AUTHOR'S NOTE This story's nearing its end! Thanks everyone for sticking with me…they'll be about five more chapters. I hope you enjoy! Sorry this chapter's kinda short - the next one was too long to pair it with.

DISCLAIMER Anyone you recognize from Tolkien's work, there's a REAL good chance that I don't own them!

July 5, Year 61 of the Fourth Age

"Thank you for coming," I said, leading Calíme, Colindor, and Emeriel with Melion into my sitting room. My words sounded so formal and fake; I kenew that they would suspect something. They had known me for too long. And in 63 years, I had still not yet managed to learn to mask my emotions.

Emeriel looked at me strangely. "Rae, what's going on?"

I sighed and sat down. "There's something I have to tell you."

Calíme looked alarmed. "Something's wrong, isn't it?"

I looked into my friends' faces and felt tears well up in my eyes. How could I tell them that I was leaving them again? I had left them in Lórien, left them in Edoras, and now I was leaving them in my own colony in Ithilien?
"You know that I recently traveled back to Edoras," I began. They nodded. "I went to visit Gauna. She died while I was there."

Emeriel and Calíme began to softly weep. Gauna had been their friend too. "Why?" Calíme asked.

"She was mortal," I reminded them. "Her life simply ended as it was designed to. But that is not the only thing I have to tell you." I couldn't look them in the eye and instead gazed out the window. "I can't stand the idea of watching someone else whom I love die. So I have decided to leave Ithilien and sail for the Undying Lands."

My friends were quiet. When I finally turned to look at them, Emeriel and Colindor were exchanging a meaningful glance. Calíme sat quietly.

"Rae," Emeriel began. "Colindor and I have been long discussing sailing for Valinor." She looked at her son, who was asleep. "But Melion is only just over 60 years old. He is still sick. He cannot make the journey and I cannot leave him."

I nodded. "I understand. I am leaving Ithilien as soon as everything is in order. I must reach the Shire by September 22."

If they were curious about why that date, they didn't show it. Calíme was the first to stand up. "Please come say goodbye before you leave."

I watched her leave sadly. "I didn't think she'd be so upset about it."

"She's never reacted well when you decide to leave Rae," Emeriel remarked. Sighing, I nodded. "Now that you are sailing, I wish more than ever to leave this land. But I cannot trust my son in anyone's care," she continued. She and Colindor stood up. "Please don't leave without saying goodbye."

I kissed her cheek. "Of course not." Once they were gone and I was alone again, I started thinking. Emeriel had grown so tired of Middle Earth and I saw it in her eyes. I wished I could do something for her.

Suddenly an idea struck me. I ran from the room. "Legolas!" I called.

He appeared from his study, looking at me. "Yes? What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. I must ride for Minas Tirith immediately!"

"Okay," he replied, confused. "When you return, we must announce to the colony your decision."

That stopped me. I knew once we announced it to the colony, there was no turning back. But I nodded. "I'll be back by morning."

"That's fine."

I pushed the pain of his distance down as I waited for Círar to be saddled up. Nelin whinnied softly to me. "No, mellon nîn," I said. "I must travel fast to Minas Tirith. And you must rest for a long journey." The old mare tossed her head. She understood.

I leapt onto Círar's back and took off to the north. It was not long before Minas Tirith rose against the horizon. Círar stopped before the gate. "Halt!" called a young guard.

Putting a hand to my chest, I bowed. "Please inform Lady Arwen that Lady Raélowen of Ithilien needs to speak with her immediately."

Mellon nîn – my friend (Sindarin)