Chapter 29 ended with:

Legolas had been part of the victors. His emotions had told her so.

"Do you think they won in Mordor?" she asked him.

"Impossible. They could not have made it by then. The battle must have been somewhere in Rohan."

And so Valerie started waiting again, happy that her link with Legolas was strong enough that she could feel some of his stronger emotions despite the distance.

Chapter 30 – Sauron's Fall

Greenwood, March 15th of the Year 3019 of the Third Age

A horn was heard at the great gate. Thranduil stared at Valerie, and after a few seconds to recover from the shock, they both jumped out of their seats. The fortress was under attack. This was the attack they had been dreading for the past few weeks. Since they both were people who liked to plan, they already knew what they were going to do.

Thranduil went to his private chambers to put on his armour to lead the army beside Phoebe. That day, all Greenwood elves would either be victorious, or extinguished. And that was the reason why he had allowed Valerie to fight.

He met her in the hallway. She had already changed into leggings and was also wearing a light armour covering her upper abdomen. She was kissing her youngest children goodbye. Liam and Hadrian were standing behind her, also wearing an armour.

Sean, on the other hand, was helping Miniel and Gwelwen to gather the five young elflings. He would be the only ellon bringing them in the forest that day. He had a map and knew the way to the Grey Havens. If the fortress was falling, one last horn call would be made, and he would attempt to reach the Western realm. They were hoping that a ship would be waiting for the last desperate elves before sailing to the safety of Valinor. With young children and during the month of March, it was almost a foolish attempt, but no one would simply watch the reborn kings die without at least attempting to save them.

The entire family kissed and wished good luck to the ones who would be fighting, and Sean left with his brothers and the two governesses.

"Are you ready for one last adventure?" Valerie asked Brethilon and Brannor.

"This is not our last adventure, we will win this battle," Brannor replied with his usual optimism.

They all ran to the gate, Valerie and Liam preparing their riffles while the others were making sure their swords and bows were ready.

Phoebe reached them as soon as they appeared outside. "You made it quick! Is Sean going to the north-east exit?"

"Yes, he is on his way with your brothers."

"They have put the forest on fire!" she spat in the direction of Thranduil, who shuddered. Putting the trees on fire! How cruel were these vile creatures?

"How many?"

"There is at least a thousand orcs."

Phoebe was interrupted when an inflamed arrow hit the ground right beside her.

"Idiots! They do not even know that our fortress is made of stones! At least, they did not hit our resin!"

Valerie realized that the strange smell was coming from the three big cauldrons placed above strong fires, in which resin was boiling. She shuddered at the thought of how painful receiving boiling resin on the skin must be.

"Mother, please go to the left side of the wall, and Liam and Hadrian, go to the right. I trust that you have enough ammunition?"

"Of course." Valerie walked to her position, followed by Brannor and Brethilon.

Thranduil walked back and forth along the wall, talking to his warriors and encouraging them to protect their loved ones and the Greenwood culture and very existence. Like the other warriors, Valerie listened to the king's speech, seeing for the first time Thranduil in the role of a warrior, with his shining armour and his fearless expression. She prayed that this incredible ellon who had survived the seven- year siege of Barad-dûr would survive this battle.

The king finished his address and everyone present acclaimed him. Valerie sent him a flying kiss, sending him all her love. He had become a beloved father for her in the 17 years she had known him. He sent her a kiss back and went on the wall, not too far from her position.

Valerie glanced at the woods. A few miles away from the fortress, a portion of the forest was burning. How long would it burn? There were no clouds in the sky, it would not rain for days. The entire forest could possibly be destroyed. Damned orcs!

"The forest will start anew," Brethilon told her. "All the evil will be destroyed, and nature will take control back."

The smoke in the air was almost choking Valerie. Further away, the orcs were preparing a battering ram. They were obviously planning to invade the fortress. She prayed that Sean was already at the hidden exit of the fortress with her sons and the governesses.

"The ram is ready!" Valerie screamed to Phoebe who was still on the ground, making sure that the warriors were at their predetermined positions. Some archers were on the wall, others were on the ground, ready to send a volley of arrows on the orcs on the other side of the wall.

"Prepare the rocks for the catapults! Is the boiling resin ready?" Phoebe called.

"It is!" a warrior confirmed.

"Bring it to the wall!" she ordered.

A group of orcs prepared their shields. "They are doing a Roman turtle!" Liam yelled.

"Resin now!" Phoebe screeched. The warriors carrying the cauldrons hurried but were still careful not to burn themselves.

The army of orcs walked closer to the wall, ready for the attack.

"Arrows! Catapults!" Thranduil ordered, and in an instant, the orcs were bombarded with arrows and rocks, and quite a few fell, injured or dead. "Again!" Another volley of arrows killed some more orcs. The ones carrying the ram kept marching, unharmed because of their shields.

The booming noise of the ram on the door was deafening. Valerie's heart almost exploded in her chest.

"Resin!" Phoebe shouted. The warriors immediately poured the content of the first cauldron on the shields. Screeches of pain were heard, and half the orcs dropped their shields to roll on the ground. The other half followed when the content of the second cauldron was poured over them.

"Mother! Liam! Make sure they do not pick up the ram again! This is your task!"

Valerie took her rifle and shot all the orcs that were still moving around the ram. She could hear Liam do the same further away on the wall. When other orcs came closer to the ram in an attempt to pick it up to keep slamming on the gate, she methodically shot them all. No one was going to break through the gate while she was standing. Soon, the orcs discovered who was killing those who attempted to pick up the ram, and Valerie immediately became a target. Brannor pulled her down to hide her and Liam took over killing them from the wall.

"Move to another position and only use your bow for now," Phoebe decided.

Bent in two, Valerie walked along the wall with her bodyguards, and taking her metal bow, she started shooting arrow after arrow on the orcs. She stopped when she heard an unusual noise coming from her bow. She observed it incredulously.

"It was bound to happen," Brethilon whispered beside her. "These metal bows are not made to last for so long. It is a good thing that you started training with a wooden bow last year!"

"Of all the moments it could have happened! It decides to break during a battle!" Valerie cried. She threw it on the ground with rage. "Bring me my wooden bow!" A warrior brought it to her and she started killing orcs again.

Brethilon suddenly groaned beside her, an arrow stuck in his shoulder, very close to his neck. Two warriors brought him down from the wall. She watched him with disbelief. He made a movement asking her to look at the orcs, not at him.

"Do not let my father's injury make you lose sight of your goal. Kill!" Brannor insisted.

Valerie's attention went back to the fight below.

"Mother! Back to your gun!" Phoebe requested.

Valerie put her wooden bow down and took back her gun.

For an hour, she alternated between her gun and her bow, only taking a few minutes of rest when she felt like she would faint. She was exhausted and felt sweaty and dirty with the soot carried by the wind. Breathing was getting difficult for everyone, but it was particularly difficult for a pregnant woman.

Thranduil appeared beside her and forced her to come down the wall. "But there are still orcs to kill!" she protested.

"But you are with child, and you have reached the limit of your endurance. It is time for you to rest."

He carried her to an area near the fortress and she sat down on the grass. He gave her a wet towel and she cleaned her face. "Go back to the battle, I can take care of myself," she told him.

"I am taking care of my daughter, who just spent hours defending our people. You deserve a few minutes of my time." He gave her a glass of water and a piece of bread.

"Thank you, Father."

"Brethilon will stay with you now."

Her injured guard sat down heavily beside her, his bandaged shoulder looking quite painful.

"Bret! I was so worried!"

"The arrow did not break a bone and did not touch an artery. I was lucky!"

"I am tired. When will this battle be over?" she asked, watching Phoebe who was walking on the wall, encouraging everyone and organizing the defence.

"I have no idea. But for the king to spend time here with you, it means he is pretty confident that we are going to resist the attack."

"You know, I think Legolas is in battle also. I thought it all was my adrenaline, but now that I am sitting here quietly with you, I can feel the battle lust in his fëa."

"So many battles... I hope the Valar will make sure that we are victorious today, in all battles of Middle Earth."

Valerie put her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes for a while, resisting the urge to look each time she heard a cry of pain.

"Mother?" Liam was standing beside her. "I am so sorry, but I need a moment too. Can you go back to cover the gate?"

"Yes," Valerie sighed.

"Hadrian is waiting for you."

Valerie saw her human son standing where Liam used to be on the wall. Hadrian waived to her and she smiled, reinvigorated. Her son would be there with her, encouraging her. Only Liam and her knew how to use riffles, she had to find the courage to go back to let Liam rest for at least half an hour.

And so she fought beside Hadrian and Brannor who had joined her. She protected the gate for another hour until Phoebe finally decided to open the gates to attack the rest of the orcs. The warriors got their swords and blades ready and met near the gate.

"You stay here, Naneth," Hadrian told her. "You can barely stand."

Valerie was actually relieved not to have to go out. She was almost six months pregnant, and her stomach, although smaller than during her two last pregnancies, was still round and apparent. On the wall, her stomach was somewhat protected, but during a battle? A sword could hit her and her baby would immediately die.

Valerie heard a frightening battle cry and looked in the direction of the gate. The warriors left the enclosure, Phoebe leading them, and Liam, Hadrian and Brannor followed her closely. The injured warriors closed the gate behind the elves that would go fight outside.

"Did my father go with them?" she asked Brethilon, horrified to think that everyone she loved was now at risk of dying under the swords of the orcs.

"Yes, he did. He was outside before Phoebe. Did you not hear his battle cry?"

"That was him?"

"Yes, the king can be quite fearsome when provoked."

"Should we go inside the fortress?" Valerie asked Brethilon.

Her guard showed her the horn in his hand. "Sean is waiting to hear from us. The minute we see an orc pass through the gate, we need to let him know that he needs to leave the fortress and go in the forest with his brothers."

Valerie and Brethilon waited for what felt like ages, but was in fact only half an hour before they heard a call to open the gate. A flow of exhausted but victorious elven warriors entered, some supporting their injured brothers.

Valerie watched them eagerly, trying to see her children and father in their group. She saw Liam first, covered in blood and sweat, but definitely alive.

"A miracle for someone who is not a true warrior," Brethilon commented. "You should be proud of him. Hadrian is right there," he continued, pointing at the man who was holding his left arm, which looked quite bloody.

"That looks painful!" Valerie said, standing. "Hadrian!" she called, and he followed the direction of her voice. She gathered some medical supplies and when he sat down beside her, he let her take care of the deep cut on his arm. Liam joined them, informing his mother that the blood that covered him was not his.

She worked in the darkness since the night had fallen towards the end of the battle.

"Did you see your sister and your grandsire?" she asked, worried not to have seen them yet.

"They are still outside," Liam informed her. "Phoebe is not injured but I think Grandsire has an injury on his back. You should have seen them on the battlefield. It was unbelievable! Grandsire was fierce, beheading orcs as if they were harmless animals! And Phoebe must have killed more orcs than all our warriors together!"

"Do not exaggerate," a female voice said behind them. Phoebe was there, a happy grin on her face as if she had just attended a merry celebration.

"Your smile tells me we have not lost a warrior," Valerie sighed with relief.

"Only a few injuries," Phoebe beamed. "What a day! I would take a few like those regularly!"

"I would rather not!" Thranduil's cold voice was heard beside them. "Lieutenant Phoebe, instead of wishing for other battles on our grounds, please start the cleanup of this battlefield."

"Yes, my Lord," Phoebe replied stiffly. She left and Liam followed her.

"She did not truly mean it," Valerie told the king as she was finishing the bandage on Hadrian's arm.

"I know," he sighed. "I will have someone get the children at the north-east gate. I want to see my grandchildren after experiencing so much fury and death. I need their innocence."

"Sit down here, I heard you have an injury on your back."

"I will see a healer once all our warriors have been taken care of."

"They have, and now it is your turn. Remove your tunic," she commanded, seeing that the back of his tunic was soaked with blood.

Thranduil sighed and tried to remove his tunic by himself, but the stiffness of his left shoulder and his frown indicated that his injury was quite painful. Valerie took a knife and cut the tunic from his back to accelerate the process.

"I loved this tunic," he complained, holding the destroyed garment in his hands.

"It was ruined anyway," Valerie replied. She asked a warrior to bring a torch closer, and she observed with attention the cut that went from the king's left shoulder blade to his left ribs. It wasn't too deep but would require quite a few stitches. The king's tattoos would complicate her work more than she expected. Like every Greenwood warrior, the king was sporting tattoos announcing that he was the son of Oropher, the king of Greenwood and the mate of Derenil. What surprised Valerie was how powerfully built the king was, the light of the torch and the darkness of the night emphasizing the muscles of his back. She realized that it was the first time in 17 years that she was seeing her father-in-law shirtless. Thranduil was as striking as Legolas, and it was a strange thing when it concerned her father-in-law.

"Why are you staring at my back like this?" Thranduil asked grimly. The injury was obviously painful and the king was not a patient ellon. "Should I ask for a true healer to do the stitches?"

"Be quiet, or I will purposely align wrongly all your tattoos. You could end up married to Oropher and be the king of Derenil!"

She worked quickly but with great care while the king was very tense. It was obvious that he was in pain but that he was exercising absolute control to ensure he would not groan or moan in front of the other warriors.

Valerie decided to talk to him to redirect his attention to something else than the embroidery she was doing on his back. "Father? I believe Legolas was in a battle today also. I felt him before you went outside the gate."

"Do you still feel him now?"

"I do not feel his emotions at this moment. But I know he is alive. I cannot tell if his side was victorious as we were, but I know he is alive."

OoOoO

The Pelennor, front of Minas Tirith, at the same moment

Legolas was walking on the battlefield, looking at the devastation. Everywhere around him were bodies, bodies of men and orcs, horses and oliphants. It had been a terrible battle, with great losses on their side, but they had been victorious. They had not won the war, the eye above the tower of Barad-dûr a sure proof that Sauron was not defeated.

The king of Rohan had died that day, and his niece was in critical condition after having slain the Witch-king of Angmar.

"The smell is horrendous," a voice said behind him. Elladan and Elrohir were standing close to him, watching the scene with worry. How would Aragorn get rid of these cadavers in front of his future capital?

The sons of Elrond had ridden with their adoptive brother through the Path of the Dead, and had fought at his side since then. Legolas was glad for the presence of other elves in their army. Between Gimli and the hobbits, having someone who understood his principles and culture was comforting. And he had grown very close to Elladan over the past decade.

"There was a battle in Greenwood today," Legolas announced.

"How do you know?" Elrohir asked.

"I could feel that Valerie was in a battle today. They were victorious too."

"Did you feel Phoebe?" Elrohir asked his brother.

"We are not bound yet. I do not feel her," Elladan replied regretfully. "And the bond between Legolas and Valerie is quite strong to be felt over such a great distance! Valar, I hope Phoebe is alright!"

"Valerie was worried for someone at some point during the battle, people she cares for were injured. I cannot tell who they were."

"The dwarf is not with you?"

"He is with the hobbits in the city."

"He is following you everywhere," Elrohir complained. "He whines about everything and his manners are dreadful."

"He has become a good friend," Legolas replied. "Through all our ordeals, I have grown very fond of him. He promised to visit Fangorn Forest with me, and I promised to visit the Glittering Caves with him."

Legolas hoped that the elves would soon accept the dwarf. During their journey, Gimli and him had been touched by Aragorn's destiny and the immense task ahead of him. If they successfully destroyed the ring, it would take decades for Aragorn to establish peace in his kingdom. The Dunedain would need all the help possible to accomplish this colossal responsibility. They both had sworn an oath to Aragorn to help him, and for Legolas, it actually meant delaying his departure to Valinor until Aragorn passed. He hoped that Valerie would understand his motivation and forgive him for not asking for her opinion before making such an important decision for their entire family.

"We need to go back to Minas Tirith. Aragorn wants to discuss what our next move will be," Elladan said.

"We cannot stay here and hope that Sauron will not attack us again," Elrohir added.

The twins were right. It was not over. There would be more battles to come before Middle Earth was rid of the darkness.

OoOoO

Greenwood, March 16th of the Year 3019 of the Third Age

"Valerie, I have received a missive from Celeborn," Thranduil told his daughter-in-law. "Lothlorien has been attacked twice so far, and has been victorious each time. Galadriel expects that they will be attacked once more, she has seen it in her mirror. But she does not foresee another attack on Greenwood."

"Thank the Valar!" Valerie cried, relieved to know that her realm was safe for now.

"Celeborn would like to organize an attack on Dol Guldur. He thinks that we could destroy the fortress if we unite our forces."

"It could work," Phoebe said pensively. "We could attack from the north while they attack the west side."

"Galadriel is planning to attend. We should not neglect the power of her ring. She could be key in the destruction of Dol Guldur."

"Please tell me you are not serious!" Valerie yelled. "Many of our warriors are injured. Even you, Father! You should not go back to battle right away, your wound could reopen! And who would protect the fortress?"

"The fortress will not be attacked, I have Galadriel's word on it," Thranduil stated.

"I am going with you then!"

"Absolutely not! I allowed you to fight while the battle was here, and you were key in ensuring that no orc would pass our gate. But it will be a long journey to Dol Guldur, and we have no idea what is awaiting us in the forest."

"Some parts of the forest are still burning!"

"The northern part, not the southern one," Phoebe informed her.

Valerie glared at her daughter. It was clear that Phoebe was enthusiastic with the idea of another battle.

"I am sorry Valerie, but it is our duty to join our forces to Lothlorien's. We will leave within the hour," the king stated in a tone that did not allow any more argument. "Please make sure that our warriors have everything they need for the journey."

Affronted, Valerie left his office without a look back.

"There will be hell to pay for this," Phoebe calmly informed her grandsire.

"Once Dol Guldur is destroyed, we will face her wrath. For now, get our warriors and horses ready."

"I assume Hadrian is coming. What about Liam? He can defend himself, but he is a scholar first."

"If he can use a bow, he is coming with us."

"I will inform Sean that he will be the only ellon left with Mother."

"She will not be alone. I want Brethilon and Brannor to remain in Greenwood to protect her."

"It will be done as you wish, Grandsire. I will see you at the gate in an hour. Have my mother change your bandages. She will feel better if she knows that your wound is healing properly before you leave. It might save you a tongue lashing later on."

"I will," he promised. It was a good advice. Phoebe knew her mother very well.

OoOoO

The fortress was empty. Only her family, the ellith, Brethilon and Brannor had remained. It had been two weeks since the king had led the warriors to Dol Guldur. Had they attacked the fortress? If so, had they destroyed it or had their forces been decimated?

She had not received any news from Thranduil. It felt like they had been abandoned by the entire world. Sauron could have annihilated all life in Middle Earth and she was not aware of it, hidden in her caves. She had received some very subtle joyful emotion from Legolas a few days before. This fleeting positive thought he had had was the only thing stopping her from taking her children to the Grey Havens to try to save them from being killed by Sauron's armies. That and Brethilon, who was convinced that the end of their world had not taken place yet.

She was languishing but keeping a brave face in front of the other ellith. Everyone spent most of their time in the Great Hall, talking and playing with the children who didn't realize how precarious their situation was. The adults could barely eat or sleep, but the children enjoyed every moment of attention they were getting. Miniel and Gwelwen were no longer giving them lessons and Sean was playing music for them almost constantly.

Valerie was telling from memory a Walt Disney story to the triplets when Brannor entered the Hall holding a parchment.

"An eagle brought this," he simply said.

Valerie grabbed the paper and broke the seal in a hurry. It was brief but Thranduil had always been straight to the point in his communications. He was informing her that on March 25th, Lady Galadriel had felt through the power of her ring that Sauron had been destroyed. She had seen later on in her mirror that two hobbits had destroyed the ring in Mount Doom. Legolas had not been with them apparently. He had been in a battle near the black gate, with Aragorn, Elladan and Elrohir.

Thranduil continued by giving her a description of the Dol Guldur battle in which the Lothlorien and Greenwood elves had killed all the remaining orcs that had been in the fortress and where Lady Galadriel, with the now faltering power of her ring, had completely destroyed the fortress.

Middle Earth was free from Sauron, for good this time.

"Sauron has fallen!" she told them all. All the adults around her broke down in tears of relief and started congratulating each other. "The king has no deaths to report, and my husband and Lord Elladan are safe and sound in Gondor!"

"When is Grandsire coming back home?" Oropher asked. They were no longer asking for Legolas. He had been gone for many months and the children had lost hope to see him soon.

"Actually, your grandsire wants us to join him in Lothlorien. He already sent back warriors to escort us. And then, he would like us to go on a journey to Gondor, where Lady Arwen will be getting married."

"We already went to Gondor," Gil-galad remarked.

"I want to go! I never went to Gondor!" Fingolfin cried.

"We will all go but Gil-galad," Sean replied. "He does not need to go since he already visited this realm!"

"I would not mind visiting them again," the white-haired elfling immediately corrected. "I remember Faramir. He was a nice man, he played with Oropher and I."

"Yes, if Faramir did not fall in battle, he will be there. I have no information on him or our other friends. The king only told me that your adar is in Gondor with Elladan and they are waiting for us."

"Adar will be there?" the sweet tempered Ecthelion asked her.

"Yes. Did you miss him?"

"Does he still love us?" This time, Elros was questioning her.

Valerie was taken aback by the question. Her five younger sons were watching her intently, and she quickly read in their minds that all of them had doubts on this matter. The feeling of abandonment was strong in their tender hearts.

She observed them while the adults in the room remained silent. The 17 years old twins, who looked like 8 years old humans, had frowns on their handsome faces. The triplets, all black-haired but different in facial features, who still looked like they were 5-year-old, had childish expressions of sadness and emotional pain.

"My little sweethearts, your father loves you all deeply. It is to make sure that you could live in a free world that he sacrificed months with you to be part of a group of very courageous people who wanted to destroy a dark lord. They were successful, and now, your father is waiting for us in Gondor."

"I do not want to see him," Elros pouted. "I only want to see Grandsire and Phoebe."

"And you will see them soon in Lothlorien. But I do not want to see anyone sulking once we get in Gondor. Your adar will be very eager to see you and I want no one being not nice with him."

She was going to apply the same rule for herself. Her first intention had been to give him a piece of her mind about his reckless participation in the fellowship. But he was not dead, she would have to forgive him and think of the future. It meant that they could all sail to Valinor soon, so Thranduil could be reunited with his wife, who hopefully had been reborn by now.

They would all go to Minas Tirith to attend Arwen's wedding with the future king of Gondor, and then, they would come back to Greenwood to pack everything for their final journey to the Grey Havens before they sailed... Her only regret was that they might have to leave Hadrian behind, but she was ready to bring him on the ship and beg the Valar on her knees to allow him to stay in the Undying Lands...

OoOoO

"You seem exhausted," Arwen commented after having observed Valerie carefully.

Valerie was almost 8 months pregnant, and they were still on their way to Gondor, with an expected arrival around her due date. They should have been travelling slowly, but since Valerie did not want to risk giving birth in a tent in the middle of nowhere, they were rushing as much as they could with a pregnant elleth and five young elflings.

A few days before, Valerie had given up riding by herself, and she was riding in front of Thranduil, Liam or Hadrian, depending of her mood. With her sons, she was sleeping most of the day, comforted by their presence and confident that they were taking care of her safety. But with the king, they talked about his mate Derenil and about their plans once they lived in Valinor. Thranduil was convinced that his mate, if she was reborn, would be fascinated by Valerie and like her very much. Valerie was not so sure about that. After all, almost every elleth thought she was strange and that she frequently acted inappropriately.

"I hope we will stop for the night soon." Thranduil nodded above her and made sure that she was as comfortable as possible on the steed they shared.

"Do you want us to stop now?" Phoebe, who was riding close to them, asked in concern.

"No, I can wait a little more. Do you think they know we are coming?" she wondered.

"They expect us, but do not know when we will arrive," Lady Galadriel told her from afar.

"Maybe we should send scouts to tell them of our arrival," Phoebe proposed. "I could go with a few warriors and make sure that they are ready for the arrival of such an impressive delegation of elves. Otherwise, we might have to sleep on the hay in their barns!"

"I do believe you are exaggerating, Phoebe," Thranduil said with a smirk. "You may have to sleep on the hay, but not your mother and I. Remind me to make sure to send you the best hay there is!"

"Now now, Thranduil, I am pretty sure that my grandson will be sharing a bed with your granddaughter when we arrive in Gondor," Celeborn commented with cocky grin. "I will certainly not let Elladan sleep on hay! If you are looking for lodging, Lady Phoebe, please come see the Lothlorien delegation, as it seems the Greenwood one is too primitive to offer you decent lodging!"

Thranduil snorted playfully. The Lord of Lothlorien and him had come a long way since the destruction of Dol Guldur. They had peacefully split the forest into two regions, one belonging to Lothlorien, and one to Greenwood.

"The idea of sending scouts is a good one," the Elvenking said. "Lieutenant Phoebe, do you wish to be one of them? You could secure a comfortable bed before the rest of us!"

Phoebe tried to hide a triumphant smile. She would see Elladan more quickly than expected, no longer obliged to ride slowly because of her mother's pregnancy.

"If this is your command, my Lord, I will leave you tomorrow morning and ride to Minas Tirith to announce our arrival."

"I would like to offer to accompany Lady Phoebe to Minas Tirith. After all, the city is still a few days away and she cannot go alone," Lord Erestor said from behind their group.

Phoebe turned to look at him, barely able to hide her displeasure. The scholar, the greatest in Middle Earth although she thought Liam was more knowledgeable in many modern fields, had been ceaselessly trying to approach her and talk to her in the most annoying of ways. He was looking at her like she was food, with a hunger that she thought only acceptable from Elladan. They were not married yet, but their relationship was an established one that was respected in Greenwood. Why would this ellon try to make a claim while everyone knew Elladan and her were fëa-mates? She had spent two years in Imladris a few years back, and she had thought the scholar had gotten her rejection messages. But then, her marriage with Elladan was still uncertain, since she had vowed to only bind with him once Sauron was defeated. Now that Sauron was no longer, the binding was becoming a much closer event and Erestor seemed to realize he had little time left to convince her to transport her affections from Elladan to himself.

Since the beginning of their long journey, Phoebe had gently attempted to make him understand that she was not interested, but he kept insisting. And since she could not imagine a worst journey than one where she would be alone with Erestor, she decided not to spare his vanity this time, even if they were in public.

"It is Lieutenant Phoebe when I am on duty," she told him coldly. "And I was not planning to go alone. I was planning to bring warriors with me, not scholars."

"I know how to defend myself!" the Imladris First Counselor said, insulted to the core.

"I have no doubt that you can defend yourself, but I want people who can attack and kill ruthlessly too. Hadrian and Hadron, please make sure to be ready at dawn tomorrow."

Hadrian just smiled to his sister, certain that she would have chosen him. Hadron, on the other hand, was very surprised to be selected. Ever since Gollum's escape, he had lost his title, the trust of his king, of his captain and of Lieutenant Phoebe. Was this a sign that his punishment would soon be over? He hid his excitement behind a deep bow. He would make sure that he would prove to the new Lieutenant that she could trust him with her life.

Valerie had tiredly watched the exchange but didn't intervene. Phoebe could kill orcs, she certainly could deal with an unwanted suitor. Speaking of which, she was glad that Haldir was paying very little attention to her own person. The Marchwarden of Lothlorien was discreetly watching her niece Rosswen, who was riding in front of her mother Allison. Although her sister had told her many times in her letters, Valerie had been amazed to see how much of John Thompson's genes Rosswen had actually inherited. Like her aunt Valerie and her grandfather John, she had red hair and green eyes, but had something of her father Glorfindel in her features. She looked like a younger sister of Phoebe and nothing at all like Allison. Presently, the child was sending kisses to her father who was riding at the end of the delegation, having survived unscathed the battle in Elm's Deep where many elven lives had been unfortunately lost. It seemed Haldir was very subtle indeed since only Valerie and Lady Galadriel seemed to know about his fascination for Rosswen, since they could read it directly in his mind. Valerie knew what it meant, she had seen that expression on Elladan's face for many years: it was the expression of an adult ellon who had finally found his fea-mate after many millennia of waiting.

One ellon who would not be waiting that long was Liam, who had been delighted to see again the dark-haired scholar he had met 11 years before when Valerie had given birth to the triplets in Imladris. Are they fëa-mates? Valerie asked herself. They did not have this passionate behaviour she had seen between Phoebe and Elladan, or even now with Haldir, who possessively looked at Rosswen when he thought no one was watching. Maybe scholars were not displaying their emotions from everyone to see like the rest of the elves? She was expecting Liam to speak to Legolas and her shortly after their arrival in Minas Tirith.

Valerie leaned her head against Thranduil's shoulder and decided not to worry about Haldir and Rosswen or Liam or his scholar until they reached Minas Tirith.

As for Erestor, he sulked for hours while Legolas' daughter ignored him for the rest of the day. He would get her to pay attention to him, he swore this to himself. Valerie caught his last thought and rolled her eyes. She hoped Elladan would be merciful with the stubborn scholar.

OoOoO

Certain members of the fellowship were having lunch with the future king in Minas Tirith, the hobbits being the smallest but definitely noisiest people in the group. They were talking all at once under the benevolent eyes of Aragorn and Legolas. Gimli on the other hand, paid the hobbits little attention, concentrating on the delicious meal being served and eating with his usual poor manners that made the servants frown. They were joined that day by Elrond's twin sons, who had remained in Minas Tirith to help their adoptive brother until his coronation.

Legolas stopped watching the hobbits, his mind redirecting his thoughts to his mate, who was getting closer to him with each passing day, if he could trust his fëa. It could only mean that she was on the way, like Aragorn had told him many times. How long before they would be reunited?

A chamberlain opened the door and walked to the future king, before very formally informing him that a man and two elves, one male and one female, were requesting an audience. They were from Greenwood. At the sound of that last word, Legolas started. Was Valerie already here? He stood while the three people were finally allowed entrance in the room. His disappointment was short-lived. Valerie was not there, but in front of him were his daughter, his human son and his childhood friend Hadron. Their presence could only mean that his mate was only a few days away.

Before Legolas had had time to react, Elladan was already embracing Phoebe fiercely against all rules and protocols of the Gondorian society. Aragorn only smiled and the servants went back to the service. Legolas walked to the group and hugged Hadrian, who seemed even more mature than before. The young man had seen battles, Legolas could read it in his eyes. He ignored Hadron's respectful bow and gave him a warrior embrace. And after patiently waiting for Elladan to release his daughter, he eventually lost patience and pushed the dark ellon aside to grab his daughter and hold her for a long time.

For the hobbits, the scene was surreal. They had heard that Legolas' wife was a warrior of unusual but undeniable beauty, and for sure, the elleth that had just arrived was both these things. So why was Elladan kissing Legolas' wife like this? And why was Legolas allowing it? Were the elven customs so permissive about sharing of wives? They had never heard this before, but elves were strange beings, who knew what their customs were!

Aragorn snorted at their expression and whispered to the four halflings that this was not Princess Valerie of Greenwood, but her daughter, the Lieutenant Phoebe, future wife of Lord Elladan. The hobbits sighed in relief, and Aragorn suggested that they never share their previous doubts with Legolas, who would not take well the idea that they had thought he was sharing his wife with another ellon. Elrohir smirked and threatened to let Legolas know if the hobbits were not at his beck and call for the next little while. Frodo smiled, knowing Elrohir was not serious, but Pippin was absolutely convinced he had to obey Elrohir if he wanted to avoid Legolas' wrath. He would spend the next few days around Elrohir and obeying his every command until Merry informed him that Elrohir had truly been kidding. No one would ever let the poor hobbit forget it for many years following these days.

The three visitors were invited to share their meal, and everyone was happy to hear that an important elven delegation was a few days away, with people from Imladris, Greenwood and Lothlorien.

"How is your mother?" Legolas asked Hadrian since Phoebe's attention was directed solely to Elladan and Elrohir.

"Naneth is very well, under the circumstances," was the enigmatic reply.

"Which circumstances are you referring to?"

"Naneth is very, very pregnant, and very very unhappy about you abandoning her in this state to go on this quest."

"It was important for our cause," Aragorn told Hadrian to defend his friend.

"My mother does not deny that. But wait until you sire children yourself, my Lord, and you will see that there is no arguing with a pregnant elleth. You must submit... or face the consequences! I have heard the words flay him alive, cut his throat and break all his bones frequently in the past few months." Hadrian had a strange grin while he reported Valerie's words.

"You forget grovel at my feet until I see his knee bones," Phoebe added with a smile that could definitely be described as sadistic. "You are in the dog house, Father! And Grandsire is in no better mood. We were attacked in Greenwood, and he had to allow Mother to fight because we were so few in numbers. You should have seen her, she was glorious on the wall, shooting orcs with her big belly! I will never forget that sight! Valar, I hope to be like her one day!"

"Please do not fight while you are with child!" Elladan pleaded seriously. "It is something I would never be able to watch!"

Legolas put his head in his hands. He could picture his mate, fighting fiercely for her realm and people, despite being pregnant. How could he have left her alone during these difficult times? His mission had been of the utmost importance, and Middle Earth had been saved, but at what price for his family? Were the Valar conspiring to ensure he was never around when Valerie was facing the worst moments of her life? He started counting guiltily: when she had given birth to the twins, when she had been attacked on her way back from Lake-town, the battle in Lake-town, two battles in Greenwood... At least, they would spend many decades in Gondor. He would have time to earn her forgiveness for his lack of presence since their binding.

"How is Lady Arwen?" Aragorn asked to change the subject, seeing how distraught Legolas was.

"She is doing very well, although Lord Elrond is very disappointed about her choice of the gift of Men," Hadrian said, a little harshly. He personally resented hearing some elves talk about mortality as if they were longing for it. He was surrounded by immortal beings, and was the only one of his family who would grow old and die.

Aragorn looked at the young man with interest. If someone could understand Hadrian, it was him. He had been raised in Imladris, he was the adoptive son of Elrond, he knew of the jealousy mortals experienced when comparing their faith with immortal beings'. He promised himself to keep an eye on the young Greenwood warrior. They could become great friends.

Sauron has fallen, and Valerie is on her way to Minas Tirith, where she will be reunited with Legolas. She is not yet aware that he has once again taken a decision that goes against their expectation to sail to Valinor in the next few months. How will Valerie react to Legolas' vow to remain with Aragorn?

There are only a few chapters left to this story. But there will still be some action. Valerie and Allison will be given the choice to go back home… for a visit or for good?

I have a few days off in front of me, I will be able to increase my pace and publish a chapter quicker than usual! Keep your eyes open for the next update!

My usual thanks to Natasya Ivashkov, xcrazylife, hannahhobnob, foofie01, WMaldonaldo89 (Haldir is still alive – and in love!), gginsc, Sterolinelovely (the story will probably cover until they sail to Valinor when Aragorn passes away), Angel (you will see some Elladan-Erestor interaction soon), Aralinn, Airbender42, The Archivist613, Aureleis, SleepEatRead. Thank you for your support and comments, I really appreciate it.