Note: The story is FAR from done! It will continue into Eruanna's time in Valinor! Stay tuned!

Chapter XIII

After many long years, Hiriel grew weary and Legolas even more so. Yet both of them tried to hide it from their daughter. It was one day when Legolas walked out to the balcony of his talan to watch the sunset in Ithilien. The land had grown fairer after his colony came and he was closer to Aragorn, so he could help the King whenever the need arose. Just then, two slender arms came and wrapped around his waist. Legolas smiled and turned to face the person who had just joined them.

"Hiriel", he smiled. His wife, Hiriel, had come to him. Legolas loved her beyond measure. She had given up her position as heir to Rivendell, leaving it under the care of her brothers since Eruanna would be living with her grandfather, Thranduil. She had given up her birthright for him, just to live as Lady of Ithilien. Legolas had tried to convince her otherwise, feeling guilty about it, but she insisted it was for the best.

Legolas looked at his dear wife. She still had her ageless beauty and her fair skin gleamed before the setting sun. Her black hair tumbled down her shoulders and her grey eyes betrayed the youth on her face. In them was the wisdom and experience that came with living for many years. She wore a simple dark red dress.

"Meleth", she said softly. Legolas gazed in her eyes and saw the endless amounts of love but mired with that love was grief and weariness. They had spent several decades living in Ithilien, having the peaceful, simple life they had dreamed of since their marriage (well, not entirely, Eruanna had stopped visiting them).

"Is something wrong?", Legolas asked. "You look tired. We can go inside and rest if you need it."

Hiriel's plump, pink lips stretched into a small smile. "No, Legolas. I feel peaceful out here. I don't want to go inside until the moon rises."

"What is on your mind?", Legolas asked.

Hiriel let out a long, deep sigh. "We have been through much. Even after our marriage, I had to raise Eruanna in Imladris, away from the darkness, and you had to fight for your kingdom. Then there was the Quest of Erebor and you joining the Fellowship for the War of the Ring. In Ithilien, I have been content but now, the Sea Longing has been crying out to me for some time as it has been you."

Legolas' blue eyes widened. He had wanted to keep his Sea Longing a secret so as to not trouble his wife and daughter. What a fool he was. Hiriel was the granddaughter of Lady Galadriel. Of course she would see the signs. "How long have you known?"

Hiriel smiled. "Ever since you came back from the War. I knew you weren't the same. You didn't have so many cares when we married or when I gave birth to Eruanna. Remember when we first met?"

"How could I forget?", Legolas asked with a smile.

"You were so carefree back then", Hiriel said with a smile. "I was too. But then the darkness came and we were forced to separate, drowning in duty. Now, we are finally free of the darkness but I still..."

"You long for the West", Legolas said. Hiriel nodded. "I do."

"I do not fault you for that", Legolas said. "Your mother, father and grandmother have all sailed to Valinor. Blaming you for the Sea Longing would be callous. I have heard that very song as well. I have felt the Valar pulling me to the sea."

"I saw it in Eruanna's eyes too when she last came", Hiriel said. "She is weary as well. But she'll hold on longer than us", Hiriel said. "No doubt that the Valar call to her as well."

Legolas grasped her hands. "I won't stop you from sailing if that is what you wish, Hiriel. But without you, my heart and soul shall be broken. I will know no greater pain than that."

Hiriel smiled. "The Valar call to me but my heart and soul are bound to yours. I will only leave these shores with you", her words brought Legolas significant comfort. "But Aragorn's time is ending and when he dies, Arwen will too. I don't wish to suffer any more loss. After Aragorn passes, I intend to sail West."

"As do I", Legolas said.

Their lips met in a kiss, all the love and anguish pouring in.

In Year 120 of the Fourth Age, Legolas and Hiriel sat down with their daughter. "Úlumiel, my dear Everstar", said Hiriel. "We have something to tell you." Eruanna sat opposite from them, sitting upright with her palms folded together. "The sea longing is wearing us down. When Aragorn's reign ends, we shall set sail for Valinor."

"Then I will see Aunt Arwen to the end of her days and follow after", Eruanna said. "I understand watching her die will be painful but I must do it."

"You will wither, as will your dragons", Hiriel warned. "Do not ignore the sea longing for long. I know you feel it too."

"Yes, I do", Eruanna said.

"What do you plan to do with your dragons?", Legolas asked.

"Elemental dragons were created by the Valar. I don't see why they wouldn't be allowed on Valinor", Eruanna said. "What of Gimli?" Gimli was the dwarf who had accompanied Legolas on the Fellowship of the Ring and he was now Lord of the Glittering Caves. The dwarf was in his advanced age and Eruanna knew his time was running out.

"We are taking him with us", Legolas said. "Will the Valar allow it?", Eruanna asked.

"We hope so", Hiriel sighed, wearily. Eruanna felt the longing in her eyes and weariness of her heart. "I am ready to leave Middle-Earth. With every elf that leaves, the magic leaves and my heart gets heavier."

Just then, an elf came in. "Hir nin Legolas. Word from Gondor has arrived. Aragorn's time has come. The King is due to pass any day now."

Legolas and his family made all haste for Gondor.

He laid down in the Halls of Kings. Death had called him and he would answer despite everyone not wanting him to. He felt weak. He felt as if he was fading and wondered if this was how elves felt when they sailed or faded. Life was leaving him and the two elves holding his hands could feel it. The other two elves hovering over him could sense it. Alas, his long life was over and he would leave his devastated family behind, but he had to return the gift Eru had given him.

On his right side was Legolas, Lord of Ithilien. The King's long time friend who had been with him through thick and thin. Eruanna and Hiriel stood behind him. On his left side was his beloved wife, Arwen Undomiel, who had never lost faith in their love. Looking at him with great sadness were Arwen's older brothers, Elladan and Elrohir who for the majority of the King's life, had been loving older brothers.

Taking in a shaky breath, he began to address them.

"Muindors nin, meleth nin, mellons nin, at this time... I take my leave from this life", King Aragorn Elessar said. "I have battled the hands of death for so long to say goodbye to those I hold dear." Arwen let out a sob as her brothers held their little sister close. Legolas let out a shaky

breath, tears coming to his eyes. Hiriel hugged Arwen while Eruanna bowed her head, her dragons coming close to comfort her.

Aragorn turned to Arwen. "My love, while the hour is difficult, we must not fail our final test. Go to the Undying Lands. Our love shall be evergreen but never more than a memory", Aragorn said, each word paining him more than a blade to his chest. "Aragorn I lost that choice long ago, there is no ship that can bear me hence", Arwen said. Aragorn felt his heart thud deep in his chest. "I love you meleth nin", he said. "I love you so much. Tell my children and grandchildren that I love them more than anyone, more than life", tears ran down from his eyes.

"Elladan, Elrohir, brothers of my heart", Aragorn addressed the twins. "I love both of you. I'll miss our pranks and our laughs." Everyone smiled sadly, remembering the carefree days of youth. "You're the best muindor", Elladan said with a sad smile. "Please don't go now", Elrohir begged. "It is time", Aragorn said sadly. "Namarie my brothers, and tell adar I love him when you go to the Undying Lands." Both twins nodded, crying.

"Legolas", Aragorn breathed. "My friend, my brother in arms." "Aragorn, mellon, please do not leave now. Save your strength. Your children and grandchildren need you. I need you. Arwen needs you. We all do", Legolas pleaded through his tears. "I have lost many mortal friends. Do not make me go through this again." Aragorn swore he could feel his heart shatter. "There is no more life in me, my friend. I will cherish our days together until the end of the world." "And I as well, Aragorn", Legolas said.

"Eruanna", Aragorn said. Eruanna went to her friend, laying his head in her lap and stroking his hair. "I wish you all the happiness in life", Aragorn said. "I know", Eruanna said softly. "I have wished the same for you. You passed every test laid before you, somehow found your way into my aunt's heart and achieved so much more", said Eruanna. Aragorn knew she would depart for Valinor soon enough. "The irony", Eruanna said with a slight laugh. "You are younger than me and already have children and grandchildren whilst I have not even married." Aragorn chuckled. "Indeed", he said.

If only Eruanna knew she would experience a love beyond imagining.

Aragorn breathed in deeply and exhaled for the last time. All life faded from his body. His eyes closed and his body grew cold. Everyone knew it was his soul leaving his body. "Aragorn?", Arwen whispered hoarsely. She began shaking her husband. "Aragorn! Echuio! Echuio! Aragorn-no... NOOOOOO!!!", Arwen wailed, breaking down and sobbing.

The love of her life, the husband of her heart, the man with a beautiful soul, the father of her children and grandfather of her grandchildren was gone, forever. He had begun walking in starlight in another world out of anyone's reach.

Elladan and Elrohir enveloped Arwen in an embrace, comforting her while sobbing as well. Legolas buried his face in his hands and his body wracked with sobs. Hiriel comforted him.

Eruanna made no noise as rivers of tears flowed down her face. She fell to her knees and her dragons came close, Helegiel wrapping her white wings around Eruanna's body. Eruanna sighed.

The funeral was a somber affair. Eruanna was dressed in gold and black. Her head was bowed. She knew her time was coming. In a few months, she would forsake these lands and go to Valinor. But she had to see her aunt Arwen to her last days.

Legolas, Hiriel, Eruanna, Celeborn, Elladan and Elrohir then went to Ithilien after bidding farewell to King Eldarion, his wife, his children and his sisters.

Legolas, Hiriel and the elves of Ithilien got ready to leave for Valinor. Elladan and Elrohir were determined to sail to Valinor to meet their parents again. Celeborn would also be joinng them. On the day they left Legolas placed his hands on Eruanna's shoulders. "Iell nin, come with us, please", he begged.

"I cannot. I must see Aunt Arwen to her last days", Eruanna said. She could not go with them. SHe had to watch over her aunt and if she didn't, Eruanna wouldn't be able to forgive herself. "Soon there will be no ships to carry you", Hiriel said, shakily. "I have heard the call of the seas. It won't be much longer, I promise", Eruanna said.

"Please", Legolas begged.

"I can't."

Those words struck deep into Legolas' already broken heart. Like a thousand blades piercing it to pieces. He knew Eruanna had suffered from Aragorn's passing and would suffer from Arwen's and he feared she might fade. He knew if she faded both her grandfathers would go mad with grief.

"I will not leave now, not just yet, ada. Arda is still very dear to me and I have elves here I cannot abandon. But I promise, one day I will round up the last of my kin and come to you. We will be together for all eternity. Tell my granfathers I love them and I will see them soon", Eruanna said, kissing both her parents.

Both Legolas and Hiriel reluctantly agreed, knowing now was not her time. They would pass west, but they would spend many months in anticipation, waiting for their daughter. Eruanna looked to Gimli who was standing a few feet away. "Be warned! The Undying Lands will not save him from death. He will come to death like all mortals", Eruanna warned her father in elvish. Legolas nodded in understanding. Gimli came to Eruanna and hugged her middle.

"I shall miss you Eruanna. I feel after you sail there shall not be any more being as fair as you or the heavenly Lady Galadriel of the Golden Wood", Gimli said, his eyes showing love and adoration.

"And I give you my goodwill to you Gimli, son of Gloin. I pray that when I sail you will still walk upon those shores bringing joy and laughter to those you meet", Eruanna said.

Elladan and Elrohir came forth, hugging Eruanna. "Take care dear niece", Elladan said, softly. "Please come to us", Elrohir begged. "You have to. Nothing will make sense without you." Eruanna smiled at her uncles. "Our sundering will not be long. I long ago cleaved to immortality, I am not letting any of this go." Celeborn gave her one last embrace. "Stay strong, my love", he murmured. And so, they gave their love to Eruanna and boarded the ship to Valinor, taking the elves and an elderly Gimli with them.

The passing of Aragorn caused Arwen great grief. She could no longer stay in Gondor. It was a mournful day when Arwen Undomiel and Eruanna Úlumiel sat together. Both ladies had been dressed in black since Aragorn's death. Arwen mourned her husband. Eruanna was simply broken now that her family had passed over the sea and Arwen was nearing death.

"I cannot stay here much longer sweet Eruanna", Arwen sighed. "I cannot either, dear aunt", Eruanna said. "My time draws near. I am going to leave", Arwen said. "Where shall you go?", Eruanna asked.

"To Lothlórien", Arwen said. "To finally rest and allow the years to take my body so my soul may find peace", Arwen said. "You will not be alone", Eruanna said. "For I shall follow and nothing you can say will change my mind. I swore to see you to the end of your days and I will."

"Follow me if you wish", was all Arwen said.

The next day, Arwen left. Eruanna followed just a few days later. Eventually, Eruanna reached Lothlórien with her dragons. Eruanna got off of Ceveniel and nodded to her. The dragons backed away to give her some privacy. Eruanna Úlumiel then looked and saw Arwen lying on Cerin Amroth, where she and Aragorn had been betrothed. Eruanna's heart wept at the sorry condition of her aunt. Arwen's once shiny, black hair now lay frizzy and dull. Her luminous skin no longer shined and her eyes ceased to sparkle. They were instead filled with an empty sadness.

"Arwen, dear aunt", Eruanna breathed, falling on her knees at the sight of Arwen. Arwen looked at her niece. She knew Eruanna would sail not long after her passing. Memories upon memories flooded her head of when Eruanna was a small elfling. Arwen adored her and was still in awe of the beautiful, brave elleth Eruanna had become. Eruanna was still clad in black and gold, her dress clinging to her luminous skin, her black hair draped gracefully on her shoulders and her eyes, blue as the sea, filled with sadness.

"I feel it sweet Eruanna... the sting of immortality... it is far more than I can bear", Arwen said sadly. "I feel it as well dear aunt", Eruanna said sadly. "But you knew this day would come. We all knew it would come but alas! It did not prepare us for the grief we faced when Aragorn passed", Eruanna said.

"I wish to depart now, Eruanna", Arwen said. "But not before telling you... how much you mean to me", Arwen gasped out.

The tears began to fall.

"It feels like yesterday when you were born! I had never seen your grandfathers so happy. The Houses of Elrond and Thranduil united in blood! From that day on, I loved you. I loved catering you all over Imladris and weaving you tales of those who came before", Arwen sighed.

Eruanna sniffled, the tears did not cease.

"Cry, cry sweet niece of mine, but do not cry for me. For I'm going to see Aragorn again and I shall no longer be grim", Arwen said with a smile of grief and a hint of relief. "But... you know what I- what I would want you to do." Eruanna offered her a small weak smile. "There is nothing left to be said", Eruanna replied. "But nothing I can say that will stop this nor ease the weight of my heart. But I intend to depart soon, the call of the sea rings loud in my ears."

Arwen smiled. "You will be a great Queen and mother someday", Arwen said tearfully. "You will live a long, long prosperous life. Do you understand?."

Eruanna nodded.

"When you finally go West", Arwen breathed. "Tell your daeradar that I do not regret my choice, though my heart weeps at the thought of not seeing him or any of you all again. And... and I understand now... the pain of mortal death." "I will give him this message. I swear to you beloved aunt", Eruanna choked out.

"Le melin sweet Eruanna Úlumiel, morning bird of the elves", Arwen gasped out. "Namarie", and with that the Queen of Gondor breathed her last.

Eruanna let out a loud mournful cry. Long she wept, mourning her late aunt until she finally used her powers and laid her aunt to rest. After saying a short prayer to Mandos, Eruanna Úlumiel looked up, feeling the golden leaves of the dying Lothlórien. It was as if the forest was grieving alongside her. Eruanna's dragons looked on in sorrow for the mistress they had always accepted as a sister. Eruanna then weaved a mournful lament out of her grief which was said to ring throughout the lands on the death anniversary of Arwen Undomiel until Lothlórien was lost forever. All around, birds sang with the Princess, who with a heavy heart, left the forest with her dragons, leaving her aunt to rest in peace, for no amount of mourning would bring her back.

Eruanna rode back to Gondor where she was met by a worried Glorfindel. "Eruanna Úlumiel! I received your message!", Glorfindel said. Eruanna smiled. She had left a note for Glorfindel, asking him to round up the last of their kin. "I went forth to Eryn Lasgalen. The elves have made their way to Mithlond where they wait for you", Glorfindel said. "Thank you", Eruanna replied to her close friend, gratefully. "We will depart for the West. There is nothing for us here."

"Shall we leave now?", Glorfindel asked "We will set out tomorrow", Eruanna said

The next day, Eruanna and Glorfindel were up early. Having packed their stuff, Eruanna gave a letter to a soldier. "Give this to King Eldarion", she said. "Where are you going my lady?", he asked. "To where I should have gone a year ago", Eruanna said. "We are leaving for Valinor. The uttermost West. And we shall never return", she said. The guard nodded and Eruanna left with Glorfindel.

Eruanna Úlumiel stared at her grandfather's crown in her hands, tears silently sliding down her cheeks. She'd been ruling Imladris, Lothlórien and Eryn Lasgalen but everyone in Lothlórien had sailed alongside the majority of Imladris. After the recent death of her aunt, Arwen Undomiel, and the weakening of her dragons as magic in Middle-Earth was fading, Eruanna simply saw no reason to stay any further.

Now she just had to convince at least most of the elves in Eryn Lasgalen to leave with her.

Convincing them all to leave was never going to happen. The forest had bloomed with green leaves and beautiful flowers after centuries of war and ruin. Though it had been so for a hundred or so years, a century was a mere blink in the life of an elf. Most of the elves had stuck to the forest through thick and thin.

Nonetheless, many of the Sindarin and Silvan elves of Eryn Lasgalen had sailed in recent years. Only a few hundred elves were left compared to several thousand at the beginning of the Fourth Age.

Eruanna was weary. Her great-grandparents, grandfathers, her uncles and her parents had all sailed and if it weren't for her dragons, she would've felt so alone. Her cousins were much younger than her and she hardly visited Gondor for them to have any sort of special relationship. Besides, they would all die anyway.

Glorfindel had been put in charge of helping the last of the Noldor sort out their affairs in Imladris before they would meet up in Mithlond and leave with the aid of Lord Cirdan.

"My lady", came the voice of Captain Feren. Feren had been by her side nearly as much as Glorfindel had been. He'd been there when she'd come to Eryn Lasgalen with her father several times during her childhood and when she served on the patrol groups when she had just reached her majority. "Everyone has gathered. They are all waiting."

Eruanna dried her tears. Now she had to be strong. Princesses only cried when no one could hear them or when the arms of a loved one could muffle their sobs.

She walked out onto a platform that had been set for her, where rulers of the House of Oropher needed to give a speech. Several Silvan elves and the few Sindarin elders who had elected to stay until Eruanna chose to pass over where there. Eruanna heard the song of the Valar and she knew her people heard it too. The sea longing which pulled them to a land they never knew.

"How many have felt the pull of the sea and heard the song of the Valar?", Eruanna asked, raising her hand. Everyone raised their hands in unison and put them down when their Lady did (she had refused the title of Queen, knowing her reign would be short). "I have heard it too. I have seen the battle it has waged in all of you. The fight to stay and the desire to finally behold the land we believed only existed in tales of old."

"For me, it is an easy choice, for I have lost the one person who anchored me to these lands. Queen Arwen Undomiel, my dear aunt, has passed. She now joins her husband, High King Aragorn of Gondor and Arnor, son of Arathorn II and Gilraen, foster son to the House of Elrond", she continued. "But for many of you, it is not. This forest is all you have ever known. Everyone knows it will fade, some of you may wish to fade with it."

"For those of you who wish to not forsake these lands, I will not stop you. The House of Oropher is the only authority you have accepted but before us you ruled yourselves. I will be gone very soon, and I expect you to live out your days happily in this forest, however you choose to do so. Yes, I love these woods. I was born in these woods. Yet my heart is too sick and too sad to remain."

Her words pained her heart but the truth always hurt didn't it?

"There are many of you who are still conflicted. I understand you. I may have stayed in Imladris for the majority of my life but do not forget: I am the daughter of Prince Legolas, descendant of King Oropher. I have gone on patrols and seen what you have fought through. I worship these lands and care about them as much as you do."

"Yet, all shall fade with time and none will remember these great lands in which we live. The forest will endure, I don't doubt. But what of our loved ones who have sailed or have been restored to life by Mandos? Why delay? Why don't we rush across the sea to see them again? What if instead of dwelling over heartbreak we find joy in possible reunions?"

Many elves perked up at that. They had lost many in countless wars and battles. The prospect of reunion struck a chord with all of them.

"Your Prince Legolas and your King Thranduil await you, must I add. That is why I am leaving", Eruanna said.

With that, she pointed West. "The Valar call to us! They graciously offer us a home on holy land! A land of peace, salvation and prosperity. A land where loved ones laugh and dance into the night! Where forests grow, where rivers flow, where stars glow. Are we to deny this offer?", Eruanna questioned them.

"I would be honored to take even a handful of you the Mithlond with me. I implore you to think of what awaits you! I will honor your choice to stay should you wish but know that I will mourn those who will eventually pass through Mandos's halls", Eruanna said.

Her speech moved many, some to tears. The younger elves seemed especially interested in leaving for Aman. The elders were shocked and enchanted by the passionate speech delivered from a Princess who hid her heartbreak in her deep blue eyes.

"I will give everyone a week to decide and ponder. Maybe two, if that helps. These decisions will not be made overnight. But know that it is not just the Valar who call to you, but your kin."

Eruanna managed to get through the last line of her speech without her voice cracking. She watched as everyone bowed their heads to her, some with their hands over their hearts. She curtsied and left in a hurry before her emotions threatened to overwhelm her.

Eruanna Úlumiel had helped many sort out their affairs until after the first week, she finally departed Eryn Lasgalen, giving the rest of her matters to her capable council and taking a small retinue of people who had vowed to take ship with her. Among them were the last of the Sindar and her best friends: Caladhwen and Miluiel. Both of them served as her handmaids.

Her dragons were with her as well. Eruanna would bring them with her and convince the Valar to let them stay, however she had to. But that would not be a hard task. Her dragons were elemental dragons, descended from the dragons made by the Valar to oppose Morgoth's beasts.

They could not possibly be denied.

Eruanna and her retinue rode through Middle-Earth, passing by Ithilien, Lothlórien and Imladris one last time. She sent a farewell message to her cousin, King Eldarion, but did not wish to bid him farewell in person.

They finally came to Mithlond where Cirdan the Shipwright was waiting for them. The oldest elf alive who had seen centuries of peace and war greeted them. As he had promised, the ships were ready.

"Dragoness", he kissed Eruanna's hand. "Welcome."

"Thank you, Lord Cirdan", Eruanna said with a smile. "Has Lord Glorfindel arrived with the rest of the Noldor?"

"Yes, my lady. They are waiting for you. What of Eryn Lasgalen?", inquired Cirdan.

"Feren will lead whoever wishes to go here", Eruanna informed him. Just then, she saw a familiar, golden-haired elf running up to her.

As if she were a child again, Eruanna rushed into his arms. They collided and the force of their embrace sent them to the ground, laughing. Glorfindel, the mighty Balrog-Slayer, her Golden Knight, was with her.

"How are you, Everstar?", he asked as they stood up and dusted themselves off.

"Ready to leave", sighed Eruanna.

Glorfindel laughed. "I am as eager as you are."

Just then, they heard a call from Miluiel. Eruanna and Glorfindel raced to see a large host of Silvan elves being led by Feren. It was much more than Eruanna had anticipated.

"Ai Valar", she murmured.

Feren came up to her, smiling at the look of shock on her face. "When I last saw you, you spoke to the few hundred elves who remained in Eryn Lasgalen. Now only a few dozen yet linger in the woods. All of them decided to follow you", he gestured to the large group.

"I could never fathom such a thing", Eruanna murmured. She bowed her head to her people, letting them know how grateful she was. They bowed back, swearing allegiance to follow her West.

"I never thought so many wood elves would leave Eryn Lasgalen", murmured Cirdan.

Feren smiled at the Elven Lord. "And all it took was one speech."

The elves all boarded the ships. Eruanna's dragons saw the ships and looked at her, confused. Eruanna looked at them, smiling softly. "We have to go home", she said. Getting courage from their beloved Mistress, her dragons: Ceveniel, Helegiel, Naurion, Sûlion and Faroniel, all boarded the ship, which was the largest one.

The anchors were hoisted and the ships set sail. Eruanna felt all her burdens ease off of her shoulders.

Eruanna looked at her place of birth and life, sighing. She remembered everything, from her first training sessions with Glorfindel, to her first patrol, to the Quest of Erebor and her first battles to the defeat of Sauron and the sailing of her family. Now she would join her family and be at eternal peace.

"Namarie fair lands. May the Valar grant you eternal peace and may Ulmo carry me, my dragons and my people safely to Valinor." Eruanna felt Glorfindel, Feren, Caladhwen and Miluiel flanking her, silently lending their support. With a small smile, Eruanna looked ahead as they sailed West, never to return again.