AUTHOR'S NOTE Thanks for being patient with my pathological lateness in updates! For those of you who've stuck with me, thank you so much! This story, and Rae's trilogy, is almost done. I hope you've enjoyed!

DISCLAIMER Tolkien's characters are not mine. They are Tolkien's. Hence, Tolkien's characters.

August 8, Year 61 of the Fourth Age

There was no turning back. No changing my mind. I brought nothing with me, save the sack I had carried from Lórien to Rohan and items that held sentimentality. A jewel that Gauna had given me after my wedding, an article of Aara's baby clothing, my cloak from Galadriel, and most importantly, the Mirkwood arrow that Legolas had left for me lifetimes before.

I stood at the colony gate. Nelin was saddled and ready. Legolas stood by my side and we faced the colony. Emeriel, Colindor, Melion, and Calíme stood behind. "I am truly sorry," I said. My voiced cracked as I tried to continue. "Truly sorry that I must leave all of you. Raised in Lórien and living in Rohan for a time, I was never welcomed as completely as I am here." A tear slipped from my eye. "I will await you all in the Undying Lands. Namaarie."

"Namaarie, Lady Raélowen," Elves of the colony replied sadly.

Legolas took my place as I moved back among my friends. "Know that each of you is free to leave this land at any time. Lady Raélowen has reached her time and I will accompany her to the Grey Havens. But my time has not come yet and I will return. Namaarie for awhile, my friends."

I walked through the gate of the land that had come to be mine. Nelin, old as she was, trotted slowly beside me as Legolas and I led my friends out of the city. My heart was breaking and I seriously doubted my decision, but the memory of Gauna's death still haunted me. I knew it was time.

The farther we got from home, the easier it became to leave. Emeriel was quiet, cuddling Melion and everyone once and a while shedding a tear. Calíme was quiet as well but I did not know why.

The one bright spot in the journey was that the stress between Legolas and I had melted. We had mutually realized that these days were the last we would spend together. We walked together during the day and lay together at night. Our lovemaking was quiet out of necessity and tender out of grief.

When Minas Tirith rose on the horizon, my heart grew heavy again. I knew that a difficult goodbye was near. The guard at the gate granted our company passage and we were led to the White Hall.

King Elessar awaited us. "Mae govannen," he said. Queen Undómiel, Prince Eldarion, and the Princesses stood with him. Faramir and Éowyn were behind them and Aara and her family were off to the side. The five of us bowed to the King.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Aragorn," Legolas said. "We are greatly in your debt."

"You are always welcome in Minas Tirith, my friend." Aragorn smiled.

I stepped forward and bowed. "I am sorry my Lord, but we cannot tarry here." Legolas looked at me, shocked. I did not return his glance. "There is one I must meet and journey with on September 22nd."

Grief clouded Aragorn's eyes. He knew what day that was. Sadly, he nodded his head. "Then I will allow your farewells."

I looked sadly to Emeriel. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she held her son close to her. Arwen slowly walked to her side. A sob escaped from Emeriel's throat as the Queen took the sleeping elfling in her arms. "By the knowledge passed to me by my father, Lord Elrond Peredhil, I will care for your son." Even Arwen shed a tear as she spoke. "When he is healthy and strong, I promise that he will join you across the Sea."

I wept for my friend. I knew Arwen could care for Melion but the separation would be harder than anything Emeriel had ever faced. But she had agreed to the idea and I knew she longed for the Sea.

"Your Highness," Emeriel said suddenly. Arwen looked at her questioningly. "Your Highness, I thank you for this great honor and gift, but I have one request. I wish to give Melion a second name now."

Arwen nodded thoughtfully. "So young?"

"Yes, my lady. I wish to give him the name Estel." Legolas looked surprised and Aragorn looked shocked. Emeriel pressed on. "I know that it was once the name of King Elessar, but I believe that it is fitting for my son. It means – "

"Hope," Aragorn said.

"Yes, my Lord," Emeriel said, bowing her head.

"It is a good name," Arwen declared. "The child shall have it and henceforth be known as Melion Estel."

Emeriel's eyes filled with tears. "Thank you, Queen Undómiel," she said in a trembling voice.

I approached my daughter's family. Wordlessly, I hugged Eleni and Éomer, now eighteen and seventeen years old respectively. "Namaarie," I said softly to them.

"Namaarie Grandmother," Eleni replied.

"Goodbye," Éomer said.

I had to smile. Eleni, the child with the Elvish name, relished her Firstborn heritage while Éomer was very much his father's Rohirrim son. "I will miss you both."

I hugged Elboron goodbye as well. Now at a mature age of 47, he embodied the family man that I imagined my real father to be. He loved his children and he loved Aara unconditionally.

Saying goodbye was harder than I expected. I knew that I truly would never see them again. But Eleni was growing into a beautiful girl and Éomer was as strong and noble as his namesake. I knew that their lives would be happy.

Before I could say anything else, Aara spoke. "Mama, don't say goodbye."

I stopped and stared. "What?"

"Don't say goodbye," she repeated. "Not yet. I am going with you."

"Aara, you know that you can't."

My daughter looked determined. "I know I cannot sail with you, but I intend to travel with you as far as possible."

Tears gathered in my eyes as I nodded in agreement. Aara bid her family farewell for a time, then joined our party.

Éowyn rushed to give me a hug before our departure. "I will miss you, Rae!" she said softly.

"And I will miss you. Watch over my daughter for me."

"I will. I promise."

Then King Elessar stood before us. "Farewell Lady Raélowen. May your journey be safe and your soul be at peace. Lead your people to Valinor, but I ask that you remember the laws of this land."

"I will." I looked sadly at my husband's lifelong friend. "Namaarie, Aragorn."

He smiled. "Namaarie, Rae."

Legolas and I led Aara, Emeriel, and Colindor from the White Hall, but Calíme did not follow. Emeriel tapped me on the shoulder and the two of us went back to our friend. "Cali?" I asked.

"I'm not going, Rae."

"What? Why?"

"I'm staying here, in Minas Tirith." Calíme looked to Emeriel. "Arwen has said that I can stay until Melion is well enough to make the journey. Then I will bring him to you."

"Oh Cali!" Emeriel hugged her tight and soon they had pulled me in as well. And I felt the love between the three of us. I remembered our days in Lórien from lifetimes ago. I was no longer the Lady of their land, but their friend again.

"Besides," Cali added very quietly, "There is no need for me to leave for Valinor so soon." She stole a quick glance at the Queen of Gondor and explained, "There are other things in Middle Earth that I have yet to explore."

I shook my head in amusement. I only hoped that Cali would not be too hurt when she realized how much Aragorn and Arwen loved each other.

But we could not waste any more time. Gently, I pulled Emeriel toward the entry. "I hope you are happy, mellon nîn," I said.

Calíme smiled. "I will be."

"And we will see you again someday?" Emeriel asked.

"Someday," Calíme promised.

I kissed Calíme's forehead in farewell. "Namaarie."

"Namaarie, Rae." Suddenly Calíme laughed. "This is quite different from how it was originally to be. I say behind in Middle Earth while you sail for the Elvish Blessed Realm?"

I laughed. "Who'd have thought?"

"Rae," Legolas said from behind me. I turned and nodded to him.

"Go." Calíme smiled.

I nodded. She stood with the King and Queen, the Prince and Princesses, Éowyn, Faramir, and my daughter's family. As I turned and left the White Hall of Minas Tirith for the last time, I knew that it was an image I'd never forget.

Namaarie – Farewell (Quenya)

Mae Govannen – Well met/welcome (Sindarin)

Mellon nîn – My friend (Sindarin)