…I don't know what to say. I really don't. Can you guys take it from here?

Peyton: Uh-huh.

Kayden: Maethorelen is so incredibly happy and proud of what this story has become. As this was her very first fanfiction ever, it is truly amazing at how far this has come, from the very first words of the first chapter, to the final two words at the end of this epilogue.

Robin: She would like to thank everyone who has read this story, reviewed it, and added it to their alerts and/or favorites. Your support meant so much to her. It's impossible to put it into words.

Peyton: Now, there probably won't be a sequel to this story, and if Maethorelen does eventually decide to write one, it probably won't happen for a very long time. However, she is proud to say she has another Lord of the Rings story in the works, entitled The Elenmîr. You should really check it out!

Thanks, you three. I'll miss you guys!

And now, for the final time, I only own Kayden, Peyton, and Robin.

Epilogue: Forevermore

The days soon faded into months, the Fellowship's time in Minas Tirith soon drawing to a close. Most time was spent planning for the long journeys ahead of them and preparing to say farewell to those they had grown so close to over the past year.

"You're sure about going to the Shire, Robin?" Peyton asked her hobbit friend as the trio strolled through the gardens of Minas Tirith, spending one more beautiful summer afternoon together.

Robin nodded, a bittersweet smile on her face. "Yeah." The hobbit paused, gazing up at her friend. "You're sure about going to Rohan?"

"Yep," Peyton replied, a sigh escaping her lips. "Ėomer asked me to help rebuild the country after the war." She turned to Kayden. "And where are you going to go?"

"Well, Legolas, Gimli, and I are going to travel Middle-Earth for a year or so," Kayden answered, gazing evenly at her friends. "And then I'll probably go to Mirkwood with Legolas."

"Oh," Peyton stated simply, unsure of how to reply.

A deep silence consumed the threesome, all unsure of what to say next. So many cheerless thoughts whirled through their minds, yet no one wished to voice any of them. Their hearts were heavy with the knowledge that this may be the last time they would ever see each other. War had bonded them closer than they had ever thought possible, and none wanted to see the others go, but they all seemed to mutually understand that they had their own paths to take.

Kayden scuffed the ground with her boot, finally breaking the silence. "Hey, can you guys promise me something?" she asked.

Both Robin and Peyton bobbed their heads. "Yeah, sure. What is it?"

A faint smile formed on the elleth's lips at her friends' agreement. "Promise me that, no matter what happens, we'll never forget each other, okay?"

"Of course, Kayden," Robin grinned. "And besides, how could I forget someone like Peyton? She's obnoxious!"

"HEY!" Peyton exclaimed. Robin just laughed before beginning to sprint through the gardens, Peyton right at her heels. Kayden rolled her eyes at their antics before pursuing the pair, a full grin on her face.

That was the last afternoon the three spent together beneath the same sky.

~o*o*o*o~

And thus a new era in Middle-Earth began. And the Fellowship of the Ring, though eternally bonded by friendship and love, was ended.

Robin traveled with Merry, Pippin, Frodo, and Sam to the Shire, where she lived for the rest of her days. On September 29th of the year 3020 of the Third Age, exactly one year from the day Merry first met Robin in Farmer Maggot's field, Robin and Merry wed, and what a happy celebration it was. Often, the pair would just sit underneath a certain tree in the apple orchard, talking of adventures long past.

After a year and a half in Rohan, Peyton married King Ėomer, becoming Queen of the people she had come to care for dearly. The Land of the Horselords flourished beneath their reign, recovering from the wounds of war and becoming a prosperous land once more. Oftentimes both King and Queen would ride out with King Elessar of Gondor, helping cleanse the lands of the filth of Sauron that still lingered after the Dark Lord's fall. And soon, hardly any orcs dared enter the lands of Rohan, for they had come to fear both the King's fury and the Queen's wrath.

For a year, Legolas, Kayden, and Gimli traveled throughout Middle-Earth, exploring the Glittering Caves and the Forest of Fangorn. Once their travels were over, Kayden went with Legolas to live in Mirkwood, now purged of the darkness and once more called Greenwood. There, Legolas took Kayden's hand in marriage, and on that day there seemed to be no greater joy in the world for the couple. Eventually, Legolas and Kayden, along with a small group of Elves, journeyed to Ithilien, where they helped restore the woods ravaged by war.

And true to their oath, Kayden, Peyton, and Robin never forgot each other, no matter how many leagues separated them. Nothing could ever sever the bonds connecting their hearts together.

They were best friends, always and forevermore.

~The End~

It's official. It's finished.

I truly hope you enjoyed reading Dig Down Deeper. It's been a blast writing this story, and I can safely assume that I am not the only who is sad that this has come to a close.

Thanks again for coming with me this far. I'll miss you!

~Maethorelen