Finally, they arrived back in Minas Tirith. Soriel was waiting for them there, and Leila raced to the front to see her. She threw her arms around her friend. They giggled as they embraced each other.
"Leila, I have so missed you!" Soriel cried, as they squeezed each other closer.
"We missed you too!" Leila replied, now breaking their hug. "I never thought to see you again! It seems when I am certain of death, I end up seeing your face."
"And you are always there to bring me joy when I lose hope. I have never been happier to see you, my friend," Soriel said, giving Leila's hands a squeeze, then her eyes went over Leila's shoulder, and Leila could tell it was Eomer that she saw. Leila smiled and moved so Soriel may go to him. Soriel leapt into his arms, and they kissed right there in the courtyard, in front of everyone. It was a perfect moment.
Leila approached Legolas now. "We made it," she said.
"We did," he replied.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. "And you still want to marry me?"
Legolas laughed. "Of course I do. As long as you still want to marry me," he replied.
Leila shrugged. "Yes, I suppose so. I did promise, after all," she joked, giving him a smile, which he returned.
For the next several days, Gondor prepared for the Coronation of Aragorn. In that time, both Frodo and Sam had awoken, and were finally up and walking around. Everyone was very glad to see them, and they exchanged stories for several hours. Faramir made preparations to crown Aragorn, and the people of Rohan also began discussing making Eomer King, and planning his wedding to Soriel. Unexpectedly, Faramir and Eowyn would also be getting married in the near future. Leila was ecstatic. She could not wait to see all her friends and their happily ever afters.
The day finally came when Aragorn was crowned. Faramir placed the crown on his head, and the world watched. He turned around and faced the people, gave them a speech about finding peace in this new age of Middle Earth, then sang the song of Isildur. Everyone bowed as he walked through the crowd. Legolas and Leila led the elves that were in attendance. Leila was on the arm of Legolas as he approached Aragorn and they clapped the other one's shoulder. She felt like she might burst from happiness, and to everyone around her, she was glowing. The thought of being his bride filled her with more joy than she could describe in words.
Behind them, came Arwen Undomiel. Leila had never met her before, but she was to be the Queen of Gondor. Aragorn laid eyes on her, and there were only a few seconds before he kissed her, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around, causing her to let out a laugh. Leila smiled at the happy couple. Arwen's father, Elrond, followed behind her. With him came his sons, Elladon and Elrohir, followed by Celeborn and Galadriel from Lothlorien. They were guiding another group of elves to the Undying Lands after the celebration of the King returning to the throne of Gondor.
Finally, Aragorn and Arwen approached the Hobbits, who bowed to them. "My friends," Aragorn said. "You bow to no one." Then Aragorn, son of Arathorn, the King of Gondor and his future Queen knelt before Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin, Hobbits from the Shire. The rest of Middle Earth followed suit, for they were truly deserving.
The next day, after the celebrations, the Fellowship of the Ring prepared to embark one last time together. Legolas, Leila, and Gimli would be going to explore more of Helm's Deep and then Fanghorn forest together. Soriel, Eomer, Eowyn, and Faramir were heading back to Edoras to announce their engagements. Gandalf and the Hobbits would be returning to the Shire. Helm's Deep was the first stop. Leila and Soriel both dismounted for another goodbye.
"Come see me in Meduseld before you go to Fanghorn," Soriel told her. "Eomer and I will give you grand stay."
"Of course," Leila said. "We will stay for the upcoming weddings."
Everyone else exchanged hugs and they departed. Leila felt a great sadness wash over her as she watched them go. She felt a sense of peace as well, knowing that at least this time, death was not in their future.
"Are you ready?" Legolas asked her, before they headed into the fortress.
"Yes," answered Leila. "I am ready for this. I am ready for this new world."
"How do you mean?"
"I am ready for peace, and love between my friends," Leila began. "I am ready to not feel as if I am always in danger. I am ready to rebuild the world around us, and for the age of men. I am ready to be your wife. I am ready for a whole new sort of adventure in our lives."
Legolas kissed her. "Me too, love," he said.
They mounted their horses and started into the fortress of Helm's Deep. It would be the first stop for them on their way to Mirkwood to truly start their lives anew. Leila couldn't wait.