To Whatever End: Chapter Twenty-Two
-Kathryn-
The slow beginnings of recovery and regrouping stretched on hours after the Fall of Sauron as we began to gather our dead and wounded. The Eagles gave us what help they could, carrying Gandalf into the wasteland of Mordor's remains to search for Frodo and Sam, and not long after the wizard returned with the two brave hobbits in tow - alive, but barely. They were both unconscious in the brief glimpse I saw of them, gaunt and pale, and covered head to toe in dirt and grime. Ripped and tattered clothes, feet black as tar, bruised and battered more than they ever should've been. I pitied them both, knowing how much they'd suffered to complete their task... but it was done. It was over now. By their efforts, we could all finally live in peace.
After Frodo and Sam were quickly whisked away to be properly cared for, I continued helping out wherever I could as we dealt with the aftermath. We'd lost many in this final battle, though the casualties from the siege of Minas Tirith had been much worse. I quickly found Erin, Legolas, and Faramir, thankful to see them all still alive, and before long we were ready to begin the journey back to Minas Tirith. Despite those we'd lost, spirits were high, and in all honestly it still felt surreal to me. Sauron was gone. Gone. After so much war and death and struggle, our greatest evil had been defeated for good. Not every Orc had been caught in the collapse of Mordor, and we knew there'd still be those that would stand loyal to Sauron's memory in the years to come, but it all seemed so miniscule in comparison to the victory we'd just achieved. To see sun shining down on a land which had once been nothing but desolate and dark brought such a sense of hope and reassurance. Middle-Earth was free, and would continue on to thrive and grow without such an imposing threat. And if such a massive enemy like Sauron could be washed away, the rest would follow naturally. The completion of the quest was what this world needed.
As we reentered the lands of Northern Ithilien that day, I caught Erin still glancing back over her shoulder in disbelief and smiled. "Still doesn't feel real, does it?"
She shook her head, laughing to herself. "No... No, it really doesn't." The final glimpses of the mountain range fell out of sight as we slipped into the woods, and she turned forward again. "There were so many times I thought we wouldn't make it," she admitted. "Times I questioned everything, and felt like I was making all the wrong moves, and... times I seriously thought we were destined to fail." She glanced up at me, a small smile on her face. "But we didn't."
I smiled back. "We didn't."
Erin's smile lingered, her gaze momentarily falling to the sword at my side. "Congratulations, by the way. Faramir tells me you killed the Witch-King all on your own."
I chuckled. "Thanks. It wasn't easy, but I managed, somehow."
"Remember when you were convinced Galadriel giving you that sword was a mistake?" Erin grinned. "Now look at you."
"Oh, totally. I'm a grade-A legendary warrior now," I joked. "All brave and strong and shit."
We both laughed, but as it faded, Erin still looked at me, a softer sincerity in her eyes. "...You were always brave and strong, Kathryn," she said. "Getting a fancy sword never changed that."
I blinked, slightly taken aback by the comment as my own tone grew a little softer. "You were too, you know. Through everything."
Again, Erin smiled, warm and genuine, and after a moment her gaze drifted away, focusing on the path ahead. "...I'm glad you're with me, Kathryn."
I also returned my attention to the road, a small spark of warmth in my heart as I smiled to myself. I said nothing more, but neither of us needed to, riding onward in comfortable, content silence that felt right at home. No fears, no worries, no doubts. Just a quiet, calming reassurance and appreciation of each other, two best friends against the rest of the world. And we had done it, I realized. We'd plunged into this foreign world and made it out the other side together. And that meant more to me than any physical victory over dark lords ever could.
–
-Erin-
I gently arranged the last of the leaves and flowers at the head of the small stone plaque, stepping back after the final touches to look down on my handiwork. It was quiet in the gardens around me as I stood there, eyes trailing over the engravings in the low light of dusk. I'd only gotten the chance to visit her grave once before we'd left, and even though it'd been over three months now, it was still a sight I wasn't used to.
I sighed, feeling a dull ache resurface in my chest that'd grown too familiar. "...I miss you, Kaia." I always would. No matter how much time passed, the pain of her loss would still remain, and it still felt foreign to me not seeing her walking the halls of the citadel or joking around with us at supper. It hurt, and I was still grieving, but I knew there was nothing I could do to change the past. What was done was done. Simple as that. I lifted my gaze to the rest of the gardens now, and to Minas Tirith beyond. And she didn't die in vain, I thought. We did what we set out to do, and now the age of Men will flourish in peace under Aragorn's rule. I paused, slipping my hands in my pockets. She'd be happy. And proud.
I turned my gaze skyward again, taking a deep breath as I stood alone in the stillness of the gardens. It was almost January now... soon the beginning of a new year would be upon us. Preparations were already being made for Aragorn's coronation in March, and time seemed to be speeding by faster than I'd expected since we'd returned to Minas Tirith. Before I knew it, April would be here, marking my seven year anniversary of arriving in Middle-Earth. I blinked, the realization striking unexpectedly. Wow... seven years. It felt so bizarre to think about it. Seven years since I'd left behind the modern world I once called home and came here. Seven years since the start of a new life. And all those years, I'd spent traveling far and wide across Middle-Earth. Exploring and venturing into the unknown, taking part in the journey I'd read about over and over again as a child, befriending those I'd once idolized... I'd be twenty-six this spring, and even that was a strange concept to me. So much was different now, ever since that fateful day which now felt like a lifetime ago.
For a moment, my thoughts settled on my old home, and I frowned. It seemed so distant now. My family, friends, and all the memories I'd made there. My childhood. But I still remembered it. The people I loved, the important things I did... what shaped me. I'd never truly forget it, even after a hundred years. My eyes followed the clouds drifting overhead, and I remembered when Kaia, Kathryn and I had debated the idea of trying to go back. I wasn't even sure if it was still possible. But more than that, even... did I want to go back? I paused, my gaze falling to Kaia's grave at my feet once again. If I had the chance to return home, would I take it?
But the longer I dwelt on the question, the clearer the answer seemed to be. ...No. My life is here now. My heart is here. Again, I looked outward to the horizon. It's always been here. Maybe they weren't blood, but I still had people here I loved, and those who loved me. My own little family of a different kind. To leave all of them behind, just... it wouldn't be worth it. Not now, after all we'd journeyed through together. Going back and trying to pick up the pieces of my old life on Earth would be so much harder. And I wasn't sure I'd find true happiness there anymore, anyway.
I looked up at the darkening sky, a handful of stars peeking out from behind the clouds. I still didn't have a true home here. That was the one thing, even after all these years in Middle-Earth, I'd never quite managed to figure out. Maybe I will, now that the war's over. A pause, and my frown deepened slightly. ...Or maybe I won't. That was still hard to come to terms with, in all honesty. Now that the story of Lord of the Rings was drawing to a close, I felt even more aware of how empty my own future was. At one time, I thought I'd settle down somewhere. Start a family. Return to some form of normalcy instead of running rampant through the wilderness like I'd been doing for so long. But now that wasn't really looking like an option for me. And really, I... I wasn't entirely sure it was what I still wanted. But I have time, I reminded myself. And regardless of what my future looks like... I don't think I'd ever be able to leave. I cast one last look at Kaia's grave, slightly fearful still of my own future, but ready to embrace whatever it held nonetheless. And as night quietly fell over Minas Tirith then, I held that small pearl of hope close to my heart as I turned, slowly leaving the gardens behind as I began the walk back to my room.
–
-Kathryn-
I smiled as another laugh escaped Míriel, the two of us walking through the citadel hand in hand. "Your friends are incredibly foolish," she snickered. "I imagine I'll likely see them often in the healing halls if they keep that kind of thing up."
"Oh, you probably will," I agreed. "Erin was pissed that Legolas beat her in that tree climbing contest. I still can't believe she fell like that and didn't break anything."
"He is a wood-elf, is he not?"
"Yeah, but I think that only makes Erin want to beat him more."
Míriel shook her head, loose auburn waves flowing freely down her back. "She seems like quite the handful."
I smiled, rolling my eyes. "You have no idea." She laughed again, and my smile only widened, feeling like the room had gotten a little brighter just then. Since our return to Minas Tirith, Míriel and I had started seeing each other regularly, and a few days ago, shockingly, she'd asked me to be exclusive (which I of course said yes to). I still wasn't entirely sure how I'd gotten so lucky, leaning to place a kiss on the side of her head. "You're adorable, you know that?"
She smiled, warm brown eyes meeting my own darker ones. "Only for you, darling."
I hummed in contentment, kissing her again as we came to the end of the hallway and rounded the corner. As we did, I noticed two others approaching from the other direction, immediately recognizing Éomer's broad form and Lothíriel's dark head of hair as she walked next to him. They were caught up in conversation, laughing and talking, and I smiled to myself, knowing Éomer had become absolutely smitten with her. He'd confided in me often over the past few weeks how much he wanted to ask her out but was always hesitant to come off too pushy, and I'd confessed the same to him about Míriel, the two of us often gushing about our respective girls to one another.
But then, just as we were about to cross paths, the most unbelievable thing happened right in front of my eyes - Éomer, out of the blue, leaned over and planted a kiss on Lothíriel's forehead, and she laughed, leaning into him as he draped an arm across her shoulders. My jaw dropped as I stopped dead in my tracks, and it was then that Éomer noticed us, too, slowing to a halt mere feet away from each other. His eyes immediately jumped to Míriel, then fell to our intertwined hands, while I continued staring at his arm across Lothíriel's shoulders. Several seconds of silence ticked by as we both made eye contact, slowly connecting the dots in our heads.
Then, at the exact same time, massive grins split both our faces as we put two and two together. "OHHH!" we shouted, immediately jumping forward to high-five. Lothíriel and Míriel both started laughing, amused by our antics as we pounced on each other.
"You did it!" Éomer cried, still beaming as he gestured to Míriel. "I thought you never would!"
"Are you kidding me? You did it!" I squealed in excitement, smacking him on the shoulder. "How long has this been going on?!"
"I could ask you the same!" he said. "Two days."
"Wha- three days!" My eyes went wide as saucers. "Oh my God, you've been dating her for two days and didn't tell me?"
"You said nothing to me, either!"
"True," I admitted with a shrug. "But oh my God, Éomer! Congratulations," I said to both him and Lothíriel. "I'm so happy for you both."
"We are happy for you as well, Kathryn," Lothíriel said, nodding to Míriel with a knowing smile. "I did not realize you also knew Lady Míriel so closely - we are both of Dol Amroth."
"Yes!" Míriel nodded. "Funny how our paths have crossed again here."
"Wow. Small world, I guess." I couldn't wipe the grin off my face as I looked back to Éomer, who shared a similar expression. "Okay, well I guess we'll let you guys get on with whatever you're doing. You're in for a treat, Lothíriel, he's a catch," i winked. "If you ever want some good old fashioned dirt on this guy, let me know. I've got hours worth of stories."
She laughed again, and Éomer rolled his eyes. "Yes, thank you, Kathryn. We'll be going now." But he still cast one last smirk as I stepped past him, secretly holding out his hand to high five again as we moved to go our separate ways. "Well done," he whispered.
I cracked another smile as we parted ways, still laughing to myself. "Right back at ya."
–
-Erin-
"Erin! Erin! Erin! Oh my God, come here!"
I looked up from where I'd been lounging on my bed with a good book to see Kathryn come barreling in, her dress billowing behind her as she skidded to a stop halfway across the room. "What?" I asked frantically. "What is it?"
"Frodo! He's finally awake!"
My eyes widened as I immediately discarded the book, falling to the mattress as I leapt to my feet. "Seriously? Oh my God!" I took off after Kathryn, right on her tail as we bolted out of the room, tearing down the halls and whipping around corners as we made a beeline for his room in the healing halls.
As we flew past one of the doors, I screeched to a halt, doubling back to poke my head inside. "Hey! Blondie!"
Legolas turned around from where he'd been talking with Aragorn, brow lifting at my shout. "Erin? What is going on?"
"Frodo's awake!" I said. "Come on, we're going to see him now! You too, Aragorn, come with!" I shouted back to the ranger as I grabbed Legolas by the arm and broke into a run again, quite literally dragging him along behind me.
"Is he really?" Legolas asked.
"Well, yeah!" I glanced back over my shoulder. "What, did you think I was running through the hallways just for fun?"
"You would never do that. You hate running."
"Exactly!" He laughed as we slowed and rounded the last corner just in time to see Kathryn duck into one of the rooms. I paused to catch my breath as I dropped Legolas' hand, the two of us sharing eager smiles before heading in after her.
As soon as we entered the room, my gaze fell to Frodo sitting in his bed, his blue eyes looking clearer than I could ever remember as a wide smile split his face. "Erin! Legolas!" Pippin had leapt onto the bed with him, jumping and floundering around in his excitement, and I stepped up beside Kathryn as Gimli clapped and cheered (I swear I even caught him wiping away a stray tear or two). A moment later, the soon-to-be king came in behind us, and again Frodo's face lit up in excitement. "Aragorn!"
I glanced behind me as he stepped up beside Legolas with a grin of his own, all of us ecstatic to see our Ringbearer alive and well. Pippin was entertaining us all as his mouth ran a mile a minute to fill Frodo in on all he'd missed, with Kathryn occasionally interjecting to correct him as the rest of us just laughed, the most wonderful sensation of pure joy filling up the entire room. It had been so long since we'd all just been... together. Standing in the same space. Smiling and talking. A moment later, Frodo's gaze flicked back to the doorway, his expression sobering for a second until he gave a small smile. I didn't have to turn around to know it was Sam, and when he stepped up on the other side of Kathryn, I smiled at him as she leaned down to give him a hug.
A few minutes later, the bubbling laughter and conversation began to lull, and Gandalf let out a breath. "Well... here we are. The Fellowship of the Ring."
"Save for a few," Legolas added. My gaze fell to the floor momentarily, smile dimming.
The wizard nodded, his words growing solemn. "If not for their displays of courage, we may not be here to stand in victory on this day. Merry, Boromir, and Kaia will never be forgotten amongst any of us." I raised my head briefly to meet Frodo's gaze, and he looked at me with a confused sadness in his eyes at Kaia's name. I only nodded to confirm the bitter truth. "May their spirits find peace beyond this world."
"There can be no victory without sacrifice," Aragorn said. There were nods and hums of agreement, and for a moment it fell silent across the room.
"But a victory it was indeed," Gandalf said, smiling again as he looked back to Frodo. "All of Middle-Earth is saved by your efforts, Frodo and Sam."
Sam looked bashfully to his feet. "We only did what needed doin'," he muttered, and I smiled, shaking my head. He hasn't changed a bit.
From beside me, Kathryn laughed. "Right. You only carried the One Ring of power all the way into Mordor and destroyed it, after all. Nothing major." Sam smiled a bit at that.
"Well, from what I've heard, the rest of you have had quite the adventures yourselves," Frodo said. "I want to hear everything - tell me what's happened!"
There was another beat of silence as we all looked at each other before bursting into laughter again, Frodo and Sam's curiosity only heightened as they looked around to each of us curiously. I chuckled to myself as I shook my head, looking at Frodo with a smile. "You really want to know everything? We'll be here all day."
He just smiled back at me, but softer this time, and it warmed my heart to see Frodo so much like himself again as he leaned back in his bed. "Go on, then. I've got all the time in the world."
–
Ink flowed from the quill in a steady stream as I scribbled across the page, the light of the morning March sun filtering in through the windows behind me. I sat hunched over a smooth wooden desk, fingers drumming anxiously against its surface as I finished the final sentence. As I lifted the quill away, I paused, eyes skimming the aged parchment as I read over that which I'd already written and rewritten a thousand times. I swallowed, nerves buzzing up and down my skin as I hesitated before dipping the quill back in the inkwell. It's done. I don't have time to mess with it anymore, it is what it is. Quickly, I signed my name across the bottom, feeling a twist of discomfort as I stopped to skim it again, still doubting my own carefully curated words. But there was nothing else to be done for it now. If he hates it, he hates it. I've done all I can. Even as I set the quill aside, though, I couldn't keep myself from staring at the letter, a small part of me feeling like it might be a mistake. He might not even read it. The second he sees my name attached to this thing, he might throw it into a fire without a second glance. But then I stopped, remembering why I'd convinced myself to do this in the first place. Or he could read it and understand. And maybe, just maybe, he'll hate me a little less.
I was torn from my thoughts by a gentle knock at the door, my head snapping up as I blinked and remembered where I was. "Come in." I hurried to neatly fold the parchment in three, reaching for the wax seal I'd borrowed from Gandalf and sealing the letter shut. As soon as it was done, I turned to the elf who'd entered, faltering for half a second and sucking in a breath. Damn. He looks good. "Hey."
Legolas smiled from where he stood across the room, practically glowing in a silver tunic and matching circlet which made his eyes seem even bluer than usual. "Are you ready? The ceremony is to begin shortly."
"Yeah, yeah, just let me grab my shoes." I moved to the pair of silver slippers waiting at the end of my bed, smoothing a few stray wrinkles in the sheer lavender fabric of my dress as I stepped into them. I glanced into a nearby mirror, checking to make sure none of my braids had come undone and adjusting the strings of pearls woven into my hair. "I feel like I can barely move my head with these in," I muttered. "They're so fragile. Half of them will probably be broken before the ceremony's even done."
Legolas laughed as I finally walked over to him, his face softening for a moment as he looked at me. "You look stunning," he whispered.
I felt a faint heat in my cheeks, trying to ignore it as I smiled back at him. "Thanks. So do you." My eyes abruptly fell to my feet, trying to keep myself from staring, and it was at that moment I remembered the piece of paper still clutched in my hand. "Hey, can I ask you to do something for me?"
"Of course."
I looked back up at him, twisting the rings on my fingers. "Are you... do you know if you'll see Elrohir today? Or do you know where Faramir has him staying?"
Immediately, his expression shifted, a small flicker of worry in his eyes. "Erin, do not seek him out. He may still be angry, I do not want him to hurt you if-"
"No, I know," I cut him off. "I know I can't go see him, Faramir already told me not to. But I - if you're going to see him, can you give him this?" I pushed the old parchment towards the blond. "Please?" For a moment, Legolas said nothing, just looked at it, and my fingers ran circles over the swirling patterns in my dress. "...I haven't spoken to him since. I never got to tell him I was sorry, and I know it's long overdue at this point, but..." I closed my eyes, shaking my head. "I need the closure."
I opened them again as Legolas looked back at me, serious now. "You know this may not solve anything between you."
"I know," I said again. "I can't take back what happened, and I don't expect forgiveness from him, or from any of them." Again, I hesitated, biting my lip. "But he deserves an apology, if nothing else."
At first, Legolas was silent, looking down at the letter in his hands as he weighed what I'd said. Eventually, though, he let out a breath and lifted his gaze to meet mine again with a nod. "I will see that he receives it."
A tension I didn't realize I'd been holding in my shoulders relaxed. "Thank you. It means a lot."
He smiled a bit, something once again shifting in his eyes, and for a second there was a slight pause as we just stood there looking at each other. But then Legolas blinked and stepped back, clearing his throat as the moment was awkwardly broken. "We should be going."
I nodded as he offered me his arm, stepping out into the hallway and tucking the letter into some hidden pocket within his tunic as we started off. We took our time as we wove through the empty hallways of the citadel, making our way out towards the open courtyard on the top level. Crowds of people had flocked to witness the crowning of their new king, and I glanced at Legolas as we drew closer to it, releasing his arm. "I guess I'll see you after, then?" He nodded as we went our separate ways, Legolas going to take his place among the rest of the elves while I wove through the crowd to where Kathryn and Faramir stood near the front. As I slipped past the last few people and into the open space beside Kathryn, I smiled. "Hi."
She cast a knowing glance my way as she stepped aside to give me a little more room. "You cut that one pretty close."
"Whatever, I made it," I whispered back. "Thanks for holding my spot." I leaned back to look past her and give the redheaded captain a wave. "Hey Faramir." He nodded to me in response, and I looked around as the last of the attendees began to file in, spotting Éomer and Lothíriel across the walkway. Further down the aisle I could see the small cluster of elves, Legolas standing front and center as he spoke to Glorfindel beside him. A small part of me regretted not being able to stand beside him, but I knew it was for the best. Especially since I could see a glimpse of Elrohir's dark hair just a few elves further back.
I quickly averted my gaze as Gandalf and Gimli came to the top of the steps, a hush falling over the crowd. As soon as it had fallen silent and still, the wizard turned, his gaze sweeping over the sea of people as he spoke. "On this day, we are gathered in celebration and honor of he who comes to restore unity and peace among the realms of Men. For he has come to claim his kingship at last, and take his seat upon the throne of Gondor." Then Gandalf turned, and the great doors of the citadel swung apart, all eyes turning to the man who stepped through them and out into the sun. "Here now is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Captain of the Host of the West, wielder of the Sword Reforged, Elfstone, Elessar, the heir of Isildur and Elendil of Númenor come to you."
And Aragorn came forward then in shining silver mail and velvet, looking every inch like the king he was born to be as he stood before us all. He turned and knelt on the steps as Gimli brought the crown forward to Gandalf, who lifted it high into the air before slowly lowering it onto Aragorn's head. It was silent as if the whole city was holding its breath, and Gandalf spoke again, his voice echoing across the field. "Now come the days of the King!" he announced. Then he smiled down at Aragorn with pride in his gaze. "May they be blessed."
I couldn't help my own smile as Aragorn stepped up to face us again, his black cape sweeping behind him as he turned, finally standing before us as the one he was born to be. The crowd burst into applause, and my grin widened, beaming as I cheered him on before he took a moment to address us as we quieted down. "This day does not belong to one man," he said, "but to all. Let us together rebuild this world that we may share in the days of peace."
Applause rung out for him again, and in that moment petals from the flowering White Tree rained down upon us like snow, a signal to all that the king had finally come home again. I laughed as they floated down, catching a few in my hands and tossing them at Kathryn as Aragorn began to descend the stairs and take his first steps among us as a king, singing the song of Elendil as he walked. "Et Eärello... endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar... tenn' Ambar-metta..." [Out of the Great Sea to Middle-Earth I am come... In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.]
As he passed us by, we bowed to him, though I caught his gaze as I stood again, giving him a wink. Aragorn smiled, chuckling to himself as he moved on, and I watched him go, more proud of him then than I'd ever been. "He's going to do great."
Kathryn nodded from her place beside me as Aragorn approached the elves and stepped up to meet Legolas, clasping a hand on his shoulder. "Yeah, he will." She paused for a moment, a sigh escaping her as Arwen now came forward from behind a banner of pale green emblazoned with the White Tree. "...Kaia would be proud."
My smiled dimmed ever so slightly, turning back to Kathryn. "She would. She'd be proud of all of us, I think." Again, my gaze turned back to Aragorn as he and Arwen collided in a kiss, the new king overjoyed as he swept her off her feet and the crowds around us burst into applause again. "Middle-Earth will finally see an age of peace. It's exactly what we all wanted."
As Aragorn and Arwen moved on together, Kathryn's voice softened beside me. "...I don't think I'll ever experience anything quite like this again in my lifetime."
Just then, the people ahead began to drop to their knees and bow, and I smiled to myself, following suit in honor of the four brave hobbits responsible for it all who stood further down the line. "No," I agreed. "I don't think we will."
A/N: As I sit here finishing this chapter, I've also just finished settling into my new home in Philadelphia. So, as you can imagine, life has been insane for the past few weeks, haha. Please forgive the spotty updates (I actually have a good reason for it this time lmao) but I promise, there's only a couple more chapters left to go! I can assure you, it'll be finished by the end of the month before I start school again.
Thanks for reading, as always, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Watch out, folks, it's about to start getting real emo in here as we wind down to the end lol
