Disclaimer: I do not own anything but my own characters, everything belongs to Tolkien the genius and Roddenberry, the Great Bird of the Galaxy.
Author's Note: Was my latest chapter somewhat weird? I don't know, I got a weird vibe about it so I might end up rewriting it anyway despite my wanting to get it right and taking long to update. Sorry about the time lapse in updating, I was in a very busy funk lately with work, going to a Sci-Fi Convention, my birthday, taking hubby to the ER, getting a 2-week cold from stupid people in the ER, and much more so you can see lots of things have been going on so do not think I forgot about you all! Warning, there is a bit of hobbit lovin' in this chapter as per request from my reader Eyborg. After all, this is a story titled about hobbits. Chapter Eleven also brings this story to a close but make sure to keep an eye out for the third fic to make up the last part of the trilogy.
Chapter Eleven: One Last Hurrah
"It seems congratulations are in order for a job well done," Sisko said, his gaze passing over the combined Starfleet and elvish crew before him. "There were a few casualties but without their help we wouldn't have succeeded in this mission. Remember them always for their sacrifices made for the purpose of this friendship of our peoples and the willingness to help each other."
Stepping away from the front of the crowd, Sisko went to Lord Elrond's side as the rest of the people around them began to talk and mill about in the War Room on the station.
"Thank you again, Captain," Elrond said with a short bow of his head. "Without you Lady Galadriel and Mithrandir may never have been recovered."
"We stay to our duty and word in such matters," Sisko replied, a slight smile underneath his goatee, then he changed the subject. "I heard the repairs to your ships have been completed."
"Yes, they have," the elf nodded. "We will depart once your doctor has determined no residual effect or other problems linger in the Lady and Mithrandir. Though, I may give some more time for all to enjoy your station before we depart and reach Valinor."
"Then you will not be coming back this way once you reach Valinor?" he asked.
"One day we may but it will be a dark time, much more terrible and evil than these recent events," Elrond said somberly. "Do not worry yourself, Captain. It is still far in the future."
"I see," the Starfleet officer said with a little confusion but a small touch of curiosity at wondering what the elf meant.
"Perhaps it would be prudent to discuss it now," said Odo, who had suddenly appeared by their sides. "In private if you please."
Leading the three away to a secluded corner of the room, Sisko could not help but wonder what prompted Odo to seek them out. The shape shifter constable of station security had been incredibly quiet since the battle and escape from the Dominion compound. Sisko had been expecting a report from him eventually as to his experiences on the planet but it seemed he wished to bring it up presently.
"What is it, Odo?" Sisko asked as they stopped a good distance away from the celebrating crew and elves.
"While many of the crew were battling the Jem'Hadar and getting the hostages to safety, I went in search of the Founder who was supposedly in the compound," Odo explained. "I attempted to apprehend him but was not able to; however, as he was escaping he told me that we may have stopped them this time but there will be more to come. His section of the Dominion in that area of space was under his total control… like a separate contingent under his own power and decisions rather than from the Great Link as a whole."
Sisko narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brow at the information. Odo had been right when receiving information from another Changeling before concerning the Founders' intentions for Earth and the Federation. The Dominion was not afraid to let it be known they planned to take over and destroy any opposition or obstacles in the way of achieving more power so it did not seem strange that the shape shifter Odo had come in contact with would relate this information to him.
"Did he say anything else?" Sisko asked.
"No, only that they would come in another form rather than as Changelings or the Dominion," Odo said, his voice tight but not hinting at skepticism at all. "He said it will be much more deadly and devastating than anything we've seen before. More so than if we dared take on the Dominion in a war."
"Then we will have to be ready," Sisko said, concerning lining his features.
"And if it comes to it where the final battle is fought here," Elrond began. "Then we will come to your aid."
"That is a little reassuring but I am still concerned," Sisko answered.
"We will bring our full might on the side of the Valar," Elrond told him. "There will be plenty of us to take your side."
"Good to know but I just hope it does not come to pass," Odo said.
"Don't we all," Sisko concurred.
The time had come finally when Doctor Bashir gave a clean bill of health to Gandalf and Lady Galadriel, thus signally the time to depart for Valinor. After the initial grateful words for the participation and kindness of the Federation and Starfleet in a quiet briefing, many a visitor traveled down to Quark's bar where O'Brien and Bashir offered a round for the crew involved in the rescue mission.
Packed to the brim and nearly overflowing, the bar bustled with exuberance and celebratory joy. Elves, Starfleet officers, a wizard, and hobbits gathered together in a common merriment for their last days with one another. There were no more reasons to hold back due to guilt since all had been resolved. One last time to be with new friends.
"Now don't hold back, Lord Glorfindel," Frodo laughed from his table that gave him a view of the dart game occurring. "Lord Erestor is already familiar with the game and is quite good!"
"So I have heard," the golden elf commented, holding one of his darts carefully as he contemplated the dartboard. "Though, I would much rather prefer my sword skills. This game is more apt to his skills as an archer."
"Making excuses are you?" Dax asked sitting nearby, a mug of ale in front of her.
"Never," the elf said, turning his attention and gaze to her with a smile.
"You do not even have one on your side," Erestor chuckled. "I have Chief O'Brien and Dr. Bashir as well as the hobbits."
"Would you like me to give them the account of that other competition we had in the knife fight?" Glorfindel said challengingly as he let one dart fly, hitting just outside the center. "The one that sent you to the healers for nigh three days?"
The dark-haired elf turned a slight shade of red before glaring at Glorfindel, motioning for him to continue and not indulge them with details. Letting the last of his darts fly, Glorfindel had two more good hits before Erestor stood for his turn. Going to take a drink from his mug, the seneschal found an intense gaze upon him from his Trill companion. A mischievous smile crept across his face as he pulled her out of her chair spontaneously, taking her seat and pulling her down upon his lap effortlessly.
"Are you trying to distract me?" he asked, his green eyes darkening with desire as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"What makes you say that?" she answered, a finger sliding over the tip of his ear causing a low rumble from within the elf's chest.
"If you continue with such ministrations we will have to depart here rather quickly and abruptly," he whispered low to her.
"That may be a good idea," she said, an eyebrow perked up in challenge.
"However!" Glorfindel said, spinning around and placing her back in her chair as he stood. "I must finish this match with Erestor lest my reputation be called into question for running away from a dart game."
"You're such a tease," she said, giving a quick kiss.
"Always," he said before turning to a smirking Erestor.
"My dear boy, could you be so kind to get another pint for me?" Bilbo asked turning to Frodo, ignoring the silly play of lovers at their same table.
"You have already had two, Uncle!" Frodo said.
"And two more to add!" the old hobbit said happily. "Get another for yourself, this is a time for goodbye celebrations. Don't worry, I won't disappear on you this time like I did at my birthday."
"Of course you won't," Frodo grinned as he slid off his chair, making his way through the maze of tall people toward the bar.
"Well hello there!"
Frodo was not sure who was addressing him but as he turned toward the voice, he found a light brunette woman looking at him with interest. He determined she was one of the Dabo girls for Quark's bar by the way she was provocatively dressed. Frodo usually did not take notice in women dressed as such but her eyes were what drew him in, the kindness mixed with a strange energy of desire caught his attention. She was also Bajoran, he noted, as she came closer to him.
"Oh, hello," Frodo answered back.
"Were you looking to refill those drinks of yours?" she asked, eyeing the empty mugs he carried. "I could get that for you if you'd like."
"That is kind of you," he said with a smile as she took them from his hands. "My name is Frodo."
"I'm Leeta," she said in a sultry voice and bringing herself down to his height. "You're with the elves right?"
"Ye… yes, I am," he answered as he made certain his eyes were on her face, her style of clothing for her outfit did not rest well with him, especially the low cleavage of her outfit. "I am a hobbit."
"Those elves are prettier than I am! I could never find myself liking one of them," she said, her eyelids halfway closed as she spoke to him. "Though, I've always preferred shorter men…"
Leeta let her free hand slide up his chest, her fingers dancing electric heat through him as her touch surprised Frodo.
"Um… thank you…?" he said, uncertain as to what to say to her comment.
"You were the one who saved the rescue mission, right?" she asked.
"That could be said," he said with a slight shrug. "If not for Odo's hel…"
He was cut off with a sudden kiss as Leeta pressed her lips against his. She pulled away a few seconds later, a stunned look on Frodo's face.
"That sort of bravery and courage requires a reward," she said quietly, another sly smile on her face, making her way back to the bar as Frodo looked after her in confusion.
Dax felt warm breath and the light pressing of lips against her skin. Opening her eyes, she found Glorfindel sitting beside her, his head hovering above her own as he tenderly kissed her neck and face. After the festivities of the night before, they had retired to her quarters for the last hours he would have on the station and eventually fell asleep in each other's arms.
"Is it morning already?" she asked, her eyelids fluttering to clear the clouds of sleep from her mind and sight.
"Yes," he answered. "Though it is still a few hours before we depart.
She closed her eyes as she felt his hand caress the side of her face as he pressed a needful kiss against her lips. He released her a few seconds later, letting his fingers trace along the contours of her face.
"Will you come with me?" he asked her suddenly.
"Where?" Dax asked curiously as she opened her eyes.
"To Valinor," Glorfindel said.
Dax did not respond right away, keeping her silence as she considered in her still sleep-fuzzy and lust-clouded mind. Only one other time had she considered staying by a love's side and she had almost paid for it with her life since she could not follow him to where he went. From all that she had understood, she could not follow Glorfindel to where he was going but yet he asked. Their bond and growing love was strong but was it enough to leave this life of hers?
"How do you know I can go with you?" she asked, trying to give some sort of response instead of the awkward silence that Glorfindel could take as a refusal.
"The Valar will allow it. I know they will," he said matter-of-factly. "I have done all of their bidding my whole life, sacrificed myself so that their path is kept strong. I deserve this much."
"I… I don't know if I'm ready for that," she said, unsure of spending eternity in a foreign place.
Dax saw as his face fell for a quick second before he caught himself. She lifted his chin to bring his gaze to her again, bringing a kiss to his lips once more.
"I should not have asked you of such a thing," he said.
"No, I am honored you asked me. Maybe I will be ready one day," she said, taking his face in her hands. "I will not ask you to stay."
He smiled, knowing that she understood his reasons of needing to go to Valinor no matter what. Even if he left a love behind.
"Then I will come back for you," he promised. "When I return we shall go together."
"I will wait for you," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck as they embraced.
The farewells were kept short and to the point as all who had become familiar and close to the former Middle-Earth inhabitants went to go on their way. It was well understood that these faces would not be seen at all ever again in their lifetimes; though, Sisko knew he may see them come again if the prophetic words of the Changeling encountered by Odo came true. Either way, it was a goodbye that would leave much uncertainty as to what would come in the future.
Many watched as the two small ships were released from the station and headed out into open space, away from the station. Without too much of a hurry, the silver-hulled ships climbed away from the arching pylons and circular rings. Reaching the outer edge of the wormhole, the amazing flash of blue hues and spiraling white rays laced with sparkling lights opened up before the tiny vessels, welcoming them. Soon enough the Elven starships disappeared into the majestic beauty of the spatial phenomenon closing around it, but unbeknownst to those watching from the port windows on the Promenade or on the view screen in Ops, the ships had come home. They had found Valinor.