Okay, this is it, I swear. The thrilling conclusion! But first, I'd like to include a word from our sponsor, New Line Cinema.

That was a joke.

Also, just a warning: as with the previous chapter, this Epilogue which is soon to follow was prepared for your enjoyment under the influence of Evanescence's "Good Enough." (I think it would make a lovely theme for Edrian Adhémar Arhirion and his Queen Ambra Undómiel.)

Anyway, here it is *sob*! Without further ado…

Epilogue

When we joined Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Moscavetz on the dance floor, we did so hand in hand. Alix and I were holding hands.

"Lips of an Angel" came as a bit of a surprising choice of song, but also a relief. Maybe because the Queen was dancing with a chosen partner instead of her King, and vice versa. But the bottom line was, I was about to dance. In front of my peers. With Alix Evanston. And boy, was I having fun.

She glanced up at me shyly with those incredible blue eyes and slipped her hand in mine, draping her other arm against my shoulder.

I noticed that as her dress curved below her collarbone, its edge was cut in a design that very closely resembled little leaves, a delicate trail of Elvish ivy. Carefully, I brought my other hand around to rest above the small of her back. The material felt almost bead-like under my fingertips, strengthening my theory of a vintage dress. Even the luscious curls draped over her bare shoulders made me want to cry. Regardless of her resemblance to Arwen, Alix Evanston was beautiful. And tonight, for a moment, she was in my arms.

For a moment.

I gently found her eyes, temporarily level with my lips because she'd kept her shoes on. "Alix, why am I here?" I begged softly. "Why me? Why now?"

She gazed back at me, drinking up the plea she saw on my face, and gasped a small sigh as she realized. "Edrian…" she whispered. "I've kept you waiting for far too long, haven't I? Oh, Edrian, I'm so sorry."

I wanted to reply so many things at one—heck yes, I've been waiting—no, meleth, don't be sorry—it's about time you saw me waiting here—my Queen, I forgive you—Alix, I love you—but all I could manage was her name, hesitant and timid. Frankly, I had to wonder if Aragorn had ever seemed so weak, sounded so weak, felt so weak in Arwen's presence as she declared her love and devotion to him.

Alix Evanston was still staring up at me… adoringly, I realized after a moment. Caringly. Affectionately. The same way I had watched her silently for years. And now, she was looking at me the exact same way.

No, wait. Oh, my God—

She was kissing me.

Alix Ambra Evanston was kissing me.

Kissing. ME. On the lips.

Boy, was she ever.

I could feel her trembling, too, as she shyly laid her fingers on my neck. So this was what it felt like. Or maybe it just depended on the person. Either way, I had never felt hot and cold meld themselves together this way all over my body, especially in the backs of my eye sockets. And I certainly had never felt this watery in the knees.

Wow.

And then she was gone.

Or at least it felt that way, so abrupt was the parting and so the air after feeling her warmth that close to me, in my arms and on my lips. But she wasn't gone.

She grinned shyly from below my chin, and I gradually became aware of the fierce blush we shared and the general ovation coming from all around us on the dace floor.

"That is how it's done, isn't it?" she questioned hesitantly, lifting herself closer to my ear over a round of deafening whoops from the nearest herd of varsity jocks.

I—I think so, I wanted to stammer. Oh, God, she was so adorable with that scarlet blush. I could see it even in the dark of the cafeteria dance floor.

But I stopped.

Maybe it was the explosion I heard and felt where my heartbeat used to be. Or maybe it was the glimpse I caught of Elrond grinning at me from the edge of the dance floor, otherwise still and solemn beside a softly smiling Legolas and an eye-twinkling Gandalf.

This was my chance. I was certain now of something I could not have been certain of any other way: Alix Evanston was in love with me. Elrond had been right; Legolas had been right. And here I was with Hinder building their music into "Angel"'s final chorus—an utter confession of emotion—and the Arwen of my life still in my arms.

This was my chance to sweep her off her feet and finally make her mine.

I slowly raised my hand, the one which held hers in its finger, touched her chin with my thumb, and held it gently. "No," I murmured, laughing softly. "I think… I think it's supposed to go more like this." Taking a breath of anticipation, I ignored the blood pounding in my ears and bent my head closer to hers.

And this time, I kissed her.

Let's just say that all of that—ahem—practice in the shower on the palm of my hand? It paid off, big time.

She was smiling again when we finished, and I smiled back. So were—ahem—Edwards and Cedric and Garrison, telling me well done. Which was the same message I was getting from Alix.

"Edrian…" she whispered again, contentedly this time.

"Shhhhh." I put a finger over her lips. No more words were needed tonight. The battles were won, the King—and Queen—risen and made known to the world. Tonight was all about peace, joy, love… and high school football.

We'd just have to see what tomorrow would bring.

I Veth

The End

FYI, "Far Away" and "Lips of an Angel" were the slow-dance songs back when I was in middle school some four years ago. Frankly, I kind of miss those days. The rap'n'crap at a high school dance gets a bit old, especially when the DJ has it just loud enough to slightly distort the sound (ahem). But I guess it's appropriate that I just went to my homecoming a few weeks ago. ANYway.

Before I sign off, I would just like to send a HUGE heartfelt thank-you to all my reviewers, favorite-ers, commentators, critics, and especially my fans. It's not love that makes the world go round, nor is it money—it's you guys. But I guess that kind of falls in with love, so maybe one could say that love makes the world go round. In the form of you guys. At least in the fan fiction universe.

So anyway, here it is: thank you, vielen Dank, danke schön, dĕkuji, le hannon, etc. That was English, German, German, and Czech, in case you're wondering And we should all know the last one, though it may not be grammatically correct ;)

To quote Maroon 5: And so this is goodbye.

To quote Evanescence: You still have all of me.

Thank you all again from the bottom of my heart. It has truly been a pleasure to review your thoughts, comments, and reviews, and to know that I have your support. Keep your eyes peeled for new stuff, and don't hesitate to check out my other fanfics!

To quote Enya: May it be an evening star shines down upon you.

Le hannon o gûr nîn, I thank you from my heart. Namárië, Crirawen