I know I said I'd update in a few days, and it's been over a year. I suck. Thankfully, this story is drawing to a close relatively soon so no more waiting?

Each day that followed the defeat of Sauron seemed to last longer and longer. It was as though a universal sigh was felt throughout the world, and in some ways the War of the Ring seemed like a distant memory. Much of Gondor and Rohan laid in ruin, the bodies of their children filled freshly dug graves, and funeral pyres never seemed to go out as more and more dead were found among the rubble of an injured yet still fair world. Even so, the general air about the city was often tinted with that of complete shock, not unlike the moment you begin to fall back into your chair, only to catch yourself at the last second: lingering fear from escaping danger mixed with complete and utter relief, and just a dash of, "I can't believe I dodged that bullet."

It was strange, how after the first two weeks of alternating between cleaning up Minas Tirith and celebrating the lives of all those who survived, neither day nor night felt normal. Had I gotten so used to war that peace had become an uncomfortable silence? Apparently. For some the dawn of a new day came far sooner. For me, it was a cool night in the mid-April, when sleep eluded my tired eyes. I'd dragged myself out of bed after what felt like an eternity of staring at the ceiling, only to find myself creeping into the kitchens in search of a midnight snack. Upon reaching the first floor I found the fire in the main room was still lit, though close to death. Its soft light just barely illuminated James and Collin sprawled across the floor. For a moment I could've sworn we were back in our original world, the two men sleeping soundly suddenly boys again. We'd often spent nights in James and Kristy's basement, talking late into the night about everything and nothing. James and Collin were often the last ones awake, and I'd often find myself waking early in the morning, just before the sun rose, and the two would be sprawled out on the ground in front of the TV, having never made it to bed. It was a familiar sight, and I felt myself drawing nearer to fire as well.

It was as I approached the fire that reality truly struck. In an existential moment equal to the realization of imminent doom, the bandages across James' bad eye suddenly became real. Both of my friends' war-torn torsos were clear as day in the glow of the dying fire, and suddenly they weren't the two boys I'd grown up with. For whatever reason, it took seeing the scarred bodies of my friends to finally cement the idea that everything we'd just been through had been very, very real. Seeing Minas Tirith every day, slowly rebuilding after a brush with death, had apparently not been enough. I must have gasped, for Collin's eyes were suddenly open, gazing sleepily upon my frozen form.

"You all right?" He mumbled, a small and cheeky smile inevitably finding its way onto his face. That was the biggest wall that hit me on that night. His cool, calm grin reminded me of someone very dear, whose absence still felt surreal.

Théodred.

Suddenly every thought and concern that I ought to have had ages earlier came rushing in. Eowyn, Eomer... They lost a cousin. An uncle. Eomer was to be king. King. My old friend, a leader of a nation, forced to rule during a critical time of rebirth for the people of Middle-earth. Eowyn, my dear friend, nearly lost her life fighting for this world. She did what no man could do, and slayed the Witch-King. James was a father. A father? Just over ten years prior I wouldn't have trusted him with a guinea pig, let alone a child.

Despite my thoughts my eyes remained upon Collin, my dear friend, whose scars were a testament to the selflessness he'd always shown as a child. Who would have known that the boy who'd give his packed lunches to the kids who couldn't afford their own would one day be covered in scars trying to save those who couldn't save themselves. Without his sacrifice I wouldn't have had the chance to have with Boromir what James has with his own wife. Without him I might not have survived so long in Middle-earth.

Despite all of the blood spilled, the brushes with death, and the constant wonder of what could have been, had we never ended up on this fantastical world, I couldn't think of any other life, no better people to have met and loved. This life was real, this moment fleeting, and suddenly I began to cry at the mere thought of how completely and unbelievably lucky I was.

"Hey, Soph?" Collin began, slightly more concerned this time, but I was quick to shake off his worries.

"I'm fine, don't worry," I whispered through a slight chuckle. "It's just... Middle-earth... This really is home now, isn't it? Who would've thought?"

"Yeah," he laughed, "just think of how many times I had to get shot to get to this point."

"Oh, shush," I rolled my eyes playfully. "Just... Thank you, Collin. For getting us this far."

Collin looked a bit lost for words. "No...? Thank you, Sophie, for getting me this far."

Had my heart been any less warm at that moment I might have managed to reply, but for the moment it was all I could do to not strangle Collin with the hug that followed. He was quick to hug me back, and it was then that I could sense that his thoughts weren't so far from mine. We didn't know what to do with the peace ahead, but for all of the war and violence we'd seen in the years behind, I knew that there was no one else I'd have rather been with on this wild and beautiful adventure to Middle-earth.

"I can't wait for you to see her," James gushed the next morning. "My little Faelwen looks just like her mother, but sometimes I swear I see you in her, Kristy."

Kristy blushed at the thought, more than ready for the job of "aunt" to begin. "Well, at least she looks more like me than you. Perish the thought of another little James wandering about."

"We're doing our best to remove his personality traits early," teased Legolas, but proud-father James could hardly bother to notice.

"They're coming for the coronation, you know. I just received word this morning. I was thinking of ordering new dresses specially for the girls to wear for the big day. I know that resources aren't exactly cheap or so readily available as they were before the war, but I'm sure I could find someone willing to do the job,"

"Do you think she'd like if I made her something?" asked Kristy. "I'm sure it wouldn't be very high-quality, nor fit for an elf, but I really regret not being there earlier."

"Oh, your brother spoke the world of you," Legolas assured. "I'm sure little Faelwen will be more than pleased to find her aunt alive and well."

"And what about Aunt Sophie and Collin?" I asked, feigning offense.

James laughed, "your names may have come up once or twice."

"Hourly," Legolas corrected.

"Don't take his word for it," James retaliated. "In any case, I'm sure my little ones won't be the only half-elven youngsters running about Middle-earth for long. Any idea when you two will get started?"

Kristy blushed profusely, and I could've sworn that Legolas kicked our dear and annoying friend under the table. James always did seem to bring out the worse in elves, and Legolas in particular.

"Okay, so no elf babies for you," James said with a mischievous grin. "And what of you, Ms. Sophie? You ready for some kids of your own?"

"I'm not even married yet," I replied blankly. "Besides, I prefer to think of you and Collin as my party-sized children. Lord knows I'm forced to fuss and worry over you like a mother."

"She's got a point," Collin sighed. "Within the past two months I've been stabbed repeatedly and you've lost a bloody eye. A mother's worst nightmare, if you ask me."

Kristy rolled her eyes. "Make that TWO mothers you have, I'm going to throw up if I have to think of you two getting hurt any more. In any case, have you and Boromir set a date, Sophie?"

"Heck if I know," I replied honestly. "He's been so busy seeing to the city, I'm sure we've got months yet."

"At this point Eowyn and Faramir will tie the not before the two of you," teased James. "But in all reality, I'm just pumped for you guys to have kids as well. Mostly to see what shenanigans they get in to."

"Who knows, maybe they'll fall out of a tree and end up back in the United States?" Collin suggested jokingly.

"Oh God," I sighed, "Heaven forbid."

I actually want this story off my chest so it should be done within the next few months. Thank you all for reading, I love you very much.