Idrial's Quest
By Lady Annalease
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Epilogue
So, this is a faithful narrative of our tale, just as you requested, dear sir, to add to The Book. Well do you and all other scions of the Fourth Age know the ending, so I will not bother recounting it. However, do not trust too closely to what the tale-spinners say, I know there is a persistent rumour that we climbed to the top of Black Tower and 'struck at the Enemy with weapons of light and grace' - I most faithfully tell you that that did not happen. We went nowhere near the top of the Tower. The only one who was even close was Frodo and, of course, Samwise, and they hardly carried 'weapons of light and grace.'
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Though I have enjoyed our correspondence, my dear sir, I regret to tell you that you shall hear no more of me after this letter, nor shall you hear anymore from Lord Legolas or King Gimli. May I suggest, if you need more sources, you take whatever our descendants offer you with a grain of salt, as they tend to like embellishing their parents' deeds. My law-son, King Eldarion might be the best source, for he is usually truthful; ignore what Queen Illiri says - she is my daughter and feels the need to embellish her mother and father's deeds well beyond what Berethor and I actually did. Ours was no great love story of the ages, I fear. As for my son - the Chief Adviser to the King ought to have a reputation for truthfulness, but I fear also that everyone loves a good tale, and Elrayon is one of the best tale-spinners of them all.
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Now that is over with, I will answer your other questions, though I could proclaim to find them mildly offensive. I am not Legolas' consort, despite what the rumours say, and we are not secretly married. He was never married, though I know he took consorts to his bed on occasion - that is his business and not mine. Yes, after Berethor passed, I did take up residence in Ithilien with him and became joint ruler of his realm; it was more because I wanted for the companionship of one of my own race, rather than another body - I could have found those readily enough, had I wished - I wanted someone who would understand. But, and let me make this clear to you, Berethor is long dead and though I loved him with all my heart, it is none of your business what he and I do in private. In any case, it will matter little from now on. Let me tell you this, though, we are not running away together - please do not let history recount it that way. I believe I can trust you, my dear sir, so allow me to tell you this in strictest confidence - it is not to be repeated to anyone! Those else who ought to know already do. For many moths, Legolas, Gimli and I have been working to build a boat - yes, I decided to see if my sire's wood-crafting skills were latent in me - and we are sailing to Valinor. We will be the last to leave Middle-Earth - no one will follow us. Let me now offer my final farewell, to you, my dear, for I have farewelled all others who I ought. So, farewell, and I hope that your family continues on well into the ages.
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Lady Idrial of Ithilien put down her quill and, taking up her signet ring, sealed the letter with wax and her imprint. She laid it in the middle of the desk so it would be noticed by her maids. She glanced out the window and saw night had now fallen fully - it was time. Predictably, there was soon a knock at the door and it opened.
"Are you ready to leave?" the person who had entered asked, coming up behind her and stroking one of her now-silver braids fondly through his fingers. "I trust you told him we were not lovers…much to my continuing discontentment." She glanced up at him with a wry smile and a chuckle.
"Neither of us would betray Berethor like that," she replied. Legolas smiled and nodded. "And I am almost done, give me a moment, there is one more thing I must do."
"Of course," he replied. Idrial picked up her quill again and, dipping it in the ink a final time, she wrote upon the outside of the letter - Master Gamgee, Bag End, The Shire.
Finis
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A/N: Well, it's been a wild ride and all and I certainly had fun but, I'm almost sorry to say, it is over. I'm done, the story is finished and, obviously, there will not be a sequel. If you don't like the ending, I'm sorry, but I kinda liked it so…. In any case, I'd love to hear what you thought. And, if you really liked me, watch this space and I might put up some more stuff…eventually. For now - Namáraie, mellyn nín.