"Meiou… Legolas… It's time."

Meiou and Legolas looked up to see Arwen, her beautiful face pained, as her handsome son, Eldarion, held his mother tightly, supporting her. She and Legolas nodded and turned to Ranthoron and Edhelwen, who were pacing about the castle marble floor, their footsteps echoing through the hall. At their parents' gazes, they stopped, turned to look at each other and took deep steadying breaths. Meiou and Legolas stood up, and Edhelwen went to her mother's side to help her to her feet, her knees weakening at what lies ahead. Legolas looked at his son and nodded to him, before walking beside his wife, his hand behind her back.

It has been years since their fateful adventure in the search of Varda's spell, and though they, as elves, haven't changed much, many of the people around them did.

Several years after Caras Galadhon, Faramir and Eowyn bade farewell to the mortal world, for unlike Aragorn, they both only have human blood, and thus lived short lives. Meiou and Legolas attended their funeral, for Faramir have named them the Lord and Lady of Ithilien at their deaths, and as such, they had duties of sending them to their final resting place. They were laid near Edoras, at the mounds of the Great Kings of Rohan, beside Theoden King's own grave. It was the final request of Eowyn to be laid to rest beside the man she called her father, and Faramir consented. Their mounds were now covered with Simbelmynes.

Soon after, Rosie Gamgee, wife of the Ringbearer, Samwise Gamgee, also bade farewell to the mortal realm. This caused Master Samwise great despair, which saddened his family greatly. Meiou, who could only think of one way to cheer up the hobbit, talked to Queen Arwen. Both Elven ladies agreed to send Sam to the Undying Lands to care for and be with his beloved Master Frodo. Sam agreed greatly, and after giving all his mortal belongings to his thirteen sons and daughters, he left, his heart still grieving for the loss of a wife, but now anticipating the sight of dear friends.

Eomer King, the Great King and nephew of Theoden of Rohan, brother to the White Lady, Eowyn, also received the eternal rest. Before his death, it was said that he sent for the two hobbits, Peregrin Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck, who left their offices to their children to be with the great king. He died during his sleep on autumn, where his wife the lady Lothiriel of Dol Amroth, found him, smiling serenely as if at peace. Their son, Elfwine the Fair, was a brave and true man, who swore to his father's grave to make him proud, and which he is now doing splendidly.

The two hobbits, who were already old when they traveled to Eomer King's side, spent the last of their years in Gondor with King Elessar. They were cared for greatly by his house, and Meiou's and Arwen's family were with them almost everyday. Edhelwen cried in sheer gladness at the sight of Pippin, and she cried also at his death. King Elessar ordered them to be buried on Gondor, at Rath Dinen, where the great Kings of Gondor were laid to rest, in recognition of their greatness.

But now it seems that someone else is about to take the final rest, as Legolas' family continued to walk to Aragorn's room, for the king, though having Numenorean blood, is about to leave the earth and release his soul from the mortal coil. Arwen has known of this for ages and has prepared for it, but the grief was still too much, for she loved him dearly.

They entered Aragorn's bedchamber, and Meiou stilled at the sight of Aragorn lying in bed. Strangely enough, his face seemed serene, and his blue eyes were still vivid with life. Legolas ran a hand down her back, soothing her, and she stepped closer.

Gimli, son of Gloin, stood by the corner, leaning on his ax like a staff, white and gray with age, his eyes overflowing with tears. At the sight of Legolas and Meiou, he swallowed and bowed slightly in greeting which they acknowledged with a bow of their own. He walked towards Aragorn and sat on the bed.

"He's been looking for all of you." He said in a choked voice. He then looked up to Arwen and said whispered, "He says that after talking to them, he'll… he'll be ready to go…"

Arwen looked at her husband, and nodded before saying, "Then I shall call the men…" She swept from the room and closed the door gingerly. Meiou and Legolas came closer to the king. She sat down Aragorn's side and reached out for his hand, which was a bit cold.

"My Lord Aragorn… we are here…"

Aragorn smiled at them, "I know, Lady Meiou.", he said, and Meiou marveled at the strength of his voice. Even Legolas seemed a bit shocked. He did not sound like a man so close to death. "I am glad that you are all here."

"We will never leave your side, laddie." Gimli whispered fervently, "We'll be with you 'till the end."

Aragorn took a deep breath, "No… there is no need for that, Master Dwarf. Your company now is enough for me." He smiled, "My Fellowship… my friends…. I shall miss you greatly."

Meiou covered her mouth with a hand, stifling a sob and Legolas touched her shoulder. Aragorn's hand grasped hand, and he said, "Weep not, Lady Meiou. My body dies, but soul does not. I shall watch over my friends and family forever."

She smiled, but her face fell into sadness as she leaned over to her king and kissed his hand, "My Lord…"

Aragorn laid a hand on her dark head, where it was held by Legolas, "She grieves… this must mean I was a great man…"

Legolas smiled sadly, "You ARE a great man, Strider."

He laughed weakly, "Your son and my son have ever been friends, as we have been. I wish them greatness in their endeavors in ruling our lands."

Ranthoron stood up straight, "I shall not fail you, my King."

Aragorn nodded and turned to Edhelwen, "Edhelwen… I have always known of your love for Eldarion. A love between mortal and Elf-kind was never taboo. I have proven it myself with your Queen Arwen. If you really love Eldarion, I give you my blessing, and entrust to you my son's heart and life."

Edhelwen seemed to blush at the remark, for she and Eldarion have indeed been seeing each other these past few years under only Meiou's and Legolas' consent. It was the first time that Aragorn told of his knowledge of the relationship in front of Edhelwen, and it touched the elf girl greatly. She kneeled beside the king and kissed his hand as her mother has done. "I shall cherish your son as Queen Arwen has cherished you, my Lord."

"That comforts me greatly, for Arwen loved me beyond life." Aragorn said, and he turned to Gimli, "Speaking of Arwen, please summon her to me, Elf-friend… for I am ready."

All five of them stilled at the words, and Gimli nodded morosely. As he left to fetch Arwen, Aragorn looked at Legolas' family again and said, "I shall have my final words with Eldarion and Arwen only. Please forgive me."

Meiou nodded, "We understand, Aragorn."

He smiled, and with great effort, opened his arms wide for a final embrace. Meiou and Edhelwen fell into despair and wept into his arms, and despite of their will not to, even Legolas and Ranthoron wept at in sadness. They held each other for what seemed to be hours, before the soldiers of Gondor came to bear their great king to Rath Dinen.

They followed the procession till the doors of the Silent Street, and where everyone was forbidden entrance except Eldarion and Queen Arwen. They waited outside the doors, grieving, and when Eldarion finally came out, he had in his hands the Winged Crown of Gondor and the Scepter of Arnor. As if doing his father proud, he swallowed his sadness and raised the scepter high, marking his crowning as the King of Gondor. But his will left him, and he fell to his knees in despair at the loss of a father. Edhelwen rushed to his embrace, holding him close, as the young king grieved.

It was several minutes before Queen Arwen came out, but when she did, everyone noticed a great change in her. Her beautiful face have gone pale, and the light in her eyes have been quenched. The strength she possessed in her years finally left her, and now, she finally experienced the pain of mortality. Meiou came forward and embraced the Queen, where she promptly cried in anguish, her sobs racking her shoulders as the Elven Lady of Ithilen held her. Both women cried in despair and fell to their knees, as White Tiered City grieved for the loss of a King.