sitting up. She dizzied and began to fall back but I caught her and moved so that I was sitting cross legged on her pillows, cradling her as if she were a baby in my arms.

"Shh, I am here nin gwilwileth. Go back to sleep Eruanna." I whispered.

"Ada," her eyes slowly opened, "ada I am sorry. I am sorry about naneth."

"Eruanna you have nothing to be sorry for. It was not your fault." I rocked her, trying to settle her ragged breathing and calm her mind. I was also trying to soothe the pain in my breaking heart, praying that I could hold on until after Eruanna passed.

"I'm scared." She suddenly whispered. I met her eyes and kissed her forehead.

"Don't be Eruanna." I then remembered my talk with my father so many years ago. "Did I ever tell you about the first time you responded to me?"

"No ada."

"Well, your naneth and I were attending the reception that was held after your uncle was crowned."

The throne room of Minas Tirith was no longer a cold, dreary place as it had been when we discussed Frodo and Sam's fate. It was alive with laughter and stories. Aragorn and Arwen were whispering and laughing together, their hands never leaving one another's. I smiled as I watched them from a distance, happy for my friends that they could finally be together. Gimli was already drinking, challenging different men to play his game.

Suddenly there was a tap on my shoulder and I turned to see Adette standing behind me. She freed her hair from its bun, shaking out her head. The messy curls and waves cascaded down past her chest, a few strands falling into the inside of her dress. If only she knew how alluring she looked, but I knew she was unhappy dressed the way she was.

"I wondered where you had gone dúlinn." I said, turning towards her. "You looked beautiful."

"As do you my henduluin husband." She placed a hand on my waist, turning to look across the room. She spotted her brother and Arwen and smiled. "I'm so happy for them."

(Blue-eyed.)

"And I asked her to dance with me. But you know your naneth, she was always being stubborn. But, I convinced her to dance with me anyways."

"As am I." I took the hand she had placed on my waist and grinned down at her. "Will you dance with me?"

"Legolas," she looked around and then back to me, "no one is dancing."

"Not yet." I led her out into the middle of the room although she protested. I then placed my free hand on her waist while still holding her hand. When she did not place her other hand on my shoulder I did it for her and began to lead us. She was frowning. "Don't frown Adette."

"Everyone is staring at us." She grumbled. What she didn't seem to realized was that I didn't care. I spun her around effortlessly as if we were dancing upon a frozen lake. A small smile made its way onto her face when Aragorn led Arwen into the middle of the room and they began to dance. Soon other couples joined in.

"And now they aren't." I murmured, dropping her hand. I wrapped both arms around her waist and she in turn moved hers around my neck. We moved close, pressed up against each other, gliding across the floor. After a short time she rested her head against my chest. I laid my head upon hers and stopped moving about, and instead spun slowly in a circle.

"And then she told me what she wanted to name you. She came up with the name all by herself, reflecting on the fact that you were a miracle."

"Eruanna." She whispered against my tunic suddenly. I lifted my head and looked quizzically down at her. She must have felt my stare because she also lifted her head and looked up at me.

"What?"

"Eruanna, mín ield's esto. Ha foegs, ant o Eru." She told me quietly. I smiled and placed a kiss on her forehead.

(Eruanna, our daughter's name. It means, gift from God.)

"What happened then?" Eruanna asked.

"I placed my hand over your naneth's belly and I could feel the warmth that you emitted. But then I felt something else. I felt you jumping from inside of the womb."

I moved one arm from around her and laid a hand against her flattened womb, my fingers gently digging into the material of the dress so that I could feel the child within. I could sense her presence for I felt magical warmth beneath my hand. Adette looked at me curiously.

"Arwen told you?" I asked without taking my eyes from my hand. But before I could answer, the child responded to my touch with an impossible force. It had not been long seen she had been conceived, yet she had responded to me.

"Legolas!" Adette gasped as the baby leapt within her. I looked up from my hand and into her eyes, a look of shock on her face.

I smiled, remembering the feeling.

"Ada, you know my lullaby? The one you sing for me at night?" She asked softly. I nodded, looking down at her. "Will you sing for me?"

"When the sun goes down and it's getting late.
You say it's time for bed,
she just takes her time,
acting like she never heard a word you said.
Little baby wanna hold you tight.
She don't ever wanna say good night.
She's a lover, she wanna be daddy's girl.
When the morning comes,
and it's time to go start another day,
she won't let you leave, and she does her best,
to try to make you stay.
Pretty baby gonna start to cry.
She don't ever wanna say good bye.
She's a lover, she wanna be daddy's girl.
She don't ever wanna be without you.
Never have to worry she won't doubt you.
Then she puts her head upon your shoulder,
says she'll marry you when she gets older.

When the time has come, and she's old enough,
To be on her own,
she won't understand why you're feelin' sad,
cause she's leaving you all alone.
Little woman gonna make you cry.
You don't ever wanna say good bye.
She's a lady, she'll always be daddy's girl-" I stopped singing when I heard Eruanna begin to gasp for air. She looked up at me, her eyes filled with tears and with pain. Her hand was clutching one of my arms that held her.

"K-keep singing." She pleaded.
"Little woman gonna break your heart.
Gonna miss her when you're both apart.
She's a lady, but she'll always be daddy's girl.

She'll always be daddy's girl.
She'll always be daddy's girl.
She'll always be daddy's girl.
She'll always be daddy's girl.
She'll always be daddy's girl.
She'll always be daddy's girl." I finished, tears already leaking from my eyes for I had heard Eruanna take her last breath and felt her grip on me loosen, cradled in my arms like I used to do when she was a baby.

"You're ada's girl aren't you? You and nana are both my girls." I said through my tears, looking down at Eruanna. "Don't worry, I'll see you both soon."

Still holding Eruanna I tilted my head back and allowed my heart to fall to pieces.

In the morning when the healers came in they were shocked by the sight before them. I was sitting in Eruanna's bed, head leaned against the headboard. Eruanna was clearly lifeless in my arms. But as they neared they were shocked further.

My eyes were closed and my lips curled into a smile, for I had gone to be with my wife and my daughter. Nin dúlinn a nin gwilwileth.

(My nightingale and my butterfly.)