EPILOGUE
Legolas and Le'ariel enjoyed several decades of contentment in Mirkwood. The previous council meetings Legolas had with his father and his advisors were in regards to the Orc attacks and news that something evil stirred again in Mordor.
Things were quiet for many years until more news started spreading that Sauron was trying to build a new army. King Thranduil postpones his departure from Middle-earth to attend to the matter of protecting their lands.
On 19 October III 3018, a letter arrived from Lord Elrond requesting a representative from the Mirkwood Elves to join his council to discuss matters that affected all the races in Middle-earth. Legolas agreed to go with Keldir and another guard at his side. He didn't want Le'ariel to make the trip with them because he felt she was safer in Mirkwood, but she refused to stay behind.
Wherever her husband was, at his side is where she wanted to be. He eventually gave in to her request and thus allowed her to join them on their journey to Rivendell.
After long years of not speaking to his cousin, Adanion, Legolas finally made amends with him. The Council of Elrond was held on 25 October III 3018. Present at the council were representatives of all the free peoples of Middle-earth: Elves, Men, Dwarves, even the Hobbits. Gandalf the Grey, a Maia of the Istari Order, was also there.
There was much debate about the One Ring that Frodo Baggins, a Hobbit from the Shire, had in his possession and how it should be destroyed. Although not everyone on the Council agreed, they accepted Elrond's instructions of taking the Ring back to Mount Doom and destroying it where it was originally forged.
Le'ariel was devastated by the decision of the Council. Legolas assured her that she had nothing to worry about and promises to return to her…and their son. He also told her to stay in Rivendell under Lord Elrond's protection. She had many loved ones in Imladris that could help keep her busy and distract from thinking about the perils Legolas would be facing. The nine companions that left Rivendell on 25 December III 3018 became known as the Fellowship of the Ring.
Le'ariel prayed to Eru that her husband, the elf-prince, would make it back safely.
Two years passed with little information about how the Fellowship was doing. Le'ariel still kept vigil that Legolas would return to her and their young son, Ingeras. However, the time finally came when the decision was made for the elves to leave the shores of Middle-earth. Lord Elrond didn't want his people to suffer from the mistakes of Men.
Isildur had a chance to destroy the Ring, yet he let his greed and the power of the Ring consume him, thus leading to his demise and centuries later, putting Middle-earth in danger once more.
The Princess of Mirkwood said a silent prayer that she hoped would reach Legolas's ears. He promised that no matter where she was he would find her. She didn't care if it were even in the Halls of Mandos, as long as they were together again. A few days later, the rest of the Mirkwood Elves join them in the Undying Lands.
Every day Le'ariel stood at the docks to find any signs of an elven-ship carrying Legolas coming into the shores of Tol Eressëa in Aman. Sometimes Keldir would wait with her to keep her company.
On 31 August III 3021 as she waited alone by the docks, a shape appeared in the morning fog. Le'ariel ran all the way to the end of the dock to get a better view. The closer it approached the more confident she was that it was a small elven-ship.
Two figures were outlined in the mist, one tall and slender, and the other half a size shorter and rounder. When the fog lifted, she saw her smiling elf-prince. Le'ariel was tempted to jump into the water and climb onto the ship just so she could hold him sooner rather than waiting for them to reach the port.
Legolas jumped gracefully onto the landing dock before the ship made a complete stop and scooped her into his arms for an embrace. They remained content in each other's arms for a long time, not saying a word. Neither one wanted to let go for fear that it was all a dream and that if they did, the dream would end.
Legolas felt her tears on his cheek. He pulled away slightly to see her face. He smiled at her and received the same smile in return. He wiped her tears away and introduces his wife to his new friend, Gimli, who happened to be a Dwarf. He explained that he was given a special grace by the Valar to enter the Undying Lands for his courageous deeds and heroic efforts in helping destroy the One Ring.
The elf-princess found it odd for an Elf and a Dwarf to be friends, but if Legolas trusted him then so did she. And, Gimli proved to be a good friend. By 19 September III 3021, the last elven-ship arrived in Valinor carrying the remaining elves from Middle-earth, along with Gandalf and two Hobbits. The commencement to crown Legolas as king was finally held in Tirión, the city of the elves in Aman, with Le'ariel as his queen...forever by his side.
THE END
Author's Note: Thank you so much for your patience and continuous support for this story. Most of all, your reviews!
Until next time...