Yes, yes, it is finally here. I know some of you want to strangle me, but... then I really couldn't post this. I have been really busy, but I will try to get on here when I can. Oh, and a little secret, well, not really. I am getting ready to record a CD! I play the Native American Flute.

Anyway, enjoy the chapter!

"Must you go?" Arwen asked, clutching her Nana's hand.

"Yes, I am sorry, dearest." She reached out and gently touched her daughter's face. She then turned to Elrond, giving him a sad smile. "It is not the end," she whispered. The three looked up as Elladan and Elrohir approached, leading their horses.

"We have some time left," Celebrían told her husband, sons and daughter. "Let us make the journey to the ships joyful, I cannot bear to leave you all in such sorrow."

"My lady," Glorfindel said, bowing his head as he and others approached.

Celebrían turned to face them, a small smile of joy coming to her lips. "We shall met again," she told them.

"Yes, we shall," Glorfindel replied. "Although all of us may not."

"So you know," Celebrían whispered.

"Yes," he replied. "And I am very sorry."

"Please," she said, lowering her voice so only he could hear. "Do not tell the others. They could not take the news well, and I am afraid..." She paused, glancing at her only daughter. "I cannot bring myself to speak of it."

"I understand," Glorfindel said. He stepped forward, giving her a quick hug, then stepped back. "I wish I could journey with you, but I must stay and watch over Imladris while Lord Elrond travels with you."

She gave him a nod of understanding, then turned to Erestor.

Erestor ducked his head, then taking a deep breath, lifted it again. It was a rare thing to see any emotion from Erestor, who preferred to keep it behind closed doors. But now he did not care. Tears filled his eyes, and one escaped, rolling down his check. He glanced down at his hands, fiddling with them, for once in his life at a loss for words.

"Erestor," Celebrían said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You are one of the greatest blessings here, even though you may not realize it. You have helped in so many ways, from the time I first arrived, a young elleth. When the twins were born, and you helped keep my panicked husband calm." A brief smile came to her lips at the memory. "You are family to us, even though it may not be in blood."

Celebrían stepped forward giving the advisor one last hug.

"Farewell, my sister," Erestor murmured, a tear falling on her shoulder.

"Farewell." She stepped back, and approached to where Elladan held her horse at the ready. Beside her son, stood Lindir, his hands gripped tightly behind his back.

"My Lady," he said. "I am not good at farewells, and I do not know what to say. Only that we will miss you greatly."

"Thank you Lindir, I will miss you also. Most of all your music and friendship," she paused for a moment, lowering her voice. "Thank you for watching over Arwen, and being there for her. She will need more comfort, I think." She looked at her sons. "Remember to comfort her as well, even in your own grief."

"Yes, Nana," Elrohir replied.

"And you're Ada."

""""

A shadow seemed to fall over the valley, as the golden haired warrior trudged down the weary hallway. Usually the place was filled with light and joy, but it had been a long while since then. He stopped next to a bench, and sat on it, leaning forward with his head in his hands.

He had tried to be strong in front of the others, as Elrond's family made their leave. Now he was alone, alone in the darkness. The burden of failure dropped on his shoulders, as he felt the wetness of a tear fall down his cheek. Why?! Why could he not have helped? Why had he been sent here, if only to fail! He had not done his duty, he had not protected them!

Anger, at himself swelled up in him. Clenching his hand in a fist, he slammed into the side of the bench. Searing pain shot through him, but he ignored it. Instead, pounding his fist again, and again.

"Why!? He screamed. "Why?!" His body jerked, as he felt a sob well up in him. Anger, sorrow, so much pain. He wanted to scream, kill something. Slay the darkness that dwelt in this land.

"Glorfindel," a soft voice spoke from beside him.

Glorfindel looked up to see Erestor standing there.

"I am sorry." Glorfindel said, quickly rising to his feet.

"There is no need to apologize," Erestor told him.

"It is my fault," Glorfindel hissed through set teeth.

"No, it is not," Erestor spoke, firmly. "No one could have known what would happen."

"But I could have done something!"

"And you did. Mellon-nin, look at me. You are but one among many, you cannot defend everyone. You did what you could, more than most could. Do not look so much at the dark, there is some light left, and happiness. But we must find it in a dark time such as this."

"I could have done more!"

"Glorfindel! Do not put the blame on yourself! It will only do you harm!"

"No!" Glorfindel snapped, swiftly turning away, escaping alone to his pain and grief.

"""

"Lindir."

Lindir pulled his head away from staring at the harp strings. Before him stood a young elleth[MT1] , her long dark hair pulled back, the sun's setting rays reflecting dully off of it.

"Yes?" Lindir asked.

"Do you need company? I know the pain you are going through. My nana was the midwife to Celebrían, and..." Her voice trailed off.

"You can sit if you want," Lindir said, motioning to the bench beside him.

They were silent for a few moments, the elleth too shy to speak much. Lindir, not used to speaking much to the young maidens of Imladris.

"Were you here at the birth of the twins?" Lindir asked, finally speaking up.

"No, that was before my time," she replied, giving a brief smile. "I was born later. My nana had wished for a child of her own for a very long while."

"Ah, I see."

They sat for a while longer, talking a little. After a while, the elleth stood. "I should go now," she said. "Maybe I will see you tomorrow?"

"Yes, that would be nice," Lindir replied.

She gave him a smile, then turned to leave. As she disappeared, a thought occurred to Lindir. He didn't know the elleth's name. He muttered something under his breath, this would be embarrassing. Maybe Erestor would know her name. He shook his head, no, maybe Glorfindel. Since all the elleth, well, most of them, seemed to like Glorfindel.

"""

A soft knock came to Erestor's door, and he looked up, interrupted from deep thought. "May I help you?"

The door slowly swung open, and a certain balrog-slayer stepped into the room. "Erestor. I... I came to say, I am sorry for the way I spoke to you earlier. You are going through the same pain. And... I should not have spoken to you that way."

"I understand. In a way," Erestor replied. He motioned to a chair across from his desk. "Would you like some tea? It always makes me feel somewhat better."

"Yes, thank you," Glorfindel said humbly, walking forward and taking a seat.

Erestor poured some tea into an extra cup, which was never used, then handed it to his friend.

Glorfindel accepted it, letting it warm his hands for a moment, before taking a sip. And... Spitting it out.

"How can you drink this?!" Glorfindel yelped. Almost dropping the cup, but thankfully setting it on the desk.

Erestor raised an eyebrow, "Well, that is one way to thank a friend," he said sarcastically.

"Sorry," Glorfindel muttered. "Do you have any wine in here?"

"In your usual spot," Erestor replied, waving a hand at a corner.

Glorfindel eagerly scrambled to his feet, and rushed over to a corner. He found the bottle of wine stuck between two shelves, and quickly retrieved it, popping the lid off. He swigged down a couple mouthfuls, then walked back over, plopping down on his chair. He swung his feet onto the desk, and held the bottle out. "Want some?"

"No," Erestor said blankly. "You drank out of it."

Glorfindel shrugged, "Suit yourself."

"And get your feet off my desk!"

"""

The journey had been long. Every moment was cherished, knowing this was their last time together for a long while.
Then they saw the ship, its white sails flying in the breeze. Then the feeling of it being all too real struck them. Few words were spoken, as Celebrían readied to board the ship.

At last, the time came for her to go aboard the ship.

"My sons," Celebrían said, standing before them. "There is so many things I want to say to you, but there is no time. I could not ask for better sons. You have grown from mischievous, adventurers, pranksters. Into fine warriors, and... Still pranksters." After their goodbyes where finished, she moved next to Arwen.

"Arwen," she sighed, holding back her tongue from words she dare not utter. "I have something for you." She reached up to a chain at her neck, and pulled out a necklace that was hidden under her cloak. "I will leave a part of me with you. The Eveningstar necklace."

She reached around Arwen's neck, clasping it around her neck. "It looks so beautiful on you."

"Thank you," Arwen said, tears forming in her eyes, as she fingered the necklace. Celebrían pulled her into an embrace, knowing, deep down, this was the last time she would see her daughter. As she pulled back, she placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Goodbye, my sweet daughter. Live well, and do not fear to love."

"""

Lindir stood at the doorway of the dining hall, his eyes scanning for a certain elleth. He was about to leave, maybe he shouldn't do this. When he caught a glimpse of her, she turned catching his eye, and gave a wave. She started toward him, a smile on her face.

He started to speak, when he remembered something. He had forgotten to ask someone what her name was!

"""

"Do not hide yourself away," Celebrían whispered to Elrond, as the two stood together. "They will need you."

"My lady," a voice said. "We must go now."

Celebrían ducked her head, then looked back at the elf. "Thank you." She turned her face back up to Elrond. "This is not the end, we will see each other again." She turned, slowly walking away. Elrond holding her hand until he no longer could, it sliding from his.

"Farewell," he whispered, finally, the tears that had been held back for so long, breaking free.

The End

I must bid a fond farewell this story, and thank you very much everyone for your wonderful reviews! Please review and tell me what you thought of the story! :)

Thank you very much for reading!

Once again, thank you Sixty-Four K, LadyLindariel(I like your new profile picture!), Pip the Dark Lord, Alku04, Queen Eradrin, Emma Gilthoniel, and NirCele for all of your reviews on this story!