Elanor stood before a large open window, staring down at the sprawling trees and beautiful forests of Ithilien. She hummed softly to herself and her hand moved down to rest upon the slight swell of her stomach. She gazed out of the window, her mind lingering on the letter that she held in her hand. She could still remember when she had received it. It had been delivered to her some years ago by one of the King's messengers. It was written in the familiar handwriting of Eldarion, the King of Gondor's Son and it told her the news she had been dreading.

Aragorn was dead.

Elanor had been preparing herself for this news for some time but still it had come as a shock.

Two hundred years had passed since the great ring was destroyed and many of her friends were gone. She had seen them live out long and fulfilling lives. Talin had returned with the others to Fornost and stood as Captain in Aragorn's place. He had married, had children and grandchildren and lived a full life. They had seen much of each other and Elanor made numerous trips back and forth between Arnor and Mirkwood, in which she had made her home. She and Legolas, along with her father, made the long journey to Legolas' home after spending some time in Gondor. She had been welcomed into the kingdom of King Thrandril, who was thrilled to find his son had chosen a wife after so many years. They were wed in early march under the newly blossomed trees, surrounded by friends and family.

It was there Elanor had remained at Legolas' side, finally accepting her true place amongst the elves. They spent many years travelling, seeing the wonders Middle-Earth had to offer. As Legolas had once promised, they travelled back to Helms Deep in the Company of Master Gimli and saw the great Glittering Caves of the Deep. Elanor would listen intently as the pair would recount their story of the great battle that happened there all those years ago. Eventually they returned to Mirkwood, where they stayed for many years until Elanor's longing to be closer to Arwen and Aragorn grew too great. They left the forests of Mirkwood and travelled south to Ithilien, an ancient province of Gondor founded by Isildur, himself. It lay settled between the Mountains of Shadow and the Great River, Auduin. It was a fair land of trees, gentle hills and quick waters. A large group of tree-elves had chosen to resettle there, led by Legolas. It was named 'Land-of-the-Moon' and that name rang true, for the night was brighter than any Elanor had ever seen. The stars shone down upon them as jewels.

Her father and uncle had joined them for a short time and then returned to Imladris after Lord Elronds departure to the Grey Havens and had remained there until a few days ago.

Elanor smiled softly. So much had happened and even though much time had passed, it still seemed like only days ago she and Legolas had stood beneath the blossoming trees and made their vows, and now they were expecting their first child. A girl, Elanor was sure. The bump of her stomach stood proud beneath her dress and Elanor smiled. Motherhood had changed her. Everything she did now was at the thought of someone else. This child inside of her took over her life and she welcomed it with every fibre of her being.

But now Aragorn was gone and soon they too would be leaving. Aragorn was aware of his death long before anyone else. Some say he had had a premonition, others believe he had merely lived so long that he willed for death to finally claim him. Elanor had long since said her goodbyes, knowing that his final breath should be taken with pride and not watched by those beaten with grief. Aragorn had wanted to be remembered for who he was, a king who brought unity to a broken realm. He wanted to say his goodbyes while he was strong enough to still stand.

Elanor could still remember how proudly he had held himself. His hair has long since greyed, his face held more wrinkles and furrows of a troubled past but also of a life filled with great joy and laughter. Arwen had stood beside him; a slight aging of her face the only hint of her mortality and between them stood Eldarion, the very image of his father. The young man stood as tall as the elves, with hair as dark as his fathers and skin as fair as his mothers. His eyes were green and held that kingly pride. They spent much of their time together talking, mostly of old times and of old friends. But the more they talked, the more aware Elanor became of what she was losing all over again. Aragorn was laid to rest with the other great kings of Arnor in the mausoleum of Minas Tirith.

Elanor sighed as she gazed down out across the treetops towards the river. Floating upon the water, moored at the docks was a beautiful, dark wood ship. White sails fluttered from the masts, billowing like clouds. The time had come. As her grandmother has once said, the time of the elves was ending.

Legolas had built a ship, one that would carry all those who wished passage to the Grey Havens, one of the last ships to leave Middle-Earth. It would carry them west, into the harbours of Mithlond and to the final resting place of the elves. Her father and uncle had joined them a few months back, deciding to leave with them so as to rejoin their father. The whole town buzzed with excitement as preparations were made but Elanor felt torn. Middle-Earth was all she had ever known, she felt that by leaving here, she was leaving part of herself behind. She knew she was being foolishly sentimental; all ties to this land had long since gone and what remained of her family waited upon the other side of the ocean.

The Ocean. That itself was something of a wonder to her. How they planned to cross something so vast was beyond her.

Then the door to her room opened and Legolas stepped spritely into the room, a smile on his face.

"What are you so happy for?" Elanor asked curiously, laughing as he took her in his arms. He kissed her lightly. "Everything is ready."

Elanor paused for a moment and smiled sadly, glancing one last time out of the window. Legolas watched her carefully. "If you are not ready..." he began. Elanor shook her head.

" No, I will be fine." She smiled reassuringly, "Has Gimli arrived?" The elf nodded. "He waits for us at the docks with you father."

Legolas held out his hand to her and Elanor glanced around the room which she and Legolas had shared for so many years before taking his hand.

They walked hand in hand down the road to the harbour, the path strangely silent. It weaved through the trees until opening out to the dock upon the great river Auduin, and beyond that the sea. White birds flew high above them, their cries piercing the skies. Legolas looked to them and smiled his eyes full of awe. This is how Elanor loved him best, when the wonders of the world could still cause childish excitement. A crowd had gathered, those who wished to remain saying farewell to those who were leaving. Elanor chuckled as she saw two young elves struggle to rein in a horse which refused to walk the gangplank to the ship. She walked over to them singing softly. The horse snorted softly and eyed her. Elanor gave a smile, she knew this one well. Celebrindor was his name, a name she had chosen for him. Stubborn and strong-willed much like Aeglos from whom he was descended. She placed a soothing hand upon the stallions' neck and sang softly until he suffered to be led aboard.

"He'll be nothing the trouble that one." Elanor turned at the gruff voice and smiled as Gimli approached her.

"No more than you, Master Dwarf." She replied sweetly. Gimli's stern face broke abruptly into a grin and the dwarf let out a barking laugh. Elanor greeted her father and finally she stepped aboard the ship, aided by Legolas.

There was cheering and crying, laughter and singing as the ship pulled away from the docks and sailed down the river to the sea. Elanor stood at the bough of the ship, looking out at the waves that crested below them. A pair of arms encircled her from behind and Elanor felt the familiar presence wrap itself around her and she leant back into the embrace. Legolas head rested side hers and he placed a protective hand on the bump on her stomach. "I have been thinking." He said his voice soft and low.

"Oh?"

"What do you think of Oropher?"

"Oropher? So sure that it will be a boy are you?"

"You do not think so?"

Elanor shook her head. "It will be a girl."

Legolas smiled, "Then how about Estarlia?"

Elanor turned to look at him. "Are you sure?" Legolas nodded. Elanor beamed at him and hugged him tightly. They stood together as the ship went out to the west. Elanor smiled to herself as she watched and waited for the grey rain-curtain to roll back turning all to silver glass and to show white shores and green lands under a brilliant sunrise. But until then she stood happily in Legolas' arms and he whispered,

"And when that ship passed an end was come in Middle-earth of the Fellowship of the Ring."

The End.

Celebrindor means 'Silverfoot.'

Cellen means Daughter.

An-uir means forever. oh and Oropher was the name of Legolas' grandfather.

So, that's it guys! I'd always planned on finishing the story here, didn't want to drag it out. Althought I miss writting about Elanor already so I might do a little sub-story about her and Legolas and their time in Mirkwood. Maybe...

Anyway, I just wanted to say a huge thanks to everyone who's given their support, praise, critisim, sarcasum, cookies and all manner of other delightfully random things. These story has been a huge project for me (I started writting it about 4 years ago) and to put it up for public viewing was a bit of a scary thing but I'm glad I did it. If anything it's made me want to write more. I thank you all for your loyal support, especially those who've been with me from the start. I'm glad we made it!

Keep an eye out for more stories by me coming soon! (I should have a voice over guy...)

Love and Hugs

Scarlett

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