AN- Despite what the chapter title/content implies, this isn't actually the last chapter or anything. It's just the most current thing I have written for posting lol. This story, as silly as it is, is my writing form of comfort food. I'm going to be writing it until I'm dead.

l.l.l

The End of All Things

Legolas was sitting on a shoreline, and he had honestly no idea how he had gotten there.

"So, you always dream about me this way?"

He turned around at her voice and saw Niori standing there, hands on her hips and an impish smile on her lips, "As a matter of fact no, I dream about you every way you've ever appeared," he replied, "but that poses another question. I'm dreaming?"

"Now would I look this good if you weren't?" she laughed as she came to sit down beside him. "Not that I ever look bad of course."

"Is this something people in your world do often," he asked her with a chuckle, "use dreams to deliver cryptic messages?"

"Nope," Niori laughed again. "It only seems to be the four of us. Though gotta ask, what's so special about this?" she gestured to herself, "it is your subconscious that got me to be this way."

"Other than the fact it's you?" Niori rolled her eyes with a grin. "If you must know, it's the day I met you."

Niori looked down at herself in surprise, "Good lord, you can remember my exact outfit?"

"It was one of the best days of my life," he replied matter-of-factly, "of course I remember it clearly."

"Oh, someone's being sappy tonight. If you're looking to get laid, I have to warn you that this is not a sex dream."

"Then what is so important that it couldn't wait until we both wake up?"

The joking grin fell from her face, and she completely sobered. She looked away from him, avoiding his eyes. She took a moment to reply, but when she did her voice was soft and sad, "It's that actually…the whole waking up thing. I won't be doing it."

"What do you mean?" Legolas asked her in confusion.

"Despite what you have me looking like, I'm a hundred and two Legolas." Niori finally turned back to look him in the eye. "What do you think I mean?"

Comprehension dawned on Legolas's face quickly followed by horror. "No…No!"

"Hey, don't freak," Niori told him, "please don't freak. I mean, I've had a good go if you cut out a significant part of seventeen down and then of course…well, you know what the of course is," she shivered half a second, "but it's my time. I'm mortal Legolas, we both knew that this would come eventually."

"It can't…" he almost begged her, "you can't."

"If it were possible you know I would stay. But that's not going to happen…actually, I think it's happened already."

Legolas looked stricken and she watched as the tears began to slip down from his eyes. It broke Niori's heart to know that she was the cause of them.

"Please don't cry," she whispered, crying too, "I've lived one kick ass life. I've had you and the three most amazing best friends in all of time. I've been blessed with two beautiful children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren. I got to be a hero and change lives. I got to go on so many adventures. What more can a girl ask for? Though I'm not going to lie, I never thought I'd die peacefully in my sleep, you know? I figured another war would break out just so the cosmos would see that I die in it."

When he pulled her into his arms Niori let his arms encircle and she leaned her head on her shoulder. She didn't want to leave them.

"Please don't leave me…please don't…"

"I'm sorry Legolas…so sorry. Maybe this dream was a bad idea, but I had to say goodbye. I couldn't let you have no idea and realize that you couldn't wake me up in the morning. I could never let you go through that." Now she had said goodbye for real. "I have to go," she whispered and he only tightened his grip on her. "I'm the last Legolas…that means they're all waiting for me, Carla, Erin and Jane. As much as I want to stay here with you, I can't wait to see them. It's been so long…"

He didn't reply and Niori could have sworn her heart broke even more.

"Where do we go from here?" he finally spoke.

"We?" Niori asked in confusion, drawing away from him.

"I promised you once that I'd follow you into death, and I hold true to that promise."

"No!" She said. "No! It was a beautiful romantic gesture when you made that pledge, and I love you for it, but you are not doing this. You are going to live Legolas, and watch over our children, and then their children, until the end of days. You're not going to fade, you're going to live." She was perhaps more harsh than she could have been, but Niori was vehement in this. Legolas would not die over her. She decided that from the moment he pledged to do so, and here at the end, she had no plans to argue otherwise. Here was their tragedy, but she refused to let it go further than it already was.

"If you're not waking up beside me, then I don't want to wake up at all."

"No!" she repeated, with even more force this time. "What's the point Legolas? We're not even destined to go to the same afterlife. Carla already gave me the run down on what's waiting for me, and it's not the same place you'll go." The different afterlives for different peoples had perplexed Niori since she first read it in Tolkien's work, let alone had it confirmed once coming to Middle Earth. It was, then and now, one of the dumbest ideas she had ever heard. "If you die, you'll just go and wait around with all the other elves. Why would I want you to die with me when it won't make any difference? We're going to be separated either way, and I'd rather you be with our family."

It was truly the end, and Niori had prepared herself for it. She knew this was the only way finale for them, had known it for a long time, but no amount of preparation could stop the blinding pain that gripped her chest. This would be the last time they were together, and it hurt more than anything else she could remember. The kiss he gave her was nothing but desperation, and Niori answered it equally. When they broke apart, Niori looked at his face and tried to memorize every inch of it. There was nothing for them to do but say goodbye forever, and she could barely keep herself from screaming.

"Tell them I love them," she whispered, blinking back hot tears. She had no idea if she'd ever see them again. Her son had already aged to show his mortality, even if it was slower, but her daughter didn't. Niori knew Amowiel, and she was nothing less than a true elf. The others, her grandchildren, she had no idea. For all she knew, she would never see any member of her family again. "I have never regretted this," she told Legolas, leaning their foreheads together, "even though I knew this would happen, I've never once looked back and wished we hadn't been together. Everything was worth it." Niori wouldn't have traded it for everything, even as she faced the brutal reality of their choice to be together.

"No!" this time is was Legolas's forceful voice. "I do not care. I don't care what I'm supposed to do, or where my soul is supposed to go once I leave the world. It goes with you, always, and I will fight to follow you now. I will not lose you."

It was obvious that he would, and it only hurt Niori more, "Don't...please. Don't put that on my shoulders. Don't you dare make me the reason you die."

"Don't ask me to give away the choice that is mine to make," Legolas countered, "and it is mine, no matter how you protest it."

Abruptly, unrepentantly, Niori laughed harshly, "Oh my God, we're so melodramatic. Do we even know how not to be melodramatic?"

Legolas surprised her with laughter of his own, "No, we don't. We have been melodramatic together since the day we first met. Gimli once told me he thought we didn't know how to interact if we weren't being miserable together about something."

"Oh hell," Niori said, "he's right. He's so right." She was crying again, and Legolas wiped her tears away.

"Your path is my path," he finished simply. "I walk with you, wherever you go. You were pulled into this world not of your own will, and then chose to fight for it, twice. You sacrificed almost everything for it, suffered more than anyone should be forced to. You are owed this, and I will argue our case in front of anyone who demands it. If that does not work, you will charm them into getting your way, as you are wont to do."

"I'm actually sure I couldn't charm the Valar Legolas, but thank you for thinking so highly of my powers of persuasion." it was as close to agreement as she could make, because she still didn't want him to come. She wanted him to live, but she knew he wouldn't. Even if she begged, much as she was contemplating doing, it wouldn't sway him. He was stubborn like that. She had to try, at least once more. "Please, don't do this. Stay."

"No," and that was that.

"It'll hurt them all bad, losing us both of us at once," She finally said, knowing there was nothing more for her to argue. This was a last ditch effort, but she'd do her damndest to guilt him out of it.

Their children would suffer for this, especially Amowiel, because she'd lose Dominic someday, too. Legolas's family would suffer, and she didn't want to cause them pain either. They had lost so much, and she couldn't bear the idea of causing them more. Their family and friends...everyone would weep for Niori's death, but for both of them to die? It wasn't mourning she wanted them to ever suffer.

"I know," was Legolas's regretful, sad reply, "and I don't want them to hurt. But I'm selfish enough not to lose you if I don't have to. Am knows that…and she knows that she'll never truly lose us. You've told her enough about the cryptic dream messages that you girls always seem to send. I do believe that no one will be able to stop me from being there for my daughter or son if they need me, even if it's only a dream like this. I'm assured that you feel the same way."

"Do you even know how much like Carla you sounded right there?" Niori said with a small smile, "and you're more than right. I dare someone to try and stop me…but it doesn't make leaving them any easier."

"I know…I know."

They sat in silence for awhile longer, and then Niori finally got to her feet. Legolas was right behind her and he took her hand.

"So what now?" he asked her.

"I don't know." Niori shrugged. "I've never been dead before. I guess we could just follow the path and see where it takes us."

She nodded towards the path that led across the sand. There were already footprints there, faded and almost washed away, but something to follow. Without a word they started across the beach. When she knew they were getting out of sight of where they had been sitting, Niori couldn't help but stop and turn around.

Tears were still in her eyes over the people she was leaving behind, and even Legolas being with her Niori wished she could go back. Her life didn't have many regrets anymore, but she wished she could see her children and grandchildren one more time, hold them and tell them she loved them. She wanted to tell so many people that she loved them.

"They'll be alright," Legolas reassured her as he squeezed her hand, though Niori could see the same wishes in his eyes.

"God, it took you long enough to get here!"

When the exasperated voice broke out, Niori and Legolas both turned around. Standing there in the middle of the path were Carla, Jane, and Erin.

"Holy crap Legolas," Erin said when she really noticed him there, "when you said follow her into death, you really meant it."

"I did."

His response was lost when all three girls rushed forward to embrace Niori. Erin and Jane crashed into her and she hugged them right back, laughing as much as she was still crying. Then, finally for the first time in seventy four years, Niori and Carla were able to stand face to face. They stood facing each other for a moment before Niori cried out and threw her arms around her cousin.

"God I've missed you. You cannot imagine how much I've wanted to do this," Niori half cried, half sobbed.

"Oh believe me Niori, I can."

Niori wouldn't let go because she was half scared that if she did Carla would be gone again. She had waited too long to be with her best friend to risk it. Since she didn't seem to be letting go, the other two girls joined in on the hug. It had finally come; the four of them were back together again. Finally.

"I think," Niori finally managed to pull away and say to Carla, "a very long time ago you promised me a grand tour."

"That I did, and after being here for so long, I know this place inside and out."

"Not to mention we're just the welcoming committee," Jane informed her. "There's a whole lot of people who can't wait to see you…the both of you."

Niori looked back at her husband, who was watching the girls' reunion with a large smile. He had known what a large gap their absence had left in her heart, and seeing it filled again was one of the most joyous things he had ever seen.

"Don't worry," Carla spoke up when she saw Legolas's almost wary glances around them, "no one is coming to stop you. The two of you have earned this."

"The perks of being heroes," Erin added, bright smile in place. "Even divine beings start to root for you."

"Well then," Legolas spoke up, "lead the way. I'll follow right behind."

Erin and Carla had already linked arms with Niori, and there was no way he was getting her back anytime soon. They had a lot of catching up to do. Jane linked arms with Carla and they headed off.

There was still a moment when she faltered, and Carla told her softly.

"I'm not going to lie and say leaving gets better, but it does get easier. Just like losing does. And despite the fact that's a part of your family that shares their dad's immortality, you'll see them again. I know all the cheats remember? Just remember that loss doesn't mean forever and you'll be able to be happy Niori."

"Thanks Carla," she whispered, realizing just how much she needed that reassurance.

"Well," Erin spoke, her voice more bouncy as she tried to make Niori feel better in her own way, "I do believe this calls for one mother of a party. What do you think?"

"When have I ever been a girl to turn down a party?" Niori said with a grin, letting Carla's words make her feel better. It was still so strange that she could be so happy and miserable at that one moment…but she was with her girls again, and that did make dying easier, especially that Legolas was here with her too.

"Some things never change." Legolas replied with a small laugh, and Niori looked back over her shoulder to stick her tongue out at him.

"To which I am glad," Carla remarked. "You don't even know how much I feared you coming here as some spoiled princess that I would have to give an ass kicking to."

"Bring it Carla."

"I don't know," Jane put in, "I thought she could put in a pretty good spoiled princess routine."

"Screw you Jane."

Legolas was still back there laughing and shaking his head.

"Ladies," Niori spoke, "have I mentioned how much I love the three of you?"

"Not in awhile actually," Carla replied.

"In that case, I love you guys."

"We better keep hearing that, because we have forever you know."

Once upon a time, back when they had first met, they had made the girlish together forever pledge that all friends made. Simple and naïve or not, it had come true.

"Forever…I like the sound of that. Just add 'and they lived -sort of- happily' to the front and I think it sounds absolutely perfect."

l.l.l

AN- I can't decide if this is the most melodramatic thing I have ever written, but it sure feels that way. If I ever want to write for a telenovela, I might just submit this as my application lol. Have a good one!