Chapter 33 ended with:
"The Valar would have made him an immortal by now if it had been their intent. It clearly is not. You might have another four to five decades with him at the most. Do not waste them worrying about Helethil and Liam. You will have an eternity to worry about this. Concentrate your energies on raising your youngest children, Elbereth knows how busy you will be with six of them and no governess, and on spending as much time as possible with Hadrian. You will regret it later if you do not."
"I will follow your advice, Father. I promise."
Chapter 34 – The First Farewells
Ithilien, Year 5 of the Fourth Age
7 years after the coronation of King Elessar
Valerie knew why Thranduil had decided to visit them in Ithilien. In the past seven years, he had made the journey between Greenwood and Ithilien three times, spending a few months with them, enjoying the presence of his youngest grandchildren. But this time was different. She perceived that Thranduil was there to announce his decision to sail, and she refused to make things easier for him by reading it directly in his mind. It was too difficult.
"You have done impressive work, Legolas," the Elvenking complimented his son. "Ithilien is more than ever a true elven realm. I almost feel like I am visiting Lothlorien!"
A hundred elves had decided to move to the colony, mainly the ones who had a strong attachment to Middle Earth and refused to sail for now. They knew of Legolas' oath to remain in Gondor until the passing of King Elessar, and since the king had Dunedain blood, he would more than likely live many more decades to come. Moving to Ithilien was the only option for these elves.
Five years before, Lord Elrond had sailed with Lady Galadriel, Mithrandir and the two ring bearers, Bilbo and Frodo. Many Imladris and Lothlorien elves had followed them at the time, including Liam and his wife Helethil. He had sent Valerie a letter to explain his decision to leave, not even making the journey to Ithilien to announce it in person. She had cried for days. Legolas had speculated that Liam, a grown adult in love with his wife, had not realized that he would be missing his naneth sooner or later. After the shock, she had sent Liam one last letter, wishing him well in Valinor and praying for his happiness. She had decided to keep the scolding for their next meeting in person, whenever that was going to be. Maybe she would have forgotten by then.
She had also written a letter for her sister Allison, who had sailed with Glorfindel, who had sworn to protect Elrond and had followed him to Valinor. Rosswen had left with them, to Haldir's immense joy, since the Marchwarden had also sailed to protect the Lady of Light. Strangely, Lord Celeborn had decided to remain in Middle Earth for a while longer.
Less than fifty elves were left now in Imladris, including Elladan, now Lord of Imladris, and Phoebe, his wife and captain. Elrohir had left Imladris and was now a permanent resident of Ithilien. He had tried to live away from Victoria, but it had proven too difficult a challenge. They had seen him arrive with all his belongings three years before, and had welcomed him without any sarcastic comments. Truthfully, Legolas and Valerie had been impressed that he had lasted that long without seeing his young future mate. Like his brother before him, Elrohir was protecting his future mate's realm from the numerous attacks of Easterlings and remaining bands of orcs, but when he was not on duty, he could be found near Victoria, playing with her, reading stories to her and having the most hilarious conversations with her. Unlike Phoebe, Victoria was a little lady who liked to play with dolls and little animals, and Elrohir had easily slipped into the role of babysitter, to everyone's surprise including his own. Valerie had read in his mind that his world was now centered on Victoria, and that his link with his brother had weakened after Elladan had gotten married to Phoebe. It would probably disappear for good after Victoria and Elrohir were bound.
"We are very proud of what we have built, right, Valerie?"
She knew that Legolas was very happy to have established his own colony without the help of his father. Between building the houses, making trades agreements, protecting the borders of their small realm and raising their children, they had been extremely busy but it was rewarding work. She looked at their small city from the balcony where they were sitting. Everywhere she looked, beautiful little homes were at various heights in the trees, with wooden suspension bridges between the main telain and stairs circling the tree trunks between the houses and the ground. It was neither mysterious like Lothlorien nor as beautiful. But it was her home, and she was proud of it.
"Yes, we are. Now that the city is completely built, I will be able to go visit my friends more frequently."
Many residents of their realm were either single or had a mate in Valinor. Out of the hundreds elves, a handful were ellith excluding Valerie and Victoria. None of them had become very close to Valerie over the years, since she spent all her time raising their six children, who were growing at the slow pace of elflings.
Arwen and Eowyn had visited at least twice a year while Gilrin had visited Ithilien only once. The situation between Legolas and Erchirion had unfortunately put a strain on their friendship.
"Are you not going to Minas Tirith on a regular basis?" Thranduil asked.
"I visit Elessar a few times a year, but so far, my help has been needed more on the war front than on the advisory front. He needs me and my people to fight the Easterlings that are attacking the borders of Gondor," Legolas replied. "I usually leave Valerie behind with Brannor and Brethilon. She is in charge of everything when I am away, and she is too necessary here with the children while I go fight with my warriors."
"Before you ask, I do not miss the fights," Valerie said. "I am surprisingly content to stay here quietly with the children. I am in a phase of my life where I enjoy spending as much time as possible with my family. That is, my younger family," she added bitterly.
It was a direct reference to the fact that all her older children had left the nest. Liam was in Valinor, Phoebe in Imladris, Sean and Hadrian were living in Minas Tirith.
"Let them have this freedom away from you. Soon enough, they will realize that they miss you and will come see you more frequently."
"This is what Legolas keeps saying. It is a little too late for Liam, though, right? Just like it will be too late for you once you are gone!"
"Valerie," Thranduil sighed. "I am sorry to cause you more pain. But you of all people know how I miss my mate."
"But the children? They will never know their grandfather!"
"They will remember me. Vaguely, I admit. But I know I will see them again. I trust that as soon as... you are freed from your oath," the king said delicately, "you will sail and join Liam and me."
"Legolas thinks that there might be no more elves in the Grey Havens by that time. He wants to build a ship for all of us should that happen. Do you have a map? How will we find our way?"
"Once you sail west, the Valar will guide your ship to them. A ship full of mortals would not find the way, but an elven ship will."
"What if there is a dwarf on board?" Valerie asked worriedly.
Thranduil looked from Valerie to Legolas, raising an eyebrow.
"Well... You know how Gimli and I have grown very close. We are practically family now!"
They heard delighted screams and laughter below, and looked over the railing to see Victoria being pursued by the dwarf in question. Her brothers were trying to stop him from catching her, jumping with agility on his back and grabbing his arms and legs.
"I thought I had seen him earlier," Thranduil said. "Each time I visit, he is here. Does he not have a home? A family?"
"He has cousins," Legolas informed his father. "But you are right, he spends most of his time here. He is like an uncle to our children. I cannot imagine leaving him behind."
"You think of leaving Hadrian behind," Valerie remarked sarcastically.
"Vanima," Legolas said patiently. "You know Hadrian is a mortal. It is not my fault if the Valar will not allow him to sail. Gimli, on the other hand, was part of the fellowship and might get access to the Undying Lands. After all, the hobbits were allowed to sail with Lord Elrond and Mithrandir!"
"The ring bearers," the Elvenking corrected, making a distinction between the dwarf and the hobbits who had suffered carrying the ring.
"I am confident that Gimli will be allowed to sail too," Legolas said with a bit of uncertainty, looking at Valerie.
"I am sure he will," she told him to comfort him. She prayed the Valar it was the case. Otherwise, they would get lost in the Western Sea, never able to reach Valinor unless they brought Gimli back to Middle Earth. "But do you not think you should ask him before making plans for him? He might not want to follow us."
"I doubt it. You read in his mind that he is dreading our departure and hopes that Elessar will live for a long time."
"He certainly seems to love the children," Thranduil said with a bit of envy. He had barely seen his grandchildren in the past seven years, and he wondered if the dwarf had replaced him in their hearts.
They watched the children below again. They were all so different, except for Oropher and Victoria who shared many common physical traits, like their blue eyes, golden hair and that haughty bearing that ran in the family, even when they were children.
Because of the slow growth rate, Valerie's five youngest sons all looked like they were 10 years old boys despite the fact that the twins were 24 and the triplets 18. They spent most of their time on the training grounds with Brannor and Brethilon, and what little time Valerie had with them was spent in various lessons. Since she had lost the two governesses when they had moved to Ithilien, Valerie had discovered the little joys and serious hardships of homeschooling six children, including five inattentive young ellyn. She was persuaded that she was failing miserably. Her only comfort was that except for Victoria, her five reborn sons would eventually regain their former memories and knowledge. Once they sailed to Valinor, she would have plenty of time and help to bring Victoria's culture up to par.
"I will miss them," the Elvenking remarked with sadness.
"Then do not leave," Valerie said sulkily.
"Valerie, please," Legolas admonished gently. She was not making things easy on his adar, and it was already painful enough for the king without this constant pressure from Valerie.
"I want to go to Minas Tirith one last time," Thranduil continued as if he had not been interrupted. "I wish to say goodbye to Sean, Elessar and Arwen, and to Hadrian..." His voice broke when he pronounced this last name. Hadrian was now 29, and in these medieval-equivalent times, life was harsh on the humans. Valerie's adoptive son looked like a 40-year-old man and therefore seemed older than his parents and grandfather, who all looked in their twenties.
"We will go with you, it has been too many months since I have seen my sons," Valerie said.
There was silence for a while, and Thranduil looked like he had taken a decision. "Valerie, when I leave Middle Earth... I will not leave alone."
"You mean that there are people who have not yet announced their decision to sail? Sean?" Valerie asked, her heart starting to beat wildly. It was one thing for Sean to live in Minas Tirith. It was another if Sean was sailing like his older brother.
"It is not Sean," Thranduil reassured her. Brethilon should have told her himself.
Valerie stared at her father-in-law, who had just revealed her guard's name by thinking it in his head. Brethilon. Her bodyguard for the past 24 years. He knew her almost as well as Legolas did. He had insight on some of her worst secrets, having guided her in the resolution of many difficult situations. They had suffered together through the loss of Cadworon, his brother and the second of Valerie's bodyguards. She hardly needed bodyguards anymore since Legolas spent most of his time in their little city. The few ellith of Ithilien were being guarded by all the warriors at all times, making Brethilon and Brannor's responsibilities almost nonexistent. But despite this, Valerie felt like she was losing another loved one on top of all the others that had left her. Why were the people close to her heart leaving her all at once, as if it was a concerted effort to hurt her feelings?
She stood and ran as fast as she could down the stairs circling the enormous tree trunk, not stopping when Legolas and Thranduil called after her. She jumped down the last few stairs and ignored her children when they called her name. She walked swiftly through the little city and soon started climbing the stairs around the tree trunk where Brethilon's talan was located. She opened the door without knocking, her distress too great to respect a minimum of decorum.
Brethilon was sharing a meal with his son Brannor, and they both looked at her with a wary expression. She stood there, staring at the ellon who wanted to leave her. And as usual, he was the one who found his composure back first, helped by millennia of life experience.
"My Lady, please close the door and join us for our meal."
Like an automaton, Valerie closed the door and sat at their table while Brannor prepared a plate of bread and cheese for her.
"I am not hungry," she murmured.
"Nonsense, you always had a strong appetite. You will not let some insignificant news disturb your eating habits, no?"
"Insignificant news?" Valerie repeated, insisting heavily on the words.
"I am only your bodyguard, my Lady. You can hardly miss me."
"Don't you dare diminish my feelings for you in such a way! You are insulting me! In fact, you are insulting the both of us!"
"I think I will go eat with Elrohir," Brannor announced, leaving his plate behind while he escaped the talan where a confrontation was in the works. He was ignored by his adar and his lady.
"You know you have always been more than a bodyguard to me. You have guided me, counseled me, even comforted me when I was sad or distressed! You stopped me from doing stupid things so many times that I cannot count them! You were also part of some of my worst adventures. You are a part of my life. I care for you!"
Brethilon sighed heavily but avoided her gaze. "I know."
"Look at me, Bret!" He finally lifted his eyes and looked at her. "I know you are sad, and have been for many years. Your mate is waiting for you in Valinor, and you are torn between your desire to be reunited with her and your duty to stay here to protect me. Did you forget that I can read in your mind? I rarely do it nowadays, but could not resist a few times, when I find you sitting in a chair watching the fire with that sad expression on your face. I know your pain. I am not going to stop you," Valerie said with a broken voice, "I would never do such a thing. You of all people deserve to finally find peace. But I wish you had found the courage to tell me yourself and not send the king to inform me."
"I am sorry. I am truly sorry," he apologized.
"I know. Do you want me to tell the children?" She knew Bret would have difficulty facing her children's reactions. He had trained them since they knew how to hold a bow. They had already lost their older siblings, and now they would soon lose their grandfather and a dear friend who had been around them since their birth. It would not be an easy conversation.
"No. I want to explain it to them myself. Otherwise, they will think that they are not important to me. But Brannor will stay with them. And they now have Elrohir, who seems to be a suitable replacement for Elladan."
"Yes. We are very lucky to have them both. Brannor... he is not thinking of sailing, right? I never... read it in his mind."
"No, my son is not ready to leave. I leave you behind without worrying for you because I know he will remain here to guard you until you sail. You can count on him. And the children like him very much, he is much funnier than I am."
Valerie pulled her plate closer to her and started eating.
"I guess we will be saying goodbye in Minas Tirith? The king wants to see Sean and Hadrian, then make the journey to Imladris to say goodbye to Phoebe and Elladan before going to the Grey Havens."
"I knew your appetite would come back soon!" Brethilon jested. "If you are planning to go to Minas Tirith then yes, this is where we will part ways."
"You better not forget me, Brethilon. When I show up in Valinor, you better be on the quay and be ready to resume your duty. I will be very displeased if you are not."
"As you wish, my Lady," he said, happy that she still wanted him with their family when they finally arrived in the Undying Lands. "For your information, it will not be possible for me to forget you. You have been quite a highlight in my long, relatively boring life. But no one needs to know that. No, I will distract myself while I wait for you, by spending the next few decades telling my family and friends about everything you put me through. Your reputation will be in ruins when you finally arrive in Valinor."
Valerie smiled with fondness.
"You do that, Bret. You do that. Then I will arrive with a few more decades of wisdom, a mother of fully grown warriors and a beautiful elleth. I will be calm, thoughtful, regal, the princess that the king has always dreamed I would become. I will be like... a younger version of Lady Galadriel."
Brethilon snorted.
"You can snort now," Valerie continued with a wicked grin, knowing she was pushing it. "But when that day happens, everyone will think that you are a liar. Then it is your own reputation that will be in ruins."
OoOoO
"I missed your kids," Arwen said as she played with Victoria. But Valerie knew that her friend had only truly missed the little princess of Greenwood; the five boisterous ellyn that ran all over the palace and the city all day long were a different story. The queen of Gondor was spending many hours each day calming the staff who did not know which way to turn when the princes were around.
"Enjoy the quietness while my sons are at the training field. This might be the last calm minutes we have for the rest of the day."
"I mean it! I truly missed them, even your sons when they are bouncing off the walls! I wish..." Arwen stopped, distressed.
"I know," Valerie said gently. She knew that her friend was wondering why, after 7 years of marriage, she still was not pregnant. "Do not lose hope. Elessar and you are still young. He is away frequently and now that you are... mortal, your fertility is no longer linked to your will, but to your menstrual cycle. There are only a few days a month that you are fertile... and he seems to be missing a lot of those."
"Yes, you are right. He travels a lot."
"And to tell you the truth, there was a lot of literature in my world about the impact of stress on feminine fertility. Some women, who could not get pregnant for years, suddenly got pregnant once they adopted a child, or when they stopped trying to have a child..."
"You are right on this count too. I constantly think about it, talk about it all the time to my love, who is, I can tell, very tired of the subject. He says we will get pregnant when we do. There is no rush in his mind."
"And he is right."
"I just wish my father was there. He knew of potions to help women get pregnant."
"Have you asked Gilrin? I am sure she knows about some similar potions that you could take."
Arwen suddenly became very interested in helping Victoria dress one of her dolls.
"Arwen?" Valerie asked. "What is wrong with Gilrin? Do not make me read it in your mind, you know how you hate it when I do that!"
"She is... I am just back from Belfalas. Gilrin is very sick, Valerie. She will not last the season."
"When were you going to tell me? Did you not think that I would like to know?" Valerie asked, worried about her friend and insulted that Arwen would have thought that she no longer cared about Gilrin.
"I was not sure how you would react. Gilrin misses you, wishes that she would see you one last time, but she is not sure if... Legolas would allow you to go. And Prince Imrahil certainly does not want Legolas to pick up a fight with Erchirion after their last confrontation at my wedding."
"Would Erchirion be a problem?"
"I cannot tell. He aged physically, but mentally? I doubt it very much. He has many lovers in the city, his wife is very bitter about it. And you... you have not changed at all since the first time he saw you. I cannot imagine why he would suddenly no longer want you when he has no respect for his own marriage vows..."
"I need to see Gilrin. I will not let Erchirion and Legolas stop me! Of course, Legolas will want to come with me, and will probably follow my every step to ensure Erchirion does not get anywhere close to me, but if it is the price to pay to... say goodbye to Gilrin, I will gladly pay it."
"But your father-in-law is here, he was planning to leave Middle Earth soon. You will leave Minas Tirith for a few weeks to go to Belfalas while he prepares to sail?"
"My grandfather is leaving," Victoria told Arwen with her serious little voice. "He hopes to be reunited with my grandmother. He says he misses her very much."
"I know, sweetheart, I know," Arwen told her, caressing the silky blonde hair she was wearing in a high ponytail with a green bow, the same color as her dress. Victoria had an impressive wardrobe for such a young child, and Valerie kept doing original dresses for her now that she finally had a daughter who appreciated her art.
"He will wait until we come back, I am sure," Valerie thought out loud. "He will understand that I must go see Gilrin one last time."
Arwen looked at Victoria pensively. "Why do you not leave the kids with me while you go to Dol Amroth? It will allow you to ride at a much faster pace, and you will be back more quickly. Your adar should accept that, no?"
"Arwen," Valerie started nervously. As much as she was tempted by the generous offer, she knew Arwen did not realize how much work that would be for her. "Believe me, you do not want to do that."
"Why, you think I am not up to it?" She turned to Valerie's daughter. "Victoria, would you like to spend a few weeks with your Aunt Arwen?"
"Would my brothers stay too?"
"Yes. You could see your grandfather every day."
"And Elrohir? Will he be allowed to stay?"
"Of course, Sweetheart! In fact, Elrohir is my brother, he is allowed to stay in the palace as much as he wants."
"I can stay here with Elrohir and my brothers and my grandfather and Aunt Arwen for as long as I want?" the little elleth asked her mother.
"For a few weeks only. Then, we will go back home and it will be Arwen's turn to visit us."
"And Elrohir? Will he remain here with Aunt Arwen or come back with us?"
"Elrohir will follow us wherever we go, because he is your dear friend." Valerie had no other way of describing why Elrohir was following the family everywhere and was spending so much time with Victoria in particular.
The child turned her serious gaze in Arwen's direction. "Then I accept your invitation," she said regally, in a manner that would have made Thranduil beam proudly.
She was a true elleth, sweet-tempered and carefree, generous and affectionate, living a quiet life full of small joys. Her character was so different than Valerie's and Phoebe's! Everyone felt very protective of Victoria, even her young brothers, who took great care of her. While no one had felt the need to protect Phoebe! And if Valerie needed protection, it was against her own impulsive decisions. No, Victoria truly was a wonderful child, and Arwen wished she could have one of her own... But in the meantime, she would get her fill of spoiling her and her brothers.
OoOoO
The citadel of Dol Amroth was in front of them, beautifully orange in the light of the setting sun. No troops had approached them yet; it was obvious that Prince Imrahil had lessened the controls around his main city, expecting visitors to get to the gate unescorted.
Valerie watched her husband who was sitting on his stallion beside hers. He had promised to be on his best behavior, but it had been an unnecessary promise; she knew he would never start a fight with Erchirion. Unless Gilrin's son made it impossible for him not to react violently to his taunts. But she knew Legolas would endure more than usual for her sake, so she could spend some time with her dying friend.
"I will behave," he said with a smile, hiding very well his tension. He was not happy about this trip to Belfalas, but he understood that his wife had to say goodbye. Gilrin was the first of a few dear ones that would leave this world while Valerie would go on... She needed his support as she faced the death of a mortal for the first time. Next would be Hadrian, then Arwen and Elessar... Would she feel guilty for her own immortality while she was born a mortal?
"I know you will," she told him quietly. She was very nervous about the welcome they would get. She hoped they would be allowed to see Gilrin and that they had not traveled all this way for nothing.
Legolas looked at the warriors that had traveled with them and gave the signal to keep moving in the direction of the citadel. They would have to hurry before it was completely dark.
They made it to the gate within half an hour, only to find it closed for the night. Brannor knocked on the heavy wooden gate, announcing the presence of the Prince and Princess of Greenwood. From the wall, a Swan warrior looked at them, using the light of a torch to observe them more closely.
"My Lord and Lady of Greenwood," he said, recognizing them from when he had seen them for afar in Minas Tirith seven years before. These elves simply never changed! He knew who they were, but he was not sure how welcome they would be. After all, he had been part of the group that had left before the coronation of the king of Gondor, protecting the hasty and shameful retreat of Prince Imrahil's second son. "I will send for the Prince."
"Will you not open the gate?" Brannor called.
"Brannor," Valerie said quietly. "We will wait. Please do not be insulted. Think of the opposite situation. If Erchirion showed up at our gate, would you let him in immediately, or would you seek Legolas' approval before opening the gate?"
"I would seek my lord's approval," her guard admitted, looking at Legolas.
"Let us wait then," Legolas told them all. "Please put away your weapons. We are allies of King Elessar, no one would dare attack us."
In a room in the quiet citadel, the family of Prince Imrahil was gathered around the bed of the princess. Her sons were sitting in a corner of the room while their wives were quietly chatting while working on a tapestry. The prince was sitting by his wife, watching her emaciated features and colorless skin. They had been married for 40 years and he was 30 years older than she was, but she had looked so much older than him in the past decade. An ancestor of his was an elf, and he still had the traces of elven blood in his veins, giving him a longer life and a much younger appearance than he should. That elven blood in his family had been diluted to the point that the elven traits that had quickly appeared as he was growing up were a surprise to his parents. None of his children were showing signs of it.
And so there he was, preparing for the death of his younger wife while he looked barely older than his own sons. He had loved Gilrin passionately, but as she was getting older in the past decade, their love had turned into a strong friendship as she no longer wanted a passionate relationship with him, feeling that it was awkward for her to be in a couple where she looked like the mother of her own husband.
Gilrin coughed and he handed her a handkerchief, knowing there would be blood stains once she had recovered from the coughing fit. She had caught a chest infection during the winter, and never had truly recovered. She handed him back the handkerchief and put her head back on the pillow, watching him with weary eyes. Her breathing was shallow and difficult, and she was exhausted.
A servant entered the room.
"My Lord," she whispered, "a guard at the gate told me that we have visitors from Ithilien."
Imrahil frowned. "But Faramir and Eowyn left with Lothiriel and Eomer last week. Why would they be back?"
Many people had come to say their last goodbye to his wife, including King Elessar and his elven wife. But they all had left Dol Amroth, forced to go back to their realm for various reasons, including a potential attack of Easterlings and the fact that Lothiriel was pregnant and wanted to give birth to her child in Rohan.
"My Lord, it is not Lord Faramir. The visitors are from the elven part of Ithilien... It is the Prince and Princess of Greenwood."
"What are they doing here?" Erchirion's wife cried from the corner where she was sitting. "Do not let them in! These people are not welcome."
"Your opinion on the matter was not requested," her husband told her rudely. Their relationship was very tense, and this new event would certainly not help them reconcile.
Imrahil looked at his wife. He knew it was not Prince Legolas visiting them, but Princess Valerie, Gilrin's friend even if their friendship had suffered due to Erchirion's actions.
She did not say a word, but he knew that she wanted to see her friend. Valerie had been the only one not visiting her, and he knew she had been hurt by that fact. But after all, it would seem that Valerie had finally made the journey, and Gilrin would die in peace if she was able to say goodbye to the last person that she had loved.
"Let them in and escorted them here," he ordered. His wife smiled weakly to thank him.
Erchirion stood and looked at his reflection in a mirror. His wife watched him angrily, knowing he was wondering if Valerie would find him changed. It was 7 years since the king's coronation, and yes, Erchirion's physical appearance had changed. He had gray hair now, and some wrinkles on the corner of his eyes. But it did not stop him from seducing every available maiden in the citadel, to the disappointment of his family. His wife had turned bitter and hateful because of the constant humiliations. She wished that this elleth would look younger than ever and that she would publicly reject Erchirion, to ensure he would be as humiliated as she was.
When Prince Legolas and Princess Valerie entered the room, there was complete silence when the family noticed their appearance.
They were both wearing travel garments, but had never adopted the Gondorian fashion. Their clothes were elven in every possible way, from the style to the beautiful fabrics. But it was not what had caught everyone's attention. It was their faces. They still looked in their early twenties. Those who had fought with Legolas during the war recognized his elegant features, his piercing blue eyes and the way he wore warrior braids in his silky blonde hair.
Valerie's expression was slightly worried, but it did not change the fact that she was more beautiful than ever. The last time they had seen her, she had been pregnant or had just recently given birth. But her body was one of a young woman who had never borne children while she had carried 9 over the years.
Erchirion turned in her direction, but Legolas took Valerie's arm and they walked to Imrahil, thanking him for allowing them to see Gilrin in these sad circumstances. Valerie spoke a few words to Imrahil but quickly walked to the bed, trying to school her features into not looking as shocked as she truly was.
"Say it," Gilrin murmured after taking Valerie's hand. "I am a mess."
Valerie had a lump in her throat and could hardly talk. There was no trace left of the attractive and sarcastic woman Gilrin had been before. Her friend looked like an old, sickly woman. Even the eyes of this strong leader looked defeated. She slowly caressed the dried skin on Gilrin's hollow cheek. She suddenly felt guilty for her immortality. She was now 55 and would forever look like she was in her twenties. Why had the Valar chosen her of all people to become a half-elf? What had she done to deserve this faith that Gilrin did not?
"Oh Gilrin..."
"Do not feel guilty." Somehow, the dying woman seemed to read Valerie's mind that night. "I had a good life. I have no regrets. I am ready to leave."
Gilrin lifted her hand with difficulty to wipe the tears that were rolling on Valerie's face. "I am so glad to see you once more before I go. I am sorry that our friendship was not the same after... the unfortunate events at the coronation."
"It was for the best. It preserved peace between our realms," Valerie started before Gilrin got into another coughing fit. She gently lifted her friend to help her, smiling to Imrahil who had been about to do the same. The Prince of Belfalas realized that Valerie was not repulsed by his wife and the blood that she was coughing into her handkerchief. He nodded in approval.
Valerie spent a few hours with her friend while Legolas spoke to Imrahil and his older son Elphir. She carefully avoided Erchirion and his wife. She could feel his intense disappointment and her jealousy but she paid no attention to them. She was there for Gilrin and for Gilrin only.
Later that night, while lying in Legolas' arms, she cried for hours, letting all her guilt out while her mate tried to convince her that Gilrin's faith was not her fault. She fell asleep from exhaustion, still unconvinced that the Valar's decision had been the right one.
The Princess of Dol Amroth died that night, surrounded by her husband and children. And for Valerie, it was the first person she loved who left her permanently, only leaving behind memories to cherish.
OoOoO
Thranduil was getting ready to leave with his escort, for a journey that would bring them to Imladris first, then the Grey Havens, with the ultimate goal of sailing to Valinor. He was walking in the middle of his warriors, making sure that everyone was ready, but truthfully, he was stalling. Once he passed the gate, he would not see his family for the longest time. He watched them as he put his leather gloves on.
Legolas, his only child and heir, standing in the middle of his own sons, gently caressing their heads as the young elflings were crying because of the departure of their grandfather. Victoria was in Sean's arms, quietly talking to Elrohir who was standing beside them. She did not really realize that she would only see Thranduil again once she was an adult… Hadrian, who had his arm around his adoptive naneth's shoulders. Of all his family, Hadrian would be the only one he would never see again. The Elvenking's heart was sad but not absolutely broken at the thought. Knowing of his faith since the first day Valerie had brought him to the Greenwood fortress, he had known the time of goodbyes would come. He had purposely not developed a strong relationship with the boy, knowing it would be for the best. Hadrian nodded in his direction, and he returned the nod.
Valerie had left Hadrian's side and was now hugging Brethilon. Brannor was standing beside them, his face not joyful for once. He had decided not to follow his adar to the Undying Lands and to remain in Ithilien to protect his lady. Thranduil was glad that at least one of her guards would remain with her. He would worry less about her safety. She had kept herself out of trouble for many years now; hopefully she would maintain that attitude until the passing of Elessar…
Finally, Valerie let Brethilon go and looked for the king in the crowd. She walked up to him, her face already wet with tears. She gave him a stack of letters, and when he looked at the names, he saw that there was one for Phoebe in Imladris, one for Liam and one for Ninaelil, the housekeeper who had been her first friend in Greenwood and who had sailed so long ago already. She reluctantly gave him one last letter, and Thranduil was astounded to see his mate's name on it.
"If she is reborn... and if she is an adult already... I thought she would like to hear from me... Do you think it is a good idea? If not, just do not give it to her!"
"It is a great idea," he said, taking her in his arms, touched that Valerie was reaching out for his dear mate, even if she did not know her.
Valerie burst into tears.
"I will miss you. So much! I just realized that I am still angry with Legolas for tearing us apart like this! Even if we founded a colony of elves in Ithilien, you will not be there. You will not see Victoria grow up, you will not be there when my sons become adults and retrieve their memory…"
"Do not be angry with your mate, because I am not angry with him. Legolas is helping to maintain peace in Middle Earth. He has always been a warrior after all. He is not ready for a quiet life in Valinor. In the meantime, take good care of him and my grandchildren. They are precious to me."
"I will."
"Keep an eye on Sean. If this boy is not being cautious, he will leave a swarm of illegitimate children behind. Make sure that does not happen."
"It will not happen. He is being cautious, he told Legolas as much. He has had too many brothers in his life to even want children."
"And spend as much time as you can with Hadrian."
"I will," Valerie promised again between two sobs.
Thranduil took her face in his hands. "I will miss you too. I will be thinking about our family every hour that I am awake. I will be waiting for you. We will be reunited, I swear it."
"I love you!"
"I love you too."
Legolas was suddenly standing beside them, and embraced his father once Thranduil had let go of Valerie.
Thranduil decided to leave before everyone saw the tears in his eyes. He jumped on his stallion, and watching his family one last time, he turned his back on them and gave the signal of departure. The Silvan elves left without looking back, definitively turning the page to a new future where peace and happiness were certain.
In the next chapter, Gil-galad and Oropher retrieve their memories, and it is not happening in a peaceful manner... And we see our characters who live in Valinor!
Many readers have requested some material in which Valerie and Glorfindel are together. Please send me a review if you would be interested. I need to see if there is some interest for this! Thanks in advance!
Angel: I get flashes of ideas once in a while. I am not sure it would be a big story, but maybe a short one...
Natasya Ivashkov: sorry for the last update. I didn't post, but I wrote a lot! I wrote two chapters in the last two weeks. They only need beta reading. I am sure you will like them.
Glory Bee: I am sorry to tell you that you will see Erchirion in one last chapter, but he will be more or less forgiven by Valerie.
Hannahhobnob: Valerie is planning to remain with Hadrian until the end. She would never leave her son behind... This sad moment will arrive soon.
Paperlanterns86: That's such a coincidence! You have a really nice name, I really love it!
Aralinn: you guessed right that an older child would leave first, and now Thranduil is gone too. So many other will leave Valerie behind in the next chapters – all because of Legolas! :-)
gginsc: yes, Valerie is not done suffering because of his oath!
Lady Niyani: I admit that I have flashes of Glorfindel as Valerie's mate. I don't know if this is enough to make a whole story out of it. I promise to think about it! And send me a review to let me know!
Airbender42: we could think that this family cannot get any more strange and mixed up! But wait until the elflings regain their memories!