Epilogue

The Witch-king walked to the shore of the river. If the Elf Lord truly had any wisdom, he would be here at any moment with the spawn of Isildur. If the wraith could have smiled, he would have. Victory tasted very sweet. If the elf did bring Isildur's heir, then his master would have revenge at last. If he didn't, then his army of orcs would be pleased enough to raid the elf's dwelling place until he found the heir. Either way, he knew his master would be pleased to have the boy. Perhaps they should consider rebuilding Barad-dûr. The Nazgûl decided to take it up with his master upon his return.

The Witch-king had a feeling that was what was going to happen. These elves had this feeling called… what was it… love. He remembered it from once upon a time. It disgusted him. If the elves really had this connection with the human than they would be reluctant to give it up. But that mattered little. All it would mean was that there would be more prisoners.

As if acknowledging his thoughts, the elf approached the riverbank with no means of war than a bow and arrow. His face was pale and full of worry. This made the Witch-king remember a feeling resembling joy.

"You brought him then?" the ringwraith spoke after long silence. "Good. You have more wisdom than my master thought."

A twitch of uncertainty was visible on the elf's pained face.

"Send him over," he demanded.

"I can't," said the elf.

"You can if you want you and your precious home to survive to see a new night!"

"He's gone."

The Witch-king stood very still. How was this possible?

"He left a note that he wanted you to see in case you don't believe me."

A note. That should be interesting. Although, unfortunately, the Witch-king could find no hint of deception in the elf's face.

Suddenly every orc on the bank tensed as an arrow flew right past the ringwraith's head. Thankfully, none of that filth fired because he had not given orders. The Witch-king dismounted the warg and walked over to the tree where the arrow had hit. Just as the elf said; there was a note attached to the arrow.

He opened it and read.

"Kill the elf!" he yelled after he was finished.

The orc captain looked uneasy. "He is no longer in sight, sir."

The Witch-king screamed and remounted his steed. If only he had known! Those forest elves had smuggled out the heir of Isildur! They had spared him! They had taken away the prize to be presented to the Dark Lord! They would pay. Beyond any doubt, they would pay.

But first, to take care of these vermin. Then right before the Nazgûl ordered his army to charge, the wraith hesitated.

He wondered if they would really take this place. Would it really be worth it now that Sauron's prize had escaped? Even if they did win… which the Witch-king was convinced they would… there would be a large loss of orc power. True, he cared nothing for the lives of the orc. They were only tools which could be disposed of at any time. Pawns for sacrifice. But still, his master had not yet come back to full power.

Perhaps in a few years. He could return to Mordor and rebuild Barad-dûr like he'd planned. Then his master could begin to gather an army and the hunt could continue.

The Witch-king turned his steed around and had it walk south. "Beware, boy!" he yelled, almost as if expecting the heir to hear him, "I will retire from this chase for now. But soon… yes very soon… I will find you. And you will regret the day you came into this world!"

With that, the wraith rode out of sight.

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"Legolas! You made it after all!" cried Aragorn.

The young human rushed over to give his friend a hug.

"Yes. I came as soon as Lady Galadriel sent word that you had arrived. How are you?"

Aragorn shrugged. He was alright considering he was very far from home. And considering the fact that the Witch-king had almost captured him for the second time in the past two years. "I'm here," he said at last.

The elf prince smiled. "Yes you are! And ada received word from Lord Elrond that the siege was lifted after all!"

"I can go home then!" Aragorn's face brightened as he spoke.

Here, Legolas grew solemn. "No, I'm afraid not. You see, there are still many spies about. Rivendell is still being watched for suspicious movement. I do not think it would take much for the armies of Mordor to come marching back at your father's doorstep."

Aragorn sat down and nodded. "So I guess I can't go home then." After a moment of silence, he continued, "How do you stand it, Legolas? Being away from home for so long?"

Legolas almost laughed. "Young naive human… you have barely been away from Rivendell for two weeks! Even in the time of man that is not long."

"True," said Aragorn, "but it appears as if I won't be able to go back for… at least a few more years."

Legolas shrugged. "I don't know, Aragorn. I was older than you by elf standards when I left home for the first time. I was ready to leave. But I guess you'll get used to it! And it's not as if you're never going to see them again! Besides, I have a feeling Elladan and Elrohir will come here eventually."

Aragorn nodded. "Does it get better?"

"Yes," the elf responded immediately.

The young man smiled. He would get used to it eventually. And Legolas was right. He would see his family again. Maybe not as soon as he would like… but eventually. In the meantime, there was so much about Middle Earth that he did not know about! Aragorn knew he had so much to offer to the world. He would have to just go everywhere else before he could return home. His journey had just begun.

Well everyone, once again sorry this took so long. And reviews/criticism are greatly appreciated!!